“Watching you take off and land was awesome,” Caroline said.
Jamal extended his hand. “Nice job, Greystone.”
“Thank you, sir.” He regarded Caroline. “Ready?”
She nodded.
Minutes later, she was strapped into the back seat of the F-18 Super Hornet. Before she put on the helmet, he leaned in, kissed her.
“You’re gonna do great,” he said. “I’m gonna keep things nice and easy, but if you start to pass out?—”
“I won’t.”
“Do this.” He showed her how to apply pressure through breathing, forcing blood into his head.
She tried it once, then repeated it. “If I pass out, revive me.”
He loved that she wasn’t scared, loved that he could share this part of his life with her. But more than either of those, he just loved her for her.
CAROLINE
Caroline was beyond excited,somewhat nervous, and fully aware of the butterflies zooming in her belly. She loved flying, but flying commercial and flying in a military aircraft were two completely different things.
Greystone helped adjust her helmet, ensured it was connected to the oxygen intake valve before he strapped her in, then confirmed she was secure.
“This’ll be fun,” he said before climbing down. He spoke with the tech, climbed into the front seat, and pulled on his helmet.
Seconds passed where all she could hear was the thumping of her heart slamming against her chest.
Then, Grey’s velvety-smooth rasp filled her ears. “Hey, babe. We’ve been cleared for take-off.”
He taxied away from the building, rolling slowly toward the runway. Turning onto it, he punched up their speed and the buildings whizzed past her.
“Wheels up,” he said.
She stared out the window as the giant bird lifted effortlessly off the ground. And then, they climbed and climbed and climbed. Higher and higher until everything below her was small and irrelevant.
Nothing but blue sky for miles and a horizon that curved downward. They were flying so fast, she wondered if they chased that curve, would they circle the earth?
“Wow,” she said. “This is fantastic.”
“We’re at twenty-seven thousand feet,” he said. “How ya doin’ back there?”
“Doing great.”
He talked to her about the instruments in front of her. He told her a little about the jet she was flying in. But mainly, he stayed silent as they soared through the air. Space and time and reality floated away. All that was left was this perfect moment with someone she’d fallen deeply in love with. A love she’d wished for, even found herself praying for, but never fully knowing if she’d find it.
In that moment, she knew she’d found it with this amazing man. Multi-faceted, multi-talented, ever-present, and filled with passion, determination and grit. She found his quiet strength intoxicating, his brevity of words entertaining, and hisbrave actions heroic. She’d found her person long before she’d been ready to receive him.
And vice versa.
“Grey,” she said.
“I’m right here, babe.”
“I love you like I’ve never loved anyone in my entire life.”
Oops.
