Page 59 of Beast

Two hours later, my jaw dropped, literally dropped, when he picked me up in his full dress blues, medals gleaming, especially the Medal of Honor around his neck.

“Hello handsome.”

He took my arm and led me to a limo parked outside.

Once inside, Grady poured himself a glass of whisky and I had a rum and coke. It was as if we were going to prom, another experience I’d skipped because of my dancing.

The limo took us to the Hawaiian Marriott.

We walked downstairs, all eyes staring at us. I’d had the public eye on me before, but never on the arms of someone I’d loved. Who I was proud of. Who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And, as if this night couldn’t get any better, I was about to meet the President.

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Grady

I straightened my medals, and put my arm around Isa’s back. Six months ago, I doubted that I would ever even find a date to take to the ball. Now I was here attending with the most breathtaking woman, inside and out. And better yet, she loved me.

The place was swarmed with secret service men, another career I’d wanted to consider after being a sniper. But I refused to focus on what couldn’t be.

A bunch of Devil Dogs greeted us, including my best friends, Beau, Diego, and Trace. After catching up with them, Isa and I posed for formal pictures.

The commandant walked over. I’d met him once when I’d been awarded my medal. “Good evening, sir. I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Isa Cuesta.”

“Good evening, Sergeant. Nice to meet you, miss. Sergeant Williams, the President has requested your presence. Please join us.”

We were escorted to the back table, where the President was sitting with a few other high-ranking Marines. He stood up when he saw me. “Sergeant Williams, it’s lovely to see you again. And who is your beautiful date.”

I shook his hand. “This is my girlfriend, Isa Cuesta.”

The President kissed Isa’s hand. “It’s an honor Mr. President.”

“The honor is mine. Sergeant Williams tells me you’re a dancer. I hope to see you dance tonight.”

She bit her lip. “Oh, I’d love to. I’m so happy to be here.”

The ball was about to start so we were seated for the Commandant’s Birthday Message. A video played, showing the history of the Marine Corps. I was interviewed in the reel, cringing when I saw myself on the high definition screen.

“I’m Sergeant Grady Williams. I’m a Marine. And Marines will do anything for each other. Semper Fidelis. Always Faithful. I didn’t think I was going to die that day, I knew I was going to. But if I could’ve saved one life, I knew my sacrifice was worth it.”

Isa’s eyes welled with tears, and she clutched my hand. Her fingers looked so delicate placed in my white gloves.

The video ended, and there was the cutting of the Marine Corps cake, as well as a presentation recognizing the oldest Marine, a Korean War vet who was 85, and the youngest Marine, a 17 year old private.

I was having a blast, drinking, eating our catered dinner, seeing all my friends again.

Once dinner was over, an announcer took the stage.

Nerves overtook me. I had another surprise for Isa.

“And now we have a special treat. Sergeant Williams please take the floor.”

“What?” she turned to me and I stood up and led Isa out to face the audience.

The sweat dripped down my face and I clung to Isa. Strobe lights, people packed into the audience like sardines. I spied my friends at their tables, dressed in their dress blues, clapping their hands manically. Man, what had I done?

“And now, dancing a slow foxtrot to “Tale as Old as Time,” Sergeant Grady Williams and Isa Cuesta.

The audience roared. The blue dress hugged her incredible curves. And I didn’t need a mask or a costume. I was a beast. Her beast.