My Guardian Angel

Chapter 5

The sun is shining when I wake up Sunday morning. My dad told me that the plane is supposed to come in around 1:00, but we need to head over there at 11:30. I had my alarm set for 9:00, but I guess I'm excited because it's not even 8:00 yet. I decide I'll make a big breakfast, something I don't usually have time for. I fry up some bacon, eggs and make some toast knowing its my dads favorite meal. I slice up some fruit too and put the coffee on just as my dad walks down the stairs.

"Wow, what did I do to earn this?" my dad asks  as he sits down, still in his pajamas like I am.

"I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd make breakfast."

"Hey, I'm not complaining! You're more than welcome to make me breakfast any time you want."

We sit down to eat mostly in silence, and I keep catching my dad looking at me.

"Just say it, old man," I say with a laugh.

"Sorry, this is new to me. I'm having some mixed feelings over here." he says.

"I'm a bit nervous too, Dad."

"I don't know if I say this enough, but I'm very proud of you. You've turned into a wonderful young lady, and if Four doesn't see that he's an idiot."

I smile at my dad and give him a kiss on the cheek, not really knowing how to respond.

"Stop embarrassing me and do the dishes, I'm going to take a shower and get ready." I leave the room and I can hear him chuckling under his breath.

I take a long shower, trying to calm my nerves, but it's no use. I go to my room and try to figure out what the heck I'm going to wear. I look at the outfit Christina gave me and immediately put it back in the bag. Even if I had the guts to wear it, my dad would kill me for going out in public like that, even if I'm an adult.

I decide on a casual sundress with leggings, brown boots and a sweater since it's cool. I look in the mirror and I deem myself acceptable, I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. I go downstairs and see my dad in his dress blues and I feel my heart swell with pride. I've always been proud of my dad and all his accomplishments and I love seeing him in his dress blues.

"Don't you clean up nice, Dad," I say.

"Same can said about you. Are you ready to go?" he asks me.

"It looks like someone else is excited to see this plane come in."

"This team didn't lose any members, it's going to be a happy reunion with their families. It's going to be nice to see." My dad is almost always there when a team comes home after a tour. I know he likes watching the families reunite. It's been a long time since he had to be deployed, but him coming home and me running into his arms is one of my favorite memories.

"Well I'm ready when you are, let's go." We hop in his car to drive to the other side of the base, where the planes come in. My dad is there talking to the other families waiting for their soldier to come home, but I sit quietly. When I see Uriah and his mom I walk over, towards them, happy to see someone I know.

"Hey Tris," he says giving me a hug. "Have you ever met my mom?"

"Hi Mrs. Pedrad, nice to meet you."

"Hello Tris, are you the one that's been writing my son?"

"Yes ma'am. I've been writing to him for a few months now."

"What a sweet girl. How nice of you to write to our boys over there. Do you know someone coming in too?" she asks me.

I choose to not be completely honest. "My dad is one of the Generals. He's usually here for home comings, I figured since I've been writing to a couple of them I'd come to see them come in." I'm suddenly feeling very nervous seeing that it's only a few minutes until 1 so I excuse myself and go by my father. I can feel my palms sweating and I'm shaking, I'm not usually this nervous around new people.

We watch as a plane starts approaching and all the Marines line up to salute the boys coming home, so I'm left with families that are waiting. I hang back a bit, realizing I'm not going to know what Four looks like so I don't want to get in the way. As the plane lands and the soldiers disembark I see a lot of smiling, hugging and crying. I momentarily forget my nervousness seeing these families reunited.

I see Uriah and his mom hugging one of the soldiers while this other one hangs back slightly. His back is to me, so I can't see what he looks like. I see him ask Uriah a question and Uriah points at me. When the soldier turns around and faces me, I stop breathing. He has to be the most handsome man I've ever seen. He's got dark hair and dark blue eyes. When he sees me and smiles I think my legs are going to give out. As he approaches me, I lose all reasoning and I find myself wrapping my arms around his neck. He lifts me up and spins me around, holding me tightly.

When he puts me down, he doesn't let go of me. We stare into each other eyes, both enamored by the other. Finally our senses seem to come back to us, and he speaks first.

"Hi, Tris," he says with a huge grin on his face.

"Hi, Four,"  I say with an equally big smile. His face falls momentarily and I'm worried about what could be bothering him.

"I've really got to tell you my name later, I don't like you calling me that." I like the way "later" sounds.

"So where is your dad? I should introduce myself," he says suddenly looking nervous.

"You don't need to do that," I say feeling embarrassed.

"Well if I've got any hope of one day dating the General's daughter, I think I should," he tells me, his face turning red. I can feel my eyes widen and I'm rendered speechless.

"So you're not disappointed that you asked me to be here?" He pulls me in for a hug, and I forget that we're around so many people. 

"Tris, there's a lot of feelings going on in me right now, but disappointment is definitely not one of them. Now let's go find your dad."

I look around and see my father talking to one of the other families. I start walking over to him, with Four right behind me. When my dad sees us he finishes up his conversation and turns to us. Immediately Four salutes him, and my dad returns the gesture, but follows up by shaking his hand.

"Hello, sir.  My name is Four Eaton," he begins, but my father cuts him off.

"I've heard a lot of great things about you Four.  Both from your commanding officer overseas and from my daughter."

"Thank you, sir." I'm used to see soldiers speak to my father this way, but knowing this is the guy I've been talking to for the past month or so, it seems weird in this context.

"I'm very happy to see your entire team has made it back safely.  You should be very proud of the work you boys did."

"Thank you, sir.  It's been an honor to serve with that team." Four is still standing at attention, speaking very formally.

"At ease, soldier.  And you can stop with the 'sir'.  This is just some informal chit chat.  It seems you've caught the eye of my daughter and I can tell you, that's not an easy thing to do. "

"I sure hope so, sir," he says. His stance is much more relaxed, but he can't seem to drop the "sir". "I was hoping I could have your permission to take your daughter out for dinner, sir, if she would like to join me."

My father grins at me. "Well Beatrice, certainly doesn't need my permission, so that's up to her, but I appreciate you asking me."

Four looks at me hopefully, waiting for my answer. I'm still rendered somewhat speechless, watching my dad talk to the boy I've fallen for through emails, but I manage to get out one word.

"Yes."