The Ultimate Soldier

Chapter 39: Morning Comes

The soft light of the morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Simon woke to the gentle hum of life around him. For the first time in a long while, there was no mission, no duty calling his name—just his family, all safe and together. His heart swelled with gratitude as he stretched, savoring the quiet moment.

Next to him, Gigi was still asleep, her peaceful expression a sight that calmed his every thought. He glanced at the bedside clock: 7:00 AM. It was still early, but Simon didn't want to waste a single moment. He slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Gigi.

Down the hallway, he found Alexander's room. The door was slightly ajar, and as Simon peeked in, he saw his son still curled up in his bed, hugging his favorite stuffed animal tightly. A smile tugged at his lips. He walked over and gently brushed the hair from Alexander's forehead, whispering, "Good morning, champ."

Alexander stirred and then blinked sleepily, his eyes locking onto his father's face. "Daddy?" His voice was small, as if he couldn't quite believe it was real.

Simon crouched beside the bed, his heart swelling. "Yeah, it's me," he said softly, running a hand through his son's hair. "Did you sleep well?"

Alexander nodded and then yawned. "I missed you."

Simon's chest tightened with emotion. "I missed you too, buddy. But I'm home now. And I'm not going anywhere."

Alexander sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. "Can we play cars today? I want to show you the new one I got!"

Simon chuckled. "Of course, we'll have plenty of time to race your cars. But first, how about we have breakfast together with Mommy?"

"Yay!" Alexander exclaimed, his excitement filling the room. He jumped out of bed and ran to the door, eager to start his day with his father.

Simon smiled warmly, following him down the hall toward the kitchen, where Gigi was already preparing breakfast. The aroma of pancakes and bacon filled the air, making Simon's stomach growl.

"Morning," Simon greeted as he walked into the kitchen, seeing Gigi at the stove.

She turned to him, her eyes lighting up. "Good morning, babe," she replied, setting a plate of pancakes on the table. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in months," Simon answered, taking a seat at the table. "I'm just glad to be home."

Gigi smiled and placed a cup of coffee in front of him. "Well, I'm glad you're back. You have no idea how much we missed you."

Alexander climbed up into his seat, his racing car firmly in hand. "Daddy, can we eat and then race?"

Simon chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his son's hair. "We can definitely do that."

The family settled into a familiar, cozy rhythm as they ate breakfast together, chatting and laughing. It was the kind of morning that Simon had longed for—simple, but filled with love.

After breakfast, Simon and Alexander spent the rest of the morning playing with the toy cars, racing them down ramps and creating obstacle courses throughout the living room. It was a joyful time, filled with laughter, as Alexander excitedly showed off his newest cars and shared his latest ideas for races.

Gigi watched from the doorway, her heart swelling with happiness. It was moments like this that made everything worth it—the sacrifices, the separation. Family was everything, and seeing Simon and Alexander bond so effortlessly filled her with a peace she hadn't realized she was missing.

As the morning wore on, Simon realized just how much he had missed these everyday moments. The simplicity of being with his family, the laughter, the small interactions that filled their home with warmth. He knew he'd never take it for granted again.

A Promise for the Future

Later in the day, as the family settled on the couch together for a movie, Simon's mind wandered. He thought about the future, about the life he wanted to build with Gigi and Alexander. His time in the military had changed him in ways he could never have predicted, but it also reminded him of one undeniable truth: family was the center of everything.

"I've been thinking," Simon said, breaking the silence as they watched the movie. "When I was away, I realized just how much I miss moments like this—just being here with you both. I don't want to take it for granted anymore."

Gigi looked up at him, her expression soft. "What are you saying?"

Simon took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I want us to make the most of every moment we have. I want to be here for you, for Alexander, for everything that matters." He paused and looked at his son, who was snuggled into Gigi's side, eyes wide with curiosity. "I promise, from now on, I'm going to do everything I can to be the father and husband you deserve."

Alexander looked up at him, his face serious for a moment. "You promise?"

"I promise, little man," Simon said, his voice thick with emotion.

Gigi smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. "We're so lucky to have you home, Simon."

"And I'm lucky to have you both," he replied, pulling them both into a tight hug.

The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, Simon felt ready to face whatever came his way. With Gigi and Alexander by his side, he knew he could handle anything.

To Be Continued...