Ethan walked over to a small group of his friends at the camp. They sat near a supply truck, sharing a laugh, when he approached, worry shadowing his face.
The mood shifted as he said quietly, "I need to head back to the States soon. Lena...her pregnancy is having some complications."
The laughter faded, replaced by concerned silence.
He explained further "Since the early days of her pregnancy, she's had a few close calls. At the latest scan, the baby was turned the wrong way, with its back facing Lena's stomach, so the doctors couldn't get a good read on the heartbeat. She's been scared ever since... especially without me there. I need to get back, be by her side, hold her hand. I won't feel right until I do."
He paused, looking down briefly before adding, "After today's patrol duty, I'm going back to the States to see my wife — it's been too long. She's been in the hospital for some time for the delivery."
Ethan's friends listened carefully as he spoke.
One of them, a young soldier named Tom, tried to cheer him up. "Don't worry too much," Tom said.
"The doctor said your baby is fine, right? Sometimes things work out better than you think." His best friend, Ryan Carter, added, "It's hard being so far away from your family. But you're doing what you can for them."
"I need to be there for her," Ethan said. His friends patted his shoulder, offering quiet support. They didn't have much else to say, but their presence gave Ethan some comfort.
Later that day, Ethan sat outside his tent, looking at the distant mountains. The camp was peaceful until then, but his mind was far away, thinking about his wife. He pulled out a small photo from his pocket—a picture of him and his wife, Lena Cross, on their wedding day.
She was smiling brightly, holding his hand, and he looked happy and proud. Ethan traced the edges of the photo with his finger, feeling a mix of love and worry. "Just a little longer hon... I'm coming home." he whispered to himself.