Chapter 2 Two

3 Years later

Having a boyfriend, you'd think that I would feel loved and cherished. That's what I thought of when I got into this relationship.

Its been 3 years since Damon left us all here and I've only just been able to get over it, well as much as I could anyway. Its healthy with the number of time I think of him weekly.

James was a close friend of mine, but an even closer friend of Damon. I was surprised when after a few weeks James had started to show interest with me.

I didn't find him that attractive at first but he soon made his way into my life and we are technically going out. The reason why I say technically is because of the fact that we're not really your average couple.

We've been together for 4 months now and the only thing we've done is kiss. That's all he wants to do. I'm not being a slut or anything but don't o deserve more than that from my boyfriend.

Its so frustrating but I've just got to live with it I guess.

People speak about him a lot, I mean he was pretty special around here being popular and just your average good guy. They talk about him but they don't do it around me, but I've heard them.

Natalie, his mum has been doing good as of recently, she no longer is crying about losing him but she's found strength in forming a bond with this man. My mum decided on playing matchmaker.

Christian is a policeman and is retired now, but he still is able to make money with directing a crime series. Our whole group are fans of his show it literally has my heart beating out of my chest.

Damon came back for a few days in December right before Christmas, apparently, he met Christian and instantly was a fan of his.

Supposedly they got on really well and had a lot to talk about which I guess is good for the family.

Natalie although she's fallen in love again with this man, there is no question that she still loves Damon's father. They had something out of this world and no man could take that.

But she's still young, just turning 48 in a few months it would be wrong to not ever try again.

I wasn't in town when he came back, I was on a trip with my work in the states so I missed him. He's tried to contact me plenty of times and I've been able to have normal conversations with him.

But that's all I gave him, it pained me too much.

Over the years I learnt that being mad at him for fighting for his country and getting his life sorted wasn't right for me to do.

He deserved to be happy so I just had to accept that. I'm still sore on how he lied to me about leaving though.

But I had to move on I needed to just live my life without him.

I have great family and friends and also a really good job that pays me well. Working at the agency I create campaigns for different businesses. It has always been my passion so I'm just glad I work with a really good company.

Even though I don't speak to him as much I still watch the news every day, giving me updates on the situation in Asia.

The uk army was called to help with a war outbreak in southeast Asia and they were working to fight with the army in Vietnam to put a stop to rebels over there.

Its something that has good days and bad, with nuclear weapons being used more now the risk is so much more than it used to be and I get scared because something could happen to Damon.

I thought I was the one that was the angriest at him but in fact James has a more deeper anger for Damon. They were best friend's but he left James and he felt abandoned just like the rest of us.

I know that James is scared too, we had discussions and I know he cries for his lost brother out on the battlefield.

Right now, we are all at Natalie's house, Christian had suggested we all have a barbecue to celebrate the graduation of my stepsister. We would do it at mine but he has a bigger house so we thought that it would suit better.

My little sister is graduating from arts school and I couldn't be prouder. My stepdad came into my life when I was 2 years old, after my parents got divorced and my dad left with his fucking mistress. My mom found love again with this man.

Mum was a major part of helping Natalie move on and they have grown close just like sisters.

Shane was the only dad I ever knew, but from the stories my mum has told me I knew that my real dad was an actual jerk.

I was over the moon when I found out they were going to have a baby. Little me I was super curious about the growing bump my mum had and I knew that I would always take care of my little sister.

"Hey ma "I called as soon as I entered the house. Practically everyone was here already but the reason I was late was because I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I've been getting intense migraines lately so I just got myself some meds.

"you're late" she narrows her eyes at me as she cuts up some fruit on the table. Wow okay, I literally told her I was going to be late, get off my back.

I wrap my arms around her shoulders "nah everyone's early Madre" I say laughing against her back. She only groans at me but I know she's fighting a smile.

She fell into conversation with me as I helped bring in the fruit to the large table outside. "sky you're here" I laugh as my sister comes running up to me. She was wearing a cute summer dress with her hair tied in a high ponytail.

"hey lil, congrats I'm literally the proudest of you" I say crushing her in a hug. She giggles as I do. "I beg to differ" dad says coming over as well. He joins us for a hug nearly squashing us.

We all laugh before finally sitting down at the table. We cheered to the success of lily before digging into this delicious barbecue that Christian had prepared for us.

I couldn't actually believe that we were sitting here talking for almost two hours.

Before we left the table Natalie paused, Christian then performed a prayer for our soldier.

Everyone left the table and helped to clean up as we all made our way into the living room to just chill.

I excused myself after a while to use the toilet since I think I've been drinking way too many glasses of Pimm's. Can't deny it Natalie makes a cracking Pimm's.

Finishing off my business I start to head downstairs, gazing at the photographs against the wall. There was so many, some of Natalie when she was younger and then with Damon and his father.

She really had a beautiful life. As I made my way to the bottom I had to hold onto the wall as I heard the sound I didn't want to hear. The voice so familiar to me I didn't have to ask who it was.

I slowly stepped inside the lounge and saw everyone crowded around facing the big screen in the room. I had to cover my mouth as I saw who they were looking at. Damon was on the big screen talking to everyone through a video call.

He changed a lot. His uniform looked good on him and his hair was shorter. He looked older for sure, more like a man compared to the boy I used to know.

"why the fuck do you look so skinny mum" his voice echoed around the room. Its true Natalie has lost a lot of weight.

"son, your mums gone vegan so she will be a lot skinnier" Christian reasoned with Damon. I cringed already knowing the reaction. "vegan! Balls, that's courageous of you" I saw her visibly relax at his words.

Damon strongly believed in having a healthy diet with every food group, he never liked the idea of going vegan but respected it.

Lily had just walked in when she gasped practically jumping over people to get in front of the screen "Damon I've missed you big bro" lily squealed into the screen causing a deep laugh from Damon.

Lily loved Damon, he would fight off any pervy guy that came her way and she was always grateful.

When people tried to tell me, he liked me I always told him he was just protective of both me and lily. Lily would argue he was different with me though.

He always had a girlfriend. A nice Spanish girl from our year. She was beautiful and so kind I couldn't hate her. Damon seemed happy with her as well.

"lil, I've missed you too congrats on graduating you little freak" the narrowed eyes of lily made me laugh. This time I really had to cover my mouth, please tell me he didn't hear that.

I saw Damon's eyes widen and his body became tense. My mum glanced at me a sad look on her face "Baby girl is that you" his voice travelled right to my heart, I struggled to breath with his name for me sending memories through my brain.

Natalie ushers me forward and everyone parts creating a space for me. I shake my head instantly and I know she feels sorry for me.

"come to me baby girl, I need to see you" I couldn't hold it any longer, he always had this commanding tone about him. I couldn't do it but I felt like I needed to, what if this was the last time I ever speak to him.

With regret I walked closer and knelt down in front of the screen. Everyone started to get up leaving me alone with him. As soon as I looked into his eyes I broke I tried my best to hold in any tears.

"hello beautiful how are you" he moved closer to the screen his eyes shining brightly. I couldn't even form a sentence. "I'm good, you okay" I ask him, not wanting to make this weird. I have to keep reminding myself that this could be the last time.

"better now, I missed you my girl you look ravishing "I watched his eyes move further down the screen. I was wearing a skirt with a crop top that showed my toned body. His gaze made me feel hot and it was only through a screen.

I blushed "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you came home" because I really am no matter how mad I am at him I still wished I was home.

His eyes softened, he was about to say something but suddenly a guy came barging into the room. He wore the same uniform but he looked skinnier not as good as Damon looked in it.

"stay strong for me baby" he said indicating he needed to go. I barely nodding my head before the screen went black. When I knew he was finally gone I let the tears fall, no point in stopping them now.

"oh, my baby" my mum came running in, she kneeled in front of me wiping away the fallen tears. He did it again. He left before I could say goodbye.