The sun was shining brightly melting the snow into tiny puddles across the sidewalk and parking lot. Even with the heat waves coming down, it was still freezing. I stepped out of my car, pulling my sweater closer to my body so I could zip it up enough to keep myself a bit warmer but still allow some cleavage to show through. I knew I probably looked ridiculous in a tank top with a thin black sweater, but I had to look good. He hasn't seen me in months, except for in my pajamas through a grainy web camera. Honestly, pain is beauty. At least freezing my ass off will give me those cute pink cheeks.
Butterflies were bubbling in my stomach as I clicked the lock on the car and walked away as it beeped back to me. I carefully walked across the lot, making sure to look for black ice and for cars that weren't paying attention. I could hear planes flying in from all different directions and my heart gave a tiny leap. I was at the airport early but his flight could be early too. I stepped inside the revolving glass doors and pushed a hand through my hair, making sure it was still parted the right way and laying flat against my shoulders. Now, the waiting.
I picked my way through the crowds of people, looking up at the signs for the right Airline. Why did airports have to be so confusing? He had told me I could just wait down at the baggage claim, but like I told him, there was no fucking way I was going to stand around and try to look for him at a baggage claim. I was going to wait at the gate and the moment he stepped off that plane I was going to be in his arms. As the escalator brought me up to the second floor, it gave the butterflies that were flitting through my stomach weight. I was nervous, excitement screaming through my body. I honestly didn't know what to expect and I was sure the wait was going to kill me.
Would he look any different? Tanner maybe? Would he have gotten any taller? Or gotten thinner? Maybe bigger with more muscle mass... Would he recognize me when he stepped through the gate? I laughed nervously to myself. What a stupid question. Of course he would recognize his own wife. It hadn't been that long... right? I walked up to the airport security sitting at the gate and handed him my military ID. He called over another security guard who walked my through the security lines and walked with me to the gate where he would be getting off the airplane. I sat in one of the oversized blue chairs, crossed my legs and put my purse on my lap.
Around me people were going about their business, looking for their airlines and dragging little kids along behind them. I glanced down at my cell phone and sighed. Forty minutes to go. I rummaged through the inside of my purse, pulling out a lip gloss and running it over my lips. They were slick now, but most of it would absorb by the time he got off the plane so that my lips would shine but not make a mess when he kissed me. Placing it back I glanced at the phone again. Thirty eight minutes. If I reapplied lip gloss every three minutes, I would only have to put it on seven more times and then the plane would be here. I laughed to myself and leaned back into the chair, letting my eyes fall closed.
Absentmindedly I twisted the pair of dog tags I was wearing around my fingers, letting them fall back against my chest before picking them up again. Sometimes when I was thinking about him I found myself playing with them or chewing on one of the tags. I bet it's been five minutes... I thought and snuck a peak at my cell phone. Only thirty four minutes left. This was going to be the death of me.
I looked back down to my purse and found a small novel I had shoved in earlier that morning. I hadn't even looked at the title and laughed when I realized it was book six out of a series. At least I had read them all before... I flipped it open but every couple of words I found my mind wandering again. The butterflies had turned into rocks and felt like they were slamming against my sides. I found I was tapping my foot against the floor and crossed them to make the shaking stop. People had started to assemble around me, getting ready to board the plane that he would soon be stepping off of. There was a couple sitting across from me, the woman had her leg crossed over her partners knees and was leaning her head on his shoulder. His arm was placed securely around her back and he was whispering something to her, his eyes shining as she started to laugh.
I smiled at them, happy for them and was glad for the change in attitude. For the past couple of months, every time I saw couples together, stabs of envy would curl through my stomach. I sighed again and looked towards the large screen hanging over the gate to make sure the plane was on schedule. Stealing a glance at my phone again I saw that there were only twenty minutes left. I put the book back into my purse and turned my body towards the doors.
I pushed open my phone and sent my mom a quick text, letting her know I was waiting at the airport now. His mom had sent me a text earlier that day asking when she would see him but I delayed my response until he could make that decision. I was going to be the first one to see him and spend his first night back with him. I entertained myself with people watching and random thoughts about what would happen when we finally left the airport. As wicked thoughts danced through my mind, a calm woman's voice rang through the terminal to announce that the flight had arrived and they were in the process of un-boarding the plane. I sat up straight in my chair, and tugged the hem of my sweatshirt down. I had a couple minutes to fix my clothing and I wished I had a mirror so I could check my hair and possibly touch up my makeup.
I looked up as people started coming off of the plane and held my breath as my eyes scanned each person waiting for him to emerge. People were flooding out of the gate, lugging their suitcases, briefcases, and purses with them as they pulled out their new tickets or cell phones to try and figure out where they were going next. As each person passed by my chair, I could feel the beating of my heart increase in my chest. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw him. He walked through the doors and my breath caught in my throat. He looked so good. He had his laptop case slung over his shoulder and was looking down at his cell phone. I smiled knowing in a minute or so when he finally looked up from his phone, my own phone would be buzzing, asking where I was. I stood quickly, weaving my way through people, never taking my eyes off of him. When I reached him, he looked up and met my eyes, a smile instantly spreading across his lips.
"Hey baby." He said softly, opening his arms so I could fall into them. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me against him, holding me tightly. "Are you okay?" He half laughed as I felt the tears instantly spring to my eyes.
"Yes." I whispered pressing my face into his neck. I can feel him laughing and I start to laugh myself. "I missed you so much."
"I know baby, I missed you too." He pulled me back to meet my eyes before pressing his lips against mine. Instantly, my body reacted and shiver went through my body. I could sense people around us staring at us, smiling at us. I pulled back from him and slid my hand down his arm, wrapping our fingers together. His hand felt warm in mine and they fit perfectly with mine. "Ready to go?"
"Of course I am." I squeezed his hand and he tossed his bag over his shoulder. I allowed him to pull me forward after picking up a small bag at the baggage claim, we left the airport to find my car. I slid into the driver's seat and turned to face him. "Kiss me." I demanded. He smiled and pulled my head towards him, crushing our lips together. I moaned softly as I pushed myself closer to him, wishing the arm rest wasn't in between us. Our lips moved together and I could feel my body responding. I couldn't wait to feel the rest of his body. His hand on the side of my face was warm and felt good. He laughed and pulled away.
"Drive baby." I smiled back at him and turned around to turn on the car. He relaxed back into the seat, reaching over to place a hand on my knee and started talking about his flight.
***
"Three something... what room did she say?" I asked as we stepped off of the elevator onto the third floor of the hotel. "I wasn't paying attention."
"I know you weren't. You were too busy with your hands in my pocket and trying to get people not to notice." He laughed at me and I smiled as I turned to kiss him.
