Page 70 of Natalie's Nighthawk

Natalie smiled at him through her tears and nodded. “Just extremely happy.”

He hugged her to his side and kissed her forehead. “I completely understand.”

Jolene stood up; her glass raised. “A toast,” she called, and conversations ceased. “To the Nighthawks without whom we would have lost our dear friend. And to Graham for moving heaven and earth to find her so quickly. Bless your heart.” The group erupted with applause and huzzahs.

“I’d like to add my own thanks,” Natalie said. “To all the Nighthawks. Thank you for all that you do. You are all amazing.” More cheers erupted through the bar, and Graham kissed her again as she sat back down.

After another hour of camaraderie, Natalie felt her strength begin to wane. She loved this time with all their friends, but she was itching to be alone with Graham. “Take me home,” she whispered suggestively to Graham.

“As you wish.” He stood quickly, nearly knocking his chair over backward. Everyone looked at him. So much for a quiet escape. “I’m taking Natalie home. She still gets tired easily.”

“Good night, everyone,” Natalie told the group as Graham ushered her out the door. They walked slowly home together, arm in arm.

“I have something for you,” said Graham as they let themselves inside.

“Oh? What?”

He pulled a small box out of his pocket. She laughed when she saw the box was made from a colorful assortment of Lego pieces. He opened the top and revealed a little black jewelry box inside. Engagement ring was Natalie’s first thought. But there was no way. It was too soon. He wouldn’t go that far yet. Would he? He handed her the little black box. She glanced at him questioningly, trying to gauge his expression. But nothing could have prepared her for what lay inside.

Natalie opened the jewelry box to find a starburst nestled in the felt. The little silver star had light beams radiating out from the center, which held a diamond that shone brilliantly as it caught the light in the room. Natalie gasped at the beauty of it as she drew it out of the box. A delicate silver chain was threaded through a small loop at the top.

“Turn it over,” Graham instructed.

She felt tears emerge as she read the inscription he’d had engraved into the back.To my True North. My Light.All my love, Graham.

“I had it commissioned, and it was finally ready today.”

“Oh, Graham. It’s beautiful,” she bawled as the tears spilled over. “Can you put it on me?” She handed it to him and turned around lifting her hair out of the way. Graham fastened it around her neck, placing a kiss there before she turned around to face him again. “This is the most precious thing anyone has ever given me. Thank you.” She kissed him, realizing it was true. Her family had never bothered with sentimental gifts. Too personal. Her parents would have had to actually know who she was to get her something meaningful.

Graham wiped her tears away. “I didn’t mean for it to make you cry.”

“Happy tears, I assure you. This … you’ll never know how much this means to me. How much you mean to me.”

He grinned at her. “I have a pretty good idea. But I’ll tell you what, you can show me. In bed. Wearing nothing but that necklace. It’s been a fantasy of mine since I ordered it.”

Later, much later, as they lay in each other’s arms, Natalie decided to broach a sensitive subject. “I know, Graham.”

“Know what?”

“I know you blame yourself for what Lauren did.”

“I don’t …” she interrupted him with a look. “Okay. Maybe a little.”

“You can stop now.”

“I know. Rationally, I know that I’m not responsible,” Graham admitted. “But she was my friend. I knew something was troubling her, and I never took the time to find out what. Maybe if I had talked to her, she wouldn’t have gone over the edge.”

Natalie lay half on top of Graham. Her head propped up on her fist so she could look him in the eye. The starburst lay on his chest. “Maybe. But maybe not. From what we’ve learned about her since she was already a little unhinged.”

“I know. But maybe I could have gotten her some help. What if my apathy drove her to it? What if she’d been this troubled from the beginning, and I never noticed. Never cared to look deeper. What kind of friend does that make me?”

Natalie laid her splinted hand against his cheek. “You, Graham, are the best man that I know. Even back in high school. You took the time out of your day to rescue a stranded classmate. Not only that, but you spent time talking to her. Caring. You listened. Truly listened. And now, you’ve become an even better man. You give so much of yourself to so many people. But the people you care about the most, your friends, your family, they all know that you would do anything for them. I think even Lauren knew that too. It just wasn’t enough for her.”

He seemed to mull over her words a moment. “I broke my promise,” he confessed.

“What promise?”

“The one I made to myself. After you told me about Erik, I vowed to always keep you safe. I never wanted you to go through anything like that again.” He sat up then, dislodging Natalie from her position across his chest. He threw his legs over the side of the bed, head in his hands. “I wasn’t here. I was lost in my darkness after losing that kid. Feeling sorry for myself, and I treated you so poorly. And then I was so busy rescuing others when the woman I love needed me most. How can I ever forgive myself for that? I failed in every way that matters.”

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