A/N: Thanks for the encouragement guys! So, after this another chapter or two and this story will be wrapped up as well. And Vid, here's the ending you wished for. Thanks for that as well.
Rabb Residence
La Jolla, CA
0120 hours local
Three weeks later, after Harm and Rome had been back in the States for four days; Harm came walking into the back yard. He looked at Rome and Diego who were playing pica boo with a cap Harm Sr. had given them. For a short moment he just stood there, watching them, trying to digest what Clay had just told him over the phone.
Rome looked up when he lowered himself into a seat next to her and Diego. 'Hey. Diego and I are playing pica boo'.
'I can see that'.
'What is it?' Rome asked, sensing there was something on his mind.
Harm took a deep breath and tried to gather his strength. 'Clay just called me'.
'And?'
'Izabel and Chico didn't make it Rome. According to the sources Clay left unnamed, they put up an amazing fight, killing Milton even before he go do something to them'.
Rome didn't understand. 'Then why didn't they make it?'
Harm reached for her hand and squeezed it, noticing she was still wearing the engagement and wedding ring she had from the mission. 'Because Milton's plan was to take everybody out after Independence Day. He would've rebelled against Armando as it was. Anyway, it seems that right after Izabel and Chico shot Armando, they ran over the hangar where Chico had prepped a plane…'
He locked eyes with her and stroked over the palm of her hand. 'Milton placed a bomb in the house and one in the hangar. And just as they were ready for take off, the hangar exploded. Clay assured me that they didn't feel anything'.
Moving his chair closer to hers, he took her in his arms and for the first time Rome let her tears run. Just run. She had lost two dear friends, had lived with the fear of being discovered for the past four months, lived with the fear of losing her parents and now all of it was coming out. Harm rocked her back and forth. 'It's all right honey, let it go. It's all right…'
Seeing Rome in so much pain, made that Harm got tears in his eyes as well. They had been brave throughout the past four months; the four months the mission had lasted. They had no-one else then each other to rely on and the stress had taken its toll on the both of them.
Diego made a sound, trying to reach for the cap Rome had put on the table. Rome wiped her tears and smiled a small smile. 'What are we going to do now?' she asked.
Harm didn't say anything for a little while, trying to figure out what he was going to say. 'Romaine… there's something I need to tell you'.
Rome looked up, alarmed. He never used her whole name, not even when he was angry with her. 'Whatever it is Harm, you can tell me. You know that'.
He nodded. 'Remember what Izabel said on the porch?' he whispered. 'About Diego?'
It took a while before Rome realized what he was talking about. 'About Diego being with his parents you mean?'
'Yeah'. He bit his lip, unsure how to continue. 'What I want to say is… I know that the both of us have been through a lot and that we have a lot of water under the bridge Rome, but… I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to keep the promise we made to Izabel and Chico, but most of all I want to spend the rest of my life with you because I want to. Because I love you'.
Rome had to do everything to keep her tears at bay. This man was so amazing. Softly squeezing his hand, she encouraged him to continue.
'I know that you've had your doubts and as you know I've had mine but the past couple of months taught me something. I want you in my life Rome. I need you in my life. As my wife. My lover, my best friend. Just as you. So what I want to ask you…' He sank down to one knee and took her hands in his. 'Will you, Romaine Julia Ferreira, do me the honor of becoming my wife?'
For a very short, single moment Rome was at loss of words. She didn't know what to say. Then she nodded. 'Yes Harmon Patrick Rabb Jr. There's nothing in the whole wide world I'd want more'.
When he heard that answer, Harm kissed her, and had to do anything to keep Diego from being squeezed to death between his two new parents. When Harm broke the kiss he took Rome's left hand and pulled the rings off her finger, replacing it with an engagement ring of his own. Rome stared at the diamond. 'It's beautiful Harm'.
'Not nearly as beautiful as you but yeah, it's beautiful' Harm agreed.
Harm, Trish and Nate, who'd come to visit his brother from the firm he was stationed in LA, were looking at the couple. Trish sighed, leaning against her husband. 'You think they will be okay?'
'Like you said yourself Trish, he loves her. He could've been married but then he wouldn't be married to the woman he loves with his whole heart. Now he will be'.
When Harm looked up from playing with Diego and saw his parents and brother and nudged Rome in her ribs. Grinning, the two of them looked up to the window. Harm Sr. winked at his son and Harm flashed his inherited smile at his father.
Life would be good.
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