Any and all comments are helpful!********
Snow fell in fat, soft clumps. It swirled beneath the yellow glow of a street lamp before settling on the ground.
The silence was deafening.
I curled my feet beneath me and arranged the thick fleece blanket so that it covered everything but my arms and opened the book that sat in my lap. A log popped in the fireplace. Lights twinkled on the Christmas tree that stood in the corner.
A knock sounded at the front door. With a frown, I tossed off the blanket and stood, setting my mug of tea down on the coffee table as I passed and twirling my wedding ring around my finger. Nervous habit.
Three doors stood in my way and I unlocked them quickly, peering through the lead pane windows to see who stood on my front steps. There were nothing but shadows that I could see.
Finally, only one door was left. I flicked on the porch light and gasped.
Standing there, bathed in light and dusted with snow, was a man in a Marine’s dress uniform. As I stood there staring at him through the screen door, my mouth slack with shock, he let a smile bloom on his handsome face.
“Are you going to let me in?” He asked with a little chuckle. I kept staring, taking in his boyish smile, his strong jaw, his beautiful cheekbones, and the impish light in his eyes.
One black gloved hand came up slowly to rest on the screen that separated us. My hand came up to mirror his and I could feel the heat of his skin through the flimsy mesh.
“Kennedy, open the door.” His voice startled me out of my reverie and I quickly tried to unlock the door. Trembling fingers and a stubborn lock slowed my progress.
When the door was open, we were still for a moment before he lunged inside, wrapping me in his arms and covering my mouth with his.
I lost myself in the feel of his lips on mine as snow swirled around us through the open door. I couldn’t help the little moan that escaped. Kissing him again was like coming home, it was so right, so perfect.
“Nathan,” I breathed, pressing myself closer, wanting to disappear into him. He still smelled the same, still felt the same.
He smiled before kissing me again.
“I love you. Merry Christmas,” he whispered, his lips brushing my ear. I shivered, but not from the cold.
“Welcome Home.”
*
I jerked awake as the doorbell rang. The logs in the fireplace had long since burned down to just a warm glow. I frowned and stood, untangling myself from the fleece blanket. Remembering my dream, I smiled and quickened my pace.
Three doors still stood in my way, and just like in the dream I unlocked them as quickly as I could, my heartbeat quickening in anticipation.
This time, it wasn’t one Marine who stood on my front steps in his dress uniform, but two. They stood at attention, their faces grim.
I felt my heart stop beating for an instant. Dread settled in my stomach, an iron fist gripping my insides until I wanted to double over. Tears sprang to my eyes as I opened the screen door.
“Mrs. O’Reilly, I’m Terry Shea,” the young Marine said softly. Images of his name written in letter after letter assaulted my mind and I sobbed as my knees buckled. My arm shot out to grab the door frame as Terry Shea stepped forward to catch me.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. I felt his tears against my cheek.
The older Marine stepped forward, a folded flag in his hands. He held it out to me, looking like he’d done this far too many times.
“Mrs. O’Reilly, on behalf of the United States Marine Corps, we are very sorry for your loss.”
