Page 59 of Twister

“No, Dad, you don’t. You have me asking you to help because you have the skill and the power to do so. I’m your son, and I’m asking you to do this for me.BecauseI’m your son. I’m not homeless or without means, or destitute, and neither is that priest. I’m a fucking Navy SEAL, a medic who saves lives on the battlefield. You instilled those qualities in me. I enlisted into the Navy because of you. I wanted to serve. I wanted to be like youwith all that courage and skill to make a goddamned difference. So, I’m asking you to help him. Please, Dad. Do this for me.”

“Do it, Anthony,” his mom said from the doorway. “Or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

His dad had been moved by what Twister had said. He could see it in his eyes, and Twister realized his dad was a good man and he had raised a good son to the best of his ability. He nodded as Twister’s words sank in. “Okay, Shane. Let me get the particulars, and we’ll get your holy man fixed up.”

Shane blew out his breath.

“He’s got someone he wants us to meet. We’re going to dinner,” his mom said softly.

His dad shared a secret smile with his wife, and Twister suspected they were colluding about grandchildren. That was moving a little fast for him, and Sadie would be the one to dictate that course of action. Hell, they weren’t even married…yet. She had a career she was working on, so he just shook his head, thankful that his dad had agreed to operate on Ngurah. He would take that win and deal with the rest of it later.

Yeah, his trip to Bali had brought him clarity on so many things, least of all his relationship with his dad. That gave him deep, abiding satisfaction.

Peace and serenity.

He was beginning to get it that it was totally possible to feel such things.

He was content, balanced, and connected to his world, his family, his job, Sadie, and more importantly, himself. Everything else would work itself out. He was sure of it.

Sadie kneltin the grass by her great-grandfather’s gravestone. Not long after he was buried, her great-grandmother died. Sadie’s heart squeezed at the pain of losing such a beautiful soul, but she liked to think they were together now, and that made her feel extremely happy.

“You okay, babe?”

She reached up and groped for his hand, clasping it to her as his fingers twined around hers.

“Yes. I’m good.”

She and Twister had moved in together in a set of townhouses that were close to his teammates. They socialized with them, and she bonded with Tex, Bondo, Easy, and Shark’s wives. They were strong, beautiful, and independent women. She cuddled Bondo’s little girl and Tex’s daughter with visions of unicorn birthday parties dancing her in her head. Twister had been deployed several times after he’d healed, and she’d been so content stationed at MDSU-2, working toward her degree, and becoming a first-class diver. Everything was wonderful and progressing as planned.

“You want to go out to lunch?”

“No, I just want to go home and cuddle with you.”

He pulled her up, that wonderful, electric energy crackling in those bronze eyes. “I’m no dummy.”

She leaned in and kissed him. “Nope. I agree.”

They walked hand in hand to the car, and once they were home, settled on the couch. She snuggled her face into his neck, content to just be in his space, and he made such an effort to make her feel cherished. Just simple things, like bring her coffee in the morning, making sure she had gas in her tank, and her oil changed. He didn’t forget her birthday when she dropped subtle hints, and the best part was that he always came home to her.

“I love you, you know,” she whispered.

“Really? Damn, I was worried.”

She nudged him. “You were not.”

He sighed. “Got an email from Ngurah. He’s recovering well, and my dad said he was as good as new.”

His voice beamed with his happiness, and that just filled her well even fuller.

“I’ve got something I want to ask you.”

She settled back so she could see his face, the inflection in his voice made her hair on her arms lift. “Oh, what is it, handsome?”

He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a little black velvet box, and she gasped.

He opened it and the sparkle of the diamond band caught the sunlight streaming in through the large windows. He drew a deep, uneven breath, his voice raw with emotion. “Will you marry me, Sadie? I can’t live without you. Let’s combine our auras and be together forever.”

Her heart full, she sighed softly and laughed, low and rich. “Yes,” she said, her full heart running over with love as he took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger. She’d learned to say no, care for herself, give him what he needed both when he needed a safe space and just space. She didn’t think it was possible to love someone so much, but apparently, the heart just expanded with a limitless bounty, telling her there was simply no capacity.

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