The Only Exception

Book 2 Part 5

Love, Noah

I was crying by the time I read half of the letter. I am supposed to have a Christmas baby, but I doubt I will have him at Christmas. My family has a history of having babies a few weeks before the due date. So I’m estimating maybe Thanksgiving or early December. I fold the letter back up and slip it back in the envelope. I decide to visit my in laws, Jude and Lucy. I drive to their place in high scale Chicago, and pull into the driveway. I see Lucy peeking through the window and seeing her face brighten up. She adores me for some strange reason, but I didn’t mind. 

“Hi there baby girl! How is my daughter doin’? Oh my, you’re getting big aren’t ya? How’s Noah doin’ over there in Iraq?” She said, embracing me in a big, warm hug. 

“Yeah, little Carter is getting big,” I said, patting my enlarged stomach, and answering all her questions. We sat outside, getting some color and drinking some sweet iced tea for the longest time, when I heard my cell phone ringing in my purse. I pull it out and answer it, “Hello?” I heard heavy breathing, like someone was just working out.

“Celeste, it’s me, Noah. I was able to get a phone call! Not for too long though, only for about 15 minutes.” I told him I was at his parents’ house and Lucy got excited and gabbed to him for five minutes before she handed the phone back to me and let me finish talking to him.

“Babe, I love you so much, I can’t wait to see you. But I’ve gotta go, my drill sergeant is getting antsy.” Noah said.

“Ok, I love you too. Send more letters, talk to you soon,” I said, depressed from the short lived surprise phone call. I ended the call and my eyes started to water. Lucy saw that I was about to cry when she pulled me into a soothing hug. 

“Honey bunch, don’t worry ‘bout our Noah, he’ll be just fine. There’s just about nothin’ that’ll stop him. He’s a strong young man and he’ll be coming home soon for Thanksgiving. Here, come inside and I’ll whip something up for you, baby girl.” Lucy said, standing up and walking into the house. I followed her inside and we talked about babies and the baby shower for hours. 

“You sure you don’t wanna spend the night here? You are always welcome here, Celeste,” she said as I got into my car at 9 p.m. Yes, Mom, I will be just fine going back to my house. Thank you for letting me stay the whole day. You really didn’t have to let me stay-” 

“Nonsense, baby girl. You are by far my favorite daughter in law. Just stop by anytime you want, I’m always here.” 

“Alright, Mom. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow so we can set up for an appointment for the baby shower. Love you.” I pulled out of the driveway, waved and started to drive back home. The silence was unbearable so I turned on the radio to a station that sounded promising. Instead of paying attention to the radio, I was thinking about Noah. 

I pull into my driveway to see all the lights on and wondering what the hell is going on. I get out and lock my car and open the door, worried that something might be wrong, and seen Desiree sitting in her pajamas crying. I rush over to her and I say, “Des! What’s wrong?” She looks up and says,

“Oh my gosh. I was so worried! Where were you?!” 

“Des, I was at Noah’s parents house. Why what happened?” I was seriously worried...

“Nothing. Turn around.” She immediately smiled. I turn around and I see Noah, in the flesh and in his uniform, standing in the kitchen. I drop my purse on the ground and rush over to the kitchen, barely breathing. He opened his arms and squeezed me tight. Carter was kicking and the look on Noah’s face was priceless. He kneeled down and put his ear on my belly. He rose after a little bit and kissed me. 

“Why are you home again? I thought you were going into combat..”

“I have a surprise for you. I was shipped back here and now I’m stationed at Joliet’s military base. I’m only two hours away, if you need anything.”

“What is the reason why you got shipped back here though? Wouldn’t your doctor skills be useful in combat?”

“No, babe, I requested that I come back here. I fit the requirements needed for the exception for being transferred home. I am one of the very few who get chosen for this. Now let’s celebrate, babe.” 

“I’m gonna take off now, you lovebirds. I have my man waiting at home.” Des wagged her eyebrows and grabbed her jacket and keys as she made her way out the door. Right after the door shut, Noah kissed me with such passion that the world could have exploded and we wouldn’t even care to notice. I pulled away and set my head on his muscular chest. He bulked up a lot more since he had to go into the service. 

He picked me up and we laid on the couch for the longest time. He kissed my head and ran his fingers through my shortened hair. “Your hair is really short, babe. But I love it, it suits you.”

I reached up and lightly ran my hand through what was left of his hair and said, “Well your hair got really short! I miss it when it was long and curly.” He caught my hand and kissed it.