decadent-rider
Twenty Thousand Club
When Jon signed up for the army fresh out of high school, he was still seeing the career through rose-tinted glasses. Now a grown man and leaving for his third tour he's beginning to wonder what it all means and whether the path he is on has ever really been the one for him. Watching his friends die and his marriage start to crumble along with being there while his best friend loses himself even after being honourably discharged, the links that hold his psyche together are beginning to fall apart and the people around him can do nothing to help...
Scarlett stood by the hob, watching the step by step video on her iPad for recipes that she had been dying to try out and finally had an excuse for because she was meant to be cooking for four that evening. It wasn't until close to 4pm that she got the text from Jon to say that him and Max wouldn't be joining them that evening and they would see her another time. Disgruntled, she picked up the phone and called her best friend on the base to chew out her husband. "Hey girly... Uh... I just got a text from Jon, you guys aren't coming over tonight now? This his decision or yours?" She asked, grumpy so ready to snap on anybody. there was no way either of the girls could have possibly known yet he reasoning behind Jon wanting him and Max to have a quiet family evening at home. At least not yet.
Jon worked through the day, getting his jobs done, having lunch in the canteen and going through his phone the whole time, scanning over every photo he had of him and his wife, staring at her beautiful face and trying to take in every minuscule pixel to burn it to his memory. The meeting had happened first thing in the morning. Tonight, when the whole unit would go home, they would get one last evening and one last morning with their families before being shipped off to the front lines of war. So he cancelled their dinner plans with Chris and his wife and sent Max a different text to tell her he was going to pick up whatever takeaway she wanted on the way home from work and they would have a quiet romantic evening to themselves before packing up his bag and getting ready to leave.
Max sat at home relaxing and waiting for Jon to come home so they could go to Chris and Scarlett's for dinner. She sighed softly seeing the phone go off and quickly picked up "Hey girl....no I didn't know about him cancelling. Ill ask him when he gets home." She said smiling as she heard the door open "Ill call you right back." She said happily before hanging up. She went over to Jon and kissed him softly "Hey babe, how was today?" She asked but her smile faded seeing the look on his face "Whats wrong?"
Chris drove home from the base trying to think about how to tell Scarlett about him leaving. His mind was rattled by it and he knew she would not be happy. The last trip he did had tour her apart but he hand to do his part, he had to go. He sighed as he got to the drive way and soon went inside "Babe? Where are you?" He asked not seeing her in the living room. He didnt know Jon had just texted her about dinner and she was already making it. He heard her call from the kitchen and went in seeing her all over the place looking pissed as hell "Everything alright?" He asked
Jon had stopped off at Chick-fil-a on the way home and picked up dinner, setting the bag on the counter once he got in, kissing her back and mumbling a hello in response, just holding her to him and kissing her again and again and again until eventually he pulled away and sighed heavily. "We go tomorrow afternoon. About 2o'clock." He muttered "I cancelled with Chris and Scarlett... I need a night with my wife." He murmured still holding onto her tightly.
Scarlett sighed heavily hearing her hang up and just shook her head muttering about two peas in a pod while she stormed around the kitchen getting these put into Tupperware. "Jon and Max are so alike sometimes it drives me crazy!" She snapped at him, "You better be hungry because we're eating food enough for four. I made it and it's gonna get eaten." She said, not looking at him yet until all the dirty dishes were either soaking in the sink or in the dishwasher and their dinner was sitting in the microwave ready to be heated up once they were hungry. She finally turned around and sighed quietly, "How was your day?" she asked him quietly, stepping over to him and kissing him softly with a smile
Max kissed him happily wondering what had gotten him so affectionate. When she comprehended
what he said though, her smile fell immediately "No...Jon no....you the last time you'd be here for 2 years! Its only been 9 months!" She said shaking her head and crying softly as she held him tightly not wanting him to move.
Chris gave a small chuckle and sighed heavily pulling her close to him "We need to talk." He murmured taking her to the living room to sit down "Don't be mad at Jon, we made the decision to cancel together with good reason." He explained biting his lip as he saw the 'you better have a good reason' look on her face. He took a deep breath and took her hands in his "Tomorrow around 2...we're getting sent off...I don't know for how long." He explained looking at her the entire time
He stayed quiet as he held her not having any answer for her. If he could choose to stay he would. He would have rather been home with her than out in a war zone, but this was beyond his control. As he realised she was crying he gently lifted her up and carried her to the lounge getting the two dogs off the couch and just sat there with her holding her to him tightly kissing her head over and over. “We were only told this morning. They’re not sure how long they want us out there for just yet.” He mumbled.
Scarlett had begun to relax finally, her frustration forgotten until he explained why Jon had cancelled. She just sat there shaking her head and moved in a bit closer wrapping her arms around him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder. “As soon as you know how long, you tell me. You just get back to me safe as quickly as possible.” She murmured kissing his cheek holding onto him tightly for a few minutes until she heard his stomach growling and she got up quietly to go heat up their dinner, breaking down in tears while she was in the kitchen.
Max held him close and sighed heavily cupping his cheek some. She took in every inch of his face letting another tear fall "You come home to me understand?" She whispered taking a deep breath to calm herself down "I love you." She whispered again kissing him lovingly
Chris sighed heavily hearing her in the kitchen. He got up and went in holding her close to him "I promise its going to be alright Scar....Ill be home before you know it." He said stroking her hair back trying his best to soothe her
He simply nodded and held her close to him, kissing her softly and rubbed her back gently, "Here... I got your favorite from Chik-fil-a." He murmured kissing her head again and picked her up, carrying her back to the kitchen and got them plates and a beer each before putting all the food out that he had picked up, sitting next to her and still kept her close while they ate. "I'm gonna be home tomorrow morning all morning until I gotta go at 2pm." He told her "So you'll be getting me in the morning as well, you wanna go out for breakfast?" He asked her resting his head on top of hers gently watching the dogs begging for food from them, chucking them a small piece each.
Scarlett just leaned heavily into his chest, holding onto him for dear life. "How come it's you guys again? Andrea's had Mike home for 3 years now! It's not fair!" She snapped at him, just spending a few minutes calming down and then managed to compose herself enough to do dinner properly. "There is nothing we can do to stop you going, so what we can do, is have a nice quiet night together before I have to send you off... So that's what we're going to do." She mumbled, sitting with him while they ate reaching over with her free hand to hold his tightly "I love you... And you better come home to me safe."
Max sighed softly and ate quietly "Thanks,and no I want to cuddle in our pjs all morning." She murmured petting the dogs some "I better be getting laid tonight too." She saud smirking at Jon and giving a small laugh kissing him gently afterwards "I love you babe, you know that right? More than anything."
Chris sighed heavily nodding some "Mike is going too....two packs of us." He muttered sitting at the table chuckling a bit before crossing his heart "I promise babe, Im coming back safe and sound." He said kissing her hands softly. He was doing his best to keep up the good mood, he didnt want to be sad around her when she was upset as well.
She sighed a little, chucking the dishes in the sink when they were done not bothered about them until tomorrow before standing with her arms wrapped around him from behind, "When you come home... We are starting a family... The day you get back." she murmured kissing his cheek and just holding onto him "Promise me that and I promise you we will make it through however long they keep you for without me having meltdowns when you get Skype calls." She murmured, taking his hand and leading him upstairs.
He smirked a bit and winked at her "Yes ma'am, I think I can handle that." He told her, lifting her up bridal style and taking her upstairs "I love you too, you've been my world since we were kids and you're gonna be my world til we're old and grey and you hate me cause I can't get it up." He chuckled laying her in their bed and slowly starting to strip off.
Max giggled softly and blushed as she started to strip down as well. She didnt think she would ever get over how he looked at her when he saw her this way. It was admiration and it made her happy to see that even after all these years he still saw her like that. She kissed him lovingly and got down to business as he climbed ontop of her.....she panted after a few rounds and cuddled close to him "Mmm I love you so much." She whispered
Chris smiled some following her upstairs "I promise babe, dont worry too much, Ill be okay I promise." He said picking her up and tossing her on the bed getting down to business quickly....he finished up with her and panted wiping the sweat from his forehead smirking a bit "Damn babe....I sure am going to miss that." He said chuckling as he pulled her close to him
He smiled some pulling her in close and kissing her head gently before getting up to get his boxers on, going down to let the dogs out one last time and finally went up to bed again once the house was locked up laying next to max and holding her closer. “I love you too beautiful.” He murmured tiredly kissing her forehead.
She smiled and watched him carefully. “I should hope so... keeps you coming home.” She teased gently and took his hand in hers just moving in closer until she was snuggled right up into him, holding onto him tighter as she drifted off to sleep mumbling that she loved him more than anyone but she was slurring her words she was so worn out, her frustration at Jon forgotten and she slept peacefully as she could next to her husband all through the night.
Forever6A7X
Max gave a soft smile and snuggled close to him intertwining her legs with him before she started to drift to sleep against him the entire night
Chris lay there holding her the entire time. He stared at the ceiling sighing a bit trying to get to sleep but his mind was running about everything he would need to do when he got out there
Scarlett woke up early and stretched out going to take a shower then wandered back out to the bedroom smiling at him some. “You wanna come down to the trail with me for a couple hours. Then we can go get breakfast then come home and pack for you.” She murmured kissing his cheek and started getting dressed.
Jon got up feeling sick to his stomach. He got like this the first three times he went away but this felt different. This felt wrong. He didn’t like for one the fact they had been given such little notice. He didn’t like how not in his own head he felt and he sat there on the edge of the bed just staring at the wall until he felt arms go around him, flinching a moment but then relaxed.
Max woke up that morning and frowned seeing Jon staring at the wall. She sat up some and wrapped her arms around him "Morning handsome." She murmured kissing his shoulder softly while she watched him
Chris woke up frowning some. He didnt want to go, he wanted to stay with her. He felt wrong about this, usually he was mentally prepared knowing everything he would need to do and knowing this was the right thing. Right now it felt the complete opposite, and he couldnt seem the shake the feeling. He smiled some as Scarlett came in and nodded "Id love to do that." He said quickly pulling her onto the bed and tickling her a bit before he kissed her lovingly
He relaxed once he realised it was her and gently reached up holding her closer to him. “Morning... what did you dream about?” He asked her quietly turning his head to look at her.
She smiled some watching him get up and she quickly pulled her clothes on for the day to go for a walk with him. It was nice to go for a hike on the trail when it was super early just because no one else was around and it was finally that time of year where it was light enough before 7 to do that.
Max gave a wide smile "Us, in a park having a picnic with a little baby girl clinging to her daddy and you two playing around." She murmured happily "What did you dream about?"
Chris smiled happily and held her hand as he walked around kissing her cheek "mmm Im gonna miss these." He murmured softly
He didn’t answer for a minute then just stood up and went to take a shower quietly to wake himself up a bit more and getting lost in his thoughts a little just about aware of his surroundings.
She nodded and took his hand in hers. “I know but you’ll be home before you know it like you said and then we are getting started on that family you’ve been promising me.” She murmured kissing his cheek while they walked.
Max sighed softly and walked in to get ready "Mind if I join?" She asked softly smiling a bit as she poked her head into the shower but frowned as he jumped back nearly striking her "Jon!" She exclaimed falling back looking at him very concerned
Chris smiled widely and nodded happily "Mhmmm I promise, trust me thats going to get me through. Knowing that when I get back Ill start a family with the most gorgeous girl in the world." He murmured kissing her cheek
He leaned up against the wall breathing heavy and frowned at her. “You know not to make me jump.” He muttered pulling the shower curtain shut and got washed up quietly then stepped out to go get dressed still not saying a word so lost in his thoughts about what would happen when he got out there.
Scarlett smiled tiredly and gave his hand a squeeze. “Whatever you nerd.” She laughed at him. “If it gets you through it gets your through.” She murmured tiredly kissing his cheek.
Forever6A7X
Max sat downstairs making breakfast and sighed softly as he came into the room "Hey babe, Im making your favorite." She murmured turning her attention back to the eggs infront of her "You feeling okay?"
Chris laughed and walked back home with her on his back for a piggy back ride "So names, if a boy I think it should be Chris junior." He said giving a cheeky grin
She laughed some pecking his cheek. “I’m not even pregnant yet Chris and no we aren’t naming them after you.” She told him kissing his cheek again.
He smiled tiredly kissing her head then sat with the dogs on the floor. “You’re the best.... yeah im alright. Just worn out. Didn’t sleep good.” He mumbled rubbing a hand through his hair.
Max sighed heavily and kissed his forehead softly "Im sorry honey, chill out time and cuddles after breakfast are a definate now." She said smiling at him "We can be fat lazy people." She said with a small laugh
Chris laughed some "Welllll I dont care, Im still thinking of names." He said happily placing her down as they got home "So beautiful, what would you like to do now?”
He smiled watching her a bit and kissed her gently. “I love you.” Helurmured eating breakfast with her and then took her back upstairs making her lay in bed with him holding onto her tightly burying his face against her neck.
She smiled some wandering into the house and plopping onto the couch. “I want you to stay here. And not go away.”
Max kissed him lovingly and hugged him vlose to her sighing softly "I love you too." She said softly cuddling into him "Its going to be fast baby dont worry." She told him trying to make him feel a bit better
Chris sighed softly and nodded a bit "I know babe I know, I wish I could stay." He said kissing her gently "I promise Ill come back fully intact." He murmured
He just nodded and kept her close not wanting to think about it at all. He figured that no matter how short a time they would be out there for it would still feel like an eternity away from her. “When I get home we can go away for a few days. Take the dogs camping or something.” He murmured kissing her cheek.
She sighed quietly and rubbed his chest gently. “I don’t even wanna think about that Chris.” She muttered yawning some and holding onto him tiredly.
Max smiled widely and nodded happily "Id like that." She murmured biting her lip hard "How would you feel about trying for a family again?" She asked softly. They hadnt brought up the subject in a long time since her miscarriage during her first tri-mester when they first got married. It had upset them both but Jon took it the worst.
Chris held her close and set an alarm on his phone "One hour then we gotta get up and pack." He murmured starting to fall asleep with her
He frowned a bit and held her closer. “I don’t want to put you through that again.” He mumbled. “But I know we want kids... I just don’t want you in pain.” He mumbled kissing her softly.
She nodded and curled up into him resting her head against his chest tiredly falling asleep cuddled into him.
Max shook her head softly "I wont be....I want to try again, its been long enough." She said softly before kissing him again "I want a family with you."
Chris smiled softly and fell asleep with her for an hour before his alarm went off. He groaned and got up to start packing making sure he had his favorite photo of Scarlett with him as well.
She groaned a bit curling up but opened her eyes and watched him packing. “They tell you how long yet?” She asked him quietly, stretching out.
He smiled tiredly and nodded. “Then soon as I get back we come home and get started.” He promised kissing her again glancing at the time and groaned getting up to get changed so he was ready to go. He always had a bag packed and ready just in case
Chris sighed heavily shaking his head "No....said maybe 3 months maybe a year....they dont know." He muttered finishing up packing the last of his things.
Max smiled widely and kissed him back "Hurry home." She whispered walking him down to the door "Ill be here waiting for you, all ready for babies." She said giving a small laugh
He just nodded and held her close to him tightly. “I love you.... so very much.” He murmured kissing her lovingly before walking out watching the truck pull up and he said bye one last time before getting on it.
She just nodded and sat up going over wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling herself up to wrap her legs around his waist holding onto him tightly until the truck pulled up outside theirs and she got down. “I love you, I will see you when you come home. Call me soon as you can Okay?” She murmured kissing him again then let him go.
Max kissed him and watched as he left. She shut the door and took a deep breath before she finally broke down just wanting him home soon
Chris held her close and kissed her lovingly "I love you more than anything, I promise Ill be home soon." He murmured holding her before he had to leave. He got on the truck and sat with Jon sighing heavily "How did Max take it?”
Jon nodded to him as he sat down "How do you think? What about Scar?" He asked him, leaning back not looking at him and held onto his bag tightly on his lap.
Scarlett shut the door once the truck was out of sight and went to curl up on the couch with a tub of ice cream sighing heavily. He wasn't supposed to go back for another six months at least.
Chris sighed some shaking his heas "P*ssed thay its us again." He mumbled running a hand through his hair some "I cant do this again Jon....this is my last one." He murmured
Max sat at home and sighed heavily picking up the phone to call her bestfriend. She needed someone to talk to about this, someone who really understood what it was like. Everyone in her family tried to understand but they never fully did,Scarlett was the only one who did.
He just nodded in understanding. Jon wasn’t ready to be done with the military yet but he could see exactly why his friend was. He was quiet the rest of the drive to the air strip and he got his bags walking out and got settled onto the plane to take them to Afghanistan.
Scarlett answered sighing heavily. “Hey.... you wanna go find me a dog? You got boss and bam bam.... I need one of those.” She mumbled. “I don’t wanna talk about them I don’t wanna think about them I just want to stay busy.” She mumbled.
Chris sighed heavily and stared at the photo of him and Scarlett the entire time they rode away. He didn't know why Jon wasn't done with this yet, he had done just as many tours and seemed to have more issues adjusting to everything from what Max had told them. Maybe he thought it was better there, it worried him to think his friend might think that way.
Max sighed heavily and nodded some "Yeah sounds like a good plan. I know a great shelter where we got the boys from. They'll have someone there for you definitely." she said before getting ready to go. Once she arrived at the house she quickly hugged her friend with a smile "So what kind of dog do you possibly want?”
