Chapter Eleven
As he was being transported from the private hospital three days later, Thallium and Lithium got him settled in the vehicle along with his new legs. Raine was inside getting the rest of his release papers taken care of.
“All the arrangements have been made for your return home, sir.” The hint of a smirk. He could hear it in Lithium’s voice as he handed him something he needed for the ride home.
He tucked it inside the new leather jacket Raine bought him. He smiled as she climbed in next to him.
“What are you smiling for?”
“A little something I needed some help pulling off.”
“Always planning something. Does your brain ever rest?” Her cool fingertips brushed his forehead and he couldn’t wait to be on his feet…err…whatever.
“I sure hope not. I’ve gotta keep sharp to keep up with you, sexy.”
She held his hand and he gave it a bit of a squeeze.
They all made small talk about random shit until Raine gasped. Her hand in his squeezed tight and started to shake.
No mistaking the moment when the gate to the compound opened and the tree-lined drive came into view.
But now?
Now those same trees were covered in yellow.
“Charles?” Her emotional plea told him all he needed to know.
“I love you. The no other option kind of love. I want you with me. Not because I need you to take care of me, but because I can’t live without you.”
She sniffled a couple times and it sounded like one of the guys handed her a tissue. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you all snarly and angry at the world. I knew you weren’t a quitter and you’d fight for your family. And they are your family. All of them. All of the men and women under your command, and their spouses. Their children. It might not be by blood but they’re still your family.”
“Oorah,” echoed twice from the front seats as both men affirmed what he’d already started to believe was possible.
She bent low and whispered in his ear. “As am I. If you’ll have me?”
A family.
Not one who was stuck with him but people who wanted him. The new him.
The better him because he appreciated everything he had. This life was a gift and he was determined to make the most of it.
“I’ve never wanted anything more, lover. You’re what I want. Who I want. And I want to be with you, and have kids with you, and get Annie another puppy to train and be awesome with. So fucking glad she can still guide me, even with her new tripod status.”
He must have scowled because her soothing hands brushed across his brow. “Everything you said is wonderful. Why the eyebrows?”
“Because I can’t give up Elite. The teams. Our mission. I can’t walk away from this, especially not with Red Wolf still out there, and us so close to taking him down. I hope you’re onboard with me this way. I want you by my side for everything.”
“Why do you think I’ve been pushing you to get better? And to truly embrace all your capabilities? The first person to call you handicapped within my earshot will learn a thing or two. You included, hot shot. You’re a freaking rock star and no one else could have done what you did with all these men and women.”
He shook his head and she stilled it.
“Nope. My turn, Mr. Badass. You want me to learn to take a compliment so you have to be willing to do the same.”
Lithium snickered in the front seat and Titanium growled at him.
“I don’t want to work for you anymore.”
His initial reaction was to freak out, but he had to trust her when she said she wasn’t going anywhere. “Me as in me, or me as in Elite?”
“You, specifically, once you get on your feet. I want to be a part of this facility. Your people are constantly getting hurt and in need of medical attention. Leaving the compound for it isn’t the best option anymore. Hasn’t been for a while, actually. It’s why I’ve been MIA lately. I’m almost done setting up the medical suite and treatment rooms.”
“I thought Merc and Hazel were handling it?”
“I’ve set up field hospitals before. I’ve set up private facilities before. You know both of those things. You gave me an unlimited budget and I knew exactly what you needed. Plus, I need more to do than being your private nurse. The fantasy of it sounds nice but I need to help more people than one. And you can do anything you put your mind to. And you need to start working out with the boys again. They miss you. And if you’re being honest with yourself, you know you’ve missed them too. Plus, you told me to find the best person for the job.” Her arm shifted as if she shrugged. “So I did.”
Titanium pulled her down and took her lips. Tasted her. Loved her. “You most certainly did.”
The vehicle stopped and the men up front exited, and thankfully were discreet enough to give them a few moments alone.
“I’m glad,” he whispered.
“Glad for what?”
“You being here. Working with the teams, and not for me. I’d hate to think you stayed with me because your paycheck was at stake.”
“As if,” she scoffed. “No amount of money is worth what I’ve had to put up with from you. It’s how I knew I was in love with you.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Which is something else you can count on too. I’ll always tell you the truth, even when—especially when—no one else will.”
“As will I. And in that spirit. I win our bet.” Yep. Probably not the best timing to announce it but he was so fucking horny for her he couldn’t help himself.
“Excuse me?”
“I told you I loved you first so I win the bet.”
“No, you didn’t. I did in the hospital. I totally win.”
“Nope. Outside the fire, right before I passed out, I told you I loved you. I. Totally. Win.”
“Oh my gawd. You’re right.”
“Gimme a couple days to get my strength up and then you and I have a date. You will play the role of my nurse in a skimpy little nurse’s outfit. Waiting for me when I get home.”
“Home.” She repeated it and it stopped them both flat.
“Raine?”
“Mmhmm,” she muttered as it sounded like she made use of her tissue again.
“It’s been my home from the first time I stepped foot into it, because you were by my side.”
She openly cried, laying her head on his chest. “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say that.”
They held each other in the quiet, content to be together. Especially with how many things had to happen for them to be where they were.
Fate.
Titanium owed her a drink.
A sharp bark pulled them out of their little cocoon and Titanium laughed. “Sounds like our new tripod missed us. Fuck. I’m so glad she’s okay.”
Moving her head, Raine kissed him. And again. “Thanks to you, she is.”
“I couldn’t very well have one of my best girls go down, now, could I?”
“One of them?”
He nodded, and reached up until she laid his palm against her cheek. “My best girls sitting beside me. At my side where I hope they’ll always stay.”
“Always and forever.”
“I have one last question for you, but it’s an all or nothing kind of question.” He pulled out the box, Lithium had handed him earlier. Opened it.
Raine inhaled. “Tear-shaped diamond, for my Raine. On a titanium band. No explanation needed on that part. So the answer is yes. Care to take a guess at the question, my love?”
“What is, will you marry me?”
He pulled the ring from the little box, and found her hand. It was wet and he figured she’d rubbed at her tear stained cheeks. He kissed the tears away before sliding the engagement ring on her finger. “I’ll love you for always. Thick and thin, sickness, health, feast, famine. Through everything. I will never stop loving you and telling you how amazing you are, and wonderful and perfect. Would you do me the honor of loving me, of marrying me?”
“Yes. To all of it. Yes.” She kissed him and giggled and cried. “Charles?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Can we get married here? On the property? With all of our family here, and surrounded by our field of yellow love?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”