Page 6 of Worth the Wait

“You’re hired.”

“Peter’s Protector,” I mumble, pretending I’m testing it out. “Has a nice ring to it.”

“I’d put a ring on it right now.”

“What?” He didn’t just…Did he? Was he teasing or serious? Why do I hope it was the latter? I decide not to press him, which is exactly what I want to do, and choose to ask if he’s hungry.

“I could eat.”

The way he licks his bottom lip as he admits that, I feel the need to clarify, “For breakfast.”

“Not nearly as satisfying as what I had in mind.”

And now I want to do his thing instead. Which, I guess, is me.

**Peter**

I have never felt like this. If this is how my dad felt upon meeting my mom, I can finally understand why he proposed within weeks and married her a month later.

And why he hasn’t looked at another woman since losing her.

The downside of loving someone so deeply.

But I know, were I to ask dad if he could do it all over again knowing he’d have to go on without her, would he choose the same path. He wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. Which is exactly what he does.

“The only thing I’d do different is ask her sooner.” Dad is watching me, my body language, and hearing what I’m not saying. “What’s her name?”

“Bellamy.” No point in acting as if this isn’t why I’m here. Besides, even if I tried, he wouldn’t let me get away with it.

“What’s she like?” This isn’t a test, though it feels as such. It’s simply Dad getting to know her. Wanting to see her as I do.

“She’s…” There are so many ways I can describe her, yet they all boil down to one. “Mine.” Dad is waiting patiently, though I can tell by his expression that he gets it. Of course he does. “Bellamy is funny. Sweet. Caring. Oh. She’s a nurse, Dad. How awesome is that? For the last five years, she’s gone where she’s needed.”

“Just like you.”

“Didn’t think of it that way, but yeah.”

“Does she enjoy it?”

“Yes and no.”

“The traveling wearing on her?” I nod.

“I’m sure you can sympathize with that.” Can’t refute that. In my line of work, my years of being able to do it are limited for a reason. The training, the missions themselves, any injuries, the emotional impact of all of it…it takes a toll. Ageing our bodies before they would naturally.

Having enlisted when I was eighteen, I’ll have my twenty in three years. Whether I retire at that point or transfer to a desk job remains to be seen. Wonder what Bellamy would prefer? I’ll have to ask her because her opinion will help me decide.

Seeing that my dad is waiting for an answer, despite it being more of a rhetorical statement on his part, I confirm it with a, “Yeah.”

“You need to talk to her, especially as they can send her somewhere else at any time. Besides, this could all be a moot point. It could be one-sided—”

“It isn’t.”

“Okay,” he replies, acknowledging and accepting my stance on that. “I want to meet her.”

“Done.” Dad pauses, my easy agreement throwing him off. Good to know I can still surprise my old man.

“She working today?” Clearly he doesn’t want to risk me reneging.

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