I was so glad Rory put forth an effort to stay with me. It made focusing on my job so much easier. I was more or less ready to leave. I had organized my travel arrangements and packed my things. I was back into my daily routine. The only thing different was my daily phone calls to Rory.

Everything felt normal even though I knew I was leaving. I had programed my mind to think of me leaving as an extension of work. A dangerous and terrifying extension of work, but I ignored that, I was trained to.

The 17^th was coming up quickly so Ryan invited me over for a family dinner with Manny. He knew I was still upset that I was not going to be able to say goodbye Rory.

Over dramatic Manny was surprisingly calm about Ryan leaving. “I knew it was coming,” he said as we sipped red wine and enjoyed our perfectly cooked steaks. “He told me as soon as the company was pulled that he knew he was going be to called forth.”

I looked sheepishly at the ground feeling guilty I had not done the same with my partner.

“How’s Rory doing anyways?” Manny asked.

“He’s better, I think. I know he’s not happy with the situation but I think he’s accepted it. I just feel so bad that I lead him on to think we would be living this fairy tale life with a perfect little family. Now he has to wait for his alpha to come home before he starts his life.”

“You can’t blame yourself for being deployed,” he comforted.

“But I can for not being honest, I should have told him in the beginning, and let him make that decision for himself. I was being selfish.” The guilt of my actions was still weighing on me even though Rory had forgiven me.

“You can’t think about that right now though Justin,” Ryan chimed in. “We have a lot of important things to worry about other than relationships right now.” Manny slapped his arm.

“Um, excuse me!” He knew what Ryan meant; he was just being cheeky.

Ryan was right. I just needed to focus on the future. I could get lucky and only be gone for six month. I was trying to think positively and not about the fact I may not be coming home.

“More wine?” Manny asked interrupting my thoughts, thank goodness.

“Yes please thank you.” He stood up and filled my glass as he passed by Ryan’s chair he gave him a giant smooch.

“Have to get as many in as I still can,” he said and we all laughed.

My phone started ringing. Strange, I told Rory I was going for dinner and that I would call him after. I excused myself from the table and answered the call.

“Hey babe, what’s up? I told you I was going for dinner, didn’t I?”

“Yes, yeah.” He’s words came out sounding nervous. “I need to tell you something.”

My heart started to race. “What is it?” It came out all squeaky and high-pitched.

“I’m pregnant.”

I froze. My hand gripped the phone so tight I’m surprised it didn’t snap in half. “You’re pregnant? But how, I thought you-“ My voice trailed off.

I realized I had asked him about his suppressants when I had smelt his heat but we had forgotten all about protection after the fact. How could I have been so stupid? Now I was going to war and Rory would have to care for a baby all by himself. The thought of him having my baby though was nothing short of a miracle.

“I know, we fucked up,” he said, “but Justin, to be honest, I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

Him saying that made me start to cry tears of joy. Ryan and Manny ran to my side.

“What’s wrong?” They gasped in unison. I looked up and smiled at them.

“Rory’s pregnant!” I held my hands out in gesture for a giant group hug. The three of us screaming with excitement and jumping up and down with Rory joining in on the phone. When the excitement died down they left the room, leaving me to talk in private to Rory.

“I am sad you won’t be here for me.” His words almost broke my heart. For a moment I thought about running away to meet him and escaping the army. But the risk of getting caught was too dangerous to put on my new family. My stomach lurched. I was powerless.

* * *

The army’s base camp was in the Garmsir District. There was not much in the means for communication, service was almost non-existent and the connection devices that were able to transmit a signal were so old school it was easier to send a letter.

The closest town was five hours away but our unit was small and we didn’t have enough men to rotate out. I felt completely isolated, the only people I saw were my fellow troops. All I wanted was to hear from Rory everyday. Two months in had been the only time I was able to break from camp and go to the city to connect to him. He told me he was doing great and the baby was healthy. The thought of me not being able to hold my new baby in my arms killed me.