Elise

by Angela Rush

  Deadeye is thoughtful for a few moments while he gets his emotions in check and gathers his thoughts. When he finally is convinced, he can speak without his voice cracking, he tells Elise’s parents what is in his heart.

  “Mr. Sommers, I love your daughter. I plan to make her my wife. I will love and protect her until my last breath. I know you are concerned about my income, my job, and our age differences, but I promise you none of those things will keep me from taking care of her. I will do my best to provide for her, make sure she is happy and loved.” Deadeye pauses to let them ponder on his words. “I would like your blessing to marry her.” There is silence in the truck for a several moments.

  “Warren, you have our blessing. I could have looked all over the world and not found anyone better for her than you.” Mr. Sommers says as he glances over at Deadeye. “I know you will do everything in your power to care for her.” Ellen reaches from the backseat to pat him on the shoulder. Deadeye lets out the breath he had been holding. Now he could relax. The last barrier to their happiness had been eliminated. He was so ready for Edward to arrive so he could make it official that Elise would be his wife.

  When they arrived at the apartment, Deadeye carried their bags into the guest room much to Elise’s surprise. Her parents had always stayed at a hotel when they visited before. Ellen hugged Elise tightly. Then is was her father’s turn. After they had all greeted each other, they settled down at the bar in the kitchen.

  “Elise, we have already apologized to Warren, but it’s time we apologize to you too.” Her dad begins, but her mother cuts him off.

  “We were so wrong to smoother you and try to keep you from Warren. We were so scared when you were taken, and we thought we would never see you again. When he brought you home, we were afraid he would take you away from us and we acted badly. Can you forgive us?” Ellen pleaded with tears in her eyes.

  “Oh Mom, of course I forgive you.” Elise throws her arms around her mother’s neck. The two women hug and cry for a few moments. Mr. Sommers gets up and wraps his arms around both women. Deadeye watches the scene with pride in his heart. He knows now that they can have a happy life together with her parents blessing.

  The next day Edward arrived. Deadeye had arranged for Tank to pick him up at the airport and bring him to the house he has bought for Elise. Everything was ready for a homecoming/engagement party. Deadeye can hardly believe that Charlotte hadn’t given his secret away. She had been so excited when she found out about the house. Charlotte had insisted she help decorate for the party despite her advanced pregnancy and Deadeye’s and Hawk’s protests.

  “Charlotte, love. You need to take it easy. It would be better for you to keep Elise occupied while Deadeye, the guys, and I decorate.” Hawk cajoles.

  “Hawk, I am more than capable of decorating for this party. I will not be sitting on the sidelines while you all treat me like an invalid.” Charlotte scolds. “I don’t remember you wanting me to rest last night.” Charlotte smirks at him. Hawk sighs as he knows this is a losing battle.

  “Fine, but I will be with you the entire time. If you look like you are getting tired, I’m pulling the plug. Understood.” Charlotte rolls her eyes but smiles as she knows she has won the war.

  “How am I supposed to keep Elise occupied?” Deadeye moans when he realizes that Charlotte is not going to give in and get Elise to hangout with her.

  “Have Ace and his new lady friend occupy her.” Charlotte smiles sweetly. “I know they would be happy to do it.” Deadeye sighs and pulls his phone out to call Ace. Several hours later, everything is in place. Everyone is at the new house except for Elise, Ace, his girlfriend Dr Robertson, and Elise’s parents.

  Once the decorating is done and the food is ready, Deadeye heads out to pick up Elise and her parents. He is getting nervous. He hopes that Elise is as excited about their future as he is. The more everything comes together the more he can see a long happy future for them. While he had never considered becoming a father, he was now looking forward to it. The more time he spent with Jesse and Joshua, the more he wanted a son and a daughter of his own. He hadn’t really discussed children with Elise, but he was hoping she wanted children too.

  After picking up Elise and her parents, Ace and Dr. Robertson follow behind them. When they turn into the driveway of the house, Elise exclaims and covers her face with her hands. Deadeye spares her a glance as her parents shoot them worried looks.

  “Oh Warren! What did you do?” Elise is looking at him in awe as he puts the truck in park. He reaches for her hand and looks deep into her eyes.

  “I made the offer we discussed, and they accepted.” Deadeye says quietly.

  “Really? Oh, my goodness! This is better than Christmas!” Elise cries. “I can’t believe you kept this a secret from me. Why didn’t you tell me?” Elise’s parents speak up from the backseat.

  “What’s going on Elise? Are you saying you bought a house?” Mr. Sommers inquires. “I would have helped you buy it, darling. You know that.”

  “Elise, I didn’t want you to be disappointed if they didn’t accept our offer. I knew how much you loved the house. Once they accepted, I just decided to surprise you with it once the closing was a done deal. Then we got word your brother was coming back stateside so I just thought it would make a great surprise.” Deadeye smiles sheepishly.

  “Warren, it’s a wonderful surprise! I’m so happy.” Elise smiles warmly while throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips. Deadeye returns her kiss briefly as her parents are watching. When he ends the kiss, he places his right hand on the left side of Elise’s face.

  “I’m so glad you are happy, sweetheart. I love to see that smile on your face.” Deadeye gives her a quick peck before getting out to go around the front of the truck to open her door. Ace and Dr. Robertson are waiting for them as they get out of the truck.

  “About time you got out of the truck. We have a party to get to.” Ace goads Deadeye as he rounds the front of the truck.

  “Cool your jets, Ace. We are the party. Can’t start it without us.” Deadeye chuckles as he opens Elise’s door. He takes her hand and helps her down from the tall vehicle. Mr. Sommers is helping Mrs. Sommers out as well. The group heads for the door. When they enter the front door, everyone is waiting for them in the large living area. Folding chairs are scattered all around the very empty room. Deadeye turns to Elise as they enter.

  “I wanted you to pick out the furniture, so we just rented some chairs and tables for the party. We can go furniture shopping next week, okay?” Deadeye whispers in her left ear. Elise turns into him and gives him a huge smile.

  “Warren that will be wonderful. I can’t wait for us to pick out furniture for our new home.” Elise only has eyes for Deadeye and doesn’t notice Edward sneaking up on her. He suddenly snatches her from Deadeye’s arms. Elise squeals loudly.

  “Hey sis!” Edward bellows as he swings her in a circle. “You are looking wonderful. I can see Deadeye has been good for you.” Elise laughs as Edward sits her on her feet again. Mr. and Mrs. Sommers hurry to welcome their son, too. Hugs and handshakes are shared all around. When everyone has greeted Edward, Charlotte herds everyone to the dining room where they can begin the festivities. The men take chairs around the table as Deadeye leads Elise, Edward, and their parents to a separate table just for them. After everyone is settled, Deadeye stands up. Silence falls on the group as they wait for him to speak.

  “I want to thank all of you for coming tonight to share in this happy time.” Deadeye looks around the room. “We are here tonight to welcome Captain Edward Sommers back home to stateside. I know Elise and Mr. and Mrs. Sommers are very happy to have him near home once again.” Deadeye pauses while everyone claps.

  “I also wanted you all to be here and share in a special moment for Elise and me.” Deadeye takes Elise’s hand and urges her to stand with him. When she is standing by his side, he continues.

  “Elise, I never imagined myself falling in love, wa
nting a family, or even buying a house. But you have helped me to see all the wonderful things I was missing out on. I will be forever grateful destiny sent my team to find you.” Deadeye kneels in front of her. “Sweetheart, you have made my life worth living and I would be most honored if you would be my wife.” Deadeye opens a jewelry box with a beautiful large emerald cut diamond ring sparkling in the light of the room. Elise’s eyes have filled with happy tears.

  “Oh Warren, yes! I will be your wife. You have made me look forward to the future. Thank you for loving me and helping me overcome my nightmares.” Deadeye slips the ring on her ring finger of her left hand as the room erupts in cheers. Elise’s parents are wiping tears from their eyes as they congratulate the couple.

  Deadeye motions for the room to settle down. Once everyone has gotten their congratulations over, Deadeye continues with his surprises.

  “Elise, I know I have hit you with a lot today. A house, a ring, but I have one more big surprise.” Deadeye pauses for effect. He knows that Elise will be over the moon happy about the children even though he hadn’t asked her about adopting them. They had had a long talk one night about his adoption and the chances of whether or not Elise would be able to conceive after her cancer treatments. They had both agreed that whether or not they had children of their own, they were going to adopt children also. It was important to Deadeye to help children like himself and Elise whole heartedly agreed.

  “We are going to be parents in a couple of weeks.” Deadeye lets his words sink in as the whole room, except for Hawk and Charlotte, are in shock. “I found Lakia’s siblings, sweetheart. I placed a petition to adopt them. They were going to be sent to an orphanage, after the death of their grandmother. The girl is 6 and the boy is almost 2. I got word today that everything is a go. I booked us a flight to go get our children in 2 weeks.”

  Elise has tears in her eyes. She is blown away that Warren had managed not only to find the children but arrange for them to be adopted. Elise throws her arms around Deadeye’s neck, as happy tears fall down her face.

  “Oh, Warren! I can’t believe you have made all this possible.” Elise’s voice is thick with emotions. “You have made me the happiest woman in the whole world. I am so thankful for you and the family we are making.”

  Everyone was again congratulating them again. Amazing things were happening for this couple and the whole team. It seems the team was getting another sister and more kids to make their lives interesting. Hawk stands then, to make a toast.

  “Elise, never in a million years would I have believed that Deadeye would find a woman and settle down. Thank you for loving him and softening up this hardened man. We are so happy for you both and the children you are giving a loving home to.” Hawk gives his toast. Everyone joins in with the congratulations. The room is in an uproar for a while. They finally settle down when Charlotte announces that the food is ready.

  Epilogue

  A few weeks later, Deadeye and Elise have traveled back to the refugee camp where she had been kip napped from so many months ago. Elise had recovered remarkable well. Still, Deadeye keeps her close to him for fear she will have flash backs. Elise is comforted by his attention and concern for her. When they reach the camp, they are lead to a large tent. Two small children are sitting near the middle of the tent playing with a couple of toys. Warren had sent pictures of him and Elise to the camp when he began the petition to adopt the children. He wanted to them to at least know their faces when they came to take them home. The caretakers of the children had gone above and beyond anything Warren would have expected. They had arranged for the couple to video chat with the workers and children several times over the last 2 weeks. They had also worked with the children teaching them English and helping them to understand the people in the photos were going to be their new parents.

  When they enter the tent, the little girl looks up at the new comers. Elise’s breath hitches. The little girl looks so much like Lakia. Love and sadness flood Elise at the same moment. The girl’s round face, dark eyes, and long dark hair are the same as her older sister that left this world much too soon. Elise is startled when the girl stands and points to them.

  “Momma! Daddy!” The girl exclaims as she points toward Elise and Warren. She reaches down and takes the hand of her younger brother. She waits patiently as he wobbles to his feet and looks toward the couple. Warren and Elise are frozen in place. The moment is surreal. After a few moments, they look at one another. The love they both see mirrored back in the others eyes warms their hearts. The children start toward the couple.

  Warren kneels down to take the small girl in his arms as she approaches him. Elise lifts the boy in her arms. Both adults are overwhelmed with emotions as they hold their children. One of the camp workers, captures the moment on her cell phone. She emails a copy to Elise. The picture becomes a focal point on their mantel in the living room for years to come. The moment they became a family.

  The workers come and make the introductions of the children to their parents.

  “This little man is Emir. His name means commander” the female worker informs the couple. She speaks to the little boy in Syrian. He looks at Deadeye and then Elise. He nods at the woman and speaks. “Ee, Momma, Dadda” the small boy answers the worker. Deadeye and Elise are over come with joy. The children seem very accepting of the change that was coming their way.

  The worker turns to the small girl. “And this is Derifa. Her name means graceful.” The couple looks at each other. The names are perfect. The family returns to the States a few days later to begin their life together.

  About the Author

  Angela Rush is a wife, mother, grandmother and full time nurse practitioner. She lives in southern rural Kentucky with her husband.

  Other books by Angela Rush:

  Charlotte

  Preview of Daisy

  Ace was immediately intrigued by Dr Daisy Robertson from the first moment he met her on a military transport plane. She was a mystery, he became determined to solve. Why would anyone, especially a female doctor volunteer to go into the combat zone? Not once, but several times? Did she have a death wish? Ace was going to find out this woman’s story and save her from herself if any way possible.

  Daisy however, had no interest in being saved must less getting to know the very nosey Marine Special Ops soldier. Daisy has a past that she isn’t ready to share with anyone. That past directly affects her choices in everyday life. However, as hard as she tries to deter him the man won’t give it up. He keeps after her until she finally gives in and answers his messages.

  Before long, Daisy finds herself looking forward to his silly messages and learning more about the man. He isn’t all that bad and in reality, they have a lot of things in common. Months pass and Daisy’s feelings for Ace have grown. She is beginning to look forward to returning Stateside and perhaps begin a real relationship with Ace. However, the effects of her past come back to haunt her and causes her to risk losing any opportunity at ever seeing Ace again.

  Can Ace save Daisy from herself destructive behavior? Can he show her there is so much to live for? Destiny once again intervenes to send a strong Alpha male into the path of an equally strong female so that they can both find love and happiness into their previously lonely lives.

  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

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