Coming Home (#Wattys 2017)

1; Mommy and Daddy

"Why?"

"Because I look ugly."

"No you don't," came a reply.

Both Harrison and Billie turned to see Carrie leaning against the doorway. "Actually I think you look pretty cute."

"Mommy!"

Billie ran over to her mother and hugged her waist. "Hey sweetie."

"Mommy, daddy said I could stay up past my bedtime!"

"Billie, I didn't say-" he stopped when he saw the smile beaming across her face.

"Why don't you finish getting ready for bed. Then you and daddy can come lay with me for a little bit. Okay?"

"Okay mommy!"

As Carrie turned to leave, Billie jumped back on her stool and continued to brush her hair. Behind his daughter, Harrison slowly pulled his shirt over his head, feeling the tension in his left shoulder.

Tonight was one of the nights it hurt. Some nights it did, some nights it didn't. He turned in the mirror to see the scar that was still present on his left shoulder. Last time he and Carrie were deployed in Iraq, one of their tanks ran over a land mine. They were far enough away from the blast. But the explosion of the tank was enough to send metal shrapnel flying through the air. As he shielded Carrie with his body, a piece of metal debris from the tank impaled his shoulder. After that, they were then ambushed by Iraqis.

During the ambush, they scrambled behind one of their tanks with the rest of seal team 6, and were able to fend off the Iraqis until they retreated. Carrie covered him as he removed the piece of metal, and occasionally handed him medical supplies. Once he was finished bandaging his arm, he and Carrie led an offensive with pushed the Iraqis back into a full retreat.

"Daddy?"

Harrison shook his head, turning his attention to Billie. "Daddy's what's wrong?"

"I was just thinking. You ready for bed?"

She nodded. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, where Carrie lay waiting for him and Billie. Harrison set her down next to her mom under the covers, before taking his spot on Carrie's other side.

"Mommy, can I stay here tonight?"

"Sure B."

A very happy Billie pressed against her mother's chest, and closed her eyes. "Goodnight B. We love you."

"I love you too mommy and daddy."

After she'd fallen asleep, Carrie turned to face her husband of three years. Laying flat on her back with her head turned to face him, she allowed him to rest his head next to hers and throw an arm across her body.

"What's wrong my love?" He asked after kissing her, knowing something was on her mind.

"Nothing," she answered quickly. "I'm fine."

"No you're not," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "Tell me, what's wrong."

"Harrison, I'm fine."

The kissed trailed down to her jaw. "Carrie, I know you better than anyone. You're not okay. Tell me. Let me help."

She took a deep breath. "There's been rumors... that President Obama's planning on sending a special forces team to Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan to continue the search for Osama bin Laden."

"And?"

Carrie sighed. "We might be deployed again."

"Who told you this?"

"Admiral McRaven."

He stiffened just a tiny bit. Admiral McRaven is the leader of the military's special forces, and during the past few years, they'd worked with him over a handful of times.

Harrison put a hand on her cheek. "Listen, we're not going to be deployed. We're not going to leave Billie here again. Okay? Everything's going to be alright."

She nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too Carrie."

He quickly kissed her before rested his head beside hers and closing his eyes.