If You're Reading This

Alex nodded tearfully and hugged his father. "Y-yes sir!" He wailed before he backed up and wiped his eyes.

Alex tightly hugged his son back then moved over to his daughter.
"Sydney, I want you to have this okay? I bought it for you a few days ago." He pulled out a small heart shaped locket and put it in her palm.
He got down on his knees.
"If I'm still gone when you have the baby tell her I love her." He placed a kiss on his daughter's inflated stomach.
"I love you daddy." Sydney whimpered through tears.
"Love you too sweety."
Then he moved down to his husband.

Mike couldn't take it anymore. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he jumped into his husbands arms. "Don't go! Please dont go!" Mike cried into Alex's neck.

Alex began sobbing himself.
"I have to sweety. I don't want to." Alex shook his head, holding his husband close.

Mike hiccuped. "B-But Alex.....I-Im pregnant!" Mike sobbed into his husbands chest. "I-I found out two days ago. I-I just didn't know how to t-tell you. Please don't be m-mad. And please d-don't go!"

Alex's eyes widened.
"Your pregnant?!" He couldn't go. He couldn't leave Mike like this but he had to.
"Mike it's either this or prison. Either way I'm gone."

Mike shook his head and attached himself to Alex. "I-I know." He choked out. He was so scared, he didn't want to have the kid alone, he didn't want Alex to go off and die. "P-Please be safe."

"I will baby. I know how to protect myself. I'll be back before you know it."

Mike nodded and wiped the tears away harshly. "K-Kiss goodbye." He looked into Alex's eyes, his lips quivering.

"Of course baby." Alex gave a small smile through the tears and pressed their lips together. He kissed his husband with as much passion he could muster.

Mike kissed back, his hands clutching at Alex's shirt. When he pulled away he took a deep breath. "N-Now one for the baby...."

Alex smiled.
"Whatever you want sweety." He wiped away a few tears from Mike's cheek with his thumbs.

"I want you to stay...." Mike drug a hand across his face. "Anyways, give the baby a kiss..." Mike swallowed hard.

Alex did as he was asked and kissed the baby with a smile.
"I love you so much darlin."

Mike took a shaky breath as he watched people get on the plane that Alex was supposed to be boarding. "I love you with all my heart Alex Riley." Mike kissed Alex softly. "You remember that, and you remember you have to kids and a pregnant husband to come home to."

"And a grandkid." Alex smiled pointing at Sydney.
"I love you Mike." Alex managed a small smirk through the tears.
"I want letters every day. From all three of you." Alex said.

Mike nodded as the last call to board the plane was heart. Mike bit his lips as the tears fell faster.

"I'll miss you guys so much." Alex cried, and gave each one of them a final hug before boarding the plane.

The drive home was silent, as was the rest of the night. Every one went to bed right when they got home. Mike laid on his side of the bed, hugged Alex's pillow to his chest, and cried.

Alex cried the whole way on the plane, clutching a picture of Mike, Sydney and Alex all together.

It was the next day, morning sickness had already started, Alex Jr tried to take his fathers place but it wasn't the same, no one could take Alex's place in that family. Alex Jr went up to his room when his mother had finally went to bed and he wrote his father.

Dear Daddy,

We all miss you. Sydney is miserable without you and she hasn't been out of her room much today. I am trying to be the man of the house for you but its not the same, no one can ever take your place, Momma has morning sickness. I think its the hardest on momma, I heard him crying last night. It broke my heart but I didn't bother him, im sorry but its not my place. The only one who can ever calm momma down was you. I am doing my best though, I hope you get this soon and momma will write, im sure but right now he is asleep, I know he didn't sleep any last night and he was up all day being sick.

~Love Always
Your son Alex Riley Jr

Alex got the letter from his son a few days later. The second he got a chance he wrote back.
"Dear Alex,
Thank you for keeping me updated. And thanks for at least trying to take care of Sydney and your mom. It can't be easy dealing with two pregnant people. But I know you can if you put your mind to it. I'd never tell your momma this but I feel you're strong enough and if I don't let it out I'll explode. I hate it down here. I feel so alone. It's my own personal hell. I miss you, your mother and your sister so so much. I hope to be home soon.
Love, Daddy."

Alex frowned at the letter in his hand. He wrote back.

Dear Dad,

I hate that your down there. Its hell around here without you to. Sydney can be pissed one second then she goes and cries. Momma is....different. He never smiles any more. He acts like its okay but we all know its not. I still here him cry at night. I went in there once time about an hour after the sobs stopped, he was clutching your pillow to his chest and he was wearing one of your shirts. I hope you come home soon, we all miss you and I want you to put that smile back on momma's face.

Your son
Alex Riley Jr

Mike also wrote his first letter.

Dear Alex,

I miss you but I guess we're doing okay. I hope I wasn't as much of a......unpleasant person as Sydney when I was pregnant. Alex Jr is doing a good job. I want you to come home, I miss you so much its unreal. If it wasn't for the kids, I would in list in the army just to be with you. I love you.

Forever yours
Michael Mizanin Riley

Alex received the letters at the same time and smiled as he traced over his husband's familiar scrawl.
"Dear Alex,
I miss you so much. It's torture without you. Please, when you hear your momma crying at night, go comfort him. Lay down and hold him tight. Just tell him you love him. Always calms him down.
Love always, Daddy."

Then he replied to his husband.
"Dear Mike,
I miss you too baby. It's not as bad as I'd expected down here. But I keep hoping I'm dreaming. I'll wake up right beside you in bed again. I love you so much. Just know that. Don't forget it.
Forever and Always, Alex."

Alex got his letter and he tried his fathers advice.

Dear Daddy,

I did what you suggested but I don't think I should do it anymore. When I did Momma only cried harder and told me it was okay. I don't think he wants anyone trying to take your place. Any ways, I think I might smother Sydney in her sleep, she is so annoying. I hope Momma's not like her, Sydney is a moody bitch cow lately. Im still taking care of her and momma though, I love you daddy.

Be Safe For Me
Alex Riley Jr

When Mike got his he did his best not to cry, it didn't work so he replied a few hours later so he wouldn't cry all over the paper.

To My Life

I wish it was just a dream, its not very warm in our bed without you here. Alex Jr is still doing good and your daughter had better give birth soon or I will scream. I want you home, I love you so much and remember im waiting for you. XOXO

Forever Yours
Mike Mizanin Riley