My hands shook as I tore at the envelope, my heart hammering in my chest.

I knew that writing well by now.

I recognized it from a mile off, since we had eighteen months of communicating this way under our belts, but still it got to me. Every single time I felt something powerful stir in my chest and I became needy for more.

It wasn’t easy living this long distance relationship, but at least Derek had breaks from work where we could see one another, and there were many ways for us to talk.

Still, I couldn’t wait for the day that he’d be finished with his job. We’d talked about it many times, making plans and coming up with ideas, only this time it all felt like it had more substance to it, that it might actually become real.

As the page unraveled itself, my mouth ran dry and my stomach flip-flopped with emotion. I could barely contain myself any longer.

‘Dear Gio,

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to actually sit down with pen and paper to get to you, as you know from our daily calls I’ve been incredibly busy.’

I couldn’t help but smile to myself at that one. He complained sometimes that he didn’t feel the need to write when we could talk all the time, but he always did it in the end. I got the distinct impression that he enjoyed getting mail from me just as much as I did him anyway.

‘I’ve been thinking about you a lot recently (when am I not) and wondering how long it will be before we can finally be together properly, to really start our lives together. I know we’re okay, but it feels a bit like we’re in limbo, and I can’t wait for that to end.

If only it were a little easier to get out of a contract with the armed forces!

There’s no point telling you about what I’ve been up to at work, because you already know (apart from the super secret classified stuff, of course), so instead I’m going to tell you how much you mean to me.

You know that I love you, but I don’t think you know how much. It truly is from the depth of my soul. You’re such an important part of my life. Sometimes I actually have to stop and remind myself that you almost weren’t, that I almost screwed everything up for the both of us. Not that we talk about that, I know. But I’m so glad I came back; I’m so glad I found you again and we built up what we have because you give my life a meaning.’

My eyes welled up.

I became a bit of an emotional wreck.

Having my childhood sweetheart say those things to me felt incredible. I never thought it would happen to me. I always assumed myself to be a very ordinary person, but I was living in the middle of a love story that was worthy of a song, or a story written about it.

I paused for a second, just to imagine what actor I’d like to play me in the movie… before getting right back into the good stuff.

‘I don’t know if I’ve warned you yet, but my next break isn’t for months, just about in time for Max and Bryant’s wedding. That kills me. How am I supposed to go all that time without you? Do you have any idea how hard that will be? Oh well, I suppose you do since you have to cope without me…

Anyway, I’m really sorry about that. I did try to change things, but as you well know it just isn’t that simple. It sucks.

I hope you’re well. You’ll have to let me know how things are since you’ve had that promotion at work. Have you brought more wonderful stuff for the house? I fear it might be getting to the point where it’s so luxurious that you won’t have any room for little old me…’

“Don’t make out I’m materialistic, you fool,” I joked to myself. He kept saying ‘soon’ but I didn’t know what that meant and it was a little frustrating. I wanted him here now.

‘Right, I better get some sleep so I’m not shattered tomorrow. Don’t worry about writing back right away, because that piles the pressure right back up on my shoulders again.’

He knew me all too well. As soon as I’d finished reading I would grab a pen.

‘I love you. You’re incredible. And I’ll see you when I can.

Forever yours,

D’

I sighed deeply and carefully placed the letter on the table, so I could refer back to it over the next few weeks when things got tough.

That was why I liked the letters. They were something real, something I could hold. I knew they took effort, which made them that more meaningful as a trinket to clasp onto during the lonelier days.

I stood up ready to get my writing equipment. It didn’t matter what Derek said. I was in the mood so I’d write now…

Knock, knock.

I glanced toward the door, feeling perplexed. I wasn’t expecting anyone, as far as I knew Max and Bryant were out tonight so it wouldn’t be them, so who could it be?

“Hello?” I called out curiously as I edged my way closer. “Who’s there?”

But no one answered me, so I grabbed hold of the handle and tugged it right open.

The face I saw standing there reminded me of the moment he got back, the sight of a ghost from the past. I wasn’t expecting him, he certainly hadn’t told me that he was coming, but that was definitely him. That beautiful olive skin and dark hair couldn’t possibly belong to anyone else.

“Derek?” I gasped in shock, wondering if I could reach out to touch him. I didn’t want him to vanish, like a mirage.

“Is that really you? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to see you, fool,” he chuckled. A wonderful sound filled my heart with glee.

“Now are you going to let me in or not?”

“But… but…” I started, before realizing that any questions were pointless.

Derek was here. Surely that was the only thing that mattered. Everything else could come later… much later.

“Yes, please come in.”