Page 89 of Operation: Silent Angel
“Yes. Our all-team parties usually are. That was your first time seeing Lambchop in pastor mode, wasn’t it?”
Mac chuckled. “Yes, it was. It was quite a contrast to the man I know as the Operator.”
“I’m sure it was,” Yvette agreed.
“And also seeing so many of the men I know with the kids,” Mac said. “It was surreal like after seeing Garcia with his son. But today, seeing those who were holding other people’s babies, and seeing how natural they were doing it, it all seemed somehow right. All the noise and confusion of the kids at the dinner seemed right too. Even Shepherd. He’s all those kids’ grandfather. They even call him Grandpa.” He paused and chuckled. “I thought for sure he and Diana would announce her pregnancy today to everyone.” He had of course told Yvette the day he overheard Diana tell her mother she was pregnant, but he swore her to secrecy.
“Knowing Diana, she’ll wait to tell anyone until she’s past the first trimester,” Yvette said.
“It’s going to be hard not to accidentally let it slip,” Mac said. “I almost said something today.”
Yvette laughed. “Yes, me too. Knowing it definitely hit me differently when Shepherd and Diana were holding the twins. To think in about eight months or so they’ll be holding their own child. That’s going to be very interesting.” And she had to wonder how it would change Shepherd.
“Do you ever think about having a child?” he asked. “Or wonder what your life would have been like had you?”
“No,” Yvette insisted. “I’ve never thought having a child was necessary in my life,” Yvette said. “Why, do you?”
“Oh, no, not me either. I was just wondering how you felt.”
“Just because I love my friends’ children doesn’t mean I would like one or wonder what my life would have been like if I had my own. Mac, my job, the mission, is still what my life’s focus is. But I’d like to think that I’ve finally realized that my personal happiness is something I will no longer sacrifice. And a relationship with you can fit into my life. That doesn't mean I see children in my future.”
Mac pulled the car into the garage and parked beside her car. In such a short time, these living arrangements had come to feel very comfortable. Her place felt like home to him. That was of course her doing in how she welcomed him. And it was also because of his desire for this relationship.
He’d liked how she put it into words, and he felt the same. He, too, realized his personal happiness was something he was no longer willing to sacrifice. And the relationship with her could fit into his life. Moreover, it had become an imperative to have that relationship.
Yvette took hold of her door handle and opened the car door. The dome light popped on. He stopped her from exiting the car by taking hold of her hand and gently tugging it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles, getting her attention.
“I love you, and I love this life we’re making together,” he said softly. “My only regret is that we let so many years go by with us apart. Red, I’d give you anything you want if I could. I can’t give you those lost years back, but I can give you any future you want.”
Yvette felt both happiness from his words but also sadness that he expressed regret. “I love you, too, Mac. Please don’t have regrets. The person you are is because of the life you’ve lived. I wouldn’t love you if you were any other person. This right here, right now, us, is the future I want.”
Mac reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring he’d bought a few days earlier. It was a rose gold band engraved with a vine that linked flowers and leaves, beautifully etched, with diamonds in the center of each flower, six in all. He slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand. “This is my promise to you. Consider this a symbol of that promise, the external sign we are betrothed, or consider us wed with it. My heart is yours; it always has been.”
Yvette stared at the beautiful ring on her finger that was illuminated by the low lighting from the dome light and the slightly brighter overhead garage light flooding in through the windshield. “Mac, it’s beautiful.” Her gaze shifted to his face and the pleading small smile that rested there. “We don’t have to define what we are to anyone. I love you, and I’m committed to you. I think the term partner or significant other says all that needs to be said.”
His grin grew larger. “I agree. Shall we go in and consummate our commitment?”
She laughed and nodded. “I thought you’d never ask.”
The End
