They held hands as they navigated through the ship, heading to the banquet room Phil’s parents had reserved for their evening meal.At a juncture, Phil paused and gestured to the door that would take them to the deck.
“Want to watch the sun set before we go in for dinner?”
“Oh, I do,” she replied.They left Calvin and Erin in the passageway and went outside.The warm breeze brushed her bare shoulders.“I don’t know why I expected a chill in the tropics,” she said.“I’m glad it’s so nice.”
“Me, too.”He drew her close, her back nestling against his chest, his arms a warm anchor around her.To the west, the sky unfurled like a painter’s canvas, awash in violet and tangerine, the colors deepening, shimmering, as the sun kissed the horizon’s edge.A salty breeze carried the ocean’s sigh.The sun—a molten orb—slipped below the sea, its final rays making their entire world glow red and pink.
“Incredible,” she said, turning to face him.She cupped his cheek with her hand and pressed her lips to his, enjoying the feel of his beard beneath her palm.
He pulled her closer, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against him.As he gentled the kiss, he put his hands on her hips and took a step back.She looked up at him, seeing the same love and desire she felt mirrored back.
His eyes searched her face, then suddenly turned serious.“Would you ever want to leave Clarksville?”
Nervous butterflies began dancing in her stomach.Suddenly, all of the apprehension she’d felt at the possibility of shifting roles from serving soldier to soldier’s wife disappeared.She knew now she very much wanted that.“Depends on whose asking,” she said, “and where we’re going.”
He took another slight step back and brought her left hand up to his mouth, brushing his lips across the knuckles.“My mom had a sign she hung up in every home at every duty station.It read, ‘Home is where the Army sends you.’”
In her time in the Army, she’d lived in North Carolina, Germany, and Kentucky.She imagined a thirty-year career would come with many more duty stations than that.“I would think home is wherever we are.”
As the sun dipped lower, leaving behind the darkening purple and orange, Jerry whispered, “Close your eyes, Olive.”
She happily complied, looking forward to whatever treat he had in mind this time.Shock ran through her entire body when he slipped a ring onto her left ring finger.She could feel the weight, but when her eyes flew open, she didn’t even glance at it.Instead, she kept her eyes locked with his.She didn’t need to look at anything except his beautiful eyes.
“I never thought I would ever find anyone who could understand my life and what I do for a living.The last few months have shown me that God has always known there was someone for me.He had a plan for us.I know it.I love you.Marry me, Olive Duncan.Let’s make our home together, wherever the Army takes us.”
Nothing in her heart or mind told her to say anything but yes.She barely had the word out before she stepped back into his arms with a kiss that felt so much more than before.As he broke the kiss, he wrapped her in his arms, and they stood like that for several minutes, watching the sky turn from indigo to black.
“I guess we should join the party,” he said, his voice vibrating in his chest.
“Thatiswhy we’re here.”She looked up at him.Surely his arms around her kept her from floating away in sheer bliss.“I’m still starving anyway.”
“Me too.”He laughed and stepped back, then took her hand, and they strolled to the private event room.Back in the light, Olive raised her hand and admired the round-cut diamond winking back at her.It sparkled, dazzled, and danced, elevating and enhancing the jubilation she felt in her heart.
Two men in suits stood at the door with briefcases on the deck beside them.One held a scanner.Jerry froze, tensed up a bit, and studied them, his eyelids lowering slightly and his jaw tightening.Then, he slowly held out his left wrist so he could scan the cruise bracelet.Olive followed his lead, and as soon as they scanned them, the Secret Service agents from DHS opened the door for them.
Inside, the expansive windows reflected the crystal chandelier back into the room.The intimate space shimmered with elegance.Ivory linens draped six round tables, each adorned with low bouquets of roses and eucalyptus, their delicate petals kissed by flickering candlelight.Gold-embossed place cards, tied with satin ribbons, sat in front of already plated salads.A welcome sign proclaimed “Love Sets Sail” in graceful script, framed by Phil Osbourne and Melissa’s story in photographs.The air hummed with acoustic melodies, weaving through the laughter and clinking glasses, as the room embraced the gathering with warmth.
Jerry kept his hand on the small of Olive’s back, lightly guiding her as they walked through the room.She had met most of the men in his unit at one point in time or another, and had spent time with some of them, so she didn’t feel too out of place.She loved the way he relaxed, the way he laughed and smiled, and the way he shook hands and slapped shoulders.She could see the love and respect he had for the men in the room, and they for him.
About fifty people mingled, sipping sparkling lemonade and munching on the hors d’oeuvres the wait staff offered from silver platters.Soon Phil Osbourne tapped his fork against his glass and said, “Dinner is served.Please find your tables.”
They worked their way to their assigned table.She recognized Lynda and Bill Sanders.Lynda wore a dark blue dress with a simple cross necklace.“Hello,” Olive said as she sat down.“Love what you did with your door.”
Lynda smiled and rubbed Bill’s shoulders.“That makes one of you.”
Jerry gestured to the other couple at their table.He wore a tan suit.She wore a deep emerald green silk abaya with gold embroidery along the cuffs and neckline.A matching hijab, pinned neatly with a pearl brooch, framed her face.
“You’ve met Abe, but I don’t think you know his wife.”
Jared “Honest Abe” Ibrahim nodded and said, “It’s good to see you again.This is Rania.”
Rania’s warm smile lit up her eyes.She extended a graceful hand.“It’s so nice to meet you at last,” she said, her voice soft yet sincere.
Lynda patted Ibrahim on his shoulder.“We were married once, Abe and I.”
Jared nodded.“Yes.It’s true.Until my appendix got the better of me.”
“Then you condescended to marry me,” Bill said, wiggling his black eyebrows and pulling her closer.
