Artemis-
"I don't know if I should mention it or if it will be too weird for you", I heard Carmella say.
"Its okay, what's going on? If this is about not taking you out on another real date, I'm sorry. It's just with Art and my sisters being pregnant, I don't want to leave them alone if there's bad news coming our way", my dad explained.
"It's not that, I actually think it's amazing, you taking care of them", she said.
"Okay, then what?", my dad asked.
"She called one of our nurses mom and when we told her no it's not your mom. She said yes it is, mom, I miss you", Carmella said.
I didn't remember calling a nurse mom. My dad took a deep breath.
"I didn't realize that was a problem for you", my dad said.
He was getting defensive. Don't do it dad, I wanted to yell.
"You knew I had a wife and that I was still grieving, that my kids were also. If you can't handle Melina being mentioned, well then I guess we aren't going to work", he said a little too harshly.
I was waiting to hear a slap, but it never came. Did she walk out? Is she crying softly?
"I'm sorry", my dad said.
Wait, my dad just apologized.
"I don't care if she's mentioned, hell I hope you guys talk about her more so I can get a glimpse of what kind of woman she was. I would never try to push her out of your minds or hearts. I'm just hoping you could make a little room for me", she said.
I knew I liked her.
"Your room isn't little Mella, I just, I tend to overreact to things especially when I'm frustrated or worried", he said.
"I know babe", she said.
"I love you", my dad said.
Wait, did he just.
"You love me?", Carmella asked.
"I do, so much, more than I thought I could.", he said honestly.
"I love you too", Carmella said softly.
Roman-
The helicopter arrived at the time Hunter said it would. They loaded two people in each. I took Dean's hand and squeezed it.
"See you soon brother, tell my girl I said hi", I said over the helicopter's loud noise.
He sent a small nod as I backed away from the copter. We watched them fly off.
"He's going to be okay", Seth said.
We walked right back into the building. Hunter and Phil were around a table looking over a map. The man who took both teams was still on the run and dangerous.
"What's going on there?", I asked, pointing with my chin.
"I don't know yet. I'm sure as soon as their done talking they'll tell us", Seth said.
We were piling up the bodies into one room. Looking around for any giveaways to find our missing and dangerous man. Hunter and Phil joined us.
"Alright, Phil spoke to another team a few towns away. Turns out our missing man has been spotted arriving and being watched as we speak", Hunter said.
"You want to get this son of a bitch who hurt your friends then join me in hunting him down. You could either stay or return with Hunter back to camp.", Phil said.
"Get some sleep, and tomorrow before I leave you could tell us your decision on the matter", Hunter said.
Phil nodded. I looked at Seth.
"I'm in if you are. I mean, we're already out here. We aren't going home with Ambrose", Seth said.
I chuckled.
"I'm in", I said.
Artemis-
I tried to open my eyes, but couldn't. I touched the bandages on them.
"Don't, you just had surgery", my brother said.
"Where's dad?", I asked, my throat felt dry.
"I'll get you some water. Dad's talking to Dr. Jericho", Apollo said, I could hear him pouring the water.
I laid my head back.
"I had the strangest dream", I said softly.
My brother placed the cup in my hand and I took a long drink, finishing the water.
"Want some more?", he asked.
"Just a little", I said.
He took the cup.
"What was this dream?", he asked.
"Well it wasn't a dream, more like a memory", I said, feeling the cup in my hand.
"About mom?", he asked.
I nodded.
"What was it?", he asked.
"Remember that one night, mom and dad were dancing in the kitchen. Then we joined them", I said.
"Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that", he said sadly.
I felt him squeeze my hand.
"I'm going to go tell them you're awake.", he said.
"Wait, have you heard anything?", I asked, I knew he knew what I was talking about.
"Yeah, but dad knows", he said.
That was his way of saying it was too hard to tell me. I heard him leave and a few minutes later, more footsteps walked in. Feeling someone touch my forehead.
"Hey sleepy head", my dad said.
I smiled.
"Are you in any pain Artemis?", Dr. Jericho asked.
"No, just really thirsty", I said.
They laughed.
"Of course. I've told your dad that you will have to stay a few weeks here. I want to keep an eye on you and make sure you recover well. I'll be checking your eyes next week to make sure they're healing", he said.
I nodded.
"Alright, if you don't need anything else, I'll take my leave and let you all talk", he said.
Hearing him leave, I knew my dad was still beside me.
"Apollo said you guys heard something, what?", I asked, almost afraid of knowing.
My dad sighed.
"Dean was kidnapped but they found him, rescued him. He was badly injured and decided on bringing him home. He'll be home in a few days", he said.
I took a deep breath.
"How's aunt Brie?", I asked.
"She cried, but is relieved nothing too bad happened to him. Happy he's coming home where she can take care of him", he said.
I nodded.
"He's in for a surprise when he sees her", I said.
My dad and brother laughed.
"Got that right, you can see her tummy", my dad said.
I smiled.
"Hopefully I'll get to see it", I said.
He kissed the side of my head.
"I'm sure you will kiddo", he said.
Roman-
Hunter said we should write letters to our families. Once he was back at camp he could send them off for us.
Artemis,
I miss you so much. I miss not being able to talk to you. Just to hear your voice would be good enough for me. I know that by now you heard about Dean, take care of him for me will you. He's stubborn, make sure he rests. Baby girl I can't wait to get home to you. Your uncle is fine, I have his back till the very end, like he has mine. If you write back to me, it might be a few weeks before I could read it and get back to you, I'm sorry. There is something I've been dying to ask, I know that once I get back home, I want you to move in. I want you with me for the rest of our lives. This isn't the ideal way I wanted to ask. Will you marry me? When I see you again, I hope you'll have an answer for me. I love you and I miss you.
Love, Roman
I sealed the letter and put it in the bag Hunter told us to put it. Seth did the same. The next morning we got dressed and said our goodbyes to the men who were going back with Hunter. We followed Phil to a few waiting Humvees.
"Alright, it will take a few hours to get there and then we have to meet up with my Sgt. He wants to meet you Sgt. Rollins", Phil said.
Seth nodded. Sliding into the seat beside him.
"How's your shoulder?", I asked.
"Fine, Fandango changed the bandages and cleaned the wound before leaving", he said.
I nodded.
"Good", I said.
By the time we got to his camp it was nightfall. People were outside walking around and watching us, whispering.
"You're new faces, they're probably talking about how handsome you two are", Phil said chuckling.
Seth and I nodded before following him in. Guys waved at us and sent us nods.
"Sgt. McMahon meet Sgt. Rollins and LCpl. Reigns", Phil said.
The man who was looking at the map turned and smiled. Stretching his hand out for them to shake.
"It's nice to meet you fellas, Phil here has told me a lot about you. I'm Sgt. Shane McMahon", he said.
"As in 1Sgt. Helmsley's brother in law?", Seth asked.
He nodded.
"Yes, you two are apart of Hunter's team", Shane said.
We nodded.
"Alright then, should we get down to business", he said, walking back over to the board.
We followed.
"Our man, is still seeing him here in this town. Hasn't moved", Shane said.
We nodded and listened.
"If you two and your group are still in, we leave tomorrow morning", Shane said.
Seth looked at the group of guys who came with us.
"We're with you Sgt. Rollins", Slater said.
Seth looked back at Shane.
"We're in", he said.