Page 30 of Elise

“What’s going on Elise? Are you saying you bought a house?” Mr. Sommers inquires. “I would have helped you buy it, darling. You know that.”

“Elise, I didn’t want you to be disappointed if they didn’t accept our offer. I knew how much you loved the house. Once they accepted, I just decided to surprise you with it once the closing was a done deal. Then we got word your brother was coming back stateside so I just thought it would make a great surprise.” Deadeye smiles sheepishly.

“Warren, it’s a wonderful surprise! I’m so happy.” Elise smiles warmly while throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips. Deadeye returns her kiss briefly as her parents are watching. When he ends the kiss, he places his right hand on the left side of Elise’s face.

“I’m so glad you are happy, sweetheart. I love to see that smile on your face.” Deadeye gives her a quick peck before getting out to go around the front of the truck to open her door. Ace and Dr. Robertson are waiting for them as they get out of the truck.

“About time you got out of the truck. We have a party to get to.” Ace goads Deadeye as he rounds the front of the truck.

“Cool your jets, Ace. We are the party. Can’t start it without us.” Deadeye chuckles as he opens Elise’s door. He takes her hand and helps her down from the tall vehicle. Mr. Sommers is helping Mrs. Sommers out as well. The group heads for the door. When they enter the front door, everyone is waiting for them in the large living area. Folding chairs are scattered all around the very empty room. Deadeye turns to Elise as they enter.

“I wanted you to pick out the furniture, so we just rented some chairs and tables for the party. We can go furniture shopping next week, okay?” Deadeye whispers in her left ear. Elise turns into him and gives him a huge smile.

“Warren that will be wonderful. I can’t wait for us to pick out furniture for our new home.” Elise only has eyes for Deadeye and doesn’t notice Edward sneaking up on her. He suddenly snatches her from Deadeye’s arms. Elise squeals loudly.

“Hey sis!” Edward bellows as he swings her in a circle. “You are looking wonderful. I can see Deadeye has been good for you.” Elise laughs as Edward sits her on her feet again. Mr. and Mrs. Sommers hurry to welcome their son, too. Hugs and handshakes are shared all around. When everyone has greeted Edward, Charlotte herds everyone to the dining room where they can begin the festivities. The men take chairs around the table as Deadeye leads Elise, Edward, and their parents to a separate table just for them. After everyone is settled, Deadeye stands up. Silence falls on the group as they wait for him to speak.

“I want to thank all of you for coming tonight to share in this happy time.” Deadeye looks around the room. “We are here tonight to welcome Captain Edward Sommers back home to stateside. I know Elise and Mr. and Mrs. Sommers are very happy to have him near home once again.” Deadeye pauses while everyone claps.

“I also wanted you all to be here and share in a special moment for Elise and me.” Deadeye takes Elise’s hand and urges her to stand with him. When she is standing by his side, he continues.

“Elise, I never imagined myself falling in love, wanting a family, or even buying a house. But you have helped me to see all the wonderful things I was missing out on. I will be forever grateful destiny sent my team to find you.” Deadeye kneels in front of her. “Sweetheart, you have made my life worth living and I would be most honored if you would be my wife.” Deadeye opens a jewelry box with a beautiful large emerald cut diamond ring sparkling in the light of the room. Elise’s eyes have filled with happy tears.

“Oh Warren, yes! I will be your wife. You have made me look forward to the future. Thank you for loving me and helping me overcome my nightmares.” Deadeye slips the ring on her ring finger of her left hand as the room erupts in cheers. Elise’s parents are wiping tears from their eyes as they congratulate the couple.

Deadeye motions for the room to settle down. Once everyone has gotten their congratulations over, Deadeye continues with his surprises.

“Elise, I know I have hit you with a lot today. A house, a ring, but I have one more big surprise.” Deadeye pauses for effect. He knows that Elise will be over the moon happy about the children even though he hadn’t asked her about adopting them. They had had a long talk one night about his adoption and the chances of whether or not Elise would be able to conceive after her cancer treatments. They had both agreed that whether or not they had children of their own, they were going to adopt children also. It was important to Deadeye to help children like himself and Elise whole heartedly agreed.

“We are going to be parents in a couple of weeks.” Deadeye lets his words sink in as the whole room, except for Hawk and Charlotte, are in shock. “I found Lakia’s siblings, sweetheart. I placed a petition to adopt them. They were going to be sent to an orphanage, after the death of their grandmother. The girl is 6 and the boy is almost 2. I got word today that everything is a go. I booked us a flight to go get our children in 2 weeks.”

Elise has tears in her eyes. She is blown away that Warren had managed not only to find the children but arrange for them to be adopted. Elise throws her arms around Deadeye’s neck, as happy tears fall down her face.

“Oh, Warren! I can’t believe you have made all this possible.” Elise’s voice is thick with emotions. “You have made me the happiest woman in the whole world. I am so thankful for you and the family we are making.”

Everyone was again congratulating them again. Amazing things were happening for this couple and the whole team. It seems the team was getting another sister and more kids to make their lives interesting. Hawk stands then, to make a toast.

“Elise, never in a million years would I have believed that Deadeye would find a woman and settle down. Thank you for loving him and softening up this hardened man. We are so happy for you both and the children you are giving a loving home to.” Hawk gives his toast. Everyone joins in with the congratulations. The room is in an uproar for a while. They finally settle down when Charlotte announces that the food is ready.

Epilogue

A few weeks later,Deadeye and Elise have traveled back to the refugee camp where she had been kip napped from so many months ago. Elise had recovered remarkable well. Still, Deadeye keeps her close to him for fear she will have flash backs. Elise is comforted by his attention and concern for her. When they reach the camp, they are lead to a large tent. Two small children are sitting near the middle of the tent playing with a couple of toys. Warren had sent pictures of him and Elise to the camp when he began the petition to adopt the children. He wanted to them to at least know their faces when they came to take them home. The caretakers of the children had gone above and beyond anything Warren would have expected. They had arranged for the couple to video chat with the workers and children several times over the last 2 weeks. They had also worked with the children teaching them English and helping them to understand the people in the photos were going to be their new parents.

When they enter the tent, the little girl looks up at the new comers. Elise’s breath hitches. The little girl looks so much like Lakia. Love and sadness flood Elise at the same moment. The girl’s round face, dark eyes, and long dark hair are the same as her older sister that left this world much too soon. Elise is startled when the girl stands and points to them.

“Momma! Daddy!” The girl exclaims as she points toward Elise and Warren. She reaches down and takes the hand of her younger brother. She waits patiently as he wobbles to his feet and looks toward the couple. Warren and Elise are frozen in place. The moment is surreal. After a few moments, they look at one another. The love they both see mirrored back in the others eyes warms their hearts. The children start toward the couple.

Warren kneels down to take the small girl in his arms as she approaches him. Elise lifts the boy in her arms. Both adults are overwhelmed with emotions as they hold their children. One of the camp workers, captures the moment on her cell phone. She emails a copy to Elise. The picture becomes a focal point on their mantel in the living room for years to come. The moment they became a family.

The workers come and make the introductions of the children to their parents.

“This little man is Emir. His name means commander” the female worker informs the couple. She speaks to the little boy in Syrian. He looks at Deadeye and then Elise. He nods at the woman and speaks. “Ee, Momma, Dadda” the small boy answers the worker. Deadeye and Elise are over come with joy. The children seem very accepting of the change that was coming their way.

The worker turns to the small girl. “And this is Derifa. Her name means graceful.” The couple looks at each other. The names are perfect. The family returns to the States a few days later to begin their life together.