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John also wanted to check in on Maryanne and see how Ford was doing as well. His town would never feel the same to him now that Jace was gone, but it was his town, where his family and his life was, so he was going to make the most of it.

Stepping off the plane, John felt a smile creep up his face. He took a deep breath and said to himself, I’m home.

Both Clark and Diane awaited John. They hadn’t been able to attend his boot camp graduation due to his mother having a flare up from her new MS medication. John wasn’t upset about their absence, just happy that she was doing better.

Looking at his parents, their smiles could be felt from miles away they were so big. Dropping his carry-on bag, his mother was the first to throw her arms around him and hug him tight. She held on for dear life until the point where he said, “Alright Ma, it was only boot camp. You can let go now.”

“I know. I’m just so happy to see you. I can’t believe how much you’ve changed!”

John grinned. He definitely wasn’t a boy anymore. “And I’m

glad to be back for a few weeks.”

Hugging his father, Clark said, “Glad to see you, son.” Clark reached down for John’s bag, but John stopped him. “I’ve got it.”

Together, the three of them walked to Clark’s car. His mother asked him a million and one questions on the ride home while his father just grinned.

“How’s Luke doing?” John asked.

“He finished his tour, so he’s back in town. Livy’s been around more than usual. I wonder if they’re rekindling their relationship. I always did like her,” Diane said, hopefully.

John nodded. Luke had been head over heels in love with Olivia King since they were young kids. She had always been around and part of the family. He thought they would always be together, but miscommunication and dreams separated them for many years. John saw what it did to Luke and how he dealt with her absence. He suffered in the beginning, but then he went off and turned their memories into music. It was something he learned from and didn’t want for himself.

“That’s cool. Maybe I’ll see him while I’m home.” Unfortunately, Luke hadn’t been able to make his graduation either since he’d been on tour. He knew Luke felt terrible about it, but John understood the kind of lifestyle Luke lived and didn’t hold it against him. There wasn’t anything that could have been done.

“I’m sure he’d love that, honey,” Diane answered sweetly. “Do you know what you’ll do when you go back?”

Looking out of the window at the trees passing him by, John said, “I’ll have about a month of combat training and then two months of aviation training. Hopefully I’ll get picked up right after that so I don’t have to wait around.”

“Do you think you’ll get put overseas?”

“It’s not up to me what I want should the occasion arise. You know that with dad being in the marines. We’re given orders, we move. I do what I’m told.”

“Will you?” Gone was the sugary sweet voice and in its placed was one of worry.

“Now, Di, don’t go getting all upset,” Clark chimed in. “Whatever John decides to do, we’ll support him either way,” he said patting her thigh.

“I know, I just worry is all. I’m allowed to, I’m his mother after all.”

John smiled to himself. He had a lot to contemplate, but he was sure about one thing—joining the US Marine Corps was the right move. He had a passion burning inside of him now, a reason to keep going. Despite the mental exhaustion during the three months of hell that he went through, John saw things more clearly now. He never realized how proud he was to be an American, to fight for a cause, but now he did. And he had the Marines to thank for that. He wanted to be a better person because of it. As much as he was glad to be home, he was itching to go back already.

Once they were home, John needed to go for a run. It was something he had come to actually enjoy at camp as it helped him blow off steam and stress. Changing into running shorts a navy blue shirt with “Marine” printed on the front, John grabbed his sneakers and went downstairs.

“Heading out already?”

“I’m going for a run. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Your brother is coming over with Livy later to see you for dinner.”

A grin stretched across John’s face. “Looking forward to seeing them.”

As he was bending down to tie his shoe, Clark asked, “Are you going to see anyone while you’re back? Ford … maybe Alyssa?”

John’s head popped up. “Actually, I planned to see them.”

Clark scratched his head. “Huh.”

“What’s up?” John straightened.