2200 ZULU
Mack's Apartment
Georgetown, VA
"I need to get going," he whispered, both knowing they didn't have work the next day. She smiled.
"Stay?" she asked. He frowned, which caused her to laugh. "Not like that, Landon. It's been so long since we just hung out." He smiled, turned the radio on to where it was quite, and held out his hand.
"Dance with me?" he asked, remembering the last time they danced. They professed their love for each other on the beach.
"What'ch thinking about?" she asked, looking into his eyes. He smiled.
"You," he said straight faced. He kissed her lips. "You know, I think we need to talk." Her face fell, not knowing what he'd say. They stopped dancing and moved to the couch. He turned himself to face her. "I know I said things wouldn't be the same and I understand. They won't. But one thing is the same." He saw her holding her breath. "Breathe, Mack." She did and he smiled. "I think . . . I know for a fact that I'm more in love with you right this moment then I ever have been in my entire life." She smiled and kissed his lips.
"Good," she said, pulling back from him, "because, frankly, I'm more in love with you then I was back then." He laughed.
"So much for taking this slow, huh?" he asked, pushing the hair back from her face. "I never should've left you. I would've joined the Marines for you." She laughed.
"Don't let my father hear you say that," she said. He smiled.
"Seriously, though. I would've. I'd do anything for you," he told her, running his finger along her bottom lip. "I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago." He slipped his hand into his jacket and pulled out a small box.
"What is that?" Mack asked, shocked. He smiled and opened it. "Landon, that's a ring."
"Yes, Mack, it is. It's a ring I bought for you while I was still at the base," he said, when she took it from him and looked at it. "Basically, what I'm saying is, would you marry me tonight?" Her mouth fell open.
"Tonight?" she asked, shocked. She'd never known Landon to be this impulsive in her life. He nodded his head. "My parents . . . "
"Mack, I know you want your parents to be there, but I promise you, after things get situated a bit, we can get married again. Have a huge JAG style wedding, whatever you want. I just want you as my wife right now. Even if it's just between us," he said. Mack smiled.
"Yes, I'll marry you, Landon," she said. He sat there for a minuet and just stared into her eyes before he kissed her passionately. "I love you." He smiled.
"I love you too," he responded. He was about to place the ring on her finger when he stopped. He moved his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her dog tags out of her sweatshirt. "This way no one will know." He slipped the ring on and kissed her. "I love you."
0135 ZULU
Norfolk International Airport
Norfolk, VA
"We're really doing this?" Landon asked once more. Mack laughed as they buckled their seatbelts.
"Yes, we're really doing this," she said for the thousandth time. He smiled.
"Just making sure you're not changing your mind and not telling me. I never know how that mind of yours is working," he said, looking in her eyes.
"Dad always says I'm too much like mom," she said. He laughed.
"That you are, hun," he answered as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll wake you when we get there, ok?" She nodded and drifted off.
0345 ZULU
LA international Airport
Los Angeles, California
"We're here, Mack," Landon whispered. "Wake up, sweetie." She smiled as she opened her eyes and saw the man standing in front of her. She stood up and kissed him before stretching.
"Let's get married before you change your mind, kay?" she said, grinning. He laughed and took her hand in his own and they went to get their overnight bags.
"Never, my love. Never," he whispered.
0432 ZULU
LA Chapel of Love
Los Angeles, California
"Landon, do you take MacKenzie to be your wife? To be there for her through richer or poorer, sickness and health, till death do you part, as long as you both shall live?" the preacher asked.
"I do," he said, smiling as big as he could, and slipping the simple ring on MacKenzie's right hand, just for safe measures. She smiled when he kissed her hand.
"MacKenzie, do you take Landon to be your husband? To be there for him through richer or poorer, sickness and health, till death do you part, as long as you both shall live?" She smiled.
"I do," she said, placing the ring on Landon's right hand as well. The preacher smiled.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," he said then turned to Landon. "You may kiss your bride." Landon smiled before kissing MacKenzie like he'd never kissed her in his life.
"I love you, Mack," he whispered, pulling her into his arms. The man smiled.
"You two have got to be the sweetest couple I've ever seen...except for this one time...there was a couple in here about 25 years ago," he said, thinking back. "In fact, the lady looked a lot like you, miss." MacKenzie's mouth fell open. It couldn't be.
"Do you know their names?" Landon asked, seeing Mack's shock. The man nodded and went to look in the computer.
"Yes. A couple in the military. Names were Rabb and MacKenzie...Harm and Sarah. You know them?" he asked. Mack nodded.
"They're my parents." They talked for a bit more and then left to go back to the hotel.
"I wish I could've done more for you tonight, MacKenzie," Landon whispered once they were in their room. She smiled.
"You can," she said, kissing him and pushing him down on the bed. "Make love to me."
