"I'll be home shortly. Just a month this time." He whispered.

"I know." She sighed.

"I'll call as often as I possibly can."

"I know you will."

There was a pause...silence, as they simply stared at one another.

"I'll miss you!" She cried suddenly, enveloping him in a tight hug. Instantly, he let both bags drop from his hands and pulled her closer to him. "I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, too...more than anything."

Their hug tightened, threatening to force the air from their lungs. Then, urgently, passionately, their lips connected, and all the world fell away. It was just the two of them; the rest of the world didn't matter.

The grandfather clock in the hall chimed. They broke apart, breathing heavily, staring into each other's eyes.

"They...they'll," She swallowed, the words refusing to leave her mouth. She didn't want to have to make them. "They'll be here soon."

The pressure on her eyeballs was building. This could be the last time she ever saw him! But she would not cry. She couldn't. For his sake, she would not cry.

"I know." He murmured dejectedly, glancing toward the door, sighing.

"I love you so much!" She said again, blinking, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Oh!" She jumped suddenly, remembering something. Quickly, she scurried towards the cupboards and opened the one on the far left. She pulled a small, silver box from the shelf. "Here," She pushed it into his hands. "It's to remember me by. But you cannot open it until...until you are.........gone."

He put the box in his pocket. "I would rather that I never leave, than open it." He murmured gently, placing his hand on her cheek tenderly.

"Me too." She smiled a watery smile, and he managed a small one, too.

Headlights flashed through the curtains and there was a beep. The dog jumped up and began barking at the door.

"They're here." She sighed heavily.

Remorsefully, he took up his bags and started for the door. He set them down there. "Good boy. You take care of mama." The dog earned a pat on the head, thumping his tail against the floor.

The man turned back to his wife. "Soon. I'll be back soon."

She nodded, her grip on his hand white.

The vehicle outside beeped, but she would not let him go. Her husband may very well be sacrificing his life in the next month. She could be afforded another few moments with him, thank you very much.

They leaned in towards each other, sharing silent sentiments.

The vehicle beeped again, and the couple jumped.

"Damnit," The man swore. This was so hard. "I love you," He whispered more softly.

"I love you, too."

They took their last kiss.

As the vehicle honked a final time, the man knew the time had come. Feeling as though the weight of the world had fallen on them, he slowly picked up his bags, casting sorrowful eyes at his young wife.

"It's not goodbye. I will see you again."

She nodded, unable to speak anymore.

He made his way down the steps, to the bottom of the driveway, throwing his bags into the back of the automobile and climbing in.

He leaned out the window, waving, as the car disappeared into the dark night.

She could no longer stop the tears from rolling.

Freedom Isn't Free

God Bless America.

God Bless Our Soldiers.