“More than I want to take my next breath.” Her fingers traced the ring of her dreams. “You were my one regret when I took off that leash. I would do it again to save Hope. But when I did, I knew I could die, and you were my ‘what might have been.’ Now, after spending this last month with you, I know you’re the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
He took the ring out of the box, and put it on her finger.
“I want you, Miranda. With children, without children, it doesn’t matter. We’ll work it out. All that matters is that it’s with you.”
She looked at her ring in stunned amazement. “The ring?”
“Wendy helped,” he said.
She threw her arms around him. He was always going to surprise her, love her, rescue her. He was her hero. He was the man of her dreams.
“I love you Griffin.”
“Miranda, you’re my miracle.”
Epilogue
Miranda looked around the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It was a year after the train wreck. Three of the women who had been playing bridge in the business class car had arranged for this picnic in honor of their fourth player who had died. But they had insisted that Carol Shepard would have wanted a hell of a party, so that’s what was going on. There was a band, and a dance floor set up, and at least five hundred people were in attendance, including what seemed like most of Camp Pendleton.
“I can’t believe this,” Sophia marveled, as she sat down after having danced with Mason. “This had to have cost the moon.”
“I don’t think they cared.” Miranda said. “I’ve talked to Carol’s friends, and this is what they wanted for Carol.”
Billy came up and handed Miranda a bottle of apple juice. Miranda looked at Griff in amusement. “You’re outsourcing your husbandly duties?” she asked.
“Billy offered. His girlfriend, Rebecca, is helping man the refreshment table, so it wasn’t a hardship.” Griff moved his chair closer to hers so that he could more easily caress the small swell of her abdomen. He did that a lot. Both of them were excited about the recent news.
Caroline Steel caught the telltale movement and smiled. Nothing got by her. Miranda looked around the three picnic tables in satisfaction. There were Griff’s SEAL team, Mason’s team, and Wolf’s TEAM and all of their wives, fiancee’s and girlfriends. It wasn’t often that everyone was able to be together at the same time. It was obviously meant to be.
Tucked in between all of the big Navy men were Susan Lasson and her son Jeremy and her daughter Hope. Hope had everybody eating out of her hand. Right now, she was sitting on Drake Avery’s lap.
“So, do you know whether you’re having a boy or a girl?” Caroline asked quietly.
Miranda looked up at Griff, who nodded. They’d just found out the sex last week. His parents were tickled.
“She’s a girl. I’m five months pregnant.” Miranda said happily.
Caroline gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Have you figured out a name?”
“Ice, it’s kind of early, don’t you think?” Wolf asked.
“Actually, we have,” Miranda whispered.
“Felicity, after my mother, and her middle name is going to be Hope.”
Caroline reached out and clutched Miranda’s hands. “That’s perfect.”
“That’s what I think too. She’s a miracle.” They both turned to look at the laughing little girl.
“You two are the miracle workers.” Wolf said.
“Amen to that, my brother,” Griff hugged Miranda close.
Miranda watched as Wolf bent his head close to Caroline, she couldn’t hear what he said. But then Griffin was talking to her, and all thought of the other couple fled her mind.
“You and my daughter mean everything to me.”
She didn’t know how she had gotten so lucky, but all was definitely right with her world.
“I love you, Griffin,” she whispered, as she rested her head against his shoulder.
“I love you more, Miranda.”
THE END
Biography
Caitlyn O'Leary is an avid reader, and considers herself a fan first and an author second. She reads a wide variety of genres, but finds herself going back to happily-ever-afters. Getting a chance to write, after years in corporate America, is a dream come true. She hopes her stories provide the kind of entertainment and escape she has found from some of her favorite authors.
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Books by Caitlyn O’Leary
The Found Series
Revealed, Book One
Forsaken, Book Two
Healed, Book Three
Beloved, Book Four (Spring 2017)
Midnight Delta Series
Her Vigilant SEAL, Book One
Her Loyal SEAL, Book Two
Her Adoring SEAL, Book Three
Sealed with a Kiss, A Midnight Delta Novella, Book Four
Her Daring SEAL, Book Five
Her Fierce SEAL, Book Six
Her Dominant SEAL, Book Seven (Winter 2016)
Her Heart’s Protector, Novella, Cuffed & Claimed Anthology (October 2016)
A SEAL’s Vigilant Heart, Novella Wet ‘n Wild Anthology
Shadow Alliance
Declan, Book One
Fate Harbor Series Published by Siren/Bookstrand
Trusting Chance, Book One
Protecting Olivia, Book Two
Claiming Kara, Book Three
Isabella’s Submission, Book Four
Cherishing Brianna, Book Five
Seal of Protection & Midnight Delta Crossover Novel
Susan Stoker KindleWorld
Protecting Hope (November 2016)
Omega Team & Shadow Alliance Crossover Novel
Desiree Holt KindleWorld
Cooper’s Promise (November 2016)
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Hope (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Midnight Delta Book 7) Page 9