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Mid-week November

The smooth strumming of Home by Daughter filled the bathroom, the song playing softly from his phone as he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his collar and the dark navy tie.

Then, adjusting to his SAS formal uniform, the navy-blue suit sat snug against his broad shoulders and his body, the silver insignia pinned neatly to his chest. The crisp white dress shirt underneath complemented the sharp cut of the uniform, and the polished black shoes completed the look.

When he grabbed the amber-colored cologne caught the light, giving off a soft glow as it sat atop the bathroom counter. The label boasted a sleek and sophisticated design, with gold lettering and a small emblem of a stag on the front.

As he applied the cologne, the scent was rich and alluring, a blend of musky oud and spicy cinnamon with a hint of smoky vanilla. Its scent wafted through the air, mixing with the steam from the hot shower and creating a heady aroma. He could almost taste the spiciness of the cinnamon and the hint of sweetness from the vanilla. It was like a warm and comforting flavor, something he could savor on his tongue. Though he couldn't taste the cologne itself, there was a hint of sweetness to the scent that lingered in his mouth, almost like a whisper of honey. It was one of Charlie's favorite out of the other colognes he owned.

The black and silver bottle of cologne gleamed on the bathroom counter, housed in a sleek, dark bottle with a clear glass cap. The liquid inside was a warm, amber color, inviting and its label read "Musk" in elegant cursive lettering.

His mutton chops are trimmed and so was his high and tight buzz cut hair. Neat and trimmed. His thinning crown was known and he noticed some times now that one of his hairlines on the front was showing signs of gray line. Just a little. He'll have to move on since this wasn't a time to grimace on this small change.

He ran a hand over his beard, checking the trim. Presentable. That was what he needed to be. His hands stilled as the thought of Charlie settled in his mind. The past few months had been nothing short but a crazy ride.

Between missions, threats, and almost losing her, John found himself clinging to this simple moment like this. The ones where it was just her laughter echoing through his flat, her body curled against his at night and day, the way she made his cold world become warm.

And now, she would no longer look over her shoulders. Nor become afraid or worry about Harkin lingering around. She was safe, and he was relieved but more on being dreadful of his upcoming deployment in less than ten days.

He has five days left with her.

John inhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as if to shake off the thought. Tonight wasn't about his own mind running in circles or fixing to grieve about how his days could be numbered with someone he grew to love with.

Tonight was about her.

And this was the moment she had looked forward to—and he was going to make damn sure she does for a lifetime.

Fastening the last button on his uniform jacket, he smoothed the fabric before stepping back from the mirror. His wintry eyes scanned over his reflection. He looked like the soldier he had always been. But for the first time in years, there was something warmer in his gaze.

My heart in my throat

I won't say a word

But I think he knows

That I've hardly slept

Since the night he left

His body always kept

The lyrics hummed in his ears as he stepped out of the bathroom, heading toward his bedroom where he had left the last remaining piece of his uniform, his cap. It rested on the edge of his shelf, but it also caught his eye below the second shelf.

A few photo frames and his eyes glanced at the first person he always does whenever he enters.

His mother.

The only thing he'll always remember the people in the past have pointed out that he almost looks like his mother, except his hair is darker than his mother. With her brown hair with a fair skin tone, and the grit that mostly he knew his mother was tough. She was a woman still with a heart and brave spirit, which he mostly got some part of her. His icy blue eyes though, he got it from his father. While his other two brothers have their mother's green eyes. His oldest, Silas, has wintry eyes also.

She had been smiling, holding him close with his other brothers; His mother had been kind but fierce and knew about love, sacrifice, and hope.

Hope.

If only he had that much faith in this type of belief. He wouldn't have doubted God, right?

Not now, Price. Focus on the now. He reminded himself.

John exhaled before reaching out to grab the photo frame, he stared at it longer.

He missed her.

Out of the three brothers, John was the only one who would visit her grave every year on her birthday. He would always pay her respect before talking to her alone. Like, he would open up about everything. His life struggle, loneliness, his past grudges, and the memories he couldn't pretend they don't exist would go away anytime soon.

He knew hiding things from her wouldn't do any good because he knew his mother would always catch any of them either lying or hiding. Olivia never wanted lies or secrets within the family, since she believed in open honesty.

But what about the father of the four? He sometimes wondered about where he was today. It may or may not matter whether he was dead or alive, it only mattered that John would pay his mother more respect than the father, who wasn't there for them growing up. Let alone, she had sacrificed so much of her life to him and his brothers that she would end up meeting death through cancer.

It was one hell of a price his mother had paid so much for her sons to live long and build a happy life.

Happy.

John had been through and fought a long and hard war. After years in service, it took him years of training to compartmentalize every bit of his emotions to keep himself guarded and in control of himself.

But right now, looking at the photo, it felt right.

John gave a small, lopsided smile before placing it back on the shelf.

"Got myself a girl, Mom," he spoke gruffly, but there was warmth in his tone. Almost like warm tea added with honey as it rumbled from his chest.

In silence, he inhaled and exhaled before lowering his gaze. He pushed down whatever emotions tried to surface. He scrunched his nose and pressed his lips thin. John cleared his throat and lifted his gaze back to the photo.

"She's been a good girl to me and to your granddaughter." He said quietly. "If you were alive today, I know in a heartbeat you'll love her as your own."

Then, he cleared his throat and grabbed his cap and left the room. Walking down the corridor into the bathroom, he could feel an unfamiliar beating of his heart that was begging to climb out of his throat. He could almost feel his stomach twist into a knot. Grabbing his phone from the counter, he turned off the music before unlocking his phone, there was a series of notifications lit up.

Two new messages. One from Cam and Gabby.

Cam: Dad I have to take a picture of you and Charlie before u leave! No excuses.

John smirked, shaking his head at her text.

Then, he clicked on Gabby's text.

Gabby: Charlie is almost ready 😉

His smirk then softened.

A part of him admitted that he was excited to see how Charlie would look in a dress, while another part of him needed to act as naturally as possible. He had faced countless dangers in his military career, the thought of seeing Charlie walk down the aisle made his pulse quicken. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he was about to reply to either one, there was a knock at the door.

He slipped his phone into his pocket as he left the bathroom and made his way to the entrance. After unlocking the door and opening it, he found Gabby standing there. He noticed more of her complexion of her light bourbon color skin was a bit more pale with some signs of dark circles that he figured she used some sort of a makeup to cover up the real notion of her; She whistled low.

"I haven't seen you in that uniform since..." Gabby trailed off after her mind went blank as though she knew what she wanted to say but changed her words quickly, "... in a long time. You clean up really well, Gramps."

John groaned, earning her a smile after she cleared her throat and patted his shoulder as she stepped inside. Gabby wandered over to the sofa.

"Should I be worried about sex germs if I sit here?" She teased, knowing that she, herself and Simon, did things on their own sofas.

"Just sit down, Knocks." He grumbled, only for her to laugh before sitting down. "And can you stop it that damn nickname?"

"As soon as you stop calling me Knocks instead of Riley," she gave him a pointed look.

John shook his head with a found smile after shutting the front door.

"Anyways, I got the ring for you," she said, holding up the blue velvet box in the palm of her hand.

His eyes softened and he walked towards her before taking it from her.

"Thank you, Gabby," he said before opening the lid, his icy blue eyes almost widened when he met with the ring he had bought, and it was perfect. The same ring he had picked out at the jewelry store, the one he knew would belong to Charlie for a lifetime. A soft, elegant gold band with a sparkling round diamond nestled at its center. His fingers ran over the edges of the box as he stared at it, his chest tightening since he couldn't believe it was real.

This is it.

John exhaled and closed the box, tucking it safely into his blazer pocket.

Gabby watched him carefully before her smirk widened.

"Soap's still taking credit for all of this, you know," she said, crossing her leg over her knee. "Simon and Ivory are with him at their place, since Cam and Danny are helping Charlie at our house getting ready. Simon texted me saying Johnny is over the moon his plan worked out."

He let out a huff in return, yet he couldn't deny the truth. Without Soap persistently urging him to step out from his comfort zone, things could have turned out differently. Maybe he would've still been alone. But now, he had something worth holding onto.

"Takin' credit of his own, eh? How fancy."

"Yeah," Gabby continued, "Cam is helping Charlie get dressed like a princess, I did her hair. Your poor daughter has all those beautiful curls but has no idea how to style straight hair. And Danny might be girly but she doesn't get Charlie's simple style."

He let out a chuckle and smiled more.

"Thank you for... making this night special for her."

She waved him off and smiled quickly before standing up slowly. She reached out and pulled him a hug while being careful not to wrinkle his uniform. He hugged her in return.

"It's what family does, John." Gabby whispered into his ear, she felt his arms flex around her back, squeezing her lightly as he had to be careful not to hurt her.

"I know," he said before pulling back, "and when should we expect the newest member of this family?"

He watched as her eyes widened and her hand immediately touched her flat stomach.

"What?"

"Don't look at me like that, I notice things," John pointed out with a chuckle, his eyes dropping to her hand in her belly. "Congratulations. Does Simon know?"

A brief pause, and Gabby closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before looking back at him.

"My husband is the best at his job, but he's totally clueless about pregnancy symptoms, John. And I only just found out. I haven't told him yet." Gabby paused, rubbing her hand over her stomach, like she was aware that there's a life in her. "Don't look at me like that. We have a mission to prepare for, he needs to focus. Plus I... I just want to make sure... we didn't know till I was over three months with Ivory..." her words broke as she tried to explain, pressing her lips tight. There were tears threatening to spill over her lashes.

John laid his hand on her shoulder, and Gabby wiped the tears quickly from her back hand and looked at him.

"I lost a baby... back with Marsh. Simon knows. I was only two months along. I guess not knowing about Ivory till later on and now knowing about this one before the three months mark... just nervous is all." Gabby sighed again and tried to keep herself together. "I'll tell Simon once I get my mind all sorted out."

He stared at her, and he wiped her tears away.

"I love Simon like a brother, but you're right. He's clueless to things like this," he said with a half smile. "You're a wonderful mother, Gabrielle, and you'll be fine. I'll have you stay behind—"

"No! Don't, John. I'm going." She gave him a stern look.

His smile faded, and he almost frowned at her.

"Knocks, I can't let you. I won't allow you to come with us. You're not a burden or weak, we're talking about a small, tiny life you're going to carry for seven months or less for my brother. You're still the best I have and need. My team needs you. I need you to be sharp and focused."

Gabby almost let out a huff.

"Well, yeah, you need me. Pregnant or not. I'm the best overwatch and hacker you have outside of Kate and she won't be there," she countered.

"It doesn't matter, Gabby. Kate will be here with us, regardless. Your health and your baby should be your number one priority. I'm not giving you a chance to stress yourself," John said sternly.

"But..."

"Listen to me," he paused, allowing his tone to be stern as if he wasn't playing with anything delicate or anyone when serious. "Two months in is when everything starts forming—heart, spine, lungs. Stress spikes your cortisol, jacks your blood pressure, and shrinks oxygen to the foetus. A firefight, an exfil sprint, one bad breaching charge? You're gambling with that life before it's even had a chance to breathe."

Gabby opened her mouth, but he pressed on, gentler now. "You are still Task Force, and if the op goes sideways I'll put you on a sat-uplink and you can crash every CCTV on the continent from right here. But boots-on-ground is off the table until the medics clear you in the second trimester—full stop. This unit survives because we cover one another's six. Let us cover yours—and the kid's."

A long breath left her. The fight drained from her posture, replaced by something fragile and fierce all at once. Finally she nodded.

"Alright, Captain. I'll stay."

"Good." The word carried the rare warmth he saved for family. "We'll rig a comms seat for you beside Laswell. You'll have eyes on everything, and Simon'll sleep better knowing you're out of the blast radius."

Her smile wobbled but held. "You always were a stubborn bastard."

"Occupational hazard," he said, allowing the faintest grin. "Now, are we ready to leave?"

"Yep," she said after she popped a 'p' as a pop at the end. "Come on, your future bride is waiting."

Then, she passed him and headed towards the front door and pulled out her keys from her pocket and shook.

"I'll follow you back to my house, old man."

John chuckled before grabbing his keys from the nearby counter, and opened the door. Gabby went out first, and he followed her behind, locking the door behind them last.