For the first week she was in Colorado, Hailey kept looking over her shoulder. Until she realized Andrew hadn’t come after her. Now, three months after she’d left Barefoot Bay, she concluded he’d accepted her words as truth.

I know how it feels to be an unplanned responsibility you had little choice but to take on. While I won’t prevent you from having time with our child, I won’t burden you with believing you have to take care of me.

Andrew had no idea how painful it had been to write those words, to give up the faint chance that she could be part of something greater than herself. Unable to resist, she rubbed her bare ring finger. Almost as distressing as hearing his proposal at the ball park was based on his need to protect. That moment had been when she'd finally faced reality and known she could pretend no longer.

It still amazed her that she’d managed to slip out of bed, out of his embrace, pack and leave without him realizing her intent. In contrast to her decision, she’d had moments of hope that he’d awake in time to stop her.

They’d had passion, and yes, because it was all they could have for a short while, a solid friendship. But she wanted more than a commitment due to obligation. She wanted one based on mutual respect and love. The irony was she wouldn’t have this need if not for having met and loved Andrew. Only, throughout all these long days and nights of being alone, she’d heard nothing from him.

The fact that she knew he'd been deployed to Korea didn't matter. Instead, she concentrated on believing it was one more confirmation that she'd made the right decision.

She was making a future here in Colorado for her and her child. There were the occasional moments when she missed the rush, the adrenaline-fueled pressure of making battle decisions, of knowing she had a hand in standing for her country’s freedom. In return, she had a home, one within walking distance of the Air Force Academy campus, rather than temporary quarters for the first time in her life.

She’d surprised herself by becoming very domestic. Her days were spent preparing for the upcoming semester, but her evenings were spent pouring over paint chips and design websites. She read everything she could find on pregnancy and baby care. She’d also had more than ample time to consider if every decision she’d made was correct or not.

As if supporting that doubt, she suddenly stopped in her tracks with the realization that Andrew stood in front of her home.

“Hello, Hailey.”

Her breath caught, her legs weakened. It took every bit of strength and concentration she possessed to stand still and not run to him. Oh, God, he looked so good. Above and beyond how sexy he looked in his uniform, even if the uniform showed travel-wrinkles, he was whole and safe. While she was grateful for that, seeing him now made the ache in her heart worse than when she’d left him.

“You bought a house.” He stepped forward. “And you’ll be teaching at the Academy.” As he lowered his gaze, his eyes warmed the way they so often did when they made love. “You’re showing.” His head jerked up before she could say anything. “You’re okay? The baby’s okay?”

“Yes, we’re both doing fine. Is that why you’re here, Andrew? To make sure I’m doing everything the way I should? The way you believe I should?” She refused to feel guilty for being abrupt.

“I'm here because I'm breaking a promise I made you. I told you I'd honor whatever decision you made.” He reached into a pocket, drew out an envelope. Hailey knew it was the one she'd left him. “I’m sorry, but I can't do that.”

“You have to.” She swallowed down tears along with panic. “I told you, I don’t need you to feel responsible. I can handle this.”

“Yes, I know you can. I think that’s what scares me the most – knowing that you don’t need me. What you haven’t considered is that I need you.”

“I know you need to do the right thing.”

“Did I ever tell you about my sister turning Quinn away when he asked her to marry him?”

“No,” she said, lifting a hand to rub at her temple, confused by this shift in the conversation.

“Anna knew she couldn’t ask him to give up baseball, but if she went with him, as he asked, it would mean living with the constant possibility of him being traded. Not to mention all the traveling he has to do with the team. And all of that would involve often saying good-bye, just as she’d had to do countless times while growing up.”

“What changed her mind?”

Andrew smiled a little. “Quinn reminded her there would be plenty of hellos.”

“I know all about both hello and good-bye.”

“Yes, but you only know them from one angle.” She frowned. “You only know them from the sense of obligation and responsibility that your mother made you feel. Anna and Quinn have discovered what it’s like when it’s rooted in love.” He reached for her, drew her into his embrace, and lowered his mouth to a breath away from hers. She began to tremble.

“Discover that better way with me, Hailey.” His mouth brushed hers. “Make a life with me.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Sure you do.” He stared into her eyes. “Why did you buy this house? Change your career to teach at the Academy? Because,” he went on before she could say anything. “You want to give this child the kind of stability you never had. You don’t want this child to know how it feels to be left behind. You didn’t ask me to change my career.”

“No, of course not, I would never expect you to be someone that you’re not.”

“By not asking, you accept that I will have to leave the two of you from time to time. I promise I’ll always come back, Hailey. Not because I feel responsible. I’ll come back because I love you and I want to be with you.”

“What?” She pulled out of his embrace, shoved him back a little. “You don’t love me.”

“I do.” He grinned and to her surprise, lowered to one knee. “I like the sound of that. I hope I get to say it again.” He extended his hand and she saw the sparkle of a diamond. The ring he’d already given her once. The ring that had been so difficult to remove and leave behind.

“Marry me, Hailey. Not because I think I have to take care of you, although I do want to do just that. Not because you think that I think I’m responsible for the baby. Marry me because I love you. I promise to always love you.”

“Stand up,” she said, staring at him, beginning to realize he meant what he said. Tears flooded her eyes.

“Not until I get an answer.”

“What if we can’t get it right? What if we make a mess of this?”

“We’ll have our entire life together to get it right.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“How can you not?”

“I don’t know how to be like your mother, or sister, or even how to be part of a family.”

“Hailey.” Standing, he reached for her hand. She couldn’t find the wherewithal to close her hand into a fist. He slipped the ring onto her finger – but only onto the tip.

“I want you to be yourself, the woman I fell in love with.” He slid the ring a little further. “I want us to be our own family, to find the way that works best for us. Not because we have to, not because it’s what’s expected, not as a way to make up for anything in the past. I want to share my life with you, and whatever other children we have, because we love each other. Because being together is what we both want.”

Why now she wondered? Why, right now, right here, could she believe his promise? Was it because it was the first time he said he loved her? Was it because the baby moved, ever so slightly, within her? Was it due to the time they’d been apart?

No.

She could trust his promise, believe in his declaration of love, and look forward to sharing the future with him, because it was him. It had always been him.

He glanced down but didn't move the ring any further. “Tell me what you want.”

“You,” she said. “I want everything, everything exactly as you just promised we could have.” He slid the ring all the way on her finger. It felt warm and secure. “I’m still scared.”

“I’ve got you.” He wrapped his arms around her, pressed his lips to her temple. “I love you, Hailey.”

She sighed. “I love you, Andrew.” Her arms tightened. Saying it, believing it – and him – gave her faith. “What do we do now?”

“Well, there’s the bad news. I’ve only got forty-eight hours more leave time, and it’s going to take another ten to get back.”

She lifted her head to look at him. Their life wouldn’t always be simple or smooth. But right now it was surprisingly easy to take that leap of faith. To make a promise of her own.

“Then I say we’re in luck since there’s a chaplain here on campus.”

* * *

Eight months later, Hailey walked what felt like her tenth mile, trying to soothe her six-week old son.

“C’mon, Thomas,” she whispered, rubbing a hand in circles on his back while she pressed her lips to his forehead. She remembered reading in one of the baby care books that a baby often picked up on a mother’s mood. That would probably account for his restlessness tonight since this was actually one of the few nights he’d given her any sort of trouble. He’d made it easy for her to slip into the role of mother. Now, if she could just have some time to be a wife. Between deployments she and Andrew had managed so little time together during their short marriage. While thankful for the technology that enabled them to see one another via either FaceTime or through Skype, it wasn’t the same as being with him, being held by him, sharing the day-to-day events.

“Your daddy promised he’d be home in time for Christmas Eve,” she told the baby, glancing at her watch in the glow of the lit Christmas tree. “Which means he’s got another two hours to make his deadline. Still, I’ve got no reason to doubt him. After all.” She smiled down at the now-dozing baby. “He kept his promise and made it home in time to see you born.” Of course, he’d had to leave two days later for the base in South Korea.

Lillian had stayed with her, giving her advice and help for those first few days of motherhood. While her mother had been little maternal help, at least she’d made the effort to spend time with her new grandson. Anna and Quinn had visited a few days later. They were all due to arrive tomorrow in time to spend Christmas morning together. Her mother was due to arrive the day after Christmas. She had the family her heart had always coveted. As much as she enjoyed them, and looked forward to the time they’d have together, she missed her husband. Her gaze was drawn to the window. Snow covered every inch of ground and the temperatures were hovering in the upper teens. She worried the weather could impact Andrew’s travel.

Turning away, she settled a now sleeping Thomas in the crib in his room. Returning to the front room, hoping to distract her thoughts from worries, she wrapped up in an afghan and picked up her class planner. It surprised her how much she enjoyed the challenge of teaching eager and bright cadets. Just as it surprised her how quickly she’d adapted to being a mother. Oh, she had her moments of doubt, challenges and concern, just as she made her share of mistakes. But, she’d concluded, love meant you kept trying.

Quickly losing her focus on the planner, she closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the sofa.

Hailey shifted on the sofa, her dream of Andrew’s fingertips brushing along her cheekbone vivid enough to make her sigh. Then, she swore she felt his warm breath, the light pressure of his lips replace his fingers.

“Wake up, Hailey,” he whispered, and now it felt as if his lips swept over hers. “God, I missed you.”

It was the familiar slide of his hands along her outer thigh that had her eyes popping open. She blinked, twice, and realized her husband knelt before her.

“Andrew,” she cried. She caught his face between her hands, staring at him through eyes that filled with tears. “You’re here. Oh, I missed you, I missed you so much.”

“I told you I would be here for Christmas.”

She sniffed. “Sorry, my hormones are still off.”

He chuckled. “I can see.” He grinned wider as he avoided the elbow she tried to jam in his side. Then his smile disappeared and he leaned in for a long, deep welcome home kiss.

Beneath her hands she felt the travel-softened starch of his uniform, felt the strength of arms and shoulders that had held her in passion and supported her as she gave birth to their son. How had she ever thought she could live any life without him? Even with the distance that often separated them she had more than she’d ever believed possible.

Love, she thought again, love is what made the difference.

Gradually, they paused their kissing. Keeping her hand tucked inside of his, Andrew looked over at the monitor, his eyes softening as he studied his sleeping son. “He’s grown.”

Hailey chuckled. “He has his father’s appetite.”

“And his father’s hungry,” he growled as he scooped her up to settle her on his lap, cradling her. In contrast to his words, he simply held her.

“Now,” he sighed. “I’m home.”

She didn’t ask for how long, there would be time for that later. Besides, it didn’t really matter. They’d cherish and enjoy every moment, no matter how long or short. For now she leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder and soaked up the warmth and love they shared.

Exactly as Andrew had promised.