Chapter 27 Now
Heading back to base was usually a simple task. I'd grab a couple bags, toss them in my truck, and head out. Only this time, it wasn't simple. This time, I had Evie, and Gabriel with me. It was finally starting to feel real. Evie broke her lease, and we hired a moving company to move all of her larger items into my – our house in San Franscisco. All we were bringing were our clothes, and Gabriel's favorite toys. Anything else, we could pick up on base.
Wes, and Zoe met us at Evie's place to say their goodbyes, even though it was only for a short time. Wes also agreed to over see the movers, and make sure that everything got to the house in one piece. I was grateful for both of them, and I knew I'd only be more so in the months to come. I'd be counting on them to look after Evie, and Gabriel when I couldn't. Even though I knew I had at least the next six months with them, I knew how fast time flew, and before I knew it they'd be leaving.
I hugged my sister one last time, before climbing into the drivers seat, reaching for Evie's hand when I did so. I felt the ring on her finger, and it brought a smile to lips. “Ready?” I asked her. When she nodded yes with a smile of her own, I put the truck into drive, and pulled away from the place that she had been calling home for the past few months. She didn't even look back, and neither did I.
“You ready for a long car ride buddy?” I asked Gabriel, locking eyes with him in the rear view mirror.
“Ready!” He said, clutching his lion, and his favorite blanket in his tiny arms.
I smiled back at him, before releasing Evie's hand long enough to play with the radio. I set it on a rock station, and within seconds, she was changing it to country. “Rules of every road trip.” She said, placing her hand back in mine. “The passenger, is always the DJ.”
I laughed, bringing her hand to my lips to kiss it. “You just make that up Hermosa?”
“Have I told you how much I miss you calling me that?” She asked, avoiding my question.
“Once, or twice.” I winked, before returning my focus back to the road. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?”
“Not today.” She teased.
“I love you Hermosa.” I said, with the cheesiest grin I'd ever sported. I finally knew what it felt like to truly be happy.
“I love you Mama.” Gabriel said from the backseat, as he rubbed his tired eyes. “I love you Daddy.”
“Oh! I have something for you.” Evie said, releasing my hand to rifle through her purse. “I filed the paperwork the day you mentioned it. I wanted to surprise you. All you need to do is sign this, and you'll be on Gabriel's birth certificate. I also began the paperwork to change his last name. I want us all to share it, if that's okay?” She asked timidly.
“It's more than okay Hermosa.” I said, placing my hand on her thigh. “If I didn't have to drive right now, I'd pull you over here, and show you just how okay it is.” I whispered, giving her a little squeeze.
“I never thought I'd end up living on an army base.” She sighed, placing her hand over mine.
“Are you nervous?”
“Very.” She laughed. “This isn't the life that I imagined for myself, or for Gabriel. It just seems like a waste, you know? These past two years, we could have been with you. Instead, I kept him away. I thought I was keeping him safe. That, I wouldn't have to explain his father's death to him. But, the reality is you could be hit by a bus today. We all could. I spent so much time “protecting” him, I lost sight of what really matters. Family. I never had one, and what do I do? Keep my son from his. Im a hypocrite Jake.”
“No Evie, you're human. We all make mistakes, the important thing is that we're together now, and that we're happy. Are you happy?”
“More than I ever thought possible.”
“Then that's all that matters. That, and the fact that the driver is indeed the DJ.” I said, switching the station back to rock.
She swatted me playfully on the shoulder, and Gabriel yelled “no hit!” from the backseat, making us all laugh. I was wrong to think that I never wanted to have kids, and that thought made me remember Evie telling me that she wanted four. “Do you still want four kids?” I asked, needing to know the answer.
“I don't know. I thought so.” She paused, laughing. “Would it be a deal breaker if I still said yes?”
“Hermosa, I would have dozen kids with you if that's what you wanted.” I said, grinning wide.
“Does that mean you're going to be a stay at home dad, because I have my own practice opening up real soon.” She teased.
“Just call me Mr. Mom.”
“You're kidding?” She asked, with disbelief.
“I missed out on a lot with Gabriel, so if I have the chance to experience all the firsts, I'm going to take it. Haven't you realized that I'd do anything to make you happy?”
“But at what cost, Jake? You don't have to jump through hoops to impress me. I'm not going anywhere, never again. I promise.”
“I believe you.” I said with conviction, needing her to know that after everything we'd been through, we were going to be okay. We were going to make it.
“I will never forgive myself for what I did to you, but I will spend every day, for the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“We both have a lot to prove to each other Hermosa. Time doesn't heal all wounds, love does, and we already have that. That was the easy part.”
“I think we just wrote our vows.” She said softly, wiping a tear from her eye.
“I think someone's asleep.” I said, cocking my head in Gabriel's direction.
We spent the rest of our drive listening to songs from our teenage years. Apparently Pandora had a station for everything, including girly pop songs. Evie sang along to song, after song, her painted pink toes up on the dash. It brought me back to those years. When we'd just get in the car and drive. Only this time we'd be packing a diaper bag. I thought about that too. Trips to the beach, and campgrounds. Things that my parents did with me. I looked forward to all of the things I'd be able to teach Gabriel, and Evie.
A lot of my firsts with Gabe, would be her firsts in general. She'd never been fishing, or ice skating. In a way we'd be discovering new things together, and I couldn't be happier. I only wished she and Gabe wouldn't have to go back to San Franscisco without me. I tried to shake that thought from my mind though, and focus on the good things. I glanced over at Evie, when I realized she'd stopped singing. Her head was resting against the window, and she was fast asleep. Another blast from the past. Car rides always did that to her.
We had an hours drive before we arrived on base, so I changed the station, and let my new family sleep. The closer we came to Fort Hunter Liggett, the more nervous I became. Evie had always been a part of my life in some way, shape, or form, but this time she was actually present. I'd be sharing my small house, introducing her to all of my friends, and living the life that we were always meant to live. I already knew that everyone would love her, even my guys who knew our history. All they ever wanted was for me to be happy, and she's what made me that way.
When we reached the entrance gate, I gave Evie a little shake, effectively waking her. “We're here Hermosa.” I said quietly, not wanting to wake Gabriel just yet.
“Sorry I fell asleep on you.” She sighed, stretching her arms over her head.
“You can make it up to me later.” I winked, just as we reached the gate.
“Welcome home Cruz.” The soldier at the gate said, looking past me to Evie. His name was Dempsy, and he'd been running the gate for as long as I've been here. “This her?” He asked, raising his brows in approval.
“It is.” I said, taking her hand in mine. “Don't worry, I'll show her off once we get settled. You just remember to keep your hands to yourself Dempsy.”
He put his hands up playfully. “Scouts honor.”