THIRTY - TWO

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< : > : Chapter Thirty - Two : < : >
Harlow | Phoenix | Other people

4 Months Later

My plane landed in Palm Springs a little after ten in the morning. I had spent the entire flight bouncing my knee with excitement. Phoenix and I were finally going to be able to hold each other after seven months. Timara had to stop me several times reassuring me that we would get to California in one piece. She had fallen asleep for most of the flight waking up every now and then to buy a refreshment. Headphones, neck pillow, and personal blanket Timara was comfortable while I couldn't calm my nerves enough to eat a bag of chips.

Getting in a taxi we told the man our destination already agreeing to split the money for the hour plus drive. Texting my parents that we had landed safely and on our way to base Timara did the same to hers.

Phoenix and Corey didn't have a set time for getting off of work but they were hoping that because the ball was tomorrow they would be released instead of having chow. Sending Phoenix a text that we were on our way he sent me back a cute can't wait to see you text with two heart eyes emojis.

"You're texting Phoenix, aren't you?"

Locking my phone I smiled at Timara. "Don't judge me."

"Oh I'm not, believe me. I just caught myself smiling at Corey's text."

"I'm so glad that you decided to come. You may not know it but you're really keeping me calm."

"I'm calm on the outside. On the inside I'm freaking out too. I haven't seen Corey in four months!"

"I understand completely. I hope our dresses didn't get wrinkled. Hey, are you two staying in the same hotel as us?"

Timara scrolled through her phone nodding before showing the confirmation email. "I booked it two months ago so I doubt we'll be anywhere near each other . . . I did want to ask you though, did you book two bed or one?"

Nibbling on my bottom lip my heart began to race. "I um . . . I didn't book the room. Phoenix told me that he would handle everything and to just bring myself and the dress."

"Aw, that's so sweet. I couldn't wait for Corey to book the hotel. He was taking forever and I was afraid we would run out of time. "

We talked and shared with each other different ideas about what we could do in Vegas. Phoenix, Corey, Timara and I were taking Phoenix's car to Vegas tonight no matter what time they got off giving us a few hours to walk around today and tomorrow night after the ball.

Phoenix's aunt and Dylan told me about their experiences going to the ball earlier this week. Aunt Justine had been to only one ball letting Dylan go the past two whenever Phoenix would ask. Much like the articles I had read over the past few months I, a civilian was expected to be professional and not make Phoenix look bad, as if I would on purpose.

The taxi driver dropped us off at the visitors center just before the base gate entrance kind enough to stay while we got our visitors passes for the day. Offering to drop us off to the base's military store called the Marine Main Exchange free of charge, we thanked him kindly giving him an extra twenty anyways.

With our luggage in hand we grabbed a shopping cart and walked around the store that was much like a Walmart but with more military items, Phoenix texted me saying that they were being released and were going back to the barracks to change over before coming to get us.

Having questioned him about why we couldn't just wait in their room Phoenix told me a few days ago that opposite genders weren't aloud to be in the same barracks.

Just a few weeks into November there were isles and isles of Christmas decorations. Tall Christmas trees with ornaments of all kinds and a special tree with just military decor. Passing by the bags of fake snow a dark haired man peeked around the corner disappearing before I could get a good look.

"OH MY GO- Corey!" I turned around as Timara smacked a laughing Corey with a bag of Frosty's Snow. "You scared me!"

"Come here girl." He opened his arms to her.

Just as she stepped to him my vision was covered. "Guess who?"

"I hope the man I haven't seen in seven months."

Removing his hands Phoenix turned me around with a smile that I missed so much before kissing me. Pulling away before I was ready I opened my mouth to protest when he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "I have Marines that come here baby." He leaned back and winked. "Gotta keep it professional."

"So let's go. I want you to kiss me like you've haven't seen me in seven months."

"Don't you worry Precious Halo. I'll show you exactly how much I've missed you, just you wait."

We were all packed in Phoenix's car within the twenty minutes ready for on our three hour journey to Las Vegas. We talked together, we talked separately, there were times when we didn't talk at all and just let the music play. Phoenix held my hand most of the time driving with ease through the ups and downs of the roads that went through the mountains.

Surprised at myself for not falling asleep my jitters went crazy once we got back on the main highway and the Welcome to Nevada sign was within view. I had never been to Vegas before or even California. My jaw stayed on my lap as we passed through the smaller cities with rollarcoasters just outside of their hotels and when the traffic intensified to five lanes I looked at Phoenix afraid that we were going to be crushed earning me only a smile.

"We should be at the hotel in about thirty minutes."

And he was right.

The hotel was perfect and the valet were nice and professional opening our doors, taking out our luggage, and wishing us a nice visit as they kept Phoenix's car keys to park his car. Following behind him silently we walked into the hotel slowing our steps at the waterfall in the middle of the lobby.

So caught up in the beautiful of the water I didn't notice that Phoenix was next to me until he cleared his throat.

Closing my mouth for the millionth time since we entered Nevada I held Phoenix's hand as we walked towards the elevator, Timara and Corey waved to us walking down a different hall. "Their room is on the other side." He explained once the elevator doors closed. "We'll meet them back down here in a bit."

My thoughts had traveled back to the bed situation feeling a warmth low in my stomach. I didn't want our reuniting to be focused soley on sex. We were suposed to hug and kiss of course but we were in Vegas and I wanted to explore but Phoenix . . .

Phoenix Phoenix Phoenix

"Yes baby?"

"Hm?"

"You keep calling me but you're not saying anything." He raised his brow smirking at me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I replied just as the elevator door opened. Thankful for the needed freedom I adjusted my bag exiting to the right.

"Um, Harlow? Our room is this way." He pointed to the left. Turning around I mumbled of course as he chuckled behind me giving out the room number as we passed the first four doors.

Room 211

The bed . . . the bed was one bed. One king size bed for Phoenix and I to share. Unable to move my eyes from the white sheets folded to perfection with six white pillows and red rose petals on the bed that spelled I've missed you captured my attention.

Feeling my bag being removed from my shoulders my jacket came off soon after before gentle kisses began at my shoulder. "I've missed you so much Harlow. I never want you to think that I don't." From the absence of his lips I turned to see where he went finding him at the closet pulling out a cotton soft robe. "Undress for me Precious Halo."


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We were fashionably late to the ball. All of my plans of walking around and exploring the city were dismissed at the mere touch of Phoenix's lips. It was as if we couldn't keep our hands off of each other. Breaking only to eat from room service I had to use the opportunity to answer the door as the time to text Timara letting her know I was busy until tomorrow.

I didn't know what she replied back until the next day as we entered the private ballroom held for the USMC Ball. Our tardiness was due to seeing each other formally dressed for the first time. Phoenix took one look at me as I walked out the bathroom in my burgundy dress and tossed his cover to the side saying the ball could wait.

There wasn't a single word of protest coming from my lips since my tongue was stuck at the back of my throat seeing him for the first time in his dress blues. He was right once again. Without dress blues jacket being fully buttoned Phoenix looked so damn good I was ready to hand my ovaries along with my panties. After our second round and a call from one of his Marines, we took a second shower and redressed heading to the ball only forty-five minutes after it started.

Finding our friends deeply engaged in their own conversation Timara's elbows rested on the table as she leaned into Corey's side while he whispered in her ear. His arm around her shoulders tracing her skin with his thumb when she giggled looking up noticing us.

"Hi!"

"Hi." I smiled back "Did you two want us to come back?"

"No, you sit little lady?" She pulled me closer to her. "What happened to you miss I-want-to-explore-Vegas?"

"I was exploring Phoenix."

The room had eventually became silent and speeches were given by a few Marines. Not a single sound was heard from the crowd as the men who spoke were high in rank. Every Marine gave their undivided attention speech after speech after speech until the last man made a few jokes at the end of his before calling out, "Happy birthday Marine!"

"OO-RAH!"

"OO-RAH!

"OO-RAH!"

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A/N: Couple of things:

🚩This chapter was looong. One of the longest short story chapters I've written so I had to cut it off before it reached 2,000 words

🚩No, there wasn't any detail about the dreeses or pictures due to the negative criticism I've seen from other books (& my own) when a readers sees/reads something that they thought should be different. No thanks, I'm good

🚩No, there wasn't much detail about what all goes on during a military ball. I did that on purpose 👍


Also, the first chapter isn't aligned, I know. I don't know why it won't work properly much like the rest of the story and my precious short story -_-

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