After getting dressed and tying up his Chucks, he went into the kitchen and saw that Elli had made a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon while he was in the shower, so he sat down to eat while he waited for her. Adler sat beside him, watching him and waiting for anything Shea would give him, which was half his plate. What could he say? He loved the damn dog.

“Did your mom take you out yet?” The words had Adler running to the door, jumping higher than a 40 lb pug should. After hooking Adler’s leash and putting on his jacket, Shea walked Adler around the condo twice before heading back up, frozen. Elli stood in the kitchen, drinking some coffee and popping her pills when he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her for her warmth. She let out a little scream, smacking him away as he laughed.

“It's cold out.”

“I can tell, jeez,” she laughed as she took a drink of her coffee.

Shea watched her for a moment, wondering if it was a good time to bring up Thanksgiving and her family. Since Shea never beat around the bush, he asked the question that was on his mind.

“Are you going to your parents’ for Thanksgiving?”

She looked over at him, shaking her head.

“I’m going to the club with Papa; Daddy said he’ll try to meet us for a little bit.”

Shea nodded. He knew Elli hadn’t talked to her mother or siblings since the family dinner he had been subjected to. He also knew she hadn’t seen the kids in a while, and she was hurting from it.

“Maybe you can go over for a little bit, at least to see the kids.”

She shook her head, “I don’t want to see my mother.”

“I know, baby. But you miss the kids,” he said, wrapping his arms around her, kissing behind her ear. “And I know they must miss you. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, you know?”

She smiled, leaning her head against his, running her hands along his arms.

“Maybe.”

“That’s my girl,” he said, kissing her again before glancing at the clock. “We need to go.”

“Alright.”

Shea loaded the truck up as Elli got in. They headed over to the airfield, and watched as everyone hugged and kissed their families. He was dreading going since he was going to be lonely for the next six weeks, with Jakob being out for the next couple weeks. When he was asked if he wanted a new roommate, he said hell no. Jakob was his roommate, and he didn’t want anyone else, even if he was going to be lonely as hell.

Shea popped the trunk and got out as Elli did the same, getting his bags. One of the crew members came over, getting Shea’s bag, leaving him and Elli to say goodbye. It was so cold outside, winter being in full swing, so he wrapped his arms around Elli, holding her close to him, not only for her heat but because he wasn’t going to see her for another two weeks. He wasn’t even going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with anyone he loved. He had a game that night.

Elli nuzzled her nose into the middle of his chest, moving her face back and forth. That’s when he noticed she was crying.

“Oh no, no tears, Elli. I can’t do it this time around.”

She looked up at him with a watery smile.

“I’m gonna miss you so much. I just hate that you have to leave for so long again,” she cried as she nuzzled her nose back into the stuffing of his jacket.

“I know, baby. But it’s just another two weeks, then I’ll be home.”

“Yeah, but then you leave for another week.”

“Yes, but you are coming down that week. We are going to be fine, babe,” he said with a grin, putting his fingers under her chin, moving it up so she would look at him with them beautiful green eyes.

“I’ll miss you.”

Elli gave him a small smile, sniffing before saying, “I’ll miss you more.”

“I’ll call every chance I get. Are you going to keep my bed warm?”

“I am,” she said as red dusted her cheeks. He didn’t know if it was because she was cold or if she was embarrassed, but he loved the color all the same.

“Good,” he said as someone called for him to hurry. He looked over at the plane and noticed no one was there. Everyone had already boarded, and families were making their way back to their cars. He didn’t even notice, something that always happened when he was wrapped up in Elli’s arms.

“You gotta go,” she said as big tears rolled down her cheeks, “Be safe. Come home in one piece, alright?”

“I will. Remember, don’t replace me,” he said with a wink before kissing her laughing mouth. He kissed her twice more before pulling away, and backing away from her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but she already knew, and he didn’t want to put her on the spot or make her feel like she had to say it back.

When she blew him a kiss as the tears rolled down her cheeks, the words fell flew out of his mouth.

“I love you, Elli, bye.”

She put her hand over her mouth, but didn’t say anything as he turned and walked towards the plane. He hated leaving her, but he hated that she didn’t love him more.

When Shea’s plane landed, he had finally finished Pride and Prejudice, the book Elli had given him so long ago, and he knew what he wanted to do for her birthday. While waiting for the crew to load the bus up with everyone’s bags, he dialed Grace’s number.

“Hey, you land already?” she asked when she answered.

“We did, I figured out what I want to do for Elli’s birthday.”