Please note, the descriptions on Boulder in this chapter are made up.

On that note, if you have ever experienced Christmas is Boulder please share with me!

Happy Reading lovelies!❤

Inspiring Sound track:

Drake White - Makin' Me look Good Again (because this is was my wedding song and a forever favorite❤)

Muscadine Bloodline - Porch Swing Angel (Acoustic) - from Wyatt's Letter

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"The most difficult thing is the decision to act.

The rest is merely tenacity."

– Amelia Earhart

  WYATT

Flipping the egg covered slice of bread in the pan, I can't help but feel nervous about spending the entire day with her. "You sure you're ready for our day long date?" I ask while sprinkling cinnamon and powdered sugar on top of the candied pecans and whipped cream.

"Yes! Of Course! Is this breakfast or dessert? You can barely see the lost bread under all these toppings!"

"That's why it's called Lost Bread" I tease

"oh right, not because of the egg mixture" She quickly mocks back, shaking her head with a wide smile.

"Potato- potahto"

We start with what was supposed to be breakfast in bed. But keeping Abbie away from her morning cup of coffee is nearly impossible and water I don't feel safe treading. So, we settled on her watching me make her coffee, only for her to fix it, after her face twisted at the bitter taste that lingered on her tongue. After breakfast and filling our travel mugs of Hot coco were on the road. We enjoy every mile of the scenic drive on Boulder Canyon and earn our fair share of pissed off honks from locals that no longer appreciate the rolling hills, open fields, and rocky views. They also have more faith in their tires in the snow, then I ever could, but I suppose I can blame that on the slush we considered snow back home. This snow is beautiful and doesn't melt away two hours after sunrise.

Christmas in Boulder is definitely something to experience. The snow itself is more decoration than Abbie and I are used to, pairing the pure white landscape that blankets the town with twinkling Christmas lights along the perfectly tidy cobblestone sidewalk, is a hundred percent ,Instagram worthy material. But the way her eyes glisten taking in a "Hallmark Christmas" is what I take my pictures of. Capturing the shock when the light snow starts to fall on her beanie and melts on her nose as she tilts her head to look up into the sky are what I want to remember forever. Not pictures of the same ole lights that line the sidewalk, town hall bought on sale on Amazon three years ago with 2 bulbs out.

"I should really invest in gloves, my hands hurt so bad" she mouths, lifting her naked hands into view as she turns to face me in front of the small mom and pop Café. Taking her hands, I kiss her knuckles before bringing them to my mouth, blowing my hot breath against her chapped pale skin, forming a barrier with my hands to keep the heat from escaping.

"That's so nice." she smiles as her teeth chatter.

"Listen before we go in, I want to show you something."

I kiss her forehead, running my thumb along her warm jawline before guiding her to look up at me.

"You ready for this love?" I ask watching her green eyes smile back at me, "Close your eyes."

I step behind her, placing each hand upon her shoulders, guiding her to peer into the windows of the crowded Café.

"What is it." She excitingly asks, with a slight bend to her knees as she forms the question.

"Open your eyes baby."

We look in awe at the families overflowing the booths along the windows. We watch a young couple sharing a slice of pie taking bites in unison, followed by a mother giving a warning stare to her children, who were kicking one another under the table and laugh, until setting our eyes on an older man sitting alone nervously nursing a cup of coffee. As her hands fly to cover her mouth, a gasp escapes from her perfect lips.

"Daddy!"

She jolts to the window placing one of her pale chapped hands against the glass, as he does the same.

I watch the brightest of smiles take over my girl's face. Happy tears quickly coating her lashes and spilling along the rim. Scott's lips trembling, as he presses, he palm and fingertips to the thin glass, wanting so badly to hold his little girl again, his soul finally content at the sight of her in the flesh.

"How, did you-?"

"I took the copy of the license Sean had on his desk and sent Scott my phone number in the mail." I say with a shrug looking down as I shove my hands in my pocket.

Abbie catches me off guard for a moment as she leaps into my arms, throwing her hands around my neck kissing my cheek.

We sit in the booth and reunite, telling Scott about the recent assault but also how happy we are here, the friends we made and what we do for living. Losing track of time as customers slowly drizzle out to view the Christmas lights that brighten downtown in search of hot coco stands, horse carriage rides and groups of carolers. Scott carries on the conversation as he tells us of his recovery, and his big move to Arkansas. He shows us pictures of his new place and even gifts Abbie his one-year sobriety chip.

"There's more where that came from, and I owe it all to you."

"Me?"

"Well sure honey, you're the reason I sobered up, I needed to be better for you, I'm so sorry for all that stuff you both had to endure on a count of me messing things up, you were just kids. I told myself I would make things right. I know I can't take back all the crumby things I put you both through. But being Sober and asking for forgiveness are the first steps to repairing this family." His eyes shift to me "The both of you are all I've got."

"So is Abbie going to move to Arkansas to be with her dad." Weston asks, as he grabs a wrench, reaching back into the hood.

"Nah, Scott already contacted a realtor and listed his house for sell, his company is allowing him to transfer here with a minor pay cut."

Wes stops for a moment and turns serious, "Have you told Abagail yet?"

"No, but I will"

"You planning on telling her in two months after work-up training from the damn sky? I've got to tell my family soon, and I don't want her to find out from Livi's big ass mouth."

"Damnit Wes, you don't think I know that!" I shout throwing a socket to the shop floor. "I just need to make sure he sticks around, I can't leave her alone again, without you or I to look out for her. I'll tell her after the Holidays."

"You scared?"

"To leave her? Yea"

"No, I mean being deployed. I know is only supposed to be a nine-month deployment but growing up, Afghanistan was always the scarious one we read about, that's one I remember always being on the news. Seems to be where the worse shit happens. I mean the fact that we are being shipped out, isn't alarming to you? We've been having significant troop reduction in Afghanistan all year, so why are they sending us out?"

"Hey woah, were just going to maintain the existing missions, counterterrorism and to mitigate any minor threats. All stuff we learned it training, Wes, it's gonna be alright." punching his shoulder, with a smile. "Brothers for life, were coming back."

But truth be told, I was. The possibility of dying out there scared the fuck out of me. Anticipation, detachment, and elevated emotion are to be expected when service members and their families receive deployment orders. Telling your family is the hardest part. What if Abbie resents me, distances herself from me, shuts me out. Fuck what if I do die? When and how do you tell family this? Do I tell her alone, with Livi and Weston? Or do I tell her over dinner, before bed? And why does telling her feel like a breakup? It makes me guilty and my stomach churns, as if I have done something wrong.

"Wyatt! Wakey wakey eggs and bakey! Liv and I need you in the kitchen!" Abbie Shouts as she playfully pulls my arm before yanking the comforter completely off of the bed.The cool air nips at my exposed shoulders, demanding my attention.

"Five more minutes Abs" I mutter with a groan, as I roll over, reaching for the comforter and stuffing my face underneath the pillows. They've been up the last two hours beating on pots and pans, drinking lord only knows how much coffee.

"Fine" she huffs, " But I will be back."

As I walk into the kitchen, I rub my eyes, furrowing my brows as I adjust to all the natural light beaming in from the floor length windows, the girls had drawn back all the curtains, placing garland and an arrangement of tall white candles and decorative pine cones in each window seal.

"Where do you need me ladies" I say, pressing both palms against the counter as I lean into the island.

" Morning Wyatt, glad you asked." Liv pauses, placing a tote, labelled "Christmas" on the unfinished dining table before wrapping her and Abbie's arms together, followed with gleeful whispers and giggles, before turning back to me, full of morning jitters with two of the biggest smiles.

"Follow us" The girls demand in unison, practically skipping out of the back door. And as if rehearsed, the girls separate, sporting "Spirit fingers" to reveal: a three gallon box of peanut oil, and a turkey frying kit that includes, a deep stainless steel pot, drop rack, cast iron burner, propane regulator and of course, a propane tank.

"The turkey is thawed and on a cookie sheet in the sink. I set it out about an hour ago to bring it closer to room temperature, the Cajun injector and chicken rub are on the counter. We're gonna go start the sides and the chocolate pecan pie babe, Thanks!" Abbie grabs my face, bringing it to her height before granting me a peck on the cheek and rushing off.

" You're the best love."

"uh, yea, thanks" I say to the empty yard, running a hand through my bed head. Where the hell is Weston? I walk inside B-lining to Weston's door. Locked.

"No, no, no" I shout, banging my fist at his door,

"Wes, This isn't fair, wake up!", I grab a card from my wallet before returning to jam his lock back. one slide and I'm in, damn I'm good.

"Off your ass and on your feet" I yell, pulling every pillow, blanket and sheet away from him.

"Jeeze, Wyatt, chill. They got you too huh?" Wes groans as he rolls off his bed, lifting a shirt to his nose for a fresh test before tossing the Columbia T-shirt over his head.

"The girls conned me into all the Holiday cooking last year, claiming it was our "Christmas Eve Tradition." He sourly mocks with air quotes. " Truth is, they hate fucking with that damn bird. Just do what they want and toss it in the oven, Liv will take over, she's too paranoid to let it burn."

"Oven? We're frying it out back! Come on." I say throwing my arm over his back, squeezing his shoulder before leaving the room.

Last year, Liv and Weston's parents drove in from Boulder to celebrate Christmas Eve with them and Abbie. Gifting presents to each of them, even treating like Abbie like one of their own. Mrs. Young took over the girl's small apartment kitchen and made her famous hot chocolate and peppermint brownies as they cozied up in the living room watching home videos and reliving childhood memories. Mrs. Young documented it all, Weston's innocent, and cheery smile when he got his newest badge from the Boy Scouts, when he held his little sister for the first time, and pictures of Alivia's adoption. I was excited to meet them for Christmas. But this year they opted for Christmas cards, buying from our Amazon wish lists – to my surprise, mine included, and video chats, deciding to spend the Holidays away from the snow and in the sand for once in their lives. On my card The Young's wrote their well wishes for me, expressed how sorry they were that they couldn't be here to welcome me into the family and sent me the recipe for Mrs. Young's famous hot chocolate as a truce, so long as I promised not to tell her kids the secret ingredient.

Even with a late start on frying the turkey, due to some unexpected snowfall, dinner still came out delicious. Three bottles of wine later, Liv challenges us all to play Rummy 500, but being tipsy and only halfway through the game, Abbie burst out of her seat.

"ah, I totally forgot!" she squeals running to the spare room, that still stores a few unpacked boxes from the girls' move.

" Got it!" She shouts, turning the corner nearly slipping from wearing socks on the smooth hardwood floors.

"You're Kidding! Is -is that a Bop -it!" Liv questions, leaping from her seat, she stands on the cushion like a child watching as Abbie races back from the hall.

"Let's play party mode, drunk." She slurs.

"Liv, sit down before you fall and break your neck!" Weston demands

"Yes mother." She mocks, crossing her arms as she sticks her tongue out before doing what she was told.

As the night goes on, filled with endless giggles from the girls, a handful of "bop-it" attempts from all of us and pee breaks from all the beer and wine. One by one we slowly dropped like flies, our age getting the best of us. Weston and Abbie being the first of us to crash, soon after I watched Livi's head find its place against her brother's shoulder before drifting to sleep.

Sitting in the armchair adjacent from them, I wish the Holidays didn't have to be over in a few days. I can't bring myself to tell Abbie I'll be leaving soon. Especially not now, of course. But I dread it even later, imagining the heart break in her eyes is something I'm not ready to face. Even so, I promised Weston, I'd tell her before the New Year.

"Why the long face?" Abbie questions, pulling me back to reality as rubs her eyes, creating dark circles as she smears her eyeliner and eyeshadow.

"It's nothing babe, just in deep thought." I reply lifting from the sunken in armchair, placing my empty beer bottle on the coffee table.

"Let's go to bed."

As expected, my news of deployment and training nearly broke Abbie, she tried so hard to be supportive, but like most she was too scared. The first day she was more needy, constantly pecking my face and requesting me to hold her. I loved it. But day two she was, different, she avoided eye contact and started to pick up extra shifts the few days that followed causing our schedules to overlap. But toward the end of training, she was needy again.

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Big thanks for all our brave Troops and Families that serve our Country.

If you or your family member are service members please let me know, if my writing is in any way  is offensive. My goal to to inform and spread awareness as well as  love for our Troops and their families!

With that being said if I have written anything that doesn't make sense and/or needs rephrasing please let me know!

I notice a lot of views on my chapters, which for that I am truly thankfully! However, please remember to comment and VOTE if you like what I have been writing.