Page 50 of Garr

“Don’t do it, brother,” said Garr. “The water is cold, and there are gators and snakes.”

“Take care of her,” he said, looking at the men. “Please take care of her.”

“Don’t!” yelled JAK, rushing the man.

Brockman fell backwards into the bayou, the heaviness of his Santa suit and the weapons on his body weighing him down. JAK started to jump over and get him when Garr gripped his arm, shaking his head at his friend.

“It won’t matter. Let him go the way he wants to. Alvin will bring him to us eventually.”

Garr stared at the water as Brockman’s head went beneath the water once, twice, then a final time as the weight of his clothing and weapons drowned him. His sister just stared, not saying anything at first.

“Ma’am, we need you to come with us,” said Mo.

“Did Brad go to war again? Did he leave me?”

“He didn’t leave you, ma’am,” said Mo. “We’re going to take you to him. Come with us.”

“Okay,” she said calmly. “I’m still warm, though.”

“Yes, ma’am. We’re going to take you somewhere so that you can get undressed. But not here, okay? There are children over there watching.”

She looked up at the banks of the water and saw all the faces staring back at them.

“Children,” she whispered. “I think I have children. Don’t I?”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Garr, taking her other arm and leading her off the boat. “They’re all grown up now, but we’ll let them know where we take you.”

With the weapons secured, the second boat ‘lost’ at sea, and the body of Brad Brockman recovered, the men were more than ready to begin the wedding festivities.

Standing at the front of the church, Garr looked down the aisle and felt the tears run down his cheeks as his beautiful bride walked toward him. Sam hugged his daughter, kissing her cheek as he handed her over to Garr.

“I’m entrusting her safety to you now, Garr.”

“Yes, sir. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” He took her hand and turned toward the priest. “You look so beautiful.”

“And you’re the most handsome man in the world,” she smiled.

With the wedding done and the Christmas Eve/Wedding festivities in full swing, Macie and Garr were finally Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Garr Slater. After midnight, Matthew returned from wherever he had gone and was dancing with his beautiful wife on the dance floor.

“Everything alright here?” he asked.

“Oh, you know the boys, they have everything handled,” she smiled. “Good night for you?”

“Perfect night,” he smiled. “I see we have another potential in the making.” He nodded toward Samson and Khloe.

“Yep. I knew she needed to be here sooner than the new year. He’s enjoyin’ bein’ here with the boys and asked if he could return. They’re talkin’ to him about joinin’ the team.”

“As we knew they would,” smiled Matthew. “What do you say we go have our swim in the pond while the festivities are goin’ on? A little break with just you and me.”

“I can’t think of anything better.” Khloe smiled as Matthew and Irene left the tent, then nodded toward Macie and Garr.

“They’re a wonderful couple,” smiled Khloe.

“Yes, I don’t know them well, but they’ve been really great to me,” said Jonas.

“Who are those men?” she asked.

“Oh, I’m not sure exactly. I know they’re former teammates of Conor’s. I think their names are Johnson and Dieter. I only met them briefly.” She nodded, smiling up at him.

---