To Love a Soldier (23 page)

Three years later…

We sat picnicking in the field where I used to go in when I was pregnant with JJ, short for John, Jr. He was the spitting image of his dad, down to his sense of humor. Lisa had cut back to working one job and was enjoying being a nana to not one, but two grandkids. Liz and Brady ended up tying the knot less than six months after JJ was born and the welcomed baby Mia less than a year later.

Things were going really well for them. Being a single mom had been
tremendously hard for me at first, but thankfully, I had an overwhelming support system and I never felt like I was alone. John’s best friend, Joe, became my rock of sorts. I can’t say for sure when things shifted for us, but they did. It was almost like John placed him there to take his place. I know that sounds weird, but it felt like fate.

He was so patient with me and helped with JJ, so I could sleep or shower. He became a constant in my life and waited until I was ready to open my heart again. It was beyond difficult because, in my eyes, my entire heart belonged to John and withered up and died when they put him in the cold ground that day. However, JJ made it start beating again and gave me purpose, a reason to live.
Slowly but surely, Joe helped me put the pieces of my broken heart back together, and we had been together ever since. We were going on a year now since we had started dating. With him being a police officer, I still had a constant fear of getting a middle of the night call that he wasn’t coming home, but I was coping with it the best I could.

I looked out at JJ playing with Mia, who was just starting to toddle around. Brady was chasing them, playing monster. Liz and Lisa sat on the quilt, talking. It was nice.

“Penny for your thoughts, princess?” Joe asked, leaning over and kissing my cheek.

“Just thinking about John.” I smiled. “When I was pregnant with JJ, I would come and lie in the field, looking up at the sky. I would pretend he was here, too.”

“He’s always with you. Every day,” he said with a sad smile and placing his hand on my heart. “He would be so happy and proud of you and JJ. I know I am.”

Being with Joe was like being
John in a weird way. He had that same Marine aura about him. His love was strong and he made me feel safe. No one could ever replace John, and Joe knew that. Even in the short time I had with John, his love was unforgettable and I was beyond grateful to have JJ as a part of him forever.

“Thanks, baby,” I said, placing a hand on his cheek.

Taking my hand in his, he moved, so he was kneeling in front of me. “So, this is going to sound kinda crazy, but I went and had a long talk with John and I’m pretty sure I got his approval…” he said, getting glassy eyed. “Mandy, I know that you think you’re hard to love, but you’re the exact opposite. You’re beautiful, smart, and caring. You’re so full of love and I know second chances aren’t easy, but I’m honored to be yours. I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my life proving to you and JJ how loved you are. I promise never to try and fill John’s shoes, as if it that’s even possible, but I’ll be your gravity. I’ll be your rock. I’ll be the one walking this path with you, if you’ll let me.”

Reaching into his jeans pocket, he produced a beautiful diamond ring that glistened in the sunlight
, and I noticed all eyes were fixed on me.

Fighting back tears of joy, I nodded my head. “Yes!”

“I love you, Mandy,” Joe said, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

“Thank you f
or loving me. I love you, too.”

Thinking back to the day I first met John Kane, I had no idea what it was like to love a soldier and how it would end up changing my life. It just goes to show you that even in the darkest of times, there is always a little bit of light willing to shine through if you let it.

The End

This story is dedicated to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, protecting our freedom. A portion of each book sold will go to
organizations benefitting men and women returning home from active duty.

Playlist

Radney Foster - Angel Flight (if you have a minute, please watch the YouTube video!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Ikj1hZDnw
)

The Fray - Look After You

A Great Big World - Say Something

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Kris Allen - Falling Slowly

Amanda Seyfried - Little House

Ron Pope - A Drop in the Ocean

3 Doors Down - Here Without You

A Fine Frenzy - Near to You

Coldplay - The Scientist

Jason Walker - Down