Hope
She stood in the garage, with Chad’s oversized robe wrapped around her, barefoot and pregnant, watching her husband pack the last-minute items. It was 0230 in the morning, and the neighborhood was quiet. The cool, early morning breeze forced her to hug herself. She rocked as she waited for Chad to come back to her and say goodbye.
She was dreading this moment all night. She had already cried the tears, and was holding strong. The last thing he needed was to see her cry. Hope knew she could handle the ups and downs of life without Chad, but she didn’t want to; that was the difference.
There was nothing more handsome than watching her husband slide out of his truck, in his rugged jeans and soft cotton shirt – it made her heart skip a beat. Chad chose not to wear his uniform to the base, because he was planning on stopping at a few places to pick up two officers. The uniform protocol being strict, he wasn’t going to cross protocol the day of deployment. He paused at the entrance of the garage, and she watched him take her in. They were both waiting for one of them to break the distance between them, and this time it was him. He took two long strides with his arms wide open, and folded her into him. She reciprocated by opening hers and leaning into his embrace.
She felt the weight of his body against hers. She closed her eyes, taking in his scent, his feel, his arms, his muscles, how his hips felt against her body, and the way his sneakers helped lift her off the ground. Oh, how she was going to miss him, there was nothing more intimate than his embraces. She felt that trademark kiss on her temple, and his face nestled in her hair. They just stood there, silent.
It was Hope that broke their silence. “I love you, Chad. Please be careful.” She stood back and cradled his face in her hands, bringing his head down to hers, pressing her forehead to his. “Please Lord, bring this man back to me, to us. Protect him, his troops, and keep them safe.” Her simple prayer was all she could bear. Although not outwardly or heavily religious, Hope relied heavily on prayer when it came to times like deployment.
In unison, both Hope and Chad whispered, “Amen.” He reached up, took her face in his hands, and pressed a tender kiss against her soft lips. Hope lost her breath in this kiss, his soft lips parting hers, forcing her to stand on her tippy-toes. Her hands naturally covered his with her own. “I love you, Hope.”
“I love you, Chad. We will be okay.” She held him close. “I promise.” The tears were filling her eyes, but she was doing her damndest to keep them in.
“I know.” Hope felt Chad stroke her cheeks. “I will be okay, too. I promise to come home to you.” Hope knew that he couldn’t guarantee that, but she also knew he would try his best to keep that promise.
Hope held Chad by the waist, pressing one of his hands against her pregnant belly. “Your baby is telling you to come home soon.” Hope smiled, tears streaking her cheek now.
Chad’s eyes lit up. “The baby is kicking!” Hope loved watching Chad interact with their baby, and she could never get over the wonder in his eyes when he felt their baby kick through her belly. Chad stroked her belly once more as Hope cradled his sweet face to herself.
She took a deep breath, trying to hold more tears back , and she was successful to an extent. Chad stroked her hair and lifted her face to him. He flashed her that dazzling smile, a teasing grin of course. “Just imagine the earth-shattering love-making session we will have after deployment.”
Hope lost her tears to laughter, as she held her side from the bays of humor escaping her. “You horndog, but if that’s what gets you to come home, then so be it.” She playfully swatted his side, but she fell into another hug with him, still laughing.
“Good idea, that’s what I’ll do.” He winked at her as he slid his arm around her waist, guiding her toward the truck. Hope felt him squeeze her as they walked to the driver’s side of the black truck. Hope watched as he opened the door and started the truck. The reality of seeing him leave was beginning to dawn on her again.
Hope must’ve worn that grief on her face, because Chad slid out of the truck quickly and wrapped his arms around her once more. He squeezed her, rocking her, whispering in her ear, “Everything will be okay. You are the strongest woman I know. You’ve got this.” Hope held his hand to her side as she pressed her head against his arm.
“Chad. You keep your head clear. We will be clear here. Harper and Dad will be here soon. Promise me you won’t worry about us, okay?” Hope was concerned that they may serve as a distraction.
“I know. I promise to stay vigilant,” Chad smiled, Hope presuming he was amused by her concern.
“I know, you always are. Chad, I will see you very soon. I love you.” Those were Hope’s last words to him before she wrapped the robe around her body, stepping back.
Chad climbed back into his truck, and shut the door behind him. She took a deep breath as she made her way to the entrance of the garage to wave him off. As he pulled out of the driveway, he straightened the truck out, and before pulling away, he lowered the window and called out to her, “I love you, Hope!”
Those words forced her hand to her face, the tears threatening pour out. The dams were at their brink and she was waiting for him to disappear from eyesight to let them flow. She waved one last time as he turned off their street. And that quickly, Chad was gone.
She made her way back into the house, locking the garage interior home doors. She walked by the dirty mugs on the kitchen table, ignoring the remnants of Chad that were left behind. All she could do was think about crawling into bed, and letting the tears fall. The pain of being a military wife came when they had to say goodbye. It was then she begged God to protect her husband, to give her the strength to get through these next few months without him.
Dropping the plush robe on the floor, that’s what she did. She crawled into the bed, holding Chad’s pillow to herself, taking in his scent and feel, one last time. The tears now freely flowing, the sobs not comforted by anyone but herself.
It was nearly two weeks since Hope and Isabella had to say goodbye to Chad. She hadn’t heard from him yet, but that wasn’t unusual. She was glued to the news, trying her best to figure out where Chad’s unit had disappeared off to, but nothing was being reported on. One morning, while Isabella was coloring at the kitchen table, Hope shut off the TV, frustrated, and made her way back in the kitchen.
Hope grazed her fingers affectionately over the child’s shoulders as she passed her. She smiled at how deep in thought she was, coloring her picture. She saw so much of Chad in her. She was determined and assertive, yet compassionate; something that Hope admired in Chad. She gathered up the scattered dishes and cups, adult and children-styled utensils mixed together. She tapped her cellphone to see the time, and noticed she had missed a call from Harper.
She smiled, thinking of her younger sister; her sassy, independent, and beautiful sister. Hope picked up the phone and tapped the screen to return the call. The phone only rang once before Hope heard Harper squeal at the end of the line.
“Hope! I thought you were in labor since you didn’t pick up!” Harper exclaimed. Hope had to laugh at her overeager sister.
“No, not yet. Several weeks left,” she replied, touching her pregnant belly as she mentioned it. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great! Mrs. Lulu is wanting me to get to you sooner, since Chad isn’t there. So, are you ready for me?” Harper’s earnest attitude made her sister smile.
“Anytime. I can’t wait to see you. What do you need from me?” Hope moved over to her little kitchen office, tucked into that alcove.
“Nothing. What do you think about tomorrow?” Harper’s voice was curious, causing Hope to be suspicious.
“How the hell are you going to get everything done at KoffeeHaus in enough time to get here by tomorrow Harper?” Hope was now concerned for the safety of her sister.
“Well, I have a surprise for you, but you have to trust me. Are you ready for u… me, tomorrow?” Harper asked, suspiciously.
“What do you have up your sleeve, missy?” Hope made her way to the couch to sit and chat with her sister, twirling Isabella’s hair as she passed her. The child giggled at the attention.
“Ooooh, is that my little Isabella, princess, baby, peanut? Auntie Harper is coming to get you!” Harper diligently diverting Hope’s question. “I have so much for her, Hope.”
“Oh, Lord. She’s so spoiled as it is,” Hope smiled, admiring her daughter. She knew Isabella was spoiled, but she was not ungrateful. The child’s kindness shone in every situation they experience. She was the first to pick up stray kittens, offer her ice cream cones to homeless people, and her jacket to chilly friends.
“My little princess peanut can be spoiled all she wants. Listen Hope, I will see you tomorrow morning, okay?” Harper was rushing off the phone, for whatever reason.
Hope shook her head. Her sister was up to shenanigans as always, but that is why she loved her. “Okay, dollface. I’ll see you tomorrow. Whatever you’re doing, be safe.”
“Always! See you tomorrow!” Harper was the first to hang up, before Hope could properly say goodbye. Hope placed her cell phone on top of her bump, taking a breather before standing again. It was getting more and more difficult to rise and the plush leather couch hugged her closer when she chose to stand. Once on her feet, after using a bit of momentum, she huffed her way into the kitchen to prepare lunch for Isabella and herself.
Isabella came bouncing out of the family room, darting to the front door when the doorbell rang. “Auntie is here, Auntie Harper is here!” Her lisp heavy on the “r,” her voice was filled with excitement.
“Don’t open the door without me!” Hope waddled from the kitchen to the front hall, following the over-boisterous child to the door.
Hope began to laugh as she saw her sister peering through one of the side windows, making silly faces at Isabella while they both waited for her to arrive. Hope unlocked and swung the door open so that niece and aunt could greet each other properly.
The duel shriek filled the home almost instantaneously. Isabella bounced right into the arms of her aunt. Harper wrapped her arms around the child, picking her up like she was a feather. After a brief moment, Hope caught a glimpse of another figure in Harper’s car.
“Harper, who came with you?” Hope tried to squeeze her overly large size between the squealing duo to take a peek.
“That was supposed to be a surprise! Be patient, Hope!” Harper laughed, wrapping her free arm around her sister’s body. “Mrs. Lulu came up to stay with us for a few weeks.”
“Mrs. Lulu? She’s here?” Hope stepped off the front door step and made her way to the driveway, barefoot, walking as fast as she could to greet her dear friend.
Mrs. Lulu, a short-haired. warm. feisty, older woman pounced out of the car, like Isabella pounced out of the door. “Oh hello, darling. How are you doing?” She came running around, giving Hope a quick kiss on each cheek, exclaiming over her pregnant belly. “Look at you! You’re about to give birth!”
Hope, being as hormonal as she was, burst into tears as she clasped her friend’s hands in her own. “I am so glad you are here. I have missed you so much! How long do I have you?”
“I left Joey and Tommy in charge, so you have me as long as you need me, girl.” The lady tenderly took Hope’s hands and made her way inside.
“You will be here when the baby is born?” Hope was stunned, and surprised, standing outside of her home as she watched Harper and Mrs. Lulu doting on Isabella.
Isabella, shrieked equally excited to see her ‘Mama Lulu.’ The child wrapped her arms around the lady’s neck, hugging her super tight. Hope was having a difficult time answering Isabella’s questions about Chad’s deployment, but she had been transitioning fairly well.
A lot of laughter filled the home, and there was nothing more that could make her happier, except possibly Chad. Hope finally grabbed her sister and hugged her tightly, rocking her from side to side. “Thank you for bringing Mrs. Lulu. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Harper’s smile was bright and vibrant, just like her personality. “I am glad to do it. Come sit down. It's time to pamper you, Mama!”
Mrs. Lulu had already carried Isabella inside, and her daughter was proudly showing her around their home. Hope couldn’t help but laugh as she walked by the duo, Isabella pointing out the powder room, and the purple decorations that were “fashionable,” as Isabella described. Mrs. Lulu attentively listened to her descriptions, exclaiming with surprise and impression with each room.
Her world was filled with happiness, in this moment. She was incredibly grateful to be surrounded by these women. Although her mother wasn’t here, she was blessed with two strong women that could play the figure. Hope settled in the family room, to catch up with her sister, waiting for Mrs. Lulu and Isabella to make their way there too.