Something Worth Fighting For (27 page)

“Who is this?”

“Ellie.”

“Whoever this is, this is a cruel joke.” She snapped, I couldn’t help but laugh at her acting like she cared.

“No, it’s really me, Celeste. Keller told dad you called and he told me a while back but I just now got the nerve to call. I wasn’t going to but someone asked me to.”

“Wow, Penelope, I can’t believe it’s you. How are you?”

“Are we really going to do this? Pretend like nothing happened? Do you honestly even give a shit?”

“I deserve that.”

“You deserve a hell of alot worse than that.” I couldn’t contain the anger rising within me. “It’s been nearly five years and out of the blue you decide that you want to talk to me now? What gives you the right? Wait, let me tell you, you don’t have the right. You were and are as far as I’m concerned will always be a horrible person.”

“You’re right, Penelope. I don’t deserve to speak to you. I don’t deserve to be part of your life, but I want to be.”

“Why? Have you run out of other people to blame? Trying to find another reason to make me hate myself? Trying to make sure I did it right this time,
Mom
?”

“Penelope I made a mistake, a lot of mistakes. I was angry with the entire situation and I blamed you for it. I said awful things to you that I can never take back. I understand that you are mad at me and what I said is probably unforgivable. As selfish as it is I’m asking for a second chance. I’ve missed out on four years of your life. Four years that I should have been there helping you and I want to start now making that up to you. I would like to come visit you.” Her voice was even as she contained her emotions.

I wanted to be mad, I wanted to hate her. All those years she had made me so bitter and I wanted her to feel half of what I felt. My thoughts went to Atlas. He wanted to be mad at Felix and I pushed him to forgive, to go see him. It was my turn to do the same.

“Please call me Ellie.”

“Ellie it is.”

“I’m going to give you a chance because it wouldn’t be fair to Atlas if I didn’t. I made him take a chance so I’m going to take the same one. But I swear to everything if you hurt me, you’ll never hear from me again.” I bit the words out against my better judgment.

“Who is Atlas?” She asked softly.

“My boyfriend.” I smiled wrapping his hoodie around me tighter.

“A boyfriend, huh? He must be a special guy.”

“He is.”

“Will I get to meet him one day? I would like to thank him.”

“I’m afraid not any time soon, he’s in Afghanistan. He’s deployed until September.”

“Well I look forward to meeting him.”

We talked for several hours until I told her that I had school and had to get some sleep. She assured me she would call the next day and I told her that I looked forward to it. I breathed in deep, releasing the tension from my body as sleep fell.

My karma just increased by at least tenfold.

❋❋❋

To:
Atlas Ryker

From:
Ellie Grant

March 31, 2014

I miss you. Be okay. I need you to be okay... Be careful, please. I love you. I love you. I love you, always.

             
~Ellie

❋❋❋

Two weeks later I was pacing around my dad’s living room watching the news. “A Marine sniper is dead tonight after being shot during a surveillance operation.” My head whipped around to the screen. I fell to my knees in front of the TV, holding my breath. The world was spinning as my nails dug into my palms and my chest constricted.

No, no, no, no, oh God, no.

“Sergeant Eduardo Hernandez Junior stationed at Camp Lejeune was shot during a special operations mission on Wednesday. He has been a Marine for seven years and leaves behind his parents, Eduardo Hernandez Senior and Maria Hernandez, brother Emmanuel Hernandez, and sister Carlita Hernandez all of San Antonio, Texas.”

My heart sank as I silently thanked the universe that it wasn’t Atlas. “Ellie, you okay?” Dad’s voice came from behind me as I jumped to my feet, clinging to him.

“It wasn’t Atlas.” I cried into his chest.

“No, Ellie Belle, it wasn’t.” He put his hand on the back of my head, holding me to him. “Eddie was a good man.”

“Yes he was,” I hiccuped, wiping my eyes. “I’m just a mix of happy and sad all at the same time. Eddie was his friend and yet I’m so relieved that it wasn’t Atlas.”

“It’s a hard situation. You’re allowed to feel both.” He kissed the top of my head as he released me. “You want to stay here tonight?”

“Can I?”

“Of course, you know that.”

“Then yes, absolutely yes.”

“Good, go take a breather, you need it. Get away from that damn TV.” He pushed me toward the front door.

“Yes sir,” I said without argument. I took my shoes off by the stairs and walked out into the sand. The warmth of the fading day kissing my shoulders as my toes hit the water. “God, I don’t know if you’re there or if you’re real but if you or anything up there is real or if it’s just the universe, I don’t know, just make him come home to me. Just let me hear from him soon.” I wrapped my arms around myself as my phone started buzzing in my pocket.

“Hello?” I answered it without looking at the screen.

“Hey gorgeous.” I burst into tears at the sound of his tired voice.

“Atlas, Hi. Oh thank you, hi, baby. How are you?” I spoke with a ragged breath.

“I’m okay, I’m safe. We lost Eddie.”

“I know, I just saw it on the news.”

“It’s been a rough few days.”

“I’m sure, I’m so sorry, baby.” I walked back to the shore, sitting on the sand. My toes in the water I could just imagine him not being so far away, just across this ocean.

“It’s okay, we’ll move on.”

“I know but will you be okay?”

“Yeah, I will be.”

“How are you, really?” I clutched his dog tags, closing my eyes, I pictured every memorized feature of his face.

“Physically? I’m tired, dirty, and hungry. Mentally? I’m rough but talking to you helps. I can’t wait to see your face again. I just got the last box you sent, thank you. You always know just what I need.”

“You’re welcome. I wish there was more I could do.”

“What you do is enough. Just knowing you’re there waiting for me is enough right now. I wish I could see you. I need to see you. Want to Skype soon?”

“Of course. You have about a dozen emails to reply to.” I laughed.

“Your laugh is the best thing in the world.” He sighed softly. “I better get off of here but I’ll email you and try and text you some. Leave Skype open for me.”

“I will, promise. Get some rest. I love you so much, Atlas, always.”

“I love you, Ellie, always.”

The overwhelming sense of relief was instantaneous. I felt like I could breathe again, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Two weeks worth of anxiety had finally disappeared with a single phone call. I stared at the picture of us on the background of my phone. It was the day he left, we were kissing, and I remembered how I never wanted to let go.

Five more months...

❋❋❋

To:
Ellie Grant

From:
Atlas Ryker

April 3, 2014

Hey there beautiful. How are you my love? I’m finally getting a chance to email you after reading through all of them. Between you, Ma, Ares, everyone I had 50 some odd emails. Not that I mind, it’s nice to know so many people care and were worried about me. I didn’t tell them anything more than I would be out of touch for a few weeks so Ma was happy to hear from me that’s for sure.

It was a really rough few weeks to say the least. But we’re back here for a couple of weeks at least and then I’m not sure. We had a ceremony for Eddie and they will send him back so he can be buried in San Antonio where his parents are. God it was awful. I’m not sure I can talk about it yet but fuck...

I’m still working on getting leave for your graduation but I can’t make any promises. Keep your fingers crossed ‘cause I’m pulling out all the favors owed to me. 

I miss you, baby. I miss your smile, the way you throw your head back when you laugh, when you bite your bottom lip, how red your face gets when you are embarrassed. I miss your insane morning hair that you pout at me for laughing at. I miss when you curl up to me and wrap your arm around my waist, and lay your cheek on my back early in the morning. Every little thing you do. You are everything to me.

I love you, always.

-Atlas

To:
Ellie Grant

From:
Atlas Ryker

May 30, 2014

Congratulations, you survived! I’m so proud of you and I wish I could be there for your big day but,l,, nm as you know, duty calls. We will celebrate as soon as I get back. Expect a phone call later. I know you’re busy so I’ll make this short. I love you, always.

             
-Atlas

❋❋❋

“It’s graduation day!” Darcy ran into mine and Atlas’ room. She had been sleeping in Adam’s room for a week now. “We graduate today!” She jumped into the bed with me, laughing.

“I’m so excited! I wish the guys could be here.” I turned over on my back, staring up at the ceiling. Atlas had told me last week that he wasn’t able to get the approval needed to come back home for my graduation.

“Me too, sweetie. They’ll be home soon.”

“I know,” I smiled,“Today is a happy day, let’s make it awesome.”

“Duh, it’s us, of course this shit is going to be awesome. Let’s go get lookin’ smokin’ hot so we can take pictures for them.” Darcy pulled me out of bed and into the bathroom where we began the long process of getting perfect.

Two hours later in the dark green flared sweetheart dress Darcy had picked out for me and my hair pulled up in a delicate twist we arrived at the auditorium. Dad was waiting on the side of the building for me. “Well don’t you look handsome!” I pulled on the lapels of his suit jacket.

“Ellie Belle you look beautiful.” He kissed my forehead. “I have a surprise for you.”

“For me? Dad you didn’t have to do anything special for me.”

“I wanted to.” He nodded as two sharp dressed shadows walked from around the corner.

“Keller! Toby!” I ran over to my brothers, hugging them both around the necks at the same time. “I can’t believe you’re here!” I planted a loud kiss on each one of their cheeks.

“We wouldn’t have missed it.” Keller patted my back. “We also brought some friends.”

“What?” I looked around, spotting Andy and Ares from across the sidewalk. “Oh my gosh! You all have been planning behind my back.” I walked over, hugging them both. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, sweetie.” Andy kissed my cheek. I looked over her shoulder to see the one person other than Atlas that I never expected to see.

“Celeste?” I asked quietly as she smiled my own smile back at me.

“Hello, Ellie.” She walked over to me as Andy released me. “You’re all grown up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.

“Can I... Can I hug you?” I couldn’t stop myself from throwing my arms around her. She held me tight, rubbing my back. “You’re so beautiful, Ellie.”

“As sweet as this all is we have to get inside and get ready.” Darcy tugged on my hand.

“I’ll look for you guys.” I blew them all a kiss as Darcy dragged me in to get ready.

We were pulling on our gowns and lining up, being inspected to make sure everything was straight.  I was bouncing on my heels as Darcy rolled her eyes at me. “Calm down,” she mouthed as the music began and we marched out to take our seats.

“Welcome everyone.” The dean stood at the podium starting his speech. I admittedly zoned out, like I did every time he spoke, the poor man was completely monotone. Instead I was looking around the room to spot my family. Keller and Ares were making faces at me as Toby shook his head in disapproval.

I turned around to pay attention when they began to call out names. “Abigail Denise Adams,” I watched politely as they went through the rows before mine. When it was our time we stood up, waiting by the side of the stage as we had rehearsed the day before. “Tyler Dane Fittz,” was called before me as I wrung my hands together, taking a deep breath.

“Penelope Noelle Grant,” my name rang out clear through the speakers as my family began to cheer loudly. “I want to stop here for just a minute,” Dean Somers said into the microphone as I made it to his side. “Penelope’s father, Master Gunnery Sergeant Benjamin Grant called me up a few weeks ago to see if we could work together on a little project.” I looked out at the crowd, my father was staring back at me with a wide smile. “Penelope’s boyfriend Atlas is currently stationed in Afghanistan and could not be here this evening for her graduation. So we worked with his superiors to get this video for you.”

My hand flew over my mouth as they lowered the screen and Atlas’ face came up. “Hey gorgeous. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there today but I wanted to let you know that I am so proud of you. I miss you so much, and I can’t wait to see you. I love you, Ellie, always. Wait, you know what? I’m not missing this...” I watched as Atlas jumped out of the chair and ran off the screen.

“What the...” I looked around the room confused. My heart stopped as the curtain on the side of the stage moved to the side. Atlas stepped out in his Dress Blues standing at the other end of the stage. “Are you kidding me?” I gasped and took off running towards him.

Atlas’ arms flew around me as he caught me mid jump. “Surprise,” he whispered as I grabbed his face, shoulders, arms, and back to his face once again.

“Are you real?” Please tell me you’re real. Please tell me I’m not dreaming.” I couldn’t catch my breath as I began to cry.

“Yes baby, I’m real.” He sat me back on my feet, staring down at me. I watched as he dropped to one knee on the stage in front of everyone. “It’s May, Ellie. I’ve waited, I’ve flown halfway across the world and I’m here. I love you and I’ll love you for the rest of my life. You are the reason I wake up, I keep moving forward, and I do what I do every day because it’s one step closer to being with you. I want you with me, by my side for the rest of my life. Penelope Noelle Grant...” I watched him through my tears as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, of course, yes.” I nodded, throwing my arms back around him. Everyone in the auditorium was on their feet, clapping, and cheering for the two of us. With shaking hands Atlas slid the diamond ring on my finger. “I love you,” I pressed my lips firmly to his as he stood back up, lifting me off my feet again.

“I do believe she said yes.” Dean Somers laughed as we walked off stage together. I didn’t care about protocol I wasn’t about to let go of him. I followed him straight out of the back doors.

“I can’t believe you lied to me!” I slapped his chest then wrapped my arms around his waist. “I can’t believe you just proposed. I can’t believe you’re even here! This... just wow.” I laughed, breathing him in.

“It’s good to see you too, Ginger.” He lifted my face to meet his, pressing his lips against mine. His hands laced into my hair as our mouths parted and tongues met. He was warm, solid, and real underneath my hands as they moved over his back.

“Break it up you too, there’s plenty of time for that later.” Keller’s voice broke us apart as I stared up at my fiance.

“Welcome back,” Toby smiled at the two of us.

“Atlas!” Andy came around the corner with Ares on her heels. She collided into him with tears running down her face. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, Ma.” He kissed her cheek then hugged Ares. “Good to see you, man.”

“I think the most important thing to say is congratulations!” Andy clapped her hands together.

“Thank you for your blessing, sir.” Atlas nodded towards my dad who walked over, hugging him as well.

“Welcome back, keep her happy.”

“Yes sir,” Atlas smiled down at me, “If you guys don’t mind, I know you have a party planned for later but I’d like to spend a little alone time with my girl.” I was on cloud nine to say the least. My man, my future husband was home and in my arms.

“Go on you two.” Andy smiled at us.

“Wait there’s someone I want you to meet.” I pulled Atlas away from the group to her standing by herself at the stairs. “Atlas this is my mother, Celeste. Celeste, this is my fiance, Atlas.”

Atlas looked at me, wide eyed. “You actually called her?”

“About a month ago. A certain man asked me to consider it and a little over week later I called her.”

“Atlas, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held her hand out to him.

“Likewise.” He shook her hand briefly.

“I do believe I owe you a thank you. She would have never called me if it wasn’t for you.”

“I didn’t do it for you, I did it for her.” Atlas said. “She needs you as much as she hates to admit it. We both know how stubborn she can be.”

“Watch it,” I nudged him playfully, “You’ll have to excuse us. I haven’t seen him in months so I must go hide away with him for the next few hours.” I smiled suggestively up at him. “I’m sure they told you there is a party at dad’s house later and you’re more than welcome to come. Actually I insist that you be there.”

“I’ll be there, don’t worry.” She laughed. “Go on, we’ll all see you later.” Atlas pulled me away as we headed through the entrance.

“Were you surprised?” He draped his arm over my shoulder.

“Are you kidding? Best surprise of my life!” I looked down at the delicate ring on my finger. “Today has been absolutely perfect.”

“It only gets better from here, baby.” Atlas kissed the side of my head as we reached the car. “Max, I missed you!”

“I think you missed my car more than you missed me.” I laughed as he opened the door and I ducked inside.

“That’s not even remotely possible.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I was afraid if I closed them and opened them again he would disappear. As soon as he was in the car my hand was clasped into his. He pulled out of the parking lot, heading straight back to the apartment.

I peeled my graduation gown off over my head, tossing it into the back seat along with my cap. Atlas nearly drove off the road as he stared over at me. “You’re going to kill me. I come back from Afghanistan and die in a car wreck because you’re wearing that.”

My head fell back as I laughed. “You can thank Darcy for this dress later, she picked it out.”

“I’m more interested in seeing what’s under it.” He grinned as we pulled into the apartments.

“Then why don’t you come find out?” I beckoned him with my finger as I got out of the car, running up the stairs with him laughing behind me. I bounced on my heels as he unlocked the door, pushing it open, and kicking it shut behind us. We were on each other in no time flat.

I threw his hat onto the couch, as his arms encircled my waist, pulling me to him. My hands ran over his head as he walked me backward down the hallway. His lips were on mine as he opened the door to our room and closed us inside.

“I missed you so much.” He ran his hands down my sides as he stared down into my eyes. “You said yes.” His smile could have lit up this whole damn town.

“The answer was always yes, you just had to ask the proper way.”

“All this time...”

“Atlas, I love you, you know this, but if you do not stop talking and make love to me right now we’re going to have a serious problem.”

“Baby, you don’t have to tell me twice.”

❋❋❋

“This is new.” Atlas ran his fingertip over the tattoo on the side of my chest. “I can’t read it from this side.”

“It was only fair.”

“What?” Atlas looked at me, confused. He moved over me, his naked body pressing against my own. “Ryker,” he read, laughing, “you got my name tattooed on you.”

“I did, I wanted it on the same side as it is on your utilities.”

“It’s... I love it.”

“Well that’s good, you’re going to have to look at it for the rest of your life.”

“I really am,” he kissed my bare shoulder, “We’re going to be late to your party.”

“Do we have to go?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Can we come back and do this again afterward?”

“Do you even have to ask?” He laughed, kissing my lips quickly. “Wear the green dress.”

“Yes sir.” I scrambled out of bed, redressing in the clothes I had on earlier. “I’m never going to get my hair back up.” I laughed pulling the pins out of my fallen hair.

“Don’t worry about it, you look beautiful.” Atlas smiled at me from the bed. “We’re getting married.” He laughed, propping himself up on his elbow.

“I can’t believe you’re still shocked about this. You knew I was going to say yes. Ma caught me looking at wedding dresses online while I was there over spring break.” I rolled my eyes. “Come zip me up.”

“I preferred unzipping you.” Atlas winked at me as he stood up stretching. His hands worked the delicate zipper as I held my hair up.

“When do you want to get married?” I looked at him over my shoulder.

“Saturday.”

“Excuse me?” I laughed, dropping my hair.

“Tomorrow, I want to marry you tomorrow.”

“You’re crazy.” I turned around to see him sitting on the bed in a pair of black slacks.

“I’m serious, Ellie, the wedding is tomorrow. I have been emailing everyone for months, everything is taken care of.”