We've Proven Our Love Over Time So Strong.

-Brian's POV-

I set an alarm for the morning in case we had slept longer than expected. I woke up about an hour before it was supposed to go off, but I didn't make effort to get out of bed. Instead, I just rolled onto my side to see my sleeping girlfriend. Lisa was still sound asleep, facing me while hugging the sheet against her bare chest. I had almost forgotten that neither of us had gotten dressed before going to sleep. As I watched her sleep peacefully, I could feel my gut twisting as I realized that she was leaving today. I tried my hardest to never show my heartache to her each time we separated, but it was getting harder and harder. I feared I might lose it when I dropped her off at the airport today. Of course we weren't going to be separated for long, but it still hurt.

I still couldn't believe that after six short months, I was madly in love with this woman. How was it possible that I could've fallen so hard for her? Everything about her made me incredibly happy which was something that I had rarely felt while I was with Michelle. I knew something had to be good as soon as the guys and even Valary told me to pursue Lisa after running into her at the beach.

Not only did I love her so much, I also had a crazy amount respect for her. Joining any branch of the military is never an easy thing to do, and she did it. She sacrifices her time and energy away from us to serve the country. I know it has to be hard on her, but she stays strong, and I couldn't be more proud, and even inspired by her.

My thoughts were interrupted by movement. Lisa hadn't woken up, but had rolled to her other side, grabbing a corner of the comforter and holding it against her chest while one of her legs had popped out from under the blanket and rested on top of it. I smiled as I scooted closer to her, resting my head on her pillow as my arm gently slid over her hip and rested across her waist. The scent of her shampoo tingled my nose as I pressed my lips against her bare shoulder. I let my body relax again and had quickly dozed off.

It felt like I had been asleep for only a minute before my alarm blared through the room. I rolled over to turn it off as Lisa just groaned and buried herself under the covers. “Baby I know you don't want to be up right now, but you have to be at the airport in an hour and a half.”

“No,” she groaned from under the comforter.

I couldn't help but chuckle, because she wasn't being totally serious. I knew she didn't want to leave, but I also knew that she wouldn't abandon her job. Of course, she really couldn't do so without suffering severe consequences, but that was beside the point.

“I know. I know. I'll go start breakfast while you get ready. I'll help you bring your bags down afterwards.”

Lisa sighed, still not moving an inch while I got up and pulled on a pair of shorts that were on the floor next to my bed. I headed downstairs to start cooking some breakfast, soon beginning to hear movement upstairs. The shower ran for a few minutes, and shortly after that, she appeared in the kitchen wearing her dress blue uniform sans the jacket. “Hurry and get dressed, because I feel totally overdressed,” she said.

I laughed as I handed her a plate of food. “First though...” I paused and leaned down to get a kiss from her. “I love you, sweetheart,” I said before disappearing to get dressed.

I fished in one of my dresser drawers for a few moments, grabbing the box before going back downstairs. After eating my own breakfast, both of us brought her bags downstairs and into my car. I let her take some time to make sure she had everything and another moment to silently say goodbye to the house. “I guess it's time to go,” she mumbled, looking sadly at the house.

“I have something for you before we head out. Consider it a late birthday gift.” I handed her the small cardboard box.

She opened the box, revealing the necklace I had gotten for her. I didn't go fancy, but instead got something I knew she'd like, and something to sort of remind her of me when I wasn't around. It was a simple silver chain and the charm on it I had made by a mutual friend of Michelle and I. I chose the skull as a way to remind her of me, and then a bow to give it a girly touch.

“Brian, this is awesome,” she said with a smile.

“I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure if you would or not.”

“I do, but why a skull?” She asked as she put the necklace on.

“I figured it would remind you of me whenever I'm not around.”

She jumped into my arms, catching me off guard. “Thanks,” she murmured against my chest.

Once we were ready, I headed for LAX. The car ride was silent as she stared out the window the whole time, saying goodbye to Huntington Beach and home. I was fighting my own sadness as I pulled into the airport and found a place to park. I helped carry Lisa's bags to get checked in at the curb before going inside.

“Whoa!” Both of us called out at the same time.

Standing inside the airport were the rest of the guys and the girls, waving frantically at us. I was just as shocked as Lisa was, not expecting to see them standing there. “What the hell is this all about?” I asked Matt.

“We know it's sad that she's leaving, so we were hoping to make it a little more lighthearted. Plus, we all wanted to say goodbye to her.”

“Brian, we know how much she means to you,” Valary said from Matt's side. “She means a lot to you, therefore she means a lot to us.”

I smiled weakly as I turned to see Jimmy hugging Lisa tightly. He was saying something to her, but I couldn't hear him. I saw her nod and watched as she said her goodbyes to everybody. “It means so much to me that you guys came out here to do this. It also makes me not wanna go, but I have to.”

After a few minutes, they all left the two of us. I walked with her to the security check, and to my surprise, they allowed me to go through with her so I could stay with her a bit longer. I was actually shocked at how well people in uniform get treated. I walked with her to the terminal, expecting us to link arms like she had to do in uniform, but instead, she laced her fingers with mine. I gave her hand a squeeze as we walked. There was enough time to grab a bite to eat and have a chance to sit down.

“What did Jimmy say to you?” I asked when I remembered him whispering something to her.

“Said he'd miss me, and then said to take care of you when you go out to Norfolk to stay with me. Then he said that if you start acting up to give him a call and he'll come out and kick your ass.”

I laughed. “Sounds like Jimmy. He likes you, you know. Not like I do, but I mean that he considers you almost like a sister.”

“Is that a good thing I take it?”

“Yeah it is. Jimmy-hell all of us, we have a lot of friends, but we have those few that we actually consider unofficial family. All of them like you. A lot.”

Lisa hung her head just a bit, staring into her drink. “Obviously I don't know how you were with Michelle around, but I've heard from Jimmy and even Valary that you're so different with me around. Different in a good way.”

“Lisa, you have no idea how happy you make me. I can't even explain it, but ever since we collided at the beach, I just felt something when I helped you up.” I looked down into my own drink as I recalled that day, then chuckled. “Jimmy was the one that made me go after you. I was still so bummed after what happened with Michelle that we were having a guy's day. I dunno...after I saw you, everything just changed.”

I glanced back up and saw her watching me, smiling. “I never knew I could have that affect on somebody.”

“Well, now you do know. You've just never had anybody feel for you like I do.”

I bit my lip, not trying to bring up the 'M' word this early in our relationship. Could I deny that the idea of Lisa being my wife has flashed through my mind? Hell no. I did want to make her my wife, but I didn't want to rush anything. Right as we finished eating, they announced that her flight was boarding. I frowned as I got up to walk with her back to the terminal.

Before I even had a chance to hug her, she already had her arms wrapped tightly around me. I sighed, wrapping mine around her. “Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll be there soon. Give me a few weeks to get some things together and figure everything out.”

“Yeah. When I get chances, I'll see what apartments are around.”

I couldn't help but let a chuckle escape. “For once you're not fighting me on this. I'm surprised.”

“I have no say in what you do with your money. I just don't want anything coming between you and the guys.”

“It won't. Not for a few months at least. Now go on, you're going to miss your flight.” She pulled away a bit, and I could see that a few tears had escaped her eyes. She was trying to force them back, but couldn't. I bit my lip as I could feel tears stinging the corners of my eyes. “I love you, Lisa. You know that.” My hands went for her face, tilting her head up so I could meet her lips with mine.

“I love you too,” she said, pulling from the kiss.

When she pulled out of my arms, I felt as if part of my soul had been ripped out. I stood there, watching sadly as she scanned her ticket and headed into the walkway, turning one last time towards me. Then, just like that, she was gone again. I sighed as I made my way out of the airport and to my car. As I was getting back onto the highway, I watched a plane take off, and I just knew it was hers. I bit my lip again as I drove on, leaving the airport behind me. Damn was I beginning to hate airports.