CHAPTER TWELVE
Saturday, October 6th
Chad walked up to Willa’s door, running his hands over his wet hair. It was seven in the morning, and he wasn’t expected for several hours. They’d been able to catch an earlier flight out of Germany, and he was about to surprise his girl.
The last sixty days had been unbelievably satisfying in terms of his career, but shit for his personal life. Turns out, he missed Willa in a way that had his gut churning most days. Not that he let it interfere with his duties, but it sure had been hell keeping it compartmentalized.
Pulling his key out, he unlocked her door quietly and was immediately hit with her familiar scent. A wave of emotion washed over him, and his knees buckled for a second. The box he’d stuffed all his feelings into burst wide open.
Looking around, he saw it was as tidy as it always was with a plate of oatmeal cookies on the counter.
His favorite.
A sign was propped against the bookcase, and he quietly walked over and read it. Willa had painted a big heart with his name on it, and a grin spread across his face. He would’ve loved seeing her waving it over at North Island if his return had gone off as scheduled.
He took off his jacket and shoes and set them next to the table and noticed a pad of paper with one of Willa’s lists and let out a silent laugh.
Everything was checked off, and he knew it meant that she was ready to spend their week off together doing nothing but getting reacquainted. Sixty days apart wasn’t all that long in Navy life, but they were still a new couple, and he knew they were going to have an adjustment period.
One he intended to start with a day spent in bed.
He grabbed the box out of his jacket pocket and walked into the bedroom.
His heart beat mercilessly in his chest, and he put his hand against the wall as he took in the sight of his girl asleep. Her wild curls were spread over the pillow, and she wore one of his T-shirts, and he’d never seen a more welcome sight in his life.
“Willa, I’m home,” he called out softly. When there was no movement, he did it again and saw her roll over. “Wake up, babe, I’m home.”
That did it.
Her eyes flew open, and she stared at him. “Hi, babe.”
Sitting up, she shoved her hair out of her face and then covered her mouth as tears slipped down her face.
Striding to the bed, he sat down and gathered her in his arms and held her tightly. He pressed a bunch of kisses to her hair and felt his own tears, and they clung to one another. Her small hands were digging into his side as if she was afraid he’d get away.
Not fucking possible because he planned on never letting her go.
Once he felt his emotions were under control, he pulled back and lifted her face in his hands and felt the same burst of excitement as when she opened her door the first time.
“Hi.”
“You’re early.”
“Yeah, we caught an earlier flight and got in around five.”
She buried her face in his chest and started pressing kisses to his heart. “I need to make sure you’re real and not the dream I’ve been having for two months.”
He slid his hand up her T-shirt and spread his hand across her back and grinned. “In about thirty seconds, I’m going to show you just how real I am.”
Letting him go, she scrambled away and shook her head. “I’m brushing my teeth first.” She climbed off the bed and ran into the bathroom and shut the door.
Laughing, he set the box down on the bedside table and then got rid of his clothes. He laid down on the bed and was immediately surrounded by the smell of her flowery shampoo. His body reacted immediately, and he decided to roll on his side, so Willa wouldn’t be shocked when she came out of the bathroom.
He heard the door open and saw his girl step out shyly. Holding out his hand, he grinned. “You better get in this bed, so I can show you how much I missed you.”
She ran to him and collapsed into his arms, kissing him everywhere. “I love you and missed you more than I thought possible.”
He slid her body on top of his and grinned. “I love you like hell, lady, and there wasn’t an hour of any day that I didn’t think of you. Confirmed what I knew before I left and there’s no day worth having if you’re not in it.”
She lifted her necklace and ran her finger over the anchor. “A smart man told me that no matter where we are in the world, we are tethered together, and I know that’s true. But I have to tell you, I much prefer having you as close as I can get you.”
“Yeah, I have to agree with you.” He kept her snugged against his chest and reached over and grabbed the black box. “I’ve got something to ask you, and I want to do it before we get lost in one another’s bodies.”
He sat up and held her in his lap. His heart was now going into double time, and he let out a breath and felt Willa tremble in his arms.
Best to just get it out.
“Babe, there’s not a thing I want in this life more than you. Will you build a life a with me and let me love you for the rest of my days?” Her eyes were locked on his, and he saw the love shimmering and prayed she’d say yes.
“Are you asking me to move in together?”
“What?” he looked down and realized he never opened the box.
Shit.
He opened the box and held it up. The diamond twinkled in the morning light, and he grinned. “Let me try this again.” He took the ring out and then grabbed her hand. “Willa Foret, will you marry me?”
Her head started moving, and he slipped the ring on her finger and let out a loud laugh. “You gotta say yes to make it official.”
“Yes, Chad Dawson.” She crawled out of his lap and tackled him, so they fell back on the bed in a tangle of limbs. “I will marry you.”
She covered his face in his kisses, and he held her tightly and thanked God again for sending him the perfect woman. “Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s get this reunion started.” Taking her face in his hands, he saw her beautiful eyes filled with love, and he couldn’t believe he was the lucky son of a bitch who got to spend the rest of his life with her. “I promise to do my best and love the hell out of you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“I love you, Chad, and there won’t be a day that I let you forget that.”
Rolling her over, he pressed his mouth to hers and knew one lifetime together might not be enough. Maybe fate would keep them entwined for a couple more, so he could have a chance to give her all the love in his heart.