Page 87 of Forever Fallen

It was practically laughable at how sore his muscles were – and just the thought of it made him smile like a crazed man as he sat on the airplane bound for Kabul, Afghanistan. Between hauling the boxes into the basement, the moving, the painting, and the time spent together on baby-duty?

They were utterly exhausted.

In fact, Sophie fell asleep last night… and it was quite the bruise to his ego, but something that they laughed wildly about moments later.

“Sophie?” Ryan had whispered, utterly shocked, and froze. “Babe, are you…asleep?”

“Mhhmmph? Huh?” she muttered sleepily and jerked herself wide awake – her eyes flying open in horror and meeting his. He could see the dawning understanding of what had happened and her immediate embarrassment. “OHHHMIGOSH RYAN! I’M SO SORRY!”

“Wow…” he laughed, feeling humiliated. “Is it that bad or boring for you?”

“No! Omigosh never - I’m s-so embarrassed... I can’t b-believe… “ she stammered, jerking the sheet up. “I’m s-so s-sorry. I’m justexhausted.”

“I could tell…” he grinned. “You snored and I don’t think my ego will ever get over it. I literally bored my new wife to sleep… during sex.Please,please,pleasedo not ever breathe a word of this to anyone. I’ll never live this down.”

“Noooo, I would never…” Sophie hesitated and frowned at him, arching an eyebrow. “Are you teasing me?”

“Maybe?” he grinned.

“Aren’t youtired?” she asked plaintively. “I mean, I hate to say that, and I love being with you…”

“I’m beat and I’ve got a spasm in my lower back that is killing me,” he admitted, laughing openly, before collapsing in the bed beside her. “Nothing like a little honesty in the bedroom, huh?”

“Omigosh Ryan…” she chuckled nervously, looking at him. “We are terrible, aren’t we?”

“We’ve been working hard - and while it hasn’t felt like work in the slightest? My body is telling me to slow down with the baby-making…” he grinned, lacing his fingers with hers and kissing her tenderly. “How about we watch some television and just cuddle tonight?”

“That sounds amazing.”

“You’re gonna fall asleep again, aren’t you?”

“I make no promises…” she said primly.

“That’s my girl,” Ryan said tenderly, reaching for the TV remote, and pulling her to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Sophie tucked herself against his chest.

He knew that seemed to be unknowingly her favorite spot, because she always rested her head there. It was the spot between his chest and shoulder, just where his arm met, and she fit just right.

Ryan leaned down to kiss the top of Sophie’s head and flipped on the television, only to hear her snore softly against him. He smiled broadly knowing how upset she would be if she knew… and how tired she was.

Life was so good the moment she appeared in his world, and he wouldn’t trade a moment of the last four weeks for anything.

Closing his eyes on the plane, Ryan lost himself in the memories and tried to get some sleep. He was hoping to dream of Sophie and that this next year passed quickly for the both of them.

* * *

Thirteen hours later,Ryan was walking back into the barracks, unable to keep the smile from his face. He was grinning like an idiot and couldn’t help it. He knew exactly how the rest of the team would react – and wasn’t disappointed.

“Oh my gosh… it’s true,” Handsy uttered, stunned.

All three men that he’d been stationed with for the last four years, slowly rose to their feet from their bunks, standing there looking at him in shock.

Ryan dropped his duffle bag on his bunk without saying a word.

“You’re kidding.”

“Really? I thought they were pulling our leg when Firefly emailed everyone. I mean, he’s a prankster… but you’ve had your moments, too…” Hot Cakes got quiet, and Ryan realized the other man was staring at his hand. “You actually did it? You got married?”

“I did – twice,” Ryan grinned, holding up his hand to show off his wedding ring. “I met the most incredible woman, asked her to marry me before the plane ever touched the ground - and then did it again a few weeks later.”

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