The Dream

Sleep faded from her slowly, like the fog burning off in the early hours of dawn. She shifted and slid her naked body, searching to connect with something. Aware of his presence before actually feeling the warmth of his body.  She breathed him in. There was a heat that filled her within, not entirely sexual. Touching him made her feel whole. She felt as though she had come home after a long absence.

The sheets were cool, a stark contrast to the heat of his body. Contact started with her feet, slowly entwining her legs with his. She gently pulled her hips and breasts to him, revering the effect his naked body could have on hers. Slowly caressing his bare chest, she softly kissed his shoulder. “Mmmmm, you’re here baby.” She spoke in a whisper as if to not wake him. He turned on his side and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest. “Of course I am.” His response was spoken as if uttered from a distant dream. He did not open his eyes, but the corners of his mouth turned slightly upward and his lips brushed her forehead.

The early morning light beamed through the shear curtains that hung loosely around the bedroom window and warmed her bare skin. She realized that she was alone. She felt for him, reaching for him, but his side of the bed was cool and empty.

Had she fallen back asleep? Her eyes fluttered open and slowly focused. She found him standing at the window, gazing out at the rising sun. Her heart soared and calmed the panic that had begun to seize her. He was naked, the sun bathing his beautiful body in an almost unnatural light. His arms were crossed over his broad chest and his perfectly round ass facing her.

“I had a dream you were home, my love.” This time it was her who smiled. He turned to her and the light kept her from really seeing his features. “But it wasn’t a dream, was it? You are home.” Her heart ached at the thought she might have been alone again. He didn’t speak but stepped toward the bed and reached one hand toward her arm which was stretched across  the bed. Her skin tingled with the anticipation of his touch. It had been so long…………..

But the touch never came and as the morning pulled her out of her slumber and back to the painful reality, she felt the emptiness of the room reflected in her heart. She knew it was a dream. For a moment it had been as real as anything she had ever felt. She even tried to force herself back to sleep. But it was too late, the euphoria stolen away by the cruel sun. Her arm was still stretched out to his side of the bed. She moved her head to his pillow and inhaled. But it no longer smelled of him. It hadn’t for some time and not even the vividness of the dream brought that back.

Second Deployment
Dec 13, 2008
0600