Our home.
I roll my shoulder as I make the drive back to the medical clinic and head in for my appointment. I peek into the waiting room for medical and smile when I see Rowan busy working. I want to go in and say hi, but there’s a long line, so I head next door to the physical therapy office.
My appointment is the same as always. Long and annoying. An hour of tests, stretches, and measurements. A new nurse who keeps flinching whenever I turn my head and my scars catch the light.
By the time I leave the office, I’m irritable and restless. The only thing that calms me is thinking about Rowan, her small hand in mine, the way she looked when she said yes to marrying me, her smile whenever she finishes studying and finds me waiting for her.
It’s almost her lunchtime, so I head out to my truck and grab the cooler I packed for us. It’s filled with sandwiches, fruit, and the lemon cookies I discovered she loves.
I carry the cooler inside and almost run smack dab into Rowan.
“Hey!” she says, smiling up at me like I’m not the grumpiest bastard on earth.
“Hey. I was just coming to get you.”
“Yeah? How was your appointment?”
I turn, and we head back to the truck. “Good. We have about half an hour before we need to collect your ID card.”
“Okay.”
I help her into the truck and pass her the cooler before I climb into the driver’s seat.
“How’s work going?” I ask as she passes me a sandwich.
“We’re slammed. A lot of people are coming in to get their deployment paperwork signed off on,” she says, taking a big bite of the sandwich.
She tells me about work and her day while we eat, and I listen, hanging on her every word.
“Thanks for lunch.”
“Of course.”
She smiles, and I take her hand as we drive across base to the DEERs office and check in. We sit for a minute before we’re called back. Rowan has her picture taken and signs some papers. We walk out with her brand-new ID.
“I look so pale!” She gasps, showing me the ID.
“It’s the lighting. I look like a ghost in mine, too.”
“Let me see.”
I oblige her, grinning as she giggles at my photo.
Fuck, I love that sound.
She turns to face me, smiling shyly as I drive her back to work. “I have classes tonight after work.”
I nod. “I know. I’ll be here to pick you up and drive you. I’ll bring dinner. Or do you want to stop and grab something?”
“Whatever’s easier for you.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I assure her.
“Thanks. For everything.”
“It’s my pleasure, Ro. My honor.”
She leans over, kissing me quickly. When she pulls back, I growl, chasing after her, but she’s faster. She jumps out of the truck, and I shake my head as she grins mischievously.
