Page 113 of Phoenix

Chapter 27

2 Weeks Later

Nora

I stand outside of the large event hall, staring at the wooden doors, willing myself to go inside.

The warm Georgia air is caressing my skin. I’ve missed it so much. It took me longer than I care to admit to finally work up the courage to come back here after I found out what happened to him, but when Amelia gave me the date of the ceremony, I knew I couldn’t miss it.

I need to be here. I need to be present. It’s only right.

I’m scared he won’t even want me here after the way I left him.

That fear alone is what is keeping my feet planted to the ground.

Police officers and their own K9 partners are filing through the doors on either side of me. I am in the way now.

Get a grip, Nora. Just go inside.

I adjust my black wrap dress, inhale, exhale, then take a step forward. One foot in front of the other, through the large wooden doors, across the marble lobby area, letting the click of my heels and the chatter of the crowd be a talisman for me. The white noise keeps me grounded.

I spot Amelia, Grayson, and Cadence sitting toward the front, but I don’t go sit with them. They do not know I’m here yet. I need to get through this alone before I lose my nerve and bolt.

My eyes travel along the sea of blue uniforms. So many officers love him. So many officers respect him. The power of the image truly is incredible.

I never felt this type of love and energy from my father’s peers. Maybe it was because I was looking through the eyes of a jaded little girl, but now, as a grown woman who adores the man all of these people are here to respect, I’m brought to tears.

A man dressed in a black uniform comes to the small microphone on the stage, and the crowd instantly falls silent.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman. We are here today to honor two of Savannah’s very own who showed tremendous amounts of bravery during the horrific storms that ravaged our little area two weeks ago. Had they not reacted the way they did, in spite of fear, we would have lost a Savannah native at far too young an age, so it is with great pride, I award Officer Case Carmichael, and K9 Officer Arya with the Savannah Medal of Strength and Bravery.” An applause overtakes the room when a man stands from a seat just off the side of the stage. I don’t need him to turn around for me to know exactly who he is.

My Case.

He stands slowly, and I can tell he’s in a bit of pain. Amelia filled me in on what exactly happened to him, and I can’t imagine.

A piece of rebar went into the back of his thigh and the tip started to emerge on the front side. It missed anything major, thank God, but they had to repair his muscle. And save for some healing scratches on his face, he’s perfectly unharmed.

Thank God.

He walks carefully with a bit of a limp, not accepting help when anyone offers.

Stubborn ass.

Arya walks proudly next to him with her little nose held high.

I love them so much. Both of them.

Case makes it to the microphone and shakes hands with the chief of police before accepting his medal, bending forward so it can be placed around his neck. He pats Arya’s head before the chief attaches a medal to her collar.

The applause doesn’t even begin to die down. It only builds until hoots and hollers are added in. I look toward Amelia and see Cadence standing on her chair, cheering for her favorite uncle.

The pride I see on Case’s face as he takes his place at the microphone solidifies my feelings and chases away any doubts I have.

I am unequivocally in love with him.

I watch his chest rise as he inhales, leaning into the microphone as the crowd quiets down.

“Thank you, Chief Maddox. This is a tremendous honor that I do not accept lightly. I am truly humbled you would award me, us.,” he pats the top of Arya’s head, “for simply doing our jobs. We protect and serve. That’s what we did that night.”

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