Ayden
SAWYER

"So, when are you going to propose to my little sister?"

I looked across the table to Nate. By some miracle, I was able to drag him out of the house and we have been sitting at Down the Rabbit Hole for about an hour. I felt for the guy. I knew how hard it was coming back from the war. I wasn't all the way better myself. But if there was something I could do for him, I was going to do it. 

"Soon. I got the ring a few days ago."

Nate paused as he was about to take a swig of his beer. "What? You got it? When?" He held his hand out. "Lemme see it."

The other day when I told Laney that I needed to run errands, one of them was ring shopping. I knew she was suspicious of me because I wasn't the type of guy to run errands, but she seemed fine when I got back home. Perhaps because while I was out, I picked up her favorite ice cream.

I went to three different jewelry stores before I found the perfect ring. It wasn't something overly extravagant or crazy expensive. It was something that fit Lanie perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I still spent a pretty penny on it, but I wanted to get something that suited her personality.

I knew she was the type of woman who preferred something personal and meaningful rather than just a big rock on her finger. I was determined to find it. And I did. I pulled the small box from my pocket and handed it to Nate. He took it from me and leaned back in his chair before he opened it. 

"Holy shit," he breathed as he took in ring. There was a sapphire in the middle with a diamond on either side. "This is perfect for her. Where did you get it?" 

"A little hole-in-the-wall place in Chinatown."

Nate sat the box down and cocked his head to the side. "Was this when  you had to do 'errands'?" 

"Yeah," I laughed. "I didn't disguise that well, did I?" 

"She was a little curious about where you went, but she didn't suspect anything." Nate let out a long breath and handed me back the ring. "She was too busy tearing me a new one to worry about you." 

I knew Lanie was worried about Nate and his health, but I was still surprised at his words. "About what?" I asked curiously. 

"Physical therapy, actually." He ran a hand over his face and took a drink of his beer. "She's right. Every single thing she said was right. I need to get it together. Therapy helps. You know, the taking helps. But I need to fix my leg. The longer I wait, the worse it's going to get." 

"Did you make an appointment?" 

He shook his head. "Not yet. I'm going to call tomorrow and see what I can do." 

"That's good, Nate. Did you tell her you're going to go?" 

"I'm going to wait until I make the appointment. The less I can disappoint her, the better." 

I scoffed at that. Wasn't that the truth. Lanie was an extraordinary person. How someone could hurt her was beyond me. I was still hoping the day would come where I got to teach that asshole ex of hers a lesson. The more she told me about him, the more I wanted to pummel his face. One day. 

My cellphone went off and I frowned as I retrieved it from my pocket. "Fuck," I said when I saw the caller-id. 

"Who is it?" Nate asked. 

"It's Collins." I clicked the accept button. "Sawyer," I answered.

Nate studied my expressions as I listened to our superior on the other line. 

"Sawyer, it's good to speak to you. How are you and Jenkins holding up?" 

"We're okay, sir. On the mend." 

"That's good to hear," Collins said in a satisfactory tone.

"I'm sorry, sir. Can I ask what this is in regards to?" 

Collins cleared his throat. "Yes. I need you to report to base in two days." 

My heart dropped and I looked at Nate. "Sir, with all do respect, I thought we were honorably discharged from the Army? Our tour is over." 

There was a loud noise in the background before he spoke again, "That's correct. This isn't for that. There's some things that need to be sorted out. We'll take care of the travel like we usually do. But I need you to be here. Do you understand me, Sawyer?" 

Lanie was going to kill me. "Yes, sir. Just me? Or Jenkins too?" Please say just me....

"Just you. I'll give you the details of your flight when I have them." 

"Yes, sir. Thank you," I said and the line went dead. 

"What the fuck?" Nate sneered. "Why are you going over there?" 

I felt this weird numbness as I slid my phone back in my pocket. "I don't know. He said some stuff needed to be sorted out. He said I was still discharged so it's not like I'm going to be an active soldier." 

Nate had that same defeated look on his face as I did. We both knew that I couldn't defy a direct order like that. "What are you going to tell Lanie?" 

"The truth." 

"She's going to be pissed." 

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I know. It should only be a few days. I'm going to fly out there, get this shit sorted and come right back." 

"Good luck," Nate chided and finished off his beer. 

"Nathan Jenkins?" 

Nate and I both turned in the direction of the unknown female voice. There was a petite brunette that walked over to our table. I glanced at Nate as she got closer. The blood drained from his face. Christ, it looked like he was seeing a ghost. He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly; clearly he was unable to form the words to speak. 

Next thing I knew-- she threw her drink in his face. Then walked away.

"What the hell was that?" I asked him incredulously. 

Nate's eyes never left the brunette. It wasn't until she exited the bar that he finally turned towards me. "It was...Karma." 

I snickered at that and handed him a napkin. "I told you sleeping around would come to bite you in the ass." 

"No, that's not--" He eyed the door one more time. "Yeah, you're right. Karma does come to bite you in the ass." 

Nate was quiet the whole way back to the house. He seemed off ever since that brunette threw her drink in his face. I guess that would throw off anyone's night. We stayed in the bar for one more round of drinks after that before we headed home. It was almost midnight now and I knew Lanie was waiting up for me. 

I was dreading having the conversation about leaving for Afghanistan. Just as we left the bar, I got an email of my flight itinerary. I was leaving in less than twenty-four hours. Yep. She was going to kill me. I wish I knew exactly what was happening over there. Why did they want me to fly all the way out there? Especially now? 

The thought of leaving Lanie again didn't sit right with me. I didn't want to be away from her. I was finally done with the Army and we were going to be having a baby. Even if she wasn't pregnant, I still wouldn't want to go. I wanted to be home-- and she was my home. I devoted over ten years of my life to service my country. It was time to move on and start a family. 

As I pulled into the driveway, I saw the bedroom light on in our room. Nate and I got out of the car and started heading inside the house. 

"Good luck," Nate said teasingly. "I'm going to go shower and wash this drink off of me." 

I snickered. "Yeah, you do that." When he was almost to his door, I ran over to him. "Hey, Nate. When I leave..." 

I couldn't finish my sentence. But I didn't need to. Nate knew exactly what I was asking. 

He nodded his head solemnly. "Don't worry, Ayden. I'll take good care of them." 

"Thanks," I replied quietly. 

I turned and walked to my room. When I opened the door to my room, I stopped and leaned against the frame. Lanie was wearing a black teddy as she brushed her hair in front of the large mirror above our dresser. 

"You are so beautiful," I said to her quietly. 

When her eyes met mine in the mirror, she blushed and looked away shyly. It always amazed me when she did that. We've slept together more times than I could count. I've seen and kissed every inch of her gorgeous body. There was no reason for her to be modest. But I loved it when she was. I loved seeing the flush in her cheeks and her innocent smile. 

I was a lucky fucking bastard. 

"Did you have a good time?" she asked as she turned and walked towards me. 

I met her in the middle of the room and wrapped my arms around her waist. "We did have a good time actually. It was good to get out." 

She wrapped her arms around my neck and played with my hair. It's been awhile since I cut it, so it's grown out a little. "Well, I'm glad you're home." She trailed little kisses along my jawline. "You know, I read in my pregnancy book that a lot of women get a very heightened sex drive when they're pregnant." 

My eyes slid shut as she kissed my neck. "Mhmm." God, I loved when she did that. 

"What do you say, Seargent? Feel like getting naked with me tonight?" 

"Yes," I hissed as she nipped my ear lobe. 

"Truth or lie?" she asked teasingly. 

I chuckled darkly. The truth of how much I wanted what she offered was straining against my jeans. "Truth, Goddess. Always." 

"Good," she purred before she took me by the hand and led me to our bed. 

Thank God I closed our door. I didn't need Nate to overhear any of this. When she got me to the bed, she gently pushed on my shoulder and I sat on the side. She gave me a sultry smile as she straddled my waist. She was breathtaking. Every single thing about her. The way she looked, the way she smelled, the way she touched me. Most importantly, it was how she was on the inside. I have never met someone who was more caring or loving than Lanie. 

Even though I wanted this with her right now, I needed to be honest with her. Just as she pressed her lips against mine, the confession slipped out... "I'm leaving for Afghanistan tomorrow." 

She pulled back form me and her mouth dropped. "WHAT!"

I sighed. Just the reaction I was expecting.