In the picture, I have my back propped up against the headboard and Emmy is lying between my legs with her head on my thigh.  She had fallen asleep rubbing the skin above my stump in a soft caress.  I remember feeling her lips press against my knee right before her body went slack and her hand fell to rest where my leg stopped.  That was the first and only time I ever let anyone freely touch my leg like that.  She didn’t judge or flinch; she accepted it and loved me even more because of my scars.  Then I fell asleep with my head tipped back and a smile on my face that didn’t even leave in my slumber.

I straighten out each frame before taking my Medal of Honor—one I never felt worthy of—and placing it right next to that picture of Emmy and me.  Right next to the woman who made me believe that I was worthy of everything blessed in my life.

With a nod, I walk back to the bedroom and climb into the bed to pull Emmy into my arms.

Right where she belongs.

Chapter 31—Emmy

I immediately notice his medal on the mantel the next morning.  Maddox was fast asleep when I woke up.  It took me a while to get into the living room, but when I did, it was the first thing I saw.  I don’t make a big production over it; I smile and continue my slow hobble into the kitchen to get some water.

It is when I stand over the sink, empty glass ready and hand hovering over the cold-water knob, that I see the ashes.  The meaning of such a monumental move on his end hits me like a train.  Straight through my chest and slamming into my heart.

He finds me on the floor in the kitchen.  I’m naked as the day I was born with silent tears streaming down my face.

“Em?  Jesus Christ, are you okay?”  His hands roam over my body.  Then he checks my newly freed arm and looks down to my leg to make sure there isn’t an obvious source to my pain.

I just sit there and look into his handsome face, my breathing coming in fast pants.  These damn tears won’t stop.  His thumbs work overtime trying to stop their falling while he cups my face between his palms.

“You did it,” I sob.

He looks at me in question. His head tilts slightly to the side, his strong brows pulled tight.  “I’m not following, angel.  Are you hurt?”

“You let them go and you didn’t need me,” I gasp.

“Emersyn, fucking hell—what is wrong?!”  His voice booms through the room and I smile.  The tears don’t stop, but I smile huge and look into his eyes.  “Have you lost your mind?  Do you need me to find some happy pills?  For the love of Christ, Em, what is wrong?”

He’s losing his patience and I’m losing my damn mind.

I reach up, lightly rub my palm against his chest, right above his heart, and look at him with what I hope is the face of a crazy woman who loves him.  The tears aren’t going to stop.  I’ve been waiting and hoping that he would let go of just one of those three demons in his box.  I knew they were the biggest of his burdens, and even though I was willing to carry them with him for an eternity, I wanted him to feel peace.

“I love you, my big, strong, and brave man.”

He is clearly having trouble following my mood swings because he seems even more confused than before.  I work harder to control my crazy, stifling my tears and swallowing the heavy lump in my throat.

“I knew you would be able to do it, baby.  I can’t even tell you how proud I am of you right now.”

To my utter and complete shock, his cheeks heat and Maddox Locke freaking blushes. “It was time, Em,” is all he says.

“Yeah, I guess it was,” I agree.

“Come on.  Let’s get you back to bed.”

When we get in the bedroom, I toss one glance at the box still sitting on his dresser.  I know that, by it still being there, there is still one more thing left.  I’m guessing that, since his Medal is out and the letter from his fallen brother’s widow was the one to go, that means the hardest and largest of his demons is left.

Those bastards in Texas.

As we slowly walk towards the bed, I can’t help but feel a little nervous over the enormity of which battle is left for him.  It won’t be easy, but I won’t let him do it alone.

He helps me climb into bed, and when he moves to leave, I look up at him and shake my head.

“Sit,” I command.

His lips twitch and his brow cocks, but he sits.

“Tell me how to remove your prosthetic please?”

His eyes go wide, showing me his shock.  “Em,” he starts.