THE SOUND of beeping machines pulls Ellie out of her sleep, green eyes fluttering open, wincing at the lights in the room. She squirms on the bed. There's a numbness in her stomach that makes her pull the covers off, staring at the bandage wound around her abdomen.

"You were in surgery for eight hours," a gravelly voice says from beside her.

 Ellie turns and sees a mask-clad Simon Riley sitting in a chair. He's slumped over on the arm. Eyes tired. "Why?"

"You were shot."

She rolls her eyes at that sentence. "I remember that much. Why did it take so long?"

"You were being a problem, imagine that." His eyes light up just a little as he matches her sarcasm, making his mood better. "Being as stubborn as always. Even on the bloody operating table."

"Gotta give the doctors a run for their money, Ghost." Ellie clears her throat, becoming aware of how dry it is. Simon sits up and brings a water cup to her lips. He places the straw between them.

She drinks it and starts to cough a little, Ghost moves closer, his voice gentle as he says, "Careful now."

Ellie looks around and notices the bag of IV fluids and blood attached to her. "How much of that have I needed?" she asks, head motioning to the blood transfusion.

"Quite a bit."

"Sheesh," she mutters, hand reaching up to rub her eyes. "Where is Soap? Is he okay?"

"Johnny's just fine. His bullet went clean through."

"Lucky bastard."

Ghost chuckles. "He wants to see you. But I told him you needed to rest. Wasn't sure you were gonna even wake up today."

She sighs, a smile on her face. "I'm full of surprises."

"That so?" he retorts. Ellie feels her cheeks burn when she makes eye contact with him. Something about the look in his eyes makes her feel warm. Gooey. "You're in a chipper mood for someone who was shot. And kidnapped."

"Another day in the life of Ellison Miller," she answers lightly, shrugging her shoulders. "Gotta be honest, Ghost — I'm getting tired of being shot. Don't know how much more I can take."

"Well, you're done after today," Ghost replies matter-of-factly. "You're officially retired."

She stills. "Huh? I'm not sure how to feel about that."

"The decision is made. Just focus on getting better."

"Who made that decision?" she asks pointedly.

He shifts in his seat and Ellie realizes she desperately wants to kiss him. "Your superior officers."

"So, you and Price?"

"Affirmative."

Ellie laughs. "Where is Price anyway?"

Ghost's mood shifts as he replies flatly, "He had a friend to go visit." Noticing his demeanor change, Ellie raises a brow at him. Ghost cuts her off before she can open her mouth. "Don't ask questions."

"Okay," she replies quietly, picking at her fingernails. "So, what now? Since I'm retired. Are you guys sending me back to America?"

He looks at her in silence.

"What?" Ellie asks after a moment.

"You think I'm letting you go back? Do you remember what we talked about?"

She swallows thickly. "But, you can't retire."

"Why not?"

"Because..." she gestures to him. "You're Ghost. You're a great Lieutenant. It would be a loss to the world if you stopped."

"What do I care about what happens to the world if you're not in it? If I'm not with you? What good was any of it?"

At his rough tone, Ellie closes her eyes. "You can't do that. Don't let me come between you and what you were made to do."

"I've already got something worked out with Price. As of today, you and I are both off-duty. You, more permanently than me." When he notices her confused expression, Ghost elaborates. "If they need me on the field, I'll be there. For now, I'm working from home. From base. Gathering intel. Training soldiers for what we do."

His hand is on hers. 

"We've got it worked out. Don't worry about me." He pauses for a beat. "And don't think for a second that my work is more important than you."

"I just... I feel guilty if the reason you're being pulled away is because of me."

Ghost shakes his head, eyes intense. "I've been being called away for a long time now, love. Just took a while to find the one doing the calling."

They look at one another, Ellie's thumb running over Ghost's hand. He reaches up and pulls his mask over his lips. Ellie's eyes immediately go to them. She knows the hunger she has shows in her expression. He gives a small smirk, the cheeky Brit knowing somehow exactly what she's thinking. He leans down and they share a deep kiss. 

Ellie ignores the soreness in her stomach, just relaxing into his touch as his hand moves up the side of her body, resting itself by her head.

He pulls away. "I have a place for us. When you're healed up and ready."

"A place?" He nods and Ellie tries to hide her smirk. "You have a place for us but we're not even married yet? I don't know about that..."

Ghost shakes his head at her. "Funny girl."

"You know, despite everything... I think the future looks bright," she says to him quietly, voice serious.

His hand caresses her softly. "It is, love. It is."

THREE WEEKS LATER

Ellie winces as she sits down in the passenger seat of the Jeep, Simon shuts her door and walks to the driver's side. She laughs when he starts the car.

"I'm not sure your driving is gonna help me any, Ghost," she tells him as he pulls away from the hospital.

"I'm not that awful of a driver. Not sure why everyone says that." After he speaks, they hit a bump and Ellie grips her stomach. "Sorry."

"Yeah, it's a mystery, isn't it, Simon?" she retorts sarcastically. "I would've been better off to drive."

He immediately shakes his head. "Doctor said no driving for six weeks. You're on bed rest when we get home."

"Six weeks of doing nothing but lying around sounds like torture."

"I'll be there to keep you entertained," he replies, making Ellie laugh.

"Wonderful," she replies under her breath. She can't stop grinning.

When they're out of the city and on a country road, he pulls his mask off completely, running a hand through his messy brown curls. His hair is looking a little longer these days. It surprised Ellie when she noticed just how curly it was.

"Stop staring at me, Ellison," Simon tells her. He doesn't look at her as he chides her.

"You better get used to it. I'll be doing that for the next six weeks."

He reaches over and places his hand on her knee. "I think you mean the rest of your life."

"Oh yeah... we're getting married, aren't we?"

"I hope you aren't having any second thoughts."

"No, I'm not," she tells him honestly. "I'm just messing with you."

Simon laughs shakily. "I don't think my nerves can handle those kinds of jokes, Ellie."

"Don't you worry," Ellie says. "I'm not going anywhere."

They spend the rest of the calming car trip talking quietly, Simon occasionally giving her leg a gentle squeeze or pat. He assures her they're getting close to their home. Ellie can't contain her love for the words. Their home. Ghost has been making sure to use language to include her in it, even though she was no help in buying it and has never seen the place. But to hear him call it theirs, call it the home they share — that is worth more than gold.

They pass a few quaint houses before turning down a gravel road that goes through some trees. There's a mailbox at the end of the driveway and she sits up straighter in anticipation. When they pull in closer, Ellie spots a cute cottage-type house that sits in a clearing. Woods are behind it, while the front faces the hillside. There's color and flowers and green and life. 

Ellie is speechless.

The car pulls to a stop and Simon gets out, opening her door for her. She stares at him dumbfoundedly. Barking sounds in the distance and then two dogs round the corner — a German Shepherd and a Great Pyrenees. They excitedly wag their tails beside Simon and Ellie laughs, gripping her stomach as pain shoots through her body, but she doesn't care.

"Where did these two come from?" she asks, standing and petting them both on the heads. They sniff her, soft whining coming from the two of them.

"This is Odin and Freya," he answers. "Odin's the Shepherd. Freya's the Pyrenees. I've had them for a bit."

She looks to the house. "And this house?"

"Family friends."

"Who?"

He shrugs. "It doesn't matter. Let's get you inside."

"Simon, you better spill everything," she orders as he walks her up the porch, the dogs following suit. 

"You need dinner first." He makes her sit down on the couch and Ellie is taken aback by how wonderful the inside is. He says a command to the dogs and they immediately sit at Ellie's feet, watching her carefully. "I'll be back. They'll watch over you."

"I see," she says softly as he walks out of the room, Ellie looking between the two dogs who seem to know her already. "Hello," Ellie whispers. Odin rests his snout on her lap, looking at her with those deep brown eyes. "What a good boy you are," Ellie coos, scratching behind his ears.

"Easy, love. I might get jealous."

Ellie turns to Simon's rugged voice, spotting him leaning in the doorframe. His jacket is off now so he's just in a short sleeve shirt. His tattoos are visible. The way the golden sunset rests through the windows and on his face makes him look ethereal. Scars and all.

She giggles, covering her face as she squeals out, "You can't just say things like that to me, Simon Riley!"

His footsteps fall as she grows closer and Ellie feels him in front of her. His calloused and warm hands are on hers as he pulls them off her, revealing her blushing and red face. He kneels in front of her.

"You're red," he states huskily.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous right now," she confesses. "We've been alone plenty. But for some reason, it's different in here."

"You've got nowhere to run now," Simon whispers, leaning closer and kissing her. She smiles into it. "You're all mine. I've got you all to myself." 

"Settle down, gunpowder," Ellie says breathlessly, pushing him back.

He laughs and sets her hands down in her lap. "Alright. I've got one more trick up my sleeve. Then I'll quit making you all flustered."

She closes her eyes. "Oh dear. I'm kind of already maxing out my blood pressure here, Lt." When she opens them, he's got a serious look on his face and Ellie's smile drops. "What's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong, Ellie. In fact... it's all perfect."

He reaches into his pocket and her brows furrow, dogs laying down beside him in comfort as he pulls out a black velvet box. Ellie's green eyes widen slightly. He looks at her and opens the lid and her hand goes to cover her mouth. 

The ring inside is beautiful and she can't believe what she's seeing. Seeing him — Simon 'Ghost' Riley holding a black engagement ring, on his knees for her, on the floor of their living room. The glow from the sun makes his eyes honey-colored and warm. She thinks she's imagining all of it.

"Is this real?" she whispers to him, sitting up straighter.

"I've been asking myself that question every day for about a year now," Simon replies softly, holding the ring up to her. "Ellie."

"Yes?" she answers, eyes burning with tears.

"You've shown me so much. Taught me that I am worthy of love. Never thought I'd have it, yet here you are. Don't know how you put up with me, but God has gifted you with that ability, I suppose," he says, chuckling darkly. "I love you. I know we've already talked about this all, but... I'll be yours forever if you'll have me. Just yours. Like you're mine and only mine." He pauses and takes the ring out of the box. "Will you marry me?"

As the first tear falls, he reaches up and wipes it away. She nods. "Yes," Ellie whispers, meeting his eyes. "Yes."

He grabs her hand tenderly, his large hand enveloping hers. Simon places the ring on her left hand and she smiles and wipes the tears out of her eyes. 

"Holy crap, Simon, it's beautiful," Ellie laughs, leaning in and kissing him. When they pull apart, she asks him, "How did you pick this out?"

"I had Laswell's help," he admits. "I told her what I was thinking and she helped me find it. I don't know all the technical terms like she does." He gestures to the rest of the house. "Same with this."

"You did a dang good job," Ellie says as she admires the ring.

He leans in and kisses her cheek, lips moving up against her ear as he whispers, "I knew you'd say that, Mrs. Riley."

As his arms wrap around her waist carefully, Ellie finds herself laughing again. "You cocky Brit."

She shivers as he whispers back, warmth cascading over her at his one word.

"Brat."