Jessica sat in her living room, watching the tv and eating breakfast, a bowl of fruit loops. Her favorite childhood cartoon was on. She sat and watched intently, focused on the show as she mindlessly ate spoonfuls of her cereal. She sat alone in this large home. Waiting for the day. For her husband to arrive home, if he ever was going to. Either him or a letter about him. It's been four years. Not a letter, no calls. No visits. Nothing on the news. Not a thing. So still. She waited. She was losing hope. Faith. But she didn't want to let go entirely. She kept her day job, working at the coffee shop, countless guys asking for dates. Every one of them was swiftly declined. She was loyal as loyal could be, even denying nights out with her girl friends. She was very lonely nowadays. Her friends would come visit her here but that's about it. They'd talk, play board games, play video games. Maybe a little party occasionally but not much. Today was their anniversary, Jessica and Aech (Said H). They will have been married for 7 years today. She was happy for them yet sad because they couldn't celebrate it together.

Or so she thought.

It was almost noon, she continued sitting on the couch, knees at her chest, cuddling herself. She had finished her bowl of cereal and set it next to her. She was very childish, at 30. Not like a baby, but like, the way some teenagers act like 11 year olds, she acts and looks like someone in their early 20s. Not that bad, but it's definitely a trait.

She was going to invite Emma over, to have someone to celebrate it with. She took her phone off the arm of the couch, putting her thumb on the home button to unlock it. She saw a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey, Jessica, this is an old friend of yours messaging you to let you know that you'll be getting a gift today, your husband sent one and it should be arriving around noon.

-Justin

Jessica read it with happy tears. He's alive. She became excited, beyond happy to see what it was. She waited. For almost thirty minutes, ready for her gift, not even remotely afraid or sad. She was happy. Ecstatic. Unbelievably joyful. She hadn't stopped smiling since she read the message. She glanced at the clock on her wall, 11:59 AM. She stood up and jumped around, happy. She could hear a church bell ring in the distance, marking noon. She stood patiently. A few moments later her doorbell rang. She opened it without hesitation, seeing a large wrapped box on her front porch. There was a box cutter set atop it. She took it and cut one side of it, getting startled as her husband jumped out of the box. But she didn't even care. He picked her up and she squeezed him as tightly as her little arms could. Happy, joyful tears flowed from both of their eyes. She buried her face in his chest, sniffing. She smiled so wide. He smiled just the same, kissing her head as he played with her hair. He swung her around. She let him. She was finally in his arms again. She wouldn't have it any other way.She lifted up and placed little kisses all over his face, hearing him chuckle and seeing him smile.

He was home. Finally.

"Happy anniversary babygirl." He said as he took her chin, bringing her lips to his own, kissing her. "Did you miss me?" He said with a chuckle.

"I-I, I'm speechless. Happy anniversary and oh my fucking god yes I missed you!"

In this moment, they were happy. Joyful. Satisfied. Alive.
Nothing better than living.
Not a thing.