On My Watch Tonight

Juliette lost count of the months that Alexander had been gone. The day when she found out she was pregnant was the happiest day of their lives... But then her world came crashing down, after Alexander was pronounced M.I.A with his comrades.

He was gone when she was born, and Juliette wanted to treasure the one thing that reminded her of him. Calling her daughter Alexis, the young one sprouted into a ray of sunshine... A ray that Juliette wanted Alexander to see, and she was sure he was watching them from Heaven.

Part of Juliette wanted to ignore the idea that her husband might be dead. The other part wanted to hold on to her last strands, to wait for the day he comes back. But as the days turned to months, she knew he wasn't coming back. Being an emotional wreck, she had no time for relationships apart from the one between her and Alexis.

When the young girl said the word 'dada', she hugged her tight vowing never to let Alexis go. Four months later, it was coming up to her first birthday - and Juliette just wanted Alexander to be there....

But he couldn't.

((I'm blubbering I LOVE THIS ALREADY))

Sand, if Alexander never saw the damned substance again, he could live happily. His clothes had been ripped and torn and otherwise destroyed and it seemed like places that he hadn't even known to exist were covered by dirt and filth. He couldn't remember the last time that he had taken a real shower; the most that he ever received was a bucket of cold water tossed onto his body that was usually followed by laughter. Laughter because Alex rushed forward to anywhere that the water had puddled, if it did at all, and leaned down to lap at the liquid not unlike a dog. Anything to survive at this point.

As the months had worn on, his hope had dwindled and eventually, it was gone entirely. Alexander knew that people weren't looking for him any longer, there was no way. It had been years, though he couldn't tell you exactly how long it was because he had lost count a long time ago. It didn't matter, he wasn't getting out of this place any time soon.

Alex was curled in the corner of the room he had been kept in since his arrival here and if it hadn't been for the sudden burst of gunfire that wasn't far off, he probably would have managed for a bit of sleep before someone came to torment him. On edge, Alex was expecting the gunfire to end but it continued and it seemed to be growing worse. Whatever was happening, his captors were being attacked... if he wanted a chance at freedom, this was it.

Raising to his feet took far longer than he would have preferred, Alex's muscles were weak from lack of use and malnutrition. Stumbling toward the door, Alex listened as the noise continued to grow closer. He had to get out of here. Looking around, Alex patted the pants that hung loosely on his hips. Nothing. Nothing that would help. Hands moved upward and he ripped the chain from his neck - a cross that he had worn since he was young. Taking the cross off the chain, Alex's fingers worked quickly to jam it between the door and the wall. Try as he might, Alex couldn't budge the door and so he settled with ramming his foot into the door. He had never dared to before so he was mildly surprised when the door started to give way after the fourth kick. On the fifth, he fell through it, to the ground outside.

---

It had been nearly three weeks since that fateful night when Alex had stumbled through a haze, his arms in the air and shouting the same words over and over. United States Marine, Oliver. His branch and last name. The words fell from his lips so frantic, so loud, and so filled with fear that his rescue would end with being shot by an American. Please, God, no. It wasn't until a flashlight landed on him and Alex fell to his knees that he breathed a sigh of relief. Safe. He was safe. His prayers had been answered.

Three weeks of intense rehabilitation - Alex was little more than skin and bones and could barely stand for more than a few minutes. The medical aide wasn't the worst part, the worst came when he was interviewed time and time again about what had happened. He understood what they were trying to do, they wanted to be sure his allegiance hadn't wavered and he wasn't going to turn on them, but all he wanted to do was return home. See Juliette. The day he had been told that he would get to return home, that he had been cleared medically and through security, Alex had nearly cried. Juliette.

Two plane rides later, Alex was leaving John Wayne Airport. Southern California, the place that Alex had always called home. A Marine escorted him, Alex still needed help walking - he walked slowly with arm crutches on either side.

What seemed like forever was the ride to the home that he had bought with Juliette just before his deployment. Would she even still be here? Alex didn't know but he was hopeful - the military had nothing to offer him in knowledge of where Juliette was. His bag forgotten in the rental car, his escort was only just climbing out of the car when Alex pushed himself out of the car. Forgetting his crutches, Alex rushed forward. Winded by the time he reached the front door, Alex leaned against the frame of the door. He took a long moment, wondering if Juliette would even want to see him. So much time had passed... Forcing away the sudden fear that curled in hte pit of his stomach, Alex reached up a hand and rang the doorbell, hanging his head as he waited for the door to be answered.

Juliette just finished putting Alexis to sleep, when the door buzzed. Luckily, Alexis was a deep sleeper and the doorbell wouldn't wake her. The brunette made her way downstairs, but paused. She saw two men outside - and a thought flashed through her mind.

His body must of been found. They said they'd be back in contact when they've found his dead body if there was any of it left. Pain went through her heart, as she fought back tears before opening the door timidly, peaking out.

Her eyes widened, as she took a step outside. Tears welled in her eyes, as she reached out to touch the man. "O-Oh my god, please tell me this isn't a dream!" Once her hand caressed his cheek, she instantly hugged him. Her tears dampened his dark shirt, as she shook slightly under his arms.

All those months of living in the emotional wreck she called her life, all those days of waiting up late in case he came home... All those people telling her to move on. Juliette was thankful she waited - because it paid off.

"Alex, it's really you." She reached up and kissed his cheek, her nimble hands shaking as they cupped his cheeks. "They said y-you were dead, but I didn't believe it... I couldn't, and y-you're here!"

"Mama?" A small timid voice yawned, as Juliette looked over her shoulder. Letting go of Alex, she picked up the small adorable body, and hoisted her up so she balanced her on one arm. The baby studied the man, and looked back at Juliette. Back at the man, and then back at her mother. It was the small words that came from her lips that made Juliette tear up once again.

"Dada?"

Alexander had half been prepared for some unknown face to open the door and greet him, to tell him that Juliette no longer lived here. He wouldn't have been able to blame her, it was the home they had bought together and he had largely payed for - he was a man that insisted on caring for his woman in any and all ways possible. His eyes were blurry, whether it was from the rush of adrenaline that coursed through his veins or the tears that welled in his eyes, he didn't know. Trying to decide between the two had been abandoned the moment the door opened and he looked up to a sight that made his heart nearly stop. Juliette. His Juliette was right there.

His shoulders pulled together, his eyebrows knit in anticipation of whatever was coming. Alex welcomed the hug with open arms and pulled Juliette as tight to his body as he could stand. "Careful," he mumbled the world into her hair when her arm brushed against a hidden bruise on his side. Alex buried his face into her neck and breathed in her scent for the first time in what felt like forever.

Alex reached a hand up to cup Juliette's hand, to ease her shaking. He offered a restrained smile and a small nod of his head. "It's really me," he whispered, taking a step back so that he could take in the sight in front of him for good.

His heart damn near stopped at the word that interrupted the two of them. Alex's face fell because he had honestly not even thought about the fact that he had a child, he had nearly forgotten until the baby girl stared him in the face. His fingers itched to reach out and touch the child, pull her in close, and protect her from the world. But he'd break her surely and what if she was afraid of him?

The tension on Alex's face fell away when 'Dada' was spoken. His face lit up and he looked up to Juliette. Alex hadn't even noticed that he had begun to sway and wouldn't have until his aide spoke up from behind them.

"Sir, you need to sit before you feint," Marcus spoke, his tone completely void of emotion despite the smile that tugged at the edges of his lips.

Alex drew in a slow breath and looked away from Juliette. He was damaged, that was the most simple explanation he could give. "Can I..?" The question was silly in hindsight because of course Juliette would welcome him inside but after years of not even being able to take a piss without asking, Alex still struggled with it.

Juliette placed Alexis down, and the younger one stood there before walking back inside and instantly going to the kitchen - probably for some cereal, since the little girl knew where her favorite 'Chocolate Hoops' were kept. Juliette nodded her head, as she helped Alex inside. It was subtle at first, just a hand on the shoulder, but when he swayed more, she wrapped her arm around his waist for support. "You've got this, Alex." She encouraged him softly, as she helped him to the couch.

She sat down beside him, a small smile on her lips. Her hand went to his, as she gently squeezed his hand for a sign of love and support. Juliette knew he must of been wounded, damaged, and scarred - but that didn't phase her. It didn't matter how long it took, she would help him get back to his old self... To ignore his undoubtedly traumatic experience.

Hearing the munch of cereal, Juliette let a small chuckle out as she saw Alexis eating from the box of cereal, sitting on the kitchen floor. "Alexis reminds me of you so much - she's got your eyes, you know." Looking back at Alex, she smiled gently. "I've never given up on you, Alex - and I certainly won't now. You're here now, and we're going through this together."

With a gentle kiss to the side of his head, Juliette just looked into his eyes. Still so blue from the first day they met, but they were clouded with pain and suffering.... Pain and suffering Juliette was eager to erase from his mind.

Marcus followed close behind as Alex slowly made his way inside of the house, incase he needed to step forward to catch the man. Alex grit his teeth at the encouragement, inwardly just wanting to shove Juliette away. He was sick and tired of the faux encouragement from all the way around, from his nurses to the doctors who watched over him while he worked toward being back on his feet. He normally would have glared at the person and probably snapped at them to get away but this was Juliette and she wasn't just someone that didn't really care about him.

Alex closed his eyes as he slowly lowered himself onto the couch, a grimace of pain flashing across his features. Even after nearly a month, his muscles still screamed retaliation.

His heart skipped a beat as Juliette began to speak again, his eyes shot to the little girl that was visible from the living room. "Alexis?" His voice was barely loud enough to be considered a whisper. Alex swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He leaned into her touch, turning his head to nose against the palm of her hand.

Alex's arms reached to slip around Juliette's waist where he pulled her close to him. "God, I missed you," he mumbled into her neck, rocking them back and forth slowly.

Marcus took the hint and turned to go entertain Alexis in the kitchen.