Page 173 of Us Defiant Few

“Thanks for all the help, man. I really appreciate it.”

“No sweat. You down for training in a couple of days?” Brock asked with an expectant spark in his eye.

The two of them still practiced fighting in Desert Spring’s old combat yard. Sometimes they used knives. Other times, they wrestled. Khalani and Serene often brought chairs to watch.

Occasionally, she’d worry when they hit each other too hard, but deep down, she knew fighting was their way of bonding and releasing tension after years of violence.

“If you want to get your ass handed to you again, I’m always down.”

Takeshi smirked as Brock punched him in the shoulder before leaving with Serene, who kissed Khalani goodbye on the cheek. When they were all alone, Takeshi pulled her closer as she looped her arms around his neck.

“Where’s Elise?” he asked, the soft spot and love for their daughter a million miles wide.

“Winnie’s with her. Don’t worry.” Khalani bounced on her feet, anticipation driving her crazy. “Are you ready?”

Today was their anniversary.

Not for their marriage, but for the first day they’d met in prison three years before. Most people would want to forget that horrible day, but not them. The day they’d entered each other’s worlds was the day their lives had changed for the better.

Khalani had tirelessly worked on her surprise for the last couple of months, but Takeshi had been working on his gift for the last six. She had no idea what it was, but under no circumstances was she allowed in the backyard. And every other day, Brock and Derek came over to help with the mystery project.

“I’m ready.” His lips curled. “You want to go first?”

“Yes.”

She pulled on his arm and led him up the stairs, past all the pictures of them together with Elise in their arms as a baby. Her gaze slid to the photos of Winnie and Serene waiting for her by the altar. Derek and Adan waited on the other side, with Brock as Takeshi’s best man. But her favorite photo was of Takeshi, with tears in his eyes as he stared at her in a white dress.

She stopped at the end of the hallway and turned to him in a flourish.

“Okay, close your eyes.”

Takeshi instantly obeyed, very good at following directions.

She carefully guided him into the room, positioning him in the perfect spot. Khalani took a step back and inhaled a deep breath, suddenly nervous.

“Okay…you can open now.”

Takeshi opened his eyes, his jaw slackening.

Sunlight poured through the wide-open windows into a pale blue room. The sounds of birds chirping in the breeze echoed around—more and more animals having returned to the surface every day with the help of Project Helix.

But his eyes locked on the center of the room.

Standing before Takeshi was a large easel, with a blank canvas resting on top. Next to the easel was a desk filled with paintbrushes, pencils, and every paint color imaginable.

The surprise took considerable time for Khalani to put together, but Penny and Winnie were invaluable in helping her get the right supplies.

Takeshi was silent as he studied the room, his expression unreadable. She swallowed, her heart racing. Tingles of anxiety raced up her fingertips as she tried to explain.

“You told me how much you loved to paint growing up, so I built you your own studio.” She shuffled side to side, biting her lip as Takeshi stood frozen, barely moving.

“If you don’t like it, i-it’s okay. We can find some other use for this space—”

Takeshi turned with incredible speed and had her up in his arms before she could even blink. He captured her mouth, kissing her like it was his last chance. She tasted salt on his lips and pulled back.

“Are you okay, my love?” she asked, cupping his face as he held her in his arms, eyes shimmering.

“No one’s ever done anything like this for me,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.