Goodbye for Now
Piper woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside their bedroom window, the early morning light painting the walls in soft hues of pink and gold. Jason’s side of the bed was already empty, but the faint smell of coffee wafting through the house told her he was still home. She stretched, feeling a subtle wave of dizziness that made her pause. It was the second time this week she’d felt off. Probably just stress, she thought.
She wrapped herself in her robe and padded into the kitchen, where Jason stood by the counter, his blond hair still damp from a shower. He wore his usual military-issued cargo pants and a fitted black t-shirt, the sight of which always made her heart skip. He was staring into his coffee mug, lost in thought, but his face lit up when he noticed her.
“Morning, Pipes,” he said, his electric blue eyes crinkling with a smile. He set his mug down and crossed the room to kiss her forehead. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better than I thought I would,” she admitted, leaning into him. “I’m not ready for today, though.”
Jason’s smile faltered, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Me neither,” he whispered. “But it’s just a few months. We’ve got this.”
“You’ve got this,” she corrected. “I’m just… here, waiting.”
“And that’s the hardest part,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But knowing you’re here, waiting for me… it gives me something to fight for.”
Piper’s throat tightened, and she buried her face in his chest. They stood there for a long moment, the weight of the upcoming goodbye pressing down on them.
“Are you sure Thalia and Reyna are okay with staying?” she asked, pulling back slightly to look up at him.
Jason nodded. “Thalia insisted. She said she’s overdue for some time with you anyway, and Reyna… well, you know how she is. Always calm, always prepared. They’ll take good care of you.”
Piper tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it. She appreciated Thalia and Reyna—Thalia’s fierce protectiveness and Reyna’s steady presence—but the idea of Jason leaving still felt unbearable.
Later that afternoon, they stood by the door, Jason’s duffel bag at his feet. Thalia and Reyna had already arrived, giving the couple some space to say their goodbyes. Piper’s hands trembled as she adjusted the collar of Jason’s jacket, trying to memorize every detail of his face.
“I’ll write as often as I can,” Jason promised. “And I’ll be back before you know it.”
Piper tried to laugh, but it came out as a choked sob. “You better be. I’m holding you to that, Grace.”
Jason cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away her tears. “You’re stronger than you think, Piper. And I’ll come back to you. I swear it.”
He kissed her, slow and deep, pouring every unspoken word into that one moment. When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” she said, her voice breaking.
Jason picked up his bag and stepped out the door, pausing to look back at her one last time. Piper stood frozen, watching as he walked toward the waiting vehicle. She didn’t move until it disappeared down the street, taking him away.
“Hey, Pipes,” Thalia said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Come inside. We’ll make some tea.”
Piper nodded, wiping her eyes, and followed Thalia and Reyna into the living room. Reyna had already set out a tray with mugs and a teapot, her efficiency a small comfort amidst the chaos of emotions.
“Thanks for being here,” Piper said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’re family,” Reyna said simply. “We wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Thalia plopped onto the couch, her spiky black hair catching the light. “Besides, it’ll be fun. Movie nights, takeout… I’m pretty sure I’m undefeated in Mario Kart, but you can try to change that.”
Piper managed a small smile. “You wish. I’m unstoppable with Yoshi.”
As they settled in, Piper felt a wave of nausea rise unexpectedly. She excused herself and rushed to the bathroom, gripping the sink as the feeling passed.
When she returned, Thalia raised an eyebrow. “You okay? You’ve been looking a little pale lately.”
“I’m fine,” Piper said quickly, though she wasn’t entirely sure. She’d been feeling off for days—tired, nauseous, and oddly emotional. Maybe it was just stress.
Reyna gave her a thoughtful look but didn’t press. “Let us know if you need anything.”
Piper nodded, sinking into the couch between them. As Thalia launched into a story about one of her latest escapades, Piper tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting. Something was different. She just didn’t know what yet.