just_muse_me | 24.3.5 The End Was Near
Co-written with tacticalmind | Dated 09/09/09 | Follows THIS
Leila pulled away, her eyes still closed as it started to sink in that they really had just shared their first kiss as man and wife. The priest--or whoever it was--announced them as Mr and Mrs Laird, and her stomach flipped. She'd really just got married. She couldn't believe it. All those years of saying she'd never really wanted it, would just prefer to keep things casual with anyone she'd met, she really didn't know what she'd been talking about. Leila leaned in to kiss Rob again, cupping his face with her hands.
The white dress he'd got her wasn't quite wedding material, but it did fit, and the figure hugging cocktail dress was certainly a huge jump from what she usually wore. She'd even managed a blue necklace, 'borrowed' earrings from Tab she'd found on the side of the bathroom sink, and her old glasses were fixed in place so she could see her new husband. Not bad for last minute, especially since her dress covered the something new.
She pulled Rob aside, making room for the next couple to get hitched. She didn't pay attention though, her gaze locked with Rob's as she grinned. There was an awkward pause, and she let out a nervous laugh. "Now what?"
Rob had actually been highly amused when the receptionist at the Little White Chapel of whatever the eff tried to insist Leila wear a veil because the dress needed it. The woman nearly ended up with the small bouquet of roses lodged up her ass in response. As it was, Rob had gotten the bouquet especially for her, because he had seen the movies and the TV shows with the crappy little worn bunch of fake flowers that was handed over to every couple using their services. He wanted to try and make it special for her, and have some small touches to make it uniquely theirs. As it was, it was a far cry from his first wedding. Ellie had wanted the whole damn expensive charade with about eight bridesmaids and whatever other painful wedding tradition she could squeeze into a single day where everyone had to focus solely on her. Rob just remembered feeling so hot in the tuxedo she picked him out almost splitting his pants when he was doing up his shoes because they were so tight and probably polyester.
This was different, and he actually couldn't have wanted anything more. It didn't matter how they did it, or what Leila had in her hair. They practically laughed most of the way through it because they were having a good time, but managed to regain their composure for the actual vows. They had arrived in Vegas the afternoon before, and spent the evening and night shopping, and in a few casinos. At some point over the day, they realised they would be actually getting married on the unique date of 09/09/09, so Rob shoved a $500 chip on the number nine on roulette as they passed, and won quite a lot of money because of it. It just seemed to seal the deal. They holed up in the hotel room for the rest of the night having their own private final night of unmarried passion, and it was now the following morning and they really had just tied the knot.
He let out a rush of breath and laughed, still not quite believing he had a wedding ring on his finger again, and wasn't single anymore. Not that his single life had lasted long. He was on marriage number two, but as far as he was concerned, it shat all over anything in his past. They had to fly back to New York that afternoon so he could get some rest and be at the brig first thing in the morning. He didn't want to think about that now. If he did, he would probably want to throw up. He didn't want to leave her. It was going to hit him hard later, he knew it. "Well, we could get some breakfast... or brunch. Not that I'm a brunch sorta guy. Or we could go lose all our money in poker. Or we could just go back to the hotel, spend up big on room service and make the most of the time we have left here," he suggested, letting his fingers explore the curves of her body in the dress that he decided he absolutely loved her in. "Can't exactly get thrown in a chopper without consummating my marriage, can I?"
Leila smirked, her fingers trailing down the edge of his collar. "No, you really can't. Besides, you don't want to leave me without giving me enough satisfaction to last months, do you?" This time the kiss she gave him was fuelled by hunger, the idea of spending the entire day locked in their room more than agreeing with her. "I vote for the hotel and room service."
Rob was almost left breathless with the force of the kiss, and lost his balance in the embrace, laughing as it eased off. "Oh, you issue a tough assignment, my love," he teased. "You're going to have to ply me with coffee and energy drinks to keep me going. I ain't gonna be able to walk tomorrow, am I?"
Leila slipped her arms around his waist, and pressed herself up against him as she shook her head. "Nope. I'm not letting you get off easy. The Army will just have to deal with it. They're still going to have you, just I'm having you first. It's my right as your wife now."
Rob squeezed her softly and gave her another kiss before the celebrant pointedly cleared his throat and gestured to the next couple hovering in the doorway of the chapel. Rob shot them an apologetic smile and nodded, slipping his arm around Leila's waist and starting to lead her out of the venue. "You know, I never would have pegged myself as one to get hitched in Vegas," he admitted. "What about you? And you don't happen to know any lawyers who might be able to squeeze me in for a quick meeting this afternoon, would you?" he laughed.
They made their way out onto the busy street, but their hotel wasn't too far a walk away. "I'm waiting for that post-wedding panic to kick in like it did last time. It ain't coming, that's gotta be a good thing," he decided, glancing at her with a smile.
Leila squinted in the sudden sunlight, and nodded. "Yeah, it's a good thing. I don't even have it. I never actually thought I'd get married, let alone get married in Vegas. I always figured it was more for Andy, and Luke. Well, okay, more Andy. Luke took me by surprise. He has never shied from a relationship, but I was beginning to wonder if he would actually settle down. I'm glad he found Tab. I'm happy for Andy, too. And you know?" she asked, tucking herself against his side as they walked, her thumb rubbing against the wedding band on her finger. It didn't feel odd, it felt like it belonged. "I'm seriously fucking happy and glad I found you."
Rob rubbed his hand down over her arm and pressed a lingering kiss to her hair. He had to try and keep his mind on the straight and narrow or that little niggle in his gut promised to engulf him, and it would ruin their last day together. All he wanted was more time with her. He never expected to fall in love so soon after everything went down before he came to New York. He never expected to fall so hard. That tingle inside him wanted him to give into the hurt that was going to come when he got shipped out the next day, but he would just deal with it, once he was away from her so he didn't upset her and fuck up their remaining time. "Same," he told her, his voice a little choked, so he cleared his throat and offered a polite smile to a passing couple. "I hope they're okay with everything. I know how protective of you they are."
"They'll live. I'm happy, and they like you. They have nothing against you, and I think they'll understand." At least she hoped they would. She had no plans for taking the rings off her finger, especially the crest ring Rob had given her when he'd proposed. She paused suddenly, shifting to get into the small bag she'd carried with her. She pulled out a digital camera, and flicked it on before holding it out in front of them. "Kiss me for the record, Sergeant?" She'd already recorded most of their trip, glad for once that cameras were so compact these days. She'd wanted to bring her SLR, but it would have been too bulky for the wedding. "Oh, and I think Andy's partner's best friend's brother is a lawyer if that helps."
Rob laughed, looking at her in amusement. "Even though you're a photographer, do the photos you take of yourself still turn out as dorky as us photography plebians?" he asked curiously and gave her a big kiss, only just manage not to keep laughing in response. "Partner's best friend's brother. That makes my head hurt. Think he might do me a favour if I pull the I'm about to be shipped out and need a new will ASAP card?"
There was a flash when she took the photo, and as she turned the camera back off, Leila laughed as well. "Yes, they do actually. You'll have to indulge me today. I'm going to take as many photos as I can. I saw a place in the hotel where I can get them printed, too. I'll give you some before you leave. You're allowed photos, right?" Leila nodded, tucking her camera back in her bag so she could get back to hugging her husband. "Yeah, Jamie's biological dad. I think I probably should have said that in the first place... Mark Campbell, I think? I'm sure he would. Wait, will?"
Rob's eyebrows shot up again. "As many photos as you can of the whole day?" he squeaked, wondering how the place in the hotel would feel seeing photos of them of their day holed up in the hotel with room service, among other things. He nodded. "Yeah, sure. I can take a small pack of things with me. Jamie's biological Dad... wow. That's some interwoven history there. Is it awkward? Mark Campbell." He slotted the name to the back of his mind, but wasn't sure how he was going to go about convincing the guy to see him quickly, and maybe even after hours.
"Yeah, I..." He bit down on his lips. "Just precaution..." he told her awkwardly. Wills weren't exactly the best topic of conversation on a wedding day, were they?
Leila winked at him. "Most of it, yeah. You have to allow me some naughty moments. I promise I won't get those printed here. I'll do them at home where I can relive the memories in privacy. So relax your privates, soldier. You won't get in any trouble. Not so much awkward, just loaded. Luke said he was there to help Ali when Andrew was... well, when he fell off the wagon." Leila tried not to let out a sigh. She understood, she really did. It was just another reminder that he was going to be gone soon, and she was going to miss him like mad. Probably spend the whole time worrying, no matter what she'd said to the contrary. "Of course... I get it."
Rob couldn't help but let out a relieved breath. He wasn't a prude, but he wasn't sure he wanted strangers gawping at his performance via photos, but he did laugh at himself because of it. "Some people would probably pay a lot of money to have gorgeous naked photos of you. I might be forced to use my skills beyond my job," he warned teasingly. He hugged her tightly, trying to apologise via the embrace. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I really am. It's just, the divorce... if anything happened, she could dispute my estate without an updated will. I don't want her having anything. I just want to make this all legal and official."
"I'm trying not to find the idea of you killing people on my behalf hot, and failing miserably. I blame the excitement of getting married. I'm clearly getting delirious," she laughed. Leila rest her head against Rob's shoulder. "I know... I really do. And I'm glad you're trying to get this right, it's just hard. I know I said I'd be cool, but it's getting hard. I want to enjoy today, but the idea of saying goodbye tomorrow sucks dogs balls."
"I'd be very clean about the killing," Rob joked, rubbing her back. It wasn't really a joke. He was supposed to be clean about everything as a sniper. That was the whole point. That niggle turned into more of a stabbing sensaton now and crawled up somewhere between his heart and stomach. "I know, and I wanted to talk to you about that. It might just be easier, or better, to say goodbye tonight. Tomorrow it'll be... all official and maybe seeing me like that isn't the best way to leave things."
"Official?" Leila asked as she lifted her head, and looked at him. She was oblivious to the crowd around them, Rob the only person that mattered. "You mean you'd be in uniform?"
Rob loosened off his tie a little as he got warm in the Vegas heat. "Yeah, I'll be in uniform. But I'm a Sergeant. There won't be much contact between us, probably not even much eye contact. I'm on the brig in an official capacity. Once I'm there, I'm... someone else. Especially considering I've been called to service. We could always say goodbye at the gates before I go in. I'm not saying you can't be in there to say goodbye. Families come, just, we're on duty. This is sounding more and more fucked up by the minute, isn't it?"
"A little," Leila conceded with a small smile. "I guess we can give the main goodbye tonight. I'd still like to drop you off if I can. I won't come inside. Shit," she cursed, taking a deep breath, feeling a lump grow in her throat. "This isn't fucking fair. I'm sorry, I don't mean to drag this whole moment down. Maybe it's better we get it out now."
Rob paused in their walk, even though they were within the vicinity of their hotel. He pulled her close to him, just hugging her securely. "It's okay, darlin'. I know this sucks, and I wish it could be different. I know there wasn't even any other way I could have prepared you for this to lessen the sting. I didn't have enough warning. There's just shit going down in Afghanistan with Aussie soldiers being blown up and things always get tense. They tightened the belt and try to cover their asses, hence more troops. I'm hoping it's going to be a short posting. I might be back sooner than a few months." He hadn't ever been posted any less than three months, though, but he didn't want to add to the crap already. Their last day together was probably going to be bittersweet. It was hard to pretend nothing was wrong when the very reason they were there in the first place was because something was wrong.
Leila clutched at the back of his shirt, and tried not to cry. She knew the lump was growing, but she didn't want to give in. Not until he was gone. He shouldn't have to watch her cry, not today.
The silence told him more than words could and he just continued to hold her, brushing his hand soothingly up and down her back. "I'm going to stay in touch as much as I can, okay? I promise you that. Any time I've got a break, I'll be there to talk to you," he promised her quietly, talking close to her ear. "And we'll make up for it when I get back. We can go on that road trip and make up for lost time. I ain't gonna stop thinking about you."
"Me either," Leila murmured. Her voice caught on the lump, and she bit down on her lip. It was a long moment before she thought she could look at him without crying. "We're still owed a honeymoon. Maybe we should do the road trip as that? It would be fun, and it would just be us. Plus fucking in every state we enter? Hot."
"Definitely need a honeymoon," Rob agreed, knowing he would more than need it once he got home. Maybe after he slept for a week. He always came home drained and down-trodden, but still proud of what he achieved. Ironically, the race with Ellie was going to be his holiday last time and it nearly ruined him. He needed something to renew his love in road trips again. "Is there anywhere in particular you want to go or want to see? There must be one place where you've always thought, well shit, I need to see that before I die."
Leila tilted her head, almost embracing the change of topics. It was helping dissolve the lump in her throat. "Um, let's see... It has to be somewhere to get to by car, otherwise what's the point? Actually, there's a new entry on my list. Littlerock. I'd like to see where you grew up. Maybe meet your mum?"
Rob had to laugh, pulling back a little to see her. "You ain't heard much about Arkansas, have you? It's hardly New York. A lot of... cows and stuff," he offered. "My folks will love you. Granted, there might be a bit of general annoyance that I didn't tell them about this, but they'll understand. I know they should have met you before this. That's something I would change if I could," he admitted.
"I know, and same with me. At least you met Andy, and Luke. And hey, I can deal with cows! Maybe I need something that's not New York for a little while." Leila smiled at him, raising her hand to touch his hair. "I love you, Robert Laird."
"You gotta take care of those cousins of yours. Andrew needs you right now. Maybe that's why fate got me shipped out, so you can keep an eye on him for a lil while. Help him get back on his feet like you did when he was in London. I know what it's like to hit rock bottom and wonder if you'll find your way back." Rob smiled at her, leaning into the touch a little. Her touches were always soft and soothing. His hair had gotten long on his leave, to the point he needed to actually throw some product into it each morning to stop it sticking up all over the place. It lightened to it's normal blond colour too when it was longer. Back to the standard army crop tomorrow morning, which he needed in the heat of the Middle East anyway. "I love you right back, Leila Jackson," he told her and rested his forehead against hers, touching her lips softly with his thumb.
Her nose crinkled as she started to laugh. "I think it's Leila Laird now, isn't it? Makes me sound... I don't know. Not that I don't love your name, just the double L's. I'm definitely going to go back and take care of Andrew. I guess maybe Fate is doing us a favour, but I'm still going to hate on it for a little while if that's okay?" Her tongue flicked out to touch the tip of his thumb, and she smiled. "Wanna go get consummated?"
Rob laughed and shook his head. "Please don't feel that you have to take my name. I ain't gonna be offended if you don't. Sorry I don't have a more conducive name, but I promise, it ain't a necessity or anything. Unless you want to do the whole hyphenating thing. Either way, I'm cool." He took her hand and held it up, kissing her wedding ring. "This is all I need, and yes, I do wanna go get consummated," he added with a grin.
"Leila Jackson-Laird?" It was food for thought, at any rate. Maybe by the time they'd spent the day consummating their marriage, she'd have made a decision about her name. She ran her fingers through his hair again, before resting her hand against the back of his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. "Then let's go, Sergeant."
Words: 3469 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse
Leila pulled away, her eyes still closed as it started to sink in that they really had just shared their first kiss as man and wife. The priest--or whoever it was--announced them as Mr and Mrs Laird, and her stomach flipped. She'd really just got married. She couldn't believe it. All those years of saying she'd never really wanted it, would just prefer to keep things casual with anyone she'd met, she really didn't know what she'd been talking about. Leila leaned in to kiss Rob again, cupping his face with her hands.
The white dress he'd got her wasn't quite wedding material, but it did fit, and the figure hugging cocktail dress was certainly a huge jump from what she usually wore. She'd even managed a blue necklace, 'borrowed' earrings from Tab she'd found on the side of the bathroom sink, and her old glasses were fixed in place so she could see her new husband. Not bad for last minute, especially since her dress covered the something new.
She pulled Rob aside, making room for the next couple to get hitched. She didn't pay attention though, her gaze locked with Rob's as she grinned. There was an awkward pause, and she let out a nervous laugh. "Now what?"
Rob had actually been highly amused when the receptionist at the Little White Chapel of whatever the eff tried to insist Leila wear a veil because the dress needed it. The woman nearly ended up with the small bouquet of roses lodged up her ass in response. As it was, Rob had gotten the bouquet especially for her, because he had seen the movies and the TV shows with the crappy little worn bunch of fake flowers that was handed over to every couple using their services. He wanted to try and make it special for her, and have some small touches to make it uniquely theirs. As it was, it was a far cry from his first wedding. Ellie had wanted the whole damn expensive charade with about eight bridesmaids and whatever other painful wedding tradition she could squeeze into a single day where everyone had to focus solely on her. Rob just remembered feeling so hot in the tuxedo she picked him out almost splitting his pants when he was doing up his shoes because they were so tight and probably polyester.
This was different, and he actually couldn't have wanted anything more. It didn't matter how they did it, or what Leila had in her hair. They practically laughed most of the way through it because they were having a good time, but managed to regain their composure for the actual vows. They had arrived in Vegas the afternoon before, and spent the evening and night shopping, and in a few casinos. At some point over the day, they realised they would be actually getting married on the unique date of 09/09/09, so Rob shoved a $500 chip on the number nine on roulette as they passed, and won quite a lot of money because of it. It just seemed to seal the deal. They holed up in the hotel room for the rest of the night having their own private final night of unmarried passion, and it was now the following morning and they really had just tied the knot.
He let out a rush of breath and laughed, still not quite believing he had a wedding ring on his finger again, and wasn't single anymore. Not that his single life had lasted long. He was on marriage number two, but as far as he was concerned, it shat all over anything in his past. They had to fly back to New York that afternoon so he could get some rest and be at the brig first thing in the morning. He didn't want to think about that now. If he did, he would probably want to throw up. He didn't want to leave her. It was going to hit him hard later, he knew it. "Well, we could get some breakfast... or brunch. Not that I'm a brunch sorta guy. Or we could go lose all our money in poker. Or we could just go back to the hotel, spend up big on room service and make the most of the time we have left here," he suggested, letting his fingers explore the curves of her body in the dress that he decided he absolutely loved her in. "Can't exactly get thrown in a chopper without consummating my marriage, can I?"
Leila smirked, her fingers trailing down the edge of his collar. "No, you really can't. Besides, you don't want to leave me without giving me enough satisfaction to last months, do you?" This time the kiss she gave him was fuelled by hunger, the idea of spending the entire day locked in their room more than agreeing with her. "I vote for the hotel and room service."
Rob was almost left breathless with the force of the kiss, and lost his balance in the embrace, laughing as it eased off. "Oh, you issue a tough assignment, my love," he teased. "You're going to have to ply me with coffee and energy drinks to keep me going. I ain't gonna be able to walk tomorrow, am I?"
Leila slipped her arms around his waist, and pressed herself up against him as she shook her head. "Nope. I'm not letting you get off easy. The Army will just have to deal with it. They're still going to have you, just I'm having you first. It's my right as your wife now."
Rob squeezed her softly and gave her another kiss before the celebrant pointedly cleared his throat and gestured to the next couple hovering in the doorway of the chapel. Rob shot them an apologetic smile and nodded, slipping his arm around Leila's waist and starting to lead her out of the venue. "You know, I never would have pegged myself as one to get hitched in Vegas," he admitted. "What about you? And you don't happen to know any lawyers who might be able to squeeze me in for a quick meeting this afternoon, would you?" he laughed.
They made their way out onto the busy street, but their hotel wasn't too far a walk away. "I'm waiting for that post-wedding panic to kick in like it did last time. It ain't coming, that's gotta be a good thing," he decided, glancing at her with a smile.
Leila squinted in the sudden sunlight, and nodded. "Yeah, it's a good thing. I don't even have it. I never actually thought I'd get married, let alone get married in Vegas. I always figured it was more for Andy, and Luke. Well, okay, more Andy. Luke took me by surprise. He has never shied from a relationship, but I was beginning to wonder if he would actually settle down. I'm glad he found Tab. I'm happy for Andy, too. And you know?" she asked, tucking herself against his side as they walked, her thumb rubbing against the wedding band on her finger. It didn't feel odd, it felt like it belonged. "I'm seriously fucking happy and glad I found you."
Rob rubbed his hand down over her arm and pressed a lingering kiss to her hair. He had to try and keep his mind on the straight and narrow or that little niggle in his gut promised to engulf him, and it would ruin their last day together. All he wanted was more time with her. He never expected to fall in love so soon after everything went down before he came to New York. He never expected to fall so hard. That tingle inside him wanted him to give into the hurt that was going to come when he got shipped out the next day, but he would just deal with it, once he was away from her so he didn't upset her and fuck up their remaining time. "Same," he told her, his voice a little choked, so he cleared his throat and offered a polite smile to a passing couple. "I hope they're okay with everything. I know how protective of you they are."
"They'll live. I'm happy, and they like you. They have nothing against you, and I think they'll understand." At least she hoped they would. She had no plans for taking the rings off her finger, especially the crest ring Rob had given her when he'd proposed. She paused suddenly, shifting to get into the small bag she'd carried with her. She pulled out a digital camera, and flicked it on before holding it out in front of them. "Kiss me for the record, Sergeant?" She'd already recorded most of their trip, glad for once that cameras were so compact these days. She'd wanted to bring her SLR, but it would have been too bulky for the wedding. "Oh, and I think Andy's partner's best friend's brother is a lawyer if that helps."
Rob laughed, looking at her in amusement. "Even though you're a photographer, do the photos you take of yourself still turn out as dorky as us photography plebians?" he asked curiously and gave her a big kiss, only just manage not to keep laughing in response. "Partner's best friend's brother. That makes my head hurt. Think he might do me a favour if I pull the I'm about to be shipped out and need a new will ASAP card?"
There was a flash when she took the photo, and as she turned the camera back off, Leila laughed as well. "Yes, they do actually. You'll have to indulge me today. I'm going to take as many photos as I can. I saw a place in the hotel where I can get them printed, too. I'll give you some before you leave. You're allowed photos, right?" Leila nodded, tucking her camera back in her bag so she could get back to hugging her husband. "Yeah, Jamie's biological dad. I think I probably should have said that in the first place... Mark Campbell, I think? I'm sure he would. Wait, will?"
Rob's eyebrows shot up again. "As many photos as you can of the whole day?" he squeaked, wondering how the place in the hotel would feel seeing photos of them of their day holed up in the hotel with room service, among other things. He nodded. "Yeah, sure. I can take a small pack of things with me. Jamie's biological Dad... wow. That's some interwoven history there. Is it awkward? Mark Campbell." He slotted the name to the back of his mind, but wasn't sure how he was going to go about convincing the guy to see him quickly, and maybe even after hours.
"Yeah, I..." He bit down on his lips. "Just precaution..." he told her awkwardly. Wills weren't exactly the best topic of conversation on a wedding day, were they?
Leila winked at him. "Most of it, yeah. You have to allow me some naughty moments. I promise I won't get those printed here. I'll do them at home where I can relive the memories in privacy. So relax your privates, soldier. You won't get in any trouble. Not so much awkward, just loaded. Luke said he was there to help Ali when Andrew was... well, when he fell off the wagon." Leila tried not to let out a sigh. She understood, she really did. It was just another reminder that he was going to be gone soon, and she was going to miss him like mad. Probably spend the whole time worrying, no matter what she'd said to the contrary. "Of course... I get it."
Rob couldn't help but let out a relieved breath. He wasn't a prude, but he wasn't sure he wanted strangers gawping at his performance via photos, but he did laugh at himself because of it. "Some people would probably pay a lot of money to have gorgeous naked photos of you. I might be forced to use my skills beyond my job," he warned teasingly. He hugged her tightly, trying to apologise via the embrace. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I really am. It's just, the divorce... if anything happened, she could dispute my estate without an updated will. I don't want her having anything. I just want to make this all legal and official."
"I'm trying not to find the idea of you killing people on my behalf hot, and failing miserably. I blame the excitement of getting married. I'm clearly getting delirious," she laughed. Leila rest her head against Rob's shoulder. "I know... I really do. And I'm glad you're trying to get this right, it's just hard. I know I said I'd be cool, but it's getting hard. I want to enjoy today, but the idea of saying goodbye tomorrow sucks dogs balls."
"I'd be very clean about the killing," Rob joked, rubbing her back. It wasn't really a joke. He was supposed to be clean about everything as a sniper. That was the whole point. That niggle turned into more of a stabbing sensaton now and crawled up somewhere between his heart and stomach. "I know, and I wanted to talk to you about that. It might just be easier, or better, to say goodbye tonight. Tomorrow it'll be... all official and maybe seeing me like that isn't the best way to leave things."
"Official?" Leila asked as she lifted her head, and looked at him. She was oblivious to the crowd around them, Rob the only person that mattered. "You mean you'd be in uniform?"
Rob loosened off his tie a little as he got warm in the Vegas heat. "Yeah, I'll be in uniform. But I'm a Sergeant. There won't be much contact between us, probably not even much eye contact. I'm on the brig in an official capacity. Once I'm there, I'm... someone else. Especially considering I've been called to service. We could always say goodbye at the gates before I go in. I'm not saying you can't be in there to say goodbye. Families come, just, we're on duty. This is sounding more and more fucked up by the minute, isn't it?"
"A little," Leila conceded with a small smile. "I guess we can give the main goodbye tonight. I'd still like to drop you off if I can. I won't come inside. Shit," she cursed, taking a deep breath, feeling a lump grow in her throat. "This isn't fucking fair. I'm sorry, I don't mean to drag this whole moment down. Maybe it's better we get it out now."
Rob paused in their walk, even though they were within the vicinity of their hotel. He pulled her close to him, just hugging her securely. "It's okay, darlin'. I know this sucks, and I wish it could be different. I know there wasn't even any other way I could have prepared you for this to lessen the sting. I didn't have enough warning. There's just shit going down in Afghanistan with Aussie soldiers being blown up and things always get tense. They tightened the belt and try to cover their asses, hence more troops. I'm hoping it's going to be a short posting. I might be back sooner than a few months." He hadn't ever been posted any less than three months, though, but he didn't want to add to the crap already. Their last day together was probably going to be bittersweet. It was hard to pretend nothing was wrong when the very reason they were there in the first place was because something was wrong.
Leila clutched at the back of his shirt, and tried not to cry. She knew the lump was growing, but she didn't want to give in. Not until he was gone. He shouldn't have to watch her cry, not today.
The silence told him more than words could and he just continued to hold her, brushing his hand soothingly up and down her back. "I'm going to stay in touch as much as I can, okay? I promise you that. Any time I've got a break, I'll be there to talk to you," he promised her quietly, talking close to her ear. "And we'll make up for it when I get back. We can go on that road trip and make up for lost time. I ain't gonna stop thinking about you."
"Me either," Leila murmured. Her voice caught on the lump, and she bit down on her lip. It was a long moment before she thought she could look at him without crying. "We're still owed a honeymoon. Maybe we should do the road trip as that? It would be fun, and it would just be us. Plus fucking in every state we enter? Hot."
"Definitely need a honeymoon," Rob agreed, knowing he would more than need it once he got home. Maybe after he slept for a week. He always came home drained and down-trodden, but still proud of what he achieved. Ironically, the race with Ellie was going to be his holiday last time and it nearly ruined him. He needed something to renew his love in road trips again. "Is there anywhere in particular you want to go or want to see? There must be one place where you've always thought, well shit, I need to see that before I die."
Leila tilted her head, almost embracing the change of topics. It was helping dissolve the lump in her throat. "Um, let's see... It has to be somewhere to get to by car, otherwise what's the point? Actually, there's a new entry on my list. Littlerock. I'd like to see where you grew up. Maybe meet your mum?"
Rob had to laugh, pulling back a little to see her. "You ain't heard much about Arkansas, have you? It's hardly New York. A lot of... cows and stuff," he offered. "My folks will love you. Granted, there might be a bit of general annoyance that I didn't tell them about this, but they'll understand. I know they should have met you before this. That's something I would change if I could," he admitted.
"I know, and same with me. At least you met Andy, and Luke. And hey, I can deal with cows! Maybe I need something that's not New York for a little while." Leila smiled at him, raising her hand to touch his hair. "I love you, Robert Laird."
"You gotta take care of those cousins of yours. Andrew needs you right now. Maybe that's why fate got me shipped out, so you can keep an eye on him for a lil while. Help him get back on his feet like you did when he was in London. I know what it's like to hit rock bottom and wonder if you'll find your way back." Rob smiled at her, leaning into the touch a little. Her touches were always soft and soothing. His hair had gotten long on his leave, to the point he needed to actually throw some product into it each morning to stop it sticking up all over the place. It lightened to it's normal blond colour too when it was longer. Back to the standard army crop tomorrow morning, which he needed in the heat of the Middle East anyway. "I love you right back, Leila Jackson," he told her and rested his forehead against hers, touching her lips softly with his thumb.
Her nose crinkled as she started to laugh. "I think it's Leila Laird now, isn't it? Makes me sound... I don't know. Not that I don't love your name, just the double L's. I'm definitely going to go back and take care of Andrew. I guess maybe Fate is doing us a favour, but I'm still going to hate on it for a little while if that's okay?" Her tongue flicked out to touch the tip of his thumb, and she smiled. "Wanna go get consummated?"
Rob laughed and shook his head. "Please don't feel that you have to take my name. I ain't gonna be offended if you don't. Sorry I don't have a more conducive name, but I promise, it ain't a necessity or anything. Unless you want to do the whole hyphenating thing. Either way, I'm cool." He took her hand and held it up, kissing her wedding ring. "This is all I need, and yes, I do wanna go get consummated," he added with a grin.
"Leila Jackson-Laird?" It was food for thought, at any rate. Maybe by the time they'd spent the day consummating their marriage, she'd have made a decision about her name. She ran her fingers through his hair again, before resting her hand against the back of his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. "Then let's go, Sergeant."
Words: 3469 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse