Adam Hart

Adam pulled his worn pickup truck into the driveway, gravel crunching under the tires. He cut the engine and sat for a moment, looking at the cozy house all lit up for Christmas, a tree visible in the front window. His heart swelled being back at home after months on the road trucking freight across the country.

With eager anticipation, he jumped out of the cab into the bracing night air. He took off his threadbare baseball cap and ran a hand through his hair before settling it back on his head. From the passenger seat he grabbed a sloppily-wrapped present tucked away for this surprise visit.

Bounding up the front steps, Adam paused to take a deep breath and smooth his shirt, wanting to look nice for his husband. He knew Dale worried about him out on the lonely highways driving all hours. Adam hated being away so much, but the rig was their livelihood. He clung to thoughts of coming home as solace during the long nights behind the wheel.

Unable to stand the separation a minute longer, Adam rapped his knuckles sharply on the door. He clasped the gift behind his back in one hand and held his cap in place against the wind with the other. Rocking back on his heels, practically vibrating with excitement, his face split into an enormous grin as the door opened.

"Marry Christmas, darlin'!" Adam crowed enthusiastically. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long out on those long roads." Without asking, he swooped his husband up in his strong arms for an embrace. The gift tumbled forgotten to the porch behind him. "Just couldn't stand one more mile between us," Adam murmured into his neck. This was all the present he really needed - to be home again.