Everyone was gathered at the terminal to see Monica and Victor off. The last two days had been a whirlwind for Julie, Fiona, and Monica. They were questioned by the police for several hours and the media had been hounding them for interviews since the story broke. It seemed Burt was responsible for a series of rapes and murders across the country. The police investigation and the sample DNA they collected from him during his arrest connected him to at least eight crimes though the police suspected there were many more.
The guilt creeped up on Monica though she tried to brush it off. Her mind kept trying to tell her that not reporting him in the first place had led to this, but her new friends told her he had always been a monster. Still, it weighed heavily on her. “Monica, you know you have been through this before and you can’t blame yourself. Sadly laws protect the criminals in cases of rape and the stigma of rape makes women stay quiet. And remember, you were just a girl when your rape happened?” Julie kept trying to keep her together emotionally.
“I know. But you know how it is. Your mind plays tricks on you and tells you one thing even though your heart feels a different way. The head and heart. Always at odds.”
“Not always,” Fiona reminded her. “You’ll get there.”
Victor’s heart broke for the emotional roller coaster his wife was going through. He spoke to Cookie about it the previous night. Cookie and he had agreed that Monica should see someone when she returned to Tampa. He was making sure Fiona saw someone, even though she seemed to be coping better than anyone else. Patrick was making Julie talk to someone, too.
“If you need to talk to someone, we’re both here for you. We’re just a call away.” Julie’s words were a comfort and Monica knew she would be calling both of them. And not about what they had been through. Both of these women had become important to her and she considered them friends.
“I’ll call,” Monica promised. “And please. If you ever come to the Tampa Bay area, I would love for you guys to visit and stay with us.”
There were tears and hugs exchanged among the women, and manly handshakes and back slaps for the guys.
Victor took Monica’s hand and pulled her towards the gate. Their week had been blissfully pleasant for the most part, but he was ready to go home. They both needed the normalcy after the last 48 hours. They needed to see their boys and hold them. He needed to see his daughter, too.
Both turned once more for a final wave to see all of their new friends who had come to see them off. Monica was pleased to see Fiona and Julie’s hands clasped. Behind each woman was their father, and beside each, their husband flanking them.
As horrible as it was, what they had been through, Monica was glad it pulled these two women together. For Julie, it had given her the chance to prove she wasn’t selfish, and she could put others first. For Fiona, it had made her stronger. She’d fought and survived, again. And it proved to her that people loved her; they always had her back, and she was worthy of it.
And for Monica, it had been life altering. It reiterated to her something she’d known for some time, and that was the value of friendship. True friendship was a gift. And you could only get that great reward when you were willing to open yourself up to others. Her husband pulled her to his side, and feeling safe and loved she went with him. Home was waiting.
And if she was lucky, Victor had promised they could become members of the mile high club.
* * *
Cookie pulled Fiona to him. He was so incredibly proud of the stunning woman before him. It had been a crazy ass week for her, but here she was in his arms, not only surviving but thriving. So incredibly strong. “I’m one lucky SOB,” he ground out before claiming her lips in a tender kiss. He didn’t care if her father was there to witness it. He knew her first.
She pulled back briefly, and with eyebrows raised, confirmed his claim. “Yes, you are and don’t you forget it.” Confidence. She had it in spades now. Cookie pulled her in to finish what he’d started despite all the eyes on him. He’d show her more when he got her home later.
* * *
“Dinner tomorrow night, senator,” Patrick confirmed as they walked to the parking garage together. Julie’s father was returning to Virginia and they wanted to see him off at their house before he went.
“Yes, I’ll be there. With bells on.” He shook his son-in-law’s hand and then reached for his daughter. “I know I don’t say it enough, darling, but I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, daddy.” Julie squeezed back the tears that threatened. Hearing her dad tell her he was proud meant so much. Half her life she’d spent waiting to hear those words. He let her go and got into his chauffeured vehicle.
Patrick took his wife in his arms after the senator’s car was out of sight. “I’m proud of you too, Julie. I’d take you on a mission any day.”
Julie laughed hard, and not because of his words, but because of the serious expression on his face. “No, you wouldn’t.”
Patrick smiled down broadly at his pixie of a wife. “Well, maybe not. Not because I didn’t trust you, but because I wouldn’t want you in harm’s way. I’ll admit, I was terrified for those few hours. It must have aged me ten years.”
“I was scared too, but I kept my focus on getting us all out,” she admitted.
“And you did. Your actions, quick thinking, and Fiona leaving us a trail to follow. Brilliant. Both of you. Hmm, maybe I could use you on a tactical mission,” he teased, one eyebrow quirking up mischievously.
“What mission?” she asked, perplexed by her husband’s words and facial expression. He looked like he was contemplating something.
“Let’s get you home. But, I’m thinking of . . . a missionary position to start.”
Julie snorted. “Omg, Patrick that was a horrible joke. But, I’m game if you are,” she skipped ahead to their waiting vehicle, but stood by the door until he caught up and opened it for her.
“I’m definitely game,” he called after her. “My little SEAL.”
“I’d rather have a SEAL in me,” she teased and was pleased by his snort of laughter.
He reached for her. “I think that most certainly can be arranged,” he teased as his face inched closer to hers. He claimed her lips then and gave her a taste of what was to come later.
Julie slid into her seat when the kiss broke. “I look forward to it, Commander,” she purred seductively just before he shut her door.
Her words and tone put a pep in his step as he hustled around the vehicle. He needed to get his wife home.
The End