by Jackie D.
The pictures took much longer than Tyler could’ve dreamed. The photographer seemed to want to catch them in every pose that she could possibly imagine. Normally, it would’ve bored Tyler to death, but that didn’t matter today. It wasn’t hard to smile at Brooke, laugh at her jokes, or nuzzle up close to her in a variety of angles. She would gratefully cherish every moment.
It wasn’t until they were standing outside the reception hall, waiting for the DJ to announce their entrance as a married couple, that she had a moment alone with Brooke.
Tyler cupped Brooke’s face and kissed her slowly. “I love you.”
Brooke leaned into her touch. “I love you too.”
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Janice said from behind them.
Tyler felt Brooke stiffen under her hands. “You weren’t there, Mother.”
Janice approached slowly, looking meeker than Tyler had ever seen her.
“I wasn’t in the front row like I should have been, but I was there.” She looked like she was going to reach out to Brooke but changed her mind. “You look beautiful.” She looked at Tyler. “You both look beautiful.”
Brooke pulled Tyler closer, leaning into her. “What are you doing here?”
Janice looked down at the ground and wrung her hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it before.” She looked at them with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t understand how much you loved each other. That’s my fault. I never really listened to you, Brooke. I’d like to change that. I spoke with your father at length last night. That’s why I’ve got these terrible bags under my eyes…anyway. We were up all night talking, and he finally got me to understand some things. I realize now that I’ve been putting my own issues on to you.” She straightened her outfit. “My mother hated your father when I met him. He reminded me of how that affected me and my relationship. She refused to see the good in him, and she chastised me for falling in love with him. I’d rail against her ridiculous behavior for hours, because I wanted nothing more than for her to see my love for him. I’m afraid I’ve done the same to you.”
Brooke was hesitant at first but finally reached out and hugged her mother. “Thank you for saying that.”
Janice seemed caught off guard by the hug for a moment and then leaned into it. “I want to make things better. This is something I don’t understand, but I’m willing to try. I just need you to be patient with me.”
Brooke nodded. “That’s all I wanted.”
Janice let go of Brooke and touched Tyler’s arm. “I’m sorry I haven’t been more welcoming to you, Tyler. I can see now how much you love my daughter. I’d understand if you two didn’t want me in your lives, but I hope that isn’t the case.”
Tyler hugged her without hesitation. She had no desire to hold a grudge, and this had been what she wanted all along. “Thank you for coming.”
Janice took a deep breath and stepped back. “Now, which last name are you two taking? I don’t want to mess this up in the future.”
“We’re keeping our last names. You won’t mess anything up,” Tyler said.
Janice sighed. “How very modern of you both.” She smiled, but Tyler could see a bit of disappointment in her eyes.
Brooke took Tyler’s arm. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about that. We’re going to have children eventually. I think it would be easier if we had the same last name.”
They’d discussed this at length, and Tyler didn’t understand why it was coming up again, now. “Brooke, I told you I wasn’t going to give up Monroe. It’s the last thing I have from my parents.”
Brooke kissed her cheek. “Honey, I don’t want you to give up your name. My parents have three boys to carry on the family name. I’d like to be a Monroe, if that’s okay with you?”
Tyler kissed her because there were no words to describe her feelings about what Brooke had just said. She knew taking a name wasn’t necessary to be a family, and she understood why Brooke had wanted to keep her own. It hadn’t mattered. But now, the idea that Brooke wanted to share a last name with her, with the intention of raising children, made Tyler fall even more in love with her.
Janice snickered. “Well, she really must love you. I’ve never seen her back down from any position.”
Brooke smiled at her. “Oh, Mom, I come by it honestly.”
“That you do, my dear.” Janice kissed Brooke and Tyler again and then disappeared into the reception hall ahead of them.
Tyler kissed their entwined fingers and looked at Brooke. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?”
Brooke smiled. “Once or twice. Have I mentioned how much I love you?”
Tyler heard the DJ announce them and the doors were pulled open. Tyler let Brooke lead them into the room full of their friends and family and toward their forever.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Dylan watched as Tyler twirled Brooke around the dance floor. Even with all the loud music, laughter, and talking guests, they seemed to only see each other. It was almost magical. The ceremony had been beautiful, and the reception was shaping up to be a party that people would be discussing for quite some time. Everyone seemed to be riding the wave of Brooke and Tyler’s bliss, just as it should be.
Despite all the love in the air, Dylan still hadn’t brought herself to talk to Emma. At first, she’d put it off because Emma seemed busy being a bridesmaid, but she knew that wasn’t true. What held her back now was the fact that if Emma turned her down, that would be it. Dylan wasn’t sure how to let her go yet, and taking the chance meant precisely that.
Tony leaned over, closer to her ear. “If you aren’t going to ask Emma to dance, I’m going to do it.”
Dylan hadn’t noticed that her leg was rocking up and down until she saw Tony staring at it. “It isn’t that easy. She might say no.”
He nodded. “True, but there’s only a sixteen percent chance of that happening.”
Dylan stood, took off her sling, handed it to Tony, and walked toward the front table. She could handle sixteen percent. Hell, she’d beaten much worse odds than that. Emma stopped talking to Jennifer when she noticed her approaching. Emma’s face flushed, which was either a very good thing or a very bad thing. It was too late to turn back now, because if she did, she’d regret it forever.
“You look incredible,” Dylan said, because it was true and because she needed Emma to know how she still saw her.
Emma blushed. “You look very nice as well.”
“Do you want to dance?” Dylan said it much faster than she’d intended, and she was frustrated to be so nervous.
Emma looked over at Jennifer who winked at her before she answered. “I’d like that.”
Dylan put her hand around Emma’s waist and pulled her closer. She hadn’t forgotten the way Emma smelled or the way she felt. She let her mind wander to those memories every chance she had. But the memories didn’t do Emma any justice.
“Is your arm okay? I don’t want to hurt you,” Emma said as she moved closer to her.
A chill went up Dylan’s spine at the words spoken against her ear. “It’s okay, as long as we’re not going running.”
Dylan was trying to be funny but immediately regretted it when she felt Emma stiffen against her. “Do you still want to run?”
Dylan pulled her closer so that Emma’s ear was against her lips. “No, I don’t. I was scared about what not running could mean. So, I stuck to the plan, because I thought it was the right thing. I didn’t want to slow down long enough for you to see the real me. I didn’t want you to find out the things I’ve done, and the people I’ve hurt. I was scared you wouldn’t look at me the same. But none of that matters now. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I do about you.”
“What’s changed?”
“I never had a reason to slow down before. I’ve never found anything worth slowing down for before. Until I met you. I never met anyone worth showing my worst parts to.” Dylan waited for Emma to pull away, but she didn’t. “I’ve spent every single day since we’ve been a
part wishing I’d done things differently.”
Emma wrapped her arms around her a little tighter. “You should’ve trusted how I felt about you. It’s also possible that I was being slightly unreasonable.” Emma blushed. “I pushed you away too. Not as directly, but I used my anger to keep you away.”
“I should have. I should’ve told you then what I’ve known since the first time I touched you. I love you, Emma Quinn. I want you. I don’t know if we’ll end up here one day.” She nodded to Brooke and Tyler. “But I want to try. I want to be the kind of person that you can count on, that you can love.”
Emma leaned away from her, her eyes searching Dylan’s. “Dylan, you already are. You don’t need to change. I love you exactly the way you are.”
“You love me?” Dylan knew she heard the words correctly, she just wanted to hear them again.
Emma smiled, her eyes full of love. “Yes, I love you.”
Dylan wanted to kiss her. Her whole body was yelling at her to kiss Emma, to claim her. But this final step, this last decision, Emma needed to be the one to make it. Emma leaned in a little closer, and Dylan inhaled the smell of wine from her lips. Emma only lingered there a second longer before she closed the final distance between them. The kiss was slow and sensual. It was filled with a promise of things to come and the connection they shared. It was the best kiss of Dylan’s life. She would’ve gladly stayed there forever, letting Emma’s gentle touches to her back and shoulders ignite a spark in Dylan no one ever had before.
It wasn’t until she heard Caden right beside her that Dylan finally broke the kiss.
“Well, it’s about time you two got your shit together.”
Jennifer pushed her back. “Leave them alone. You’re impossible.”
Dylan leaned her head against Emma’s, still laughing at Caden. “I should’ve come for you sooner. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
Emma kissed her again. “It doesn’t matter now.”
A striking couple was walking up behind Emma. Dylan recognized them from the wedding party and was sure they were coming to pull Emma away. She was surprised when the woman said her name instead.
“Dylan Prey?”
Dylan took the outstretched hand. “Yes, hi.”
“I’m Nicole Sable, and this is Kyle King. We worked with Tyler while she was at Camp Peary.” She pointed to the man next to her. “We hear congratulations are in order. Kyle is still working over at the Farm, but I started at CIAU a few months ago. Everyone is very excited to have you on board.”
Dylan could feel Emma’s eyes on her, but she tried to focus on Nicole. “Yes, it was made official last week. I start on Monday.”
Nicole grinned. “Let’s have lunch on Monday?”
Dylan nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Great, see you then,” Nicole said and pulled Kyle into a slow dance.
Emma pointed to the balcony. “We need to talk.”
Dylan followed her, unsure of what the change of expression on her face meant. She thought Emma would be excited to have her here. Well, she’d be excited if things worked out, which Dylan thought they just had. Maybe the idea of having Dylan available and accessible was more commitment than Emma wanted to make.
“What was that about?” Emma asked once they were out on the balcony. But there was no anger in her tone, and she took Dylan’s hand.
“I requested a transfer to CIA University. It was approved and I start an instructor gig on Monday.” Dylan said the words slowly, unsure how Emma would react.
“I hope you didn’t do that for me. I don’t need you to be someone different. I don’t need you to change. I want you to be exactly who you are. Even if that means I go months without seeing you because you’re undercover somewhere,” Emma said.
“I didn’t transfer for you, I transferred for me. I want to call a place home for longer than an assignment. I want a break from the most vicious men in the world. I want a chance to feel normal. I don’t know if I’ll do this for two years or twenty, but I want to do it for now. I didn’t do this for you, but you made me realize that I wanted something different for my life. You made me realize that I wanted more, that I deserved more.” Dylan wasn’t sure if she was making sense, but she trusted that Emma would hear her words and believe her.
A smile tugged at the corner of Emma’s mouth. “So, you’re going to be around for a while?” She ran her hands up Dylan’s chest and around her neck, careful to avoid her wound. “I think I could get used to that.” She kissed her, smiling as their lips met.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Dylan pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Emma ran her hands through Dylan’s hair. “I love you.”
Dylan looked back into the room. “You want to get back in there?”
Emma blushed and looked away, embarrassed by her thoughts. “I was hoping you’d say you wanted to get out of here.”
Dylan took Emma by the hand and pulled her toward the elevator. Brooke spotted them and waved and blew them a kiss as they got into the elevator. Dylan’s heart was so full she thought it might burst. The idea of what the future might hold with Emma and what her life could be warmed her soul. She’d never known what it felt like to truly belong anywhere, what it felt like to be home. When she turned and looked at Emma smiling up at her, she knew that’s exactly what she found. Home.
Epilogue
“I hate you both so damn much!” Caden was flat on her back, screaming up into the sky.
“You’re without a doubt the most dramatic person I’ve ever had to deal with.” Tyler reached down and pulled Caden to her feet.
“If you weren’t staring at Jennifer’s chest, you wouldn’t have missed that last shot,” Dylan said with her hands on her hips. There was sand coating her stomach from the last dig she’d made.
“Shut up, Prey! No one asked you.” Caden pulled on her shorts, still trying to right herself from the last play.
Brooke stood behind the service line, volleyball in hand. “Game point. You three are buying dinner when you lose.”
Emma held her breath as Brooke tossed the ball in the air. The sound of it smacking her hand made a loud popping sound, and the ball soared over the net. Caden and Dylan both went for it and missed spectacularly. Brooke, Jennifer, and Emma ran to the center of their side of the court and started jumping up and down, yelling and congratulating each other.
“Nice game,” Tyler said as she pulled a towel from the bench and started to dry off.
Caden and Dylan were still arguing over who should have gotten to the ball first. Their competitive sides rubbing up against each other was both ridiculous and adorable. Emma would’ve interfered, but she was enjoying the way Dylan looked covered in sweat and sand too much to intervene.
Jennifer flopped down on the bench next to her. “I don’t know how we won that game.”
Emma scoffed. “Because Brooke is an absolute beast. She played college volleyball. We’re only here to get the ball to her.”
Jennifer gulped down her water. “Good point. I’m glad we’re on her team.”
Emma took the water bottle. “Same.” She opened the bag she’d brought with her to extract her shirt when she saw her rosary laying at the bottom of the bag.
It had been a gradual process. A year ago, she would’ve never gone anywhere without the rosary in her pocket. But over time, it had eventually moved from her purse to her car, and now her gym bag. She no longer needed the security it brought her. She didn’t need a reminder that someone had once loved her, had once believed in her. She felt it every single day in the company of these women.
Dylan had approached her new job with the same focus and gusto Emma had seen in her in Russia. She’d completed two quarters in her position and was already talking about a new class she was interested in teaching. It had been eight months since Tyler and Brooke’s wedding. Eight months of dating Dylan. Eight months of dinners, movies, laughter, and love. It had been the best time of her entire life, and it showed no signs of c
hanging any time soon. The more time she spent with Dylan, the more she fell in love with her. Dylan had gradually started sharing her secrets with Emma. Stories about the places she had been, the things she’d seen, and the things she’d done. It took time to convince Dylan that she wouldn’t turn away from those pieces of her. They made Dylan who she was, and Emma loved her completely.
Dylan sat on the other side of Emma. She leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Hey, beautiful.”
Emma kissed her back. “You’re sweet, but you three are still buying dinner.”
Dylan put her hand over her chest. “You wound me. Do you really think I’d try to get out of it?”
Emma handed Dylan her shirt. “I know you would.”
“Where do you guys want to go, anyway?” Caden dumped a bottle of water over her head.
Jennifer stood and pulled her toward the hotel. “I’m not taking you out in public until you shower.”
Caden acted offended but followed Jennifer anyway. Emma enjoyed their playful dynamic. It suited them well. They’d just officially moved in together three months before, and they seemed happy as ever. Emma had a distinct feeling that the two of them would be together forever.
Brooke put her bag over her shoulder. “I’m glad we took this vacation. We all needed it.”
Tyler wrapped her arm around her waist. “We all deserve a little relaxation now that we know O’Brien and Walker will be behind bars for the rest of their lives.”
Carol O’Brien’s and Steve Walker’s trials hadn’t taken long. With the amount of evidence the government had compiled against them, they had no choice but to plead guilty. They were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The death penalty had been taken off the table because of the information they’d provided to the government. They’d spend the remainder of their days in a cell, and the only politics they’d be involved in would relate to the other prisoners. Emma had been relieved they didn’t receive the death penalty. She believed a life of isolation with nothing to do but reflect on their decisions was a far worse punishment than death.