Page 154 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Are you sure you’re ready to go back to work?” Helena has been on edge all week, fretting about me going back to work at the club. They postponed the training suite opening, so I have a lot to do to rearrange it all.

“Yes. They already postponed the opening. It could have gone ahead as planned.”

“It was your baby. No one wanted to do it without you. It wouldn’t have felt right. The club isn’t the same without you. That’s what everyone has told me. I still don’t want you to rush back if you’re not one hundred percent.”

I cup her face in my hands. “I’m good. We’re good. I just want to get back to normal. What about you?”

“I’m happy to go to work because I’m going back to a big promotion, but it’s been so nice to spend time… just you, me, and Gracie.”

“I know what you mean. This morning when your mom came to pick her up, I was sad that my little bear wasn’t going to be hanging on my leg all day or sitting up on my shoulders.”

“You two are so cute together.”

I slip my arms around her waist, pulling her close before capturing her lips with mine. “I think you’re cute.”

“Thanks.”

“I have somewhere I need to go before heading to the club. I have some unfinished business. Do you want to come with me?”

“Sure.” I can see she’s concerned, but that expression crosses her stunning features at least five times a day since the shooting. Tonight, at the club, I’m going to remind her who the fuck I am.

I’m nervous as we navigate our way around the streets of Manhattan. I have purposefully avoided this place at all costs. There’s never been a rose set down next to their names—at least not by family. The next generation.

It didn’t really dawn on me until Gracie became my baby girl. If Helena and I choose not to have any more kids, I am the last one standing on my side of the family. I want more. A legacy. Siblings for Gracie born out of my love for Helena. After everything that happened after I was shot, it all makes sense. The dreams. The answering machine messages that I now know by heart. It all happened when it needed to.

We talk and walk hand-in-hand as we meander downtown, making a stop at a cute little flower shop to get three white roses. I’m pretty sure Helena knows I’m not in here to give her three flowers. What she doesn’t know is that I was here a few days ago, planning a surprise.

“I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that we’re going to the memorial pools at the World Trade Center. I’ve only ever seen them on television, and I think it’s time.”

She tightens her grip on my hand, leaning into me. “Thank you for bringing me with you.”

“There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side, pet.”

The closer we get, the slower my steps become. I can play it off as my injury, but the reality is I’m not a Navy SEAL when it comes to my parents. I’m still a thirteen-year-old who desperately misses his mom and dad.

When we reach the edge of the plaza, I find myself anchored tothe spot, every fiber of my being overwhelmed with the significance of this moment in more ways than one.

“Do you want me to wait here? I can give you some space.”

“I don’t want space from you, Helena. I can’t do this without you.”

“Then, I will be right alongside you the whole time, Master.”

“Such a good girl.”

Helena encourages me to put one foot in front of the other as we walk this historic place. I’m not a spiritual person, but it’s the only way to describe the whole-body reaction as we weave our way through the bustling crowd and over to the Memorial Pool for World Trade Center One.

“It’s alphabetical, so let’s find the surnames beginning with ‘N’ and look for Warren and Beatrice Navarro.”

“And the third flower?”

“My uncle was a firefighter. My dad’s younger brother, Emilio. He was always so much fun. He’d give me the good advice about asking girls out when I was ten.”

“You were putting the moves on girls when you were ten years old?”

“You’re surprised? I’ve always been a lady killer.”

“I bet. Just wait until Gracie is ten and some little boy wants to ask her out.”

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