Page 50 of Tank

A life where love conquers all, where the bonds of family, of brotherhood, of sisterhood, are unbreakable.

A life where we ride together, fight together, love together.

A life with Sophie by my side, forever and always.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

15 - 15

As the kiss ends, I take Sophie's hand in mine, our fingers entwining like pieces of a puzzle finally falling into place. We step outside, the cool evening air caressing our skin, carrying with it the promise of a fresh start.

The sun dips low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, a breathtaking canvas that seems to stretch on forever. It's like the whole damn world is celebrating with us, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Sophie leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder as we watch the sunset together. "It's beautiful," she whispers, her voice filled with a sense of wonder that makes my heart ache in the best possible way.

"Not as beautiful as you," I reply, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She laughs, a sound that's pure fucking magic, and nudges me playfully. "You're such a sap, Tank."

"Only for you, little one. Only for you."

We stand there in silence for a moment, just drinking in the beauty of the moment, the peace that comes with knowing that we've made it through the storm.

"Thank you," Sophie says suddenly, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "For everything. For being there for me, for fighting for me, for loving me."

I turn to face her, cupping her face in my hands. "You never have to thank me for that, Sophie. Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done."

She smiles up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I love you too, Tank. More than I ever thought possible."

As the last rays of sunlight fade away, we turn towards Perdition, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future holds.

Because with Sophie by my side, I know that anything is possible.

We are stronger together, now and always.

And that's a fucking beautiful thing.

FIFTEEN

SOPHIE

The kitchen tablewobbles slightly as I scroll through medical school websites, their course catalogues spelling out a dizzying array of classes and requirements to fulfill my dream. Pharmacology, anatomy, physiology... The words on the laptop screen blur together as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. Excitement and apprehension wrestle in my chest, an all too familiar ache of longing mixing with fear.

Can I really do this? After everything I've been through, do I have the guts and the smarts to become a doctor someday? My fingers tremble as they hover over the keyboard. I want this so fucking bad it hurts. But a small, insistent voice nags at me, whispering that I'm not smart enough, not strong enough. That voice sounds a lot like him.

Heavy footsteps approach from behind me and I tense instinctively before catching a familiar scent - leather, sweat, engine grease. Tank. A large, callused hand gently cups my shoulder.

"Hey little one, whatcha lookin' at?" His deep rumble sends warm shivers down my spine as he leans in to peek at the screen.

"Oh, um, just some medical school stuff." I quickly wipe my eyes, not wanting him to see my moment of doubt. "It's stupid. I don't know if I can really..."

"Stop right there." Tank's grip tightens slightly as he spins my chair around to face him. He kneels down so we're eye level, his piercing gaze boring into mine with fierce intensity.

"You listen to me, Sophie. You are the strongest damn woman I know. You survived hell and came out fighting. If becoming a doctor is your dream, then you fucking go for it, you hear me? And I'll be right here, supporting you every step of the way."

Tears spill freely down my cheeks now as I nod, rendered speechless by his unwavering faith in me. Tank's thumb tenderly wipes the moisture from my face before he pulls me into his solid chest. I inhale the scent of him, letting it calm the frayed edges of my nerves.

"Thank you," I whisper against his neck. "I love you so much."

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