If You're Reading This

Alex sat down on the living room couch.
"Daddy the mail's here!" Sydney called, jogging into the room with a stack of mail in her hands.
"Thanks darlin'." Alex smiled and sifted through the papers.
A very official looking envelope with his name on it caught his eyes.

Alex Jr came in and plopped down beside his father. "Anything good?" He asked, leaning over to look with his father.

Alex handed the rest of the pile to his son. Then he tore open the seal on the one with his name.
He skimmed through it, heart pounding faster with every word.
"Alex, please tell me this doesn't say what I think it says." Alex said calmly, showing his son the paper.

Alex wordlessly read the paper once. He read it over again carefully to make sure. Read it a third time to let it sink in. Read it once more, praying that they meant Alex Riley Jr was being drafted instead of Alex Riley Senior. "Daddy....." Alex looked up at his father with pained eyes, feeling for the first time in a long time that he might cry. "That's what its saying." He put his head down to hid the forming tears.

Alex swallowed hard, clenching his eyes shut.
"C-can you go get your mother? And Sydney?"

"Yes sir." Alex said quietly as he got up to go get his mother and his sister. Soon Alex Jr had come back with his mother and his sister following.

"Uh, guys I have some news." Alex said nervously, clearing his throat.

"Yeah?" Mike asked, this was new. Usually they didn't all get together to read the mail but something must be up.

"I was drafted... to war." Alex bit his lip, handing Mike the paper's. Sydney stood on her tip toes to read over her mother's shoulder.

Mike's jaw clenched as his eyes skimmed over the paper. Mike pressed his lips together as he lowered the paper and looked at Alex. Alex Jr looked at his mother. "And no momma, he has to go. And Its not for me." Alex Jr knew that was what his momma wanted to know. "If he doesn't go he will go to jail." Mike nodded slowly and handed the paper back to his husband.

Sydney looked like she was going to explode at any minute. She let out a small squeak and dashed upstairs to her room.
Alex walked over and hugged Mike tightly.

Mike felt his whole world crumble. He tried to speak but nothing would come out. Alex Jr made his way up the stairs after he kissed both his parents.

"Mike... I... I'm scared." Alex admitted, eyes closed. He never willingly admitted something frightened him.
"I don't want to go."

Mike still couldn't find the words to say, all he could do was wordlessly take Alex in his arms and hold him tight. Mike wished he could take Alex's place, wish he could protect him.

"Mike I don't want to leave you." Alex blinked back tears as he murmured into his husband's shoulder.
"I don't want to leave the kids."
Truthfully Alex was afraid Mike would get lonely while he was gone and find someone else.
"Sydney's seven months pregnant. She needs me now." Alex shook his head. "I can't go."

Mike shook his head and held Alex tighter. Mike looked up at the ceiling and one hand rested on the top of Alex's head, pressing him closer. Mike felt tears well up in his eyes, he knew Alex had to go.

"M-mike, out of all the families, why did this have to happen to me?" Alex looked up at Mike.

Mike pursed his lips together and looked down at his husband. Mike closed his eyes and turned his head. He couldn't look at Alex, knowing that he would be leaving.

"Mike I have a week until I have to leave please, let's make the most of it."

Mike nodded slowly, he was still facing away from his husband but it was all he could do to keep himself from bursting into tears.

"Please look at me baby." Alex frowned, placing a hand on Mike's shoulder.

Mike slowly turned his head to look at his lover. Mike stared a Alex with void eyes, all he wanted to do was play pretend.

The family spent the week, with mostly bonding time although Mike was very distant. Then the day came. Alex packed up his things and they all drove to the airport.

Mike couldn't look at Alex straight on, only from the corner of his eyes, memorizing every little detail of his husbands face. Alex Jr had cried more in that week than ever before. Mike was only minutes away from cracking, he had been trying to be strong for his lover.

They stood at the boarding area. Alex blinked back a few tears and stood in front of his son first.
"Alex, you're the man of the house now, okay? You gotta be strong. You gotta protect Sydney and your mother for me. I can't now so I'm passing it on to you." He said firmly, looking into his son's bright blue eyes.