Page 36 of Duty and Desire
Scarlett smiled at the thought, imagining Ros trying to settle into civilian life without the structure of the military. “You’ll be insufferable, won’t you? Complaining about retirement the whole time until I drag you out for a hike or something.”
“Oh, absolutely. I’ll be unbearable,” Ros agreed, grinning as she imagined herself tagging along behind Scarlett every outing. “But I’ll also be making us coffee every morning, walking the dog, and waiting to steal you away from your workday whenever you get the chance.”
Scarlett’s smile widened, the image of that future softening the edges of her lingering sadness. She straightened up, looking at Ros with a newfound determination. “It’ll be worth it, won’t it? A few months apart, and then all of this behind us.”
Ros nodded, her thumb brushing over the back of Scarlett’s hand. “It will. We’ve been through worse, haven’t we? This is just a bump in the road. No sneaking around anymore, no rumors hanging over us. Just us.”
Scarlett tilted her head, her expression softening. “I never thought it would work out like this. I mean, I knew the risks, but I was always afraid we’d lose each other or worse.”
Ros leaned in, kissing her gently on the temple. “You’re not losing me. We’re getting through this, and when I’m finally with you at Fort Kirk, we’ll have something we never had before: freedom. To be together, to live how we want.”
Scarlett nodded, the weight on her heart feeling lighter with every word. “No hiding. No pretending we’re just colleagues. That’s worth waiting for.”
“It is,” Ros agreed. “And, hey, the military’s even footing the bill for our new start. You’ll be there a little early to scope out the best spots for coffee and hiking, and I’ll be following you like a lovesick puppy.”
Scarlett laughed, feeling the tension in her chest ease. “I can’t wait for that. You know I’ll make sure we live near all the best coffee shops.”
“Perfect,” Ros teased, brushing a lock of hair behind Scarlett’s ear. “I’ll be ready. Just don’t forget to save me the best blanket.”
“I won’t,” Scarlett promised, her heart swelling with the reassurance that everything was going to be okay. More than okay, actually. They had a future together to look forward to, and the worst was already behind them.
Ros pulled Scarlett closer, their foreheads touching gently. “We’ve got this, love. A few months apart is nothing compared to what we’ve been through. And once we’re together again, it’s going to be worth every second of this wait.”
Scarlett leaned against her, closing her eyes as a peaceful warmth spread through her chest. “I know. I can already see it—our place, our life. No more goodbyes.”
“No more goodbyes,” Ros whispered, her lips brushing against Scarlett’s.
And with that, they stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, holding on to the promise of their new beginning, knowing that this was only the start of everything they had dreamed of together.
EPILOGUE
5 YEARS LATER
The warm Hawaiian breeze swept through the open windows, carrying with it the scent of saltwater and the faint rustle of palm leaves. Sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a golden glow across the living room where Ros sat flipping lazily through a magazine. It had been five years since she’d left her military career behind, and though the transition hadn’t been seamless, she’d finally settled into this new chapter of life. A chapter filled with peace, love, and Scarlett’s steady presence.
“Morning, love.” Scarlett’s voice floated in from the kitchen, the sound of her bare feet padding across the tiled floor following close behind. She appeared in the doorway a moment later holding two mugs of coffee, still dressed in her sleep shorts and one of Ros's old t-shirts. Her hair was a wild mess of curls, slightly damp from the shower she’d just taken, and Ros couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.
“You spoil me,” Ros teased, reaching out to take the mug Scarlett offered, her fingers brushing lightly against hers.
“Someone’s got to,” Scarlett replied with a playful grin, sinking down onto the couch beside Ros. She tucked her legsbeneath her, nestling into Ros's side as they both took their first sips of the rich, dark coffee. The mornings were always their time—the peaceful, unhurried moments before Scarlett headed off to the base and Ros set about her day. It was a ritual they had fallen into since moving to Hawaii, one that felt as comforting as the steady rhythm of the ocean just beyond their doorstep.
“Any plans for today?” Ros asked, setting her mug down on the coffee table and wrapping an arm around Scarlett’s shoulders, pulling her closer. She could feel the warmth of her skin, the familiar weight of her body against hers, and it made her heart swell with contentment.
Scarlett shook her head. “Just the usual. Base operations are running smoothly, so nothing too crazy on my plate today. What about you?”
“Thought I’d head into town and pick up a few things for dinner. Maybe swing by the beach afterward.” Ros's tone was casual, but there was a hint of mischief in her eyes, as if she was already planning some small surprise for later.
Scarlett chuckled, catching the look. “You’ve been cooking a lot more lately. Should I be worried?”
Ros laughed, giving her a light nudge. “I’m just trying to keep you on your toes. Besides, someone has to take care of you now that you’re getting closer to retirement.”
At the mention of retirement, Scarlett’s smile softened, and she leaned her head against Ros’s shoulder, staring out the window at the brilliant blue sky. It was still strange to think about a future where she wouldn’t be reporting for duty, where her days would be free to spend however she wanted. The thought excited her, but it also came with a pang of uncertainty.
“You think I’ll go stir-crazy without the routine?” Scarlett mused, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful.
Ros gave a knowing smile. “I think you’ll adjust just fine. It took me a while, but once I stopped worrying about not havingorders or a mission, I realized how much freedom I had. You’ll find your way, and we’ll have plenty to keep us busy.”
Scarlett lifted her head, meeting Ros’s eyes. “Like what? What’s your plan for me, General Carson?” She used Ros's old rank with a smirk, knowing it would get a reaction.