The Ultimate Soldier

Chapter 37: The Call

A Lifeline Across the Miles

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. Simon's deployment took him to places that were far from home, where the days bled into each other in a blur of missions, danger, and the constant hum of military life. Despite the chaos and the stress of his duties, one thing remained constant: his deep love for his family, especially Gigi and Alexander.

Simon made it a point to call home whenever he could. The calls were short, often interrupted by static or the sounds of helicopters in the distance, but they were his lifeline, a reminder of the life he was fighting to protect.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day, Simon sat in a dimly lit tent, the desert air hot and dry outside. He dialed the number he knew by heart, holding the phone close to his ear as he waited for the familiar sound of Gigi's voice.

"Hello?" Gigi answered, her voice immediately full of warmth, even though Simon could hear the exhaustion beneath it.

"Hey, baby," Simon said, his tone soft but filled with longing. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too," Gigi replied, a sigh escaping her lips. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm good," Simon said, though the fatigue in his voice betrayed him. "It's... hard. But I'm getting through it. Just focusing on the mission."

"I wish I could be there with you," Gigi said, her voice catching in her throat. "It feels like a part of me is missing when you're not here."

Simon smiled, though it was bittersweet. "I know, baby. I feel the same way. But I'll be home soon. We're halfway through, right?"

"Yeah," Gigi said, though she didn't sound fully convinced. "We'll make it. Just... make sure you stay safe, okay? Promise me."

"I promise," Simon said firmly, though the uncertainty of the war hung heavily in the air. "And I'll call as often as I can. Just hang in there for me."

Alexander's Growing Pains

The hardest part of these calls was hearing Alexander's voice. The young boy had become accustomed to the absence, but the longing for his father was still apparent in his words. Gigi would always make sure to pass the phone to Alexander, and Simon would listen closely to his son's voice, trying to pick up the nuances of his growth.

"Daddy!" Alexander's voice came through the phone with excitement. "I miss you!"

"I miss you too, little man," Simon said, his heart aching as he spoke. "What have you been up to? Are you being good for Mommy?"

Alexander giggled, his innocence shining through. "I'm being a big boy! I did my homework, and I helped Mommy with dinner!"

Simon couldn't help but feel proud. "I'm so proud of you, buddy. You're growing up so fast."

"Can I tell you something, Daddy?" Alexander asked, his voice suddenly quiet and serious.

"Of course, what is it?" Simon replied, leaning in closer to the phone, eager to hear whatever was on his son's mind.

"I... I miss you a lot. When are you coming back? I want to play with you again," Alexander said, his voice filled with such honesty that Simon could almost feel the weight of the words.

Simon's heart swelled with love and sadness. "I'll be back before you know it, buddy. And when I do, we're going to have so much fun. I'm going to take you out and buy you that big car you wanted."

Alexander's voice brightened at the mention of the racing car. "Really, Daddy? You're going to buy it for me?"

"Of course," Simon said, his voice filled with reassurance. "We'll make it happen. I'll be home soon, I promise."

The call ended with a promise to call again soon, and while Simon's heart was heavy with the absence of his family, he knew he was doing this for them. He knew that, no matter how hard the days were, he would return to them, and the family would be whole again.

Gigi's Strength

As the months dragged on, Gigi found herself becoming both the rock and the glue that held the family together. She made sure Alexander stayed busy with school and activities, and she took on the extra burden of managing everything at home without Simon's presence.

There were nights when she would lie awake, staring at the empty side of the bed, and she would allow herself to cry—quiet, silent tears, knowing that the pain of missing Simon was something only she could carry. But every time she heard from him, she felt the weight of that burden lift, if only for a moment.

Despite her own sorrow, Gigi made sure to keep the atmosphere at home as normal as possible. She kept Alexander involved in everything that made him happy, even though the absence of his father was a constant shadow over their lives.

The Return: A Glimmer of Hope

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Simon's deployment came to an end. He had completed his mission, and it was time for him to come home. The family had made it through the hardest part, and the thought of being reunited with Simon brought a sense of relief and anticipation that Gigi hadn't felt in months.

The day of Simon's return arrived, and Gigi was waiting at the airport with Alexander by her side, both of them watching eagerly for the moment when Simon would step off the plane. Alexander, no longer the little boy who cried for his father's return, stood tall, clutching a small toy car in his hand—his promise from his father.

When Simon finally emerged from the crowd, his uniform disheveled but his eyes filled with joy, Gigi and Alexander ran toward him, their faces lighting up with excitement and love.

"Daddy!" Alexander screamed, running into his father's arms, and Simon scooped him up, holding him tightly, feeling the warmth and strength of his family once again.

"I'm home, buddy," Simon whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm home."

Gigi stood back, watching the reunion with tears in her eyes, feeling a deep sense of relief and happiness wash over her.

The family was finally whole again, and as Simon held his wife and son close, he promised himself that no matter what happened in the future, he would never let them go again.

To Be Continued...