Page 101 of Forever Fickle

“A lot like Reaper.”

“They’re weird,” Firefly chimed in from the background. “You guys are burning through my battery too. I’m going to want photos of my family, you twerps. I love you all, but seriously? I want my phone back soon.”

“Gotta go,” Thumper began, cracking a smile. “Congrats again, Hot Cakes and Karen. Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you,” they said in unison, looking at each other, before Jace ended the call.

“I love them so much,” Jace began, smiling softly. “They are the best extended family a person could ever have.”

“They are pretty great people – and you are lucky to have them here and in Afghanistan.”

“I really am,” he agreed. “Can we email the rest of the team?”

“Of course,” she smiled, holding up her phone and taking a photo of the two of them, with her holding up her hand to show off her ring. Jace leaned over to kiss her in that moment, and the photo was perfect.

She texted it to him, her parents, her brother, her sister, and then sent a copy to the team on the thread. Sure enough, the phone started pinging away noisily as everyone commented their congratulations again – including Glory and Hunter.

OMGOMGOMG Karen, sweetie! We are sooooo stinkin’ happy for you!

Hot Cakes and our Karen? Dude!? You better be good to our girl because she’s going to be teaching our children one of these days! Am I clear? Love ya, man! We are happy for the both of you!

Karen fielded the phone call that came through instantly from Alpo and Glory, while Jace sat near, emailing his friends in Ghazni. A knock at the door ended their stolen moment of privacy while they were sharing their news – and Karen knew it was time to face the rest of Jace’s large family.

“I need to change really quickly so I look nice when I meet everyone,” she urged, ushering him out of the room. “I’m just nervous.”

“You look fine, and Thanksgiving is very informal with my family,” Jace began, taking her hand and pulling her towards the hallway where Karen could hear everyone talking in the distance.

His eyes were everything and said so much. He looked so happy, so in love, and she couldn’t help but follow him… drawn like a moth to the flame.

“You are glowing and radiating joy, Tink, and they are going to love you as much as I do,” Jace said tenderly. “Let me show off my beautiful bride.”

* * *

Hours later,Karen was completely miserable and so full of food as she lay there waiting, knowing Jace was going to sneak in her room again. As he cracked open the door, she chuckled, seeing his playful smile as he tiptoed in.

“Mom wanted to talk and would not go to bed,” Jace apologized. “I’m so full right now that my elastic waist feels snug.”

He climbed in beside her, laying on top of the blankets, and cradled her to his side, where she went eagerly.

“I’m stuffed,” she whispered. “Carb coma…”

“Same here,” he chuckled. “I can’t believe the amount of food my mother cooked – nor how many people showed up today. I swear that I didn’t think I had that many cousins…”

Karen sighed sleepily, breathing deep of his cologne.

“Can we have small Thanksgivings with our friends later on – or just immediate family?” she asked, yawning in exhaustion.

“Absolutely,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “Sleep, darling.”

CHAPTER27

KAREN

Stunned and alarmed,Karen was drawn upwards from the throes of her dream into complete awareness. She heard a knock at her door and felt Jace tense beside her as they both woke up from a deep slumber unexpectedly.

“Karen? The stores open in an hour and I’m making the coffee,” Lindsey said. “Jana is already up and out of the shower. Are you going to come with us?”

“Yes…” she hollered nervously, hating the way her voice shook. “I’ll start getting ready now.”

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