She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as he dropped her hand. “What is it?” he demanded.
Nothing, she signed hurriedly. Ugh! What’s wrong with me? She thought.
“Avery…”
She took a deep breath to steel her courage. I was just daydreaming.
“About?”
Having a baby. With you.
She braced herself for him to get angry, to walk away. Instead, his lips cracked in a wide grin. “Really? Me?”
I mean, I don’t have the right to even think that. You probably don’t even want kids.
He shrugged. “I do actually. Maybe two or three.”
She beamed. Me too. But that is probably something we should not worry about until we get married. Crap. I did it again, she groaned internally.
His smile faded. “Married?”
I am not saying we should get married.
“Why not?”
Her mouth gaped open. You want to get married?
“Do you?”
Her gaze scaled him as her heart raced. She now knew everything about him. He was a warrior in more ways than one. He was sexy. He was gentle. He was loving. When she looked at him, only one word popped into her mind—husband.
She smiled. Yes. So, are you proposing?
Her breath caught in her throat as he sank one knee in the sand. “Avery Marie, I love you. Please marry me.”
She trembled as she raised her hands to answer.
He stopped them then continued, “Avery, I love your voice. Please say your answer. Don’t sign it.”
Happy tears filled her eyes as she took a deep breath. “Yes, Rico Michael. I will marry you.”
He jumped to his feet and tugged her into his arms, placing a conquering kiss on her mouth. She parted her lips, surrendering to him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. As they parted, she found her voice again. “The others?”
He grinned as he signed. They can wait.
Avery didn’t know how long they stood kissing. The sweet smell of the ocean and the feel of his strong arms holding her tight made her feel like she was in heaven. Paradise was interrupted once again by Rico’s cell phone. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at it.
“Max?” Avery asked.
“No. Dan. They are getting desperate if they have Dan texting. The next step is the local police. We better go.” He laced his fingers with hers as they continued their stroll to the bar.
Max, Chloe, Mark, and Dan were overjoyed to see the couple as they finally stepped into the nightclub. The place was nearly wall-to-wall with MMA fans. As Rico and Avery worked their way through the crowd to the upper level where the others were sitting, they were stopped by countless people wanting to meet Rico.
He kept her tucked close to him for protection as he visited with his fans. There were many photos of them taken, some, she noticed, by professional photographers. They would end up on MMA websites by the end of the night. She was astounded. She had spent so much time hating celebrities. Now, she sort of was one, and she didn’t mind it.
Finally, they reached their friends. Once they were sitting, Rico ordered their drinks. The celebration went on until the wee hours of the morning. Despite the conversations and the laughter, Avery couldn’t help but notice that Rico grew distant. He also didn’t tell his friends that he’d proposed. When they did get back to the hotel, he turned his room over to her and bunked with Mark and Dan. Lying in his bed inhaling his scent was pure torture.
The flight home was even colder. Due to buying her ticket late, Avery was seated away from the rest. Each layover was quick, and the most she got from Rico was a hurried word and kiss. When they finally arrived in Minneapolis, Max took Rico home. Avery rode with Chloe. She didn’t hear a word from her new fiancé the rest of the night.
As she stepped into work the next morning, she found a text on her phone from Rico.
Can we talk when you get off work?
Avery’s heart plummeted in her chest.
Of course.
I’ll pick you up. We’ll go to the lake.
All right.
Avery spent her workday in near tears. The thought that Rico had changed his mind about spending their lives together tore at her.
Finally, her shift ended. Glancing out the front window, she could see Rico waiting for her, leaning against his Jeep in a pair of tight jeans and a snug fitting T-shirt. Why did he have to look so sexy when he was about to dump her? She mustered all the courage she could to face him. Surprisingly, when it came to him, she didn’t have much.
He helped her in without a word then drove toward the lake. She watched him concentrate on the road with a near scowl on his face. She sighed as her heart broke. This isn’t going to go well.
Rico parked beside the lake and helped her out. She stared at him, puzzled, as he took her hand. They wandered down the trail next to the water for several minutes. Finally, Avery couldn’t take it anymore. She stepped directly in his path and faced him. Rico stopped short not to trample her. She signed quickly to him. You wanted to talk.
It took a moment for Rico to shake himself to his senses. Yes. I wanted to talk about what happened in Florida.
The proposal?
Yes.
She crossed her arms over her chest. It was the biggest sign of bravado she could offer him. She undid them to sign. All right. Talk.
He didn’t respond. Instead, he dug into his jeans pocket. He pulled out a small, midnight blue box and opened it. Inside rested the most beautiful diamond ring Avery had ever laid eyes on. She could barely form the words with her fingers. What is this?
Rico cocked a half grin at her. An engagement ring. It belonged to my mother. I asked my aunt to send it to me before we broke up.
Tears burned Avery’s eyes. He had wanted to marry her this whole time? But you were so distant when we got home. I thought you had reconsidered.
Never. I was nervous. This pretty much makes it official, doesn’t it? I was afraid you might have changed your mind and not want to marry me with all that had happened.
Avery smiled as she brushed away a stray tear. I could never change my mind.
Do you still want to be my wife?
She gazed into his blue eyes. Yes, Rico. I do want to be your wife.
Avery’s hands trembled as he pushed the ring on her finger. She wrapped her arms tight around him as he pulled her close. She had never felt so safe, so loved, in her life. This man was her everything, and she wanted to be everything to him. She wanted to share every little bit of life with him. Yet, there was still one piece of his heart she knew would never be hers, at least not until she proved to him she accepted it. She pulled away from him enough to sign.
Rico?
Yes, baby?
Will you take me somewhere?
Anywhere.
She paused before she signed. Will you take me to Hard Drive?
He frowned. Why do you want to go there?
It is the part of you I don’t know yet.
What if you don’t fall in love with that piece of me?
Avery stood on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I’m pretty sure I already have,” she said.
Rico’s grin spread across his face as he took her hand and led her back to the parking lot. He looked excited as he threw the vehicle in reverse and sped down the road. At the first stop light, Avery questioned him. “Where are we going?”
Rico held up a key dangling from his key chain. “Hard Drive. Your wish is my command.” He pulled into a spot in front of the empty building. He appeared almost giddy. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
They strolled hand in hand to the front door. Avery watched as he unlocked it then held it open for her to pass through. Rico pushed the automatic sensor to turn the lights on. “Chloe and Max shut the sensors down when they leave town. The neighborhood cats and squirrels have a bad habit of flipping them on.”
Avery giggled. She watched as he kicked off his shoes. She lo
oked at him, puzzled. “Are you making yourself at home?”
He grinned as he pointed to a sign on the wall.
No shoes on the mats.
“Do I need to take mine off?” she asked.
“If you would like the grand tour, yes.”
Avery toed off her tennis sneakers then followed Rico. She took in the mats on the floor, the racks full of equipment, the full-length mirrors that were mounted to the wall, and the row of cardio equipment that ran along the glass windows. The steps to the balcony displayed rows of fight posters. Rico was on many of them.
“Come on." He motioned for her to follow him up the stairs. There, he showed her Max and Chloe’s office. Then, he opened the door to the conference room. “We have a conference room. I don’t know why. We eat lunch in the office so we can annoy Chloe. We rarely meet about anything. Max is thinking about tearing down the wall and making a bigger office. Guess who will get to do that? The only one in construction. Yep. Me. And I owe them at least a dozen favors, so it will most likely happen.”
Avery giggled at his musing. He winked at her then led her down the stairs to the locker rooms. Once the tour was completed, he motioned around the room. “What do you think?”
“It’s incredible. I wish you had brought me here sooner.”
“Me too.” He stood quiet for a moment. Suddenly, he took her hand and led her to the mat.
“What are you doing?” Avery questioned.
Rico lowered himself into a fight stance and raised his hand. “Try it. Throw a punch.”
Avery scrambled to remember everything she had learned in boot camp about martial arts as she mimicked what he had done then lifted her hands in fists. Rico rose straight up in response. Avery stared at him, confused. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Absolutely not. I just didn’t realize you’re a southpaw.”
“I am not. I am right handed.”
“True. But you fight left handed. It’s all right. Several southpaws are really right handed.” Rico switched his legs and dropped into fight stance again. He looked far more comfortable. “Like me. Throw a jab with your right hand into my palm.”
Avery did as he instructed. Then, she purred. Throwing the punch had felt good. All her instruction came rushing back. Rico wriggled the fingers on his opposite hand to signal her to throw a cross. Her hand flew into his. Electricity flowed through her veins as she did. She released a little groan.
Rico grinned at her. “So, what do you think?”
“I think I may have found something I love more than you.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Seriously?”
She laughed. “Maybe. When can I come in and workout more?”
“How about tomorrow? I am covering the gym while Max takes Chloe to the doctor. It is my penance for retiring on him. Then un-retiring.”
“That sounds wonderful. We can have a new couple’s activity.” Avery threw another punch.
This time Rico caught her fist. He pulled her to him with an evil smile on his face. Then, he let go of her hand. “I can think of other activities we could do.”
Avery slowly kissed him, letting her lips sensually wander over his. She smiled as she felt him grip her closer. She nuzzled her nose against his before she spoke. Her voice still cracked and faded in and out but was getting stronger. “Speaking of activities, we need to go to Des Moines this weekend.”
“More backpacks for Operation First Response?”
“Exactly.”
He grinned at her. “I think I am busy.”
She ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Clear your schedule, Choate. You belong to me now.”
He laughed before he kissed her again. “Yes, ma’am.”
»»•««
Max and Chloe walked hand in hand up the sidewalk to the doors of Hard Drive. They had been up before the crack of dawn for a long drive to Rochester. After a couple of hours at the Mayo Clinic, the doctors had confirmed what they already knew. Chloe was doing fine with her CVS. All the prescriptions had been renewed and another hospital visit had been planned. After a late breakfast, the happy couple headed back to the gym to get to work.
Max held the door open for his wife. Chloe thanked him with a sweet kiss. The kissing continued as they wandered inside. Their attention was torn from each other by the sound of vinyl striking vinyl.
Avery stood in attack stance, dressed in a black Operation First Response T-shirt and a pair of running shorts. Her hands were tucked into a pair of boxing gloves. Rico stood opposite of her, holding a pair of mitts, dressed in his typical training T-shirt and his electric blue shorts with the orange flames.
He nodded once. Avery fired a jab into his mitt. He nodded twice. She followed with a hard cross. He nodded three times. She threw a perfect hook. He nodded twice again. She punched out another cross. He cocked his head to left. She finished with a body kick.
Chloe glanced at Max, finding his eyes transfixed on Avery. Her face darkened. “Max Andrew Thomas, stop it right now.”
He looked at her, clearly perplexed. “Chloe, I’m not doing anything.”
“Yes, you are. Just stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“You’ve talked about getting a female fighter in here. I know Avery already has experience with her time in the Marines as an MP. But don’t pressure her to fight for Hard Drive.”
Max stared at her for a long while then started to laugh. Chloe followed suit before turning her attention back to the mat.
After a few more sequences, Rico grinned proudly as he peeled off the mitts and tossed them on the ground. He pulled her close and kissed her softly. As they parted, she popped him under the chin.
He quickly frowned. “What was that for?”
She smiled innocently. “You didn’t tell me what punch I was supposed to throw for a kiss.”
Rico roared in laughter as he tickled her. Avery pulled free in a fit of giggles then yanked the gloves from her hands.
Chloe’s eyes grew wide as she caught sight of Avery’s left one. She rushed onto the mat and grabbed it, gazing at the brilliant diamond ring on her finger. Glancing back and forth between Avery and Rico. “Oh, my gosh. Are you engaged?”
Avery beamed as she pulled her hand free to sign. “Yes. Rico proposed in Florida.”
“But you didn’t have the ring in Florida.”
Rico grinned as he joined in the conversation. “The ring was here. It belonged to my mother. I had my aunt send it to me before Avery broke up with me.”
Avery spun on her toe and wrapped her arms around her fiancé, pressing a long, sweet kiss to his lips. Chloe sighed as she watched.
She signed. “Have you set a date?”
“We have.” Rico gazed proudly at Avery. “Independence Day, next summer. My beautiful girl fought bravely for our freedom and sacrificed her hearing for it. I want to honor her by making our big day the day we celebrate our freedom as a nation.”
“And he doesn’t want to forget the date,” Avery teased.
Before Rico could tickle her again, the glass door slammed open. Phoebe stormed into the gym and headed straight for Rico.
“What the hell are you doing here, Phoebe?” he demanded. “I know my lawyer called you about the new restraining order.”
“I want answers,” she countered. “I turned on your fight and see her,” she pointed accusingly at Avery, “walking with you to the octagon. How could you do that to me? You belong to me, and you betray me like that!”
A split second after she stopped speaking, a fist flew through the air, striking Phoebe in the nose. The cross landed Phoebe on her rear on the mat. Avery towered over her, her fists now clenched to her hips. Instinctively, Chloe flanked her friend for support.
“Stay away from my fiancé,” Avery barked.
“I thought you were deaf,” Phoebe whimpered as she clenched her bleeding nose.
“She’s deaf, not mute, you moron,” Chloe growled. “Get out of my gym. Stay away from our men.”<
br />
“Not your gym.”
“Bull crap, it’s not. It belongs to both Max and me. Together. Married couple.”
“Phoebe, you need to get out before we call the police,” Max warned.
The sounds of sirens echoed in the room. Chloe turned to Max, puzzled. The four of them hadn’t called…
“Too late.”
Mark grinned impishly from the hallway. Beside him stood Dan, his cell phone pressed to his ear as he reported the scene to someone on the other end.
A couple of cops stepped inside the gym and were met by Max and Rico. After a quick conversation, the officers led Phoebe kicking and screaming out the door to their car. Both Dan and Mark were chuckling as the joined the couples.
“Nice, Dan,” Rico complimented.
“It needed to be done,” Dan grinned. “Hopefully, we’re done with her. She’s never shown interest in me.” He glared at Mark.
Mark threw up his hands in defense. “She could care less about me, either.”
Avery tugged on Mark’s arm with a warm smile. “I am glad you are both here too. Rico and I have a request of all of you,” she said.
Mark responded. “Of course. Anything.”
Chloe watched Avery glance at all four of them. Then, she smiled at Rico before she began speaking. “We want all of you to stand up with us at the wedding. Just the four of you and Lindsay of course. You are Rico’s best friends. You are already family to me. Would you consider it?”
Chloe nearly knocked Avery to the ground with a huge hug. She didn’t sign. She just nodded excitedly. As Max responded with both his voice and his hands, she lightened her grip. “It looks like Chloe answered for all of us. We will be happy to stand up with you.”
Chapter Eleven
Summer sunlight glistened off the lake. From the French doors of the cabin, Avery watched the waves lap against the rocks along the shore. She smoothed her form-fitting, sleeveless, white, satin dress as she sighed deeply. This was it. A day she had never dreamed of living her entire life, yet she was excited to get started. Her wedding day.
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