“It’s not my place to tell you what to decide but she left her number.”
“I hope she’s holding her breath.” I grumbled. I couldn’t deal with being around them anymore. Without a word, I headed up to my room. Pulling out a large suitcase I began to carefully place my clothes, bathroom items, laptop, and other things into it.
“You don’t have to pack everything tonight, ya’ know?” Atlas watched me from the doorway.
“I know, I just needed something to help blow off steam.”
“We should teach you how to box.”
“That could be dangerous for you.”
“Good point. Ready to go home?” He picked up the full suitcase as I grabbed my pillows.
“Home sounds good.”
On our way out dad stopped me at the door. He tucked an envelope in my bag then hugged me tightly. “That’s her number. I’m a phone call away, day or night. Remember to come home. I love you endlessly, Ellie.” He spoke into my ear as I clung to his shirt.
“I’ll always come home. I love you, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek as Atlas stood patiently, holding the door open.
“I’ll take care of her, Ben, promise.” Atlas wrapped his free arm around my waist.
“I’m going to hold you to that.” Dad patted his back as I walked down the stairs. In the car I blew him a kiss as he waved.
“On to our next adventure.” Atlas rubbed the top of my hand with his thumb.
“To the rest of our lives.”
Chapter Fourteen
Things were going great the week since I moved with Atlas and Adam. They had thrown me a small party for my birthday that even my dad showed up for. The guys had cooked and Darcy brought a cake along with a bag full of nail polish, facial products, and everything else we would need for a pamper day when the guys left.
“Did you have a good birthday?” Atlas was laying next to me, rubbing circles on my shoulder.
“I did, it was perfect, thank you.” I smiled sleepily at him.
“I have one more present for you.”
“The flowers were enough for me, silly.”
“I know but it’s something I wanted to give you.” He reached into the nightstand and handed me a small black box.
“Atlas...”
“Just open it.” He kissed my arm as I opened the box.
“Dog tags.” I laughed, holding them up.
“My tags, an extra set. You know they’re important so please don’t lose them.”
I sat up as he slipped them over my head. “Thank you,” I clutched them in my hand. “Now I’ll have a piece of you while you’re gone.”
“That’s what I thought. I have you on my iPod and you have this.”
“I’m going to miss you.” I said quietly, staring down at him.
“It’s going to be hard.” He admitted.
“I know it will. But I chose you and when I chose you I made the decision to serve. When you serve, I serve too. You fight for our country and I fight for you.” I placed my hand on his cheek.
“That...” Atlas nodded at a loss for words. “Thank you,” his voice was soft in the dark room. “For standing by me, for supporting me, for not begging me not to go, for loving me like you do. I know it’s probably not easy to love me. But you do and that’s more than I could ever ask for. What you just said makes me love you even more.” He ran his hand down my face.
“You’re something worth fighting for.”
“I love you, Penelope.”
“I know, I love you, Atlas.”
❋❋❋
My finals were over allowing for me to be able to spend as much as much time with Atlas as possible before he left. I had helped him pack his two bags and prepare as much as I could. As the days went on it was harder to walk past his bags by the door.
The day before he left I stood by the door staring at those bags. They were my own secret arch nemesis. Sitting there, waiting, mocking me, every day. I wouldn’t admit it to him but inside I was breaking. He was really leaving.
“You okay, Ginger?” Atlas had a towel wrapped around his waist, fresh from the shower.
“Yeah baby, I’m fine.” My voice was trying to give away my despair.
“Come here.” Without hesitation I walked straight into his arms, breathing him in. “We’re going to be fine, you and I.”
“I know. I miss you already.”
“Don’t, not yet. Today is all us. I want to go do something today and you’re not talking me out of it.” Atlas’ mischievous grin had returned.
“Alright, lets do it.” I wasn’t about to tell him no on the last day I had him.
“Good, I need to get dressed so we can go.”
“Mmm, do you have to?” I ran my hands down his chest.
“You just can’t get enough of me can you?”
“Not possible.”
“Okay, okay, clothes or we’re going for round three.”
“Now who can’t get enough of whom?”
“Good point.”
“Alright get dressed. I’ll wait in the living room.” I kissed his chin leaving him to dress. My shoes thumped against the floor as I waited impatiently. Adam was watching me as I paced.
“Hey Ellie?”
“Yeah?”
“Take care of Darcy for me.”
“Always,” I stopped, “You remember the first night you met Darcy? When the two of you were dancing, that’s when I knew, when I saw it.”
“Saw what?” He asked, confused.
“The way Atlas looks at me. It’s the same way you look at Darcy. It when I knew I was really in love with Atlas.” I looked up to see Atlas smiling the one hundred thousand megawatt, stop your heart smile. My own heart skipped a beat as he strolled over to me.
“Maybe I’ll marry her when I get back.” Adam said, thinking out loud.
“I’ll make sure no one beats you to it until then.” I spoke to Adam but I couldn’t take my eyes off Atlas.
“That would be appreciated.” Adam snorted.
“Alright, leaving with my girl, later.” Atlas pulled me out the door.
“So where are we going?” He pulled my keys from his pocket, spinning them around his finger.
“Surprise.”
“Fine, I’ll play.” I sat back in the car as he drove away from our apartment. He drummed along with the radio, bobbing his head. His good mood was infectious, no matter how much I felt like whining.
We sped through town to a little shopping center I knew well. “Don’t tell you’re doing what I think you’re doing?” I looked at the blinking open sign on Permanent Ink.
“Oh I am.” he grinned as he parked at the front, “my appointment is now.” I followed him inside to meet Xander.
“Atlas, my man.” Xander stood up, shaking his hand. “Ellie, this is a surprise.”
“Yeah, been awhile since I was in.”
“You two know each other?” Atlas looked between me and the artist.
“Yeah, I did a good portion of her work. How do you two know each other?” Xander waved us back to his room.
“She’s my girlfriend.” Atlas answered as he pulled off his shirt, handing it to me.
“Explains the tattoo. When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Damn,” Xander shook his head as he pulled out the sterile supplies and gloves. “Sure about this?”
“Just shut up and do it.” Atlas smiled over at me.
“What are you getting?” I sat down on one of the would be massage tables that Xander used for a tattoo bed.
“She doesn’t know?” Xander’s brown eyes caught mine.
“No, she doesn’t.”
“What don’t I know?” I watched as Xander placed the stencil on the right side of his chest.
“Better tell her.”
“It’s your name.” Atlas mumbled as Xander fired up the gun.
“Excuse me?” I shook my head certain I didn’t hear him right.
“It’s your name.” He said ag
ain, clearer this time.
“You crazy bastard.” I laughed, jumping down and looking over Xander’s shoulder.
“You’re not mad?”
“I’m absolutely furious.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“You’re crazy, I love you, but you’re crazy.” I kissed the top of his head, taking my seat. I watched him as Xander outlined and shaded for about an hour. His eyes were closed, head leaning back on the chair like it was nothing.
When Xander was finished, Atlas stood up, stretched, and went over to the mirror. “It’s perfect, thanks, man.” I stood behind him, looking in the mirror at my name across his chest. It was small, in delicate lettering, and absolutely beautiful. “What do you think?”
“It’s pretty.” I smiled, kissing his shoulder blade.
“Yeah, I think so too.” Atlas dressed and paid Xander while I booked my next appointment with Maize.
“Where to next? I have a surprise of my own so we have to be available at six.” I told Atlas as we got in the car.
“A surprise, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Well I won’t ask since you were so good about not asking me.”
“I wouldn’t have told you anyway.”
“Lunch?” He asked as we pulled away.
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Then lunch it is.”
❋❋❋
“Where are we going?” Atlas asked for the fourth time.
“Atlas we’ve been in the car ten minutes, just chill out.” I turned the radio up, smiling to myself as I headed toward the airport.
“I like to do the surprising not getting surprises.” He scowled, tapping his fingers on the side of the door.
“We’re almost there.”
“Fine,” he leaned back, closing his eyes, bouncing his knees up and down. I turned up the radio, singing along. Ten more minutes and I turned into the airport parking lot. Atlas sat up, looking around, confused. “The airport?”
“Yes.” I parked the car as Atlas came around opening the door for me.
“Do you have something to tell me? I know you don’t want me to leave but this is a little bit extreme, don’t you think?” I took his hand in mine, wanting to feel closer to him.
“Nope and it’s not for us, loser.” I smiled as we went through the sliding doors and over to the gate as people started coming off the plane.
“Atlas!” Ares voice came from within the crowd.
“Ares?” Atlas’ mouth fell open as he looked down at me. “You... You got my family here?”
“They wanted to see you off.” I gave him a wide smile as he took off running for his brother.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Atlas hugged Ares, slapping him hard on the back.
“Atlas Quinn you better kiss your mother.”
“Ma!” Atlas’ arms were around his mom next as she kissed his cheek.
“You look good.” She patted his arm as they walked back over to where I was.
“Thank you for arranging this, Ellie.” Andy smiled warmly at me.
“You’re very welcome. I knew you would want to be here.” Atlas wrapped his arm around my waist and his other over Andy’s shoulder.
“Lets go get your bags.”
We made our way through the crowd of people, gathering their one bag each, and headed out to the car. “I’m driving this time.” Atlas smirked.
“What’s wrong with my driving?”
“Nothing I just don’t like to be driven around.”
“It’s my car.”
“Shush,” he kissed me quickly, stowing their bags in the trunk.
“This is your car?” Ares ran his hand down the side of Max.
“This is Max and he is my baby.”
“Felix would have a fit, he’s always wanted one.” Andy said as she climbed into the back.
“You can sit up front I don’t mind sitting back there with Ares.” I laughed.
“No, go ahead.” After her insistence I climbed into the passenger seat handing Atlas the keys.
“Lets go show you our home.” Atlas was beaming as he pulled away from the airport.
❋❋❋
“I can’t believe you got them here.” Atlas turned on his side, draping his arm across my waist.
“We’re all in this together. They wanted to be here and I wanted to make that happen.”
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Ellie.” He stared at me in awe. “I thank God that I have you. You are my reason to fight. You are my reason to come back home.”
“I’ll be right here waiting for you.” I choked up, nodding as I fought the tears. I knew I would cry but I wanted to wait until after he was gone. The knocking on the door jerked us from our intimate moment. “Oh yeah, I have one more surprise.”
“Are you serious?” Atlas jumped out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans. I tossed on my pajamas and followed on his heels as he walked quickly to the door. He leaned down looking into the peep hole. “Dad?” Jerking the door open, he stepped back.
“Hey son.” Felix stood in the doorway with his overnight bag thrown over his shoulder.
“Holy shit,” he pulled him into the apartment, hugging him, “you’re here.”
“Of course. Ellie told me when to be here and I’m here. Sorry it’s so late, I had a few things to finish but I’m here now.”
“This is great.” Atlas picked me up swinging me around. “You’re great.”
“You’re welcome. Hello again, Felix, it’s nice to see you.”
“Likewise, Ellie.”
“You’re welcome to the couch, it’s nothing fancy but I figured you wouldn’t want to try and find a hotel room this late.”
“The couch is fine, Ellie.” Felix sat his bag next to the couch looking Atlas over. “Do you have that girls named tattooed on your chest?” Felix laughed, shaking his head.
“Yes sir I do.” Atlas grinned sheepishly.
“How many more do you have?” Felix walked around him, inspecting his skin.
“Seven not including her name.”
“Do you have any?” Felix looked at me amused.
“I have more than he does.”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely,” I smiled proudly. “I’m going to leave you to two to visit, I’ll be in our room.” I kissed Atlas soundly before retreating to the empty room. “So this is how it’s going to be...” I said out loud to noone but myself.
I hated it.
I wanted to throw, kick, scream, and cry. I selfishly wanted to keep him a to myself. I sat down at the computer desk, pulling out a spiral notebook from last semester's class and started to write.
My darling Atlas,
December 17, 2013
If you’re reading this then you’re already gone. These will be the longest nine months of my life. I miss you already and I know I will miss you every second of every day you are gone. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You have given me so much more than I thought I ever deserved. You have shown me that I am worth something and that I matter. You have given me back a part of me that I thought was gone forever. I can never thank you enough for these things.
Be safe, my love. I need you to come home to me. I need to spend the rest of my life loving you. We have had our trials during our relationship but no matter what we come through and come out stronger. This will be no exception.
Come home to me. I’ll be waiting right here for you when you get back. I would wait nine days, nine months, or nine years because you are worth the wait. Until then, know that half of my heart is wherever you are. I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will love you every day for the rest of my life. You are the best part of my every day. I cannot wait until I am back in your arms. I will think of you, hope for you, and worry about you every day.
Thank you for not only being just a hero, but my hero, and the man of my dreams.
Yours Always,
Ellie
> I folded the letter and tucked it deep into his bag. As I zipped it up Atlas came through the door giving me a questioning look. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing!” I held my hands up in innocence.
“I don’t believe you for a second.” Atlas grinned, tossing me onto the bed. “Thank you,” he peeled my shirt over my head, throwing it behind him. “I needed them here so much and just didn’t want to ask. You’re like a mind reader or something.” He ran his hands up my sides, planting a trail of kisses along my stomach.
“I needed them here just as much. Jacks and Katie were going to come too but she’s on bedrest and Jacks is insisting on waiting on her hand and foot.” I giggled as his lips tickled my skin.
“I don’t want to sleep tonight.” Atlas looked up at me through a frame of lashes.
“Then we won’t.” I pulled him up to me, locking our lips together, sealing out the need for conversation.
❋❋❋
The morning came too quickly. Light streaming through the curtains as we lay in the silence together. I stared at the side of his face, memorizing every angle, the way his eyelashes touch his eyelids, the curve of his smile, his smell. It was sinking in that I wouldn’t wake up next to him tomorrow.
“I guess we should get ready.” His voice was sad as he stared at the ceiling.
“It’ll be over before we know it.” I swallowed the lump in my throat not wanting to get out of bed. If I got out of bed it was real. If it was real, I would cry. I moved as close as possible to him. “I love you,” I whispered in his ear.
“Oh God, Ellie, I love you.” He choked on the words, burying his face in my arm. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I know, baby. I’m missing you already.” I clung to him as if my life depended on it. “Lets get started so it can be over.”
We both unwillingly left the comfort of our bed and started getting ready. I watched from across the room as he put on his uniform. My heart was racing as the minutes ticked by drawing closer to take him away from me. I wanted to a magic button to slow time down or pause it so it couldn’t move at all. I dressed in his favorite green dress as he gave me a grateful smile. Deep within me I knew this could possibly be the last time we ever woke up next to each other. I wanted him to see me happy.
Something Worth Fighting For Page 17
