Alive?

There were so many questions and too few answers. The only thing that gave her comfort was closing her eyes and pretending she was somewhere else. It hurt too much to consider the possible scenarios.

“They’re okay. Oh, thank god.” Julia held her cell phone aloft. “Eli just sent me a message. They’re all right. The standoff is over. Matt is fine. They’re all fine. They’ll be home soon.”

There was a collective sigh of relief. Mara let out a squeal and hugged Trent. Jackson and Ridley got pulled into the hug somehow. Penny didn’t know them well enough to get in the middle of the love-fest, but Julia came over and hugged her anyway.

Now that they knew everyone was okay, the tension in the room lifted. Someone found a deck of cards and Mark dealt a game. Penny was so tired her eyes kept closing against her will and then popping open whenever someone spoke to her. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Mara squealed again.

“Matt! Oh my god!”

Penny’s head shot up from where she’d been resting on the couch. Matt and Elliott stood in the doorway, looking at them. Elliott had a bandage on his arm and Matt’s right cheek sported a bruise that was already swelling.

Mara got up from where she was sitting on the floor and flew across the room. She stopped right before she ran into Matt and then hugged him gingerly.

“Hey, there. It’s okay.” Matt patted his sister’s shoulder awkwardly. His eyes searched the room until they met Penny’s. Everything she’d been holding inside the past few hours twisted around inside her in a jumble. Matt and Elliott made the rounds, getting hugs from everyone in the room. Julia fussed over them, then excused herself to the kitchen to get them something to drink. As she passed, Penny saw her wipe tears from her eyes.

Matt sat next to her on the couch. Penny leaned against his side and he sucked in a sharp breath.

“Oh no, you’re hurt.” She reached for his shirt. He covered her hands with his.

“Bruised ribs. They’re not broken. I’m okay.”

He put his arm around her and she leaned over, careful not to put any pressure on his side.

“I’m so not okay. I was really worried about you,” Penny admitted.

“I’m so sorry, baby. That was a tough situation, and I’m grateful to be back here with you. Thoughts of you were all that kept me sane.” Matt stood and Penny followed. “I think it’s time to go home and get some rest.”

Mara gave him another careful hug. Then promptly dissolved into tears again. Trent led her out with a gentle hand at her elbow.

After another round of hugs, Matt turned back to Penny. “You ready to go, baby?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go home.”

*   *   *   *   *

PENNY HELD THE door open for Matt, aching for him when she saw how slowly he was moving. He had to be in serious pain, but he didn’t utter a word of complaint. She was trying to hold it together for him. Getting hysterical wouldn’t help him, so she just followed him to the bedroom quietly.

When he took off his shirt, she couldn’t hold in her cry. There was a fist-sized bruise on his ribs that was almost black.

“That’s where he shot me. If I hadn’t been wearing Kevlar, I’d be dead right now.”

“It didn’t stop it completely though. I always thought those vests made you invincible or something.”

He shook his head. “No, unfortunately not. As you can see, all that force still leaves its mark. It feels like being punched by a superhero.”

He climbed into bed and settled himself on his back with a loud groan. Penny crawled in on the other side of the bed. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I love you so much. All I could think all day was that I might not get the chance to tell you.”

There was no reply, so Penny looked over at his side of the bed. He was fast asleep, breathing through his mouth. He normally didn’t snore, but he was making sounds like a freight train.

The most overwhelming sense of love came over her. The sight of him, sleeping safe and sound in his own bed, was the best thing she’d ever seen. She propped herself up on her arm and just watched him. There was nothing in particular she was looking at, she was just grateful for the chance to look at him.

She would never take it for granted again.

Ten minutes later, Matt woke with a jolt. When he saw that she was awake, he grimaced and tried to sit up. He paled and sagged back against the pillow. “Penny? What are you doing still awake? You have to drive back home tomorrow, don’t you?” He tried to push her back down to the pillow. “Go to sleep, woman!”

Penny giggled. “I am home, you crazy man. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

He watched her curiously. “I got shot tonight so I’m not firing on all cylinders, but I don’t get it.”

“I had this idea that military life represented danger and civilian life was safe. But the truth is they both have their challenges. There’s no easy route guaranteed to end in happiness. Any day could be your last, no matter how safe you think you are. I was so worried about doing things the right way. Now I’m just grateful we get to do them at all. I love you, Matt. I’ll love you all my life.”

He raised a hand and brushed it against the back of her cheek. “I love you, too. So much. I really wish I could hug you right now, but I’m not sure I can move.”

Penny laughed softly and leaned over to kiss him. “Well, I’ll come to you then.” His lips opened under hers and she breathed in his scent. “Oh yeah, and I quit my job.” At his surprised look, she laughed out loud and kissed him again.