Promised (The Promised Series)

Tatman says as she tries to look over the heads. Turning her attention to me, she laughs. “Calm down, Wyn. You’re going to hurt yourself. He’ll be here soon.”
    “I know, I know. It’s been a long nine months though and I miss him.” I confess softly.
    Mr. Tatman puts his arm around my shoulder and squeezes me close to his side, while we both attempt to wait patiently. “We all miss him.”
    On a day in May, seven years ago, I ran away from the traditions of my family to follow my heart. My Mom followed through with the threat of not speaking to me. My Dad held up that threat for about three months before he gave in and forgave me. I attempted to mend my relationship with Mom. But after a year of trying, I realized that nothing short of coming back and marrying Shay would work and that wasn’t something I was willing to do. I’d found the freedom I’d been looking for with Linc and it was too beautiful of a life for me to give up.
    Adam stayed true to his word and him, Dani, and Lil Wyn never turned their backs on me. We talk daily and we see each other as often as our schedules allow. Lil Wyn turned out just like I predicted she would, a spoiled gypsy princess. But honestly, I wouldn’t have her any other way. Like I did, she’s driving her parents mad by bucking her gypsy traditions and loving school. She’s determined she’s going to be a nurse just like me and I couldn’t be prouder of her. And even if Adam and Dani don’t come out and admit it, I know they are too.
    Linc and I spent that summer after graduation driving across the country. We said we were taking tours of possible colleges, but honestly, we were doing nothing more but enjoying being young, in love, and free. We took a tent and slept in the national parks along the way and we’d stop at roadside stands to eat. At night, we’d lie on our sleeping bags that were zipped together and talk about what our future would be like. We could never pin point for sure where we’d live or what we’d do, but we knew without a doubt that we’d be together and we’d be happy. And for both of us, that was enough.
    During the day, we’d find small lakes and spend the day splashing around in the warm water before packing all of our stuff back into the Challenger and heading off for our next unknown destination. It was the perfect carefree summer we both needed after the months we spent worrying.
    When summer started to fade into fall, we came back to the real world. As soon as we pulled into Linc’s parent’s driveway, Mrs. Tatman came out and greeted us both with hugs. She informed me that she’d fixed their guest room up for me to move into. That’s the day we started to form a bond way beyond that of a girl and her boyfriend’s mother. I loved her for standing beside her son and I when my Mom would’ve and did turn her back on me. And she loved me because she could see how much Linc meant to me. Over the years, our relationship grew stronger than either of us could’ve hoped. When Linc’s away for work and I need someone, she’s the first person I call. When there’s good news to share, I can’t wait to call her. And when I can’t stop the tears from coming, she’s there to help me dry them. And I’m there for her just as much. She became the mother I never really had, but desperately needed.
    The day I moved into my dorm, Linc and his parents helped. And two days later when Linc went to the recruiter’s office to enlist, he had me and his parents in tow. I lost part of my family over the decisions I made, but I gained a whole new part who loved me because of those choices. I still have moments where I miss my mom and other brothers, but I know I wouldn’t go back for all the sprinkle cupcakes in the world.
    Surveying the hanger again, I take in all the other wives, mothers, husbands, fathers, and children eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones. My nine months mean nothing to some of these people who’ve waited a year or more for this moment. The hanger may be scorching hot and we may be waiting for hours, but I know that any of us would choose this over the alternative.
    My eyes fall onto the red, white, and blue flag hanging from the rafters and I take a deep breath to fight the tears that threaten to spill at the thought of the families who received a pine box and a folded up copy of the same flag instead. It could’ve happened to any of us, but we were lucky…this time.
    The screams, cheers, and cries break