Page 46 of Love and Loyalty

Izzy took Drew's hand, leading her to the edge of the dance floor. "I have a little secret to share," she said, her voice trembling with excitement.

Drew's eyes searched Izzy's face. "What is it?"

Izzy's smile grew wider. "I'm pregnant," she whispered.

Drew's eyes widened in shock, then filled with tears of joy. "Oh, Iz! We're having a baby!"

As they hugged, the room around them melted away. They were lost in their own little world, filled with hope and excitement for their future.

Their friends and family looked at them when they returned, and as the ceremony continued, a few even came to ask what happened.

After fending off questions, they decided to announce Izzy's pregnancy. The room erupted in cheers and applause. The general, who had been watching with a warm smile, shook his head in amazement.

"I guess I won't be getting you two back in the military anytime soon," he said, chuckling.

Drew and Izzy laughed, basking in the love and support of those around them. They knew that their journey together wasonly just beginning, and they couldn't wait to see what the future held.

It was a sunny morning, and Izzy was bustling around the kitchen, getting ready for another busy day at Phoenix Ridge hospital. Drew, meanwhile, sprang into action, determined to make breakfast for her love before she left.

"Hey, babe, I've got this," Drew said, expertly cracking eggs into a bowl.

Izzy smiled, appreciative of the gesture. "You don't have to, Drew. I can grab something on the way."

But Drew was insistent. "Nonsense, I want to make sure you're fueled for the day. Besides, I need the practice for when our little one arrives."

Izzy chuckled, her eyes shining with love. "You're going to be an amazing mom."

Drew's face lit up with a warm smile. "Thanks to you. I'm learning from the best."

As Drew slid a fluffy omelet onto Izzy's plate, they shared a tender moment, their hands touching.

"Thank you, love," Izzy said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Anytime, babe. Now go save lives. I'll see you tonight."

With a quick kiss and a squeeze of hands, Izzy headed out the door, feeling loved and supported. Drew watched her go, her heart full, before turning to get ready for her own day of teaching flight students.

"Today's going to be a great day," Drew said to herself, smiling.

Immediately, Drew stood at the kitchen window, gazing out at the serene ocean view. Their cozy cottage, nestled in theheart of Phoenix Ridge, was a haven of peace and tranquility. The gentle lapping of the waves against the shore, the cries of seagulls overhead, and the warm sunlight dancing across the water all blended to create a sense of perfect contentment.

As she sipped her morning coffee, Drew's thoughts turned to Izzy and their life together. She wondered if she had ever been this happy before. The love they shared, the laughter, the adventures—it all felt like a dream come true.

Their little cottage, with its whitewashed walls and driftwood decor, was the perfect reflection of their love. It was a place where they could escape the world and just be together.

Drew's heart swelled with gratitude as she thought about their baby daughter, Hope, who would be in their arms soon, and the new life they had built for themselves in Phoenix Ridge.

"Have I ever been this happy?" Drew mused, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I don't think so. This is the life I never knew I needed."

As she turned back to the kitchen, Drew's eyes landed on a photo of her and Izzy, taken on a sunset walk along the beach. They were standing hand in hand, beaming with joy.

"That's the answer," Drew whispered, her heart full. "I've never been happier than I am right now in this life with the love of my life."

As she gazed out at the serene ocean view, her mind began to wander back to the journey that had brought them to this peaceful life. She remembered the countless shared nights spent talking.

Flashback to after they had rejected their deployment. She had opted for a leave of absence instead, especially after they had faced the harsh realities of war together, with her almost losing her life. It was then that they had realized that they wanted more from life. A life free from the constraints of military protocol where they could build a future together.

Izzy, with her sharp mind and compassionate heart, had always dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine, free from the military's rigid structure. Drew, with her fearless spirit and quick wit, had longed to share her passion for flying with others as a civilian flight instructor.