You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone

Madison smiled as her sister walked in the front door of their home. "Alright. I love you, baby. Stay safe. I miss you so much." She said into the webcam. She was sitting at their kitchen table skyping with her boyfriend, Jake who was currently in Iraq. "I love you too, darling. Speak to you in a few days." He responded and she shut the computer.

"How was your day?" She smiled at her sister with a small tear in her eye.

Avril shrugged, "Sent Col his daily letter and another care package. I miss him a lot." She flicked her head so her hair would get out of her eyes, "What about you?"

"Cleaned a little. Went for a run. Skyped with Jake." Madison shrugged then smiled, "I'm glad you're home though."

"I'm about to go for a run with Daddy." Avril said softly. Colin, her boyfriend, had been overseas in Iraq for six months. She had been depressed this whole deployment.

"Av, he hasn't got that much longer."

"I know." Avril sighed and sat down for a moment.

"It's so hard..." Madison thought aloud. She missed Jake so much it hurt and she was always so worried for him.

There was a knock at the door. Avril sighed.

"There's Daddy."

Madison went and answered the door. Her eyes widened when Jake and Colin were standing in full uniform at the door. She managed to call out, "AVRIL!" Before bursting into the tears. Madison jumped on Jake and wrapped her legs around his waist as she hugged him and cried.

Avril finished changing into her running shoes and shorts and headed out of her room. Her jaw droppd when she saw Colin.

"Oh my God!" She exclaimed. He walked to her and held her tightly.

"But...what...oh my god you're home." Madison said softly as Jake put her down and held her face in his hands.

"I'm home, baby." Colin whispered into her ear.

He kissed her "Surprise!"

*&*

Avril started crying as she kissed him.

Madison kissed him then smiled, "I can't believe you're really here."

*&*

Colin hugged her tightly and kissed her.

Jake grinned, "Neither can I baby."

*&*

Avril grinned and wiped away her tears, "Are you hungry?"

"How...I just...how?" Madison asked, still flustered as they walked inside.

"Since we were both second tour vets we were brought back to base two months early." Jake explained kindly.

*&*

Colin nodded, "Yes." Then smiled.

Madison just grinned, "I can't believe it. Did Daddy know?"

*&*

"Hm.....let's go to your place." Avril said finally, "We'll eat later." Because of her father's high rank, Colin had been allowed to keep a house (on base) instead of having to live in the men's quarters.

Colin smiled, "Baby, I was promoted. I'm Captain Colin Farrell." Avril's jaw dropped.

"Okay, we'll eat to celebrate and then we'll really celebrate. Daddy will wanna be there." Avril quickly called her father.

Jake nodded, "It must have been so hard for him to keep it a secret. We did only find out a few days ago though. Twenty seven men were brought home early." He explained as Madison led him up the stairs.

"I've missed you." She smiled as they went into her bedroom and closed the door.

*&*

Avril also texted her sister to confirm plans for all of them to go out that night.

Avril and Colin walked the short distance to his house and entered. They headed straight to the shower.

*&*

Their clothes had never come off so fast.

Avril turned the water to warm and smiled as she took her clothes off. Colin look at her happily for a moment, he had missed her so much.

&

"You're a little thin baby..." Jake said as he ran his hands over her body.

"You leaving was stressful." Madison sighed.

"Well, I'm here now." He smiled slightly and they made love.

He was glad that he had a big shower. He grabbed Avril and kissed her.

*&*

She smiled, "Thank God."

Avril kissed back passionately.

*&*

They made love and after Jake held her, playing with her hair.

They got into the shower and he leaned her against the cool tiles. They made love in the shower.

*&*

She yawned, "Oh. Av said that we're having dinner later."

"Sounds good." Jake smiled, "It's so good to be back. Do we need to start getting ready?"

She shook her head, "We can take our time. No one is going to care. Although, it's celebrating Colin's promotion."

"Yeah, I figured that much." Jake kissed her cheek.

"Never leave again." Madison hugged him tightly.

He smiled, "Hopefully not for a long time."

"You've already done 2 tours. Tell them to send someone else." Madison said protectively.

Jake kissed her forehead, "Hopefully by the time I would even be up for another tour the war will be over."