Page 131 of Rescuing Mary

“John, so help me God, if you don’t put your butt down on that seat, it’s gonna get smacked,” Emily hissed at her youngest son.

“I’m boooored!” their seven-year-old whined. “When is this gonna be over?”

“I told you to bring a book,” his older brother, Doug, told him.

Fletch smiled at his sons. Douglas was only eleven, but sometimes he acted years older. He was their studious child. He’d loved to read by the age of five and it seemed like he’d had his head in a book ever since.

“She’s almost up,” Ethan said, sitting as straight as he could to try to see the stage better.

Fletch reached for Emily’s hand, and she latched on and squeezed his fingers hard.

It seemed like only yesterday Annie had been zooming around their yard in her homemade tank. But now they were at her college graduation, and she was going to be sworn in as the newest member of the US Army. She’d never lost her enthusiasm for the armed forces and had joined the ROTC at the university as a freshman. Over the years, she’d excelled, and was on her way to being in the medical field in the Army.

Fletch worried about her—he’d be a shit parent if he didn’t—but he couldn’t help but be proud.

He looked over his shoulder at the group of people sitting in the few rows behind his family. Seeing all his Army friends and their families made him smile in contentment. He knew they loved Annie almost as much as he did.

“There she is,” Ethan said excitedly as he pointed to the student preparing to go across the stage. Fletch turned to look at the stage, and the entire family stood up and yelled when her name was announced.

Annie Elizabeth Grant Fletcher.

Fletch heard the shouts and excitement from Ghost and the others as they celebrated her achievement along with his family.

Annie walked proudly across the stage and, once she had her diploma in hand, looked up into the stands at her family. She raised her hand in a fist above her head, which only set her brothers off more.

Fletch knew the swearing-in ceremony would take place after everyone received their diplomas, so they had more time to wait.

“This is awesome,” Ethan said after they’d sat down again.

Fletch couldn’t argue. It was awesome. Even better was how close brother and sister were. Annie loved all of her brothers, but there was a special bond between her and Ethan. It probably stemmed from the hours Annie read to him and played with him when he was only a toddler. Even when she’d been in high school, she’d never been irritated or short with him. She loved everything about being a big sister, and had reveled in teaching him how to play soldier and running around with him in the woods behind their house.

Later, Fletch held Emily as she cried when Annie recited the oath of service, beaming with pride himself.

He knew the best part of the day was still to come. The present he’d arranged for his daughter was waiting.

The arena was chaotic after the ceremony, but Fletch waited for Annie in the spot they’d staked out ahead of time. After ten minutes, he finally saw her coming toward them. She was wearing her dress green Army uniform, and even though she’d complained about having to wear a skirt when the boys could wear slacks, Fletch thought she looked amazing.

She hugged everyone and teased Doug about whether he’d seen any of the ceremony or if he’d read his book the entire time. She let John pin her name badge, Fletcher, on his own shirt, even though she knew she’d get in trouble if any instructors saw her in an incomplete uniform. Ethan gave her a big hug, and Fletch wasn’t surprised to see tears in his daughter’s eyes. She was about to head off to complete the Officer Basic Course and her medical training with the Army, and it would be quite a while before she was able to spend any amount of time with her family again.

Annie was just as amazing today as she’d been when he’d first met her, and Fletch was more proud of her than he could say. She’d grown into a beautiful, thoughtful, smart young lady who knew what she wanted in life and wasn’t afraid to go after it.

Smiling when he saw someone coming up behind Annie, he handed her name badge back and told her they’d see her at the house. They were having a huge graduation party there in a couple hours. Fletch knew all his teammates would be there, as well as a few other Delta Force men, Fish and Bryn, and even a couple of the SEALs from California.

And a huge party wouldn’t be complete without the man Annie loved.

As Fletch walked away, he looked back and saw Annie turn and see Frankie for the first time. He knew the young man had told her he couldn’t make it because of his work schedule.

Annie’s screech of delight could be heard above the crowd still milling around, and Fletch couldn’t help but smile as he watched the reunion.

“She really loves him,” Emily said softly. “She’s loved him since they were seven years old.”

“Yup,” Fletch said, because there really wasn’t anything else to say.

They watched their daughter’s hands move lightning fast as she signed her happiness to Frankie. He laughed and signed back. The two stood in the middle of the crowd of happy graduates, reconnecting.

Things hadn’t been easy for the couple, and unfortunately, it would continue to be difficult. They were still young and had different roads ahead of them, but Fletch hoped they made it.

Frankie was a good man. He was smart and respectful, and it was easy to see how much he loved Annie. But he also refused to hold her back from her dreams. The pain in his eyes when he thought Annie wasn’t watching was clear to see, but he stayed the course, refusing to let Annie settle on anything less than her dream of being a medic in the Army.