Into the Cold

Note to my readers: Many of you have asked for me to add to the story saying the end seemed rushed and left you needing more. So, I guess you can say wishes do come true. Here you go.

Amelia stood on the tarmac, waiting impatiently for the bush plane to crest the horizon.

Though Caleb had made this trip several times over the last five years, she was never truly able to shake the memories that haunted her of her plane going down.

Her dark thoughts were interrupted by the four-year-old boy hanging onto her pant leg.

“Pane!” he yelled. “Pane!”

Looking to where he was pointing, she caught a flash of light as the setting sun reflecting off the plane as it began its descent.

“Yes,” she smiled, lifting the excited boy into her arms, “that’s daddy’s plane.”

~~~~~

After the birth of their son Brooks, Caleb and Amelia had tried living in together, but it didn’t take long for them both to realize that he was no longer cut out for a domestic lifestyle.

He'd spent so many years in the wide open spaces of the Alaskan wilderness, that even living on the furthest outskirts of Anchorage, it was still too close to civilization for him.

When Brooks turned a one, he finally had to admit to Amelia that he couldn't stand it any longer.

Thankfully, Amelia had seen the signs long before he said anything and had already set plans in motion.

"I have a surprise for you," she'd said, taking his hand in hers.

She'd led him to her office. Pulling out a small binder, she's handed it to him and waited as he read what was inside.

On the first page of the binder, Caleb read words that brought tears to his eyes.

"Caleb Dulac, Alaska's Best Hunting Guide"

"What is this?" he'd asked, looking down into her beautiful eyes.

"I know you haven't been happy for a while," Amelia had replied, leaning against the edge of her desk. "And I know you really don't like being a kept man, so I'm letting you go."

Caleb had looked at her, his heart sinking at the thought of loosing her.

Amelia couldn't help but laugh, seeing his confusion.

"I'm not divorcing you," she'd said, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around his waist, smiling up at him, "you're not that lucky.

"I am however telling you that I want you to be happy. So, I have started a small LLC that provides guided back country trips to hunters, wildlife photographers, and scientists with you as the guide."

"What?" he'd asked, stunned by her words.

"I want you to go," she'd explained, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Take as many jobs as you need to feel like your old self, but promise me you will always come home to me and Brooks."

"I promise," he'd said, dropping the binder so he could pull his amazing wife into his arms.

~~~~~~~

As the plane rolled to a stop, and it's engines died down Amelia finally let her son down.

Without a backwards glance, the little boy ran into his father's waiting arms.

"Daddy," he cried, as he was swept up into a bear hug.

"Brooks," Caleb said happily, holding his son close. "I've missed you!"

"I missed you too daddy," the little boy said, tugging at Caleb bushy beard. "You face is itchy."

"Yeah," Caleb chuckled, running his fingers through the rough hair, "do you think mommy will make me shave it?"

"Definitely," Amelia said, finally reaching her two favorite boys.

"I've missed you," Caleb said, pulling her into a deep kiss.