“Yes!” I say.
The crowd erupts even wilder than before and we’re suddenly swarmed by the camera crews who are here to cover my dad’s speech.
Owen scoops me up in his arms and carries me into the building.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask.
“The hotel suddenly has vacancy,” he says. “We’re going to take advantage of it.”
“No you’re not,” a voice says. It’s a voice I’d recognize anywhere.
“Dad?”
“Son, I was wrong about you,” my dad says. “Your friend Pete called and filled in my men. I made a big mistake years ago letting you go. The reasons why are even worse. I hope you’ll accept my apology and also my invitation to rejoin the team.”
“That would be great Mister President, but I have some business to attend to with this young lady first.”
“That young lady is my daughter,” he says.
The crowd gasps. It’s the first time he’s ever recognized me publicly.
“And she’s soon to be my wife,” Owen says.
“Well in that case,” the president says. He motions to one of his Secret Service men.
“We’ve got a room for you across the street…and I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say in a few minutes.”
“Will do, sir,” Owen says.
“I look forward to welcoming you back,” he says. “And welcoming you into the family. Both of you.”
EPILOGUE
Mila
“Cheers,” he says.
“Cheers,” I say.
I raise my Cerveza Alhambra glass to meet his. We clink glasses and take a sip.
“So let’s make sure we’ve got this straight. We are drinking Cerveza Alhambras while in the suite at The Alhambra Hotel and Resort watching the sunset over the Alhambra?”
“That sounds about right,” I say. “No beaches in sight and we’re exactly halfway around the world from Hawaii.”
“And that sounds right too,” he says.
I kick up my feet and take in the view. It’s absolutely amazing.
“It’s absolutely crazy to think my dad hated you a week ago and when you get back he’s going to give you the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
“And it’s even crazier that after twenty-two years he finally decided to recognize you.”
“And in front of all those people,” I say.
“He did it right. He did the presentation and ceremony and then once it was over he made an announcement. He honored Pearl Harbor and then honored you…finally.”
“Well it feels good to finally be recognized,” I say.
“And from what the TV stations are reporting voters are really excited to learn more about you. It could have been a PR disaster for your dad, but people seem to be more excited than anything. Are you ready for your big moment?”
“You know…I think I’d rather just stay out of the limelight. I’ve been doing it all these years. I’m used to it now.”
“Will that even be possible?”
“Anything is possible when you’ve got the best Secret Service agent ever by your side.” I lean to my side and he leans the rest of the way. We kiss.
“And it’s great to be back,” he says. “And it sure helped that your dad gave me a signing bonus and an advance. That takes away a lot of stress right off the bat.”
“Speaking of advance… Can I get another advance on what’s going to happen later tonight?”
“Come again?”
I lean half way and point at my lips.
“I think a sneak peek is in order,” he says. He leans over and we kiss again. This one is longer and deeper than the first. “I’m not so sure if later tonight is the best time,” he says.
“Why not?” I say making a sad face.
“Because right now is even better!” He jumps up from his seat and take my beer from me, sitting both mine and his down on the table before scooping me up in his arms.
He carries me through the French doors of the balcony and into the bedroom.
Our own little private fiesta is about to begin.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Mila
Ten years later
“The easy way to remember is i before e except after c,” I say.
“Thanks, mom. That is an easy way to remember but there are exceptions of course.”
“Okay, but that’s a good start,” our daughter Francesca says.
“And a start is what I need to get on dinner. Just give me a yell if you need anymore help with your homework.”
“Okay.”
I place my hand on my daughter’s shoulder and watch for a second or two longer as she intensely works on applying the knowledge she just learned to her spelling homework.
I turn and head towards the kitchen, but at the last minute I stop and quietly open the door to the basement.
“Make sure to follow through,” Owen says. “Let’s do it again.”
Our son Frank throws a punch into the boxing mitt Owen is holding. The mitt makes a loud pop. Wow. Frank is getting stronger, especially for his age. He must take after his father.
And just like his father he’s a protector.
Owen practices martial arts and self defense almost every night in our basement with him. I’m not sure which one of them enjoys it more. It’s all Frank talks about outside of sports and his admiration for his dad. And Owen loves to talk about how far Frank’s coming along each night when we have time for just the two of us.
“Just remember, son. Violence is always used as a last resort. It’s always better to talk your way through to a resolution first.”
“Yes, dad.”
“But if that just isn’t possible then it’s good to know you’re prepared. Okay. Another one.”
Owen raises his mitts and Frank delivers a punch and a kick.
I’m glad Owen always takes the time to remind him the purpose of martial arts. It’s not about being the aggressor, it’s about being prepared. And the most important part is the real reason he got started in the first place.
Family.
Frank and Francesca are twins. Owen thought it was essential that Frank know how to not only protect himself, but his sister too.
They share many of the same classes and do quite a few things together so it’s nice to know that Frank’s always there looking out for her.
Owen spends time with Francesca too, building her self-confidence, stamina, and punching power, but it’s nothing compared to what Frank can do.
I watch as the boys continue to train. I see so much of Owen in Frank. They’re both big, strong, and strapping.
Frank’s still just a kid and he’s got a long way to go, but still…I can see he’s going to be a chip off the old block in no time flat. That is if he isn’t already. He looks more and more like his father every day. It’s uncanny.
And there’s no one I’d rather be reminded of more when I look at Frank then Owen.
He’s still that protector I’ve known for about a decade and a half now. Wow…time sure does fly.
And it flies even faster when you’re having so much fun. That’s how life with my family is each and every day. A blessing and an absolute blast.
“Mom! You aren’t supposed to watch,” Frank says.
“Sorry!” Whoops, I got caught. “Just wanted to let you know dinner will be in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks, honey,” Owen says.
Frank waits as if he’s not going to continue until I go. “Come on, mom. We’re training down here.”
“Right. Okay, I’m just back off to the kitchen,” I say. “Don’t mind me.”
I shut the door and can’t help but smile. Frank’s a great kid, but he’s still a little shy. I’d much rather him be shy than overly aggressive. He’ll grow out of his shyness at some point, but for now it’s really cute.
I pull out some things from the refrigerator. I know what I’ll do. I’ll make Frank’s favorite tonight. Spaghetti and meatballs. It’s
fast, easy, and full of both carbs and protein for my two guys. They need their strength and stamina.
And I’ll need my stamina too…tonight. Even after two kids Owen still can’t keep his hands off me. I just wonder what crazy position he’ll put me in tonight.
Whatever it is it won’t compare to the four best positions he already put me in.
Wife. Mother. Best friend. Lover.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Owen
“Dad! What do we do?” Francesca says.
“Give her some grass maybe?” I say.
I reach down and pull some out of the ground and hand it to Francesca.
The giraffe’s long neck comes down and he takes it from Francesca’s hand.
“Oh my gosh!” she says, as Mila snaps a picture.
The president just wrapped up his Africa summit and I was able to schedule a couple days on the back end for a family vacation. The president isn’t Mila’s dad anymore, but he is the third president I’ve guarded. It’s nice to be in a position of seniority now. But it’s not for me…it’s for my family.
I’ve worked my tail off the last decade. I’ve built the life I’ve always wanted and now it’s time to enjoy it a little. This vacation in Africa is one of the many ways I’m doing that.
And it wouldn’t mean anything without Mila and the kids here.
It’s hard to imagine way back in Hawaii how dire things were. I had no job. Practically no money. Definitely no woman.
And now I have all three. But I don’t just have a woman, I have my woman.
The one and only for me.
And she’s way better then I am at getting the kids where they need to be, snapping photos so we have all these great memories, and just running the family in general. I’m so focused on work and she’s focused on all four of us. It works out perfect for all of us.
But just because I’m focused on my job doesn’t mean I slack in the dad department. Not in the slightest.
Everything I do is for my family. The work pays the bills and for the trips like these.
Mila’s done an incredible job planning out our itinerary for the next few days down here. Now I just get to kick back and enjoy. I’m not sure who feels like more of a kid…my kids or me.
Everyday I’m amazed at my wife. When I was younger I didn’t think it took much to be a stay at home mom. What do they really do? Just shopping and coffee with their friends, right? It can’t be that hard.
Boy was I ever wrong. Ignorant is an understatement.
I appreciate my wife more than anything and she’s given me an even deeper appreciation for homemakers in general. Hats off to those ladies and all ladies in particular.
They are the glue to this crazy thing called life. They keep the gears of families everywhere greased and running smoothly. The analogy might sound a bit strange, but for a guy it makes complete sense.
And that’s another thing I love about her. She knows I’m a man and doesn’t try to interfere with that. Not that she’d want to.
She never tries to change me or mold me into something else. I think the reason why is because I’m exactly what she wants, even after all these years.
I know for sure she’s the perfect woman for me…my complete dream doll, and no one even comes close.
How did I get so lucky.
“Look dad, a baby giraffe,” Francesca says as she points off into the distance.
“Will we see a lion?” Frank asks.
“Maybe if we’re lucky,” I say.
“Or maybe we won’t if we’re lucky,” Mila says.
I take a couple steps to my side and wrap my arm around Mila.
“I thought I was the protector of our family,” I say as I reach down and kiss the top of her head.
“You may be the protector, but I’m the momma bear. Nothing comes between momma bear and her cubs…especially when it’s big, fast, and has knives for teeth.”
“Well then if we see a lion we can stay in the car.”
“Or just go to the zoo when we get back. That sounds even better.”
“If we can handle sharks we can handle an overgrown cat,” I say.
“Please don’t remind me about our finned not-friends,” Mila says as she laughs. “But speaking of overgrown cats this pussy is going to need to be tamed later.”
“Well your pussy is in luck because I know just the big game hunter.”
“Are you calling me big?” she says, poking me in the ribs.
“Not big, just biggest…as in the biggest love of my life.”
“Awww,” she says. She hugs me back with both arms.
“I love you,” I say.
“And I love you,” she says.
Francesca pets the baby giraffe’s head as she feeds it while Frank does the same to the momma giraffe.
I rub Mila’s head with one hand and grab her jaw with the other, pretending to move it up and down.
“Hey!” she says. She gives me a playful slap but can’t help but to laugh.
“When animals attack!” I say. I lunge forward and grab her, tickling her relentlessly.
“When…animals…bite,” she says in-between laughs and pinches me in the side.
As the kids marvel at their newfound friends, I marvel at us.
No matter how many years go by we’ve still got that playful spirit inside of us. At least when it comes to each other.
She brings out the best in me and I bring out the best in her. And together we share in all the fun.
Just like we are now and how we will tomorrow, the next day, and forever.
GREEK GOD
After a bad break-up over the holidays I head to Greece to get away from it all.
Once I step off the plane I realize it really is all Greek to me.
Especially him.
Who’s that Greek God who's an absolute Adonis? He’s staring at me like he wants to cover me in tzatziki sauce and lick off every square inch.
And who’s that little goddess who’s holding onto his pinky finger?
Like an oracle, he sees I’m lost and extends an olive branch.
And immediately this mythical man and his daughter have me philosophizing if this could turn into something much bigger.
Like his chest muscles that look like they’re sculpted from marble…or those big blue eyes of his that are as clear as the Aegean Sea…or that bulge in his pants that’s sticking out like Mount Olympus.
This Spartan single dad has me in unorthodox positions, tossing me around like a Greek salad as I turn into a nympho for him.
But now it’s time to go home and my head is spinning like the windmills on Mykonos. Will this odyssey end up like so many Greek tragedies…or will I become the Aphrodite to this Adonis with our very own big, fat Greek wedding?
*Greek God is an insta-everything standalone romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.
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Bodyguard_An Older Man Younger Woman Romance Page 6
