Page 84 of Misery In Me

“Talk down to yourself in your head. I can see it in your eyes. Feeling sad is normal. I wish I could stay,Hermosa. If I could, I’d put us back in the truck and stay home with you, Zoe, and our baby.” Soft kisses along my neck and his hand comes to my nape and tangles in my hair. “But I can’t.”

“I know.”

“But you are so strong, and we will get through this. When I get home, we will be so much closer to meeting our baby. I love you so much, Ale. You know that, don’t you?”

Of course, I know he loves me.

“I know,Cariño. You know I love you too. Three months and then you’ll be home.”

“Ale—”

“Three months, Gage.” I grab him by the collar of his blouse and look him in the eyes. “I need you. Zoe and the baby need you. You are fucking coming home to us. End of discussion.”

Gage smirks, and he leans in to kiss my lips. “Ahí está mi esposa.”

“Don’t be a smart ass, Gage Mitchell Donovan.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m your smart ass.” He winks, finally kissing me. Zoe whines between us and she wriggles against my chest.

“Yes, you are. All mine.”

“Let me hold her one more time before I have to leave.” Gage reaches around to unbuckle the clasp in the back and he takes his daughter in his arms, holding her close and whispering in her ear.

I don’t hear what he says to her, but whatever it is makes him tear up. Gage kisses her face and lets out a breath as he hands her back to me, moving behind me to snap her back in the carrier.

He clears his throat and looks me in the eye. “You make sure you’re eating, taking your vitamins, and sleeping when she sleeps.” Motioning to Zoe. “God, I feel like such a shitty husband.” Using his palms, he wipes the tears from under his eyes. “I’m fucking leaving you with an infant and newly pregnant.”

“You are the best husband, Gage.”

“No me mientas,” he half chuckles. “Si yo fuera un buen esposo, habría esperado para dejarte embarazada.”

There’s some commotion going on at the front and he looks down at me, giving me a sad smile. I swallow hard, knowing that it must be time for him to go. “I love you so much. You are so brave and we are so lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one, Ale.” Marines around us say their goodbyes and start heading to the front. “Te amo con todo mi corazón.”

Gage kisses me one last time and before I can say anything to him, he walks off, pausing for a second as if to turn back, but he shakes his head and keeps moving toward the formation.

Three months.

Zoe and I can do this.

“Ale!” I turn around and Rebecca comes up with her and Victor’s kids, looking exhausted. “Hey.”

Red-rimmed eyes meet my own and I know she and I are feeling the same thing.Heartbroken.“Do you wanna take the kids to get breakfast and then come to our place?”

“You know what?” I look down at Zoe and smile. “Yeah, that sounds good to me. I really don’t want to be alone right now, anyway.”

THIRTY-FOUR

GAGE

August 7th?—

My beautiful wife,

You are all I see when I close my eyes at night. I can only imagine that you’re lying in our bed holding onto my pillow and dreaming of me. Missing me. Touching my pretty pussy with me on your mind. I know I haven’t been gone that long yet, but man, this sucks already. I miss being able to roll over and find you wet and ready to take me.

Do you miss me too?

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