I Choose You
She's an excellent cook.
His small one-room apartment is now spotlessly clean.
The day she showed up at the front desk of the building and asked for him. The moment she was told there was no one by that name. The look on her face when she turned away to leave. He stared hard at the monitor screen. His father was the key witness of a crime. His whole family had no choice but to give up their old life to stay alive. Everything happened so fast. There was no time to say goodbye. New name. New hometown. New background. New identity. He was stripped of his college scholarship. He was stripped of his chance. He was stripped of his dreams. He joined the Marine. It was his only escape. He was young. He was scared. He was upset. He was angry. He was unhappy. He missed Emily. He never stopped missing her. And now, here she is, sitting in front of him, smiling. And she no longer wears the ring. The way she smiles. The way her eyes sparkle. She is happy. So happy. And so is he.
A million emotions ran through his body when he jumped out from the chair, raced down the stairs, burst out of the building and called out her name. The surprise and joy on her face. The tears and laughter in her eyes. Slowly he walked up toward her and reintroduced himself to the woman he loves.
He reaches out and takes hold of her hand. The long search has come to an end. He will hold on. He won't let go. Soon she will be single again. Soon they will start their own family. They will have a small wedding. He will let her choose the ring. He's grateful to have her back in his life. He will ask for a transfer. He knows she will fall in love with Miami in no time at all.
Things are always more complicated when your girlfriend's ex is a cop. He has read through Joe Morelli's file twice. "Watch your six." Ranger's tone was cool and calm.
Luckily, Jake Fransico knows how to take care of himself. The US Marine Corp has trained him well.
Maybe too well.