Reunion

It was one of those awful London winter's days where the sun's light never permeates through the clouds and the rain never stops falling. It was the kind of rain that cuts through your clothes driven by the chilly wind that came off the Thames freezing you to your very bones.


I was stood on the quarter deck of HMS Belfast on duty as security, my regulation Navy cap sopping wet and clinging and a period woollen cloak pulled around myself in a futile attempt to keep warm and dry but I could no longer feel anything.


My mind wandered to keep itself occupied and I compiled my shopping list, a to do list of household jobs - I even began composing a letter to my Great aunt in France to whom I hadn't spoken to in four years. I lazily scanned the shoreline looking for something, anything to peak my interest but there was nothing only a few people hurrying along the South bank for cover from the rain. No one wanted to be out on a day like this and those who were hurried so they tried to get back inside all save one. A woman stood opposite me on the shore under a broad black umbrella. She wore a thigh length rain coat buttoned and belted against the elements. Dark leggings tucked into calf high boots clung to her as the wind and rain plastered her. Slowly she raised her free hand and waved gently.


My eyes widened as I raised from my stupor. Had she waved at me?


I looked closer at her face, the short brown hair, the elfin shape face and a smile that seemed to sparkle as much as her eyes did. My heart began to swell at the realisation that she was back. 


I began moving before I had realised what was going on, breaking into a sprint I powered down the gang way skidding slightly in a puddle as I turned the corner but I didn't care what any on lookers would think. All that matters was her.


It had been eight months since I had seen her last. We had stood on the street corner outside the gastro pub after an over priced lunch and said our goodbyes. We'd hugged and stared into each other's eyes leaving so much unsaid.


The next morning she had left for South east Asia and Australia.


Every day I kicked myself for not telling her how I really felt and every day I missed her. Now, after eight months of torture she was back.


I tried to come to as a dignified stop as I could but the slippery surface meant I skidded with a fair amount of flailing but I did not fall. Caroline waited statue like and elegant the embodiment of order to my chaos.


"G'day" she smiled cheekily and my heart began to melt. 


I had a thousand things I wanted to say and ask but all I could muster was a feeble "Hi" before lapsing into an awkward silence as I wracked my brains for anything to resuscitate the dying conversation. "When did you get back?"


"Yesterday morning. I was going to call you but I was so tired after the flight I had to sleep" she paused "I really missed you Chris"


Hearing her say my name lit a fire within me that burned and sparked with excitement reigniting long lost and buried feelings. I'd been preparing myself for her never to come back or to have met someone out there.


"Every night as I lay in bed I'd find myself thinking about you or wondering what you were up too. Even when I was stood in areas of great natural beauty or swimming on the Great Barrier reef and all I could think was you would love it here." She furrowed her brow and looked down at her feet. "I kept thinking how much I hated you for it. You invaded my head and have taken up so much of my waking thought. I realised that the reason was because..." she faltered leaving a pregnant pause that left me on the edge of my seat, it felt like an eternity passed before she spoke. She sighed as if it cleared her mind before looking into my eyes and starting again. "Chris, I..." another sigh and she looked out across the water and in a distant voice "As crazy as it sounds I need you in my life." her voice dropped to a whisper that was almost lost on the wind. "I love you."


It hit me like a thunder clap winding me. After those years of uncertainty, pain and sleepless nights she was telling me what I had dreamed of hearing but I couldn't give her an answer. 


Caroline stared at me reading a million different things in my silence and getting the wrong answer. Her eyes began to narrow and the corners of her mouth started to turn down. I knew that look and what was to follow and I had to act quickly.


I stepped forward and embraced her wrapping my arms around her and pressing my wet body against her. She tried to struggle for a second in surprise but then melted into me her eyes lost the glower of the building anger and returned to quizzically studying me.


"I've always loved you. From the first days on gallery, at Winter wonderland and every day you were away from me has been an agony."


A smile broke across her face and her eyes seem to sparkle in the darkness of that wet autumnal morning. 


I kissed her soft pink lips and she put both hands on the sides of my face leaving the umbrella to blow away along the South bank. I couldn't help thinking about how long I had waited for this day, to feel her touch, to hear her say the words I'd been longing to hear, for us to finally be together. I wanted this moment to never end, this was how I had always envisioned it.


She pulled away and our eyes met again, my heart racing.


"We should get out of here, have a coffee and talk." she said.


I glanced over my shoulder at the Ship at anchor, the gathering crowd of Yeoman, the look on the Chief's face. I was in trouble but I really didn't care.


"Sure, where shall we go?" I asked unhooking my radio and pass.


"I know a good place opposite Sydney Opera house, if you'll come with me?"


I smiled at her broadly, setting my work stuff on the ground and taking her by the hand. "Sure, lead the way."