I missed you!

The cab stopped in front the old blue and white house I grew up in. It hadn't changed at all. Same fresh-looking paint, same flower bed full of daisies, even the same minivan in the driveway. I smiled and shook my head as I paid the driver.

"Thanks. And welcome home, uh...sorry, I can't tell your rank from here," he said.

I smiled. "Private third-class. But my name is Jack."

"Ok, then welcome home, Jack."

"Good to be here, my friend. Thanks for the ride."

I got out of the cab and grabbed my duffle bag. Still smiling, I walked up to the door and knocked. Almost instantly, a familiar face greeted me.

"Jacky!!"

"Hi, mom!"

She threw the door back and hugged me hard. She held it for several minutes, but that's to be expected. When she let go, she asked me to come in, and I couldn't say no, especially since I could smell a something sweet cooking. I couldn't quite place it, but it was very familiar and it made me think happy thoughts. Thoughts of someone I knew a few years ago, who I left behind to go fight...

We went into the living room and she asked me to sit and if I wanted a drink. She had some water waiting for me on the coffee table.

"Is that Jack?!" I knew that voice. It couldn't be. Was it really....?

"Mom, is that who I think it is?" Mom smiled and said to find out for myself. I stood and looked into the kitchen, hopeful. My jaw fell open as I confirmed the owner of the voice. Stacy, my best friend since jr. high. I hadn't seen her since she said good-bye to me the day I left for war, but she was one of the few things that was different. Last time I saw her, she was a skinny little junior in glasses. The kind who you'd assume read a lot of comic books (you'd have been right). Now, though, she looked amazing! For one thing, she was wearing a white dress with a skirt that ended above the knee. She never used to wear dresses. She still had that pretty red hair, tied back in a ponytail as always. But her body....It looked like she had spent the last two years as a swimsuit model.

I was still gazing at her when she looked up. Those icy-but-warm blue eyes knocked me speechless. At first, neither of us moved, but then she smiled big. "Jack!!!" She ran to me, full-on ran, and hugged me tight. I returned it, and soon noticed she had left the floor and was hanging on me. Her cheeks felt really soft against mine, and her breath was soothing.

"Stacy. You look so.....I'm..glad to see you," I said. I almost told her how sexy she'd become, but thought better of it. She probably got it all time, and didn't need to hear it from me too.

She sounded like she was about to cry, in a good way. "I missed you so much, Jack. Are you back for good?"

"Yes. I did my hitch. I'm back now, and I won't leave again."

"I'm so happy you're here..." Her voice trailed off and she pulled her head back slightly. We looked into each other's eyes, silently. Suddenly, though slowly, she started leaning her head closer to mine, closing her eyes as she came. Huh? What was she....? Then, I knew. She was about to kiss me. I swallowed hard. I'd been through army training, various attack drills and real life or combat. But somehow, I was nervous now.