@resolutevalor
Being able to spend time with Phoenix during Christmas had been fun. A lot of fun. He knew neither the Marshals nor the navy knew about them but the fact the partnership had gone so well to bring them together for the party was icing on the cake but as quickly as the joy of the party arrived the sadness of them having to go back to base, far from Harlan County, hit like a ton of bricks. Back they were having to message, both in text and picture, and video chat when they could. Other times when they were separated over the last month and bit of them knowing each other it felt like their schedules married up a lot easier than it did during the holidays but holidays brought on idiots which meant the US Marshals were on double and triple duty.
Thankfully things were calming down on his end and he knew exactly what he wanted to do to bring in the New Year and who exactly with. It was a long shot, at least he thought it. He had heard of the navy sailing to the middle of nowhere and letting off some shots to celebrate the year. He didn't want to pull Phoenix away from that but he had to at least ask. She could say no and he would be cool with it. After a number of messages back and forth, where a weekend in his cabin turned into a week together, he realized he completely forgot to mention the passing of the year but figured she would have been reminded when she checked to get the week off from her duties.
He knew the navy would fly her from their base to an airport closer to him. Even if it was still a bit of a drive to the cabin. As the clock ticked over to the time the plane should be landing he pulled up at the front door of the small airport. Opening the door of his car he stepped out and leaned against the car, facing the door of the building. Taking his hat off he ran a nervous hand through his hair, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach, before placing it back on his head.
