“I’ll sleep on the couch in the family room,” I say, stopping her. I wouldn’t feel right taking Major’s room, and the couch we all used to hang out on is big enough to be a bed. “I’m sure he’ll be home soon enough. I wouldn’t want him to yell at me for messing up his neat folds.”
There’s a pull of a smile at the corner of her mouth, but she bites her lip to keep it from growing. Then a sadness takes over, and she bursts into tears. I’m in front of her and pulling her into my arms as the sobs start to shake her body.
“Shhh. Don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay.” She leans against my chest as my arms rub up and down her back. I hold her while she cries and try to reassure her that the Major is alive. “He’s going to be fine, don’t worry. You know how he is. He’s like a cross between a Jedi and MacGyver. Nothing can touch him.”
Her body relaxes a little and selfishly I take the comfort she’s giving me. I should keep her at a distance until we have time to talk things through, but I’m not strong enough to push her away. Not now. Not when she needs me.
“Hey,” I say, getting her attention. I slide my hand under her chin and make her tilt her head up to look in my eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes are filled with tears, but she nods, knowing I’m telling her the truth. “Be strong, sunshine. I promise you that I’ll make sure this all turns out all right.”
She nods again, and my words give her some reassurance. And before I can process what’s happening, she places her soft full lips against mine. It’s not a ravenous kiss like the first time I tasted her. This is over faster than it began, and I think we’re both surprised by it.
Maggie leans back and touches her lips, shocked she did it. “Thank you,” she whispers before stepping out of my arms.
And that’s exactly what the kiss was. A thank you for comforting her and telling her it’s going to be okay. But my arms are cold without her, and it takes everything in my power not to pull her back to me.
“Let’s go downstairs and wait on Alice,” she says walking around me and going to the door. Just before she walks out of her room, she turns to look back at me. “Don’t you dare make me a promise you can’t keep, Eli.”
I square my shoulders and walk over to her, getting in her space. “I’ve never lied to you, sunshine. And I never will. You and I are going to straighten things out, make no mistake.”
With that, I take her hand and lead her downstairs to the kitchen. When we get there, it’s like no time has passed. We don’t have the playful easy way we had before, but we move around the space like we have a hundred times before. I help her cook, and a comfortable silence passes between us. It’s only broken when Alice comes home and we have to give her the news.
She’s just as upset as we are, having become a part of the family. The Major has taken care of her, and Maggie is truly like a sister. After the girls have a good cry and we all try to eat dinner, we wait for the video call on my laptop. They said that this would be a secure channel to talk to us, and they could get word to us sooner.
The three of us huddle around it in the kitchen as the screen comes to life and a woman in a suit appears before us.
“Good evening, I’m Bethany Gold, and I’m the family liaison here at the Pentagon. I’ve been given some updates on Major Drummond and wanted to give you some good news.”
Excitement rolls through all of us, and Maggie’s hand grips mine. I glance down to see her other hand is holding Alice’s, and she’s almost coming out of her chair with anticipation.
“Most of the information is classified, so I’m unable to tell you a lot of details. But what we can tell you is that he was able to eject his flight seat, and the homing device was activated one hour after landing. It’s a strong sign that he’s safe, and we have sent a search party to where the beacon was located. We haven’t heard any news yet, but we will keep you updated as we get information.”
I squeeze Maggie’s and look over at her, giving her a small smile. It’s not bad news, but it’s not great. Only the news of him coming home is going to ease her fears, but knowing that he’s okay right now is a comfort.
“Can I ask where he is?” Alice says softly, and Ms. Gold shakes her head.
“I’m sorry, but the details of the mission are currently deemed classified. I’ll see if I can get clearance later on. It will take the search team at least a few days to locate the beacon, if not longer, so settle in. I’m here day or night to answer what questions I can. But for right now, this is positive news. Take comfort, and try to get some rest.”
We thank her for what she was able to provide us, and I close the call. There’s a moment of silence before Alice stands from the table.
“I think I’m going to go lie down. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. But I need to try.” She reaches out a hand to Maggie and rubs her shoulder. “You going to be okay?”
Alice pointedly looks at me and then back to Maggie as if to ask if she’s okay alone with me.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Maggie says and gives her friend a hug.
Once Alice is out of the room and I hear the guest room door at the end of the hall close, I turn my eyes to Maggie.
“Sunshine…” I begin.
“Not right now, Eli,” she says, walking over to the kitchen sink and putting away her glass. “It’s been a long day, and I just want to go to bed.”
Her shoulders sag, and I stand up, going over to her and resting my hands on them. She might not want me right now, but we’ve been like magnets since the moment we met, and if I’m in the same room with her, I have to be near her.
I start to rub her shoulders, easing some of the tension, and her head falls back on my chest.
“I was just going to say that I can make you some brownies if you want something sweet.” I kiss the top of her head, and for a moment I keep my lips there. Smelling her shampoo and whatever sweet scent that makes up my Maggie.
She laughs a little, and it might be the best thing I’ve heard in almost a year. “You don’t know how to make brownies.”
“True. But you do. And I could help.”
“So your way of making me feel better is to make me cook so you can eat?” She turns in my arms and looks up at me with a smile, a real, genuine one this time, and my heart beats like never before.
“I think that sounds about right,” I say, reaching out and running a finger on her jaw. “Come on, you know you love me.”
The words turn her to ice, and I realize that something I used to say to her so many times has a completely different meaning now. She does love me, and I love her. But she doesn’t know that. All she knows is I took off. I need to tell her everything. All that I’ve been holding back from her.
But it’s too late. She’s stepped away from me and now she’s got her hands up in front of her. She doesn’t want me to come anywhere near her, and the thought is tearing me apart.
“Maggie, I didn’t—”