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“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispers.

“I’ve missed you too, pretty girl,” I reply, my voice tight. “More than you’ll ever know.”

I lean down, capturing her lips, and she melts into me, her arms wrapping around my neck as she kisses me back with equal fervor.

Our tongues dance, exploring, reclaiming what’s been lost during my deployment.

I can taste the salt of her tears, and I realize I’m crying too.

This moment is everything—relief, love, and desire, all rolled into one.

My hands roam her body, memorizing every curve, every change.

She’s different, her body round and full with our child.

I trail kisses down her neck, my hands cupping her breasts, feeling their weight and fullness.

She moans softly, arching into my touch.

I take my time exploring every inch of her, from her swollen breasts to her growing belly.

I kneel before her, pressing soft kisses to her stomach, grateful for the life we’ve created.

Ale runs her fingers through my hair, her touch grounding me, centering me.

I look up at her, my eyes meeting hers, and I see the love and desire reflected back at me.

I stand, my hands finding the waistband of her pajama pants, slowly pushing them down.

She steps out of them, standing before me, naked and vulnerable.

I take a moment to admire her, my eyes roaming over her body. Pregnancy suits her, making her even more attractive to me.

I want her pregnant over and over, filling our family with love and children.

I reach out, tracing the curve of her hip, the swell of her belly, and the curve of her thigh. She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching in anticipation.

I lead her to the bed, laying her down gently. Crawling over her, my body pressing against hers, my hardness pressing against her thigh. I kiss her deeply, my hands exploring her body, teasing, tantalizing. She wraps her legs around me, pulling me closer, urging me on.

“I need you inside me, Carino. ”

“Paciencia, mi amor. Quiero tomarme mi tiempo contigo.” I break the kiss, trailing my lips down her body, tasting her skin, inhaling her scent.

I dip my tongue into her belly button, making her giggle, then continue my journey south.

I spread her legs, settling between them, my eyes meeting hers as I lower my head.

For just a moment, I admire her, my eyes roaming over her glistening entrance. I lean in, slowly running my tongue along her slit, tasting her, listening to her moan my name. I take my time, exploring every fold, every crevice, my tongue delving deep inside her.

Ale pants, her hips bucking against my mouth, her hands reaching for my hair that’s just now out of her reach. I grip her hips, holding her in place as I feast on her, my tongue circling her clit, my fingers pumping in and out of her.

She’s so wet, so ready to take me.

I’ve missed this.

Her.

I can feel her getting close, her body tensing, her breath coming in short gasps.

I redouble my efforts, my tongue and fingers working in tandem, pushing her over the edge.

She cries out, her body convulsing as she comes, her juices gushing into my mouth.

I lap it up, savoring her taste, her scent, her essence.

“You taste better than I remember, Hermosa. ” Her cum drips from my chin and I lick my lips and stare at her. “You ready for me, baby?”

“Mmmm, yes. Make love to me.”

Lining my cock up with her entrance, I push into her, slowly, inch by inch, feeling her stretch around me.

She’s so tight, so wet, so perfect. My hips thrusting against hers, my body takes over, and it’s only us.

I lean down, capturing her lips in a deep kiss, our tongues dancing, our breaths mingling.

I can feel her nails digging into my back, urging me on, encouraging me to go deeper, harder, faster.

“I just wanna wrap my hands around your throat and watch those pretty eyes roll back while I pound you into this mattress before finishing inside you.”

“Fuck, yes. I want that.” She whines, trying to meet my thrusts. “Please, Damelo. ”

“Then I want to curl up and fall asleep while it drips out of your pussy all night long.” My body slamming into hers, our sweat-slicked bodies sliding against each other.

I can feel her getting close again, her body tensing, her breath coming in short gasps.

I reach between us, my fingers finding her clit, rubbing it in tight circles.

“I own this pussy,” Thrust. “Tell me who owns this pussy, Ale.” Thrust.

“You do, Gage.” She lets out a soft curse that I barely hear. “It’s all yours.”

“That’s right, pretty girl.” Thrust. “ Tu esposo. ”

Ale cries out, her body convulsing as she comes, her pussy clenching around me, milking me for everything I have to give. I follow her over the edge, my body tensing, my cum pulsing into her perfect cunt. I collapse next to her, my body spent, my mind blissfully empty.

We lie there, side by side, our breaths slowly returning to normal. I press soft kisses to her neck, her shoulder, and her collarbone.

“I love you, pretty girl.”

“I love you too, Gage,” she replies, her voice soft, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart.” I pull her closer, holding her tight, never wanting to let her go. “I’m here.”

“I know, and I’m just going to soak it in while I can.” She sighs, situating herself to press her back into my chest.

“I’ll be home for a little bit,” I kiss her shoulder. “So close your eyes and sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

The next few days are a whirlwind of activity as I reintegrate into family life.

I help Ale with the house, playing with Zoe and soaking in every moment with her.

I can see the change in her, the way she’s grown and developed since I’ve been away.

It’s a bittersweet realization, knowing that I’ve missed so much in such a short time, but it makes it so I cherish the time I have now.

Ale and I talk about the future, about the baby’s arrival and the stepparent adoption process. We discuss Ryder often, his memory a constant presence in our lives. Ale encourages me to talk about him, to share my memories and the impact he had on my life.

It’s therapeutic, a way to process the grief and find a sense of closure.

She’s so fucking smart and the way she supports me blows my mind.

I’ve known some guys where they come home and their wives just want them to pick up where they left off, not wanting to hear about anything they went through, just change this diaper and I need you to do x, y, and z around the house.

Very cut and dry, like, I’m happy you’re home, but I don’t want to hear about any of what you had to go through.

Not Ale.

My fucking amazing woman sets aside time during the day, mostly during Zoe’s nap time, to talk with me and help me process through my grief.

One evening, as we’re sitting down to dinner, Ale places a hand on my arm, her eyes serious. “Gage, have you talked with Ethan lately? He’s going through the same thing you are and maybe talking to each other can help you both find some peace.”

I nod, knowing she’s right. Ethan and I have been through so much together, and Ryder’s death has created a bond between us, a shared grief that needs to be acknowledged.

“Only the first night back, he and his wife checked on Ryder’s wife.

But you’re right, Hermosa . I’ll reach out to him and see how he’s doing. ”

Later that night, after Ale and Zoe are asleep, I sit down in my chair in the family room and type out a text.

Gage

Hey brother, I’m just checking in. Seeing how you’re holding up.

Ethan

It’s hard, waking up knowing he’s not here. But I’m hanging in there. I’ve got to. Right?

Of course he has to. He has a family, just like I do.

I pour out my heart, sharing my struggles with guilt and loss and offering my support to him. I remind him of the good times, of Ryder’s laughter and his unyielding spirit, and I promise to honor his memory together.

The days turn into a quick week and a half, and I find myself finally feeling more comfortable being back.

We explore the city, visiting parks and taking Zoe to the San Diego Zoo, creating new memories and cherishing the old ones.

Ale’s belly grows rounder by the day, a constant reminder of the life we’re bringing into the world and the family we’re building.

While we were at the zoo, I casually brought up my re-enlistment and maybe PCSing to the east coast for a while. That idea didn’t sit well with my lovely wife. Once we’re in the truck and we are on the freeway, I bring it back up.

I never said I was a smart man, and I am apparently a glutton for my wife’s searing glare.

“There are only two options. Either we’re going to get home and fight this out or we’re going to fuck it out. The choice is yours, pretty girl.”

“What makes you think we won’t fight while we’re fucking?” She looks me dead in the eyes and my grip on the steering wheel tightens as I inhale a deep breath and let it all out.

“God, I fucking love you.” I whisper, reaching down to adjust my hardening cock.

“ Hermosa , if you wanna fight while we fuck, by all means. Slap me, call me a possessive asshole, be as rough as you want with me. But know that I’ll have you on your back with my cock buried so deep inside, reminding you that you’re my wife.

And no matter how we handle things, nothing is gonna change that.

There is no argument that will ever scare me away. ”

Ale chuckles and rubs her growing belly and looks back out the window. “You are something else, Gage Donovan.”

“I’m just completely yours, Alejandra Donovan. That’s what I am. Yours.”