What dialogue is effective: With his sable fur sticking out in tufts, Zeppelin wriggled on his back as Ben rubbed the German shepherd’s belly. Zeppelin’s pink tongue slicked across Ben’s knuckles as the dog’s excitement grew.

“Missed me, boy? I’m back home for a while now…” Ben’s voice trailed off, heavy with fatigue, his motions slowing as Zeppelin noticed the shift in mood. The dog let out a whine as Ben smoothed his ears and sighed.

“Yeah… deployment. Gift and a curse. I don’t know what’s worse… knowing your mommy is gonna cry when she gets home… and trying not to do the same. Or telling her I only have three days. And that we should be happy…” Another sigh escaped him as Zeppelin’s head fell into Ben’s lap.

“Yeah, at least you’re happy, huh?” He consoled himself as he scratched the bare spots on Zeppelin’s back where his fur had been ripped away by thorn bushes. “Ah, I’d better mend the fence while I’m back too—”

As Zeppelin’s eyes slid closed, Ben muttered as he heard a car enter the driveway. “Leaving you is tough, but… this is why I could never be a civilian. No kiddos for me, Zep,” he said as her key turned in the front door. For a moment, he was haunted by the sound of laughter that would never be.


Her bag dropped to the floor as she noticed him perched on the edge of the sofa , and her eyes glistened in the afternoon light. “Ben? You’re…” she whispered, and his squared his shoulders as he rose and pulled her into a rough embrace . “I promised ya I’d be home soon , now did I Ali…” he said, his voice bourse as Alaina gestures to the sofa where Zeppelin was tugging at a stray lace. “Benjamin Taylor , you aren’t the sharpest tool , but I love you…” she said, as she guided him over to the cushion where he’d managed to crumpled a paper bag , burying it in the seat. “What’s that ?” Ben asked as he removed the lace from zeppelin’s teeth and gathered the bag into his arm, still holding Alaina with his free arm.  “It’s ..something I picked up at the store this morning ….” She said , her tears shining , and he his smile turned into worry . “Why leave groceries.. on the sofa? And why are you crying harder.. I’m home baby..” As the bag dangled mid air , her voice cracked as she repeated “baby… damn it Ben, open the bag .” 

As Ben’s fingers fumbled with the bag , an unopened box fell through the air and he caught it before it hit the ground. “Clear blue… pregnancy test. “ he read from the box , his eyebrows raising. “And you left this here cause you didn’t know I’d be…Alaina you haven’t taken one yet?” She nodded through tears as she replied “no, that’s what I was planning to do with you over a video call tonight but…: “ she trailed off , her chest shaking in his arms as he spun her closer against his shoulders , and said “well I’m here , in the flesh… and I’m positive two lines will make me so…. Well , ecstatic, ‘Laney… though negative just means more fun trying …” he grinned , and she snatched the test from his hands , laughing and hitting him over the head in jest. “Hey who says the outcome will affect that…” she teased , still crying as he lead her toward the bathroom . The apartment felt emptier , and fuller all at once as she disappeared into the cubicle and he sat himself in the hall . A current of raw nerves washed over him as she read the instructions through the crack of the door “wait five …five?? Five entire minutes for the second line to appear. I can’t watch it Ben.” Her voice was imbued with nerves as he pushed the door open and sat down on the lid of the toilet seat, drawing her into his lap. “Five minutes ain’t long enough , this is.. just ..can you imagine? Oh shit.” Ben’s words fauktered in his throat as he stumbled over his words . “Baby my deployment is only for three days …so this result , I ..the room is kinda spinning .” Taking his calloused palm in hers she whispered through tears “Either way , it has to work . But three days ? That’s not long enough … the five minutes must be over and the test expires soon.” Ben , lifting Sophie from his lap as carrying her two strides towards the test he covered her eyes and gazed at it. Two lines pulsed in his vision as he uncovered her eyes . “Doctor’s appointment tomorrow, I have to be there when this is official. And I promise you we will make these three days count”

“Ben… I’m terrified…” Alaina admitted as she peered over his arm at the test , reaching to hold it closer , her hand shaking . “This is really happening..” 

As he kissed her, nodding against her lips, the strength of his arms betrayed his nerves as he eased her down . “I’m stunned myself. Just before you arrived home I was thinking how I could never be a father with my lifestyle but-then you walked in and well-I-“ 


“Yeah “ she said, stopping him short, and weaving her hands through his sleeves and tugging his shirt loose. 

“I’ll make an honest civilian out of you yet Benjamin Taylor “ Alaina whispered , and smiled against his lips as Zeppelin nudged his head between her legs. “Looks like this big boy won’t be our only kid anymore huh , will ya buddy “ Ben teased the excited dog as he tugged off his shirt and stumbled down the hall with Alaina in his arms.