Page 77 of Protecting Silver
Five daysafter arriving at the Atwater ranch, in the pre-dawn hours of Christmas Eve, Patch stood in the living room and looked out the huge window to the landscape before him. He looked over when he felt a presence beside him, and saw his father standing there.
“You okay, son?”
“Yeah, just thinking how lucky I am at finally finding all of you, and the fact that the people responsible for taking me away from here will never see the light of day again.”
When Douglas didn’t say anything, but only nodded, Patch turned to him with a raised brow. “I know we’re still getting to know each other, but could I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“As we all discussed over the last few days, I still have a lot to know about all of you, and I have a lot of legal things to iron out. Mainly, my name, and then changing everything I have back to my legal name. I know legally I have a long road ahead of me. I also know that you don’t know me well, but I have a question.”
“Okay.”
“Is it too soon to ask Silver to marry me?”
“Let me ask you some questions, and you decide whether or not it is. Do you love her?”
“With all my heart.”
“Do you trust her?”
“Yes, and if it wasn’t for her, I never would have found you. Nor would I have been able to help Daniel and the FBI take Merrick down.”
“But, that is love and trust, not duty and honor?”
“Correct, love and trust.”
“Okay. Do you close your eyes and see her by your side fifty years from now?”
“I do. I also see us surrounded by our children and grandchildren.”
“Then, what’s stopping you from asking her to marry you?”
“I didn’t want to put the burden of my upcoming legal battle on her shoulders.”
“Son.” Douglas laughed as he put his hand on Patch’s shoulder. “From what I’ve learnt of Silver Roundtree, she would kick your ass from here to next Sunday if you didn’t include her in your upcoming battle.”
Patch threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
“Want to go out to the barn with me and help with chores?”
“Sure, since I know I’ll go back to being a doctor, I’m sure I can throw some shit around for a few hours.” They were laughing as they made their way through the kitchen, into the mudroom, and then after dressing for the elements, out the back door to the barn.
* * *
“What’s going on?”Patch asked later that night, when everyone was settled in the living room around the huge Christmas tree.
“What you’re about to witness is an Atwater family tradition started by my grandparents,” Dan began. “The entire family sits around the tree, drinking spiced cider, or hot chocolate, and we talk about their year. If they met their goals, and any frustrations, or happiness you encountered. Then, we make goals for next year.”
“Oh.” Patch frowned as he settled in his seat and brought Silver to his side. He nodded as Dan stood and did as he described. By the time everyone had gone through the ritual, Patch felt ten feet tall when he was mentioned by everyone.
“You don’t have to take a turn,” Dan said at one point. “But, you are more than welcome to speak.”
“I think I will.” Patch stood and turned in a circle to look at everyone. “I want to tell everyone here that you are my greatest accomplishment this year—being reunited with my family. The icing on the cake was taking down the people who had kidnapped me, and knowing they are behind bars and willneverget out. With that said, I’d like to say something more personal.” He again turned in a circle, then went over and stood in front of Silver. He reached down, took her hands in his, then pulled her to her feet. After walking them into the middle of the room, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the small square box he’d been carrying for the last month, and dropped to one knee.
He looked up and grinned when Silver gasped. “Silver Roundtree, I’d like to offer you Option A.” He smirked when she grinned down at him.
“Oh?”
