Page 95 of The Rookie's Second Chance

He studied us for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright. Get back to work, and remember what I said."

As Kayla and I stood up to leave, I felt a sense of relief. We had taken a risk, but it had paid off. We could be together, both in and out of uniform.

"Thank you, chief," Kayla said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Yeah, thanks, chief," I echoed, feeling a sense of hope for our future together.

As we left his office, I reached for Kayla's hand, squeezing it gently. No matter what the future held, we were ready to face it together.

We arrived at my house to find Lexi bustling around the kitchen, the aroma of a home-cooked meal filling the air—one that didn’t come with a side of guilt and obsession.

Luke was upstairs in the room Mandy had used, diligently clearing out every trace of her presence. The thought of Mandy being sent back to Key West for trial on multiple charges, including murder, lingered in my mind, but tonight was about moving forward.

"Smells great, Lex," I said, kissing my sister on the cheek. The warmth of family and safety enveloped me like a comforting blanket.

"Thanks, Jake. I just wanted to do something for you guys. After everything you've done..." Lexi trailed off, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Hey, it's okay," I said softly. "We're all safe now, thanks to Kayla and the team. And you, Lex, you were brave through it all."

She nodded, managing a small smile. "Without you and Kayla, I wouldn't be here. Mandy would still be out there, and I wouldn't even know."

In the other room, the sound of rustling bags and the occasional clank of discarded items being thrown out filled the space. Luke emerged, his arms laden with garbage bags.

"That's the last of it," he announced, a note of finality in his voice. "I don't want to see anything that reminds us of her ever again."

We all agreed, the sentiment hanging in the air as we sat down for dinner. The table was a symbol of unity, a place where we could share our experiences and begin the healing process.

As we ate, the conversation was light, avoiding the heavier topics. Laughter and casual banter replaced the tension that had hung over us for weeks. It was a relief to be a family again, without the shadow of danger looming over us.

Every now and then, I caught Kayla's eye, and we shared a silent understanding. We had been through hell and back, but we'd come out stronger, individually and together. The ordeal had forged a bond between us that was unbreakable.

After dinner, Lexi and Luke helped clean up while Kayla and I stepped outside for a moment of quiet.

"Can you believe it's over?" Kayla asked, leaning against the railing.

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. "It doesn't feel real yet. But I'm just glad you're safe. That we're all safe."

She rested her head on my shoulder. "Thanks to you, Jake. You never gave up."

Back inside, the dinner had a warmth that spread beyond the food and the kitchen. Laughter and stories were shared, the sort of familial chatter that had been missing for too long. As we ate, I caught Lexi's eye across the table. She nudged Luke, who offered a knowing smile. It was clear they were in on something, but what?

I grinned, looking back at Kayla. "You’re right, you know. I didn't give up. Just like I never really gave up on you, Lex," I began, feeling a surge of emotions. "For over a decade, I compared everyone I met to you. Never found a single person who could measure up. Even when I thought I'd lost you for good, a part of me always hoped we'd find our way back to each other. And here we are."

Kayla's eyes shimmered with unspoken words, her smile lighting up the room. I took a deep breath, feeling the moment settle over me.

Standing up, I moved closer to her. The room went quiet, all eyes on us. I reached into my pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. My heart was pounding in my chest, a rhythm that echoed through the room.

Kayla's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise. I took her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. Dropping to one knee, I looked up at her, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me.

"Kayla, these past weeks, hell, these past years, have shown me that life without you is incomplete. You've been my partner, my confidant, my rock. You've seen me at my worst and still stood by me. I can't imagine a future without you in it. I want to spend the rest of my life making up for the time we lost, creating new memories, and facing whatever life throws at us together."

I opened the box, revealing a simple yet elegant ring. "Kayla, will you marry me?"

The room held its breath. Kayla's eyes glistened with tears, her expression a mix of shock, happiness, and love. She took a moment to let the question sink in, then nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Jake, yes! A thousand times, yes!" she exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

I slipped the ring onto her finger, standing up to embrace her. The room erupted into cheers and applause. Lexi and Luke came over to congratulate us, their faces beaming with joy.

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