“Shit,” I sobbed, my beanie falling back to the floor as I stripped out of my clothes quickly. My hands were shaking as I panicked.
I was going to miss it. I wasn’t going to be there. Oh, God.
I was down to my bra and underwear, scrambling to pull on my jeans, when my name was called from the front door.
“Ani?” Bram asked in confusion, walking into the room as I lost my shit. I was sobbing by then and tripping as I tried to pull the jeans up my legs.
“Why didn’t anyone wake me up?” I yelled shrilly. “I said to wake me up!”
My words were garbled with sobs.
“Baby, stop,” Bram ordered, hurrying toward me. “Stop!”
His arms wrapped around me tightly as I shook.
“You guys were supposed to come get me!” I screamed, slapping at his chest.
“I’m here,” he said, trying to soothe me. “I’m right here.”
“You were supposed to pick me up,” I sobbed, my entire body going limp. “Dan said—”
“The flight was delayed,” Bram said quietly, leaning his face down to mine. “We’re leaving as soon as you’re ready.”
My chest heaved as his words penetrated. I wasn’t too late.
I cried in relief then. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t even try. I was so far gone that I could feel my eyes growing tight as they swelled with the force of my tears.
“Come on,” Bram whispered, letting go to grab the jeans at my thighs and pull them up my body, gently buttoning and zipping them as I held his shoulders for balance. “I wouldn’t leave you.”
I wiped at my face as I tried to catch my breath, my chest aching with each spasm.
“This shirt?” he asked, reaching behind him for Henry’s shirt lying on the bed. “I remember when he came home with this.”
He pulled it over my head and waited while I threaded my arms through the sleeves.
“Everything okay?” Katie asked, coming into the bedroom as Bram grabbed me some socks.
“I thought I’d slept through it,” I said achingly, meeting her eyes. “I thought I missed it.”
“Shit, Ani,” she murmured, coming farther into the room as Bram pushed me gently to the bed and lifted my foot. “I’m sorry. Once we heard the flight was delayed, me and Mom figured we’d give you a little extra time. We didn’t want to wake you up if you were sleeping. Damn, your poor eyes.”
“Hey, baby,” Bram called quietly, kneeling at my feet. “Rain boots?”
I nodded as he reached up and gently ran his fingers down the side of my face.
“I remember that shirt,” Kate said softly as Bram left to get my boots. “He gave it to you after I told him he looked like a stripper.”
I gave a watery laugh as I glanced down at the T-shirt I was wearing. It had tiny holes throughout the mesh, making it look almost see-through. Good thing I’d be wearing a coat.
Bram carried my boots back in and helped me to my feet so I could step into them, then he held out my coat so I could slide it on.
“Ready?” he asked, handing me my beanie.
“No,” I said, pulling the hat on.
“Me either.”
“Amen,” Kate said, leading us out of the room.
* * *
Airport staff met us and led us to where a group of Marines wearing Dress Blues were waiting on the tarmac. They were reserved. Kind. Solemn. Respectful.
Quiet.
We didn’t wait long before another Marine was coming down the steps from the tunnel connected to the door on the plane. His strides were long and purposeful, but he didn’t seem to be hurrying. His gaze passed over us, his eyes pausing on Shane before he came to a stop.
“Good evening,” he murmured, glancing at each of us, like he wasn’t sure who he should be talking to. “I’m Gunnery Sergeant Samuel Monroe. I have the privilege of escorting Staff Sergeant Harris home.”
Ellie sobbed once loudly, and Monroe’s eyes immediately locked on her.
“Ma’am?” he asked, stepping in front of her.
“Thank you,” Ellie rasped out, reaching for Monroe’s hands.
“It’s an honor,” he said gently. “Henry was a good friend.”
My throat tightened as Bram’s hand came up to wrap around the back of my neck.
“Do you have any questions?” Monroe asked gently.
“No.” Ellie shook her head, looking up at Mike.
“The chaplain explained it all,” Mike said gruffly.
Monroe nodded, then glanced at Shane, giving him a small nod, too.
“I’ll be escorting Staff Sergeant Harris to the funeral home,” he said, his eyes going back to Ellie. “A Marine will stay with him at all times until we’ve laid him to rest.”
“He won’t be alone,” Ellie said, almost under her breath.
“No, ma’am. He won’t. I promise you that.”
He squeezed Ellie’s hands once more, then stepped away from us as the honor guard went under the plane.
I held my breath.
A few moments later, his feet snapped together as the six Marines came back into sight, a flag-draped coffin carried between them.