I think at some point, Ghost gets comfortable enough with Soap’s family to the point he could show up unannounced and there will always be a spot on the couch, a seat at the table and a plate during meals, a bed to rest his head and someone to talk to.
Which is why I think he’s the one who.. personally delivered Soap’s stuff from base to his family in Scotland, better him than someone to travel all the way to do all the trouble. That gave him the chance to see all the stuff he and Soap never really got around to talking about. How he used to do sports in school, how he pissed off his middle school teacher, his mother’s famous carrot cake, why exactly he kept that ugly ass haircut with his forehead—
There were some things in the room Ghost would’ve kept for himself but he knew would make someone very happy if they got it. Afterall.. blood was thicker than water and at the end of the day.. He was just Ghost… What he was to Sergeant John McTavish was irrelevant. Especially when the war wasn’t over and nowhere was really safe to settle yet.
Soap’s mother was the first one to really hug him after the funeral. Ghost didn’t wear his mask in their house, being around Soap and all his family made him confident enough to do so.
Then soap’s niece who ghost gave the skull mask from Las Almas, it still smelled like Johnny.. The scent of him never really went away.
Soap’s father, a man Ghost had come to respect just as much as Price. A firm handshake before smiling, “Thank you for looking after my Johnny.. He always was a risk taker. I’m thankful he had someone like you to watch his shoulder.”
“It was a pleasure, sir— Papa.” Ghost corrected himself. “An honor. If time ever comes around, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
“I know you will. In another universe, you’d live a good life, Simon. You two would be amazing parents.”
Parents.. Soap mentioned it a few times, offhand, just dreaming about days after wars, after checking rifles in the bay. Days without having to stitch wounds shut and days without having to wake up from thunder without thinking it’s another firefight or a bomb.
“Hear me out.. We hypen our names. McTavish-Riley.” Johnny giggled, smacking Ghost with his glove.
“Why do you get dibs on being first?”
“Because McTavish has all the power. The brains and the brawn. Riley just.. You have two first names, let’s be real.”
“You’re a mean goober, Johnny.”
“I know. Thats why you love me. So hear me out.. If it’s a girl, Tank. If it’s a boy, …uh.. Flash bang.”
“I know!” Soap whined, “But you aren’t giving me much to work with, Si!”
He would do it over and over again. Repeat every moment and save it in his heart if it meant being with Johnny again.