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Epilogue
Eleven weeks later
Tara was a ball of nerves—but they were all of the good kind.
Today was Jesse’s graduation from the police academy, and Tara couldn’t be more proud of him. “Go get ’em, Jesse,” she said, giving him a kiss as they entered the lobby of the big police academy building.
He tucked his blue uniform hat under his arm. And geez did this man look fine in the
crisp dark blue dress uniform. His black shoes gleamed.
“Thanks, baby,” he said, giving her one more kiss. And then he crossed the lobby to where some of the other new graduates were heading into an adjoining room. Right away, they all greeted Jesse, shaking his hand and giving him fistbumps. Tara smiled watching him, so glad he’d found a whole new group of brothers—and sisters—who’d always be there for him.
The minute Jesse disappeared, Tara got out her cell and shot off a bunch of texts. She’d planned some surprises for him and she was about coming out of her skin with the hope that she could pull them all off.
And as those surprises started to arrive, she couldn’t stop grinning. Jesse deserved to know how many people cared. How much she cared. And she wanted nothing more than for him to feel that today.
Finally, they were all seated—taking up most of two rows in the big auditorium, Tara noted with delight. Excitement from all the recruits’ gathered friends and families buzzed around the room until the ceremony began.
First, senior officers processed in down one side of the aisle, then stood in front of the first three rows of seats on the right. The mayor and police chief took places upon the stage, framed by the U.S. and DC flags.
And then the doors on the other side of the auditorium opened, and the new recruit class processed in. Eyes straight ahead, marching in step. Eighteen in all.
Jesse was second in line, and Tara couldn’t take her eyes off him as he moved to the front of the room where the class stood before the first two rows of seats. After the Pledge of Allegiance, everyone sat.
The mayor spoke, then the police chief, and all the while Tara was just dying for Jesse to turn around and see who was here for him. And then the chief asked the recruits to stand with their badges in their hands and turn to face their families. The recruits recited their oath of office.
And Tara saw the exact moment when Jesse found her in the crowd—and then all the others.
Jesse’s mom, his sister Willa, and his nephew Alex had flown in from out West. Ever since their reconciliation, Jesse and his mom had talked once a week, and Tara had stolen her number from his phone and called to invite the lady. They’d ended up having a wonderful chat that left Tara warmed with the knowledge of just how much Jesse’s mother loved him. And despite the fact that Willa’s wedding was in less than two weeks, she and her son had also made the trip. Jesse had reached out to her, too, and now they were keeping in regular touch for the first time in years.
Tara was so happy for him.
Next to his family was the whole CMDS crew, including Mama D, who’d been beside herself with joy when she’d learned that Tara and Jesse were together. She’d insisted that they join her and Boone for dinner on their sailboat, and Tara was glad that they’d been so understanding about Jesse switching jobs. Them being here to celebrate him certainly proved that.
Jesse’s eyes went wider as he recited the last lines of the oath and his gaze scanned the row behind Tara. Because a bunch of Warrior Fight Club friends had come, too. Noah and Kristina, Billy and Shayna, Dani, Mo, Sean, and even Coach Mack.
Jesse’s gaze snapped back to hers, full of love and amazement. Tara’s cheeks hurt from grinning so big.
When the oath was over, the police chief asked the recruits to be seated, and then, recruit by recruit, she invited family members to come forward to pin their new badges on their uniforms.
“Officer Jesse Anderson.”
Tara smiled at Jesse’s mom, and they both got up and made their way down the aisle to him. Those dark eyes were burning with emotion as he handed Tara his badge. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes as she secured it above his heart.
“Congratulations,” she said as he hugged her.
“Can’t believe you did all this,” he whispered. “Love you.”
She nodded and withdrew to let his mom have a chance. And watching them say hello after so long apart finally made a few of her tears fall. Happy tears. So much happiness.
When it was all over, the chief asked the whole class to stand and said, “May I introduce to you our newest officers and the 2019 graduates of the Metropolitan Police Academy!”
The room erupted in applause and everyone was instantly on their feet.
When it was over, Tara couldn’t get enough of watching all his friends and loved ones congratulate Jesse. And, wow, seeing him with Willa, there was no denying that they were family. Jesse deserved this—all these reminders of the ways he belonged.
He certainly belonged to her. Just like she did to him.
