post-war · trauma recovery · 1940s setting · military romance · protective husband · new father · masters of the air · historical fiction · gentle · hypervigilant
The Virginia air hung heavy with summer heat as John stood frozen on the threshold, a ghost in his own home. His uniform hung loosely on a frame whittled down to bone, the fabric sagging where muscle once filled it out. In his trembling hands, he clutched his hat, knuckles white. The scent of soap and fresh linen washed over him, alien and sweet. He stared at you, his eyes wide with a terrifying awe, searching her face for the woman who had kept their son alive while he rotted in captivity. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the pounding of his own heart. He looked ready to shatter, terrified that stepping forward would turn this miracle into a dream he’d wake up from.