I nod. “Thanks.”
Desi walks up. “We are all set. This is going to be epic.”
I nod again. My eyes glued to the red, white, and blue parachute spiraling down towards us.
Emerson, standing about twenty feet off the white X marking the landing zone, taps the microphone and directs the crowd to look up.
Gasps, and cheers, and clapping erupt when Jocko pops the smoke canisters.
My heart swells with pride. He is such a good man.
Emerson begins the introductions letting the crowd know who he is.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Wings Out is proud to announce the arrival of Jocko Malone and his K9, Lucifer. These two special operators served honorably as Navy SEAL’s and have recently retired in Sunnyville. Both are decorated war heroes and deserve a round of applause.”
The crowd claps enthusiastically. Someone begins to chant, “USA, USA, USA,” and the mantra grows.
Emerson begins talking again, and they quiet down to listen.
She explains that as soon as they land, Lucifer will be doing a K9 skills demonstration on the obstacle course set up on the field.
“Then the first annual contest for Sunnyville’s Top Dog will begin. The dog crowned will be featured in Modern Family Magazine and receive a $500 cash prize. But, right now, let’s enjoy the show.”
The crowd cheers , but I barely hear them. My heart has jumped back in my throat. Jocko and Luce are descending rapidly, and the expression ‘coming in hot’ gets stuck in my head. I know I shouldn’t worry, Jocko has done this hundreds of times, but I have not.
Each time I witness something he does that to me is extraordinary, he always laughs it off with, “It’s no big deal, Babe.”
But it is. It is a very big deal. He is a very big deal.
I marvel now at the difference in his attitude from the cocky, arrogant ass in high school to this confident yet unpretentious man. Knowing he made the right choice to become a SEAL rather than a professional baseball player.
Circling overhead, his gorgeous gloriousness is on full display. I can see his bright white teeth smiling from here. He is enjoying himself immensely, and that makes me happy.
Nearing the landing, he flares the chute, and his speed adjusts dramatically. He flares it again and lands light as a feather on his feet. The crowd cheers as he releases the fabric. Leo and a couple of employees from Wings Out rush up to gather it and take it out of the way.
Emerson, Luke, and I walk up to them as he releases Lucifer from his harness.
Luce lands on his feet like a cat. His eyes and ears focused on Jocko, waiting for his instructions.
Emerson congratulates Jocko on a successful jump, then sticks the microphone under his nose. He encourages anyone interested in learning to skydive to get in touch with Wings Out.
“Thank you for the endorsement. Wings Out appreciates it. While you were on your way down, I explained to the crowd that Lucifer was going to give us a demonstration of his K9 skills.” She sticks the microphone back under his nose.
He nods and explains that what they are going to witness Lucifer do, is what makes him a valuable asset to Special Operations. That MPC K9’s, like Lucifer, are full-fledged members of the military, then he looks at Luke, who takes Lucifer’s leash and hooks him up. “Luke Malone is going to assist me today with the demonstration, but first, I would like to take a moment to ….”
He turns his laser-like focus on me.
My heart stops instantly.
His eyes lock on mine, and the sheer intensity in his stare takes my breath away.
The world stops spinning as he walks over, and I know a hush has fallen over the crowd, but all I’m aware of is the magnificence that is Jocko.
When he is standing directly in front of me, towering down, he asks, “Jorja? Do you know what’s about to happen?”
He nods at me. “That’s right. I’m going to brazenly kiss you again. Do you know why?”
He rakes his eyes over my body, and every nerve comes alive.
“Because I really, really, want to taste your sweetness. But first, I’m going to ask you something, and then I’m going to kiss the fuck out of your mouth, and you are going to kiss the fuck out of mine. Because deep down inside, you are ready for me to rock your fucking world forever.”
I start to shake.
“So, BAE, get ready. This is me, asking you to be my wife.”
He drops to one knee. “Juicy,” he opens a little black ring box, “Will you marry me?”
An explosion of happiness bursts forth as tears of joy, mixed with laughter, and ‘yeses’ upon ‘yeses’ erupt from within. I fling myself into his arms as he stands, and he catches me easily, then he kisses the ever-loving fuckity fuck out of my mouth.
I can barely make out the sound of cheers and Emerson’s congratulations over the blood thundering in my ears. I’m vaguely aware that Luke has taken Lucifer away as Jocko rocks my world with his earth-shattering kiss. I have no idea how long we indulge ourselves, but it’s long enough that the crowd’s attention has moved on.
When Jocko lets me down, he places a sweet, tender kiss on my forehead, then grins at me with that little twitch of his eyebrow that is so damn cute. He holds the ring out, and I present my fingers. He slides it on and tells me. “This was my mom’s.”
My heart melts, knowing that not only does Jocko want to be my husband, but he wants to be the father of my children. I jump into his arms again, and he twirls us around.
We walk hand in hand over to watch Luke putting Lucifer through his training. Luce is up on top of the parallel bars, working his way across. Each foot moving independently of the other. His exceptionalism on full display. Demonstrating to everyone he shouldn’t be feared.
He is a hero too.
Six months later.
Sitting at the table watching my girl receive her award for the article she wrote on Everyday Heroes about Lucifer and me, I’m filled with pride. I look over at Grayson. He is wearing the same look on his face watching Sidney give her the award.
Sidney holds the trophy and addresses the crowd. “On behalf of Modern Family Magazine and Thorton Publishing House, it is with great honor that I award to Jorja Malone, the First Annual Thorton Publishing House Best Writers Award for her article on Everyday Heroes, featuring Jocko Malone, and his K9 Lucifer.” She points to us, and the spotlight finds us. I wave ‘thanks’ for me and Luce, who is asleep at my feet.
“I would also like to take this moment to congratulate Jorja on becoming a Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today Bestselling Author for her book titled Rules of Engagement. It’s the detailed story of Jocko and Lucifer’s journey. It’s a fascinating read.” She turns to Jorja and says, “Congratulations on both.” Then she hands her the trophy and backs away from the spotlight.
Jorja looks down at the award for just a moment, then she steps up to the microphone and graciously but humbly accepts the accolades for her article.
I will never forget the way I felt when she let me read it for the first time. She presented our story from the eyes of a woman who loves her heroes and understands why we do what we do. I was touched to tears, and after reading it, I knew I would never have to worry about any miscommunication with Jorja ever again. She gets me on a level beyond words, but also that she is actually a great communicator.