“I know. It’s a seed from a rose where I’m stationed,” he admitted. “I wanted to surprise you and give you something no one else ever could. I needed something from my world to grow here, to comfort you, when I had to leave again. I love you so much and would break every single rule out there, to just see you smile at me, my lovely Marigold.”
Her eyes flew upward and met his as they stood there quietly in the garden surrounded by bees and flowers. This was no longer just her world, but theirs. She would never forget this moment, or his words, as long as she lived. Her very own fairytale prince had found a way to infiltrate her world and her heart.
“I love you, Ben,” she confessed painfully, “probably since our first emails and I’ve been so scared that this is all a wonderful dream I will wake up from.”
“It’s no dream, love. Everything I feel is so intense and real.”
“I’ve wanted someone to just understand me, to care for me, and be there like a prince out of some magical realm… I just never imagined my prince would be in camo and travel halfway around the world.”
“I’m here now and I want this to work between us,” he breathed shakily, before continuing on. “This has to somehow, in some way… I need this between us.”
“I do, too.”
“I want to kiss you so badly right now, Marigold,” he said regretfully, smiling, at her. “There’s only the one seed and if I drop it in the grass, it will be gone forever.”
“Let’s put it in the greenhouse and start the germination of our rose… and then you can indulge in a little bit of the other,” she instructed, backing away from him and curling her finger towards him.
He quickly followed, covering his open palm with his other in order to prevent the small seed from escaping. It was almost laughable at how he hurried along, protecting the fragile little seed. It was like he was presenting her with a piece of him, giving her something that no one else could.
Marigold opened the door to the greenhouse and watched as Ben stepped inside. The heat in the building was palpable, and she turned the crank to vent it slightly. Her orchids were getting ready to bloom in the humidity and the delicate flora would make amazing gifts or corsages.
Grabbing a small pellet, she poured water onto it causing it to expand. Sprinkling some starter on it, she nodded to Ben.
“Press the seed down here in the center,” she instructed. She took his hand in hers, guiding it. She felt his fingers tremble against hers and the only sounds inside the greenhouse were the faint buzzing from far away, the summer breeze, and their breathing. She watched as he pressed the tiny black seed into the pot, and she quickly covered it using a stick, as to not dislodge the precious illegal cargo. It still blew her mind that he’d smuggled in the precious rose seed to her.
“I don’t want you to get in trouble for this,” she whispered, “but I am curious to see what our rose will look like.”
“I am, too. I know I will love it no matter what it looks like, just because it’s ours,” he said softly, and she knew his words had a second meaning to them. She looked up at him and saw his warm smile as his eyes caressed her face tenderly.
“I love you,” she admitted again, testing the words on her tongue. Ben reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear, his finger lingering on the shell of her ear, giving her goosebumps.
“I love you, too,” he breathed, stepping forward, closing the gap between them. She knew without a doubt she would wait forever for this man, based off this moment alone. He leaned down and playfully nibbled on her lower lip, making her legs weak.
“Ben…” she uttered, only seconds before he deepened the kiss between them. His arms wrapped around her and she melted against him. There was no one to knock on the door or interrupt them now. They were alone, sharing their hearts and souls in the midst of paradise. He was her haven and she would be lost without him in her life.
They spent the rest of the afternoon together among the roses. Instead of leaving to grab dinner, they ordered in, opting to picnic in the privacy of the garden. He told her about his world out there in Afghanistan and she confessed of hers here. He hated the rocky, craggy landscape that was so barren. It was a constant reminder that he was on foreign soil and no matter what they did to remind them of home, all he had to do was step outside. She’d been lonely and his letters made her feel connected to him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t write more,” he said regretfully. “I was so afraid of us, knowing it could be impossible, that I kept holding back.”
“If only you would have only kissed me in Alaska,” she teased, tugging at his hand that held hers as they lay on the picnic blanket, staring up at the sky above. She couldn’t wipe the happy smile from her face, as it seemed like everything was good in the world. She was in heaven, with him.
“If I had kissed you in Alaska, that would have been our baby in the nursery,” he uttered passionately in the merest whisper, causing her to look at him in surprise.
“Marigold, I’ve loved you since I saw you in the florist shop and seeing Hody’s boy in the nursery really hammered it home that I want a family someday. If I had kissed you in Alaska, I don’t think I would have ever stopped, because I would have wanted to make sure that you fell for me… I want you in my life.”
“I’ll admit I was a little jealous of their happiness and wish you could have been there during the barbeque. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and cutting up, but Tobin and I.”
“He didn’t flirt with you, did he?”
“No. I feel bad for him because I think he’s just as lonely as everyone else, wanting someone to care for him.”
“I know he is, that is why I asked.”
“He’s a good man and kept telling me to be patient, that ‘the stick-in-the-mud would come around someday’,” she smiled playfully. “I’m glad he was right, Mr. Stick-in-the-Mud.”
Ben laughed, his chest and shoulders shaking with mirth. She found herself staring at him in surprise and delight. His laugh was so beautiful, almost as stunning as the wide smile that he gifted her. His smile fell slightly as he pulled her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.
“We are going to figure this out,” he said reverently. “I promise you.”
“I know we will.”
“I’ll write you plenty this time and we’ll make plans to see each other more often. I want this between us more than anything.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” Marigold said earnestly, fear tingling at the back of her mind. His expression was so honest, so raw, that she couldn’t help but believe him.
“Just wait for me, okay?” Ben pleaded; his voice trembled as if he was still scared that she would disappear someday. She had never felt more treasured or valued in this moment of honesty.
“Always.”
Chapter 14
The next few days passed unbearably quick and before Marigold knew it, she was watching Ben walk backwards down the walkway towards his gate to catch his flight. He kept waving at her, blowing kisses, and she waved unabashedly towards him, trying desperately to keep the tears at bay until he was out of sight.
There was no reason to add to the pressure on him, because he’d already confessed his hatred of having to leave. Closing her eyes, she stood there unwavering, playing back the events of the last few days. Every touch, every caress, every laugh they’d shared.
The couple had gone to the hospital once again to visit Jason and Leia before Ben’s departure. Leia had been held another day due to a spike in temperature, giving them a moment to see the baby before the new parents went home.
Hody placed his son in Marigold’s arms as she sat on the chair in the room and she couldn’t help the flood of happy tears that fell from her eyes as she stared at the precious child. Looking at the cherub in her arms was emotional overload and she glanced up at Ben, smiling as the sleepy baby turned purple before letting out a massive grunt, filling his diaper. Leia frowned and gave Jason a telling look, making him smile proudly. Ben chuckled a
t the noise, but the emotion in his gaze was telling.
Ben wanted children… with her.
A future together.
“Someday,” Marigold whispered in an unspoken agreement to the man she loved, before playing it off. Now, those memories, those bittersweet kisses and emotional moments would have to hold her tightly as she waited patiently for Ben to return.
One of the things they had done while Ben was still in town was to get him a phone. He’d protested, claiming it was tough to keep it charged and the sand could destroy it, but Marigold wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer.
She’d added Ben to her cell phone plan, bought several maintainers, and a protective case. She was surprised to discover that Ben was a shutterbug, taking photo after photo of them together while he could. She understood because they were exchanging them left and right in order to be able to get through the times they couldn’t see each other.
“Call me when you land safely.”
“I promise I will,” he’d vowed.
“Will you reach out to my parents if you need anything at all? If you miss me, feel free to raid my room and take anything you want. A t-shirt to sleep in, photos, my cologne, whatever you want-it’s yours, my love.”
Marigold nodded, knowing he was shaken and afraid something would separate them. She’d tucked a small gift in his large duffle bag, hoping to surprise him. The matching t-shirts had been an impulse buy and she planned on sending him a photo as soon as she got a chance, hoping he would do the same.
Her t-shirt had been a pink camouflage thing with bright green lettering across the front that said, “My boyfriend is a soldier”. She took a selfie and texted it to Ben, only to see that it hadn’t gone through yet.
He must still be out of range, but at some point it would be delivered and he would see it. Ben’s shirt was green camouflage with hot pink writing that said, “My girlfriend loves this soldier”.
The days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
Marigold spent the weekends hanging out with John, Lily, and their friends, or Ben’s parents, Abigail and Jeffery. The older couple loved the company and it gave her such insight, making her feel connected to the man she loved. She and Jeffery worked on tying back the blackberry canes under Abigail’s keen eye. She also surprised Abigail by delivering a couple of rose bushes to put near her kitchen window.
Her phone rang one afternoon while she was in the greenhouse and she saw it was Ben calling using Facetime. She was stunned, knowing that he never got a chance to use the feature due to Wi-Fi and spotty service. Sliding the bar, she held back tears as she saw his beloved face on the small screen before her.
“Ben! I miss seeing your smile. This is such an unexpected treat,” Marigold said, laughing with joy. “Where are you?”
“Tobin and I are actually at a restaurant with Wi-Fi so I have a few minutes. Gosh you look so pretty and a sight for sore eyes, Marigold. You doing okay, honey?”
“I’m much better now that I’ve seen you.”
“HAYYYY, Marigold!” Tobin’s happy face quickly appeared in the screen beside Ben’s. She couldn’t help but laugh as she saw the glare of irritation in Ben’s expression as he shoved the other soldier back out of the screen.
“Tobin says hello.”
“I noticed. Hi, Tobin!”
“What are you doing in town away from base?”
“I can’t say on an open Wi-Fi hotspot, sweetheart, but we are safe. I promise,” he hedged. She nodded and understood. It was for his safety that they stuck with the easy stuff on phone calls.
“I’m so glad you called.”
“Me, too. By the way, I love my t-shirt.”
“I was wearing mine yesterday.”
“I got your text. You look beautiful in it.”
“I think you might be a little biased.”
“Correction: I’m very biased when it comes to you.”
“Our project in the greenhouse is doing spectacular, just fyi. I was just checking on it when you called. Do you want to see?” Marigold held the phone aloft, wiping at her sweaty brow and wincing as she saw the dirt streak on her forehead. She quickly yanked off her gloves and wiped it away.
“I think that would be a bad idea.” Marigold saw the want and regret in his eyes, realizing that he couldn’t let anyone know – nor could she. He wanted to be there with her.
“I didn’t think about that.”
“That’s because you have only light in you and I love that about you.”
“Have you been okay?” she asked, changing subjects.
“I miss you terribly and it’s hard to chat with Tobin sitting right here listening to everything I say,” he smirked, frowning. A hand sprung in front of Ben’s face to say hello again. He grabbed Tobin by the wrist, moved it aside, and glared off to his right.
“Do you mind, buddy?”
“Not at all – Marigold, can you and Lily find me a girl?”
“I’ll let her know you put in a request,” Marigold said, laughing at the candid moment between friends. “I’m actually going over tonight to help Daisy with their wedding plans. They moved the date up.”
“I know. Ethan emailed me and I plan on flying back in for the event.”
“We both are!” Tobin chimed in.
“We both are flying in,” Ben repeated, rolling his eyes, and smiling broadly at the screen. “I can’t wait to dance with you at the reception and hold you in my arms again.”
“Awww man, here comes the mushy stuff.”
“Tobin! Go wait in the jeep then, buddy! Dang! I get five minutes to call my girl and you are going to chime in every two seconds?” Ben bit out in sheer frustration and Marigold fought not to laugh, knowing how private her beloved soldier was.
“Tobin you might want to turn away for this,” Marigold said, leaning into the camera. “I love you, Ben,” she breathed, pursing her lips in a mock kiss that she wished she could give him in real life.
“That was about the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and I needed that, Marigold,” he said tenderly and looked to the side again. “I’ve gotta go, baby. Don’t forget about me. I promise you – I’m working on coming home to you.”
“I know you are – and I’ll be here waiting.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The call ended and Marigold sighed heavily. Receiving his call was about the best thing that she could have ever received for Christmas and hoped he would be able to return soon.
During her time at home, she spent several hours nursing their precious rose they’d planted together. It was a small sprout with serrated leaves and tiny thorns. She couldn’t wait for it to develop and flourish to a size that would support a rosebud, in order to see the color of the bloom. She was actually going to put it in the ground this spring, once the chance of freeze had passed.
She received in the mail some rose perfume from Ben, as well as a few boxes that surprised her. One of the packages was matching coffee mugs that said ‘his’ and ‘hers’… a reminder that they were a couple and he was constantly thinking of her.
Another gift was a delicate necklace that took her breath away. She wasn’t one to indulge in jewelry, but the delicate filigree of the narrow band that lay across her collar was intricate and so spectacular. She knew he bought it because he wanted to see it on her.
She loved that he always seemed to be thinking of her, going out of his way to make her feel special. Just as she was getting ready to take a selfie to send to Ben, her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey Mari - it’s Lily. Do you have a second to talk?”
“Of course, what’s up?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said regarding Tobin and Daisy’s upcoming wedding. I think we should see if we could pair him up with someone there. It might not be the best setting, but if he got a chance to say hello we could see what his type of girl was… you know?”
“I think that is a
brilliant idea.”
“He’s a goof, so I’m kinda at a loss right now of ideas on who to pair him with, but something will come to me. How’s Ben doing? John’s been writing him to keep in touch. Apparently they had some boy-bonding-moment in Alaska and he’s really taken a shine to him.”
“He’s good. He said he was still working on trying to figure out how to come back to Tyler. I told him that if we needed to wait until his next reenlistment, that we’d just find a way to get through it, you know?”
“I know… but I also know it’s really hard to be away from someone you love,” Lily said truthfully. “I never had to say goodbye to John, because I fell for him long before he got here. I can’t imagine seeing him leave. You are a strong woman, much stronger than me. It must be tough.”
Marigold got silent, feeling the tears well up. If anyone understood, it was the women of their group. Several had to say goodbye over and over again in the past, which gave her hope for a future with Ben… eventually.
“Yeah, it is.”
“It will all be worth it in the end.”
“I know… doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt in the meantime, though.”
“Stay strong.”
“I’m fine.”
“I know you are. Just remember, Ben is always thinking of you and you are part of our family. He loves you so much. Now, do you want to come play with little Rose and have dinner with us tomorrow night?”
“I’d love that.”
Watson,
Marigold is doing well and coming for dinner tomorrow night. We are going to figure this out and get you home. I promise, brother.
I’ve already talked to my chief and they could use another bomb dog in another city nearby. You’d be close to everyone here. Keep working at it from your end and let’s see what we can figure out for you, buddy.
I’ve attached the application for you. I’d recommend going ahead and filling it out. Everything you asked for is in place, we just need dates.
John Griffin
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