Page 113 of Fight Or Flight

I pull the box out of his pocket and stare at it for a second. His hand closes over mine, and I lift my eyes to his.

“How?” I whisper.

Wolf clears his throat.

“Never count the old guy out.”

Eric laughs, but then he leans close and grimaces slightly.

“I’m not sure if it’s acceptable for me to drop down on one knee, but just go with the flow, okay?”

Laughing nervously, I nod, and he gives me the most perfect smile. It stretches across his whole face and when he winks at me, he flips open the box.

“I once told you that every part of me was created to fit with every part of you and I believed those words then, but I’m even more certain they’re true now. These last fifteen weeks have tested me, and I don’t know that I would’ve survived without you. What I do know is that I never want to find out. From this day forward, I want to live to serve you. I’ll work every day to make you happy and make sure you feel how incredibly loved you are. And I promise you’ll never be alone because wherever I go, you’ll always have my heart. All you have to do is marry me.”

My first.

My last.

My everything.

My beautiful soldier boy.

“Yes,” I cry, lifting on tiptoe to kiss him. Always yes. He fumbles with the ring, taking it out of the box and gently slides it on my finger. Then he kisses me again, sealing our promises. The ones we made and kept and the ones we’ll make and work to keep.

Slowly pulling away, he murmurs against my lips. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind reaching into my other pocket, there is a blue cord missing from my dress uniform.”

Finding it, I slide the cord around his right arm and fasten the stay-loop to the button on top of his shoulder. I check to make sure it’s secure before lifting my eyes back to him.

“Congratulations, Soldier Boy, you’re officially noticed as an infantryman.”

“I’m more excited to own the title of being your fiancé, but thanks.”

He winks at me and I wrap my arms around him once again.

I was a girl who lost her faith while watching her mom battle cancer, but God, he answered my prayers.

He gave me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and Eric’s love for me.

And when my soldier’s duty is in the field, he’ll protect him.

He’ll be his shield and he’ll bring him back to me.

Because near or far, we’ll be together forever.

Standing tall and proud when the clouds clear and the dust settles.

The brave soldier and his pretty little hurricane.

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