Page 84 of Forever Fallen

“You didn’t put this on here?”

“No. I wish I had but…”

“It was made for us,” she breathed, touched, as she looked at him in disbelief. “Wasn’t it?”

“Remember how you talked about how one little thing could have changed everything?” Ryan began and Sophie nodded, remembering the conversation.

“I truly believe that. I was supposed to be there, our rings were waiting for us, and you were always meant to be my special someone, Sophie Merrick… I’m so glad you didn’t change seats on the plane after I was such a jerk.”

“Aaaaathirteen….” She teased tearfully, grinning as he laughed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

“You know, youcantell me if I cross a line or two…”

“Oh, I will,” she chuckled.

CHAPTER25

SOPHIE

Hours later,Sophie was sitting in the car on the way home with a large piece of cake still in the box and holding a crockpot in her lap. Marisol sent her home with it, claiming it wouldn’t fit in the refrigerator.

Everyone left not long after the poor woman started complaining about her back aching and Valkyrie started hovering over her protectively.

Pulling up to the house, Ryan came around and took the crockpot from Sophie, as the two of them walked up the steps to the front door. As Ryan opened the door, holding it with his foot, Sophie squeezed through as he nodded his head, indicating she should go first.

Stepping inside, she immediately headed for the kitchen, putting their piece of cake in a Tupperware container to freeze it. She’d been told by Dixie, Romeo’s wife, that it was customary to freeze part of it and then share it on your first anniversary. It was supposed to be good luck… and she immediately hopped on the idea, because Ryan would be coming home at that point – or close to it.

“Are you freezing it?” Ryan asked, seeing her put it in the freezer.

She turned and saw his knowing smile, blushing at the sentimental movement.

“Yes. I thought it might be nice to share when you come home.”

“I love that idea.”

“Dixie told me when we were getting ready to head out.”

“I’ll have to tell her ‘Thank you’for the suggestion,” Ryan said easily, removing the ceramic container from the crockpot and putting it inside of the refrigerator to store the contents. “Did you like today? Were you surprised? Are you happy, my sweet Sophie?”

“Oh Ryan… I’m on cloud nine honestly,” she replied, smiling at him. “It feels like a dream that I never want to wake up from.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Do you want some hot tea or cocoa…” thinking automatically about them having time together sitting in the evening, talking, and just enjoying the stillness of the world around them.

“Tea please. I’m not sure I can handle much more sweets tonight. I’m ready to burst,” he admitted. “I had three slices of cake…”

“You did?”

He laughed easily, shaking his head.

“Don’t judge me… I love vanilla and buttercream frosting. We sure don’t get that in Ghazni.”

“Well now I feel jilted…” Sophie muttered, smirking. “I wanted a second piece and fought the urge. Dixie is an incredible cook, isn’t she?”

“I’m stunned that Romeo is so skinny still…”

“Humph… you all are,” she grunted in mock-annoyance, before smiling at him sideways. “But you sure look breathtaking in that uniform, husband. I guess I’m a sucker for a guy in uniform.”

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