Three weeks had passed since Taylor returned to the base. As agreed, she was training the new recruits that had been assigned to her squadron. She had three more weeks of this, then she would be able to return home- to Eric.

Every night when she returned to her base house, the first thing she would do was place her ring back on her finger. Being out in the field all day would have ruined it, so she took it off when she went out.

She stared down at the diamond she wore and smiled. She missed him more than she would have expected, but she wasn't about to let him know that. Smiling to herself, she took her mail from the table. A yellow envelope from her sister was opened first.

Inside were pictures from her wedding for Taylor- one of Tori and Blake, another of she and Tori, a group photo, and finally one of she and Eric. They were standing in front of the lake and looked perfect together. Running her fingers along his face, she longed for him to be real- right in front of her.

Sighing, she put the photo down and went back to her mail.

'ALL OFFICERS REPORT TO DELTA BLOCK IMMEDIATLY. REPEAT: ALL OFFICERS REPORT TO DELTA BLOCK IMMEDIATLY.'

Taylor's head snapped up when she heard the announcement over the PA system. Something was up. She quickly grabbed her hat and headed out.

The Delta Block was composed of large meeting rooms. When Taylor arrived she sat next to another Lieutenant and heard their commander utter the words she never thought she would hear- they were shipping out the day after tomorrow. A sudden attack overseas had left their sister base's troops shorthanded and they were in need of assistance.

After they were given their orders, Taylor returned to her house in shock. She always knew there was a possibility of her having to go back into action, but why now? Her squad would be the fifth deployed form the base with her as their leader.

"What the fuck have I gotten myself into," she said as she laid down on her bed. Her ring caught her eye and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. Every other time she had gone off, she never thought about what she was leaving behind. Now that all had changed. She had her sister to think about, as well as her fiancé.

Reaching over to her left, he grabbed her cell phone and called Tori.

"I ship out the day after tomorrow," she said. The other line was silent for a moment.

"What do you mean? I thought you had to train the newbies and then-"

"That was the plan until a few hours ago. They need me Tor. I just wanted to call and say goodbye."

Tori stifled a sob. "Don't say goodbye Taylor."

"You know what I mean. I'll be back before you know it," Taylor said as a tear fell down her cheek.

"Be careful."

"I will. Don't worry. You'll tell the others?"

"Sure thing sis. I love you.

"Love you too little one." Taylor finished her conversation and hung up. Tears overtook her as she collapsed on the bed. In the past few months she had been through so much-why now was she again being tested?

Her phone rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Looking at the screen she saw that it was Eric. With trembling hands she picked it up. "Hello?" she said shakily.

Eric could tell something was wrong from the beginning. "Taylor? What's wrong?" he asked sternly.

"I have orders to ship out the day after tomorrow," she said shakily. Eric felt his heart stop.

"Shipping out? Where? When will you be back?" he asked in shock.

"We don't have an exact location yet, but it's somewhere over seas. . . and I'm not sure when I'll be back," she said quietly. Eric was furious and saddened at the same time.

"I thought you got to leave."

"It's my last duty as acting officer to my squadron. I owe them this." The line was silent. "I have the day tomorrow to get my plans together and then the commander is letting us off the base to spend time with our families before we go. I have to be back on base by 08:00 the next day."

"When do you want me to pick you up?" he asked without hesitation. Taylor smiled.

"Around noon," she said. Eric smiled as well.

(((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))

Taylor walked into her planning meeting the next day and received a few odd glances as she sat with her crew.

"What?" she asked.

"When did you get engaged?" a pilot named Rodriguez asked. Taylor looked down at her hand- she had forgotten to take off her ring. Blushing slightly, she turned the flight plan over to her second in command.

"a while ago," she said. "Now if we break off like this-"

"So when are you getting married?"

"I don't know, now can we please get back to work here?" Taylor asked.

"Sorry Lieutenant."

As the morning wore on, Taylor found herself wondering about what had been said. When was she going to get married? She may not ever see Eric again after this mission- No. She put that thought out of her head. but that question still lingered. What if she never got to be his wife?

In Silver Hills, Eric was contemplating the same thing. It had taken him almost three years to get her and he wasn't about to let her go. He drove as fast as he could to the base and arrived a little before noon. Taylor was already waiting for him at the gate with a huge smile plastered on her face when she saw the black SUV pull up.

Eric parked and waited until she came out. She calmly got in and they drove out. As soon as they were out of sight of leering eyes. Eric pulled over and grabbed her in a searing kiss that took their breaths away. Taylor sighed as they released.

"Miss me?" she asked as he pulled back out onto the road. Eric took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"Not at all," he replied. Taylor smiled as he brought his hand back down still holding hers.

They drove on in silence- neither one really knowing what to say. Taylor felt him rubbing her hand with his thumb. "I love you, you know," Eric said suddenly. Taylor gave a small smile.

"I know Eric. . . and I know you're pissed about me going. Trust me, I'm not too happy with it either. But I gave my word to protect my country as well as the earth and I plan to do just that"

Eric turned and looked at her. Her beautiful eyes looked directly into his. "And that's why I fell in love with you. You never back down from anything." he turned his eyes back to the road. Taylor gripped his hand a little tighter.

"You're right. I don't, and I don't ever intend to. Once I start something, I finish it," she said with a gleam in her eye. She put her hand on top of his and squeezed. "And I mean that," she whispered. Eric looked down and saw her ring. . .

He lifted his hand and brought hers to his lips again. "Then let's finish this." Taylor felt her heart skip a beat.

"You're serious." she said.

"Absolutely," he replied. They pulled into Eric's driveway and went inside. Taylor settled her small bag on the floor and went out to see Eric on his phone. He got off and turned to hug her. "I hope you have something nice to wear. We have to be at the town hall in half an hour." Taylor kissed him hard and went to change.

Eric had been planning this since the night before. Taylor had left her dress from Tori's wedding at his place, so he had it dry-cleaned for her to wear today. He asked Wes and Jen to be witnesses and then had gone and bought a set of bands. He walked into the bedroom without knocking and caught Taylor changing.

Neither one of them flinched. They were completely comfortable around each other. Eric walked up behind her ad finished zipping up the back, kissing her neck softly.

"You planned this didn't you?" Eric didn't say anything as he continued to kiss her bare shoulders. "We'll have plenty of time for that when we get home," she said turning away. Eric sighed and pulled her in for a soft kiss before he went and changed into a black suit and red dress shirt.

When they arrived at the town hall, Wes and Jen were already there. After a quick reunion, they stepped inside and the judge performed the ceremony. Eric turned to Taylor and placed the ring on her finger as she did the same to him.

"I, Eric Meyers take you, Taylor Earhardt to be my wife. I promise to love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"I, Taylor Earhardt take you, Eric Meyers to be my husband. I promise to love you and honor you all the days of my life."

The judge then declared them husband and wife in front of their witnesses, and called for them to kiss.

They both let out huge smiles and shared the most passionate kiss they had ever had. Wes pulled Jen a bit tighter to him and they watched as Taylor and Eric Meyers walked out.

After the ceremony, they all went out for a small lunch and then Taylor and Eric returned home. Eric picked Taylor up in his arms and brought her in. "Welcome home Mrs. Meyers," Eric said as he set her down. Taylor wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent.

"I love you," she whispered into his shoulder. A few tears fell and she clung tighter to him. Eric rubbed her back lovingly and rested his head next to hers. he knew why she was upset. . . she was as scared as he was about her leaving.

"Taylor, it's going to be alright," he said. Taylor pulled away and kissed him.

"Just hold me a little longer. I want to remember this." He kissed her forehead and brought her back into him. They held each other until the doorbell rang. Taylor broke away and answered it. A bouquet of yellow roses met her eyes. She turned to Eric who could only smile and then turned ask to sign for them.

The door closed and she set the flowers down. "There's a card with those," Eric said. Taylor grinned at him and found it.

~You are an eagle, you belong to the sky and not to the earth,
stretch forth your wings and fly. . . You have made me the
happiest man in the entire world . . . fly high my Yellow Eagle-
I love you.
~Eric

Taylor's hand was over her mouth as the tears formed in her eyes. She flung her arms around him. Eric pulled away a little to kiss her swollen lips as his hand cupped her face. Taylor's hands found the back of his neck and began to scratch gently. Eric let out soft moans into her mouth and held her tighter to him.

She reached down to his shoulder and began to rub small circles with her thumbs. Eric seemed to sink against her touch. "Taylor," he breathed. She looked up at him and he again captured her lips with his and led her back to their room.

Once there, he tore of his jacket and worked the back of her dress while she undid the buttons of his shirt and pants. Soon they were both down to their undergarments- Eric in his red boxers and Taylor in a yellow lace bra and panties. Taylor pushed him back onto the bed and crawled on top of him. Eric reached up to unclasp her bra but she stopped him.

Eric looked at her and saw her grinning. She sat up on him and began to massage his chest and torso. Eric closed his eyes and felt her fingers skimming his body. Taylor could tell he was happy- she could feel him beginning to rise between her legs, but she continued on with her sweet torture.

She bent down to his ear. "Keep your eyes closed," she said as she laid kisses down his neck and chest. He smiled and decided to play along. Taylor removed her bra first and continued to massage him. She moved up to his shoulders and brushed her breast along his chest until it was just barely touching his lips. Eric's excitement grew and he reached up to hold her to him, but her hands came down on his and pinned them to the sheets.

"Taylor," he said with a hint of begging in his voice. She bent down to his ear again.

"Patience. . . keep your eyes closed." Eric submitted to her and felt her again placed her breast to his lips this time he captured it and began to massage the sensitive skin with his tongue. Taylor stopped momentarily when she felt his warmth on her. She skillfully removed her panties and then his boxers.

Ever so slowly, she lowered herself down onto him- taking him into her fully. Eric opened his eyes and this time Taylor didn't object. They looked at each other and slowly Taylor lowered herself down to him, lying on his chest. Eric wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder.

She began to move her hips up and down until they found a steady rhythm. Their lips never left each other as they continued until they both exploded and relaxed. Eric's arms never let her go as she lay on top of him. He ran his fingers along her back and felt her soft breathing on his neck. He couldn't loose her. Not after all they had been through.

Taylor clung to him for dear life. She really didn't want to go. It's not that she was scared of going into active combat- she was scared of loosing what she had found- her sister, her family, and now her husband. She felt Eric kiss her neck and she lifted her face to his as they met for a sweet kiss.

"Eric, if I don't-" she began.

"Don't even talk like that," he said, pushing a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. "You will come back Earhardt."

She smiled down at him. "It's Meyers now," she said. Eric got another huge grin on his face and flipped her over so he was on top of her and kissed her passionately. Taylor felt him getting excited again and looked at him surprised.

He kissed her again and tugged the blankets over them.