Chapter Text
I watched the plane take off, a dull ache in my chest as I thought about Kate’s words. She was coming back—eventually. We had talked about it, about how she needed to return to New York to tie up loose ends and figure out her next steps. But she hadn’t known how long it would take, and the uncertainty gnawed at me. I wanted her back now, not later.
Back in my truck, I sighed and rubbed my temples. The knowledge that she would return should have brought me some peace, but instead, it felt like a tease. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her; it was that I didn’t trust myself to wait. The road ahead felt longer than any storm-chasing expedition I’d ever embarked on.
Days bled into one another as I went through the motions of my routine. The thrill of the chase had dulled, replaced by an itch I couldn’t scratch. I threw myself into work, hoping it would distract me, but thoughts of Kate were always there, just below the surface.
One afternoon, I found myself back at base with the crew, prepping for another storm. The familiar hum of weather reports filled the air, but my mind was elsewhere.
“You’re spacing out again,” Boone called out, snapping me back to the present.
“Yeah, you sure you don’t need to be in New York?” Dani added with a smirk, glancing up from the radar screen.
The crew had noticed the change in me, how my usual focus had been scattered, how my responses had grown shorter. But instead of confronting me directly, they did what they always did—turned it into a joke.
“Maybe I should be,” I shot back with a grin, trying to play it off. But even as I said it, there was a truth to the words that I couldn’t shake.
“Oh, come on, man,” Boone said, walking over and clapping a hand on my shoulder. “We get it. You miss her. You’ve been like a moody teenager ever since she left.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of adorable,” Lily chimed in, her tone teasing but her eyes sympathetic.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Alright, alright, I get it. Lay off, would you?”
But the ribbing didn’t stop there. The crew kept at it, making jokes about how I’d be the first to bail on a storm if Kate called, how I was probably counting down the days until she came back. I played along, laughing with them, but the truth was, they weren’t entirely wrong.
I did miss her. Every damn day.
Later that night, after the crew had dispersed and the equipment was packed away, I found myself alone in the quiet of my truck. I stared at my phone, thumb hovering over Kate’s number. We had talked a few times since she left, but our conversations had been brief, filled with reassurances and updates.
What I wanted to say—to really say—was something I couldn’t quite put into words. That I missed her more than I could explain, and waiting for her felt like the hardest thing I’d ever done. But I didn’t want to burden her, didn’t want to make her feel guilty for doing what she needed to do.
So instead, I sent her a quick text: *Hope you’re doing okay. Miss you.*
Simple, and understated, but it was all I could manage.
Minutes later, my phone buzzed with a reply: *Miss you too. Won’t be long, I promise.*
I exhaled, feeling a little bit of the tension ease. It wasn’t everything I wanted, but it was enough to get me through another day.
Weeks went on with less chasing and more missing Kate. I almost bought a ticket to New York about 20 different times but each time I reminded myself that it shouldn’t be much longer.
With tornado season all but over I was finally back at my own stretch of land. The crew and I do more educational videos during the off-season and have our side gigs to help fill in until next season. Overall it was still too much downtime when all I wanted was for Kate to be back here. Shockingly this morning I was woken up by a couple of chimes. I reached over to the nightstand and picked it up, surprised to see Kate’s name on the screen.
*Kate:* You up?
I smiled to myself, already feeling the weight on my chest lighten. It was early, and she knew I’d usually still be asleep at this point, but the fact that she’d reached out anyway made something in me settle.
*Me:* Yeah, can’t sleep. You?
A few seconds passed before the three little dots appeared on the screen.
*Kate:* Same. Just thinking about everything I need to do here. Feels like it never ends.
I stared at the message, wondering if I should say what was on my mind. We’d been careful, both of us, not to put too much pressure on each other during these conversations. But it was getting harder to keep things light when all I wanted was to have her here.
*Me:* Wish I could help.
*Kate:* You are. Just talking to you helps.
My chest tightened at that. She had no idea how much I wanted to be there for her, to help her get through whatever was keeping her in New York.
*Me:* I mean really help. Pack up, get you out of there, and back here where you belong.
This time, her reply took a little longer. I wondered if I’d said too much, but then her response came through.
*Kate:* I know. I want that too. I just need a little more time.
*Me:* I get it. I’ll wait as long as it takes.
*Kate:* You’re sweet. But I hate that you’re waiting. I don’t want to keep you hanging like this.
*Me:* I’m not hanging. I’m just… holding on.
I wasn’t sure if that made sense, but it was the best way I could explain it. I wasn’t in limbo, wasn’t stuck. I was just holding on to the hope that soon, she’d be back.
*Kate:* That’s what makes this so hard. I miss you more than I can say. But I need to finish this.
*Me:* I know. And I’m here when you’re ready. Whenever that is.
There was a pause before her next message, and when it came through, it made my heart ache and swell all at once.
*Kate:* I don’t deserve you, Tyler.
*Me:* You deserve more. I just wish I could give it to you right now.
*Kate:* You are. Trust me. You’re keeping me sane.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. It was enough to know that I was helping her, even if it didn’t feel like much from where I was.
*Me:* Same here. You keep me grounded.
*Kate:* Even from this far away?
*Me:* Especially from this far away.
I stared at the last message for a while, my thumb hovering over the keyboard as I tried to find the right words. There was so much I wanted to say, but nothing felt quite right. So, I decided to keep it simple.
*Me:* I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I miss you so much
The reply came almost instantly.
*Kate:* I miss you too. More than you know
I set the phone down, a soft smile on my face as I closed my eyes. Her words were still fresh in my mind as sleep started to pull me under. It wasn’t the same as having her here, but it was enough to get me through another night. And I’d take that for now, knowing that soon, we’d both be where we belonged.
I set the phone down, a soft smile on my face as I closed my eyes. Her words were still fresh in my mind as sleep started to pull me under. But before I could drift off, my phone buzzed again. I blinked, a little surprised to see another message from Kate.
*Kate:* Can I ask you something?
I sat up in bed, suddenly more awake. The tone of her message felt different, more hesitant.
*Me:* Of course. Anything.
I watched the screen, waiting for her response. The three little dots appeared, then disappeared, then came back again. Whatever she was trying to say, seemed to be weighing on her.
*Kate:* I hate to ask you this. I know you’ve been waiting so long already.
*Me:* Kate, just ask. Whatever it is, I’m here.
Another pause, and then the message came through.
*Kate:* I’m overwhelmed with everything I have to pack up here. I don’t know how I’m going to do it all alone. Would you come to New York? Help me move back?
My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t type fast enough.
*Me:* I’ll book a flight tonight.
The reply was instant.
*Kate:* Really?
*Me:* I’ll be there as soon as I can. You don’t have to do this alone.
*Kate:* Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.
*Me:* Anything for you, Kate. I want you back here as much as you do.
*Kate:* I’ll feel better with you here. Maybe even like I’m finally coming home.
I smiled at that, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the blanket wrapped around my shoulders.
*Me:* You are coming home. I’ll make sure of it.
*Kate:* I can’t wait to see you.
*Me:* Me too. I’ll be there soon.
We said our goodnights after that, but sleep didn’t come easy. My mind was racing, filled with thoughts of seeing her again, of being there for her in a way that actually made a difference. The days we’d spent apart felt endless, but now, the promise of being together again had my pulse quickening.
The next morning, I was on the first flight out to New York. I could hardly sit still during the flight, anticipation buzzing in my veins. When the plane finally touched down, I grabbed my bag and practically sprinted out of the terminal, eager to get to her.
Kate was waiting for me at baggage claim. As soon as I saw her, my breath caught in my throat. She looked tired like she hadn’t slept much, but when our eyes met, her face lit up in a way that made everything worth it.
“Tyler,” she breathed, rushing over to me.
“Kate,” I said, my voice low as I dropped my bag and pulled her into my arms. I held her tight, feeling the familiar warmth of her body against mine, and all the distance and waiting melted away.
She looked up at me, her eyes shining. “You really came.”
“I told you I would,” I replied, my hand brushing her hair back from her face. “I’m here for you, Kate. Always.”
She smiled a soft, almost shy expression that I hadn’t seen before. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow, deep kiss that said everything I couldn’t put into words. She melted against me, her arms winding around my neck as she kissed me back, pouring all the longing and emotion from the past weeks into that single moment.
When we finally pulled away, we were both a little breathless. She rested her forehead against mine, her voice barely a whisper. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
We made our way to her apartment, the cab ride filled with quiet conversation and stolen glances. Once we got there, I could see what she meant about being overwhelmed—there were boxes everywhere, half-packed and scattered across the small space.
“I don’t even know where to start,” she admitted, a little embarrassed.
I looked around, then back at her, and smiled. “We’ll figure it out together. But first, you need to relax.”
She blinked up at me, her eyes wide and tired. “Relax? Tyler, there’s so much to do—”
I shook my head, taking her hand and pulling her close. “You’ve been running yourself ragged. Let me take care of you, just for a little while.”
She hesitated, but when she looked into my eyes, she must have seen something there that reassured her. “Okay,” she whispered.
I led her to the bedroom, the one space in the apartment that wasn't overrun with boxes. The bed was neatly made, the only place that seemed untouched by the chaos. She stood there for a moment, looking at me with a mix of emotions-relief, exhaustion, and something deeper that mirrored what I was feeling.
"Tyler," she started, but I silenced her with a kiss, soft and tender, my lips brushing against hers with a gentleness that conveyed everything I couldn't put into words.
Her hands gripped the front of my shirt, and I felt the slight tremble in her fingers as she kissed me back, more urgently this time. I could feel the tension between us, the unspoken need that had been simmering just below the surface ever since she left. This wasn't just about desire; it was about reconnecting, about finding our way back to each other after being apart for so long.
Slowly, I began to unbutton her shirt, my fingers brushing against her warm skin with each undone button. She let out a soft sigh, her hands sliding up to my shoulders, pushing my jacket off with an urgency that matched my own. The jacket fell to the floor, forgotten, as I reached for her shirt again, peeling it off her shoulders and letting it join the growing pile of clothes.
For a moment, I just looked at her, standing there in the soft light of the room, her chest rising and falling with each breath. She was beautiful, not just in the way she looked, but in the way she stood there, vulnerable and open, trusting me with all of her.
I stepped closer, my hands finding her waist, thumbs brushing the smooth skin just above the waistband of her jeans. She shivered slightly at the contact, her hands coming up to rest on my chest as she looked up at me with wide, searching eyes.
"Are you sure?" | asked, my voice low and steady, even though my heart was racing.
She nodded, biting her bottom lip as she leaned into me. "I've never been more sure of anything."
That was all I needed to hear. I leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that quickly deepened, all the longing and frustration from the past weeks pouring into it. Her hands moved up to tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as her body pressed against mine, warm and soft and everything I had missed.
I kissed her harder, more urgently, as my hands found the button of her jeans. She let out a small gasp as I unfastened it, sliding the zipper down and pushing the denim over her hips. She stepped out of them, kicking them aside before her hands moved to my belt, fumbling slightly as she tried to undo the buckle. I helped her, our hands brushing together in a way that sent shivers down my spine.
Once we were both undressed, I pulled her close again, our bare skin meeting in a way that felt electric. I could feel her heart racing against my chest, her breath coming in soft, shallow gasps as she looked up at me with a mix of desire and something deeper-something that went beyond just the physical.
"Tyler," she whispered, her voice shaky but filled with certainty. "I need you."
I kissed her again, softer this time, as I guided her to the bed. She lay back, her eyes never leaving mine as I climbed over her, propping myself on my elbows so I could look down at her. I took a moment to drink in the sight of her, the way her hair fanned out on the pillow, the flush of her cheeks, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath.
"You're beautiful," I murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
She smiled, a little shy but full of warmth. "So are you."
I kissed her again, slowly this time, savoring the taste of her, and the way she responded to each touch. My hands roamed over her body, memorizing every curve, every dip of her skin.
She arched into my touch, her breath hitching as I moved lower, my lips tracing a path down her neck, across her collarbone, and lower still, until I reached the swell of her breasts.
I took my time, exploring every inch of her with my mouth and hands, reveling in the way she reacted to each kiss, each caress. Her hands moved over me in turn, her fingers trailing down my back, over my shoulders, pulling me closer, deeper into her.
When I finally entered her, it was slow, deliberate, a meeting of bodies that felt as much emotional as it did physical. She let out a soft moan, her head tipping back against the pillow as I filled her, the warmth and tightness of her body enveloping me completely.
For a moment, we just stayed like that, holding onto each other, our breaths mingling as we adjusted to the closeness. I could feel her heartbeat beneath my hands, quick and steady, matching the rapid thrum of my own.
"Me too," | whispered, my voice rough with need as I buried my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent of her skin.
With one final, desperate thrust, we both reached our peak, the world-shattering around us as we found our release together. Her name was on my lips as I came, the feeling of her surrounding me, holding me, grounding me in a way that nothing else ever had.
We stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, our breathing slowing as the intensity of the moment faded into a warm, comfortable afterglow. I held her close, my hand gently stroking her hair as she nestled against my chest, her body still trembling slightly from the aftershocks.
Neither of us spoke for a long time, content just to be in the moment, feeling the weight of everything that had happened start to lift.
There was no need for words; we had said everything that needed to be said in the way we had come together, in the way we were holding each other now.
Eventually, she looked up at me, her eyes soft and full of emotion. "I didn't know how much I needed this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Me neither. But I'm glad I'm here."
She nodded, her eyes closing as she nestled closer. "I am too. So much."
We stayed like that for a while longer, wrapped up in each other, the weight of the past weeks finally starting to lift. It wasn't just about the physical connection-though that had been incredible-it was about feeling like we were finally in the same place again, both literally and emotionally.
"I don't want to let you go," she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep.
"You don't have to," | whispered back, holding her tighter. "I'm not going anywhere."
As she drifted off to sleep in my arms, I felt a sense of peace settle over me that I hadn't felt in a long time. This was where I belonged-by her side, helping her through whatever came next. And when she finally made it back to Oklahoma, I knew it would be the start of something even better.
But for now, I was content just to be here, with her, in this moment. Because after all the waiting, all the longing, we were finally together again. And that was everything.