57 comments/ 189207 views/ 15 favorites If Only In My Dreams By: patricia51 Second Lieutenant Dan Miller paused for a moment as the distant rumble of gunfire caught his ear. After nearly a year spent patrolling the streets of Baghdad, he recognized it as a mixture of M16 and AK fire. Some other patrol was engaged this Christmas Eve. Not his concern, he reminded himself. Not that he didn't hope the distant firefight wouldn't turn out to be a win for the good guys, but his attention needed to be focused right here on the two dismounted infantry squads he was leading tonight. The Army had drummed in his mind, from his first ROTC course all the way through Ranger School, that you always kept your mind on your mission, on your troops. To let your attention wander was to fail, or worse, get someone hurt when it could have been prevented. They continued on their assigned route, moving carefully but without hesitation. They had covered this route in daylight and in the dark before and were familiar with the twists and turns of the ancient streets they followed. They moved openly, another small demonstration that they were the ones in control. Dan recalled talking to his father, Sergeant Major (Retired) William Miller about his experiences in Vietnam. His dad had been a "Lurp", a member of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols that had become the 75th Rangers. One of their missions had been to "Take back the night from Charlie". Here they held the night, and planned on keeping it. The point man lifted his hand and issued a sharp challenge. Dan hastened forward to meet with the leader of the Iraqi Police unit who's path they had crossed. The past year had seen him learn enough of the local dialect to exchange information with the senior police officer, whose English was on a par with Dan's Arabic. Neither force had seen anything suspicious. He shook hands with the Iraqi officer and they wished each other good fortune as they parted. Dan admired the Iraqi forces, especially the police, who took hard licks and heavy casualties sometimes but kept right in the thick of the fight. A quick check of the time and the recognition of the landmarks about them confirmed that it was time to swing back towards the battalion area. Automatically the pace quickened, his own as much as those of his men. He had a letter from Lisa that had been marked "Do not open until Christmas" and by the time they got back it would be well after midnight. For one moment he allowed his mind to dwell on his wife. Two years of dating had led to their marriage right after their college graduation. It seemed as though they had spent most of the time apart since then. His attendance at the Infantry Officer Basic Course had been without dependants, as certainly Ranger School had been. Then they had finally settled down at their first permanent post when the unit was alerted for deployment overseas. Many of the personnel were on their second tour, including his platoon sergeant and two of his squad leaders. Dan had followed his father's advice and kept his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open, allowing his experienced NCOs to teach him the real life skills he needed. And damn it, he was wool gathering again. He firmly thrust any extraneous thoughts out of his mind, and kept his mind on the mission until the patrol was safely back in the cantonment area. After the debriefing he was making sure that weapons were cleaned, turned in and the patrol members all taken care of when he felt a touch on his arm. Dan turned to look at the smiling face of Platoon Sergeant Russell Mentor. "I got it El-Tee. I've been goofing off all night here anyway. You go take a shower and rest. Sir." The NCO's smile grew broader and he winked. "You done good as always Lieutenant. Your dad will be proud of you. Now let a broken down old non-com handle a little sergeant's business." They exchanged salutes and Dan headed off for his room. He carefully hung up his gear, then sat down heavily on the rickety chair. He pulled his boots off and wiggled his toes. His eyes strayed to the fat envelope sitting on the desk next to him, surrounded by pictures. He checked his watch. It was nearly 1 AM local time, therefore it WAS Christmas. He decided to postpone his present until he had taken a shower. Still, he stretched out his hand and ran his fingers over the thick oversize envelope while he studied his pictures. There were three of them. On the left was one of Lisa and he on their honeymoon, standing on the beach. On the right was one just of Lisa. He had taken it camping while they were still dating. She leaned against a wood railing, a breeze whipping her long black hair, and, he always noted, blowing her thin, short dress tight against her body. Then there was the one in the middle. A lump grew in his throat. It was Lisa smiling into the camera. She was holding up a tiny little hand as though it was waving to him. Other than that, not much could be seen of his son Dan Junior. He was the son born five months after Dan's deployment, the son he had never seen. Dan headed for the shower. On the way he paused by the paper hung on the back of the door. Picking up the pencil on a string attached to it, he marked off another day on his short-timer's calendar. Less than a month to go before rotating back to "The World" as the older guys termed it. After showering he stretched out on his bed, propped his head up on the pillow and carefully opened the letter. It held a smaller envelope and two pieces of cardboard. No, he corrected himself, each piece of cardboard was actually a sandwich, holding something inside it. He was sure it was pictures. Dan laughed. Trust Lisa to know him. She could have sent everything by email, or sent it to him during their on-line chats. She knew that he would probably not be able to resist opening downloaded files early, but he would grit his teeth and refrain from opening her letter until it was time. It didn't make much sense but that's how he was and he loved Lisa for knowing him. The smaller envelope had a message on the side. "Open me second". He picked up one of the unopened packets. Nope, this one said "Open me last". He slid his fingernail along the seam of the other one, cutting open the tape. Dan blinked back tears. Dan Junior looked back at him, propped up on some sort of pillow or something. His little boy was grinning at the camera. Lisa had dressed him in a tiny baseball uniform, that of Dan's beloved Chicago Cubs. He carefully propped the picture up next to the lamp beside his bed. Now the letter. He held the envelope up to his nose for a moment. Now THAT you couldn't get through an email. The definite fragrance of "Shalimar", Lisa's favorite perfume. His closed his eyes for a moment as memories drifted through his mind. He grinned. That minx. Just like her to do something like this. Just a little scent and a few vagrant thoughts and something was already stirring. He figured he better read the letter before all the blood left his brain on its journey somewhere else. "Dearest Friend, Isn't that a hoot, honey? I've been reading some early American History lately and that was how John and Abigail Adams addressed each other in their letters. I thought I would try this and see if I got a smile. Oh, well, I have more ways than one to charm one out of you. Everything is going well here, as it has been, except that I miss MY 'Dearest Friend' so much. But you know that. I knew what your career plans were before we got married and I knew this would happen, and probably will again. I'm an Army wife and I'll be waiting for you when you get off that plane. In the meantime, since you have been a good boy and not opened this until Christmas, you are entitled to your Christmas present. Thank God I managed to figure out the timer on the camera. Open the one marked "Open me last" right NOW." Dan chuckled. He HAD been a good boy. He opened the final insert and gasped. There were several pictures. No wonder she hadn't sent these over the net. The first picture was of Lisa stretched out on their bed. Candles lit the room, although their effect was somewhat muted by the camera's flash. However that same flash did a wonderful job of revealing Lisa's tan skin set off by the lacey white negligee she was wearing. She was giving the camera a naughty smile. The second was more of the same. Lisa had lain down on her side, her head propped up on one hand. Her leg was akimbo, the foot resting on her other knee. The white lace had fallen away from her body, giving a tantalizing glimpse of the dark patch between her legs. She had her other hand lifted and one finger was crooked as though she was beckoning him towards the bed. Dan whistled sharply. He was already squirming on the bed. The last one, now, he could feel the sweat breaking out on his forehead, and elsewhere. Lisa was kneeling on the bed, her arms outstretched. The negligee gapped open from her throat all the way down. Nothing showed beyond her smooth skin, although he convinced himself he could see her nipples through the lace. Instead of a naughty look this time, the one that Lisa wore tugged at his heart strings. Along with her body language, it mingled desire and longing. It aroused him and yet at the same time made him feel homesick and happy to be loved so much all at once. He laid the pictures beside him and picked up the letter and began to read again. "I hope those had the effect on you that I wanted darling! I giggle when I remember your older brother Seth and his wife telling how she had to smuggle pictures like this to him when he was in the Gulf in the first Iraqi War. So as not to upset the Saudi's sensitivities she wrapped them around a 6 volt battery and put them inside an plastic flashlight. He had to keep them hidden. Well, remember, before you show these off that I'm YOURS and yours only. My beloved husband, its Christmas. Its a day of rejoicing, saddened for all three of us because we're apart. But when you dream tonight, dream of our tree with the lights blinking on and off and the star on top. Dream of us snuggled in front of the fireplace, wrapped up with our little one cuddled between us, the floor strewn with wrapping paper and ribbons. There will be carols playing on the CD and we'll sing along softly so as not to wake Dan-Dan, asleep after so much excitement. Dream of you putting him to bed and then finding me on our bed, waiting for you as I am in these pictures, as I will be waiting when you get home. Dream of a long night, as full of passion and love as I can make it. I'll take Dan-Dan to Mass today and light a candle for you, as I do every day. See that candle in your mind, it will be in the front window lighting the way home for you. Merry Christmas my love and lover. Come home safe to us. Yours always, Lisa" Dan carefully placed everything on the table. He pulled on a t-shirt and his uniform pants. He stepped into his running shoes and walked down to the mess hall. He drew a cup of coffee and looked around. Sergeant Mentor was sitting by himself reading a letter of his own. He looked up as Dan approached. "Hey, El-tee. Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas indeed, Sarge." (The End) (To all our troops overseas this Christmas, and every Christmas before and every one still to come. God Bless you all.) If Only In My Dreams I had just dozed off when Sarah blasted into the dorm room we shared. She flipped on the light and flung her bag onto the desk with a loud thud. I all but fell out of bed, startled. "Everything ok there?" I asked, staring at her from under sleepy lids. "Sorry Jess... Randy and I just got into a huge fight. He's such an asshole!" She raged. I sat up and patted my bed. "Want to talk about it?" There probably wouldn't be much chance of sleeping until she did, I thought. She came over and sat on my bed with her knees up to her chest. I couldn't help but sneak a peek at her smooth, ivory legs, as her skirt slid to reveal their entirety. "Well, its really sort of embarrassing..." She trailed off awkwardly. Understandable since we had only known each other for about 3 weeks. I patted her hand. "No pressure. Only if you feel comfortable." Her skin was cool under mine, still warming from the chilly fall air. She looked away. "The thing is... Sex. Sex is the issue. He's kind of my first." She admitted. "I guess it's just not what I expected. It's always over so fast, and he's not really very attentive." Ok, I thought. This IS kind of embarrassing. "Have you tried to take things slower? Maybe some foreplay?" I suggested. She looked at me funny. "Sure. There's some of that. Like, kissing and stuff." She looked unsure of herself. "Some kissing... and stuff?" I questioned. This guy was sounding like a real winner. "He likes it when I go down on him." She almost whispered. "And what about you?" "Oh, I don't mind doing it." I blinked in wonder. "I mean, what about YOU? What do you get out of this arrangement?" I prodded. "Oh... I've had... Well, I'm pretty sure I've had... You know." She stuttered, her face turning red with embarrassment. "You're PRETTY sure?!" I asked incredulously . "I just... good lord Sarah!" I sat shaking my head. We fell into an awkward silence after that. I kept stealing glances at the beautiful girl sitting on my bed. She had long golden hair that fell like silk down her back in soft waves. She was curvy. Full on top, i was guessing about a 34C. Her waist was tiny, but her hips flared out in a perfect, womanly shape. I sat wondering how it could be that this specimen of human perfection could quite possibly never have experienced an orgasm. A few strands of Sarah's shiny hair fell over her eye as she rested her chin on her knee. She really was stunning. I reached out and brushed it away. She looked startled. I was actually a little startled myself. I pulled my hand back, suddenly feeling guilty. My eyes dropped from hers. She shifted on my bed, dropping her legs, and rearranging her skirt. "I'm going to shower." She stated. I was slightly relieved. After she left the room I turned on my iPod, shut the lights back off, and laid in my bed. I slid a hand down my body and into my panties. My legs fell open as I squirmed under my own touch. I moaned, dipping a finger into my slippery lower lips. Pulling some of the liquid up I rubbed slowly at my clit. My other hand snaked under my tiny night shirt to pull and pinch at my hardening nipples. My eyes were closed and I was moaning with abandon when I heard a loud crash over the music in my ears. My eyes flew open and I sat up quickly, yanking the earbuds out of my ears. Someone was struggling to get up off the floor barely 2 feet from my bed, feet tangled in my discarded sheet. "What the fuck?!" I shouted, heart racing. I flipped on the dim lamp on my night table. "Sarah!" I exclaimed. "What in the world are you doing?!" I climbed out of bed to help her up, but she moved just in time to trip me, too. We lay on the floor laughing. It occurred to me that she clearly had not taken her shower yet, and I wondered how long she'd been watching me. I looked at her in the dim light. Her breasts were straining against the thin fabric of her fitted white shirt. Her nipples poked out, begging to be touched. "You're incredibly sexy." I breathed. "Randy is an idiot." I reached to help her into a sitting position, and boldly grazed her taunt nipples with my hands. She looked surprised, but didn't say a word. I stroked her hair, allowing the waves to slide through my fingers. Her breath quickened and she seemed nervous, crossing and uncrossing her legs. I unabashedly took her in. My gaze devouring her from head to toe. She licked her pouty pink lips. My hands tangled in her hair as I pulled her in toward my eager mouth. Our lips met and she was still. For a moment I questioned my sanity, but then she began to kiss me back. Gently at first, then responding with urgency to my tongue as it parted her lips. My hands roamed her body as the kiss deepened. I slid across her satin flesh, lifting her shirt to reveal her large, perky breasts. We broke apart for a moment while I pulled the shirt over her head. In one swift move my mouth was on her nipple, licking and sucking until it stood out like a pencil eraser, then moving to the other. Her head fell back as she moaned in pleasure. She lay back on the floor while my hand slipped inside her panties, finding a slim strip of hair there. Her moisture made the entry of my two fingers into her pussy effortless. She gasped as though she just realized what was happening, starting to close he legs. My lips found hers again and I felt her reserve melting as she opened her sex wide, allowing my fingers to stroke in and out while my palm rubbed against her engorged clit. I started to bite her neck. Gently at first. I was rewarded with loud cries of excitement, so I bit harder. She was writhing beneath my hand when she suddenly cried out "Stop... Oh god! Stop! I can't..." and reached down to stop my hand. It was obvious she was on the verge of orgasm, so I grabbed her hands and pushed them above her head, then pressed my lips to her dripping cunt, my tongue eager to bring her climax. She clawed at my shoulders as she cried out over and over. There was a sudden gush as she came. Switching to my hand, I watched her face as her orgasm washed over her. She looked like a wild woman. Hair in a disarray. Eyes wide. Grasping violently at her own nipples. I had to chuckle as she came down. She was looking at me like a drunken teenager. "That was incredible!" "Don't be like Randy." I teased with a wink, discarding my clothes. Her eyes grew round. I could tell she was trying to decide what to do next. I laid on my bed and resumed the task I'd been working on when she interrupted me. I reached into my night table drawer and pulled out a small, silent, fingertip massager. I turned it on low and ran it up and down on my clit. She was watching me with amazement. Tentatively she crept over and touched one of my nipples, then grew more bold as she massaged my breasts. I responded with an appreciative purr. "No need to be shy... or gentle." I told her, with a slow smile. She brought her lips down until I felt her warm breath on my skin. Her tongue darted out to taste my erect nipple. I took her hand and placed it between my parted thighs. I could tell she was nervous. Ever so slowly she slid one finger into my soaking wet canal and pushed it in as far as she could, entering me over and over. I continued to massage my clit, the vibrations drawing my orgasm to the surface. Her lips met mine and I felt sweet release wash over me. We lay together giggling and touching for hours. In the morning I awoke to an empty room. The memory of the night before like a dream, in my mind. If Only in My Dreams, Another Year (A couple of years ago I wrote a story titled, not surprisingly "If Only in My Dreams" about a young soldier in Iraq at Christmas time and the letter he got from his wife. I wanted to follow up on it last year but ran out of time. So here we go, dreaming again. Or are we?) * Lieutenant Dan Miller shifted in his sleep. He sensed that he was waking up and he strove to hold on to where he was, in a deep, beautiful dream. In it he wasn't patrolling first the streets of Baghdad and then the countryside. He wouldn't be listening intently and keeping his fingers crossed as an Intelligence officer assured him that opposition at the site to be raided would be minimal. He wouldn't be inhaling dust from the road patrols, eyes straining to detest the presence of an IED. He wouldn't feel his heart hammering as he strove to keep his fear under control when the bullets were flying; fear for himself but overriding that, fear that he would get one of his men hurt. So far there hadn't been anything more than scrapes and bruises but could their luck last forever? He thanked God for Sergeant First Class Mentor, his platoon sergeant. The older man had watched him like a hawk; made sure he didn't make any spectacular fuck-ups and taught him all the things a young officer needed to learn to be a leader in combat. He also thanked God that the incredibly stupid individual rotation policy of Vietnam was on the scrapheap. They came as a unit and they would go home as a unit, a unit trained and tested. Dan strove to keep his eyes closed. If he could, he could remain in this peaceful, even blissful world. It was that letter, that wonderful letter from Lisa that was doing this he knew. The picture of his son brought a warm smile to his face that he could feel even in his sleep. And the pictures that Lisa had sent of herself! Nothing overt, nothing remotely pornographic, just incredibly erotic. Even with his eyes closed the image of her on their bed with her nightgown open just enough to hint at the secret places of her body made his cock stiffen in longing. If he could just keep his eyes closed he could see her. Hell, he could feel her, as though she was in his arms right now. He could touch her body, still firm even after childbirth. His lips, his hands explored her, touching her smooth tanned skin. He felt his cock begin to stir. Then his eyes fluttered and he could not stop a groan as his fight to remain in his dreams surrendered to reality as well as a persistent poking in his ribs. "Dan. DAN!" came a fierce whisper. "Wake up and stop that awful noise! You're going to wake up Dan-Dan." Dan's eyes popped open. For a moment they couldn't focus. When they did his mind couldn't grasp what he was looking at. Light, twinkling lights of different colors. They flashed on and off, dancing against a field of green. One bright light shone at the top of that green. It was a TREE! A CHRISTMAS tree. With that realization came full awareness, awareness that included the soft body pressed against his side. He looked at that body. His wife Lisa's face smiled up at him. His arm around her shoulders tightened automatically and he crushed her to him, kissing her. She kissed back. He drank those kisses in like a thirsty man would drink down cold water. He pulled her tighter, turning his body towards hers until she pushed him away. Startled he looked at her as she giggled. "Honey! I appreciate the thought," her fingers grazed the front of his slacks and she winked at him, "But you nearly squished someone." Dan looked down to catch a little face splitting in a tremendous yawn. Their son, snuggled in both of their laps, struggled to open his eyes. After a few moments he seemed to decide that struggle was too much effort. He gave a little mumble, rolled towards his mother and fell back asleep. "Should we put him to bed?" whispered Lisa. Dan shook his head. "Not quite yet. Let me enjoy this a bit longer." He stroked his son's head, marveling at the hair that had sprouted during the long months of his deployment. He looked around the room. Perfect. Just what he had dreamed about for Christmas. The fireplace smoldering; almost out but the glowing coals still warming and providing the only light other than the Christmas Tree lights. Even his feet up on the coffee table, ankles crossed, was how he had imagined it with his wife and son tucked against him. It was so perfect. It was his dream. He looked down at Lisa again. Not just his dream. It was hers too; the woman who's love and support had kept him going. He lifted the arm that circled her enough to brush the soft strands of blonde hair back from where they had fallen across her face. "Hey you." Lisa brought her hand up from where it had rested on little Dan's tummy and touched his face. "Hey you." She stretched for another kiss. "Gosh we all fell asleep. But after all, it is nearly two in the morning. Let's go to bed." Dan nodded, reluctant though he was to move. They untangled and got up, careful not to jostle Dan-Dan. "I'll put him to bed," Dan whispered happily and he gently rocked his sleeping son in his arms. "Okay. Meet you in the bedroom." Lisa walked ahead. Dan noted happily the movement of her body. Even wrapped up in a near ankle length robe she was as sexy as those dreams had remembered her. Dan laid the little boy on his bed, covering him with his favorite Chicago Cubs blanket, now a good deal more worn than it was when he had first seen it in a photo Lisa had sent him for last Christmas. He stood there for what seemed like hours, drinking in the sight of his son. His son. As he had every day since he received notice of Dan-Dan's birth he said a short prayer giving thanks. Then he turned and went down the hall to the other bedroom. The bedroom door was nearly closed. Lights flickered through the opening. Dan pushed the door open and stopped. Lisa was lying on the bed. Her thick, warm housecoat was gone and in its place was the sheer white nightie she had worn when she had sent him pictures last year. In fact, she had taken up one of the provocative poses she had used then, a pose that had burned itself into his memory in the long months that had remained of the deployment. As she had before, Lisa was on her side, one foot propped against her calf. This time though there was no need to imagine, because the nightgown was open completely, framing her bare breasts and displaying the neat blonde triangle between her legs. Once again she crooked her finger at him. But this time she was really here and her could really hear her as she spoke in a low sultry voice. "C'm here big boy." It took Dan about 2 seconds to drop his own robe and reach the bed. There was a moment of gleeful tussle and struggle, as his already stirring cock had poked itself through the opening of his boxers and it took Lisa a few extra seconds and some delicious touching to get his shorts off. Lisa must have decided that as long as she was down there she might as well enjoy it because as Dan tumbled onto the bed she shed her nightie and took his cock in her mouth. Dan gave a gasp as her lips slid all the way down his now raging shaft until her nose toughed his groin. She held him there, the suction strengthening as she started bobbing her head. "You MINX!" moaned Dan. He ran his fingers through his wife's hair as she continued to blow him. It felt wonderful. Each time she drew back her tongue teased his slit, already oozing a little with pre-cum. When she went back down that tongue caressed the bottom of his cock all the way down and wiggled against it. She tickled his balls and he responded by thrusting up with his hips, burying his cock down her throat. That was nearly a night ending mistake. Lisa gagged, choked and it took a couple minutes of back pounding and a rush for a glass of water for her to recover. The two lovers looked at each other for a moment, then snickers started and before long the pair was holding each other in nearly helpless, if extremely quiet, laughter. "Oh God. Honey I'm so sorry." sputtered Dan. "No, it was me." Lisa corrected him. "I'm just out of practice. After all, it's been a very long time since we had the opportunity to do this." She giggled. "The last time was when I drove you back to the Post on your last day of leave before reporting for deployment." Dan pulled Lisa back into his arms. He had regained control but a smile covered his face. "And you suddenly pulled over two blocks down the street from the Battalion Headquarters' Building and before I even knew what was going on you had my DCU's unbuttoned and your mouth on me. I thought I was going to have a heart attack." "You just were scared you were going to get caught." "You bet I was!" "Well we didn't and that gave you a BIG smile on your face when I dropped you off. And there hasn't been a chance since then. So I thought it would be a great combination 'Welcome Home' AND 'Merry Christmas' together." She shook her head. "I'm sorry I ruined it." "Ruined it?" Dan took her chin in his fingers and lifted her face so her eyes could meet his. "You are the love of my life. You kept me going for fifteen long months, knowing that you and Dan-Dan were waiting for me. And now here it's Christmas, I'm home and my wonderful, sexy wife is trying her best to please me. So you're out of practice." He grinned and a little devil danced in his eyes. "I bet we can get you all familiar again with one thing if not another." "What would that be?" teased Lisa, a matching light in her eyes. "THIS." With that one word Dan spun Lisa around and pressed her back onto the bed. Her legs parted and with one smooth motion he entered her. "Oh my yesssssssss," breathed Lisa. Her feet planted on the bed, she lifted her hips to allow Dan to slide his cock down inside of her already wet pussy. Her arms twined around his neck and pulled him down against her. Their mouths locked. Dan felt the softness of Lisa's breasts against his chest; her two nipples a pair of rock hard points against his skin. Dan began to pump in and out of his wife. Her warm, wet sheath surrounded his cock, welcoming it home. This was the culmination of what he had dreamed about so many lonely nights. As he speed up he felt Lisa responding to his arousal with her own ardor. Her legs wrapped around his hips and her ankles locked behind him. He rose up on her hands, his head lowered to maintain the kiss for as long as he could. Then he was pounding against her, long swift strokes, bottoming out inside of her. Lisa clutched him with her strong legs and bounced up to meet each down stroke. The pace couldn't last. Dan arched and gave one last deep thrust. He held deep inside Lisa and emptied himself. He collapsed onto his wife, still buried in her as she smothered a squeal of happiness into his neck. When their breathing returned the pair reluctantly released their grip on each other. Her eyes sparkled as they cuddled. Lisa whispered. "Oh, you mean THAT." She kissed him. "Yes I think that will be familiar again in a hurry and thank goodness for that. I've REALLY missed That." "Me too, although I've thought about it enough." "So have I my 'dearest friend'." Lisa caressed his face. "Oh thank you God for bringing you safely home Dan. It was so lonely without you. But I knew what I was getting into when I married you. 'For better, for worse' and I became an Army Wife before TV made it fashionable. It's al worth it. I love you so much." "I love you too baby." With Lisa's head pillowed on his shoulder and her body snuggled up to him Dan wrestled with sleep again. This time he fought dropping off, although every moment was a struggle and his eyes kept closing. "God," he thought. "If this is a dream, if I wake up in my quarters in Baghdad with, pardon me for saying this, with a woodie jammed against my mattress from imagining what I hope just really happened and my arms around my pillow; I will ask for forgiveness for this but I am going to be seriously PISSED at you." His eyes fluttered once again and he fell asleep. When they opened again the light seemed so bright he squeezed his eyes closed. His hands reached out, fumbling across the bed. Nothing. No one was there. He heaved a deep sigh and nearly groaned. This just wasn't fair, damn it. Something pricked his nose. Coffee? Then the bed rocked and he opened his eyes as Lisa pushed a steaming cup in front of his face. "Are you going to sleep Christmas Day away?" she demanded. Before he could answer a bolt of energy bounded into the room and up on top of him. Lisa laughed, pulling the mug away just in time to avoid spilling the hot coffee as Dan, Jr. landed on top of his father. "Daddy get up! It's CHRISTMAS!" Dan Miller threw back the covers and bounded from the bed, his son in his arms. He leaned over and kissed his wife. "Yes," he smiled happily, addressing his family even as his eyes went towards the sky and he sent his thanks winging upwards, "It's Christmas." (The End) (Perhaps this belongs in "Romance". I don't think so. I think it belongs here in "Loving Wives" as a reminder of what one really is.")