Chapter 15:
He was only a week from getting home, he wants to surprise her, but the truth is, he thinks that's a bad idea. But then again, he did it a few months back, and ended up with a cue stick in his gut! But he's going through with it.
He just needs to think on the best way to surprise her, show up at the Hard Deck unannounced? Nah, that didn't go well. Just walk into his apartment and catch her off guard? Or, he could just walk up to her anywhere. It sounded like a plan, but he just hopes she doesn't knee him in any places this time.
One week later:
The boat docks, Bradley was the first to leave, running with his bags, not bothering changing out of his flight suit, throwing the bags into the back of his bronco, and driving out of there.
Petty Officer Carter and her mother both watching as he leaves. "Someone is eager to get home.".
And eager he was, his first stop was Nat's house, stopping in the driveway, he rams his hand raw knocking on the door. And her dad answers, "Bradley! You're back!".
"Where's Nat?".
"I think she's at the Hard Deck.".
"Thanks." And he rushes to the Hard Deck.
Firestorm then plucks out his phone and texted someone: 'The chicken left the coupe.'.
Brad rushes inside the bar, only to be greeted with the lights out, what the hell was this? A single spotlight goes on and a chair was in the middle of the room, a note was taped on, stating for him to sit down.
When he did, the spotlight moved forwards Bob, why was he wearing a suit from a 1940's based piano player for a Private Eye movie? And why was he seated at the piano?
Another spot light turns on, and there sitting on the piano, was PHOENIX IN A RED DRESS!
What was this? And why was she holding a microphone? Wait a minute…
His jaw dropped when she started singing:
He's a phone call to his parents
He's a bible by the bed
He's the t-shirt that I'm wearin'
He's the song stuck in my head
He's solid and he's steady
Like the Allegheny runs
He knows where he's going
And he's proud of where he's from
… one of the good ones
He's one of the good ones.
Brad's jaw slacked, and his aviators dropped from his face, the shock and surprise to much to handle. He didn't expect this to happen.
… A love me like he should one
Like he wrote the book one
The kind you find when you don't even look one
Anybody can be good once
But he's good all the time
He's one of the good ones
And he's all mine
He's one of the good ones
She looks over to him, a smile off of every word she's singing, she knows some of the parts in the song didn't remotely relate to him, but the important parts did. Going to lie down on her stomach as she sings, Bob pressing the keys down, not missing a single note.
… You'll know him when you see him
By the way he looks at me
You'd say he hung the moon
I'd say he hung the galaxy
Nobody does it better
Oh, the way he pulls me in
I've known a couple bad ones
But they all led me to him
She thinks on all the dumb-asses she dated back in the academy who only wanted her for her body, and Brad always blowing a fuse when he learns of the guys using her. Most of the times it always did something to her hormones. But his face, was evidence enough for her. She got him back for surprising her.
… He's one of the good ones
Brad was hanging on every word, realizing she was singing about him. He loves her more every second her beautiful voice brings up the lyrics.
… A love me like he should one
Like he wrote the book one
The kind you find when you don't even look one
Anybody can be good once
But he's good all the time
He's one of the good ones
And he's all mine
He's one of the good ones
Getting of the piano, she slowly walks over to him, mic in hand.
… We should all find us one
They're out there, minus one
Some of the good ones
Yeah, I got a good one
Was now right in front of him, pulling him up, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his steady heart beat.
… A love me like he should one
Like he wrote the book one
The kind you find when you don't even look
Anybody can be good once
But he's good all the time
He's one of the good ones
And he's all mine
He's one of the good ones
And he's all mine
The lights spring on as Bob presses on the final key, and it turns out the bar was packed with people, all the important ones, a huge 'Welcome home, Rooster' banner hung from the ceiling, the entire Dagger Squad was there. And Rooster was smiling the biggest smile yet, but he immediately turns to the woman in the sexy red dress.
"Damn, Nat, you're so hot in that dress." He kisses her longingly. And both of them heard Hangman whistling, and Payback clapping hands, and Fritz and Yale screaming out, "YOU OWE ME TEN BUCKS!".
Nat and Brad laugh, and rest foreheads against each others. "This is how I find out you know I am stateside?" he asked.
"Thought I surprise you." She responds.
And here he is, about to do the biggest thing in his life, getting down on a knee and Maverick tossing him a small box that he catches with ease.
Opening it to reveal a diamond ring, she gasps and the entire bar goes silent. "Guess I surprised you back." He smirks. Her breath was a hitch.
"Natasha Trace, will you make me the luckiest guy alive?".
She doesn't know what to say, looking behind her, her father giving her an approving nod. She looks back at him, she couldn't say the words, so she nods, a little scared to say it, for her voice felt like a squeak at the moment.
Smiling he slips on the ring, and the whole bar cheer, Penny yelling from behind the counter, "Drinks are on the house.".
Hangman then holds his bottle into the air, "To the lovebirds!". And the rest followed pursuit.
Brad had his arm around his girlfrie- wait, scratch that, fiancé and had somehow found a beer in his hand. He holds it up and then smiles at Maverick, "Thanks for hanging onto my mom's engagement ring.".
"It's what your dad would've done." And indeed, deep down, Rooster knew, Mav was right.