Chapter Twenty-Six:
About three months go by…
Elvis was helping Sam get ready for the award ceremony that afternoon. Sam had been discharged a month pior but was ordered to stay at home to rest. His lost arm has long since been replaced by a prostetic limb. Elvis clipped the last two buttons on Sam's jacket. Sam had on his dark formal Firefighter jacket. One the back of the jacket it had the PontyPandy Fire Brigade logo. He also had on a pair of black slacks. His hero medals were pinned to the left side of his jacket. He let out a sigh. "nervous?" asked Elvis. Sam looked at himself in the mirror. "I don't feel like I deserve all of this." Elvis kissed under his chin. "Sam, your bravery was kept us alive out there." Sam glanced down at him. "it was really a team effort Elvis. Without you guys I might not have made it back alive." Elvis stood by Sam. He smiled at Sam in the mirror. "Sam, you deserve to be made into a hero today. Don't doubt yourself. We really have to thank for keeping us alive out there." He handed Sam his white uniform hat. "we better get going. We can't afford to be late." Marcelo was waiting down in the living room for them. His heart skipped beats. He had never been awarded this high of an honor before. He saw Elvis and Sam walk into the living room. "ready?" he asked. Sam nodded. "Staff Sergant Adian said that the convoy should be here shortly." Marcelo heard a rapid knock at the door. Sam put his hat on. "I guess that's them." A couple of body guards were waiting outside for them. "gentlemen, we are here to collect you for the ceremony. If you will make your way to the vehicles we can get moving." Sam climbed into one of the SUVs with Elvis. Marcelo got in the other SUV. He hoped that Finley would meet up with them.
The convoy drove down the mountain path. They were soon escorted along the city streets by the local police department in Dublin. People lined the streets to cheer the convoy. Elvis waved at the people through the window. Sam's nerves soon escalated. He was used to rather small get-togethers not full on ceremonies. The convoy reached their destination parking in front of the convention center. Sam and Elvis got out of the SUV. Elvis made sure the both of them still looked presentable. A female came walking out of the convention center. "this way gentlemen." She prompted. "we have a very busy schedule to keep up with. The ceremony is starting in about fifteen minutes." Marcelo put his hat on. "Marcelo!" yelled a female voice. He looked up to see Finley running out to meet him. He caught her in his arms. She smiled at him. "I'm so proud of you!" she kissed his cheek. He laughed softly. "I haven't been awarded yet baby." She hugged him tightly. "I don't care. I'm still proud of you." She put her hand over her womb. "and so will our baby." He smiled touching her stomach gently. It had been a rough three months when Finley was in the hospital. The constant worrying drove him crazy. The two got knocked up again and this time they were able to have another baby. She heard the director cough at them. "Right well I better not hold you up. Annu and I will be in the third row, middle section. Knock them dead you three." She pecked Marcelo one last time before pulling away. The director herded the boys backstairs. "now you guys will be sitting in the chairs off to the left. The Staff Sargent, The President, Station Officer Steele, and Chief Fire Officer Boyce will be coming up on the right. I believe that the Staff Sargent will be rewarding Marcelo first." Sam nodded. "thanks for the heads up." He pondered her name. "Ms. Cathy." She offered him her hand. "Cathy." He shook hands with her. The three of them walked out onto the stage. Elvis tapped his jacket pocket. He made sure he had his gift for Sam in his pocket. He took his place by his mate.
The band down below the stage began to play. Each one of the hire ups came in one by one. Station Officer Steele looked at Sam and Elvis. He was very proud of the both of them. Sam dipped his head at Steele in a respectful manner. Station Officer Steele returned his gaze to the podium. Adian walked up to the moment. "let's pray." He said. Everyone in the convention center bowed their heads. "dear heavenly father I pray that you are looking upon the three individuals we have before you on this momentous occasion. I pray that you have seen their heroic efforts during the days that the world was ravished by the fangs of the enemy. These three selfless heroes gave up everything to keep the ones they cared about safe. Heavenly father I pray also that you are watching over those who have lost their lives during this fight. In your name I pray, amen." Adian raised his head. He cleared his throat. "today we are here to celebrate the efforts of three brave men. One person in particular is an Airman. I am pleased to announce that on behalf of myself and the rest of the Air Force he is being promoted to Senior Airman rank. He is also being awarded the Purple Heart for the acts of bravery that were displayed on the battlefield. He went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that his teammates were safe. This is an award that no soldier wants to be awarded. Will Marcelo Hernandez please step forward?" Marcelo got up from his chair. He looked back at Sam and Elvis. Elvis gave him an encouraging look before glancing at Sam. "why don't soldiers want to be given the Purple Heart, Sam?" he whispered. "it's a reminder of how fragile life is Elvis." He explained. "No one wants to be reminded of those who died or what they had to go through to get it." Elvis nodded. "makes sense." Marcelo stood in front of Adian. He saluted his Staff Sargent. Adian clipped the Purple Heart onto Marcelo's chest. "it is an honor on behalf of the military and the US to award you with this medal. You displayed multiple acts of valor in which you kept a group of citizens alive during a time of chaos. This is also a symbol to remind you of those who served around you. Again this is no award that any soldier wants." He backed away from Marcelo. Marcelo saluted him one last time. "Don't worry sir I don't wish to earn anymore after this one." Adian smiled. "good answer son."
Marcelo went to sit down again by his friends. He noticed Finley smiling at him. She had tears welled up in her eyes. He felt the urge to go and comfort her hit him. Station Officer Steele went up to the podium next. He tapped on the microphone. "it is with great honor that we have two Medals of Valor that will be awarded this afternoon for two very brave firefighters. I didn't doubt for a second that these two would put their lives on the line for the sake of others. There is a third medal that is being awarded to our own Senior Firefighter directly from the US themselves. Will Elvis Cridlington and Samuel Peyton-Jones please step forward." Sam stood up. He took Elvis' hand in his gently. The both of them walked up to Station Officer Steele. Boyce stood patiently as Steele removed each of the medals from the pillow Boyce had his hand. He pinned Sam's medal on first. Sam stood still long enough for Steele to do so. He really didn't feel like he deserved it. "now it's your turn Cridlington." He moved over to Elvis. Elvis cracked a grin. He waited to surprise Sam. Once Steele was done clipping on Elvis' medal he saluted the both of them. They in turn returned the salute. The President was the last one to go to the podium. "On behalf of the United States of America I wish to honor Samuel Jones the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest honor given out by the military." He walked over to Sam. He went around behind Sam who stood very still. He was blushing madly. He felt him slip the medal around his neck. "this medal is given out to those who go above and beyond the call of duty. Wear it with pride by boy." He saluted Sam respectfully. Sam in turn saluted him back.
Elvis decided that now was a good time to purpose to Sam. He got down on one knee in front of everyone. Sam's heart beat rapidly in his chest. He put his hand over mouth seeing the ring in Elvis' hand. "Sam, ever since we first met you've had my back. You were there when no one else would. You are the reason why I want to become a great firefighter. You helped me get through a rough spot when Penny passed away. I thought I couldn't take another person after she died but I was wrong." Elvis gulped. He locked eyes with Sam. "will you do me the absolute honor by becoming my husand?"
To be continued….
What's this? A cliffhanger. Melonsworth why?! Lol did I say that this chapter was going to be the last one? I lied. No I have decided to hopefully end it with the next chapter. In the meantime if you like this story and want to see a sequel please let me know. I do enjoy the reviews you guys send me.
Adieu
Melonsworth