Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The morning started the way so many of theirs did lately when they were home: with a toe stubbed.

"Damn it, Cruz," Josie hissed through gritted teeth, hopping backward and grabbing her pinky toe. She glared down at the offending black Pelican case wedged between the wall and the dresser. "Why is this damn thing always in the way, babe?"

She heard the sound of Josie grumbling from the bedroom and didn’t even have to look up to know what it was about. Cruz smirked, foam from her toothpaste building at the corners of her mouth.

"Because we live in a shoebox," she called back, the words slightly garbled through the toothbrush in her mouth.

The bathroom mirror was foggy at the edges, and Cruz stood in front of it in a sports bra and sweatpants, her hair pulled back in a messy knot from the shower. She tried, and mostly failed, to shove a pair of gym shorts into an already stuffed laundry bag using only her foot, the other pressed against the cold tile for balance. She worked with the quiet efficient movements of someone who had shared tight quarters in FOBs and field tents, brushing her teeth like it was a timed exercise, every motion practiced. Like she was prepping for deployment, not a rushed Wednesday morning.

She glanced at her reflection, saw the tired undercurrent in her own eyes, the muscle memory of too many late nights and too little rest. And yet, this? This chaotic little morning? It made her smile, not just from amusement, but from softness of the morning as well. Because even in the mayhem of cramped corners, Josie was somewhere in the apartment. That always made it worth it. Cruz smiled with pure love at the thought, warmth blooming behind her stern features, softening the angles that stress had carved into her. Just knowing Josie was here, part of her day, her life, that was enough to make the rest of the world fade to background noise.

“A shoebox we apparently also use as an armory, a flight ops center, and a CrossFit gym,” Josie muttered with a dramatic sigh, smirking as she shuffled into the main room. She dodged a set of Cruz’s resistance bands and eyed the stack of helmets, manuals, and gear piled near the kitchen with head shake. "Pretty sure I tripped over a dumbbell just to get to the coffee."

The floor space was almost completely covered with their stuff. Josie skirted around the mess and accidentally sent a stack of her own aviation logs sliding off the coffee table. "Shit!" she said loud enough for Cruz to hear.

She bent to pick them up, balancing her coffee mug on the windowsill. The ceramic clinked softly against the frame, steam curling upward in lazy spirals as she crouched. Her fingers brushed the worn covers of her flight logs, pages dog-eared from missions flown, weather charts scanned before dawn, and briefings scribbled in haste.

It was chaotic, yes. But it was also theirs. A beautiful disorder they complained about at times but truly didn't mind.  It came from two people joining their lives together, scars and all. Josie straightened slowly, her gaze moving around the room with a soft smile tugging at her lips. They had survived worse. And now, they were surviving this, the crowded mess around them.

They had built something very special over eighteen months of battle, laughter, recovery, and something neither of them had ever expected: love.

It hadn’t started that way.

Josie used to have a plan.

West Point. Army aviator. Career officer. In that exact order. She expected nothing more.

She was going to climb the ladder, wear the uniform, fly the birds, and retire with medals. Then it all changed when the CIA, namely Joe McNamara entered her life and Operation Skyhawk happened.  In one heart-stopping moment, the tail rotor took a hit, the Black Hawk spun, she survived a gruesome firefight, and she woke up in a hospital with her left leg shattered.

Cruz had been there. She'd been in the crash with her, but she'd only walked away with bruises and smoke in her lungs. 

Those first few weeks of recovery were a blur of painkillers, rehab, and silent nights where the only sound was Josie trying not to cry while Cruz sat nearby. Josie had been placed in a full-time rehab center just outside D.C., one of the few equipped to handle her level of post-op physical therapy and nerve damage management. Cruz wasn’t technically supposed to be there so often, but she came anyway, every visiting hour she could, and sometimes beyond that. She slept in the visitor’s lounge more nights than not, claiming to the nurses that tried to force her out, that she was Josie's next of kin, but really, she just couldn't walk away. When Cruz wasn’t at Camp Peary or needed elsewhere, she was right there with Josie, holding her hand through physical therapy, helping her stretch, distracting her with stories from the field, or simply sitting in silence just to make sure Josie never felt alone.

They weren’t exactly friends yet. They were at first only survivors of a battle that nearly took both their lives. The closeness between them was born from shared stress and trauma, nothing more.

But then came the little things. The protection and care that didn't come from being obligated or given orders to take care of someone. Cruz bringing Josie her favorite tea without being asked. Josie reaching out to squeeze Cruz’s hand during a particularly painful PT session. Cruz learning how Josie loved chocolate chip ice cream and making sure she had it after a long day of physical therapy. Josie catching Cruz staring a little too long, then not looking away.

They started watching silly shows late at night to distract from her pain. Josie would fall asleep on the couch and wake up with a blanket draped over her. Cruz began leaving notes, short and gruff notes like "Drink water" or "You did good today" that Josie tucked away and never threw out. Their laughter became more prominent and began cutting through the walls. The comfort of each other turned into affection. The affection began turning into something warmer, deeper, and more rooted.

Little by little, Cruz stayed with her more and more. Until one day, it didn’t feel like she was just staying. It just felt like they'd found home in each other.

They hadn't expected to fall in love.

But one night, when the pain was too much and the silence was unbearable to think of, Josie had whispered in her ear, "Will you just stay with me tonight?"

And Cruz had, she couldn't say no to her.  She didn't leave that night. She laid in bed with her for the first time and just held her tight.

And never left.

Now, over a year later, Josie was back in the sky, flying with the 160th SOAR Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Her rotations bounced between Fort Campbell, where she stayed more often than not when she wasn’t flying missions, and wherever her bird was needed. Cruz transferred from her prior unit and was officially with the QRF, pulling dark missions out of Camp Peary, and going wherever the team went. She’d given up her old place in Fort Liberty once it became clear she was never in one place long enough to need it.

By the time their mission schedules separated them, they were dating. They were already in love, even as the tempo of their lives sped up again. During downtimes, they found each other wherever they could, meeting halfway somewhere, staying in borrowed cabins, hotels, or even occasionally crashing at a teammate’s empty place. Sometimes it was a weekend. Sometimes a week or longer. But they always made it count.

Eventually, they both realized they wanted more than just meetups and temporary hideaways. They wanted a place to go back to together. A place where they could leave their gear, their coffee mugs, their toothbrushes, their stuff.....and just breathe.

That’s how the apartment came to be. It wasn’t big, but it was theirs. A small studio in Arlington, VA. that became their home base. A soft place to land when the world outside stayed sharp and full of fire.

It wasn't just practical, it felt right. They were ready to share something more real together, even if it came with cramped corners and stubbed toes.

Their lives weren’t normal, and maybe never would be. But they had this, each other, this apartment, this crazy life they called home.

Back in the apartment, Cruz rounded the corner towards the kitchen just as Josie was dodging a resistance band.  Cruz's pants were on the floor and Josie's foot was right on them.

"You’re stepping on my pants," Cruz said with a faint, amused lilt, appearing in the hallway behind her. There was no irritation in her voice, only quiet entertainment at the absurdity of their shared space and the mess they somehow navigated like a daily obstacle course.

Josie looked down. Sure enough, she was standing on a pair of black tactical pants. She shot Cruz a classic what-the-fuck look, one brow arched high with mock offense. "Then maybe don’t leave your pants in the middle of the floor, babe."

"They're strategically placed there," Cruz joked, raising an eyebrow like she was genuinely proud of the hazard she’d created.

"You mean strategically placed to trip me first thing in the morning?" Josie smirked as she narrowed her eyes playfully. "Because that’s exactly what happened yesterday too."

Cruz sighed as she walked to the kitchen and reached for the coffee pot, feigning annoyance. "Ok, baby, I get the point. Can we have coffee first before argue about it?" She leaned in quickly and stole a kiss from Josie, her smile playful as she pulled back.

Josie handed her a mug without speaking, eyes narrowed with mock suspicion. Cruz took it with a smirk, poured herself a cup of the freshly brewed coffee, and took a slow, deliberate sip. She exhaled with a soft, satisfied sigh, the caffeine hitting just right, and for a moment, the small battlefield of boots and bags faded into the background.

They both turned at the same time to head toward the bathroom. Josie moved left, Cruz moved right, then both reversed.

"Shit, go ahead," Josie laughed.

"No, you go. I just need the sink for, like, thirty seconds," Cruz said, half-laughing as she waved Josie forward. Her voice was light.

They collided again at the doorway.

"Cruz!" Josie yelled through her laughter, clutching the edge of the doorframe to steady herself as she doubled over. Her voice bounced off the bathroom tile, but her grin gave her away.

"Ok, ok, on three," Cruz said, holding up her hand. Her grin was crooked, the kind that always made Josie’s stomach flip, even after all this time. "One....two...."

They both stepped at the same time and bumped foreheads. Josie burst into laughter.

"This is ridiculous," she said, hands on her hips, breathless. "You know that, right? We’re grown-ass women and we can’t even wash our faces without bumping into each other in this tiny fucking place."

"I’m not disagreeing," Cruz muttered, rubbing her forehead with a wince.

They finally managed to get dressed, taking turns in the bathroom and navigating around each other in their makeshift bedroom. The limited space didn’t offer much privacy, but they didn’t need it. Not with the way they moved around each other now, like muscle memory formed from months of living in close quarters and loving each other through every inch of it.

Josie collapsed on the edge of the bed, pulling up her boots over thick socks. Her leg twinged, a dull, lingering echo of Skyhawk, but it no longer defined her. She tied the laces tight and leaned back on her hands.

Cruz emerged again, now in full tactical attire, as she stood at the doorway, hands in her pockets, leaning and feet crossed over. Her eyes flicked down to Josie’s boots, then slowly up to meet her gaze.

"You good?" she asked, soft but attentive.

Josie gave a small nod, then stood, brushing her hands down her legs. "Yeah. Just the usual twinge." She shrugged, accepting it.

They both knew the truth: the twinges were likely going to linger permanently. The cause of nerve damage and scar tissue. Nothing stopped Josie and she was as good or better than before the crash, but her leg would never be the same. Josie had learned to live with it, to work through it, to accept the new normal. But every time she winced, even slightly, Cruz noticed. And even if Josie never brought it up, even if she brushed it off with a joke or a shrug, it always pained Cruz to see it.

Just one of the many things they picked up on each other without saying a word.

As Cruz's eyes roamed over their tiny apartment, the clutter in every direction, she couldn't help but circle back to the thought that had been lingering for weeks. They needed a bigger place. They had simply outgrown this one, emotionally, practically, and logistically.

Although their relationship was serious and deeply solid, Cruz still felt twinges of insecurity now and then. It wasn’t about doubting Josie, she knew they were fully committed to each other, but more a residue from a lifetime of learning to expect instability. That internal voice inside her hadn’t entirely gone away.

She cleared her throat, hesitating just slightly, and said softly, "Maybe we should think about getting a bigger place..." Her voice held the edge of nervousness, like she wasn’t sure how it would land.

She glanced over at Josie, trying to gauge her expression, watching for any flicker of hesitation. Josie, ever calm and centered, simply met her gaze with warmth. Cruz looked back down at the floor, fumbling slightly for the rest of her thought.

"I mean... we have a lot of stuff. It might make sense." She trailed off and looked back up. Josie was already smiling.

"I’ve been thinking the same thing," Josie said, rising from the bed. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Cruz’s waist, steadying her there in the middle of the clutter. Her eyes searched Cruz’s with certainty, but also with a quiet understanding.

She always knew when Cruz was nervous, especially when it came to talking about their relationship. It didn’t matter how serious they were; Cruz still carried a flicker of uncertainty when it came to taking steps forward. And this, Josie recognized, was Cruz’s way of saying she was ready for the next step.

"I think you're right," she said again, gently. "I think it's time for us to upgrade. It's just too damn small in here."

She smiled again, kissed the corner of Cruz’s mouth with the kind of deliberate tenderness that always made Cruz melt. Cruz leaned in instinctively, chasing the kiss, feeling the quiver she always did when Josie pressed against her.

Despite her insecurities, Josie had always been sure of them from almost the very beginning. That unwavering confidence always pulled Cruz back to the safe place she needed, that steady place only Josie could give her.

Only she had that effect on her. Only Josie made her feel completely safe.  

Cruz pressed a gentle kiss to Josie’s forehead as she turned and wrapped her arms around her, holding her close. It was a quiet moment tucked in the final minutes of morning. They were both leaving soon parting ways to report back to their respective units. Josie was heading to Fort Campbell for several days of training exercises, and as always, standing ready for any mission that could drop. Cruz was meeting up with the QRF to prep for another classified operation.

The softness that settled between them after the bustle of getting dressed, packing gear, and exchanging sarcastic banter was familiar now. It came with the territory, two lives constantly in motion. They never quite knew where the other would end up. But that unspoken understanding made moments like these matter more.

This quiet time before parting was always cherished. They never rushed it.

Cruz looked Josie in the eye and said, "Ok. When we get back, we'll start looking."

She kissed her nose, smiling as she felt Josie close her eyes, letting the warmth of Josie's presence steady her. Cruz followed it up with a trail of soft kisses, brushes over her lips, cheek and temple.

Josie kept her eyes closed, letting the warmth of Cruz's kisses linger as her fingers curled softly into the sides of Cruz's shirt. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but full of emotion. "Ok, baby. We start our search when we come back home."

Their lips met then, deeply.

They sank into each other’s embrace, finding strength in the exchange, grounding themselves in the certainty of the love they carried into every mission.

There had been a few lucky deployments when Josie ended up flying as the QRF pilot. Neither ever said anything out loud, but when they crossed paths in the field, Cruz would catch a glimpse of Josie in the cockpit, or Josie would see Cruz disembark in full gear, their smiles always betrayed the pride they held in each other. It was a rare kind of trust, one that extended from their hearts to the battlefield.

They pulled apart and Cruz glanced at her watch. She took a breath, and said quietly, "I gotta go. I'm heading to the airstrip."

It was their code. Their unspoken way of saying, I’m heading into a mission.

Josie nodded, understanding exactly what it meant. "I’m heading out too," she replied, her tone mirroring Cruz’s. " I've got a long drive to Campbell. I better hit the road."

Josie placed her hand gently over Cruz’s heart, feeling the steady beat under her palm. Her eyes lifted to Cruz’s, and she said, with soft conviction, "Be safe, baby."

She pressed into her heart delicately, her gaze never wavering. "I love you."

Cruz felt the shiver from her words hit her spine. She then placed her hand over Josie’s heart in return, mirroring her.

"Be safe and come home to me," she said back, her voice hushed but full. Then, after a quiet moment, she added, "I love you too."

Josie felt the words all the way to her core.

It was their ritual now. Their promise to each other. A vow they made every time they had to separate.  That they would do everything in their power to return to one another.

They kissed once more then stepped back with lingering smiles. They both picked up their go-bags and gear, slinging what they could over their shoulders as they made their way to the front door.

Ready to tackle the world once again.

Chapter Text

Their deployments ended up going longer than expected... again. Cruz stayed out an extra nine days. Josie’s stint ended up keeping her out for seven more days. It wasn’t unusual. It happened often enough. Time could be extended or cut short depending on the state of operational need. They always tried not to be too disappointed if they had to work longer periods, but it still caused them to feel like a missing link had been yanked from their lives.

Before they knew each other, deployments were just part of the grind, often welcomed. The long stretches away had been something they both loved, a buffer from the civilian world and a commitment to the job that felt noble. They hadn’t realized back then how lonely that life really was. They hadn’t understood what it meant to really love and be loved in return.

Now, they loved their jobs just as fiercely, but with each other in the picture, everything had shifted. Missions no longer felt like all there was. They had something more now. Someone to come home to. That fulfillment made it harder when timelines shifted. Made the waiting feel overbearing. The missed calls more frustrating. The longing sharper. They still served, still gave it everything they had, but now, they served knowing someone was waiting on the other side of it. Someone they missed terribly when the days stretched longer than expected.

Josie had started on a training cycle when she arrived, but just two days into being back at Campbell, she was briefed on an upcoming mission with a Delta team operating in Jordan. Her flying hours with the 160th SOAR had surged over the past few months. She was in demand. Her precision in tight landing zones and steady nerves under fire had earned her a stellar reputation, word had spread fast. Special Ops teams began requesting her by name. She wore that pride quietly; it was the proof that everything she had fought through.  Despite having her military career ripped away, enduring grueling rehab after her leg injury, and nearly losing the skies she loved, had been worth it. She had carved out a path again. But the price, now, was time away and long stretches from Cruz. Still, she never once let herself regret it. She was back in the sky. And that, in her bones, was where she belonged.

Meanwhile, Cruz was dropped into Syria with the QRF. It wasn’t her first time there, but heat and tension were always difficult to get used to. The mission involved high-value target surveillance and coordination with embedded local assets, requiring her team to move through hostile zones. She spent hours briefing with coalition intel units and nights conducting overwatch from fractured rooftops, sniping threats when necessary and coordinating drone visuals with strike approvals. She moved through the dusty towns, her presence marked only by the blur of movement before an objective fell. When it was time to extract, the team moved to the designated LZ just before dawn, careful and quiet as the first light stretched over the horizon.

As they approached the Black Hawk, Cruz’s heart jumped slightly when she saw the silhouette of a female pilot in the seat. For a second, she thought it was Josie.

Her breath caught... and then the pilot turned her head.

It wasn't her.

She felt the disappointment flood into her chest. Her body didn’t show it, but her heart deflated. Just behind her, Two Cups noticed the shift in her expression and muttered under his breath with a smirk:

He cackled, “Don’t worry, Romeo. You'll see her soon enough.”

Cruz gave him a deathly look but said nothing. The moment they were wheels up, she slipped into mission mode, burying how much she truly missed Josie.

They texted and called whenever they could while they were on missions. With time zones constantly shifting, it was often hard to catch one another live, but that didn’t stop them from trying. They left silly and sweet messages, whispered soft I love yous into the void, and tried to hear one another through static-filled connections. And on rare, cherished occasions, they managed to see each other on FaceTime.

Cruz was sitting in the living room of the safehouse in Damascus, coffee in hand, making the most of a sliver of downtime.  The mission was over but there were still some follow-ups the team was asked to do so they were staying in Syria a couple more days. Her phone buzzed. Josie’s face lit up the screen. Her heart lifted immediately as a slow smile spread across her face. She stood up quickly, as she walked to the door.

Bobby, lounging nearby, glanced up with a smirk. "Ah shit, the Mrs. is calling. Make way for Cruz."

Cruz didn’t turn around. She just smirked and flipped her off as she disappeared through the patio door.

Bobby blew her a kiss, laughing. "Love you too, bitch."

Cruz walked briskly to a quiet corner of the yard, pressing the screen to answer. A moment later, Josie’s beautiful face appeared, sunlight framing her features.

Cruz’s smile widened. “Hi baby.”

Josie was clearly outside, the sun behind her. “Hi babe,” she said, her grin immediate and warm. “Are you outside too?”

“Yeah,” Cruz nodded. “It’s morning here.”

Josie chuckled, “It's morning here too.” They exchanged a knowing look, if the time matched, they couldn’t be far from one another. Josie was likely in the middle east as well. That thought made them quiet for a moment, gazing at each other, soaking it in.

Cruz just looked at her for a moment, taking in her beauty.

Josie had her hair in the French braids she always wore when she flew or trained. The style framed her face perfectly, and to Cruz, it made her look even more radiant, sharp and focused, yet effortlessly beautiful. Something about seeing her like this always stirred something deep in Cruz. She couldn’t help but stare.

“God, you look beautiful right now,” Cruz said quietly, her voice laced with awe.

Josie tilted her head, letting Cruz’s words settle into her chest. A warm flush rose in her cheeks, not from shyness but from Cruz's words seeping inside of her.

“You look gorgeous,” she replied, her gaze lingering on Cruz with the same intensity. Her eyes softened as they moved over her girlfriend’s features, her low ponytail, the natural pull of her hair accentuating her strong cheekbones, her eyes still shadowed with the day but glowing with tenderness.

She took in every detail of Cruz.

“I really miss you,” Cruz said softly, the lump in her throat threatening to rise.

“I miss you too, baby,” Josie replied, her tone just as soft.

They began their conversation. Cruz told Josie about the unbearable heat and the food Randy had been feeding them in the safehouse. Josie described the rocky terrain of the base she was flying out of and the way the current team had started calling her 'Thunder' again. They kept it light, careful not to cross operational lines, but the content didn’t matter much. Just hearing each other’s voices, seeing one another’s faces through glitchy reception, was enough to make them happy.

There was a pause as Josie glanced away for a moment. She could hear Cruz’s quiet breathing on the line as she sighed. “I think I’ll need to stay another week,” she added reluctantly, her voice laced with a little frustration of shifting timelines.

Cruz’s expression fell, her brows knitting with disappointment. “Really? That much longer?” she asked, her voice quieter now, “I thought maybe you’d be back in time for the weekend.”

Josie nodded slowly. "That was the original plan, but things have started shifting over here. Orders are moving in different directions, so for now, we're on standby."

Cruz simply nodded, understanding completely.

They stood quietly for a moment, a trace of disappointment hanging in the air, until Josie’s expression suddenly shifted. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at Cruz, a sly grin creeping across her face.

Cruz recognized that look instantly. The mischievous gleam in Josie’s eyes, the playful tilt of her head and she braced herself, knowing Josie was up to something. It was a look she’d come to know well, a look that always meant trouble and teasing.

Josie glanced around her surroundings, lowering her voice. “Are you alone?”

Cruz chuckled, a slow, knowing sound that vibrated in her chest. “Yeah......why?” she said, her voice low and curious.

Without hesitation, Josie tilted the camera downward and lifted her shirt and bra, offering Cruz a full view of her boobs. She adjusted the angle slowly, teasingly, as though each shift of the camera was intentional and deliberate. First, she exposed one boob, pausing with a sly grin. Then, with a slight tilt of her wrist, she shifted the view to the other. Finally, she pulled back enough to show both, the image perfectly framed in the morning light behind her. It was playful and bold, but also intimate, her way of saying I’m yours, even from miles away.

Cruz’s jaw dropped. Her breath hitched sharply, her body reacting before her brain could catch up. Her thighs clenched involuntarily, a rush of heat pooling low in her belly. Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen, lips parted in astonishment. For a moment, all thoughts disappeared. Speechless, all she could do was stare, heart pounding in her chest, overwhelmed by the intensity of want and the sudden ache of distance between them.

When Josie returned the camera to her face, her grin was unapologetic.

“Like what you saw?” she teased, her voice dropping playfully as she settled back clearly taking her time to soak in Cruz’s reaction.

Cruz exhaled long and slow, finally finding her voice. “Holy Shit, Jos…..that’s not fair,” she muttered, glancing around to make sure she was still alone. “You know what that does to me.”

Josie leaned into the screen, her voice dipping into a lower, sultrier tone. “I know......that’s why I did it.  Something to look forward to,” she whispered, eyes locked on Cruz’s. Then her smile became more wicked, playful heat flashing in her expression. “Or… maybe we go back to our rooms and think about each other......and take care of things ourselves.” She winked.

Cruz blinked, momentarily stunned. Josie had always been bold, brazen, but this suggestion sent a jolt of heat through her so intense it felt like fire. It wasn’t just arousal; it was the intimacy of the offer, the knowing look in Josie’s eyes, the invitation to bridge the distance between them even now, in the middle of a deployment. Cruz felt her breath catch, her heartbeat pounding heavy and fast as a slow-burning fire lit in her core.

“Ok, gorgeous,” Josie added lustfully, “You going to leave me hanging? Or are you going to show me yours too?”

Cruz looked around again, scanning the quiet yard with practiced precision. The adrenaline of anticipation stirred beneath her skin, goosebumps rising as she confirmed she was still alone. Then, swift and sure, her expression steady with mischief and affection, she lifted her own shirt and bra in one smooth motion, raising the camera to her breasts in a bold, wordless answer to Josie’s daring challenge.

Josie let out a breathy gasp, her eyes dark with hunger. "God, I want to wrap my mouth around your boobs so badly right now," she murmured, her voice low and sultry, laced with lust.

Cruz laughed, her face flushed and lips parted in a breathless grin. She pulled her shirt down, still grinning, and lifted the phone back to her face.

Josie was biting her lower lip, eyebrows raised, clearly amused and aroused. “Well, that was naughty,” she said with a playful laugh, her eyes glinting with delight.

Cruz gave her a crooked, almost shy smile. “You started it.”

Josie smirked. “And you finished it.....spectacularly I might add.”

Cruz laughed softly, still shaking her head. “I can’t believe you talked me into that.”

Josie grinned, smug and satisfied. “You can never say no to me.”

“Yeah, and you know it.” Cruz shook her head, still beaming.

They laughed together, lingering in the warmth of their shared moment before the inevitable came.

“I gotta go, baby,” Josie said softly, her tone laced with reluctant affection. “We’re heading out soon."  She paused as her smirk returned.  "But, uh… I might need to make a little pit stop in my room first.....I'll be thinking of you.”

Cruz chuckled, the low sound full of both amusement and lingering arousal. "I might just do the same," she murmured, running a hand over her face. "I'll be thinking of you too." She winked back at her.

She hesitated, her thumb brushing along the side of the screen for a second, eyes on Josie’s face as if memorizing it. Then she looked at her with nothing but love, a vulnerability rarely shown in the heat of a mission.

“I love you.” Her voice softened.

Josie beamed, the corners of her eyes crinkling with emotion as she looked into the screen. "I love you too," she said, her voice tender. Her fingers brushed lightly across the edge of the screen, wishing it were Cruz’s face.

They ended the call in sync. Cruz pressed the phone to her chest for a moment, overwhelmed by emotion and need. Then she turned and walked back toward the house, knowing surveillance duty was starting soon.

But first, just like Josie, she needed a private moment in her room.

Chapter Text

When Cruz’s mission in Syria finally ended, she flew home. The plane ride back was long and the last few weeks hung heavy in her muscles. She hadn’t heard from Josie in the past two days, so as far as she knew, Josie wasn’t due back until the following week. She didn’t expect anything other than an empty apartment and maybe some takeout if she had the energy to order it.

Cruz pulled up to the parking spot and grabbed her gear from the back of the SUV. She slowly made her way up the stairs to the apartment. She was exhausted and all she wanted to do was shower and go to sleep.

But as she opened the door and walked in, she knew immediately something was off.

The scent.

It wasn’t stale. It was fresh. Clean linen and the faint sweetness of Josie’s shampoo was permeating through the space.

She paused. Her eyes scanned the studio, and then she saw the boots. Josie’s boots by the door.

Before she could fully process it, Josie emerged from the hallway in gym shorts and a t-shirt, her hair damp from a shower.

Cruz froze. “What the…?” she whispered, blinking as her brain caught up with what her eyes were seeing. The exhaustion in her body hadn’t prepared her for this. Instead, here stood Josie in front of her, looking like the dream Cruz had played in her mind on endless nights.

Josie grinned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Surprise,” she said, a giggle dancing in her voice. Her stance was playful, but her expression was tender, knowing full well the impact her sudden appearance would have on Cruz after weeks apart.

The moment her eyes landed on Cruz, a rush of warmth swept through her. A tingle spread across her chest and arms, her heart fluttering with the joy of just seeing her girlfriend again. Josie felt her breath hitch as Cruz’s stunned expression softened into something deeply emotional, something only she ever got to see.

Cruz dropped her bag with a thud and crossed the space in three strides, pulling her into a fierce hug, her face buried in the crook of Josie’s neck. She moved toward her so quickly that they both almost bowled over into the wall, causing them both to laugh.

They pulled apart slowly, still close, just staring at each other with light, tender smiles. Their hands never stopped moving, grazing cheeks, brushing hair back, fingertips tracing jawlines, as if they needed to feel the other's presence to believe it was real. The realization settled between them: they were home.

Cruz was the first to speak, her voice soft but curious. “Did something happen? You said you weren’t coming home for another week.”

Whatever the reason, she didn’t really care. Josie was here. That was all that mattered.

Josie’s eyes never left hers, filled with sweetness that made Cruz’s chest ache. “The intel kept changing, so command decided to end the mission....for now. They sent everyone back. My CO gave me a few days off, so I drove straight home once we landed.”

Cruz just stood there, her heart full, basking in the unexpected gift of time with Josie. She let out a breath and asked, “So... when do you have to go------?”

Before she could finish, Josie reached up and pressed a finger to her lips.

A teasing spark danced in her eyes as she leaned in slightly. “Are you going to keep asking me questions,” she murmured, “or are you finally going to kiss me?”

Cruz let out a quiet laugh, her lips curling into a smirk. “Sorry baby,” she whispered fondly, then cupped Josie’s face gently, drawing her in for a slow, tender kiss.

She lingered there, pulling back just an inch, savoring the closeness. Josie looked up at her with nothing but love and whispered, “I missed you so much, Cruz.”

Those words sank into her like warmth on a cold day. Cruz kissed her again, deeper now, her own need surging forward.

“I missed you too, baby,” she breathed against Josie’s neck as the kisses traveled there, her hands already roaming with intent. “So much.”

Josie’s lips traced fire along Cruz’s skin. Cruz closed her eyes, letting herself feel every kiss, every brush of breath, every heartbeat between them. Then she reached back up, pulling Josie’s lips to hers again, and this time the kiss grew urgent.

They pulled each other's shirts and bras off, tossed carelessly aside. Then they clumsily through laughs got out of their pants, everything shed in the desperate need to feel each other's skin.

Fully naked, Cruz lifted Josie into her arms, never breaking their kiss, and carried her to the bed. They tumbled onto it, still wrapped around each other, their bodies already searching, hungry to remember.

Cruz hovered above her, breathless, eyes flickering down to the beautiful view below her. Josie was radiant, chest rising and falling, her bare skin glowing in the low light. Her breasts were soft and perfect and hers to touch.

“No more teasing,” Cruz said with a crooked, mischievous grin.

Josie laughed, her voice husky with desire. “Nope. Do what you do best, baby.”

Cruz gazed at her for a second longer, then leaned down and buried her face in Josie’s chest, kissing and sucking her nipples, relishing the taste and feel of her. She nuzzled deeper, her hands caressing every curve, every inch of the body she’d missed so much.

Josie gasped, her breathing growing heavy, her fingers tangling in Cruz’s hair as she closed her eyes. She was completely lost in Cruz’s touch, the world outside vanishing until it was only them, their skin, their mouths. Josie trembled beneath her, overwhelmed not just by touch, but by the depth of feeling behind it.

When Josie pulled Cruz close, wrapping her legs around her, it was more than passion, it was their love reconnecting and surrendering to each other. Their bodies moved in sync, as if they’d never been apart, and every kiss was laced with “I missed you,” every breath with “I love you,” even if the words weren’t spoken in the heat of their passion.

Nothing else mattered.

A few hours later, Josie sat propped up in bed, her laptop resting on her thighs. A soft, satisfied glow lit her face, that only came after reconnecting with Cruz post sex. Their afternoon had been slow, tender, and filled with the closeness she craved every time they were apart.

From the kitchen just a few feet away, Josie could see Cruz moving around, rummaging the cupboards, opening frozen packages, the sound of the microwave and air fryer. She smiled to herself as the sounds of Cruz bustling about filled the small studio.  Cruz was playing chef, determined to pull together whatever food they had. Josie grinned at the thought. They’d worked up quite the appetite.

As the comforting smells of reheated food drifted through the air, Josie turned her attention back to the screen in front of her, scrolling through listings of apartments and even a few small houses. They’d talked about getting a bigger place, and she was starting to feel more excited than anxious. Arlington still felt like the best location. It gave Cruz easy access to Camp Peary, where the team trained regularly, and it was close to the airstrip the QRF used to deploy. For Josie, even with Fort Campbell being farther out, Arlington made sense, especially when drills or missions sent her flying out of that same strip.

She paused her scrolling and looked around their cramped apartment. There were bags and gear leaning against walls, piles of laundry tucked into corners, and not enough space for the life they were growing into. Josie exhaled a quiet sigh. It was time. They needed more room, not just for comfort, but because their relationship was evolving.

Her stomach growled at the same time she spotted a picture of a cozy little duplex. She called out, “Babe, do we still have any of those mini quiches in the freezer?”

Cruz turned her head, a sly smile already on her lips. “Already a step ahead of you,” she said, popping one into her mouth as she held up a tray.

Josie narrowed her eyes playfully. “Don’t eat them all!” she said with mock outrage.

Cruz laughed as she finally made her way over, dressed in nothing but a black tank top and underwear. Josie's gaze shamelessly raked over her body, lips pursed in appreciation as Cruz set the tray down and folded her legs onto the bed. Cruz caught the look and narrowed her eyes in amusement.

“Don’t give me that look,” she warned, a teasing edge to her voice. “We’re eating first.”

She picked up a quiche and held it to Josie’s lips.

Josie pouted as she took a big bite, closing her eyes and groaning happily. “Fine,” she said, chewing. “Damn, that tastes good.”

She set the laptop aside, and the two of them began digging into the tray....mini quiches, reheated burritos, crackers, and bottles of sparkling water. Cruz leaned back against the headboard, and Josie rested against her, their bodies touching as they fed themselves and each other in a lazy way that only came from deep comfort.

Eventually, Cruz’s eyes drifted toward the laptop still open on the bed. “Did you find anything you like?” she asked, nodding toward it.

Josie sat up a little and grabbed the computer again. “I’ve got a few possibilities,” she said, popping another quiche into her mouth before clicking back to her saved listings. She showed Cruz three to four apartments, some modern, others with more charm but none of them sparked real excitement. They kept scrolling, shoulder to shoulder, until Josie sighed a little disappointed and leaned her head on Cruz’s shoulder.

“We’ll keep looking,” she said, voice softer now. “But we might just need to settle on something soon. We can’t keep living like this, even if we’re gone more than we’re here. I want a place we can really come home to.”

Cruz turned her head slightly, just as Josie lifted her face and kissed her cheek.

“I mean it, Cruz,” Josie added gently, her eyes warm and searching. She reached up and caressed Cruz’s face, tucking her fingers behind her ear. “I want this with you. I want more.”

Cruz didn’t flinch. If anything, she seemed to settle into the moment, her expression open, attentive. Josie hesitated for just a second, knowing how tender this ground could be. “I hope you’re ok with me saying that.”

Cruz set the tray on the floor and wiped her hands with a napkin before turning to her fully. She’d been thinking about this for weeks. Despite their time apart, or maybe because of it, her feelings for Josie were deep, deeper than anything she'd ever felt for someone. She couldn’t imagine building a life with anyone else.

“Jos…” she began, clearing her throat. “I don’t want anything else.”

She paused again, letting herself open up the way she rarely did.

“I know how patient you are with me. How you hold back sometimes, waiting for me to catch up. You’ve always been so sure of us. Me… I’ve had doubts, not about you, not about us, but about myself. About whether I’m capable of giving you what you deserve. Half the time I can’t figure out why you even want me…”

“Cruz—”

“No, let me finish,” she said softly. “I know now. I want you. I want us. Not just right now, but for the long haul. You’ve always seen that in me before I could say it out loud, but I need to stop making you guess. You shouldn’t have to.”

Josie’s eyes welled with tears as she listened, her chest rising with emotion.

“I’ve never told anyone the things I’ve told you,” Cruz continued. “You know I still hold back sometimes, but I want to stop doing that. I promise I'll try more. I’m ready for this....us. I love you, Josie.”

Her voice cracked on the last words, but she didn’t hide from it.

Josie was overcome. Yes, she had always understood Cruz’s way of loving, how she showed it in action more than words. And Josie had never needed a grand gesture to know Cruz loved her. But hearing it now, spoken with such raw honesty, undid her completely.

She climbed onto Cruz’s lap, straddling her and wrapping her arms around her neck as tears finally fell. Cruz wiped them away, her smile soft and sure.

“Baby,” Josie whispered, “I’ve always been here. I know you’re here for me too. What you just said means so much. You don’t ever have to question why I want you. I just do. I love every part of you.”

She kissed her, slow and tender.

When they pulled back, Cruz reached up, brushing Josie’s damp cheek. “One day…” she said, voice barely above a whisper, “I want us to talk about…”

She paused, choking a little on the words.

“Marriage?” Josie asked gently, her voice soft but tinged with curiosity, lifting Cruz’s chin with a knowing smile.

Cruz let out a shaky laugh, her eyes darting away for a moment before finding Josie's again. “See? You know me too well,” she said, but there was more behind her words now, like she was feeling seen in a way that was both comforting and terrifying.

“I’ve been thinking about it too,” Josie said quietly, her tone warm but certain. “When the time comes, and we’re really ready, I want that. With you.”

Cruz smiled softly, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. “Then let’s keep talking about it,” she murmured. “Keep the door open.”

Josie ran her fingers through Cruz’s hair. “Ok. We will. Let’s just bring it up when we want and check in with each other. No pressure, baby.”

Cruz exhaled, visibly relieved. Another layer had fallen away between them. Another step forward.

“But first,” Cruz said with a smile, her voice light but resolute, “we need to focus on finding a bigger place. A place that actually fits us, not just our gear bags.”

Josie beamed, wiping away the last of her tears. “I totally agree......let's find our new place.”

Josie picked up the laptop again, settling it on her lap as she nestled against Cruz. “Ok,” she said with a sigh, “let’s try again and see if we can find something that doesn’t look like a shoebox or cost a million dollars.”

Cruz chuckled and leaned in to glance at the screen. “Third time’s the charm, right?”

They began scrolling again as they leaned into each other, Cruz’s arms around Josie’s waist, Josie’s hands resting gently on Cruz’s shoulders. They kissed again, slower this time. More certain. Each holding the other with full awareness of what they had, and what they were building, together.

The M-word lingered in the back of their minds. Not a question anymore, but a future waiting to unfold.

Chapter Text

The SUV rode through the open road, the late morning sun warming the windshield as they made their way north out of Arlington. The air was crisp for spring, bright with budding trees and wide skies, and it felt like the kind of day that begged to be wandered through. Cruz drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on her lap. Josie was leaned back in the passenger seat, sandaled feet propped up on the dashboard, oversized sunglasses sliding slightly down her nose.

They were almost a week into their two-week leave.  The longest uninterrupted stretch of downtime they’d had in months. It was rare to have that much time together without some mission looming or training rotation scheduled. They hadn’t even left the region, deciding instead to take a leisurely road trip through Maryland, following no real itinerary except one craving Josie couldn’t shake.

Cruz glanced over at Josie with a playful smirk. "So how many crab cakes are you planning to eat this time?"

Josie grinned, stretching her legs and letting the sunlight catch her cheekbones. "Enough to outdo what you plan to eat." She smirked back at her.

Cruz gave her a faux stern look, one brow lifted. "Dream on, baby," she said, sliding her hand onto Josie’s thigh with a squeeze. "I’m still undefeated."

Josie chuckled, leaning her head back against the seat with a contented sigh. "We’ll see about that."

They were headed toward their favorite seafood place outside of Solomons Island, a place they both swore had the best crab cakes on the East Coast. They had first stumbled across the shack when they’d just started dating, back when Josie still had a cast on her leg and was deep in the frustrating throes of physical therapy. That particular week had been rough and Cruz, seeing how discouraged she’d been, had insisted on getting her out of the rehab center for a change of scenery. They ended up driving aimlessly until hunger and curiosity led them to the little shack with its crooked sign and weather-beaten picnic tables.

The crab cakes had been perfect. Crispy on the outside, tender and rich on the inside, and Josie had been in bliss. It had become their spot ever since, a tradition they'd begun together. Since then, every time Josie craved something comforting, they'd escape to Maryland for the cakes when they had the time.

As they cruised along the winding road, the conversation drifted from crab cakes to something that had been weighing on both their minds for days... the search for a new place to live. They had spent the week scrolling through listings, touring apartments and modest houses that all looked fine on paper but lacked something neither of them could quite pinpoint.

"That loft in Clarendon was nice," Cruz said, adjusting her grip on the steering wheel. "It had great light, and the kitchen was actually a good size."

"It was," Josie agreed, tapping her fingers against her knee with a small grimace. "But it just felt... I don't know, cold. There was no warmth or character to it. It just felt kind of empty."

Cruz sighed, nodding as she looked back at the road. "Yeah... I know. The loft was sleek, sure, but it felt more like a showroom than a home."

Josie shifted in her seat, glancing out the window. "The townhome had charm."

Cruz gave her a sideways look. "Yeah, charm and stairs so narrow I nearly twisted my ankle walking up them," she teased with a grin. "And don’t even get me started on the one where the 'renovated kitchen' meant a microwave bolted to the wall."

They chuckled, but tension simmered underneath. Their two-week leave was half over, and the hope they'd carried at the beginning, that they’d find a place they both loved, submit an application, and sign a lease before duty called them back, was starting to dim. The process had become overwhelming. Each listing blurred into the next, and their ideal home felt like it was slipping further out of reach. The looming reality of returning to their demanding schedules meant apartment hunting would soon become impossible to continue. The uncertainty was beginning to dawn on them: they might have to settle for something less than what they truly wanted.

Cruz looked over at Josie and realized they were going to have to take a more realistic approach. "Babe," she said gently, her voice tinged with reluctance, "we may just need to pick something so we can start moving in once we get back from our next deployments."

She hated saying it, because she didn’t want to just pick a place either of them wasn't in love with. She knew how much this meant to Josie, how excited she’d been about the idea of finally finding a place that felt like a real home for them, not just a temporary stop between assignments. But Cruz also saw the calendar, knew how little time they had left.

"Otherwise," she continued, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel, "we might not find much when we get back. Summer’s around the corner, and that’s when all the decent places get snatched up. We need to move fast."

She exhaled hard and glanced over, seeing the way Josie’s smile faded, the way her posture slumped ever so slightly. She wasn’t thrilled about it, and Cruz could see the disappointment in her eyes. That hurt. It weighed on her more than she cared to admit. She wanted to give Josie everything she wanted.

Josie sat up straighter and let out a louder breath, her frustration clear. She knew Cruz was right, even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear. She had envisioned their next place as symbolic: an intentional step forward in the life they were building together, not just a stopgap solution. She didn’t want to just choose a place. She wanted to fall in love with it. They'd come too far.

She looked over at Cruz, her voice quiet but sincere. "I know, baby. You're right."

Her smile was faint, a little sheepish, as she reached for Cruz’s hand. "Okay... once we get back, let’s go with the loft."

She hesitated for a moment, her brow creasing. It wasn't what she'd imagined, but it was the most practical of all their options. "It’s probably the closest to what we need, even if it feels kind of sterile. I don’t love it, but it has the space. It’ll do for now."

She gave a small shrug and sighed, her thumb brushing over Cruz’s knuckles. Cruz studied her for a second, her chest tightening at the way Josie seemed to deflate.

"Are you sure?" she asked gently, not liking the resigned tone in Josie's voice. She wasn’t thrilled about the loft either. It checked the boxes, but it didn’t make her feel anything, and that alone was telling.

Josie nodded, though it was reluctant. "Yeah. We need to get into something. We'll go tomorrow, grab the application, and start the process."

Cruz brought Josie’s hand to her lips and kissed it softly, her expression unreadable. She knew exactly what they were doing: settling. But they knew they needed to make a decision.

They sat in silence for a while after that, the music from the radio filling the space between them. Both women were quiet, lost in thought as the road stretched ahead, each of them imagining a home they hadn’t quite found yet.

As they continued along the winding road, the trees thickened slightly as they drove across the pavement. Cruz instinctively slowed the SUV, not for any particular reason, just letting the peaceful stretch of quiet filter between them. Josie shifted in her seat, elbow resting on the window, half-lost in thought.

Then, as if a sudden breeze carried more than air, something tugged at her attention. Her gaze swept the side of the road, her breath catching as her eyes landed on a flash of color, a painted sign nailed to a crooked fencepost.

In that moment, a strange but undeniable warmth flooded her chest. A feeling she couldn’t explain, but one that rooted itself deeply.  A feeling that something was about to change. Her heart picked up just slightly.

Josie jolted upright in the passenger seat, eyes wide. “Wait...stop! Go back!”

Cruz’s hands tightened on the wheel as she flinched slightly. “Jesus, babe,” she muttered, easing her foot off the gas. “What? Did I miss a turn?”

“No,” Josie said quickly, twisting around in her seat to peer out the rear window. “There was a sign. It said 'For Sale.’ It was stuck on a wooden post, right down that dirt road we just passed.”

Cruz glanced into the side mirror and saw nothing but trees blurring past. She slowed the SUV and brought it to a stop on the shoulder, looking over at Josie with one brow raised. “A painted sign on a random dirt road? Josie, why do you suddenly want to go check out some old house for sale?”

“Because…” Josie’s voice dropped into something softer, more wistful. “I don’t know. Something about it just… caught my eye. Come on, just humor me? Let's just take a quick peek.”

Cruz gave her a long look, then huffed a breath that was more fond than annoyed. “I don't know what you're up to,” she muttered, reaching for the turn signal even though they were the only car in sight.

“I just want to see the house, Cruz, that's all.” Josie teased, grinning as Cruz executed a careful U-turn and steered the vehicle onto the narrow shoulder.

They parked just off the road, tires crunching against gravel and dry leaves. Stepping out into the warm early afternoon air, the forest around them sounded with birds singing. Josie took the lead, her sandals brushing over patches of grass and wildflowers as they walked toward the crooked wooden sign barely hanging onto a nail.

The dirt driveway was framed by two towering oaks and looked like it hadn’t seen a vehicle in months. A cluster of weathered flyers flapped lazily in the breeze, pinned to a nearby post with rusted staples. The largest of them was a hand-painted sign, faded but still legible: “FOR SALE.” A phone number was scrawled beneath it, along with a few tattered pages detailing vague property specs, the ink smudged and curling at the edges.

Josie went and grabbed one of the flyers, folded it, and slipped it into the front pocket of her jeans as Cruz walked a few steps ahead, unaware.

Cruz followed Josie’s gaze and saw what had caught her attention: an old, weathered farmhouse nestled beneath a canopy of trees, the white paint clinging stubbornly to the siding in patches, most of it peeled away by time and weather. The porch sagged to one side, partially collapsed, and vines had crept their way up the wooden posts like nature reclaiming its place. A few outbuildings stood nearby in various states of disrepair:  a rusting red barn, a caved-in garage, and what looked like it had once been a greenhouse now overtaken by weeds and shattered glass.

The grass had grown tall and wild, reaching nearly to waist height in places, and the whole property seemed to sound with the forgotten stories of years past.

Josie stepped closer to the crooked fence, gripping the top rail with both hands like she was steadying herself to a dream she hadn’t expected to find. Her eyes scanned the hand-painted sign again, voice soft but full of wonder. “The whole property is three acres.”

Cruz glanced at her, noting the way Josie’s face had completely transformed, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, lips parted slightly in awe. She looked enchanted.

“You look like you just found buried treasure,” Cruz said, tilting her head with a skeptical squint.

“I might have,” Josie whispered, still staring ahead. Then she turned, eyes bright, face open in awe. “Can you imagine this place fixed up? It would be amazing.”

Cruz crossed her arms. “It looks like it might fall over if we breathe on it too hard.”

Josie elbowed her gently. “You have to have vision,” she said, practically bouncing on her toes. “Can’t you see it? It’s full of possibilities.”

“I have vision,” Cruz deadpanned. “That vision includes electrical wiring that doesn’t catch fire.”

Josie gave a playful groan and leaned into her, grinning. Cruz didn’t resist the nudge but kept her arms folded, eyes flicking back toward the house.

“Besides,” Cruz added, looking sideways at her. “Why are we even looking at this? Babe, this is a property to buy, not to rent.”

She didn’t say it harshly, just honestly, with a dose of that usual practicality. Still, she studied Josie more closely, trying to make sense of what had sparked this sudden fascination. Because one thing Cruz had learned quickly in their relationship was that Josie rarely did anything without feeling it deeply.

Josie always saw the bigger picture. She had a way of imagining things not just for what they were, but for what they could be. That sense of wonder, that fierce optimism, it was something Cruz had come to love so much. Maybe even needed. Where Cruz had been programmed to expect the worst, Josie had shown her there was power in hoping for the best.

And now, watching the way her eyes softened as she stared at a half-fallen farmhouse, Cruz felt the pull of something she didn’t quite understand either. She looked back at the house and sighed, letting her hand fall to her hip again. an old habit, one of instinct and wariness.

“Jos,” she said finally, “what are you thinking?”

Josie didn’t respond right away. She was quiet, staring at the land, the house, all of it.

In that moment, something inside her just… came alive. There was a pull, an inexplicable sense that this place, broken as it looked, held something waiting. Not answers exactly, but maybe....a beginning.

She glanced at Cruz’s confused face and suddenly felt foolish for dragging her into this. How could she explain something she didn’t fully understand herself?

She let out a slow breath. “Sorry, baby. I know you probably think I’m crazy right now, but something about this place just seems…” She trailed off, searching for the words. “I don’t know. There’s just something here.”

Then, shaking her head as if to clear the fog, she stepped away from the fence and walked to Cruz, sliding her arms gently around her waist. “Never mind. I just wanted to see it.”

Cruz looked down at her, reading her face, then glanced back once more at the house. She didn’t say it aloud, but there was something she’d felt too. Just a flicker. Something soft and uninvited curling in her chest. But where Josie leaned into things that tugged at her heart, Cruz had learned long ago to push back.

“Come on,” Cruz said finally, slipping an arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her temple. “Let’s go get our crab cakes. I’m starving.”

Josie gave one last glance over her shoulder as they walked back to the car. The image of the farmhouse lingered, quiet, battered, but still standing.

As Cruz started the SUV and pulled back onto the road, the house disappeared behind them, swallowed once more by the trees. And yet it stayed with them.

Josie especially couldn’t shake the feeling. Something about the place, about the detour they took, stuck with her. It wasn’t just a passing curiosity. It had settled in her chest, quiet but certain. She hadn’t expected anything out of a casual drive through Maryland. They were just chasing a craving for seafood. But that property…It had felt different. 

Like it could actually be home.

The salty air hit them as soon as they opened the doors to the SUV. Cruz shut her door with a gentle slam, already catching the distant sounds of gulls and waves. Josie took a deep breath, letting the ocean breeze fill her lungs, carrying with it the promise of comfort food. Ahead stood the familiar little crab shack, chipped paint, rusting tin roof, and the glorious smell of seafood wafting out from the screened-in kitchen.

It was just after noon and the place was only half full, the rush not yet in full swing. They settled into one of the picnic tables near the edge of the dock, shaded by a crooked umbrella that flapped gently in the wind. The server came by with a bright smile.

“Well, hello there, you two. Been a while since I’ve seen you.”

Her voice carried over the clatter of the small seaside crab shack, warm and familiar. She approached their table with a knowing smile, hands on her hips. “Where’ve you been hiding?”

Cruz and Josie exchanged a quick glance.  Soft smiles played at the corners of their mouths, thinking of the mission work they had been involved in for months.

Cruz looked up. “Hey, Margie,” she greeted, her voice easy. “We’ve just been swamped at work.”

Which, Cruz thought to herself, wasn’t a lie.

Margie chuckled. “Well, welcome back.”

She glanced between them, her hands already moving as if preparing invisible trays. “Same order? Two crab cake baskets, fries, one beer, one lemonade?”

Josie leaned back on the bench, sunlight spilling across her face, and nodded with a soft smile. “You know us too well.”

“You come here often enough,” Margie replied with a wink. “I’ll get your drinks and put your order in.”

She turned and headed for the kitchen.

Josie sat with her hands resting on the weathered wooden table, her eyes fixed out toward the water. Her gaze was distant, focused somewhere beyond the small waves lapping against the shore. Her shoulders rose and fell in a slow way, as if her body was trying to relax but her mind was miles away. Cruz watched her intently for a moment in silence, arms folded across her chest, her own gaze softening.

"You're not thinking about crab cakes," Cruz murmured finally, her voice low, warm.  Her gaze lingered on Josie, noting the distant look in her eyes,

Josie had been in such deep thought she hadn’t realized she was zoning. She blinked and turned to Cruz, startled by the voice that had pulled her from the tide of her thoughts. "Huh?"

Cruz gave her a knowing look. "You haven't said a word since we left the farmhouse property. And you've been staring at the water like it's going to give you answers."

They were immersed in each other, caught in the moment, that they didn’t hear Margie approach. She returned with their drinks. She set down a cold bottle of beer in front of Cruz and a tall glass of lemonade in front of Josie, the condensation already trickling down the sides. "Here you go, loves," she said good naturedly. "Crab cakes’ll be right out."

Josie murmured a thank you to Margie, her fingers curling around the cool glass. She offered a small, dismissive smile as she looked and focused on Cruz again and said softly, "It’s nothing, I was just thinking," though they both knew better. Still, she wasn’t sure if Cruz would want to talk more about it, about the property, so she held her tongue, content to soak in the view and Cruz’s company.

But Cruz knew her too well.

Cruz's expression shifted, the lightness in her eyes dimming more attentively. "Josie," she said, her voice calm but probing. "What is it?"

Josie turned to meet her gaze, exhaling slowly like the words had been sitting on her chest since they left the property. She breathed out to steady herself. "Well, if you really want to know......I can't stop thinking about that farmhouse."

Cruz's brow rose. She leaned forward slightly, propping her arms on the table. "I figured as much."

Josie hesitated. "I know it was random and crazy. But something about it just... its stuck with me. I can’t explain it."

Cruz tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to keep her tone gentle. She glanced out toward the ocean before returning her gaze to Josie. "Jos, we said we were looking for a rental. Just something with more space. We’ve never even had a serious talk about buying a place, let alone fixing up a whole damn property. It's three acres. That’s a massive undertaking, babe."

"I know.....I know," Josie said quickly, hands lifting in a small shrug. "I know we haven't even broached the subject buying a house. And I know how impulsive it sounds. But there was something about that place. It felt like it was waiting for us. Like it’s been sitting there, forgotten, just waiting for someone to see it."

Their food arrived, steaming baskets of golden fries and fat crab cakes piled high, but neither of them made a move toward the baskets. Cruz looked at Josie carefully, her fingers tapping absently on the edge of the table.

Cruz’s eyes searched Josie’s face for a moment longer before she spoke, her voice low and tinged with curiosity. "You’re serious about this, aren’t you?"

Josie nodded, her eyes still locked on Cruz. “I’m not even sure… maybe I am. All I know is that place, as we drove past it, it just called to me. I know that probably sounds insane, Cruz, but it feels like something we should at least consider.”

She paused, watching Cruz’s expression shift, her brows starting to crease as the weight of the conversation got more intense. Josie realized she’d gone from a light talk about renting to dropping a bombshell.....possibly buying what most would consider a condemned property.

“I know it’s a lot,” Josie said gently, her voice dipping with care. “But… what if it’s worth it? What if we could make something amazing out of that place?” Her eyes were full of conviction now. “We’ve built our lives from nothing, baby. Look how met?  How we got through everything after what happened? We are making it, against all odds. We did that. This… this could really be the next step for us.”

Cruz reached for her beer and took a long sip, her gaze never leaving Josie’s face. She set the bottle back down and let out a steadying breath.

“Josie… you’re talking about buying a property, not just a house.” Her tone was level, but her voice held a note of disbelief. “That’s not just a bigger place. That’s time and money. The renovation alone with take months if not longer."  She stopped, catching her breath. "We're barely in one place for a few weeks at a time.” She paused again, trying to stay composed, but the emotional swirl beneath her calm exterior started to rise.

“We’ve only just begun to even talk about what a future together might look like, about maybe getting married someday. And now you're talking about buying a house?”

Her words trailed off into the quiet between them.

Josie’s expression softened, listening intently. She reached across the table, not touching but close enough that her presence was felt.

“I know, baby,” she said gently. “I know this is a lot. We haven’t even really talked about marriage as more than a maybe. And now here I am, throwing this wild idea at you.”

She exhaled, her voice trembling.

“But this place… it’s special. It's caught me off guard, honestly. Like… maybe we’re supposed to build something there.” She placed her hand over her chest. “I felt it in my body. Like it was meant for us.”

Cruz looked at her for a long moment, the sound of crashing waves and distant laughter filling the silence between them.

There was a long pause. Cruz looked down at her fries, then picked one up, turning it in her fingers before finally taking a bite. She chewed slowly and swallowed.

Josie reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Cruz’s. Her voice lowered, tender and certain. "Maybe this is a sign. Maybe we were meant to find that place."

Her fingers squeezed lightly. "What could it hurt to just... contact the realtor? Get some more information?"

Cruz stared at their hands, at the way Josie’s thumb brushed gently against hers. She didn’t answer immediately. But she didn’t pull away either. The wind tugged at her hair as the sound of waves echoed beneath their silence.

Cruz then rubbed her thumbs gently over Josie’s hands, absorbing their warmth. Her gaze remained fixed on their laced hands while she could feel Josie’s eyes on her.

After a long moment, Cruz finally looked up.

She met Josie’s eyes, the love she felt flickering beneath the caution still clinging to her chest. She wanted to make her happy. She always wanted to make Josie happy....it meant the world to her.

She let out a slow breath.

“We’re just going to look at it, ok?” she said softly. “One look. I can do that.”

A small, quiet smile tugged at Cruz’s lips as she saw Josie’s expression shift, her eyes lighting up, the corners of her mouth lifting with something close to joy.

And just like that, Cruz felt that feeling nestle in her chest.

Josie grinned, the light from the afternoon sun catching in her eyes, warming her face like the first glow of possibility. "That’s all I’m asking," she said softly, her voice thick with hope, threaded with something more vulnerable. Her hand lingered on Cruz’s, grounding her as she added, "I’ll call the realtor and make the appointment. Just to see it up close. No pressure. Just... take a peek."  Josie was smiling from ear to ear.  She knew deep down, this could very well be the beginning of something very special for them.  A real beginning to their life together.

They finally dug into their food, the steam rising up in delicate curls from the freshly plated meal.

Josie let out a soft, satisfied groan of approval as she took a long sip of her lemonade, the tartness dancing across her tongue, bright and refreshing. Her shoulders seemed to loosen, her body easing into the warmth of the moment. There was a different light in her eyes now, one of quiet satisfaction, like something inside her had shifted into place.

Across from her, Cruz watched with subtle amusement. She took a bite of her crabcake and chewed thoughtfully, shaking her head slightly, though the corner of her mouth curled with affection. Josie’s excitement was hard to ignore.  It was palpable and infectious. And though Cruz still harbored doubts, there was something undeniable stirring in her own chest.  She couldn't help but remain cautious. She heard a whisper in her head: maybe this wasn't just a detour. Maybe it was the start of something neither of them had planned, but both of them might need.

Because for all her resistance, for all her need to plan and weigh every option, something about that house had stirred something in her too.

And maybe, just maybe, Josie was right.

Chapter Text

Josie was up early the next morning, making phone calls, barely able to hide the hope bubbling in her chest. She’d confirmed the farmhouse showing for later that afternoon and even arranged a second walk-through of the loft they’d once considered renting as they decided to give it another look to see if they changed their minds.

Cruz, still reluctant but willing to see the farmhouse, had agreed. Josie could see her trying, even if the hesitation still sat behind her eyes.

The loft was just as modern and polished as they remembered. Exposed brick, sleek concrete floors, a wall of windows that bathed the place in natural light. It checked every box on paper. A large one-bedroom, custom storage built-ins, a kitchen even Josie had to admit was sexy as hell.

But none of it moved her.

She stood in the middle of the open living room while Cruz talked to the agent. Josie looked around, waiting for a feeling, anything, that might make this space feel like theirs. But instead, all she saw was someone else’s life.

Cruz finished with the agent and walked towards her, sensing her stillness.  Knowing exactly how Josie felt about the loft already.

“You don’t like it,” she said, not accusing or frustrated, just honest.

Josie offered a soft shake of her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want to,” she admitted, her eyes flickering with hesitation. “But I don’t. Not really.” She sighed, pressing her lips together as if trying to sort through the tangle of feelings that had risen up.

And to her surprise, Cruz nodded, her eyes scanning the space one last time before returning to Josie. “Me neither,” she said, a quiet, almost reluctant smile tugging at her lips.  She moved closer to Josie and cupped her face, before leaning in for gentle kiss, acknowledging.  She pulled back, staring into her eyes. "This isn't our place."

Josie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, a soft smile curving her lips. Relief washed over her, at least on this, they were aligned. The loft was off the table. 

They thanked the agent and stepped back out into the golden afternoon sun. The conversation between them was quiet and easy. In that moment, they were completely aligned.

As they got back into the car, they prepared for the drive to Maryland, for their appointment to see the farmhouse property.  Beneath the surface, they knew viewing the farmhouse would stir emotions from both of them and they prepared for it.

On the drive there, Cruz was quiet again. Josie knew the silence wasn’t disinterest. It was nerves. Hesitation had always lived inside Cruz. It was one of the reasons Josie loved her. She was always careful and thoughtful. But this time, Josie hoped there was room for a little something beyond the caution.

They pulled up to the driveway where the realtor was already waiting, clipboard in hand, leaning casually against his car. Josie jumped out quickly, a bounce in her step, circling around to Cruz's side and grabbing her hand without hesitation.

"You ready?" she asked, eyes bright, barely containing her excitement.

Cruz gave a small chuckle, her fingers lacing through Josie's. "Yeah, baby, let's go."

The realtor stepped forward with a professional smile. "Hi there, I'm Bill. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Josie immediately shifted into her composed, polite tone, her voice smooth as she extended her hand. "Hi, I’m Josie. Thanks for meeting us."

Cruz followed suit, ever the quiet one, offering a firmer handshake. "Cruz. Nice to meet you."

Bill gestured toward the gate, unlocking it with a loud clank. "Well then, shall we go take a look at the property?"  He motioned them in.

The moment they stepped into the farmhouse, though, even Josie had to brace.

It was worse than they expected.

The floors creaked under them with every step. The walls were faded to a dull yellow-gray, cracked in spiderweb patterns that ran from the baseboards to the ceiling. The kitchen was a disaster, linoleum tiles peeling at the edges, rust-stained sinks, and cabinets that looked like they might collapse if opened too quickly, their hinges corroded and hanging awkwardly. A heavy scent of dust and mildew clung to the air.

But Josie....she didn’t flinch. Her eyes danced across the decay, not with dread, but with possibility. She saw it all.  Yes, the rot, the wear, the disrepair. But beyond all of it, she saw what it could become. The bare bones of something new and completely theirs.

Cruz’s lips pressed into a tight line. She stayed rooted near the threshold of the living room, arms crossed. Her gaze moved from one crumbling detail to another, the sagging ceiling, the warped floorboards, the chipped banister. Every inch of the place looked like a project waiting to collapse.

"Jesus," she finally muttered, the word barely more than breath.

Josie turned to her, light still dancing in her eyes. "I know. But can’t you see it? What it could be?"

Cruz hesitated, then exhaled slowly. She walked a few steps in, her shoes making the floor creak under her weight. She ran her fingers along the worn banister. "I see a whole lotta work."

Josie gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, but… good work. Work we do ourselves so the changes reflect us."

Cruz looked at her again, more fully this time. And while the skepticism didn’t vanish, her stance softened, arms unfolded, and her head tilted slightly as if daring herself to entertain the vision Josie clearly already saw.

"Maybe," she said quietly. 

Where Cruz saw damage, Josie saw a blank canvas.

“This place…” Josie whispered, stepping into the living room and running her fingers along the sun-warped windowsill. “It could be what we make of it.”

Cruz didn’t answer right away. She remained standing by the front door, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

The realtor adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "So here's the deal," he began, leading them toward the dusty living room. "The listing price is currently sitting at a very competitive number, honestly, shockingly low for the size of the property and the acreage." He paused, watching their reactions before continuing. "The sellers are extremely motivated. It’s been sitting for a while, and they haven’t had any serious bites in months. That means there's room to negotiate, and if you’re open to renovation, you’re looking at real value here."

He flipped through the papers on his clipboard. "Financing is flexible. There are loans available that would give you upfront funds for the work this place clearly needs. I can put you in touch with a few lenders who've worked with this kind of property before.....if the interest is there."

Cruz raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, but Josie was already stepping closer, hanging on every word. The realtor added, "You two seem like the kind of buyers who could really transform this place. And truthfully, it needs someone who can see past the mess and into the potential."

Josie looked at Cruz, watched the lines around her eyes relax....just a little. Not enough for much more right now, but enough to crack the door open.

They spent the next hour walking the property, moving through overgrown brush and crumbling outbuildings under the realtor’s watchful eye. Josie darted ahead more than once, peeking behind leaning doors and up sagging staircases, pointing out ideas and possibilities. Cruz followed more cautiously, asking a few questions here and there, about the roof, the electrical, whether the well was operational. Not many questions, but enough to show she wasn’t dismissing it outright.

Bill kept the tone hopeful but honest. “Look, it needs work, no doubt about that. But the bones are good. You’ve got high ceilings, solid foundation, and a ton of original charm just waiting to be uncovered. It’s rare to get this much land this close to town.”

Cruz listened, arms crossed, nodding slowly but not saying much. She lingered longer than Josie expected in the old sunroom that overlooked the back pasture. Her fingers grazed a cracked windowpane as if she could see what Josie saw, something waiting to be brought back to life.

They finished their tour and thanked Bill, advising they would be in touch.

As they walked back toward the car, Cruz slowed her pace just slightly. Josie was a few steps ahead, already pulling the keys from her jacket pocket, when she heard the subtle clearing of Cruz’s throat behind her.

“Can we look at a couple more rentals?” Cruz asked, her voice low but steady.

Josie smiled. Even if Cruz didn’t say it, she wasn't convinced. She wasn’t ready. Not fully. And Josie, despite her excitement, tried to reign herself in. She nodded, know how big this decision was. “Of course, baby, let's go do that.”

They didn’t talk much about the farmhouse tour on their way back to Arlington. Josie didn’t want to push, sensing Cruz’s distance, and Cruz seemed consumed by her own thoughts. The drive was quiet, heavy, even, with both women lost in separate reflections. Josie had scheduled just two additional appointments to see more rentals, and while they exchanged a few words about logistics, the silence between them said far more than any conversation could.

They toured two more rentals. One had a rooftop deck and a view of the Potomac. The other was cozy, filled with character. Cruz actually liked them both and tried to sell Josie on the pros, even making a few playful jabs about how they wouldn’t have to scrub 50 years of grime off a farmhouse bathtub.

But Josie was distant, her thoughts still trapped in the creaking boards and wild acreage of the farmhouse. She listened to Cruz, nodded along, but Cruz could see it, her heart wasn’t in these places. And the truth was, neither was Cruz’s.

Afterward, they ended up at a park. They walked without speaking for a while, shoes crunching over the gravel path. The sun was beginning to dip, as shadows gleamed between the trees. Around them, the world felt quiet in a way that was both peaceful and weighty.

Josie slowed near a bench and reached for Cruz’s hand. She felt it hesitate, just for a second, before threading into hers. That brief pause said everything.

It was the first time Josie felt like they weren’t in sync.

Cruz had gone a little quiet again, not fully behind a wall, but enough that Josie noticed. Enough that it made her chest ache.

She glanced sideways, her eyes searching Cruz’s profile. “Hey,” she said softly, her voice barely above the rustle of leaves around them. “Don’t disappear on me, ok?” Her fingers tightened slightly, a gentle reminder that she was there.

Cruz’s jaw tensed, her eyes still trained forward. “I’m not. I’m just thinking.”

“I know.” Josie gently tugged her toward the bench. “Can we sit? I think we need to talk.”

Cruz looked at her then. Really looked. There was no defensiveness, no retreat, just that vulnerability Josie had come to recognize, the kind Cruz rarely showed anyone expect to her.

They sat, hands still linked. For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then Josie whispered, her voice barely holding back the tremble of uncertainty, “This is the first time it feels like we’re not…on the same page.”

The words hung between them, thick and raw. Her chest tightened as she said it, the day’s tension catching up to her.

She glanced down at their laced hands, the calluses on Cruz’s palm against her softer skin, and felt the sting of worry rise again.

Cruz nodded slowly, her voice low. "I know."  She paused to take a deep breath. “It scares me.  It scares me how much you want that place, Josie. How fast this all feels.”

Josie didn’t interrupt. She let her speak.

Cruz took a deep breath and squeezed Josie’s hand a little tighter, needing the support. Her voice was low, cautious. "I’m trying to wrap my head around the house. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, but…" She paused, her eyes fixed ahead. "That house feels like forever to me.  Are we ready for that? I want to be. God, I want to be. But are we?"

She turned to look at Josie, her expression bare and vulnerable. "I’ve never had forever, Josie. That’s what I’m trying to deal with right now."

Josie leaned her head gently against Cruz’s shoulder, their fingers tightening in shared comfort.

“I’m not sure either baby, but what I do know is I'm ready to imagine what that might look like with you,” she whispered. “I guess we need to figure out if we want to take that leap of faith with each other.”

They sat there in silence, still holding hands, but for the first time, fully aware that something unspoken stood between them despite all they had shared up to this point in their relationship.  The whirlwind discovery was not just about the farmhouse but rather a crossroads they were gently meeting. They both realized that the time had come to face their individual fears and dreams, not just for the farmhouse, but for each other, and have the honest conversation they both didn't even know they needed until now.

Chapter Text

The late afternoon sun was warm as Cruz and Josie remained side by side on the park bench in Arlington, their hands loosely laced, quiet but heavy with emotion. The leaves rustled gently above them, but the stillness between them said everything.

Josie finally broke the silence, her voice soft. “I know I’ve been pushing you about the house. I get it. It’s crazy how fast I fell in love with it… I don’t know what's come over me.  It's just, when I saw it, something clicked. But I can see it makes you uncomfortable. I’ve been pushing too hard.”

Cruz didn’t answer right away. She stared out over the park lawn, her expression unreadable. Then she turned to Josie, her voice low but steady. “It’s not that I don’t see what you see. The idea of building something with you… from scratch. It's not that I don't want that. But, I have to admit it's really overwhelming with how fast this is all going.”  She paused.  She didn't want Josie to feel bad in any way, she had a right to her excitement on the house.  But she was trying to be as honest as she could be about how she felt. "I'm just not sure if I'm where you are yet."

Josie nodded slowly, the guilt already swimming in her chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you like that. I promise, I’ll back off. I just got carried away. I never want you to feel like I’m cornering you.”

Cruz squeezed her hand gently and gently shook her head. “I know you don’t. And you’re not doing that… it’s just, sometimes when I feel that pressure, I go back into my hole. I don’t mean to do it, and that's not fair to you.”  She turned to face her. "I promised you I would tell you more about how I feel.  So, I'm going to stick to that promise."  She cleared her throat. "It's not just the house I've been hesitating on....it's more than that." She began to tense up.

Josie studied her, watching the flicker of vulnerability in her rise up. She softened her tone further. “Ok." She asked gently. “What is it, baby? Talk to me.”

Cruz looked away for a long moment. Her jaw flexed, emotion tightening her features. She didn’t want to say it out loud, but Josie’s patience, her softness, always cracked her open in the best ways. 

This was always hard for her to talk about.

“I’ve never had a real home,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not one that was mine. Not one that felt... safe.” She hesitated before continuing, her throat tight. “That farmhouse? That’s what that is to you. I can see it, I really can. I actually see what you see Jos, the possibilities with it. But for me...” She trailed off, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her shirt. “I’ve spent my whole life moving, escaping from something, surviving from someone.  I’ve never had the luxury of picturing a future like that. And now that it’s possibly here... it scares me, Jos.”

Josie said nothing, just held her hand tighter.

Cruz continued. “You know about my mom, how she made terrible choices. The men who used her and hurt me. The drugs in the house. My stepfather being murdered. Me dropping out of school, stripping at clubs to stay alive… I never stayed anywhere permanent. My life was just a mess. Always chaotic.” She looked at Josie, eyes glistening. “This kind of stability... this life you want with me... sometimes I feel it's still so out of reach. Not because I don’t want it, but because I never thought I’d get it. And now it’s right there. Right in front of me.....a future together.”

Josie swallowed the lump rising in her throat. She reached for Cruz’s hand. “I know your story, baby. You’ve told me everything. And I love you even more because of where you’ve come from. What you’ve survived.”

Cruz’s hand tightened around hers.

Josie leaned closer. “You know everything about me too. My father. My family.  I grew up thinking things were normal until I found out they were built on lies. I’ve been trying to outrun that my entire adult life.” She leaned into Cruz, her voice soft but certain. “We’ve both got skeletons. But somehow, we found each other. That’s not an accident, Cruz.”

She paused, heart pounding as she cupped Cruz’s cheek. “When we met, and as we got to know each other, there was only one thing I was absolutely sure of. I just knew....knew, you were going to be part of it. You. I was that sure.”

Cruz swallowed, her defenses crumbling under the truth of it.

“And when I saw that house,” Josie continued, “I felt the same. That same feeling. It’s not about four walls and a roof. It’s about what we could create inside it. Together.”

Cruz blinked rapidly, her eyes welling up, emotions rippling beneath the surface. She leaned into Josie’s touch, her voice trembling as she finally let herself say it. “I want it too,” she whispered, then added more firmly, “I want you. And a life with you.” Her breath hitched slightly, but she didn’t pull away.

They hugged tightly, kisses soft and slow, steadying them both in a renewed closeness.

Josie pulled back just slightly. “Ok. I’m going to stop pushing. We’ve got a few days before we head back to work. We’ll take our time. I don’t want you to feel rushed or pressured. This has to feel right for both of us.”

Cruz searched her eyes. “Are you sure?”

Josie nodded, brushing her thumb across Cruz’s jaw. “Absolutely. If it’s meant to be, it’ll still be there when we’re ready.”

They leaned into each other, arms wrapped tight, foreheads pressed together. The kiss they shared wasn’t rushed or heated, it was slow and deep and grounding. A seal to their promise.

“I’m glad we talked,” Josie whispered.

“Me too,” Cruz replied.

They stood up hand in hand, walking back toward the car with a quiet but undeniable lightness between them.

When they got home, they made dinner. Their conversation while they ate was noticeably lighter, the weight of their earlier heart-to-heart at the park having lifted some of the tension between them. Cruz felt more relaxed knowing the farmhouse discussion wasn’t being dismissed, just given space to breathe. The work ahead was daunting, but even she had to admit there was real potential in the place. She could tell Josie was holding back her excitement now, tempering her joy for Cruz’s sake.

After dinner, they curled up on the couch and scrolled through listings on Josie’s laptop. They made a pact: yes, they needed more space, but they would take their time.  They sealed it with a kiss before Josie headed to shower while Cruz stayed behind, cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, drying them, putting them away, tidying up in general.

As she was about to head to the bedroom, something caught her eye.  A folded flyer partially hidden under Josie’s sweater on the table. Only the corner was peeking out, but it looked like a photo of a house. Curiosity got the better of her and Cruz pulled it free.

It was the flyer for the farmhouse.

Josie must have taken it from the signpost that was out in front of the property.

Cruz unfolded it slowly, studying the pictures more carefully. Each image showed something she’d initially found unsettling. The peeling paint along the windowsills, the porch slats warped from years of sun and rain, the tall grass that looked like it hadn’t been cut in a decade. All of it had seemed like too much when they were there in person.

But now, she was suddenly seeing it differently.

Her eyes lingered on the porch. New wood, some sanding, a few coats of stain, she thought. The windows could be replaced, maybe even expanded to let in more light. That tall grass? It could be trimmed back to reveal the slope of the land, maybe turned into a wildflower garden, a firepit area, or a place for future dogs to run. The living room had looked cramped, but with some demolition, a wall could be opened into the kitchen, creating an open concept.

She had been so determined to focus on what was wrong with the place when they visited, almost like she needed a reason to shut the idea down before it got too big in her heart. But now, something inside her was beginning to soften. She may be starting to see what Josie saw, the possibility the farmhouse could be reshaped, even the roughest edges into livable space.

The house had good bones. The layout was straightforward, nothing fancy, but the simplicity offered room to dream. The land was wild and wide, something she’d never had growing up, and she thought back to what the realtor had said about renovation loans, especially if they tackled much of the work themselves.

And maybe they could do the majority of the work.

When she joined the Marines, Cruz had saved nearly every paycheck. She never traveled much, didn’t spend extravagantly, and when she shifted to the CIA, they didn’t make anyone rich either.  However, with every mission she received a bonus....and the mission bonuses added up. Josie was the same, disciplined and practical with her money. They had talked openly about finances when they moved in together, making sure everything was transparent. Between the two of them, they had healthy savings.

With the low asking price and their ability to do the work gradually, it was scary...but it wasn't impossible.

Cruz sighed and slid the flyer back beneath Josie’s sweater, her fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary. She exhaled slowly, trying to clear her head. They had made a promise not to push each other into anything uncomfortable, something Cruz appreciated. But now, unexpectedly, the house had wedged itself into her mind, the same way it had for Josie. She could feel the idea starting to slip through her guarded resolve, finding a way into her heart.

As she changed into her sleep clothes, Cruz heard the bathroom door open. Josie emerged with her damp hair tousled and cheeks flushed from the warm shower, her movements slow with exhaustion. She crossed the room and climbed into bed, already yawning. “Baby, I’m crashing. I’m exhausted,” she mumbled with a tired smile, reaching out to cup Cruz’s cheek tenderly as she sank into the pillows.

Cruz had the remote in her hand, thumb hovering over the power button as she turned on the TV.   She hesitated, glancing at the screen, then at Josie’s sleepy smile. "I’ll turn it off then," she said softly, her voice laced with affection.

Josie reached out and placed a gentle hand on her arm, stopping her. "No, it’s ok. I’m so tired, I’ll fall asleep right away. Watch your show," she murmured. She kissed Cruz sweetly, then added softly, "Good night.......I love you." With that, she turned off her lamp and curled into the pillow, already drifting.

Cruz just looked at her for a long moment before plugging in her AirPods and connecting to the TV so the sound wouldn’t disturb her. But she didn’t really watch, she kept thinking about the flyer, the house, the past 48 hours. Eventually, she gave up, turned off the TV and her lamp, and slid beneath the covers.

In the dark, she wrapped her arms around Josie, who instinctively pressed back against her, taking Cruz’s hand and bringing it to rest against her chest with a soft, contented sigh.

Cruz buried her face into Josie’s hair and kissed it gently, her lips brushing against the soft strands. She lay there, unable to sleep, her thoughts spinning in circles around everything they had said at the park. It wasn’t the house she feared....it never had been.

It was herself.

It was the terrifying possibility that she might not deserve a future like this. That something so whole, so hopeful, couldn't belong to her. But she held that future in her arms right now, sleeping safely against her. The woman she loved so deeply it sometimes hurt to breathe. The woman she wanted, one day, to marry.

And slowly, in that quiet darkness, something inside her shifted. She realized Josie would never intentionally hurt her. She had always known that, but now, she was ready to fully let it in. To truly believe it. To accept it in her bones, without hesitation or fear. It wasn’t just a fact anymore, it was a truth she could feel. A safety she could lean into.

Cruz propped herself up on one elbow and watched Josie sleep, her expression tender in the soft light that spilled from the hallway. She reached out, gently brushing a few damp strands of hair from Josie’s cheek. Her fingertips lingered, stroking lightly. The steady rise and fall of Josie’s breath grounded her. As she caressed Josie’s hair, she realized that this....this, was home. It wasn’t the farmhouse, or any other four walls. It was the woman asleep beside her.

She had the answer.

The next step wasn’t just about a house. It was about them.

Gently, she jostled Josie. “Baby…”

Josie stirred, groggy, turning slowly to face her in the dark.

“What is it?” Josie mumbled, concern in her sleepy voice. “Are you ok?”

Cruz just looked at her, love pouring from her eyes. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, a quiet resolve settling over her. “Let’s do it,” she said softly, her voice steady with certainty but rich with emotion. “Let’s buy the farmhouse, Josie. Let’s make it ours.”

Josie blinked, rubbing her eyes. “Wait...what?” she whispered, not quite trusting what she thought she’d heard.

“I mean it,” Cruz said, even firmer now. “Let’s put in an offer. I want this with you.”

Josie stirred more fully now, still drowsy but alert enough to know she hadn’t imagined what Cruz had just said. She shifted slightly, eyes searching Cruz’s in the dim light.

“We agreed we’d take it slow,” she murmured, voice still husky with sleep. “What’s going on, babe?”

She reached out and grabbed Cruz’s hand, the gesture instinctive. Cruz immediately laced their fingers together and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“You’ve been so patient,” Cruz said softly, her thumb brushing along Josie’s knuckles. “I know how much you want this.”

Josie cut in, shaking her head as she sat up more, suddenly wide awake. “Not at the expense of you feeling pressured,” she said firmly, her eyes locked on Cruz’s. “I don’t want that, ok? We can wait. We will wait if you’re not ready. That matters more to me than any house.”

Cruz’s heart clenched. She saw the certainty in Josie’s eyes, the steadiness, the love, the grace. It made her want to cry and smile at the same time.

“I know that,” Cruz whispered. “I do.”

She paused, searching for the right words, then exhaled slowly.

“Jos… you’ve had faith in us since the beginning. Even when things were messy. Even when I didn’t know how to let you in. You never stopped believing in what we could be. And I realize now....I need to have that same faith. In us.”

Josie’s expression softened, her features etched with emotion.

“It’s not that I didn’t feel it,” Cruz continued. “I did. But it’s taken me longer to say it. To really own it. The farmhouse, it wasn’t about the house. It was just something I used to justify the fear I was holding onto. The fear that maybe I didn’t deserve all this.”

She paused, swallowed hard.

“But I’m done running from it. I do want this, Jos. I want that land. That broken-down old house. I want to turn it into something beautiful with you. Something that’s ours and permanent.”

Her voice cracked slightly with emotion as she leaned forward, lifting Josie’s hands to her lips and pressing soft kisses to her knuckles.

“I see it now,” Cruz whispered. “I see what you see. And more than anything… I have faith in it and I have faith in you....in us.”

Josie blinked, her eyes stinging now, her chest tight with feeling. She didn’t speak right away, she just watched Cruz, overwhelmed by her words and the tenderness in her expression.

Then she leaned forward and kissed her, slow and deep, her hand cupping Cruz’s jaw with aching affection.

“You have no idea,” Josie whispered against her lips, her voice trembling slightly, “how much that means to me.” She pulled back just enough to look into Cruz’s eyes, letting her gratitude settle in the quiet between them. Her hand moved to Cruz’s cheek, thumb brushing gently.

“Are you sure?” Josie asked, voice barely a breath, her eyes searching Cruz’s face, needing to see the certainty there. Josie wanted to make absolutely sure Cruz was really ready for this, ready to take this step, to turn a corner.

“Yes,” Cruz whispered, nodding. “I've never been more sure of anything.”

“I love you,” Cruz said softly.

“I love you too,” Josie replied, her voice steady, her heart full.

And in that moment, Josie melted into her arms, overwhelmed and elated. She could see it in Cruz’s face....she truly wanted this with her.

They clung to each other, wrapped in the quiet of the night, hearts racing with the weight of the next step. For the first time, it felt entirely real.

Tomorrow, they would make the call......and submit their offer.

Chapter Text

They placed their offer the very next morning.

Josie had barely set her coffee down before she was already calling the realtor. She paced the length of their tiny studio, phone pressed to her ear, her eyes darting to Cruz every few seconds with barely contained excitement. Cruz sat on the arm of the couch, rubbing her hands over her knees, visibly jittery. She was still in her sleep clothes from the night before, hair a mess, but her attention never left Josie.

When Josie hung up, she turned around slowly, her chest rising and falling fast. "It’s in," she said, her voice thick with emotion and eyes glistening. "Bill got our offer details via email just a few minutes ago, and he's already presenting it to the sellers." She paused, taking a deep, shaky breath that seemed to steady her from the inside out. "We've officially made the offer."

Cruz blinked like she wasn’t sure she heard her right. Then she nodded, stood slowly, and rubbed the back of her neck with both hands. "Ok," she said softly. "Ok," she repeated.

Josie looked at her and smiled. She was nervous too, of course she was, but Cruz looked visibly shaken, caught in the moment. Without hesitation, Josie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her. The instant warmth of that embrace grounded Cruz, steadying her breath as she looked into Josie’s eyes.

“Are you sure you still want to do this?” Josie asked softly, her voice calm despite the fluttering in her chest. “I have to admit, even I’m feeling a little nervous.”

Cruz let out a slow breath, then smiled at her, small, but genuine. She leaned in and kissed Josie’s forehead, her lips lingering there just a moment longer.

“I’m sure,” she whispered. “I’m just… probably gonna have some shaky hands here and there. This is a big deal.”

Josie’s smile deepened with tenderness. She took one of Cruz’s hands and brought it to her lips, kissing it gently.

“That’s ok, baby,” she said sweetly. “I’ll be here to kiss them whenever they need steadying."

Cruz just smiled and stepped closer until their foreheads touched. Their arms circling instinctively, drawing in the strength and stillness they only ever found in one another. As they held on, breath syncing and hearts steadying, it became clear: no matter the outcome, they were in this together.

They tried to distract themselves for the rest of the day. Doing laundry, cleaning, reorganizing a few things, but nothing held their attention for long. Every buzz of Josie's phone made both their heads snap around.

They went out for lunch at a small, quiet restaurant tucked between a bakery and a bookstore, hoping the change of scenery would help calm their nerves. They sat across from each other in a booth by the window, picking at their food and trying to make small talk about anything but the house. Josie commented on the artwork on the walls; Cruz made a joke about the uneven salt shaker. But their eyes kept drifting, their feet tapping unconsciously beneath the table, and Cruz ran her fingers through her hair more times than she could count.

As they finished lunch and Cruz received the check, Josie’s phone buzzed sharply against the wood tabletop. Her heart jumped. She glanced down and blinked twice. "It's Bill," she said quietly.

Cruz leaned in, her voice gentle. "Go take it outside," she said, giving Josie an encouraging nod. "I'll be right there." She watched Josie with a soft, steady gaze, her fingers brushing briefly across Josie’s hand under the table.

Josie nodded, sliding out of the booth. She took a deep breath, wiped her palms on her jeans, and walked through the front door, her heart pounding in her ears as she stepped into the afternoon sun.

Cruz paid the check quickly, her hands fumbling slightly in her rush. She all but ran to the restaurant’s front door, shoving it open with her shoulder just in time to spot Josie standing off to the side. The phone call was already over, Josie’s hand limp at her side, her other arm wrapped tightly across her midsection like she was holding something in.

Her eyes were wide, unfocused as they stared down the street. When they finally shifted to Cruz, they were glossy and overwhelmed. Cruz froze, heart stammering in her chest. She was almost vibrating with anticipation.

Josie blinked, opened her mouth, then closed it again. She swallowed hard, working through the thickness in her throat.

"We got it," she said finally, her voice a whisper that somehow hit like a bomb. Her chin wobbled, and then she repeated herself, louder this time. "We got the house."

The moment broke something loose inside her. She laughed, breath catching in her chest as the tears started spilling over. "Oh my God," she gasped. Then she moved and leaped straight into Cruz’s arms.

Cruz barely had time to open her arms before Josie collided into her, laughter and emotions tangled into one unfiltered sound. Cruz caught her easily, wrapping her in a grip that was fierce. The impact wasn’t what took her breath, it was the surge of emotion, the shock of it being real. The way Josie felt in her arms made the world tilt and settle all at once.

"We actually did it," Cruz whispered, her voice thick with disbelief, her chest swelling with something too big to name. She squeezed Josie tighter, soothing them both with what they’d just done.

Josie pulled back just enough to look at her, her face flushed and shining with joy. "We're homeowners... holy shit."

Cruz exhaled a shaky breath, a crooked smile blooming slowly on her face. "Yeah," she said, almost laughing. "We are."

They kissed, quick, messy, full of tears and grins and relief. Then again, slower, softer, a press of lips that said we’re really doing this.

Cruz still felt nerves crawling under her skin, but Josie’s arms steadied her. In that single perfect moment, all the fears, the money, the unknowns, the risk, faded for now. Hope was at the forefront. And the deep, thrilling certainty that whatever came next, they’d face it together.

What followed was six weeks of whirlwind paperwork, financing meetings, endless emails, and phone calls squeezed between deployments and training drills, and being able to be home. It was a crazy time for them.

The farmhouse, beautiful in its way, was far from move-in ready. The inspector’s report came back riddled with notes. Sagging floors, a questionable roofline, an inoperable kitchen but thankfully, no foundational issues. The soil was fertile, and the grounds were full of possibility. Josie dove in headfirst, notebook always in hand, filling pages with color-coded lists and sketches. Sticky notes marked her favorite ideas, her handwriting quick and decisive. She talked out loud to herself while pacing, a pencil always behind one ear.

Cruz, less vocal but just as committed, sat beside her on the floor most nights when they were home together, scrolling through supply websites or researching repair tutorials. She didn't pretend to understand everything, but she asked thoughtful questions and made sure Josie knew she was in this with her. Despite the chaos, there was steadiness to how they approached each decision. Josie's energy balanced by Cruz’s calm. Still, Cruz wrestled with unease, the weight of commitment settling slowly into her bones. But Josie’s fire lit something inside her. She couldn’t ignore it.

In the midst of it all, Josie returned to Fort Campbell for back-to-back flight drills. Cruz was summoned to Camp Peary, then shipped to Fort Bliss for a week of strike team readiness. Amid the grind, she found time to tell the QRF team about the farmhouse.

They were finishing weapons drills one day when Cruz mentioned it, almost offhandedly, as they were cleaning gear. "Josie and I put in an offer on a farmhouse property," she said, trying to sound casual.

Two Cups nearly dropped the rag he was using. "A what now?"

Tex leaned back against the wall, arms crossed and grin wide. "Cruz, you goin' full domestic on us? Gonna be out there churning butter and raising chickens next?"

Randy snorted. "Better make sure you got WiFi, or you're gonna lose your damn mind."

Cruz rolled her eyes, but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her pride. "It’s not that kind of farmhouse," she said, quietly. "It’s rough around the edges, needs a hell of a lot of work. But it’s got land, and Josie… she already knows what she wants. She’s got plans for everything....a garden, chickens, a big porch swing. I can’t even keep up." Deep down, Cruz loved everything about what she had just said to the team.

Two Cups leaned in, feigning being sappy. "So… you’re buying a house, sharing bills, planning renos? What’s next? Matching pajamas?" He smirked. "What the fuck, Cruz?"

Before Cruz could retort, Tucker stepped in, gave Two Cups an evil eye, and clapped her on the back with genuine warmth. "I think it’s great," he said simply. "Sounds like you two found something special."

Bobby nodded, no sarcasm in her tone and actually sincere for once. "Yeah. Sounds awesome, Cruz." Then the twinkle in her eye surfaced as usual as she gave Cruz a wicked grin. "Just don't ask me to help you tear down walls."

Cruz narrowed her eyes playfully at Bobby, wiping her hands on a rag before slinging it over her shoulder. "You’re safe for now," she said with mock seriousness, then smirked.

Cruz chuckled, shaking her head as the laughter spread through the team. Even amid the teasing, her heart swelled a little. It felt good, this mix of ribbing and support by people she trusted.

Even separated by states, they remained connected. Josie sent Cruz blurry photos of lighting fixtures and farmhouse sinks from hardware stores on her breaks in between flights. Cruz replied with thumbs up, heart emojis, or her favorite, 'Whatever makes you happy, baby.' Their lender sent urgent questions and forms at odd hours, and their realtor became used to coordinating through staggered calls and patchy reception. Josie was asked for and was granted a two-week leave to begin packing their studio, and she moved through each day literally like a woman on a mission.

Cruz, whenever she could, drove home. Exhausted but always showing up, she’d find Josie elbow-deep in boxes or sprawled on the floor with logistics spreadsheets. They'd share takeout, fall asleep mid-conversation, wake up tangled in sheets and blueprints.

Soon, the six weeks came to a conclusion in a flash.

On a bright Friday afternoon, they sat side by side in a quiet title office. The air was thick with anticipation.

Josie tapped her pen nervously against the table as form after form was presented for signatures. One by one, they signed. Contracts, disclosures, insurance waivers, settlement statements, pages flipping like a countdown to something life changing. Finally, the last document was passed across the table.

Josie exhaled slowly before signing, then looked up, her eyes dancing. "That's it. We just bought land and a farmhouse."

Cruz stared at her own signature for a second, heart pounding in her chest. Then she reached for Josie's hand, lacing their fingers together. "Yeah, baby. We did just that."

The title officer slid the keys across the desk, metal clinking gently as Josie picked them up. They both stared down at them like they were holding the world.

They promptly took each other out for a drink to celebrate and decompress. Although Josie hadn’t had a drop of alcohol since she’d started flying again, today called for an exception. After all, how often do you buy a rundown farmhouse, a collapsing barn, and a barely-standing garage on three wild acres in Maryland? If ever there was a time for a celebratory drink, it was now.

They found a quiet local bar and slid into a booth, ordering two whiskeys. As they waited, a peaceful silence stretched between them, content and reflective. This was a huge step. Maybe even the biggest of their lives. But one they were ready for.

When the drinks arrived, they didn’t rush. Instead, they took a moment. Cruz picked up her glass first, gently swirling the amber liquid. Josie followed suit. They turned toward one another at the same time, slow smiles spreading across their faces as their eyes locked.

Josie raised her glass and said softly, "Salud, dinero y amor."

Cruz’s eyes shimmered as she replied, "Salud, mi amor."

The simple phrase sent a warmth flooding through Josie. Cruz rarely spoke Spanish.  Josie mostly did, but hearing those words, especially "mi amor," spoken by Cruz for the first time, unraveled her completely. She soaked in it.

They clinked glasses and took a sip, never breaking eye contact. Josie set her drink down first, then leaned into Cruz and whispered with a grin, "Our adventure starts now, baby."

Cruz smiled, full and open. "It sure does."

Within a couple of days of receiving the farmhouse keys, they packed up their Arlington studio, handed the keys to their landlord, and loaded the last of their belongings into a modest U-Haul, pulled by the SUV Cruz was driving.  Josie driving behind Cruz in her car. The drive to Maryland was quiet but charged with anticipation. As they passed familiar exits and watched the skyline fade behind them, it felt like closing one chapter and cracking open the next, unwritten and unknown.

When they pulled up to the farmhouse, they both parked and got out of their vehicles and walked to the front gate. Josie pulled out the keys. She held Cruz's hand and once Cruz felt it, she looked at Josie. Josie smiled softly, squeezed Cruz's hand and asked her, "Ready?"

Cruz returned her soft smile and said, "Ready as I'll ever be."

With that, they opened the front gate and walked onto their property for the first time as homeowners.

They both stood in silence for a moment, soaking in what they had just stepped into. Cruz’s fingers were still loosely laced with Josie’s, her gaze drifting across the expanse of their wild, overgrown yard.

Then Josie’s eyes sharpened with purpose, and that fire Cruz loved so much sparked back to life. "Ok," she said, suddenly animated, as her eyes scanned the property with determination. She pointed with purpose. "First, we need to reinforce these porch steps, they’re not safe. Let’s tarp the kitchen roof until we can get a real contractor out for a permanent fix. The barn? I think it’s worth saving. It’s got good bones. And I already see planter boxes lining this path with fresh herbs, juicy tomatoes, maybe even a little lavender. This place is going to come alive."  She was suddenly giddy with excitement.

Cruz stepped out slowly, her boots crunching on gravel. She looked at the house and felt that familiar blend of fear and awe. "We must be out of our minds."

Josie turned and smiled, her whole face lit up. "Maybe. But I love that about us." She leaned in to wrap her arms around her and kiss Cruz gently, reassuring her when she knew Cruz needed it.

They spent the rest of the afternoon unloading the U-Haul, hauling in boxes and crates, trying to make sense of where anything could go in a house that still smelled faintly of mildew and old timber. They cleared out the one corner of the living room that didn’t slant too hard to the left, swept away years of dust, and laid down a weathered old rug Cruz had insisted on keeping. With a shared grunt, they inflated the air mattress with the gas-powered generator they had rented until the electricity was working.  They layered the mattress with fresh sheets, two pillows, and the soft blanket Josie refused to part with.

In the kitchen, Cruz set up a compact propane camping stove, balancing it carefully on a plywood counter. Josie rigged up a makeshift bathroom using a curtain rod, a portable showerhead, and duct tape. "That’s not going to hold," Cruz muttered.

Josie shrugged with a smirk. "It only needs to hold until I can build a real shower."

"You mean until we can build it," Cruz corrected, nudging her.

Cruz had suggested they stay in an Airbnb or a hotel until some of the essential work was completed, like having electricity and decent plumbing. But Josie wouldn’t hear of it. She was adamant about staying in their new home, no matter how unfinished it was. For her, it wasn’t just a property, it was their place, and she needed to be there from the very beginning. Her determination was unwavering, and as always, Cruz found herself aligning with Josie’s conviction. She understood how deeply this meant to her, and while the logical part of Cruz questioned the decision, another part, the one that trusted Josie’s heart, was quietly excited about starting this new chapter, no matter how rough the beginning might be.

By the time the sun dipped behind the trees, both of them were sticky with sweat, streaked in dirt, but smiling like they’d just won the lottery.

They kicked off their boots and collapsed on the creaky farmhouse steps, legs stretched out, dirt smudged on their jeans, and sighs of exhaustion soft on their lips. Cruz pulled one beer and one water bottle from one of the two coolers they brought and would fill regularly until the kitchen was in working order. The cold bottles were a small luxury, a welcome reward after a day of unloading and improvising a livable space in the mess. The air smelled of earth, honeysuckle, and distant woodsmoke, grounding them in the moment. Josie leaned her head on Cruz’s shoulder, her hair damp from sweat and the lingering humidity, brushing against Cruz’s cheek. Their fingers found each other instinctively, steadying them in the beginning of something new.

"Are you tired?" Cruz asked, her voice low.

"Yeah....really tired," Josie murmured, exhaling. "But I'm tired and happy."

Cruz looked at her, a soft smile tugging at her lips, feeling the joy swell in her chest at seeing Josie in such high spirits despite the long day and mounting exhaustion.

They let the silence settle around them, watching the fireflies begin their dance near the tree line. The stars started to blink through the navy sky above, one by one.

Cruz took a long sip of her beer, then gently rested her hand on Josie's thigh. "We really did this."

Josie turned her head, brushing her lips along Cruz’s jaw. "Yeah, we did. And I think it’s going to be the one of best things we've done in our lives."

"Even if we’re in way over our heads?” Cruz asked, her voice soft and with a trace of vulnerability.

Josie smiled gently, cupping her cheek, and whispered, “Especially then. That’s when we hold on the tightest.”

They clinked bottles gently, and Cruz let her head rest against Josie’s. The world was quiet except for the chirping crickets and the soft sound of the wind through the trees.

Their hearts felt impossibly full, the kind of full that made all the mess worth it. In that moment....dirty, exhausted, and completely unsure of what lay ahead, they had never felt more at home.

Chapter Text

The sound of a sledgehammer cracking through drywall echoed through the farmhouse. Dust billowed out from behind the plaster as Josie swung again, using every ounce of her strength. Her strong biceps flexed with each swing, a testament to her peak physical fitness and years of military training. Her face was flushed with effort and excitement, a wild spark in her eyes that made it clear this wasn’t just demolition, it was therapy, purpose, and sheer exhilaration all rolled into one.

"Baby, you are way too happy smashing things," Cruz said, watching from a few feet away, eyewear on, and crowbar in hand. She couldn't help but be a little distracted.  Josie was wearing a tight tank top and form-fitting work pants that hugged her strong physique. With each swing of the sledgehammer, her biceps flexed, her back muscles moved beneath her skin, and Cruz found herself mesmerized despite the dust and chaos around them.

Josie grinned, took off her goggles briefly, and wiped her forehead with the back of her glove. "It’s therapeutic. And necessary. This wall is in the way of our dream kitchen."

Cruz rolled her eyes with a soft smile and leaned into her own task, prying apart a frame that had once separated the tiny, claustrophobic pantry from the rest of the space. "Just don’t swing too close to the electrical lines."  She gave just a slight worried look at the edge of the wall.

Josie gave her a knowing, sweetly sarcastic look. Before taking one more swing, she turned to Cruz with a grin and said, "Baby, you might want to step back. This one's going to bring it down." Cruz smirked, recognizing that confident spark in Josie’s eyes, and backed away to a safe distance. Josie tightened her grip, drew in a breath, and with every bit of power in her coiled frame, swung the sledgehammer hard into the wall. The impact echoed through the house as the wall came crashing down in a thunder of plaster, dust, and splintered wood. The air thickened with debris, and Josie stepped back, breathing heavily, hands on her hips as she took in the transformation. Her eyes lit up. "This already feels better," she said with pride. "Now we have full access to the kitchen, and a ton more space to breathe." Still riding the high, she strode over and pressed a dramatic, exaggerated kiss to Cruz’s lips, dust and all.  

Despite the dramatic kiss, Cruz's attention quickly shifted, her focus drawn to another concern revealed by the collapsed wall. Josie followed her gaze, scanning the exposed studs and the brittle insulation clinging to them.

Cruz let out a low whistle and shook her head. "This wiring’s a damn problem," she muttered, brow furrowed. "We can’t leave it like this, it’s a fire hazard."

Josie stepped up to her and wrapped her arms around Cruz’s waist, catching the look of concern clouding her girlfriend’s face. She tilted her head, waited until Cruz met her eyes, and said with steady confidence, "Hey. We’ll get it done, just like we’ve figured out everything else so far." Her tone was reassuring, her expression full of resolve. She raised her eyebrows slightly. "Ok?"

Cruz’s tense shoulders relaxed as a soft smile broke through. She leaned in and kissed Josie, a kiss filled with gratitude and love. "Ok, babe. You’re right."  

Josie had been calming her down since they started the demolition and this issue was no different.

It had been two months since they got the keys to the farmhouse, moved in, and began living amid the noise and grit of a demolition zone. They’d arrived full of ideas, excitement, and an unrealistic belief that a little elbow grease would make it livable fast. The reality was a constant churn of dust, decisions, and sawdust.

They moved together through the space like a well-oiled team, each wielding their tools with a balance of precision and grit. They started by tearing out the outdated, grease-stained cabinets, their doors hanging crooked after decades of use. Josie hauled them out to the pile near the barn. Cruz used a crowbar to pry up the cracked linoleum, revealing water-damaged subflooring that had to be scraped and sanded until it was bare.

They stripped outdated molding throughout the main floor, gutted the powder room off the kitchen, and knocked out a narrow doorway to widen the flow into the dining room. Broken plumbing lines were yanked out and replaced with gleaming new copper pipe that they ran over the course of one very long weekend. They rewired almost the entire kitchen and part of the hallway, learning as they went, Cruz reading diagrams and Josie carefully threading wires through joists while balancing on ladders.

They sanded down the staircase, patched countless holes in the drywall, and pulled up the old living room carpet to find beautiful hardwood beneath, warped and dry but salvageable. They made notes, took photos, taped paint samples on the walls, and kept a list of things they wanted to do and a longer list of things that had surprised them.

The air constantly smelled of dust, wood shavings, and the faint chemical tang of primer and joint compound, but it also carried something intangible: the scent of change, of purpose, and a future just starting to take shape. Amid the clatter of tools and the sound of an old Bluetooth speaker playing music, there was laughter, teasing, inside jokes shouted from room to room, and the kind of teamwork born not just of shared labor, but of deep love. They weren’t just rebuilding a house, they were carving out a new chapter of their lives, one screw, one board, one lovingly fought-over design choice at a time.

Their synchronized rhythm didn’t come without its share of tension. The stress of rebuilding their home, layered with the demands of their work that pulled them away, took its toll. At times, the pressure mounted, and they did argue, fueled by fatigue, frustration, and the sheer pressure of juggling it all.

One particular day, they sat on overturned buckets in the middle of the kitchen, tile samples for the backsplash spread out haphazardly across an old drop cloth between them. Josie held up one sample after another with growing frustration as her lips pursed. Cruz squinted at the tiles, arms crossed over her chest, her jaw tight, head tilted in skepticism. They studied each one like it could make or break the entire kitchen, neither willing to budge. There were sighs, scoffs, narrowed eyes, and long silences filled only by the sound of fingers tapping tile edges.

The selection of a backsplash had nearly caused a war.

Josie pointed to a matte slate tile with subtle copper flecks and held it up between them, brows slightly furrowed in concentration. "Babe, I really think this one gives us that pop without being over-the-top. It’s got texture, it’s warm, and it isn't too loud." Her voice had a tired edge, but also something slightly mischievous. She had already bought a case of it... figuring Cruz would be on board with her idea.

She glanced over at Cruz, tone careful but hopeful, her eyes searching Cruz’s face for some sign of agreement, even just a crack in the stubborn armor. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she added, more gently, "It just feels like... us, you know?"

Cruz made a face, rare for her, since she usually gave in to Josie without much pushback. But she was just as tired, and she really wasn’t feeling the tile Josie had her heart set on. "Us? Come on, Jos, it’s too damn busy. You don’t see that? The backsplash is supposed to complement the kitchen, not be the centerpiece." She held up a smooth white subway tile, its edges crisp and clean. "This one makes more sense. It’s simple. It’s clean. It does the job without screaming for attention. It just works."

Josie’s jaw tensed as she held up the white tile and narrowed her eyes at it, then at Cruz. "Seriously, Cruz? It literally looks like this was ripped out of a hospital bathroom."

Cruz stared her down, clearly frustrated. "It just doesn’t make sense for the space, Josie. It’ll clash with everything else we've worked on," she said, her tone edged with practicality. "Can't you see that?"

They stared at each other. Tension thickened the air between them.

“You know what?” Josie stood abruptly, her jaw tight as her blood began to boil, that unmistakable Latin fire rising fast. She tossed the tile sample back onto the pile with a sharp clatter. “You pick whatever the hell you want. Clearly I’m just the one swinging a hammer around here and don’t get a say in how the place looks.”

“Oh, come on Jos, don’t do that....” Cruz began, standing too.

Josie didn’t wait. She stormed off through the front door, slamming the screen behind her.

Cruz cursed under her breath, frustration peaking as she kicked the bucket hard enough to send it clattering across the subfloor. "Fucking backsplash," she muttered, raking a dusty hand through her hair, then glancing at the mess of samples, glaring at them.

Hours passed with them on opposite ends of the property, both stewing in their own frustration. Josie took her time outside, walking the perimeter of the property with a stubborn set to her jaw, finally settling down on the porch as twilight fell, the dying light brushing warm across her features. Her arms were folded, lips tight, eyes scanning the field as if the land itself might offer clarity.

Inside the house, Cruz paced the hallway, her boots scuffing along the unfinished floor. She paused, hands on her hips, the framework of a dream still very much in progress. Eventually, she wandered into the kitchen, her eyes scanning the chaos until they landed on the box of tiles Josie had picked out and bought a full case of, clearly expecting Cruz would be on board. Cruz raised a brow, crouched down, and pulled one tile out, running her fingers over the texture and studying the color. It wasn't what she would've chosen, she tended to lean toward practicality over design, but she could see Josie's vision forming.

Her face shifted, irritation softening to something closer to reflection. She studied the tile under the hanging lightbulb, watching how the copper flecks caught the glow. Her lips pursed, then tilted in a small, reluctant smile. No, she still didn’t love it. But as she pictured Josie standing in front of their future stove range, lit up by that same golden light, face animated in conversation or concentration, something inside her tugged. Maybe it wasn’t just about what was practical. Maybe it was about choosing the thing that reminded her of Josie’s fire, her vision, her fiery heart. That tile might never be her favorite, but maybe it could be a piece of their story.  She then made a decision and walked toward the work area.

Josie sat outside on the porch steps, arms hugged tightly around her knees, staring out at the dimming horizon. The argument replayed in her head, sharp words, flared tempers, all over tile. It sounded ridiculous now, but it hadn’t felt that way in the moment. The slate she had fought for wasn’t just a design preference. It carried the warm memory of her childhood in Dallas, the way the earth looked just before sunset, copper and burnt sienna under her bare feet. It reminded her of simpler days, the house she grew up in, the parts of her past that still clung to her, even if her relationship with her family had frayed almost beyond repair.

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. The guilt hit hard now. Cruz hadn’t raised her voice, hadn’t fought back with anger. She never did. Instead, she met Josie’s anger with calm, with patience, and that only made Josie’s temper feel more out of place, more undeserved. Cruz had always steadied her, anchored her, without ever needing to overpower her. That strength Cruz possessed had saved Josie more times than she could count.

Her pride had kept her outside for hours. But it wasn’t just guilt nudging her back inside, it was the ache in her chest, that longing for Cruz’s steadiness, her touch, her presence. They were exhausted, juggling more than just drywall and tile. Between their work, this renovation, and the three acres of property they’d taken on, pressure had built slowly.

Of course, it would boil over now and then. Of course, they would argue.

Still, Josie knew her temper had a way of scorching everything in its path. And Cruz, Cruz with her logic and infinite grace, didn’t deserve it. She had to fix this. She stood slowly, wiped drywall dust from her jeans, and took a breath deep enough to steady her own heart.

Her boots creaked against the floorboards as she stepped inside. The air was cooler inside the farmhouse, but her chest was still warm with emotion. She needed to find Cruz, not to justify herself, not even to explain. Just to say what mattered most.

As soon as she crossed the threshold into the kitchen, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Cruz was leaning over where the range would be, her hands dusted, nearly finished installing the tiles Josie had chosen. Each one had been placed with meticulous care, the lines straight, the spacing exact, an act of devotion rather than simple renovation. She must’ve been at it for a couple hours, working through the silence of their standoff. The deliberate effort was unmistakable: a peace offering by Cruz, a gesture of love laid one slate tile at a time.

Josie’s eyes shimmered. Seeing how much effort Cruz had poured into something she didn’t even personally like. It completely warmed her heart.

“Hi,” Cruz said, smiling sheepishly. She glanced over at the nearly completed backsplash, her voice tinged with softness. "Almost done... and you know, it’s really not so bad now that I look at it."

She turned to Josie, eyes filled with apology and longing, the tension between them melting under both of their vulnerability. "I know you love it," she said, her voice catching. "And I think I might be starting to love it too." Cruz swallowed the lump in her throat as she gently laid down the spackle board, her eyes never leaving Josie’s.

Josie couldn't hold back anymore. She crossed the room in two determined strides, her heart hammering in her chest, and wrapped her arms around Cruz tightly. Their lips collided with the desperation of two people who had missed each other even in the same space. The kiss was deep and breath-stealing, full of regret for what had happened. A different kind of heat surged between them, slow, hungry, and forgiving.  

They clung to each other, overwhelmed by the surge of emotion from their argument. Josie was the first to speak, her voice soft, apologetic. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, cupping Cruz's face gently in her hands and looking directly into her eyes. "I was completely unreasonable. I'm sorry, baby."

She leaned in and kissed Cruz fiercely, pouring all her tension and longing into the contact. Cruz pulled back slightly, her gaze filled with love and apology so deep it made Josie catch her breath. "I'm sorry too," Cruz said, her voice tight with emotion. "I should've listened to you. I was an idiot to fight over that. I'm sorry, baby."

Cruz buried her face into Josie's neck, holding her so tightly it was as if she never wanted to let go. Josie wrapped her arms around her just as tightly, grounding herself in the moment. "We don’t need to keep it," Josie murmured. "If you don’t like it, we can take it down and find another design."

But Cruz shook her head, still pressed into Josie’s neck. "No," she said firmly. "It stays up. It looks great, Jos."

Josie gently pulled back to see her face. The raw emotion in Cruz’s eyes nearly undid her. She knew how difficult it was for Cruz to express such feelings. Seeing her this vulnerable made Josie's heart ache. "I was the idiot," Josie admitted. "I need to learn to listen too."

She kissed Cruz's nose, then whispered, "Let’s promise each other, no matter how stressed we get, we don’t let these small things get to us again, ok?" She kissed her nose again as Cruz closed her eyes, visibly comforted.

Cruz nodded and said softly, "Ok, baby. Let’s not do that again. I hate fighting with you. I absolutely hate it."

She opened her eyes and met Josie's gaze with everything she had. Then, in a trembling whisper, she said, "I love you so much."

Josie’s breath hitched as she ran her fingers through Cruz’s hair, watching Cruz relax beneath her touch. "I love you too… so much."

Their lips met again, slow at first, then quickly fueled by the intensity of the day, their kisses turned urgent. Needing to show just how much they meant to one another; they moved together toward the living room.

They collapsed onto the air mattress as the peeled each other's clothes off in desperation, the soft rustle of fabric hitting the floor barely audible over their heavy breaths. Cruz pulled Josie into her arms, their mouths meeting in a kiss that was hungry and tender all at once.

Josie's fingers threaded into Cruz's dark hair, tugging gently as her body arched into her lover's. Cruz's hands traced the familiar curves of Josie's body as though she was rediscovering her. She whispered against her skin, soft words that made Josie melt, her chest tightening with emotion.

"I'm sorry... I love you," Cruz murmured, her lips grazing Josie's collarbone.

"I know," Josie whispered, eyes glassy with emotion. "Me too."

Their movements became fluid, guided by instinct and love. Cruz kissed a trail down Josie's torso, pausing to press her cheek to the place over Josie's heart, where she felt the steady beat echoing her own. Josie gently rolled them over, needing to feel the strength of Cruz beneath her, to look into her eyes as she gave everything she had.

They moved together in perfect sync, hips meeting, bodies slick and warm under the dim glow of the single lamp they'd set up. Josie gasped as Cruz's hand slid up her back, holding her close. Cruz's breath hitched when Josie's lips found that sensitive spot just under her jaw.

It was desperate and soft, fierce and forgiving. They spoke through every touch, every sigh, every trembling exhale, saying what their words couldn’t, raw apologies wrapped in aching desire. The intensity of their reconnection brought tears, not of sadness but of overwhelming relief, love spilling from them as tangibly as the sweat between their bodies. As they slowly came down from their high, they collapsed into each other, foreheads resting, arms wrapped tight, breaths heavy in the quiet aftermath. Cruz pressed her lips to Josie’s temple while Josie clutched her close, grounding themselves in what they had fought to build, together.

Cruz curled against Josie's chest, one arm around her waist while the other was draped across her stomach. Josie held her tightly, their skin damp, their hearts finally steady.

Josie kissed Cruz's forehead softly, her lips lingering in a tender gesture of care. Normally, it was Josie who rested against Cruz's chest, drawing strength from her steady heartbeat. But tonight was different. Tonight, Cruz had let down every wall, giving herself fully to the one woman who held her heart, her trust, and the fragile threads of her vulnerability. Josie didn’t take that lightly. She held Cruz close, her fingers gently stroking through dark hair as the rhythm of Cruz’s breathing deepened.

In Josie’s arms, Cruz felt an unshakable sense of safety, one she’d never known. This was different. As sleep overtook her, Cruz melted into Josie’s embrace, her body going completely still in a rare, unguarded peace.

Josie kept her arms wrapped around her, her lips still pressed to Cruz's forehead as she closed her eyes. She could feel the slow rise and fall of Cruz’s chest, could hear the soft sighs of sleep escaping her lips.

And in that quiet farmhouse living room, on their temporary bed, Josie inhaled the scent of her and thought:  this is what love is truly supposed to feel like.

Chapter Text

A few weeks had passed since the backsplash argument and the heated makeup that followed, and the brief calm that came with progress. But that calm didn’t last. The farmhouse was still very much a project in progress.  The nails in floorboards, insulation still missing in corners, paint cans tucked into every hallway. The construction had reclaimed their lives when they weren't away on training or missions. Tools clattered in the mornings, checklists overtook evenings, and some nights they just collapsed side-by-side on bare plywood, hands blistered, and clothes stained.

And then came the orders.

A mission pulled Cruz away for three weeks. They found out only two nights before she had to leave, and the moment the news dropped between them, the air in the farmhouse shifted. They’d barely put up the drywall in the hallway, hadn’t finished half the kitchen, but suddenly, none of that seemed to matter. The real thing that needed reinforcing was the parting they both dreaded, but had grown used to hiding behind jokes and light touches. Cruz pretended it was routine, but Josie could see the reluctance in her hands every time they brushed against her. They both knew what this life demanded, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less to be reminded.

Cruz adjusted the strap of her rucksack and turned toward Josie, who stood in the open doorway of the half-sanded front porch, arms folded tightly against her chest despite the heat.

“Did you pack snacks?” Josie asked, voice flat but eyes soft. As she wrapped her arms around Cruz’s neck, burying her face into her shoulder. The smell of sawdust and cedar clung to Cruz’s jacket, and Josie wanted to memorize it. Her fingers curled slightly into the fabric.

Cruz smirked and nodded. "I've got protein bars. You hid the Pop-Tarts again, didn’t you?" Cruz instinctively slid her hands to Josie’s hips, steadying them both in the moment. She pressed a soft kiss to Josie’s forehead, lingering there.

Josie gave a half-hearted shrug. "You don't need all that sugar in your system. I'm just saving you from crashing," she teased, her voice light. She leaned in and kissed Cruz softly, her eyes fluttering closed as their foreheads gently pressed together, neither of them quite ready to let go.

Cruz leaned into her kiss, pressing her forehead gently to Josie’s for a lingering moment before she pulled back. "I’ll be back soon, baby. You’ll probably be called out back to Campbell too," she said with a weak chuckle, trying to mask the ache beneath her words. Her eyes swept the room and the property beyond. "This place is finally starting to feel like ours," she added, almost to herself, then sighed. "Don’t burn the house down while I’m gone," she teased, forcing a smile, but her voice hitched on the last word, betraying how badly she didn’t want to leave.

Josie closed her eyes, holding on for one second longer. Her hand moved instinctively to the collar of Cruz’s jacket, gripping it, thumb brushing against the soft fabric. "Just come back home to me, ok?" she whispered, her voice tight with emotion. Then, as she had done so many times before when Cruz left for a mission, Josie placed her hand over her heart and met Cruz’s eyes. "Stay safe. I love you."

Cruz smiled softly and placed her hand over Josie’s heart. "I will. Stay safe here... and don’t do anything you need help with." She looked at Josie a bit sternly, knowing just how stubborn and independent she could be, then her expression softened. "I love you." They kissed deeply, a slow, lingering exchange of everything they didn’t want to say goodbye to. When they finally pulled apart, their fingers brushed in a quiet goodbye as Cruz turned to go.

She walked down the creaky, undone porch steps, one still missing, the boards groaning under her boots as she descended into the packed earth. She turned and gave Josie a small wave, before climbing into her SUV. The engine rumbled to life. Josie didn’t move. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed tightly, watching until the SUV taillights disappeared down the winding gravel path. When the sound finally faded, it felt like something in her chest faded with it. The silence left behind was always immediate when they had to separate.

In the days that followed, Josie lost herself in the house. If she stopped moving, she’d miss her too much. So she didn’t stop.

She rose before dawn and sanded old baseboards until the dust coated her arms. At midday, she tackled the windowsills, staining each one while humming whatever classic rock song happened to be playing from the old radio balanced on a sawhorse.  In the late afternoons, she spent kneeling in the dirt outside, her fingers tangled in stubborn weeds, coaxing green life into the neglected garden beds beneath the kitchen windows. She planted lavender and thyme, marigolds and rosemary, things she knew Cruz liked, or maybe things she hoped would make Cruz feel at home when she returned.

She set alarms on her phone just to remind herself to eat. The farmhouse echoed with the buzz of power tools and the occasional curse when a drill bit slipped. She continued to work in order to keep the progress of the renovaton going while Cruz was away.

They did what they could to stay in touch. A signal wasn’t always guaranteed, but when it was, Cruz called.

One night, Josie sat cross-legged in the half-finished upstairs bedroom, the walls half-primed and drop cloths still curled at the corners. Her tank top clung to her back with sweat, streaks of white primer smudged across her arms and cheek. Her hair was twisted up into a messy knot, and she balanced her phone on a paint-splattered crate.

Cruz’s face appeared on the screen, grainy but there, and for a second, Josie just stared.

“Hey, baby,” Cruz rasped, voice low and warm. Behind her, a flickering lantern cast her in gold. The sound of a generator buzzed faintly, and Josie could see the outline of her bunk.

“You look exhausted,” Josie said gently, her mouth curling up as she looked at Cruz lovingly, her eyes soft with affection.

Cruz smirked faintly. "I'm ok. We've been out for a while," she said, rubbing her eyes gently.

Josie took that to mean they were probably staking out, something they did often when gathering intel. Cruz’s gaze softened as she looked at Josie's face, her eyes glinting with affection before she teased, "You look like you fell into a paint can." She stared at the paint smudges on her face, smiling in delight at her girlfriend.

Josie chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek and flashing a tired but playful grin. “That’s the goal. Always keep it sexy, even if I smell like primer.” She leaned closer to the screen, as if that might shorten the miles between them. “I miss you.”  She said with her eyes showing her longing for her.

Cruz’s smirk faded and her softer side emerged.  "I miss you too." Her eyes lingered on Josie’s face, her voice quiet with yearning. " Are you getting any sleep?" she asked.

“Yeah, I’m sleeping ok,” Josie said, her voice breezy but a little too quick. She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She glanced away from the screen for a second, then back.

Cruz tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly in that familiar way that told Josie she wasn’t buying it. “You’re lying. I can tell. Your eyebrows do this thing when you hide something", she said, her voice soft but amused.

Josie rolled her eyes but gave a sheepish smile. "Fine. Not really. I don’t sleep well when you’re not next to me." Her eyes flicked toward the brand-new king-sized bed in the background, the one they’d only shared for a single night before Cruz had to ship out. "This bed’s too big without you. I need you in it." She leaned in closer to the screen, trying to bridge the distance as well, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“I hate being away from you,” Cruz said, voice low and hoarse. She stared at Josie for a long moment, her eyes tracing every paint-smeared curve of her face, her longing palpable through the screen. In that quiet moment, Cruz let herself feel it fully....the ache, the love that lived between them.

Josie’s breath caught. “I hate being away from you too,” she whispered. Her voice cracked slightly before she smiled again. “When do you come home?” she asked, her eyes searching Cruz’s face on the screen.

Cruz nodded softly. "I should be home in about a week," she said, her voice tender. "If everything goes to plan, I’ll be walking through that door before next weekend." She leaned in closer to the screen, her eyes never leaving Josie’s. Her voice dropped to a whisper, raw with feeling. "I love you," she said, the words landing softly.

Josie stared back, her heart aching with the same intensity she saw in Cruz’s eyes. Sitting alone in their bedroom, she whispered, "I love you too, baby. I’ll see you soon."

They hung up, the silence afterward, the longing for each other evident. Josie stayed still, phone resting in her lap, eyes unfocused on the half-primed wall ahead. The echo of Cruz’s voice stayed ringing in her ear. In that quiet, Josie realized that more than the mission, more than the renovation, it was this vision of home, with Cruz, in their imperfect farmhouse, that grounded her. The pull of their shared future was stronger than any job or duty, steadying her in the promise of what they were building together.

However, Josie received orders for a short-term deployment just days before Cruz was scheduled to return. The cruel timing stretched their separation even further, turning anticipation into another quiet ache.

Despite both of them counting down the days, they ended up going a few more weeks without seeing each other. Meanwhile, Cruz poured her frustration into projects around the house, painting the trim in the hallway, regrouting the bathroom tile, sanding cabinet doors until her hands ached. She moved through the rooms with purpose, determined to shape the place into a home Josie would feel comforted returning to. Even alone, she talked aloud sometimes, murmuring jokes or narrating her steps like Josie was there beside her. The silence in the house was thick, but Cruz filled it with effort and intention, every screw, every stain, every measured line was her way of loving Josie while.

Finally, Josie returned from a stint helping train new pilots at Campbell. Her shoulders stiff, her fingers cramping from simulator drills and real-world assessments. She’d been on the road, exhausted, counting the days until she could shower and collapse in her own house and see Cruz.

As she drove up to the farmhouse and grabbed her gear, Josie smiled, tired but content, as she took in the half-finished barn and the steadily improving grounds. She climbed the still uneven porch steps, the travel heavy in her limbs. But when she pushed the door open, her duffel sliding from her shoulder, she froze in place.

There. In the kitchen. The shelves had been installed, finished, and gleaming, a quiet testament to Cruz’s handiwork in her absence. The thick slabs of reclaimed wood. Sanded smooth, stained a warm walnut. Mounted on matte black brackets that matched the drawer pulls they had picked out together one night and a pile of hardware store brochures. And they were perfectly aligned and spaced.

Josie blinked as the sight of the completed shelves registered, sturdy, rich walnut wood gleaming in the light. Her eyes widened with awe, then softened with emotion as she stepped fully inside, the fatigue from travel momentarily forgotten in the surprise of coming home to Cruz’s efforts clearly visible in front of her.

Cruz stepped in from the back door, wiping her hands on a rag. She had sawdust in her hair, a fading bruise on her forearm, and paint under her nails. But her smile was quiet and proud.

Josie’s gaze lingered on the new cabinets, unable to look away. The rich, honeyed wood gleamed beneath a fresh coat of stain, the grain catching the afternoon light and showing off the careful sanding, the precise mounting. She could smell the faint trace of sawdust and varnish still hanging in the air. Even after weeks apart from Cruz, the sight of what she’d built had her momentarily rooted in place, caught between admiration and the knowledge of what it meant.  That Cruz had spent hours, maybe days, pouring herself into this for her.

From across the room, Cruz followed Josie’s eyes, a soft pride tugging at her lips before her gaze returned to the woman in front of her. Weeks of missed mornings, quiet dinners, and the warmth of her presence all condensed into this moment. She moved toward Josie slowly, deliberately, taking in the way the light hit her hair, the curve of her jaw, the way her chest rose with a measured breath.

When she stopped just in front of her, Cruz didn’t touch her, not yet. She simply let their eyes meet and hold, letting the silence between them fill with everything they hadn’t said over phone calls and hurried video chats. The missing of each other was right there, alive in the space between them.

“These are beautiful, baby,” Josie said at last, her voice low, her eyes still pulling toward the cabinets before coming back to Cruz.

Cruz’s smile was quiet but full, her dark eyes softening. “I wanted to finish them before you came home,” she said. “I literally just finished an hour ago.” Her voice carried the relief of finally having Josie here again.

Only then did she step forward and pull Josie into her arms. Josie’s breath caught, a shiver sliding through her at the first press of Cruz’s body against hers. “Welcome home, baby,” Cruz murmured, holding her tighter, her lips brushing the edge of Josie’s temple.

Josie trembled, not just at the beauty of the cabinets, but at being in Cruz’s embrace, the steady heartbeat beneath her ear, the scent of her skin mixed with faint traces of paint. Wrapping her arms around Cruz’s neck, she drew her in for a kiss, tender and deep, an unhurried press of mouths that spoke of everything they’d missed.

When she finally broke away, her eyes stayed closed as if to hold the moment in place. “I’m happy to be home,” she whispered. She opened her eyes, letting them drift briefly to the cabinets and then back to Cruz. “To this… and to you.”

Something in Cruz’s expression softened even more, and then she moved without hesitation, sweeping Josie up into her arms. Josie laughed against her mouth as Cruz kissed her again, walking them toward the stairs without breaking contact. Their laughter tangled with kisses, neither caring about the smudges of paint on Cruz’s clothes or the dust clinging to Josie’s hair from her long day.

By the time they reached their bedroom, the air between them was electric. Cruz set Josie down on the new king-size bed, her hands immediately finding the hem of Josie’s shirt. Clothes were shed slowly, fingers tracing familiar curves and rediscovering every line and contour. Each kiss deepened, moving from playful to urgent, as though they needed to map each other all over again after the weeks apart.

The outside world faded until there was only the slow rhythm of touch and breath, the warm slide of skin against skin, the quiet gasps and murmured endearments. Every movement spoke of the safe space they’d built together here, their home, their sanctuary. They made love slowly, savoring every moment, pouring all the tenderness, need, and devotion they’d been holding into their reunion.

The coming and going had become familiar, but it never got easier. The back-and-forth of missions between them continued without pause, as if time itself refused to stretch long enough for them to breathe. Cruz had barely been home a week before the QRF called her back in.  This time to Camp Peary for a brutal round of field simulations. Grueling days, tactical drills, sleepless nights under biting wind and endless stars. Her body was wrecked and her mind worn thin.

By the time she made it back it to the front door of their house, the sun had already dipped low. She expected disaster. Maybe pizza boxes stacked by the sink, a half-loaded dishwasher, or Josie knee-deep in another unfinished project, an open paint can on one side of the room, power tools sounding on the other.

Instead, the scent hit her before she even saw it.

The scent of lemon oil mingled with varnish, rising from the warm, newly finished wood floor.

Cruz stopped in her tracks, her steps halting. Her brows furrowed with curiosity. It wasn’t unpleasant, not at all. In fact, it was earthy and fresh, with a hint of something warm and sweet lingering beneath it, like cedarwood and citrus. The aroma wrapped around her gently, soothing in a way that caught her off guard. She tilted her head slightly, completely intrigued.

She stepped inside and let the door close quietly behind her. Her boots sank softly into a silence so still, it made the breath catch in her throat. She turned toward the living room....and froze.

The floors.

The beautiful floors.

Josie was on her knees in the fading light, a soft rag in one hand, gently smoothing the last coat of varnish over the floorboards. The honey-toned hardwood shimmered like glass.

Cruz blinked hard, wondering if she was hallucinating from exhaustion.

Josie’s hair was pulled back with a red bandana. Her tank top was streaked with sweat and speckled with finish. Her arms flexed with every pass of the rag, steady and sure. Her expression was focused, locked in that meticulous, slightly stubborn concentration that Cruz had fallen in love with.

For a long moment, Cruz couldn’t speak.

Josie hadn't heard Cruz come in, she was too absorbed in the polishing, watching the warm, amber glow of the hardwood emerge stroke by stroke beneath her hands. The house was quiet, save for the soft swish of the cloth and her own steady breathing. Then, cutting through the stillness, Cruz's voice cracked gently, rough with surprise and affection. "Hi, baby."

Startled, Josie looked up, blinking out of her focused trance. A slow smile crept across her face, blooming into something bright as she turned to see Cruz standing in the doorway, eyes wide.

Cruz stepped further in, her boots creaking softly against the gleaming floor. She took in the sight....staircase, baseboards, every inch of the downstairs glistening like it had been reborn. Her mouth parted in stunned awe.

"You did all this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Josie looked at her sweetly, her eyes soft and filled with pride. She took a breath and nodded. "It wasn't too bad," she said with a gentle smile. "I wanted to surprise you. It took me four days to sand everything. I stained on the fifth day, and today I'm putting on the third coat of finish." Her voice softened, her gaze lingering on Cruz, warmth blooming in her chest at the sight of her.

Cruz stepped forward like the floor might collapse, awestruck at what Josie had accomplished. Her knees bent slowly as she crouched beside Josie, fingertips brushing the grain.

It was smooth, warm and alive.

Cruz’s breath caught in her chest. She sat down on the floor beside Josie, gently cupping her face. They hadn’t kissed yet, but in that quiet moment, all Cruz could do was look at her, this woman she loved. "It’s absolutely beautiful, Jos," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe you did all this."

“I needed a project,” Josie replied with a shrug, but her tone was soft, almost shy. “I couldn’t sleep while you were gone. So I kept working.”

Cruz looked around slowly, taking it all in. “You didn’t sleep. So you tore up the glue, sanded the boards, stained and sealed an entire floor space?”

Josie leaned back on her heels, groaning softly as her spine stretched. “I also touched up the trim in the hallway. And I think I finally figured out where the leak in the laundry room’s coming from.”

Cruz let out a laugh, her voice a mix of disbelief and deep affection. "You really are something else," she said, biting her lip as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, her eyes never leaving Josie’s eyes searched Cruz’s as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

“You love it,” Josie said softly, the confidence in her voice laced with warmth.

“I do,” Cruz said, her voice soft and filled with pride as she slowly looked around the room, taking in every detail Josie had poured herself into. Her fingertips traced the edge of the polished surface. She murmured, almost to herself, “I love all of it." Then she stepped in closer to Josie, eyes warm and unwavering. "And I love you,” she said, her voice steady and tender.

Josie’s breath hitched slightly, her eyes flickering.

Cruz leaned forward and kissed her, slowly, deliberately, letting the tenderness in her touch speak volumes. She cradled Josie’s face gently, her thumb brushing against her cheek as if to memorize her skin all over again.

Josie kissed her back with equal fervor, her hands sliding up to cup Cruz’s face as if grounding herself in the moment, pouring weeks of longing and love into every breathless second between them.

When they finally pulled apart, Cruz let her forehead rest against Josie’s, the scent of lemon oil still thick in the air.

“I thought I was gonna come home to pizza boxes and a mess,” she whispered.

Josie smirked, nudging her with her shoulder. “Check the trash. The boxes are there. I just cleaned up afterward.”

Cruz laughed again, the sound low and warm, and wrapped her arms around Josie, holding her close against the new floor, the one Josie had made beautiful.

And in the hush of that moment, on their knees on the floor, surrounded by imperfect walls and sawdust footprints, they held each other tightly. Back together again, in the home they were slowly shaping into their future, with every hammered nail and stroke of paint, one inch at a time.

Chapter Text

Cruz stood in the middle of their nearly finished kitchen, arms folded tightly over her chest, her steady gaze sweeping across the room checking everything in her sight as she smiled. Her boots were planted firmly on the newly refinished hardwood floors, thanks to Josie, posture as composed as ever, but there was a rare softness in her expression, an unspoken pride just beneath the surface.

They had accomplished more than just renovations. Months of back-breaking labor.  Ripping out old drywall, rewiring finicky circuits, sanding warped beams, and spackling seams until their hands throbbed, had finally led them here. The kitchen no longer resembled a cluttered construction zone. Now, it radiated warmth and a deeper feeling: their love, which had fueled every nail driven and every wall rebuilt. The once-barren space now pulsed with life, every corner infused with a piece of them and the life they were building together.

The range gleamed under the new overhead lighting, every surface buffed to a reflective shine. The refrigerator sounded softly, the countertops were no longer buried under power tools and paint-splattered rags. A stack of real dishes waited to be shelved, and there was actual silverware, not the camping utensils they'd eaten from for weeks. Even the mismatched drawer pulls they'd fought over now adorned the cabinets.

As Cruz continued her inspection of the kitchen, she pulled open one of the cabinet drawers they had designated for coffee mugs. The sight that met her eyes made her pause, eyebrows arching slightly in surprise as she took in the eclectic collection inside.

"Ummm....babe....where did all these mugs come from?" she murmured, her brows drawing together.

Josie, crouched by the drawers and focused on sliding the new silverware tray into place, looked up at the sound of Cruz’s voice. Her dark eyes sparkled, and a slow grin tugged at the corners of her mouth, amused and slightly guilty. She knew exactly what Cruz had found.

She stood, brushing her hands on her thighs with a casual confidence. "I may have inherited a few from my old place," she said, eyes dancing with mischief. Crossing her arms, she leaned her hip against the counter and added with a smirk, "They've been packed away forever. You should feel honored seeing them now." Her gaze lingered on Cruz as she teased her.

Cruz let out a soft scoff, amused, and reached in to retrieve one of the mugs, turning it slowly in her hand. The ceramic felt old and worn, the West Point logo faded and a noticeable chip marring the handle. She shifted a few others to get a better look, revealing another that boldly proclaimed: Caffeine is my love language. Then another: I fly better before coffee, complete with a wide-eyed cartoon chopper soaring over a sunrise. Cruz blinked at it, the corner of her mouth twitching upward despite herself.

Cruz held that one up slowly, turning it so Josie could see the cartoon chopper front and center. Her lips tugged into a faint, knowing smile that betrayed her amusement, even as she kept her voice level. "Really, Jos? This one made the cut?"

Josie sauntered closer, her dark eyes gleaming. “That one’s a classic. Of course it made the cut.”

Cruz side-eyed her with a familiar, tight-lipped smile and carefully placed the mug back in its spot before closing the cabinet. A low chuckle escaped her as she reached out and pulled Josie into her arms, savoring the familiar heat of Josie's body pressed close to her own. Josie responded in kind, wrapping her arms loosely around Cruz's neck, and they met in a soft, smiling kiss.

Cruz pulled back just enough to murmur, "Well, I guess you've taken over the mug cabinet." She kissed her again, then added with mock resignation, "Guess I’ll have to find a corner for one of my mugs."

Josie gave her a playful swat on the arm. "Your mugs are in there, babe. I swear. And just so you don’t think I took over, I’ll show you."

She started to pull away to walk toward the cabinet, but Cruz caught her by the waist and effortlessly lifted her up, placing her on the countertop. Josie let out a surprised squeal, laughing as she found her balance.

Josie slowly spread her legs to let Cruz step in close, looping her arms around Cruz’s neck again. Cruz’s hands slid naturally to her waist, steadying her there as she leaned in and began trailing slow, warm kisses along Josie’s neck.

Josie’s head tipped back, giving her more access as her eyes fluttered shut, a soft shiver felt down her spine. Cruz paused, just enough to whisper against her skin, "I believe you."

Josie opened her eyes, gaze heavy now, and pulled Cruz closer, feeling the unmistakable heat of Cruz pressing between her thighs. Her voice came out a little breathless as she tried to steady herself. "As long as you believe me," she murmured.

Their mouths met again, this time deeper, more deliberate. Cruz’s hands roamed, up Josie’s back, into her hair, while Josie clung to her.

Control had already slipped away.

Josie let her forehead rest against Cruz’s and whispered between kisses, "So... the kitchen’s basically done."

She kissed the tip of Cruz’s nose, her breath catching as Cruz’s deepening breaths mirrored her own rising need. Then, more boldly now, Josie whispered, "We haven’t christened it yet."

That was all it took.

Cruz’s mouth crashed into hers, urgent and wanting, her hands moving to cup Josie’s breast as she gently reclined her back onto the counter. Cruz leaned over her, their bodies aligning, heat surging between them.

With a smile full of slow-burning desire and lust, Cruz looked down at her and said, "My thoughts exactly."

As Josie wrapped her legs tightly around Cruz's waist, Cruz pressed into her with a deep, steady push, her breath catching as she buried her face in Josie’s neck. Josie arched up to meet her, a soft cry escaping her lips, breathless and open beneath her, her hands gripping Cruz’s shoulders as they moved together with slow, aching intensity.

It was time to break in the kitchen.

A couple days later, they completed the upstairs, placing the finishing touches that marked the end of a long chapter. The new tile gleamed in both bathrooms, grout lines crisp and clean, every fixture finally functioning without leaks, groans, or last-minute tweaks. The rainfall showerhead in the main bath had quickly become Josie’s sanctuary. After long days of lifting, building, and patching, she stood beneath it with her eyes closed, letting the hot water rinse away the ache in her muscles. Cruz, far more practical in her routines, had become quietly attached to the double vanity. Not for its convenience, but for the symbolism.

Hers and hers. Side by side, every morning and every night.

That same morning, the final pieces for their bedroom had arrived. They already had the new king-sized bed, but now the rest of the set completed it: a matching dresser, sleek nightstands, and a deep-stained hutch. Cruz, ever practical and precise, insisted on arranging each item herself, not for any sentimental reason, but because she wanted everything to be functional and efficient. She measured twice, shifted once, and stepped back with her arms crossed to assess the alignment before adjusting again. It wasn't about aesthetics alone, it was about flow, about how the space would serve them day to day. By the time she finished, the room was exactly what she wanted: clean, usable, and theirs. Their own private haven, removed from the chaos of the world and from the dust and grit of the rest of the house.

Josie stood beside the bed, her palm gliding across the carved headboard, fingers tracing the wood grain. The memory of their early nights on an air mattress flashed across her mind: cold plastic, squeaky seams, the uneven sleep that had left her back aching and Cruz cranky. She let out a long breath, the weight of the journey catching in her chest.

Cruz came over and wrapped an arm around Josie's shoulders, pulling her close. Josie slid an arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her cheek. They stood there, gazing out at their nearly finished room, grinning like fools.

"Looking good," Josie murmured. "The kitchen, the bedrooms, the floors, bathrooms. Our house is nearly done."

Cruz turned, and Josie caught a glimpse of a smile so wide it stopped her in her tracks. It lit up Cruz’s whole face, the kind of smile that came from somewhere deeper than just pride in a finished room.

Josie turned to face her fully, matching her smile with one of wonder. She reached up to cup Cruz’s face in both hands, her thumbs brushing gently across her cheekbones.

"Oh my God, baby," Josie said softly. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this big."

Cruz just looked back at her, eyes shining, happiness radiating from her in a way that took Josie's breath away. "I’m just happy, Jos," she said, her voice softer now, the words weighted with sincerity. Her smile remained bright, but it trembled at the edges with raw emotion. "You make me so happy. You need to know that."

Josie felt her chest warm and her throat tighten. Cruz showed her love in all the ways that counted.  Quiet gestures, steady presence, but hearing it out loud like this always hit different.

She leaned in and kissed her, slow and full. "You make me happy too, baby. More than you’ll ever know."

The moment swelled with emotion, shimmering in the quiet between them, until Cruz’s grin broke into a mischievous spark. With a sudden playful growl, she swept Josie off her feet and tossed her onto the bed. Josie let out a squeal, laughing as she landed in a soft bounce, her hair spilling around her face. Cruz followed, diving onto the mattress beside her with a laugh of her own. Josie reached for her, still giggling, and pulled Cruz down until they were tangled together, limbs laced, breathless from laughter.

For a while, it was just them, two women in love, laughing without a care in the world.

One of the final, more poignant milestones was that Cruz had finally replaced the front porch steps, the same ones that had nearly sent them both tumbling the day they moved in. Now, the boards were solid beneath their feet, the railing sturdy and perfectly leveled, the paint still fresh and crisp. The porch no longer groaned with age; it stood strong. Cruz had fixed it herself, every nail and board a testament to how far they had come. They weren’t just surviving anymore, they were building something lasting. And the porch, like the rest of the house, was now completely symbol of it.

As she stood back, admiring her handiwork, Cruz felt an odd lump form in her throat. The porch especially, these rotten, sagging stairs, had been one of the reasons she hesitated all those months ago. The first time she saw the house, she’d nearly turned around, convinced it was a lost cause. Now, the porch was the centerpiece to the entrance of the home they had poured themselves into. She stepped off the stairs and took a few steps further into the yard, just far enough to take in the full scope of what they’d done.

To the left, the barn. Once on the verge of collapse, had been saved with a new roof and fresh red paint, thanks to a short-term contractor they’d hired for the heavy lifting. It now stood proud again, sturdy and clean, with four stalls and fresh hay stacked inside. If they ever decided to get horses, they’d be ready.

Her eyes drifted further, toward the garage, also fully done. The white trim gleamed, and their two vehicles were finally housed inside: Cruz’s black SUV and Josie’s dark blue truck.

Beyond it, where the old greenhouse once stood in ruins, they had built a new enclosed flower and herb bed. Neat rows of tulips, marigolds, and daisies (depending on the season) now bloomed, offering fresh color for their kitchen table. Josie’s herbs, basil, cilantro, chives, flourished along the edges, filling the air with earthy sweetness and seasoning nearly every meal they shared.

They were literally only a few projects away from being completely done. So close to finishing their dream house and property. And for the most part, they had done it all themselves. Cruz smiled at the thought.

Just then, the screen door creaked open. Josie stepped out, holding what looked like two glasses of lemonade. She spotted Cruz and began walking down the porch steps, winking as she made her way toward her, clearly admiring the newly rebuilt stairs.

Cruz felt a warmth rise in her chest as she waited. Josie handed her one of the glasses and wrapped one arm around her, leaning in for a kiss before turning to take in the view Cruz had just been studying.

She took a sip and smirked. “Great work on the porch, babe. Not one squeak.”

Cruz laughed lightly, took a sip of her own, then leaned in and kissed her cheek, wrapping one arm around Josie’s waist. She nodded. “Yeah, I think we’re squeak-free now.”

They both took a deep breath. Josie, still looking out over the property, turned slightly and said softly, “We did it, baby,” as she looked at her girlfriend with loving eyes.

Cruz turned to her with the same affection and pride. “Yeah, we did. You and me....we're almost there.”

She took one more sip before gently taking Josie’s glass and setting both drinks on the ground. Josie gave her a curious look with a smile still on her face as Cruz pulled her into a deep embrace. Josie returned it just as strongly.

They slowly pulled apart and looked at each other, then turned together to face the house. Arms still around each other, they pressed together cheek to cheek and stood in silence, gazing at all they had accomplished, never feeling more at peace than they did in that one perfect moment together.

Chapter Text

The first thing Josie felt was the softness of the sheets against her bare skin and the warm weight of the quilt tucked over her. She felt the light, slipping in through the pale curtains they’d finally hung last week, the fabric stirring faintly with the breeze from a barely open window.

She stretched long, toes pointing until her calves flexed, her spine arching, feeling each muscle before she let out a content sigh. A slow smile crept over her face when she turned her head and found Cruz already awake, propped on one elbow, watching her.  Cruz's eyes were soft, her expression unguarded in the way Josie had come to crave.

Propping herself up on one elbow to mirror Cruz, Josie met her gaze and whispered, “Good Morning,” her voice still edged with sleep and carrying that husky warmth Cruz loved.

Cruz leaned in, her lips brushing Josie’s in a kiss that was unhurried, lingering, a subtle press that said more than either of them could first thing in the morning. She felt at peace, stroking Josie’s lips ever so softly in their home… their very own home. “Morning,” she murmured back.

Josie kissed her back just as gently as she caressed her cheek. When she pulled away, her gaze turned teasing, a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes. She thought of the night before, and the memory sent a shiver through her. Her smile shifted into something wicked.

“You were incredible last night, baby.”

The night before had been a mix....slow, sensuous moments giving way to urgent, desperate need. Recently, Cruz had been the one initiating sex more often, a shift Josie adored. Usually, she took the lead, but there was something intoxicating about how fiery Cruz had become in bed lately. She loved it.

Cruz’s cheeks instantly flushed under the compliment. She dropped back onto her pillow, smiling bashfully, trying to hide the color in her face. Josie loved teasing her after sex, it always made Cruz blush, even if she secretly enjoyed it.

“Jos,” Cruz groaned, her voice caught between mock annoyance and affection, rubbing her eyes as if to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. A warm laugh slipped. “Stop.”

Josie giggled, unable to resist, and tickled her gently at her sides. Cruz squirmed, smiling despite herself.

“I love that I can still make you blush,” Josie said, biting her lip as a slightly lustful look took over her features. “Good thing you’re not shy at all when we’re actually having sex.”

She tilted her head, remembering vividly, heat pooling low in her belly at just the thought. “That thing you did with your tongue—”

The memory alone had Josie’s breath hitch, her lips parting, but before she could finish, Cruz silenced her with a deep, lingering kiss. She shifted, rolling onto her side and hovering over her, the weight of her gaze both grounding and electric. “Well,” she murmured against Josie’s lips, her tone low and teasing, “how about a refresher?” She punctuated it with a slow, deliberate wink.

Josie laughed softly, stroking through Cruz’s hair.

Cruz bent lower, brushing her mouth along Josie’s neck, and the heat between them returned like a spark catching flame.

Josie felt herself melt, murmuring with a smile, “Here’s to another round,” she said as she wrapped her legs around her girlfriend and let the passion take over.

In the afterglow of their lovemaking, they walked into the kitchen, hair mussed, Cruz in a worn black T-shirt that hung loose on her frame and Josie in one of her tank tops, the hem brushing the tops of her thighs. The hardwood was cool underfoot, and the air smelled faintly of the fresh coffee Cruz had started before Josie woke, rich and inviting. 

Josie reached for her favorite mug, the white one with the deep blue glaze and tiny chips along the rim, worn smooth from years of use, and caught Cruz eyeing it with a smirk as she cracked eggs into a pan, the sizzle filling the quiet.

“You know,” Cruz said, glancing over her shoulder, “you don’t have to hoard the good mugs.”

Josie’s lips curved as she poured coffee. “It’s not hoarding if it’s a system. You stole my chopper mug, didn’t you?” she teased. At first, Cruz had only joked about the mug, but now it seemed to be the only one she reached for.

Cruz’s mouth tilted, fighting back a full smile. “Yeah, well, maybe I’ve gotten attached to it.” She glanced at Josie with a sly, sidelong smile.

“See? Systems work.” Josie dropped bread into the toaster, brushing past Cruz on her way to the fridge. Her hand grazed the small of Cruz’s back, a touch so casual yet it still carried warmth.

They moved easily around each other, an unspoken rhythm guiding them, one flipping eggs, the other reaching for butter, like they’d been doing this for years. Josie offered, “I’ll make salsa later with the herbs from the garden for the BBQ.”

Cruz nodded, sliding eggs onto two plates. “I’ll mow the pasture after breakfast. Maybe trim that back fence line too.”

As they sat down to enjoy their breakfast, Cruz began buttering her toast, her motions slowing without her realizing. She looked up at Josie, and her eyes softened instantly, her gaze lingering like she wanted to commit every detail to memory, the way Josie’s hair caught the morning light, the easy curve of her smile, the quiet comfort of having her there in their kitchen. Love poured from her expression, unfiltered and sincere, a rush of gratitude rising in her chest so strong it made her throat tighten. “Thank you, babe,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, the words carrying far more weight than just the morning’s meal.

Josie paused mid-sip of her coffee, studying her, seeing the depth in her eyes. “For what, Cruz?” she asked warmly, reaching across to take her hand.

Cruz sighed, lifting Josie’s hand to her lips for a kiss. “For making me see this house was really for us. You never had a doubt.” She swallowed the slight lump in her throat, and Josie just smiled tenderly.

Josie felt a warm rush in her chest, the kind that made her shoulders drop and her whole body relax. She leaned in and kissed Cruz slowly, tasting the faint bitterness of coffee on her lips and the security she felt every time they were together. It was exactly the mornings she wished they could have every single day.

The rest of the morning slipped into an easy pace of completing finishing touches, just the satisfaction of seeing everything finally come together. Cruz crouched in front of a cabinet, the faint scrape of the screwdriver turning as she tightened a hinge that had always sat just slightly off. Josie balanced on the step stool in the hallway, tongue caught between her teeth in concentration as she leveled the last curtain rod. The faint scent of fresh paint still clung to the trim where they’d touched up a stubborn corner earlier that week.

When Josie went to unpack the last of a small box, she paused, her fingers curling gently around a picture frame from her recovery days. In the photo, both of them were grinning wide, Josie’s leg was still in a cast. The sight pulled her back instantly, memories of how Cruz had been there with her constantly, steady and unshakable, while she navigated one of the hardest stretches of her life. That picture had been taken barely a month after the injury, when they were still just getting to know each other, but even then Josie had felt it.  That quiet, certain pull toward Cruz, knowing she was already falling in love and that she’d found something rare. She stood there for a long moment, staring at the frozen slice of time, feeling the full weight of everything that had brought them here.

She hung it carefully on the wall, fingertips lingering against the cool glass as if she could touch into the moment, frozen in time.

Cruz entered the room quietly, her footsteps soft against the floorboards. She came up behind Josie, close enough for her warmth to be felt, and let her hand rest lightly on her back. Her eyes followed Josie’s to the photo, and a small smile touched her lips. “I remember that picture. I think it’s the first one we took together,” she said, her voice low and full of meaning. Her expression softened into thought. “You’d had a rough PT session that day, and you were in a lot of pain. The painkillers were wearing off… you looked exhausted.”

Cruz kept staring at the photo, then turned to Josie with a sudden, wide smile as more of the memory surfaced. Josie’s eyes brightened, and she was the one who spoke first. “Oh, right. I remember now. You went out and bought me that little stuffed animal. You told me it was corny, but you made me smile.”

Josie’s own smile softened as she stepped in closer. “You did that, you pulled me out of my funk that day.”

Cruz shifted, turning Josie so they could both keep looking at the photo, her arms wrapping around her from behind. She kissed her neck softly, resting her chin on her shoulder.

Josie leaned back into her, murmuring, “You always know when to pull me back when I need it.”

Josie nuzzled against Cruz’s shoulder, and Cruz kissed her cheek in return. “So do you, baby. You always know how to stop me from overthinking.”

They laughed lightly, holding each other as they gazed at the version of themselves in the photo, feeling equally grounded in that moment from the past and in the life they were building now.

The work was finally done, at least, as “done” as any homeowner dared to claim. They knew there would always be something else, some future project waiting to be tackled. But for now, the farmhouse and the land surrounding it looked exactly as Josie had imagined, and Cruz had come to love it just as fiercely. The transformation wasn’t just physical; it was woven into the hours they’d spent shoulder to shoulder, solving problems, compromising when stubbornness clashed, laughing when exhaustion made them silly, and quietly celebrating each finished piece. Somewhere in those months of planning, scraping together weekends between deployments, and working through the unpredictable interruptions of their jobs, they’d built more than a home. they’d built something permanent together.

As they moved through the morning, still riding the contentment of having finished the renovations, they started pulling out serving dishes, checking the grill, and making lists of last‑minute touches. They had planned a backyard barbecue to celebrate and show off everything they’d accomplished. Josie had been the one to suggest it.  They didn’t want anything formal or fancy, just a relaxed afternoon with the QRF team, a couple of Josie’s SOAR friends, and a rare day where no one was working so they could simply enjoy the results of all their hard work. 

The smell of grilling meat drifted through the warm, late-afternoon air, mingling with the faint sweetness of fresh-cut grass. A table off to the side was set with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, from cheese and crackers to bite-sized skewers, inviting guests to graze. A cooler packed with beer, sodas and water sat in the shade of the big oak tree. From a small portable speaker, music floated lazily between the barn and the back porch.

Cruz had taken over the grill, turning burgers and adjusting the heat, while Josie moved between tables, arranging plates and making sure everything outside was ready.

Their guests began to arrive, a long line of black SUVs pulling through the gate. Cruz glanced toward the driveway, silently grateful they lived on a gated property surrounded by trees. Since all their friends and co‑workers worked for covert units, that kind of privacy was essential, it kept things discreet and kept any curious neighbor from wondering why so many of their friends all happened to drive the same black SUVs.

Two Cups, Bobby, Tucker, and Tex all walked up together, greeting Cruz and Josie with handshakes, hugs, and wide-eyed looks. “Holy hell,” Tex said, planting his hands on his hips as he surveyed the yard. “When you bought this place, I didn’t think you’d survive each other… or the house.”

Cruz snorted, flipping a burger without looking up. “We came close a couple of times. But you should’ve seen it before, we’re talking full jungle out here.”

Two Cups whistled low. “Yeah, I remember the pictures. I thought you were messing with us, but nope… this is a fucking miracle.”

“Hey, miracle with a lot of sweat,” Josie called over from where she was arranging platters. “And probably too many hardware store runs to count.”

Tucker grinned, reaching for one of the hors d’oeuvres. “Place looks amazing, Thunder. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Josie shot him a mock glare, one hand on her hip. “Didn’t know I had it in me? I was the project manager on this whole thing."

Bobby chuckled, nudging Cruz. “She’s not wrong. You look like you just followed orders.”

“I just do as I'm told,” Cruz replied with a smirk, flipping another burger.

Josie came over and playfully swatted her, slipping an arm around her in a rare show of affection in front of the team. She didn’t care, she was home with Cruz, and nothing mattered more. Cruz didn’t care either, leaning in to give her a quick peck on the cheek, which immediately drew a chorus of whistles and teasing from the whole team.

As the get-together hit its stride, laughter and conversation mingling with the smell of the grill, guests began wandering the property, curious about every detail of what Josie and Cruz had done. One of Josie's friends from SOAR near the food table asked about the barn, and Josie didn’t hesitate, she wiped her hands on a dish towel, called out for anyone interested to join her, and headed that way with a few trailing behind. By the time she was halfway through explaining how they’d salvaged the original doors, pointing out the sanded wood with a proud sweep of her hand, the “tour” had swelled to nearly everyone in attendance, people asking questions and marveling at the before-and-after transformation.

She explained. “The frame was solid,” Josie said, trailing her fingers along the sanded wood. “We just had to reinforce the roof and… well, pretty much everything else.”

Next came the garage, where Cruz found herself fielding a flurry of questions about her tools, the layout of her small workshop, and even the stories behind some of the well-worn equipment hanging on the walls. She pointed out the workbench she’d salvaged and refinished herself, earning a few impressed nods. Then it was back to the house, Josie taking over to proudly show off the new kitchen island with its smooth, polished surface, the gleaming refinished floors that reflected the afternoon light, and the sturdy porch swing Cruz had built for her birthday, which now swayed gently in the breeze.

Her voice carried an unmistakable warmth, and Cruz, hanging back at the edge of the group, watched with quiet admiration. She could see how much this meant to Josie, the way her eyes lit up and her gestures came alive with each story. This wasn’t just a house to her; it was the first real home she’d built with someone she truly loved, and Cruz felt lucky to be part of it.

When the tour ended and everyone drifted back toward the food, Josie caught Cruz’s eye from across the grass. Cruz could read everything in that look without a single word spoken, pride in what they’d built, pride in the home they’d made together. And yet, Cruz knew the house wasn’t the thing she valued most. She was even prouder of Josie.  As it was all Josie's vision, her drive, that had started this life for them.

They’d spent a great day with their friends, showing off the property, enjoying the barbecue, and soaking in the laughter and company of those they cared for most. After everyone left, they cleaned up together, sharing jokes and reminiscing about moments from the afternoon. When they were done, they headed upstairs hand in hand, Cruz walking just behind Josie with her arms on her hips, Josie resting her hands over Cruz’s, both smiling as they made their way toward their bedroom.

The vibe in house felt different that night.....not just finished with all the work they'd put into it, but alive. Every creak of the floorboards, every soft glow of the lamps seemed warmer, richer, as if the walls themselves remembered the joy of the day. Each step down the hall felt like moving deeper into something they’d built together, with more than just their hands.

The bedroom glowed in the soft amber light of the candles Josie had lit on the dresser and nightstands. The curtains were drawn, keeping the world out, leaving only them and the slow sound of the ceiling fan. The air smelled faintly of lavender from the sachet Josie had tucked into the dresser earlier that week, mixing with the faint sweetness of the vanilla candle Cruz had bought for her.

Josie stood at the foot of the bed, her hair loose and curling over her shoulders in soft waves. Cruz lingered in the doorway for a moment, letting her gaze take in every detail of her before finally crossing the room.

Josie began brushing her hair, glancing over her shoulder without quite meeting Cruz’s eyes. A small, knowing laugh escaped her. “You’re staring at me,” she said, her tone light and warm.

“Yeah, I am,” Cruz admitted with a small smile, stepping close enough that their knees brushed. “I’ve been doing that a lot lately.”

Josie turned after setting the brush down on her vanity, cupping Cruz’s face with both hands. Her voice was soft, but emotion was starting to creep in. “I love seeing you so happy.” She gently caressed Cruz’s cheeks, and Cruz smiled, feeling the full warmth of her words, knowing they were true.

She had never felt happier. Taking one of Josie’s hands from her cheek, Cruz kissed it. “It’s true. I’ve never been happier.” She paused, feeling that familiar vulnerability rise, but instead of pushing it away as she’d always done, she embraced it, knowing the woman in front of her would never take advantage of it. “It’s because of you I’m happy. It’s always because of you, Jos.” Cruz melted under Josie’s gaze, and Josie, in turn, felt her own emotions swell at Cruz’s words.

Josie reached for Cruz’s hand, threading their fingers together and giving a gentle tug toward the bed. They moved with an easy, unhurried closeness, Cruz brushing her thumb over Josie’s knuckles. When they climbed into bed, they moved slowly  to savor each movement, each shared smile, and every small point of contact that pulled them even closer to each other.

Under the covers, their bodies found each other without urgency. Cruz’s palm cupped Josie’s cheek, her thumb brushing along the curve of her jaw as she leaned in to kiss her, unhurried, lingering, the kind of kiss that deepened slowly rather than all at once. Josie sighed into it, her hand resting over Cruz’s heart, feeling the steady beat under her fingers.

They began to move together......still very slowly and delicately. Cruz’s fingertips traced slow lines along Josie’s spine, pausing at the small of her back, memorizing the rise and fall of her breathing. Josie’s mouth found the curve of Cruz’s neck, pressing kisses that were more about comfort than seduction, though each one still pulled a shiver from Cruz.

They whispered between kisses, small confessions about the day. Josie laughed softly when Cruz admitted she’d nearly dropped a curtain rod on her head earlier, and Cruz grinned against Josie’s skin when Josie said she’d almost cried hanging that old photo of them.

When they finally made love, it was gentle and deliberate, every movement drawn out as if they had all the time in the world. Cruz brushed Josie’s hair back from her face so she could watch her eyes as they moved together, wanting to see every flicker of emotion. Josie’s hands stayed firm at Cruz’s waist, pulling her close like she was afraid to let go, not from fear, but from the deep pull of the moment, the unspoken promise that they were completely there for each other. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only their breathing, their shared warmth, and the steady rhythm that felt as natural as their own heartbeats.

There was no rush to reach the end. Just slow breaths, quiet sighs, the occasional shared smile in the dark.

The way they made love that night was unlike any other time before that moment. They had never felt so deeply connected. It felt like truly coming home to each other, in the room they had created together, in the house they had built into a home. They gave themselves fully, holding nothing back.

Nothing separated them that night.

The next morning came soft and slow. The sun filtered faintly through the curtains. Cruz stirred first, taking a moment to watch Josie sleep before carefully slipping from the bed, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple. She pulled on a sweatshirt. The quiet in the house felt different, as it still carried the love and warmth of the night before.

She stepped out onto the front porch alone, coffee cradled in her hands, the mug warm against her palms. Lowering herself onto the porch swing, she let it sway gently beneath her as she took in the view. The air was cool. Dew still clung to the railing, and somewhere nearby, a single bird called out before the breeze shifted, rustling through the trees. She let the sound and motion settle into her chest, the sound of peace seeming to wrap around the property.

No one had ever told her happiness could feel this quiet and peaceful. Sitting there, her thoughts drifted back to the idea of marriage. Not in the overwhelming way it sometimes hit her before, but in a slow, steady way that fit perfectly with her contentment now, as if the thought had been waiting patiently for the right time to return. She let herself truly picture a future with Josie, knowing deep down they’d both be ready for it soon.

She heard faint sounds from the kitchen as she pulled out of her thoughts.  A soft movement and the clink of dishes..... Josie was up. A moment later, Josie’s voice called her name, muffled through the walls but warm and familiar.

Cruz rose from the porch swing and turned toward the door, a small smile playing at her lips, the coffee warming her from the inside out.

As she stepped into the farmhouse, one last thought lingered.....that happiness, for her, sounded exactly like Josie’s voice.

Chapter Text

The weeks after the barbecue slipped away faster than either of them expected and by the time December arrived, winter was in full swing at the farmhouse. Since then, Cruz and Josie had been pulled in opposite directions, each swept up in deployments that kept them away from their newly renovated home.

In the past two months, they’d only managed a few precious days together, and the distance had carved a dull ache that both carried with them, an ache not just for the comfort of home, but for each other’s steady presence.

Josie was running night rotations in Turkey with the 160th, while Cruz was on a dangerous extraction mission with the QRF in near China. They both knew their missions were completing soon, and they’d been promised ample time off, which felt like new life with Christmas on the horizon. As always, they stay connected through a flurry of texts, late-night calls, and blurry FaceTimes.

One call they had lingered long into the night after Josie finished a grueling night training session in Turkey and Cruz returned from a cold, tense stakeout near the border in China. Each retreated to her room, craving a sliver of connection with each other. Cruz lay back on her bed, exhaustion heavy in her voice, while Josie curled up with a blanket near her airbase window. The sound of generators outside her room, filled Josie’s background, while in Cruz’s room the faint noise of a bustling compound echoed through the walls. Though their time zones were wildly different, China several hours ahead of Turkey, their shifting schedules made the hours blur together. They didn’t mention the difference directly, only how strange the days felt, stretched and collapsed by distance.

They had been speaking for a while already, their voices weaving in and out of various topics. Josie finally sighed, her voice raw with longing. “I just want to come home… to you.” They had tried FaceTiming, but the connection was awful, leaving Josie frustrated that she couldn’t really see Cruz’s face. She wanted to see her so badly, more than the blurry image her phone allowed. “I just want to see you,” she whispered, the twinge obvious in her voice.

Cruz felt the pang of Josie’s words settle deep in her chest. All she wanted was to hold her, and it tore at her that she couldn’t. She drew in a slow breath and steadied her voice. “I know, baby,” she murmured softly. “I miss you so much.”

This stretch apart had been one of the longest they’d ever endured since they had known each other, and it was miserable.  It made it worse by the fact that now they had a beautiful home waiting for them, a place that was theirs.

“Just a few more days and I leave,” she added with a weary sigh, her voice dropping into something almost pleading. She prayed their schedules would line up, uncertain how she’d handle it if something changed again, the way it so often did. “Are you still set to go in a couple days?” she asked, her tone laced with hope and a touch of nervousness, as if the answer might decide everything.

Josie nodded even though Cruz couldn’t see it. She drew in a breath before answering softly, “Yeah… I’m supposed to leave two days from now, early in the morning. I should be home within twenty‑four hours after that.” Her voice dropped lower, warm and tired.

Cruz smiled to herself, her mind already racing. As much as she longed to rush home with Josie and sink into the warmth of their farmhouse, she had been carefully arranging something behind the scenes, something not yet finished. It would take some quick convincing to steer Josie away from her single‑minded desire to head straight home, and Cruz knew her partner’s stubborn streak could make that tricky. But the thought of Josie’s face when the surprise was revealed gave Cruz strength. She was determined to keep it quiet until the moment was right, because she wanted it to be unforgettable.

Cruz smiled faintly, her tone careful as if she were testing the waters. She let a small pause stretch, then said gently, "What if we take a little detour first? Before we go home. Just a couple of days, before we head back."

Josie frowned, propping her chin on her hand. “A detour?” she echoed, one brow lifting. Her eyes narrowed and her tone sharpened as the simmering frustration of weeks apart spilled out. “Babe, absolutely not. I just want to sleep in our bed again, get between our sheets, eat breakfast in our kitchen. That’s it. No more traveling.” After nearly two months away from the farmhouse, and from Cruz, her longing for home burned too fiercely. Her voice rose a little as she added, “I’m not doing anything else. I need to be home.”

This was where Cruz needed to tread carefully, forcing herself to think faster. She knew that tone, once Josie reached it, changing her mind was nearly impossible. Cruz wanted nothing more than to hold her at home, but things weren’t ready yet. She had to stall. Clearing her throat, she spoke softly, “Jos… I know we’ve been gone from the farmhouse for a while on assignments.” She paused, taking a breath. “And I know you just want to get back there, so do I. But between deployments and nonstop house renovations, we haven’t had any real time just for us. We’ll be home soon, but don’t you think we deserve a little time away too? A vacation… just us?”

She let the words hang, hoping they were convincing enough. “Besides,” she added gently, “It could be like our adventures when we first started dating, remember?” Her mind flickered back to when neither of them really had a permanent spot.  Josie just beginning her training with the 160th after being medically cleared, Cruz in full swing with the QRF, no longer at Fort Liberty. They would steal days together wherever they could, picking a place on a whim before duty called them back. It had been thrilling, improvised days or weeks full of time together, intimacy, and discovery. The sex had been electric, fueled by newness and longing for each other and the joy of escape. It still was, of course, but back then the unpredictability made it even more intense.

Eventually they had decided to take the next step and rented the tiny studio in Arlington, laying the groundwork for everything that followed. Josie thought about what Cruz was asking and had to admit that, despite her fierce desire to return home, those first few months had been magical. It was during that time they had truly fallen in love....globe-trotting not only for work but also for their own stolen moments, learning each other deeply. Like Cruz, she remembered the heat of those reunions, the passion of two people who couldn’t get enough of one another. Slowly, she began to warm to the idea.

Josie sighed, the resistance easing from her shoulders. She softened, realizing how rare it was for Cruz to ask for anything, and she felt a tug to meet her halfway. Her voice gentled as she asked, “Where are you thinking?”

Cruz smiled deeply into the phone, knowing she had Josie nearly convinced. “San Francisco,” she said, her eyes lighting up even at the thought. “I’ve never been. I want to see it, with you.” It was true.  She had always wanted to visit, and it felt like the perfect escape for them. Cruz only hoped Josie would be up for it.

Josie’s eyebrows lifted in curiosity. She’d been to San Francisco once as a child with her family, but the memories were faint. The idea of seeing it again with Cruz, through their shared lens, sparked a thrill from within. She nodded softly, still reluctant but wanting to give this to Cruz, and said, “Ok.” Then, more firmly, she added, “But I want to spend Christmas at home. Can we agree on that, baby?”

It would be their first Christmas at the farmhouse, and Josie clung to the tender hope of waking up with Cruz on Christmas morning, snow blanketing their land. She imagined the creak of the stairs as they walked down together, the smell of coffee drifting from their kitchen, stockings on the fireplace mantle. The thought filled her chest with warmth and a sense of belonging she had never dared to dream of before.

Cruz immediately promised. “Yes, Jos. We’ll be home for Christmas, I promise. I want that too.” Her smile widened, her plan still intact. As much as she wanted to keep talking, she knew she needed to make arrangements quickly. She made the excuse she had to get off the phone to meet the team and that she had to end the call. “Baby, I need to get going but go ahead and book your flight and text me the details. I’ll try to line mine up so we can meet at the airport. I’m handling all the planning, it’s my turn to actually plan something. Don’t lift a finger,” she teased.

Josie giggled softly. A flicker of curiosity pricked at her, but she let it slide. Cruz’s excitement was contagious, and Josie found herself sharing it. “Ok,” she said, her voice warm. “I’ll see you in a couple days.” A familiar shiver of love swept through her. “I love you.”

Cruz felt the same tremor at her words. “I love you too. I’ll see you soon, baby.”

They hung up.

Cruz smiled to herself, then immediately dialed another number. “Hey,” she said when the line picked up. “It’s all set. I need everything finished within the week.” She listened, nodding at the response. “Perfect. I’ll keep checking in.”

She ended the call, her smile lingering at the thought of seeing Josie in a beautiful city, and even more, at the surprise she had planned for her.

Josie felt the plane tires kiss the runway as they touched down at San Francisco International Airport. During the flight she had received a text from Cruz saying she’d already landed and would be waiting inside the international terminal. Josie’s stomach flipped in anticipation; it had been over three long weeks since she’d last seen Cruz. She tapped her foot anxiously against the floor as the plane taxied to the gate, impatience building with every second.

When it was finally her turn to disembark, she grabbed her bag from the overhead bin and practically speed‑walked through the jetway. As she stepped into the terminal, her eyes swept the crowd eagerly, searching for Cruz. She expected to see her immediately, hoping she’d be the first face to greet her, but there was no sign of her.

Pushing forward with the flow of passengers, she kept her eyes searching but still not seeing Cruz. Just as she began to wonder where she could be, a gentle tap landed on her shoulder. She spun around....and there she was. Cruz stood smiling softly, her dark eyes searching Josie’s face with a look so tender it made Josie’s stomach lurch. Even after nearly two years together, the sight of her still took Josie's breath away.

They froze for a moment, drinking each other in, before Cruz whispered simply, “Hi.”

Josie chuckled softly, lifting her hand to Cruz’s cheek, stroking it as a shiver ran through her. “Hi,” she breathed back.

Cruz wasted no time, wrapping her arms around Josie’s waist and pulling her in tightly, burying her face in Josie’s neck and breathing her in. Josie’s arms slid around her shoulders, her lips pressing to Cruz’s temple and then her neck. They clung to each other, blind to the busy terminal around them, seeing and feeling only one another.

After a long embrace, Josie finally pulled back just enough to search Cruz’s features, her forehead, her nose, her lips, before leaning in to kiss her. Slowly at first, then deeper. Cruz responded instantly, chasing Josie’s mouth in a sensual kiss that spoke louder than any words. They showed each other how much they’d missed each other, their love flowing through touch instead of speech.

When they finally broke apart, foreheads resting together, they stood with eyes closed, basking in the moment. Cruz inhaled the scent of Josie’s light perfume and whispered, “Ready?”

Josie smiled sweetly, her forehead still pressed to hers. “Ready, baby. Let’s go.”

Hand in hand, they collected their bags and walked toward customs and baggage claim, hearts racing with anticipation for their awaited adventure in San Francisco.

Cruz had planned everything down to the last detail. She booked them into a charming boutique hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf, with a balcony that overlooked the bay and the distant Golden Gate shrouded in mist. The moment they stepped into the room, they barely had time to take in the view before they were in each other’s arms. Hours slipped away as they tumbled across the bed, making love with a fierce urgency that came only from too many weeks apart. Their kisses were hungry, almost frantic at first, each one showing how much they missed each other, until they slowed into tender devotion, savoring the rediscovery of each other’s bodies. Josie clutched Cruz like she would never let her go, whispering against her lips how much she had missed her, while Cruz murmured back in shaky breaths, her hands roaming as if to reassure herself Josie was real and here. They made love through the afternoon and into the night, giving and taking in equal measure, pouring every ounce of longing into each touch. Every caress became a reminder of what they had missed, until exhaustion finally took them, leaving them tangled together beneath the sheets, arms around each other, fast asleep.

The next morning dawned bright and chilly, the bay air carrying a crisp edge as they left the hotel hand in hand. Eager to soak up every moment, they set out to explore the city with an almost childlike energy and excitement. They wandered together through the Marina District, pausing often to admire the bay views and duck into small shops along the streets, trading playful commentary about souvenirs they’d never actually buy.

In the Mission District they lingered in colorful alleyways, pointing out murals and teasing each other about who could spot the most hidden details first. They strolled across the Golden Gate Bridge, the wind whipping at their hair until they laughed and leaned into one another for warmth.

In Chinatown, they shared dumplings and plates of steaming noodles, laughing over who managed chopsticks better and stealing bites from each other’s bowls, their voices full of teasing affection.

At Union Square, they stood in awe before the enormous Christmas tree, its lights twinkling against the night sky. They took photos, pulling silly faces and then smiling warmly into the camera, capturing their joy. Arm in arm, they marveled at the beauty of the city, their affection blending seamlessly with the festive energy surrounding them.

Eventually they made their way to the Castro District. Throughout their relationship they had always been out and proud, but being in the Castro, with its vibrant colors, rainbow flags fluttering in the breeze, and music spilling from open doorways, it felt intoxicating. Surrounded by so many same‑sex couples openly showing affection, they felt freer and more at ease than ever, truly in their element. With arms draped around each other’s shoulders as they walked the neighborhood, kissing and laughing openly, carefree of who might be watching.

They ducked into small shops, bought coffee from a street vendor, and strolled down sidewalks where murals told stories of resilience and pride. Josie grinned at Cruz, whispering, “Feels like the whole street is cheering for us.”

Cruz kissed her temple and replied, “It does. It feels like we belong here.”

Josie answered with a sweet kiss, murmuring, “We belong everywhere, baby.” Cruz returned the sentiment with a soft kiss.

They visited a couple of bars, striking up conversations with other couples, trading stories. Laughter came easily, and for once they didn’t feel like soldiers on borrowed time, they just felt like two women in love, embraced by a community that mirrored their own happiness. The sense of belonging was overwhelming, and the simple joy of being alive together wrapped around them.

On their final night, they went to a gay dance club in the Castro, and Josie saw a side of Cruz she had never witnessed before. Cruz danced with complete abandon, letting the music take her. Josie felt her own energy rise as she fed off Cruz’s freedom, her heart swelling. Watching Cruz so relaxed, joyful, and unguarded made Josie fall in love with her all over again. They danced until the night blurred into morning, wrapped in each other’s world, both laughing and shining in the glow of an unforgettable night.

Josie sat at a small café in the airport, waiting for their flight to be called. It was finally time to go home. They had spent an incredibly wonderful time in San Francisco, and despite Josie’s initial hesitation about traveling after such long deployments, she was deeply grateful Cruz had insisted. It had turned out to be one of the best trips of her life. Sharing the city with Cruz had warmed her heart and left her glowing. They promised each other they would return soon, like the old song said, they truly felt as though they were leaving their hearts in San Francisco.

Josie sipped her coffee, keeping an eye out for Cruz, who had stepped away to take another phone call. Throughout the trip Josie had noticed Cruz slipping away for hushed conversations, always ending them quickly when she came near. The vague explanations of “just work, nothing important” hadn’t stopped Josie’s curiosity from simmering. By now her suspicions were growing.

When Cruz returned and sat down, Josie’s eyes locked on her with quiet intensity. Cruz tried to act casual, taking a slow sip of coffee, but Josie finally asked, her voice edged with a probing firmness, “What’s up with all these phone calls, babe?”

Cruz glanced at her, then looked away quickly, buying herself a moment to think. Clearing her throat, she replied, “It’s nothing. Really, just work, like I said before.” She took another sip, avoiding Josie’s gaze, but she knew Josie was onto her. Secrets had never been Cruz’s strength, and she kept scrambling for ways to hold Josie off for just a few more hours. That last call had confirmed everything was ready back home, and though she looked calm on the outside, inside Cruz was a bundle of nerves, excited, terrified, and eager for Josie to see the surprise.

Reaching across the table, Cruz grabbed Josie’s hand and kissed it gently, trying to redirect the conversation. “Once we’re home, we need to plan another trip back here soon. We should spend more time in this city, not just a couple of days. What do you think?” She meant it, even as she used it to shift Josie’s attention.

Josie smiled mischievously, recognizing the attempt to change the subject but letting her have it anyway. Shaking her head, she said warmly, “Yes, baby, we’re definitely coming back here.” She kissed Cruz’s hand in return and leaned in closer. “Thank you for convincing me we needed this trip. You were right.” She brushed her lips over Cruz’s cheek before adding, “I love you.”

Cruz met her gaze with equal warmth, her eyes softening as she whispered back, “I love you too.”

The boarding call echoed through the terminal. They drained the last of their coffee, gathered their things, and stood. Cruz slipped her hand into Josie’s, kissed her cheek again, and whispered, “Let’s go home.”

Hand in hand, they walked toward the gate, hearts still glowing from their time in San Francisco but eager now to return to Maryland....and to spend their first Christmas together at their farmhouse.

As they finally pulled up through the farmhouse gates, the house glowed with automated lights that clicked on when they were away. It was past midnight, and both were exhausted from the long day of traveling. Cruz parked the SUV, her fingers twitching nervously on the steering wheel. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the glow to the right of the house, Josie’s surprise in full view, and suddenly her chest tightened, her hands shaky. She glanced at Josie in the passenger seat, asleep from the ride home, and lingered just to take her in, the soft rise and fall of her breathing, the peaceful beauty on her face. Leaning close, Cruz pressed a kiss to her forehead, adrenaline buzzing through her fatigue. Josie stirred at the touch, murmuring as Cruz whispered with a soft smile, “Wake up, sleepyhead… we’re home.”

Josie’s eyes stayed closed as she fidgeted slightly, then wrapped her arms around Cruz’s neck, kissing her drowsily before whispering back, “We’re home.” She held on a little longer, savoring the warmth, before finally opening her eyes. Cruz was watching her with that crooked, tender smile, as if something were weighing on her mind. Josie’s brows furrowed playfully. “What’s that grin for?” she murmured, still shaking off sleep. “What is it?” she asked again, noticing Cruz’s gaze wouldn’t waver.

Cruz caressed her cheek, her thumb lingering against Josie’s skin as if to steady her own racing nerves. She hesitated, her eyes glinting with both excitement and fear, before finally nodding toward the glow outside. Her voice dropped tenderly, almost trembling, as she whispered, “I have a surprise for you.”

Josie turned slowly to follow her gaze, confusion giving way to shock. Her lips parted and her breath caught, eyes going wide as she gasped at the sight before her.  Near the edge of the back field, stood a stunning gazebo, elegant and white, twinkling with string lights. Icicles hanging from the eaves like crystals. The sight stole her breath.

“What did you do?” Josie breathed, her voice thick with awe she could barely contain it.

Cruz just laughed softly, pulling her closer, completely captivated by Josie’s reaction. In a whisper she admitted, “I had it built while we were away. I wanted to surprise you.”

Josie’s eyes filled as a tear slipped free. She cupped Cruz’s face with both hands and kissed her deeply, so hard it startled her, but Cruz didn’t care.

Cruz kissed her back with equal fire, knowing Josie’s joy meant everything. When Josie finally pulled away, she gazed at her with shining eyes. Cruz felt her own tear form, brushed it quickly away, and whispered, “Come on, I want you to see it.”

With that, Josie bolted out of the car, her heart hammering. She dashed around to Cruz’s side and grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the gazebo with excitement. She needed to see it up close, but more than that, she needed Cruz right beside her, sharing every step of the moment together.

As they approached the gazebo, Josie stopped and looked at Cruz again, amazement shining in her eyes at what this woman had done. She let go of her hand slowly and stepped into the gazebo. Inside, the lights illuminated the space warmly. There was a loveseat with cushions and a blanket, two cozy chairs, a coffee table, and end tables on either side of the loveseat. In the corner stood a small heater, ready to be turned on when needed. Josie moved slowly around the furniture, studying the pieces as well as the details of the gazebo itself.

Cruz stepped in after her and watched Josie in silence, her eyes never leaving her, overwhelmed at the sight of the woman she was completely and totally in love with.

Finally, Josie turned, her voice hushed. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered, still stunned. Her chest felt tight with emotion. For Cruz to go to such lengths, to not only have this built but to keep it secret until now, left her completely overwhelmed.

Cruz moved towards her, gently taking Josie’s hands. As she gazed into her eyes, she said softly, “I wanted a place where you could read your book, where we could enjoy peace and quiet together… a glass of wine, or in your case, sparkling water.” They both laughed at that, easing the intensity of the moment. Cruz drew in another breath. “I wanted to complete our home. Everything else is done, it’s all your beautiful vision brought to life. I just wanted to add one last touch, and I thought the gazebo would complete it.”

Josie stared at her, then cupped her cheek tenderly. She knew planning like this wasn’t something Cruz usually did, and the care and thought behind it warmed her deeply. She kissed her gently. “This is perfect, baby,” she said softly.  Slowly, she turned to look out at the surrounding wooded area. With her back to Cruz, Josie gazed at the nightfall, completely at peace and in love with the gazebo. “I still can’t believe you did this.”  

As Josie took a deep breath, letting the night air fill her lungs while she soaked in the view. It was then she heard Cruz’s voice behind her. “Josie…” There was a tremor in Cruz’s tone that sent a shiver through her, pulling her towards Cruz;s voice. Slowly, Josie turned.....and the sight before her rooted her in place, her entire world narrowing to that single, breathtaking moment.

Cruz was on one knee, her hand extended, her entire body moved with nerves. In her palm rested a small velvet box, and inside a beautiful ring caught the light, shimmering beautifully. Josie’s breath caught as the realization washed over her in a dizzying wave. Her hands flew to her mouth, her eyes flooding with tears as she whispered, “Oh my God,” her voice breaking.

Cruz’s eyes brimmed, shining and vulnerable as she looked up at her, her heart pounding so hard she thought Josie might hear it. She swallowed against the lump in her throat, her hand trembling as she held out the ring. Her voice quivered as the words gathered at her lips, heavy with devotion and hope.

“Josie… will you marry me?”

Chapter Text

The question clung in the air.

Josie’s entire body stilled. Her breath caught, her chest tightening as if the air had vanished, as though the world itself had stopped spinning. Her lips parted in shock, eyes wide, her pulse hammering in her ears so loudly it drowned everything else out. For a suspended moment there was only silence and the ragged sound of her heart. Cruz remained on one knee, the ring extended toward her. Josie’s eyes welled as she stood frozen, caught between disbelief and wonder.  

Cruz. Cruz had asked her to marry her. The sheer surprise of it left her unable to move or speak. She tried to muster even a fragment of sound, feeling as if she were outside her own body, watching herself struggle. “Cruz… I—” she managed, before Cruz gently cut her off.

Cruz did her best to remain calm, watching the woman she loved stare back at her in utter shock. For a fleeting moment, panic flickered, doubt pressed in as she knelt with the ring extended, her hand trembling from nerves. The cold night air had little to do with her shivering; it was the vulnerability, the fear of still exposing her heart so completely. She drew a breath, forcing herself to find her voice.

“Josie,” she began softly, “before you say anything, I need you to hear this.” Her voice wavered, but she steadied it with another breath, her eyes never leaving Josie’s. “I know I come with baggage. You know the life I had before we met, all the issues I've had. And still, you chose me. You’ve stayed with me. Sometimes I still wonder why, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop wondering.”

Her eyes dropped to the ring, then lifted to Josie again, who watched her with tear-bright eyes full of love that nearly undid her. Cruz continued. “I always thought I had to be completely healed before I could be with someone like you. That if I wasn’t, I didn’t deserve it. But I’ve learned it doesn’t have to be perfect. You’ve shown me that from the beginning. You’ve been patient in showing me it doesn’t have to be like that.”

She paused, her throat tight, then pressed on. “You just love me, for who I am. You never asked me to be perfect. You’ve shown me, over and over, that what matters is just us. You’ve made me realize that what we have, it’s about being there for each other, wanting each other. We don’t have to be perfect to get here. We just have to be us. And it took me a long time to finally understand that.”

Her voice broke as emotion swelled. She drew in a shaky breath and whispered again, “I just want to marry you. I want you to be my wife. I can’t ever imagine my life without you----" 

Cruz’s voice cracked as she tried to go on, her emotions overwhelming her. She barely had time to blink before Josie surged forward, moving so quickly that Cruz almost dropped the ring box. In an instant, Josie was on her knees in front of her, staring up with tear-filled eyes that held nothing but love.

Josie couldn’t take it anymore. Her words were almost too much to absorb, the vulnerability behind them hitting Josie straight to her heart. As she cupped Cruz’s face, laughing softly when Cruz nearly dropped the ring box, she felt the full weight of what had just been spoken. It was everything Cruz rarely allowed herself to say, and Josie knew how hard it was for her to open up this way. Even after all this time, after all the love they shared, Cruz still sometimes doubted she deserved this life. Their life. And Josie needed her to understand, needed to make it crystal clear, that her love was unconditional.

Deep in her heart, Cruz Manuelos was all she had ever wanted, all she would ever want.

Her thumbs brushed Cruz’s cheeks as she leaned closer, tears spilling freely now. “Baby,” she whispered, voice breaking, “Stop. I just need to tell you—” She paused, taking a breath, letting the moment settle between them. “Yes.” Her chest shook with emotion. “Yes! Please don’t say anything more. Just know my answer will always be yes.”

Cruz was overwhelmed, undone by the sight of the woman she loved gazing at her with such devotion. Tears slipped down her face as she finally let them fall. On their knees together, Cruz pulled Josie into her arms and held her tighter than she ever had before, clutching her like nothing else in the world mattered. And in that moment, it didn’t. Only Josie mattered.

Cruz pulled back just enough to see her face, still cupping it with one hand, the velvet box still in the other. Her breath came fast and uneven as she pressed her lips to Josie’s in a kiss that was deep, fiery, and all-consuming.

As their mouths met again and again, Cruz whispered between kisses, “I love you. I love you so much.”

Josie answered with tears and laughter, both of them lost in their joy, knowing that nothing else mattered in this one precious moment.

They sank onto the gazebo bench, knees brushing, arms wrapped tight around each other, both still trembling from the adrenaline of the moment. It was 1 A.M., the night air cool enough that their breaths rose, but neither of them felt the chill. They were flushed, warmed by the rush of what had just happened.

Cruz kept the ring box open in her lap like it was a secret she was relieved had been released. Her thumb brushed absently over the velvet, as if grounding herself in the reality of it. Josie blinked through misted eyes, her chest rising and falling unevenly, caught between laughter and tears.

She glanced from the ring to Cruz, lips trembling into a half-smile, her eyes still swimming with tears. Her voice cracked, threaded with awe and a hint of playful accusation that softened the intensity of the moment. “You were just… sitting on this? All this time?”

Cruz huffed out a sheepish laugh, eyes darting down before meeting hers again. “I’ve had it for weeks. Every time I thought about asking, I froze. I kept second-guessing myself. I wanted it to be right, not rushed, not something you’d look back on and think I stumbled through.” Her throat worked as she swallowed hard. “This gazebo… it was supposed to be for us from the start. I had it built with you in mind. And the more I thought about it, the more I knew I had to ask you here. At home.” Her voice thickened, breaking on the last word. “It just felt right tonight… watching you, seeing your reaction when you stepped inside for the first time.”

Josie’s breath shuddered. She reached out, fingertips brushing over the strong lines of Cruz’s wrist before curling around her hand. “It was perfect,” she said softly, with conviction. “It couldn’t have been anywhere else.”

Her laugh cracked into a sob as Cruz leaned closer, their foreheads resting together. The sound of their mingled breaths filled the quiet night, ragged but steadying in each other.

Josie’s voice came out hushed, almost in disbelief, trembling with wonder and laughter tangled in her emotions. “We’re getting married,” she whispered, shaking her head in astonishment. A breathless laugh escaped her, breaking into a sob. “Holy shit… we’re really doing this.”  She kissed her cheek.

Cruz let out a shaky exhale, her hand trembling only slightly as she lifted Josie’s left hand. She pressed her lips against each knuckle before carefully sliding the ring onto her finger. It slipped perfectly into place, gleaming against her skin as though it had been waiting there all along.

For a suspended moment, both women stared at it in awe. Josie blinked hard, laughter breaking through her tears as she whispered, “It’s beautiful.”

Cruz’s eyes burned, her chest tightening as she leaned in, kissing her again, unrestrained and full of relief. Between kisses, her words spilled out low and fierce: “You’re mine.” She had never said it like that before, not taking claim but accepting them fully.

Josie cupped her face, kissing her back with a rush of emotion, her tears dampening Cruz’s cheek. “I’ve always been yours, baby,” she whispered against her lips, her voice breaking but sure.  “You’re all mine too.”

The ring sparkled between them, but the real weight of the moment was in the way they clung to each other. The world outside the gazebo was silent and cold, but here, in the small wooden shelter Cruz had built for Josie, everything was warm and alive.

Josie pressed her forehead against Cruz’s once more, her voice trembling with need as a smile curved against her lips. “I need to be with you… take me inside.”

They made their way into the farmhouse with their luggage, the last few weeks falling away as the glow of their engagement lingered. Both were lighthearted, mesmerized, and unable to stop glancing at one another, almost giddy in disbelief. They dropped their bags by the front door and Cruz headed for the kitchen, reaching for a bottled water from the refrigerator. Emotion still swirled through her, leaving her dizzy, her body craving hydration. She twisted the cap and took a long drink, water spilling slightly down her cheek.

Before she could wipe it away, Josie’s arms circled her waist. Cruz turned, still catching her breath, to find her fiance looking back at her with a tender, soft smile.  Fiance.  Josie was now her fiance.

No words passed between them as their silence kept the memory of what had happened in the gazebo. Josie plucked the water from her hand, taking her own long sip, droplets tracing her jaw and falling to her neck. Cruz set the bottle aside, drawn in by the sight. Without hesitation, she pulled Josie closer, her lips finding the trail of water on her skin. Josie gasped lightly, her hands tightening at Cruz’s back, as Cruz’s soft licks turned into lingering kisses along her throat.

Josie drew back just enough to make Cruz pause, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. But then Josie leaned in, mirroring the gesture, her tongue tracing the droplets on Cruz’s neck. Cruz shivered, eyes fluttering closed as her breath caught. Josie stayed close, their faces inches apart, her arms draped around Cruz’s shoulders as heat built between them, their bodies pressed together.

The air thickened, charged with their need for each other. Josie leaned to Cruz’s ear, her whisper low and sultry, threaded with urgency. “Take me to bed… now.” The raw edge in her tone made Cruz’s pulse surge. She felt that familiar rush she always did when Josie took charge, the spark of surrender and fire mingling at once. It was irresistible. Cruz kissed her deeply, hungrily, Josie opening to her without hesitation, their tongues meeting with an intensity that left them both breathless.

Cruz’s hands slid to Josie’s waist, lifting her with ease as Josie wrapped her legs tight around her. Their kisses deepened as Cruz carried her toward the stairs, each step slow but certain, neither willing to break contact. Passion poured between them, the house around them fading away until there was only the two of them, connected in love, lost in the moment of being newly engaged.

Sunlight poured through the curtains, scattering across the sheets. Cruz stirred first, her gaze instantly drawn to the engagement ring glinting on Josie’s hand. Her chest swelled with a mix of disbelief and joy, her lips curling into a smile she couldn’t contain.

Josie shifted in her sleep, her hair tumbling across her face, her hand sliding across the sheets in search of Cruz. Without opening her eyes, she smiled faintly when she found her, her fingers curling over Cruz’s. “Good morning” she murmured, voice husky with sleep.

Cruz lifted Josie’s hand and pressed a kiss across her knuckles, lingering just a moment longer over the ring. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice threaded with awe.

The night before had been profoundly emotional. Although exhausted from the trip and the emotions of their engagement, they could not, would not, separate. Their lovemaking was less about urgency and more about connection, lingering in the closeness of one another. They spent long stretches just kissing, completely bare, wrapped in each other’s arms, needing only the softness of their lips, the gentle strokes of their cheeks, and the warmth in each other’s gaze. Eventually they drifted to sleep, nestled against one another, breathing in each other’s scent, smiles lingering on their faces as they dreamed of one another.

Cruz caressed Josie’s arms while Josie gently stroked her hair. They lay snug beneath the blanket, their bodies pressed close and warm. Cruz couldn’t keep her eyes from drifting back to her, smiling softly as she whispered, “Sleep ok?”

Josie stretched, tugging the blanket higher to chase away the chill in the room. Cruz laughed quietly, letting Josie fuss over her, both of them sinking deeper into their pillows as they smiled at one another. Josie sighed, “Yeah, a little. I’m still tired, we didn’t really sleep much.” She winked, the memory of the night still glimmering in her eyes. “But I’ll sleep later. Right now I’m too charged to close my eyes.” She giggled as she nestled closer, fingers slipping into Cruz’s hair.

Cruz closed her eyes, sighing at the soothing sensation as Josie’s fingers massaged her scalp. She loved the calm it gave her, the way Josie’s touch reminded her she was safe and loved. “I can’t sleep either,” Cruz admitted, her voice low, “I’m too wired.”

Josie’s hand never left her hair, and Cruz let herself melt into her arms, utterly relaxed, savoring the calm after so much intensity. She opened her eyes slowly, her lips brushing close to Josie’s ear as she spoke. “How about we make some coffee, grab a little breakfast, then change into warm clothes and sit out in the gazebo?” Her voice was tender, almost coaxing. “The heater’s already set up. I’ll bring blankets, and we can just sit there together, spend the morning there.”

Josie’s smile deepened as she kissed Cruz’s temple. “I love that idea, baby. But first,” she whispered, pressing herself closer, “I just want to lie here with you a little longer.”

Cruz held her tighter, nodding without a word, savoring the feel of Josie pressed close. The world outside could wait. They were utterly at ease, in no hurry for anything but this quiet moment together.

They sat side by side, Josie’s head resting comfortably on Cruz’s shoulder as she nibbled a piece of toast with jam, her book open in her lap. Cruz sipped her coffee quietly, her own book balanced in her hands, both of them content in the simple peace of the morning. Their feet were perched on the footrest of the loveseat, wrapped together beneath a thick blanket. The heater inside the gazebo provided gentle warmth around them, chasing off the cool air that seeped through the open structure. Between the heater, the blanket, and the closeness of their bodies, they were perfectly warm.

Josie set her book and half-eaten toast down on the small table beside her, inhaling a deep breath of the crisp morning air. She loved how fresh it felt here, clean and untamed. The three acres surrounding their farmhouse were brimming with trees, the property nestled in a forested embrace. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe this was theirs, completely theirs. Without even realizing she was speaking aloud, Josie whispered, almost forgetting Cruz was beside her, “This is all truly breathtaking.”

Cruz looked up from her book and simply watched her. Josie had these moments of quiet reflection, where she seemed to fall into awe of the world around her, and Cruz never tired of seeing it. She let her gaze linger on her, taking in the way she stared into the trees, eyes soft and full of wonder. A sense of gratitude swelled in Cruz’s chest. Finally, she smiled gently and said, “Yes, it is truly breathtaking.” But Cruz wasn’t referring to the trees or the air, she was speaking about the woman at her side.

Josie caught her staring and smiled sheepishly, knowing exactly what she meant. She leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her lips before settling back. “So,” Josie asked, her tone playful now, “what do you want to do today?”

Cruz shrugged, setting her coffee and book aside so she could turn to face her. “Honestly? I just want to relax with you.” She tucked a strand of Josie’s hair behind her ear, her voice soft. “It’s been a crazy few days and nights. I figure we unpack, grab some groceries, and maybe…” She trailed off, taking Josie’s hand in hers, lifting it to kiss the ring on her finger. “Maybe we get our tree, and we can start decorating for Christmas.”

At the mention of Christmas, Josie’s whole face lit up. She adored the idea, the thought of their first Christmas at the farmhouse filled her with joy. Her smile widened. “I love that idea, baby. That’s exactly what we’ll do today.”

She paused, rubbing Cruz’s hands between hers to keep them warm, her expression softening. “All I want right now is to focus on you and me.” She glanced at her ring, her eyes brimming with love for the woman who had given it to her. “We’ve been so wrapped up in work, in being apart. But now… we're home.  Our house is finished. We have plenty of time off and we can spend Christmas at home.” Her voice grew tender as she cupped Cruz’s face and kissed her sweetly. “And we’re engaged.” She giggled, still marveling at the thought. “We've got a lot look forward to.”

Josie had known for a long time she was ready for this step. When she found this house, even then, she had known she wanted a life here with Cruz. She never would have wanted it otherwise. But Cruz had needed her time, and Josie had given it to her without question. Now, after last night, Cruz was ready too. They both were. Ready to make that leap into a future together.

Josie’s hands still cupped her face as she whispered, “We’ll talk about the details soon. For now, let’s just enjoy being engaged. Let’s just be here.”

Cruz kissed her back, feeling her chest swell with a love that consumed her entirely. She pressed a kiss to Josie’s cheek and murmured, “Sounds like a plan, baby.”

Josie rested her head on Cruz’s shoulder again, and Cruz gently lowered her cheek to rest against Josie’s hair. As the sun climbed higher and warmth enveloped around them, their eyelids grew heavy. Wrapped in the blanket, they drifted off together, their coffee and books forgotten, smiles still etched across their faces. They slept in each other’s arms, heads touching, dreaming not of what they had endured, but of the future waiting for them, a future they had only just begun to claim as their own.

Chapter Text

It was Christmas Eve.

Josie stood by the mantle as she lit the last candle wick.  The glow of candlelight flickered across her face as she her hand lingered on the framed photo of her and Cruz taken back in her recovery house days. That picture, two women smiling, bruised but alive, reminded her how far they had come. Her chest tightened at the memory of long nights filled with pain but also with laughter, the bond that had formed between them in the middle of their breaking points. She set the candle down carefully and let her eyes sweep over the living room, her heart swelling with pride.

They had been home a week together since returning from San Francisco, decorating every corner of the farmhouse. A real pine tree stretched toward the ceiling, its branches draped in soft white lights. Cruz had requested all white lights on the tree, and Josie made sure she had them, though she slipped in her own touches.  Playful ornaments like a ceramic avocado, a tiny helicopter, and a felt llama Cruz pretended to hate but secretly loved. At the very top of the tree, a large angel stood at the top of the tree, a tradition Josie insisted on keeping.

The mantle was crowded with Christmas decorations.  Candles and stockings they had picked out together. The kitchen glowed with strings of red and gold garland, a bowl of fresh pinecones resting on the counter, and holiday towels Josie had teased Cruz about buying. The staircase was lined with garlands, twinkling lights wound through the banister, and every surface in the great room seemed to hold a touch of Christmas....pillows stitched with reindeer, a plaid throw draped over the couch, even bowls of candy canes.

Outside, Cruz had taken special care to hang lights around the porch, outlining the farmhouse with a warm glow. Lights ran across the barn and the garage, showing long shadows across the snow-dusted ground.

And of course, the gazebo was wrapped in soft white lights, glowing dreamily. It was their beloved spot now.  The spot where they had spent many chilly evenings talking and laughing, and where Cruz had dropped to one knee and asked Josie to marry her.

Cruz came into the living room, pausing to take in the glow alongside Josie as she approached the mantle. In her hands she carried two steaming mugs of hot apple cider spiced with cinnamon. She handed one to Josie, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Josie blew gently across the surface of the mug, the steam curling into the air before she took a sip. A happy sigh escaped her as she rested her head on Cruz’s shoulder. “We’re ready for Christmas, baby,” she murmured.

Cruz took a sip of her own cider and smiled mischievously. “Yeah… almost.”

Josie lifted her head, brows furrowing in playful confusion, as Cruz took her cider set both mugs on the coffee table. Taking Josie’s hand, she guided her toward the archway separating the living room from the entrance hallway. Josie followed with a squinted smile, curious about what Cruz was up to.

With a sweet grin, Cruz reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a small sprig of mistletoe, holding it above their heads. Josie looked up, laughed lightly, and shook her head. Closing her eyes with a smile, she gave in to the tradition. Their noses bumped as Cruz leaned closer. “You have to kiss me now,” Cruz teased.

Josie looped her arms around Cruz’s neck and whispered back, “If you insist.” She drew her in and pressed her lips to hers. They kissed tenderly, smiling through the kiss, and when they finally pulled back, Cruz set the mistletoe on the hallway table. She slipped her hands to Josie’s hips, kissed her again, and murmured, “Let’s go outside and look at the lights before dinner.”

Josie had prepared tamales for their Christmas Eve meal.  They had both wanted this night to be just for them, tomorrow they had invited guests but tonight, belonged only to the two of them.

Josie nodded. “Ok, baby. Let’s go walk around.”

Cruz fetched their coats, mittens and scarves while Josie picked up the mugs of cider. They helped one another with scarves and buttons before stepping into the chilly night, their hands slipping into mittens as they clasped together.

They paused first in front of the house, admiring the soft glow of the lights. From there they walked to the garage and the barn, each strung with warm bulbs that glimmered against the ground. Finally, their shoes crunching over the thin layer of snow, they made their way to the gazebo.

As they approached, Cruz slipped behind Josie, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her cold, rosy cheek. Josie closed her eyes and leaned into her warmth, cradling her cider close. “We did it,” she whispered. “We’re home for Christmas.”

She turned her head and kissed Cruz’s lips softly, her eyes glowing with love. “I love you,” she said simply.

Cruz held her gaze with equal devotion, brushing a strand of hair from Josie’s face. “I love you, too.”

They stood together in the glow of the gazebo lights, arms wrapped tight, smiles warming their faces as they looked forward to tomorrow.

Cruz woke first on Christmas morning, glancing at Josie before easing herself out of bed with the careful movements of someone determined not to wake the woman curled against her. She paused in the doorway, looking back at Josie still fast asleep, her dark hair fanned across the pillow, lips parted in peaceful slumber. The sight tugged a tender smile from Cruz, warmth flooding her chest. The house was utterly still, a quietness Cruz started to cherish as she walked down the stairs as silently as she could.

She walked into the kitchen and started the coffee. As she finished preparing it, she glanced out the window and her breath caught. The entire property was blanketed in white. Snow had fallen overnight, transforming everything into something out of a dream. For a long moment she simply stood there, marveling at the scene. Josie was going to be on cloud nine.  She had said more than once how much she hoped for snow on Christmas morning. And now she was getting her wish.

Cruz couldn’t help but smile, her heart rushing with love as she imagined Josie’s joy when she woke to discover it. She finished the coffee, then slipped into the hallway to retrieve a couple of gifts she had hidden in the closet. Carrying them back to the tree, she crouched down to tuck them underneath. The wrapping job was laughable, uneven folds, tape wrinkled and doubled over, but Cruz smiled anyway, picturing Josie’s teasing grin when she saw it. She ran her thumb over the tag, her messy handwriting spelling Josie’s name, and felt a flicker of nervousness.

As she stood to look at the tree, she drew in a slow breath, letting herself truly take in the moment. She felt overwhelmed with gratitude that this was her life, and that Josie had been the one to build it with her, step by step. A lump formed in her throat as she let the weight of it settle in, something she had always been afraid to do, but now allowed more freely because Josie had taught her that vulnerability was nothing to be ashamed of. She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn’t even notice the quiet presence that had joined her side.

“Merry Christmas,” Josie’s soft voice came from just behind her, startling Cruz for only a moment as she turned. There she was, her love, smiling through slightly disheveled hair, a blanket draped over her shoulders, her presence radiating a warmth that instantly overwhelmed Cruz.

Cruz pulled her closer, her palm brushing Josie’s cheek as she whispered back, “Merry Christmas, baby.” She leaned in and kissed her, slow and gentle, pouring all of her emotion into it. Josie sighed softly against her lips, returning it tenderly, lifting a hand from beneath the blanket to cradle Cruz’s face. The warmth of her touch, the steady press of her palm, made Cruz’s chest ache with love. When they parted, their foreheads nearly touched, only inches between them, Josie’s lips curved into a sleepy, contented smile that lit her whole face.

“How long have you been up?” she asked curiously.

“Just a few minutes,” Cruz replied, still marveling at her. She caressed Josie’s cheek again. “I got the coffee started. It’s almost ready.”

Josie nodded, stretching slightly, still waking up but already craving the coffee. She caught Cruz’s hand, tugging her gently toward the kitchen. But Cruz resisted, holding firm.

“Wait,” she said softly. “There’s something I want you to see first.”

She let go of Josie’s hand, crossed the room, and opened the shutters wide. A rush of cold light poured in. Josie’s expression shifted, confusion melting into curiosity, then widening into pure disbelief. Beyond the glass lay a world of white. Snow blanketed everything, the trees completely frosted, the fences softened into glittering lines. It stretched endlessly before them, a scene so quiet and still it felt as if the whole world had paused to give them this one perfect moment.

Josie’s mouth parted as she stepped closer, eyes wide, speechless. She pressed her palm against the cold glass, staring in awe. Cruz slipped behind her, wrapping her arms around Josie’s waist and kissing her cheek, feeling her fiance's joy radiate through her.

Josie’s breath fogged the glass as she whispered, almost to herself at first, “I’ve never had a white Christmas before.” Her voice was thick with emotion, a single tear threatening to slip free. She turned her head toward Cruz, the corners of her lips tugging into a teasing smile to soften the weight of the moment. “Did you order this up, baby?”

Cruz chuckled, smirking. “Maybe I called in a favor.”

Josie laughed quietly, leaning back into her embrace. Together they stood in silence, holding each other as they gazed out at the snow. For Josie, it was perfect. She looked up at Cruz, her eyes shining. “This makes today just perfect.”

After the beauty of seeing all the snow outside, they quickly went to grab their coffees and settled in front of the tree, each of them cross‑legged on the floor. Wrapped in blankets, mugs warming their hands, they began handing gift after gift to each other. Josie passed Cruz a small box, her hands trembling slightly as she waited for her reaction. Inside lay a leather bracelet, handmade, the coordinates of their home engraved on the inside. Cruz’s chest tightened as she fastened it on, her thumb brushing over the numbers as if memorizing them into her skin.

“I love it,” she whispered, her voice rough with emotion. Her eyes lifted to meet Josie’s, the depth in them saying more than words could. She leaned in and kissed her softly, sealing the moment with tenderness.

Cruz handed Josie one of her gifts. Unlike Josie’s carefully wrapped packages, Cruz’s was clumsy, tape bunched at the corners, paper uneven. Josie just smiled warmly as she peeled it open, her heart softening at the effort. When she lifted the lid and saw the delicate silver locket inside, she gasped softly. Inside was a tiny photo of the two of them, their smiles caught in one unguarded moment. Tears pricked her eyes, her throat tightening. “Cruz,” Josie breathed, her voice trembling. “This is beautiful. Thank you, baby.” She leaned in and kissed her, pouring all her love into it, and Cruz kissed her back, her own heart swelling at Josie’s reaction.

“You’re welcome.” Cruz’s voice was quiet, almost shy, as Josie admired the picture inside the locket. Cruz shifted, a little uncomfortable as she admitted, “I love that picture of us. I wanted to capture it.” The words came haltingly, but the emotion behind them was clear. Josie, as always, noticed.

“I’m glad you did,” she said warmly. She turned, tilting her head to signal she wanted Cruz to put the locket on her. Cruz obliged, fastening it carefully at the nape of her neck. Josie touched it tenderly, her fingers brushing the cool metal. “It’s not coming off. I love it.”

Cruz smiled at her praise, lifting Josie’s hand to kiss it and letting her lips linger there for a moment. Her stomach growled, breaking the tenderness, and she chuckled under her breath as she started to rise. “How about we go make breakfast? I’m starving, babe,” she said, her eyes still soft on Josie even as her tone turned playful.

But as she began to stand, Josie tugged her back down with a mischievous glint in her eyes. 

“Hold on,” Josie said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. “I think there’s one more gift left.”

She nodded toward a gift bag that had already been opened. “Look behind the bag,” she said, a little nervously.

Cruz’s brows narrowed slightly as she gave a small, tight smile. She leaned over, and sure enough, there was a small package tucked behind it, beautifully wrapped in Josie’s neat style. Cruz picked it up and sat back down in front of her, eyeing her with suspicion.

“What is it?” Cruz asked curiously.

Josie chuckled. “Well, open it and find out.”

Cruz shook her head sweetly, then began to unwrap the gift, peeling back Josie’s precise folds of paper with careful fingers. Inside was a black velvet case. She glanced at Josie, her smile a little tight, curiosity and nerves flickering across her face as Josie watched with barely contained anticipation. Cruz lifted the lid slowly, her breath catching as the contents came into view, nearly stealing it away altogether.

Inside was a white gold band, diamonds glittering across its surface. Her eyes widened, transfixed on the ring as she exhaled a sharp breath. Josie gently took the case from her hand and lowered to one knee in front of her. Cruz could only stare, stunned.

“I saw the band,” Josie began, her voice trembling as she cleared her throat. “I knew a traditional engagement ring wasn’t something you’d want. But I wanted to give you a ring too, baby.” She looked up at Cruz with such love it made Cruz’s heart pound. “I saw this band and thought you might like it.”

Cruz’s emotions surged, her throat tightening as Josie swallowed again, her own hands shaking. “Cruz, will you marry me too? Be my wife?”

For a moment, Cruz was speechless. Here was Josie, on one knee before her, asking the very question Cruz had asked weeks ago. A tear slipped free as she laughed softly, dropping onto both knees to close the distance. She kissed Josie, her lips trembling with emotion. Leave it to Josie to know exactly what to do.

Without hesitation, Cruz framed Josie’s face in her hands, her thumbs brushing away the tears at the corners of her eyes. “Yes,” she whispered fiercely, her voice breaking. “There’s nothing I want more than to be your wife, Jos.” She kissed her again, long and tender, their tears and laughter mingling until Cruz could no longer tell which belonged to her and which to Josie.

Josie hugged her tightly, then slid the ring onto Cruz’s finger. Both of them laughed, giddy and complete.

“I love you,” Cruz said, sitting back and pulling Josie onto her lap.

Josie kissed her forehead. “I love you too, baby.”

They extended their hands together, gazing at the rings gleaming side by side, the future looking brighter than ever.

They ate breakfast together, enjoying Christmas morning in the kitchen, kissing between sips of coffee, admiring their new rings, and simply basking in each other’s company. When the plates were cleared, they turned their attention to preparing for Christmas dinner. Later that day, Two Cups and Bobby would be joining them for the evening meal. The rest of the team were on leave with their own families, but since Bobby and Two Cups didn’t have family nearby, Cruz and Josie had opened their home to them. Though both of them played it off lightly, they were deeply touched by the invitation. Cruz and Josie, in turn, were grateful for their presence, because the whole QRF felt like family to them.

Josie took charge of the prime rib, planning to roast it low and slow through the day. Cruz started on cornbread for the stuffing and peeled potatoes for homemade mashed potatoes. Together, they prepped the side dishes while Josie laid out the dining table in the great room, carefully setting the plates and arranging candles for a warm, welcoming glow.

When the work was finished, they showered and bundled up in thermals, snow pants, jackets, beanies, scarves, and gloves. Josie in particular couldn’t resist the idea of a walk through the fresh snow, and soon they stepped outside, braced for the chill and eager to savor the quiet winter morning.

They walked along the open road outside the property, greeting neighbors and exchanging cheerful Merry Christmas wishes with others who had ventured out to enjoy the snowy morning. The entire area lay blanketed in white, the air crisp and fresh. They dodged sections that hadn’t yet been plowed, laughing as Cruz, in a playful burst of strength, scooped Josie into her arms. Josie squealed and laughed, clinging to her as Cruz carried her for a few steps before setting her down.

As they made their way back to the farmhouse, Josie spotted a fresh drift of snow near the front porch and immediately darted toward it, scooping up a handful. She began forming snowballs and lobbed the first one with a grin.

“Come on, babe!” Cruz shouted. Snow scattered against Cruz’s coat, and Cruz narrowed her eyes with determination.

Not one to back down, Cruz quickly packed her own snowballs and returned fire. Laughter echoed across the yard as the two of them exchanged volley after volley, their competitive streaks refusing to let either give up. Finally, Josie lunged, tackling Cruz into the powdery snow and pinning her arms back as she straddled her. “Got you!” she declared triumphantly.

Cruz burst into hearty laughter, letting her win, her breath visible in the cold air. Soon after, they flopped side by side into the snow, sweeping their arms and legs into wide arcs until imperfect snow angels appeared beneath them. They lay there staring up at the endless blue sky, noses cold, cheeks rosy, feeling nothing but happiness, carefree and laughing together in the magic of the moment.

They lay breathless in the snow, the laughter from their snowball fight fading into soft, contented silence. Cruz rolled onto her side, her breath still visible in the cold air, and looked over at Josie, who was staring up at the pale winter sky with flushed cheeks and a smile tugging at her lips. Josie turned her head toward her, still sprawled on her back, and their eyes met in a quiet, tender exchange.

Cruz propped herself up on one elbow, drawing in a deep breath as something surged inside her, something she could no longer hold back. “I love you,” she said, the words escaping her with raw honesty.

Josie’s lips curved into a soft smile. “I know you do.” She didn’t say anything more, sensing Cruz had more to say. She simply waited, giving her the space to speak her heart.

Cruz reached for Josie’s hand, threading their fingers together as she exhaled slowly. “I don’t want to wait anymore, Josie.”

Josie’s brows lifted slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Wait for what?”

“For us,” Cruz said, her voice steady, her gaze unwavering. Her heart pounded in her chest, ever since the moment she’d slipped that ring on Josie’s finger, maybe even before. All the nights they’d spent building a life together, every scar and every laugh, every step that had led them here, it all surged forward now. There was no fear left.....she was clear. With all the conviction in her soul, she went all in. “I want to marry you tomorrow.”

Josie blinked, sure she had heard her but still needing to be certain. Her heart gave a startled, uneven thump as she pushed herself up onto her elbows, eyes wide and searching Cruz’s face for any sign that she might have misheard. “Cruz…” she said softly, breathless. “I thought you wanted to wait… to talk more about what we wanted, about how we were going to do this.” Her voice wavered slightly, a mix of surprise and hope threading through it, because even as she said the words, part of her already knew she wanted the same thing.

Cruz didn’t flinch. “I know what I said,” Cruz whispered. “But I don’t want to wait. I want to marry you. I don’t care where or how, I just want to marry you, Josie. Please.” Her voice wasn’t begging, but there was a plea threaded through it, one born not of desperation but of love, a deep, undeniable need to start the rest of their lives now. “I want you so much. I know I have you, but I need to make you my wife. Please, Josie… give me this.”

Josie sat up, their hands still linked in the snow. For the first time in their relationship, Cruz was laying her heart completely bare, no hesitation, no fear. The certainty in her voice stole Josie’s breath. She wanted nothing more than to marry Cruz too, and if tomorrow was what Cruz wanted, she wasn’t going to deny her.

She surged forward, kissing Cruz fiercely, catching her by surprise this time. The kiss was deep, fueled by the rush of emotions that had been building inside her since the moment Cruz spoke those words. When she finally pulled back, they were both breathless, foreheads pressed together, their eyes locked. Josie’s heart thundered in her chest, her voice trembling but strong as she whispered, “Ok, baby.” A tear slipped down her cheek, but her smile was radiant, conviction blazing in her eyes to match Cruz’s. “Let’s get married.”

And with that, they collapsed back into the snow together, arms wrapped tight, kissing sweetly as snowflakes swirled gently around them.

They were all gathered in the great room, the soft glow of the Christmas tree reflecting in the windows as Cruz, Josie, Bobby, and Two Cups settled into the easy rhythm that always seemed to happen when they were together. Dinner had been a success, prime rib, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, and every other side dish they could manage.  Now, dessert was scattered across the coffee table in front of them. A plate of cookies, slices of pie, and mugs of coffee and bourbon were all within reach, and everyone picked at them lazily as the conversation flowed.

The fire snapped and popped in the hearth, sending waves of warmth through the room while snow continued to drift gently past the windows. They talked about everything and nothing all at once, old missions that still made them laugh, the kind of random stories that only ever surfaced when they were all together like this. It was easy and unguarded, a night that felt like family.

Two Cups, in true fashion, unbuttoned his pants and slouched deeper into the couch with a loud, satisfied sigh as he took a long sip of bourbon. “Great meal, guys,” he declared, voice lazy and full of contentment. “I could pass out on this couch right now.”

Bobby shot him a vicious smirk, the kind she always saved for him, before glancing back at Cruz and Josie. “I’d kick him out now before he gets too comfortable. You know what comes next. He’s gonna start farting in oblivion.”

Two Cups gave her a side‑eye and waved her off with mock dignity. “It’s just a sign I enjoyed the meal. A man’s gotta digest.”

“Right,” Bobby shot back, sarcastically. “While you make the rest of us abandon the room in a panic.”

Cruz and Josie sat together on the other couch, fingers laced, watching the familiar banter unfold. It was chaotic and ridiculous, but they loved it.  This strange little family that had formed through shared danger and deeper trust. They exchanged a look, quiet and knowing, both grateful for their friends.

Two Cups raised his glass toward Bobby in mock solemnity. “I love you, girl.”

Bobby, rarely one to show emotion and clearly trying to hide it now, still let the warmth seep through her usual sarcasm. “I love you too, asshole,” she said, clinking her glass against his.

Josie inched a little closer to Cruz instinctively, her smile soft and genuine. “We’re just glad you two could make it,” she said warmly. “I’m so glad all our schedules lined up so we could do this.”

Cruz tightened her grip on Josie’s hand in silent agreement, true to her nature as a woman of few words in a larger setting. Her quiet presence spoke volumes, and Josie felt it in the gentle squeeze of her fingers.

Bobby leaned forward to spear another bite of pie, her tone shifting to something more earnest. “We really appreciate the invite,” she said. “Everyone else has families, and I’m happy they got the time off, but… Cups and I, well, we were just happy to land somewhere.”

Two Cups glanced at her, then back at Cruz and Josie, a rare softness in his eyes. “Yeah,” he added with a small, heartfelt smile. “It means a lot to be here, with you two.”

With all the kind words Bobby and Two Cups had shared, Cruz felt the warmth of the evening seep into her bones. She looked over at Josie, her heart swelling with love and gratitude for the life they’d built and the friends who surrounded them. Everything about this night, the firelight, the snow outside, the laughter still echoing softly through the room, felt right. Cruz reached over and laced her fingers through Josie’s, the touch gentle but deliberate. She gave Josie a look, one carrying a spark of nervous excitement and absolute certainty, that said now.

Josie nodded back in agreement.

“Hey,” Cruz said, clearing her throat, her voice softer than usual as a nervous flutter stirred in her chest. She glanced at Josie, who gave her a small, encouraging nod, and then looked back at their friends. “There’s something we want to share with you both… something important.” She paused, her thumb absently brushing circles against Josie’s hand, grounding herself before continuing. “We actually have something we want to ask you guys.”

Bobby raised a brow. “Uh oh. That’s never good.”

Josie laughed softly, her heart thumping as she lifted her left hand, the ring catching the firelight. “We actually got engaged a little over a week ago,” she said, glancing at Cruz with a tender smile. “And we’ve decided we don’t want to wait, we want to get married as soon as we can.” She paused, drawing in a steadying breath as her eyes swept over their friends’ faces. “Like… tomorrow, if we can make it happen.”

The room went silent for a long while, the crackle of the fire suddenly the only sound. Bobby blinked once, then twice, before letting out a long, low whistle. “Tomorrow?” she repeated slowly, her voice caught somewhere between disbelief and laughter. “As in tomorrow tomorrow?”

Two Cups blinked. “Wait. Like… tomorrow tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Cruz said with absolute certainty, her arm slipping around Josie’s shoulders as she pulled her a little closer. There was a brightness in her eyes now, as if saying the words made the reality of it even more exhilarating. “Tomorrow,” she repeated, her voice firm but warm. She paused, leaning in just a little, her gaze moving between them. “We want you both to be our witnesses, and to stand with us when we say our vows.”

Shock melted into grins as the Bobby and Two Cups exchanged looks.

“You’re serious,” Bobby said, still processing.

Josie just smiled as she looked at their stunned faces. “Yeah, pretty serious,” Josie replied, her voice warm and steady. “We’re going to call a justice of the peace in the morning and see if we can get someone to come out here. We want to get married on the property, right here, at home.”

Two Cups shook his head, still processing, and let out a disbelieving laugh. “Well, shit, you two. You were going so damn slow at first when you first got together, and now? You buy a house, fix it up, and, hell....married now… tomorrow? Damn!”

Cruz just smiled, then turned toward Josie, rubbing her hands together as the words formed. “We don’t want to wait anymore,” she said simply, her voice steady and full of conviction. She shifted her gaze to Two Cups, meeting his eyes. “Life’s too short. I don’t want to waste any more of it.” As she spoke, Cruz gently ran her fingers over Josie’s ring, a soft gesture that made Josie glance back at her with the same deep certainty shining in her eyes.

Two Cups watched them quietly, for once genuinely moved by what he saw and unable to come up with a joke. He cleared his throat, his usual grin softening into sincerity. “Well,” he said slowly, nodding as if in reluctant agreement, “I can’t argue with that.”

Bobby was visibly moved too, and as she rubbed at her eyes, trying, and failing, to hide the emotion welling there, her voice softened in a way it rarely did. “We’d be honored,” she said quietly, sincerity threading through every word. “Of course we’ll stand up for you two.”

Josie’s smile softened, her own emotions rising to the surface as she looked between them. “Then stay the night,” she said warmly. “We’ve got plenty of room, and it’ll make tomorrow easier. We want you here when we wake up, start to finish.” She let out a soft laugh, brushing at the corner of her eye.

Bobby and Two Cups exchanged a look and nodded in agreement. “Done,” Bobby said without hesitation. “You know we always carry a bag in the truck just in case we’re called out, so we’re set.”

Two Cups pushed himself up from the couch, back to his usual self, and lifted his bourbon high. “Well,” he said with a grin, “as long as you two know what you’re doing, we might as well make it official with a toast.”

They all rose, glasses in hand, as Two Cups cleared his throat with exaggerated seriousness. “To you two,” he said, his usual sarcasm softening into sincerity. “I think I really mean this. I wish you both all the best.”

The words hung warmly in the air, genuine and heartfelt, and Cruz and Josie exchanged a glance that said everything they were feeling in that moment.

They were all tucked away in their rooms now, the farmhouse quiet after a day filled with laughter and warmth. The faint glow of Christmas lights spilled gently through the frosted window of Cruz and Josie’s room, painting the walls with soft amber light. .

Cruz and Josie curled into each other beneath the heavy quilt on their bed, their bodies molding together as they always did. Cruz brushed her fingertips along the curve of Josie’s waist, drawing idle patterns against the soft fabric of her shirt, while Josie traced small circles over the back of Cruz’s hand, both of them savoring the simple comfort of being close.

As they lay there, facing one another, Josie felt utterly at peace, safe and calm in the moment. “It was a great first Christmas here, baby,” she whispered, her voice tender as she reached up to brush a loose strand of hair from Cruz’s face.

Cruz’s eyes softened, holding Josie’s gaze with intensity. She felt a swell of love so strong it nearly took her breath away. “It was,” she murmured, her thumb gliding over the inside of Josie’s arm. “It couldn’t have been better.”

Josie’s lips curved into a soft, teasing smile as her fingers continued to play gently with Cruz’s hair. “Last chance to back out of marrying me,” she teased, her tone light but her eyes shimmering with emotion.

Cruz didn’t so much as blink. Her gaze remained steady, full of devotion as she inched closer and pressed a slow, tender kiss to Josie’s lips. When she pulled back just enough to meet her eyes again, her voice was firm and certain. “Not a chance.”

Their smiles deepened, breath mingling between them as they drew closer once more. Arms wrapped around each other, bodies fitting together in a familiar and perfect way, and the world beyond their room faded away. The night grew quiet except for their whispered words and soft laughter as they began to make love, gentle and unhurried, a reflection of the deep bond they had built and the life that lay ahead.

It was the perfect end to their first Christmas in the farmhouse, and the perfect beginning to the rest of their lives.

Chapter Text

Bobby was in the kitchen making toast and eggs, loudly complaining about how much weight she must have gained over the past week and grumbling about it to Cruz. Cruz stood by her at that counter, stoic and unimpressed, giving Bobby the same deadpan look she reserved for anyone she thought was being ridiculous. She calmly ate her toast and drank her coffee, letting Bobby rant without interruption. Finally, Cruz’s patience began to fray, and she shot a glance toward Josie, who was seated peacefully at the table, sipping her own coffee and nibbling on eggs with a faint, knowing smile.

Josie didn’t try to stop Bobby or correct her. She just listened, amused, because this was what Bobby did, gripe about everything and nothing, and Cruz, despite her tough exterior, secretly loved her for it. Josie could practically see the internal battle on Cruz’s face: part of her wanted to hurl a piece of toast to silence Bobby, and part of her was too lazy to do it.

As Bobby’s monologue about carbs and metabolism continued, Josie’s attention drifted. Her smile softened as her thoughts shifted to the day itself, and what it meant.

It was New Year’s Eve. Today, she and Cruz were getting married. Finally.

They had called the courthouse the day after Christmas, eager to make it official right away on their own property. But Maryland’s civil services did not share their sense of urgency. The first available appointment for an off-site ceremony wasn’t until a week later.....New Year’s Eve. Cruz had grumbled about the wait for days, pacing and muttering about bureaucracy, but Josie had secretly liked the symbolism of it: ending the year with the life they had built and starting the new one as wives.

Two Cups and Bobby had stayed after Christmas, turning the week into a quiet, unexpected retreat. The four of them spent slow, easy days together, helping around the farmhouse, watching movies by the fire, and taking spontaneous day trips into D.C. to wander the monuments and eat too much street food. It had been the kind of week they all needed: a gentle pause from the danger they lived in, a soft halt to the constant motion of their lives, letting them breathe deeply and savor the rare stretch of stillness a little longer.

But today.....today was about Cruz and her. About the promise they were about to make in the cold winter air beneath a simple wooden gazebo. Josie felt her heart beat faster at the thought. She couldn’t wait to marry Cruz.

She blinked back into the present and found Cruz watching her from across the table, her hard gaze softened by affection. Josie smiled, and Cruz did too, small, sweet, and certain.

No more waiting. 

Two Cups walked in through the kitchen door, a dusting of snow still clinging to his jacket as he stomped his boots against the mat. He peeled off his gloves and cupped his hands, blowing warm air into them before rubbing them together briskly. Josie rose from her chair to greet him, patting him on the back with a grin as he shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the rack.

“Gazebo’s done,” he announced, his breath still catching from the cold as he sank into a chair. “Damn, it’s freezing out there.” He held his hands over the coffee Josie poured for him, sighing gratefully as he took the first careful sip. “You two sure you want to get married outside?” he asked, looking at them like they’d both lost their minds.

Before answering, Josie’s thoughts lingered on the reason she’d insisted on the outdoor ceremony. There was something poetic about it, about stepping into this new life together under an open sky, in the cold that reminded them both of everything they’d endured and everything they’d chosen to fight for. It mattered to her that their vows would live in that space.

“Absolutely,” Josie said without a flicker of doubt, glancing at Cruz with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “We all have jackets. No one’s going to freeze.”

Bobby turned from the counter just then, ignoring her own earlier complaints about too many holiday calories as she bit into a thick slice of toast dripping with butter and jam. “I’m with Cups. You two are nuts,” she said through a mouthful of food. Then, softening despite herself, she added, “But if that’s what you two want, we’ll do it with you.” She ducked her head, her tone playful but the emotion in her eyes unmistakable.

Cruz crossed the room and sat down by Josie at the table. She didn’t bother hiding her affection anymore, not here, not now. Josie was going to be her wife, and Cruz still couldn’t quite believe that word belonged to them. She shot a teasing look at Bobby and Two Cups. “It was you two who suggested the gazebo when Josie mentioned she wanted to get married outside,” she reminded them, “and you two who offered to decorate it for us. Now you’re complaining?”

Her exasperation was exaggerated, the teasing glint in her eyes making it clear she was enjoying this. Josie poked her lightly in the stomach, and Cruz gave her a mock-innocent look that said, What? I’m right. Josie just laughed.

Bobby and Two Cups exchanged a look and started laughing too. “Fine,” Two Cups said with mock defeat. “We’ll freeze with you.”

Bobby mumbled something unintelligible around another bite of toast, but it sounded like agreement. Teasing or not, they were always on board.

“What time is this shindig, anyway?” Two Cups asked.

“Five,” Josie answered, glancing up at the clock. It was only 11 a.m. now. The hours ahead stretched long and full, heavy with anticipation. It was still hours off, but Josie wanted to get started with the day, the excitement already buzzing in her chest. “I’m going to shower,” she said, as she looked at Cruz.

Cruz kissed her forehead softly, knowing Josie wanted to start getting ready even though they had time. As Josie disappeared down the hall, Cruz’s gaze lingered on her, heart full and chest tight.

Today was the start of a new chapter, of their life. Even after everything they had survived, the enormity of it still overwhelmed her in the best possible way.

By early afternoon, the soft bustle of getting ready lifted through the house and carried them into the bedroom.  It felt more intimate here, away from the chatter of the kitchen, just the two of them moving quietly around each other as they prepared for the moment that would change everything.

Josie stood by the mirror fastening simple earrings, her sweater dress, cream and warm, its sleeves pushed to her elbows, skimming her knees when she walked. Cruz, notoriously indifferent to clothing beyond utility, had let Josie talk her into slacks and a deep-charcoal sweater that made her eyes catch when she smiled. They checked each other like they would before a mission, but gentler and slower this time, Josie smoothing a wrinkle at Cruz’s collar with the side of her hand, fingers lingering on her, and Cruz tugging a loose thread at Josie’s cuff before pressing a kiss to her wrist, just there where the skin was thinnest. For a heartbeat, they simply stood there, absorbing the weight of what they were about to do, two women preparing for a different kind of mission, one built not on orders, but on choice.

As they stood there, Josie slipped her arms around Cruz’s waist, emotion welling up as the reality of what was about to happen sank in. She traced her hands slowly up Cruz’s sides, then cupped her face, studying every detail like she wanted to memorize it. Cruz closed her eyes at the touch, leaning into it as Josie’s thumbs brushed softly along her cheekbones.

A nervous laugh bubbled up from Josie, and she gulped, trying to break the tension with a hint of humor. “You still have time to back out,” she teased, her smile trembling at the edges.

Cruz opened her eyes at that, catching Josie’s gaze with a look that was steady and certain. She turned her head just enough to press a kiss to Josie’s palm, which still rested against her face. Slowly, she shook her head. “Not a chance,” she murmured.

She leaned in and kissed her slowly, then rested her forehead against Josie’s. “I’m never backing out,” Cruz whispered, the words steady by everything they’d survived together. She pulled back just enough to meet Josie’s eyes, her intensity strong. “Never.”

Josie’s heart clenched, her nerves dissolving beneath the strength of Cruz’s conviction. She kissed Cruz’s nose gently, the smallest of smiles curving her lips. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you more,” Cruz replied, brushing a soft kiss against Josie’s cheek before letting her lips linger near her ear.

They stood there in that quiet, suspended moment, hands still joined, when the doorbell rang. They exchanged a glance, knowing without question that it was the justice of the peace. From downstairs, Two Cups called up, his voice echoing faintly through the house.

Josie took a deep breath, squeezing Cruz’s hands. “Let’s do this, baby.”

Cruz smiled, her chest full, and nodded. With their fingers still laced, she gently tugged Josie toward the door, and together they made their way downstairs.

The justice of the peace, a woman in her late fifties with kind eyes, was already at the front door, leather folder tucked under her arm, cheeks flushed from the cold. She was speaking warmly with Bobby and Two Cups when Cruz and Josie came down the stairs, their hands still laced together. As they approached, the woman turned toward them, her smile widening.

Cruz and Josie introduced themselves, and the justice shook their hands warmly. “I absolutely love New Year’s Eve weddings,” she said with a bright, easy smile. “There’s something special about them, like hitting reset on everything. It’s not just the start of a new year, it’s the start of your life together. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate both.”

Behind them, Bobby and Two Cups stood quietly, trying, and failing, to hide their smiles. For all their teasing earlier, they were just as caught up in the moment, their faces soft with pride and happiness for their friends.

“Thank you so much for being here today,” Josie said sincerely, her voice warm but a little unsteady with emotion.

“It’s my pleasure,” the woman replied warmly, her smile never fading. “Now then, where are we having this ceremony? Inside, or do you two have something special planned?”

Cruz spoke up then, her voice calm. “We’d like to do it outside, in our gazebo.”

The woman’s eyes danced as she smiled widely. “Perfect,” she said. “Let’s head on out there, if you’re ready.”

Cruz and Josie stared at each other, both drawing in a slow breath as the moment settled over them. “Ok,” Josie whispered, her smile breaking into something brighter. “Let’s go.”

Cruz swallowed. Josie slid her fingers into Cruz’s, as they kept each other calm.

They all walked outside bundled in coats and scarves, ready to brave the winter chill. The snow had mostly melted, but the late-December air in Maryland still bit at their cheeks and turned their breath into small clouds. Their shoes crunched softly over the frozen ground as they made their way toward the gazebo.

The justice stepped inside first, pausing as she looked around with clear admiration. “This is just so beautiful,” she said, turning back to Cruz and Josie with a warm smile.

Cruz felt her face heat slightly at the compliment, cheeks coloring pink, but she nodded and murmured a quiet “Thank you,” proud of the small space she had built for her soon to be wife.

The justice guided them into place, positioning them beneath the simple arch while they removed their gloves, exposing their engagement rings. “All right,” she said, glancing around. “Who has the bands?”

“Right here,” Bobby called from behind them, lifting the small box and stepping forward with a grin as she handed it to the justice. She gave them each a quick pat on the back before stepping back to stand beside Two Cups, both of them smiling wide, unable to hide how happy they were to be part of this moment.

Cruz and Josie stood facing each other.

“Are you two ready?” the justice asked.

Josie exhaled through a smile that trembled. The cold air stung her cheeks, but she barely felt it, her whole world was standing right in front of her. “More than ready,” she whispered, and she meant it with every fiber of her being.

“Always,” Cruz said, her voice steady but thick with emotion, the single word carrying every promise she’d ever meant and every future she could now imagine with Josie.

The ceremony began. The justice spoke about love being a daily practice and a sanctuary you both build and guard, her words weaving gently into the crisp winter air. She reminded them that love is not just a moment, but a thousand choices made day after day.

As the words drifted over her, Cruz felt her heart pound harder with every breath. Her gaze stayed locked on Josie, and memories flooded her.  The long nights in the rehab center when Josie was learning to walk again, when every inch gained felt like a mile conquered. She remembered the first time Josie laughed again, not the fragile, careful sound of someone pretending to be fine, but a laugh that was full and real, a laugh that filled the room and made Cruz believe they were both going to be ok.

And then there was that night....the night everything changed. Josie had asked her to stay, her voice quiet and uncertain, not wanting to be alone. Cruz had hesitated at first, instinctively reaching for the walls she had spent a lifetime building. But she’d stayed. She’d held Josie the entire night, feeling something shift in both of them as they crossed an invisible line from the closest of friends into something deeper, something neither of them could turn away from. That single moment had unraveled everything Cruz thought she knew about herself. She had spent so much of her life keeping people out, convinced that walls were the only way to survive. But this woman.  This fierce, stubborn, beautiful woman, had scaled those walls, refused to give up on her, and waited patiently on the other side until Cruz was ready to let her in.

Josie’s thoughts mirrored Cruz’s in their own way. As her mind reached back to the time she thought she’d lost everything. Her career, her family, her future, and how Cruz had been there, holding the pieces while she learned how to breathe again. She remembered the nights they fell asleep shoulder to shoulder on the couch because neither could stand to be alone, and the quiet moments when Cruz’s silence said everything Josie needed to hear.

And then, like Cruz, she too remembered the night everything changed. The night she’d asked Cruz not to leave, her voice barely more than a whisper, afraid of what the darkness would feel like without her there. Cruz had stayed, wrapping Josie in her arms as if she belonged there and for the first time in a long time, Josie believed she did. They hadn’t said anything monumental that night. They hadn’t needed to. The way Cruz’s arms tightened around her, the way their breaths found the same rhythm, the way the world seemed to fall away until it was just the two of them.  That was the night they stopped being two people trying to survive separately and became whole together.

It was the night they became them.

Standing here now, beneath a pale winter sky, she felt every mile of the road that had brought them here, and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she would do it all over again if it meant ending in this moment.

The justice smiled at them, pausing to let the weight of the moment settle. “This isn’t just about today,” she said gently. “It’s about all the days that came before and every single one still waiting for you.”

Cruz and Josie looked at each other then, and in that glance, they both knew they were thinking the same thing: We made it. Through all of it. And we’re still here.

“Would you like to share vows?” the justice asked.

They hadn’t written anything formal. They’d spent months talking about everything that mattered.  Whispering in the dark, teasing over coffee, sharing truths in the quiet between their missions. They trusted that when the moment came, the right words would find them.

Cruz went first because she was always better when she didn’t overthink. She took Josie’s free hand, spreading their fingers to feel the cool air slide between them. For a heartbeat, she just looked at her, eyes tracing the woman who had become her world. “I didn’t know this was possible,” she began, her voice steady and low. “I didn’t think someone like me could ever have something like this. That I could still be who I was and become who I am now with you by my side. You never ask me to be less. You inspire me, push me gently to grow, and make me believe I deserve this life. I promise to always guard what we have, to choose us every single day, to tell you the truth even when it scares me. And to…” Cruz’s voice caught as emotion rose in her throat. “…to come home. Always come home… to you.”

Josie’s breath hitched. She blinked fast and as she felt the tears begin to form. Every word Cruz had spoken had settled deep into her heart and taken root. She felt them to her core, the truth of them, the love behind them, the weight of everything they had already survived and everything they still would. She took a breath, steadying herself, then spoke.

“You are the safest place I’ve ever known,” she said, her voice trembling but strong. “And the bravest. You made room for me to be loud and soft, stubborn and tender. You showed me that I could be broken and still be whole, that I could lose everything and still build something beautiful again. I promise to love you more and worry less.  To choose you, over and over, every day, no matter what life throws at us. And I promise that wherever this life takes us, I will always find my way back home… to you.”  Josie wipes a tear that spills from her eye as she gazes at the woman she loves.

Bobby cleared her throat, feeling the power of the moment. Two Cups sniffed and then pretended he hadn’t.

The justice then handed them the rings, silver circlets that caught the lighting and gleamed against their skin. Cruz’s fingers trembled slightly as she slid the ring onto Josie’s hand, her thumb brushing over her knuckle as if sealing a promise there. “With this ring,” she whispered, her voice catching, “I give you everything I am.”

Josie’s breath shivered in the cold as she mirrored the gesture, slipping Cruz’s ring into place and curling her fingers gently around Cruz’s hand. “With this ring,” she said softly, her eyes locked on Cruz’s, “I choose you, every day, for the rest of my life.”

The justice watched them with a warm smile, her voice softening as the final words of the ceremony wrapped around them. “By the power granted to me by this county,” she said, pausing with a twinkle in her eye, “and by the joy of this very wonderful day, I now pronounce you wife and wife.” She stepped back slightly, giving them space as the winter air seemed to still around them.

Cruz let out a shaky laugh, breath clouding between them. “That’s it,” she whispered, barely loud enough for Josie to hear. “You’re stuck with me now.”

Josie’s lips curved into a trembling smile, her eyes glistening. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be stuck,” she whispered back, her voice breaking into a soft laugh of her own. “We did it, baby.”

“Yeah,” Cruz breathed, the word thick with emotion. “We really did.”

Two Cups stared at them in disbelief, throwing his hands up. “Oh, for fuck's sake, just kiss already!”

Cruz glanced over at Two Cups, shaking her head with a laugh. “You really know how to ruin a dramatic moment,” she called out, her voice light with amusement.

“Somebody had to,” Two Cups shot back, grinning.

Josie laughed too, the tension of the moment dissolving into something even sweeter. “He’s right, though,” she murmured, turning back to Cruz with a look that was all love and certainty. “We should probably listen to him.”

“Yeah,” Cruz breathed, her voice softening as she leaned closer. “We probably should.”

Cruz didn’t realize she was already leaning forward until their mouths met, sealing their first kiss as a married couple. Josie’s hands framed Cruz’s face, her thumbs brushing gently against her cheeks, while Cruz’s hands found the small of Josie’s back and drew her closer. The world narrowed to warmth and the taste of cold air between kisses, and for a long, perfect moment, nothing else existed but the two of them, the vows they had just spoken, and the life they were stepping into together.

When they finally parted, foreheads resting together, both of them were breathless and smiling.

The justice laughed, delighted. “Congratulations,” she said warmly, her voice carrying through the cold air as if blessing the moment.

Bobby whooped, finally letting go of her seriousness, and Two Cups shouted, “About damn time!” which made them all laugh.

They returned to the house as the night took over. The justice had gone, leaving them with Bobby and Two Cups, who were still buzzing with the joy of the day. Bobby disappeared briefly and returned with a bottle of champagne she’d had chilling in the fridge. “Figured we’d save this for the big moment,” she said with a grin as the cork popped and foam bubbled over the lip.

Cruz and Josie had decided they didn’t want anything extravagant for their wedding dinner, just a meal that felt like them. They moved around the kitchen at ease, putting together a simple spread of pasta tossed with garlic and herbs, a crisp salad, and warm bread straight from the oven. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfect for their occasion.

They all sat down at the table, plates steaming and champagne flutes filled, the mood light and full. Laughter bounced off the walls as they toasted again and again, to love, to friendship, to the year ahead. “To the newlyweds,” Two Cups declared, raising his glass high. “May you never drive each other too crazy.”

“Too late for that,” Josie joked, earning a round of laughter.

They ate heartily, savoring every bite and every second of the evening, the warmth of the fire and the weight of their rings grounding them in the moment. It was exactly how they wanted to celebrate....good food, good friends, and the quiet joy of a day that had changed everything.

As they finished their meal, Bobby looked at Two Cups and gave him a nod. Two Cups returned it knowingly, and Bobby pushed back from the table. “All right, we’re off,” she announced. “We’re leaving you two alone so you can start your honeymoon.” She added an exaggerated wink for effect, which made Josie roll her eyes and laugh. Two Cups nodded in agreement.

Cruz set her champagne flute down and shook her head. “You guys don’t have to leave,” she said. “We planned on you staying the night.”

“Yeah,” Josie added quickly. “We’d really like you to.”

Bobby smiled but shook her head. “Nope. We’re out of here. It’s 10 p.m., and Cups and I are heading to a bar to ring in the new year.” She started to turn toward the door, but then she stopped, her usual bravado softening. “Look, I’m not good at this sentimental shit, but… thanks for including us today.....and for letting us hang  out the entire week.” Her voice caught slightly, and she wiped at her mouth as if to hide it. “It really means a lot.”

Two Cups grinned and broke the emotion with a laugh. “Holy shit, you made her cry. That’s a first,” he teased, shaking his head as Bobby groaned and shoved at his shoulder.

“I didn’t cry, asshole,” Bobby shot back, swatting at him. Then she crossed the room to Josie and hugged her tight. “Congrats, Thunder,” she said warmly before turning to Cruz and giving her a firm slap on the back. “Keep her happy and take whatever comes your way. That’s how you do this.”

Cruz chuckled and nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

Josie slipped her arm around Cruz’s waist and looked at their friends with a heartfelt smile. “Thank you both for being here with us. It means so much. You’re family.”

Bobby and Two Cups waved it off like it was nothing, though their smiles said otherwise. Cruz shook her head, laughing as they all walked to the door together. She and Josie stood on the porch, arms wrapped around each other, and watched as Bobby and Two Cups drove off into the night to celebrate the new year their way. They stayed there until the headlights disappeared past the front gate, the night settling quietly around them.

Josie turned to Cruz, the house suddenly quieter now that it was just the two of them. “So,” she asked softly, a smile tugging at her lips, “what do you want to do now?”

Cruz tilted her head, pretending to think deeply, a playful spark in her eyes. “Hmm… how about we grab a bottle of wine, some blankets, and go sit out in the gazebo to ring in the new year?” she suggested. “Oh, and those cheesecake bites we left in the fridge, they should be thawed by now. We’ll bring those too.”

Josie’s smile widened, warmth blooming in her chest as she stepped closer and brushed her fingers against Cruz’s. “That’s perfect,” she murmured, her voice full of quiet happiness. “Let’s go grab everything.”

They sat together in the gazebo, wrapped in blankets against the chill, sharing wine and feeding each other cheesecake as they glowed in the quiet happiness of the night. The world felt still around them, the farmhouse lights a soft golden glow in the distance.

It had been a whirlwind year, more than either of them could have imagined.

Josie took a bite from Cruz’s hand and then looked at her wife with eyes full of wonder. “Do you remember this time last year?” she asked softly. “We weren’t even together for New Year’s. We were both on missions… and still crammed into that tiny studio in Arlington. We hadn’t even talked about moving anywhere else, let alone buying a place. Marriage… all of this.”

Her voice trailed off as she turned her gaze around them, taking in the farmhouse they had poured their sweat into, the barn they had restored with their own hands, the land that was now theirs. Most of all, she looked at Cruz, her wife, and felt a wave of gratitude so strong it nearly stole her breath. “Here we are, a year later,” she whispered, emotion threading through every word. “On our own property. Married. Life can’t get better than this, baby. All because of you.”

Cruz’s eyes softened, her throat tightening as she looked back at Josie, then around at the life they had built together. The love that had changed her so completely, that had taught her what home meant, sat right in front of her. She brushed her thumb along Josie’s cheek, leaning in until their foreheads touched. “You’re right,” she murmured, voice thick with feeling. “Life is good. Thank you, baby. Thank you for showing me I could have this, with you. We wouldn’t be here without you. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I don’t care. You’re mine… and I love you so much.”

Her voice broke on the last words as she pulled Josie into a tight hug, needing to feel her close as the emotions overwhelmed her. Josie just held her, no words necessary. Her arms, her heartbeat, her warmth were enough....proof that this was real, that it was theirs, and it wasn’t going anywhere.

Tears slipped silently from both of them as they smiled against each other’s shoulders. When they finally pulled back, Josie glanced at her watch and laughed softly. “One minute, baby.”

Cruz chuckled too, reaching for their glasses of wine and handing one to Josie. They leaned in closer, glasses clinking together in a soft, private toast, to their marriage, to their journey, to the future waiting just ahead.

“Happy New Year,” Cruz whispered, her voice tender as she looked at the woman who had become her whole world.

“Happy New Year,” Josie echoed, smiling back at her wife with so much love it made Cruz’s heart ache.

They leaned in and kissed as midnight struck, the first kiss of a brand-new year as a married couple. Fireworks cracked faintly in the distance, but neither of them noticed. All that mattered was this, this kiss, this home they had built with their own hands, this love that had carried them through everything. And as the new year began, they savored it together, knowing the best was still to come.