“I’m coming home!” He told his mother excitedly while listening to her scream and tell others in the background, who also cheered and cried with joy. “Yeah, but hey, don’t tell my girlfriend. I want to surprise her.” He said into the phone as his mother agreed. “Alright, I got to go now. Love you, Mother.” He said while hanging up the phone that was placed on the base. His friends laughing and mocking him as he simply shook his head, not even paying attention himself with their shenanigans. He went back into his tent and started packing, the smell of smoke and sand hit his nose like a ton of bricks. He was happy that he was leaving from overseas, along with the other members, who were happy as well. “Alright everyone, planes are boarding.” Their commander spoke as they all nodded. Dean sat on the bed with a picture of him and his girlfriend in his hands. He wanted to cry but held back the tears as he sighed, getting up off the bed, throwing his bag over his shoulder then making one last walk around so that he wouldn’t leave anything valuable. He walked out of his green colored tent and turned to get one last glimpse, hoping that he doesn’t have to come back anytime soon. Dean felt a hand being placed upon his shoulder; it was his only friend, Preston. “Well, this place has been hell and luckily…” Preston sniffed the air then continued on speaking. “We survived.” Dean nodded and wrapped his arm around Preston as they turned heel, laughing and walking towards the plane.
“Alright, is everyone on board?” Their commander spoke while taking a brief roll call. Dean leaned back in his seat with a slight huff as he was just ready to take off and go home. When the commander called his name, he raised his hand, to show that he was there. After roll call, the commander closed the door to the plane and told the pilot that they were ready for takeoff.
After spending hours in the air, they had touched down at the airport and the plane was powering down. Everybody cheered and smiled as they were ready to get off the plane, to their homes, wives and children. Dean just wanted to see his girlfriend. He smiled at the thought of surprising her as he got up from his seat, grabbed his bag and got off the plane. He followed the other troops through the tunnel that led to the inside of the airport. People were cheering them, most already met up with their family. Dean’s family had a big sign with his name on it as he walked over there, people were already crying as he was smiling. He dropped his bag and ran, hugging his mother and father then everyone else as they asked so many questions. His mother grabbed his cheeks, squeezing them while talking. “You are not going back over there, you hear me?” Dean and some others laughed as he answered her. “It’s kind of not my choice.”
His father grabbed his bag as he walked alongside his mother. “Hey mom, could we stop at the flower shop? I want to get my girlfriend something special.” His mother nodded as they were now outside in the parking lot. His father sat his bag down in the trunk. After a few minutes of getting the flowers, riding around in circles and talking, he asked to be dropped out at his girlfriend’s place. His mother and father nodded as they turned the street where her house was and parked in front of her house. “I’ll come and see you guys later.” He said before getting out of the car, grabbing the flowers and closing the door. With a soft sigh, he grasped the flowers then started walking up towards her house. He fixed his cap on top of his head, made sure all his buttons were buttoned and that his shirt was tucked into his pants, which were tucked into his golden colored boots. He was wearing his camouflage uniform and he wanted to look perfect. He was at the doorstep as he did a quick breath check then raised his hand up and knocked on the door, waiting for someone to come to the door.
