ORP: The End Where I Begin

1623
En Route to Union Hill Cemetery
Reform Alabama

Silence hung in the air as Destiny Andre drove to Union Hill Cemetery. It was one of the harder days of the year for the major. It was the day that Kevin Phillips died during the battle over the Delta two years ago. The brunette remembered the day like it was yesterday - the day her world had fallen apart. Before Kevin, there was really ever a need for love. All that this pilot had been focused on was pleasing her father - trying to get his love. Love wasn't a luxury that she could afford. When Kevin came along, the young woman fell hard and fast, the reason when he died, the world basically crumbled around her.

Every time that Destiny was in town, there was always a visit to Kevin's grave site, but today it was different. Today was spending the whole day thinking and reminiscing about him. It started with talking to Mrs. Phillips about him - sharing stories, remembering how things were, then turned into the major heading to the grave site. Kevin's dog tags were clinking against Destiny's as the car bounced along the road. His favorite t-shirt hung off the slim body as the car pulled into Union Hill Cemetery. Parking the car, the brunette sat there for a moment, trying to not let the tears breaking through. The memories came rushing back of all the time they were together. Memories that the young woman still cherished to this day. A hand reached up and grasped the dog tags as a tear ran down the length of the cheek.

Taking a small breath, Destiny grabbed the bag of goodies that was sitting on the passenger seat, took the keys, opened the door, climbed out then shut it, clicking the button on the fob.


1627
Union Hill Cemetery
Reform Alabama

The mind was full of various thoughts as Destiny walked down the path to the grave site. There wasn't a day that didn't go by where his face and memories didn't enter the mind. Many people thought that this major had gotten over the man, especially being in a relationship with her now CO - Jonathon Harrison. Yes she loved that older man. He had been there for her during the darkest part of life so far, but that didn't mean Kevin was no where to be found in this heart. The love the two had, it was a love like none other. When Alavair had handed the hidden ring over, the pilot basically lost it. The said ring was buried at the bottom of the dresser back home. There was no way she could get rid of that ring. There was no comparing the love the two shared - the same reason that she wouldn't compare to the love that was held for Harrison. That didn't stop the pain of missing Kevin almost every day. The reason that when this day rolled around, it brought back more agony. There was still gaping hole where Kevin had been, and no one would ever be able to fill it.

Clenching the bag tightly, Destiny approached the site, only to freeze seeing someone else already there. Taking a few steps more, the eyes rested on a familiar back of man who also knew Kevin in a deep way - Alavair Leah. It would make sense that Al would visit - the two had been best friends after all. "Hey Al," Destiny's voice called out softly, not wanting to startle the male. Doing that to a former POW was a bad idea. "It's really great to see you again and have you back." A gentle smile crossed the major's face, looking at the man that had always been like an older brother. Ayden and Alavair were the two closest people in this brunette's face aside from Azalea. They were more than friends - they were family. They both were there for this female like no one else when Kevin died. Without them, there was no telling how she would have survived.

Destiny lowered herself down to the ground, setting the bag to the ground that rattled with the belongings that were in it. Reaching in, the pilot pulled out a beer, one that had been Kevin's favorite kind, held it out to Al while pulling out the other one. "This is what I did last year. Sat here drinking a few of Kevin's favorite brand of beer - talking and just being in his presence." It probably didn't make much sense to anyone else, but for this major, it was a way of thinking he was right there with her. Twisting off the cap, the brunette tossed it back into the bag taking a small sip, staring at the head stone. Tears welled up in the hazel eyes the longer she stared at the engraving. It didn't seem like two years. It seemed like only yesterday Al was giving her the news, handing over the dog tags. The tags she had yet to give to Mrs. Phillips - still couldn't bare to part with them.

Tag: Alavair Leah