Glad I Met You [AmericaXReader] CH10

   The next few weeks were spent with Alfred. He got permission to work from her apartment and only took seminars that were near Chicago. [Name] would get off from work and meet up with him for dinner- or if he had a seminar she would preoccupy herself by going to Matthew’s house until he got back. She felt like she was neglecting her friends- especially Matthew- but they all insisted that she spend as much time was Alfred as she could. Before she knew it the end of February arrived. They stood facing each other- him in his military uniform and her in casual wear. His siblings watched sadly from the side.
“I’ll write to you all the time,” He said, trying to put a smile on her face. “And I’ll call whenever I can.”
She smiled lightly, “I’ll be waiting.” She stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his shoulders- Alfred placing his arms around her waist. “I love you- come home to me okay?”
“Of course,” He smiled, placing his forehead onto her’s. “I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed her forehead then her lips. “I love you [Name]. These last few weeks with you have been amazing and I want more of that when I come home.”
Home. Her heart sky rocketed when he call her apartment his home. It then sank again when he was called to board the plane. They shared one more kiss before they let each other go- Alfred picking up his bags from the floor. He shared a round of hugs from his siblings before hugging [Name] one last time- tears brimming her eyes.
“Take care of her,” He told them.
Matthew gave his brother a reassuring smile, “There’s no reason why I wouldn’t.”
   And in a flash he was gone. Oh how she wanted to kiss him one last time, sleep next to him one last time, hear him laugh one last time. She told herself to be strong, but tears still trailed down her face. Emma engulfed her in a hug muttering encouraging words to her; that he would be back before she knew it- that he’d come home safe.
   She spent the rest of the afternoon in a daze- sitting on her couch in sweatpants and a t-shirt with the TV on a random channel. She clutched the necklace that he gave her for Christmas and vowed she would wear it every day for the next 18 months.
18 months, she thought wearily. I won’t see him for over a year! She gazed down at the necklace in her hand, gently rubbing her thumb against the cold metal. It’s going to be a long year without you…