“Yeah.”
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“For what?”
I turn on my side to look at her. “You’re the first woman to not be scared away by what I do.”
Gemma smiles, happily, sleepily. Content. “You’re the first man to accept me, wholly. Who didn’t make me feel like I had to be more than I am, or that I had to do…more.”
“I love you as you are, baby. I love you as whoever you might someday become. All the parts of you I know, and all the parts to still discover. I love you, Gemma.”
“I love you, too, Shane.”
I bring her into my arms, holding her close. She lays her head on my chest, my heart pounding madly against her cheek.
She loves me.
Gemma said it weeks before, in the heat of the moment, on my command. That didn’t count—not like this. Not remotely.
She loves me.
I roll her onto her back, and get lost in her lovely face. I press a kiss to the curve of her neck, inhaling her light, flowery scent. I could never get enough.
She loves me.
I spy my jeans splayed on the hardwood floor, the perfect solitaire diamond ring sitting in a box entombed in the pocket. “Gemma…”
“Yes?” she whispers.
“Marry me.”
Epilogue
Gemma – Five years later
“Just one more quick stop.”
From the passenger’s seat I look over at my daughter, raising an eyebrow at her. “What stop?” I ask.
“Did you not see the outside of this thing?” Aris makes a dramatic face. “It’s filthy!”
“Hmm.” She probably has a point, but I know how much Aris loves to drive. Any excuse to stay out on the road, she’ll take it. “Where’re you going to get it washed?”
“The guys are out today,” Aris says.
“Already?”
“Yup.”
Wow. The years do fly by. Five years ago, the humane society car wash was such a success that the Fort Montevallo SWAT implored the chief to make it an annual event, and the teams got their wish. As Aris drives us there now, just us two girls, I can’t help but be brought right back to that fateful day when it all began.
Crazy, how much has changed.
Aris got her learner’s permit a year ago, but it’s still surreal to see my daughter behind the wheel of a car. She’s a good, responsible driver, and I’m thankful for that.
I am thankful for so many things.
Like my husband, Shane, who is back home manning the fort so the two of us can get out for another practice run. I text him to let him know we’re running late.
“Is he up to his elbows in diapers yet?” asks Aris, giggling.
“Let’s hope not,” I say, “or the mess will be waiting for us when we get back.”
“Us?” she reels.
“If I’m going down you’re going down with me!”
After a year-long engagement, Shane and I got married and moved into a bigger cabin. We walked into the humane society with all of the cash we’d been gifted at the wedding…and walked out with the biggest, goofiest dog there ever was.
“You think Buster is going nuts without us?” Aris says.
“Are you kidding? I bet he’s loving every minute of it.” Yep, Mr. Buster is family now, too. Shane had always wanted a dog but could never feel good about adopting one, seeing as he could get called away at a moment’s notice. Now there are more hands to feed him, walk him, and give him love…and I don’t just mean the three of us.
The cabin was almost too big for just us, and there was room in our hearts for more little souls to fill it up. So one set of twins, and a set of triplets later, now we have a whole gaggle of humans to keep doggo company.
And doesn’t he love it.
The SWAT families are a tight community, so I recognize some of the faces when Aris pulls up to the car wash. She puts the car in park. I undo my seat belt and she throws me a look.
“Oh no, no ma’am, we are not staying in the car this time.” I laugh as Aris playfully rolls her eyes.
“That’s fine…” she says, “as long as you don’t mind getting a friend for Buster…”
“Because there’s not enough chaos at home already?”
Aris shrugs, giving me her trademark sheepish grin. I watch that smile get pulled astray, though, when one of the younger officers—shirtless, of course—walks by us.
“Hey, Aris.” He gives her a look that lingers a few seconds longer than necessary.
“Hey,” she replies.
I make a parental face at his back. Inside the humane society, I twine my arm with my daughter’s. “Who was that kid?” I remark.
“Mom,” she hisses, rolling her eyes, “he’s twenty-four. I don’t think you can call him a kid.”
“Maybe not compared to you,” I snark right back. Aris’s cheeks brighten and burn, the color of beets. As a mother I get way too much joy out of watching her squirm. I lift an eyebrow, expectantly.
“Anyway,” she says, “you know Corey.”
“Corey. Corey…” I think, think, trying to place him. “Isn’t that your friend Megan’s older brother?”
Aris swallows. “Yeah.”
“Your best friend, Megan?” I clarify, and her eyes go straight to the ceiling. Funny, how we’re in such close proximity to all these adorable furry faces and my daughter’s attention goes…to the ceiling.
“Careful, honey,” is all I say. I don’t need to add that he’s eight years older than you and your dad would have a conniption fit if he saw one of his own guys looking at you the way Corey just did…although I’m sure that will all bubble out of me eventually, anyway. Aris looks at me sidelong. “Just…be careful.”
“I know,” she says. “I am. Hey!” She points to a happy, hyper golden retriever. “Don’t you think Buster needs a sister?”
“Buster has three already, including you.” I poke her ribs, laughing as she yelps. “And three brothers!” I add before she can offer her next suggestion.
“In all seriousness,” Aris says after we’ve both quieted down. “It’s pretty cool to have such a big family now.”
“Especially now that you’re able to drive?”
“Oh hell yes,” she agrees, then bites her lip. “I mean—”
I plant a kiss on the crown of her head. “I know. I’m glad you think it’s cool, sweetie. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
I smile because I know she does. The love between a mother and daughter is unyielding, unending…
Not unlike a mother’s concern.
~
Next up: Corey & Aris's story, and catch up with Shane & Gemma.
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