Everyone looked in rough shape.
Timothy had a swollen and scratched face, but Fitz wouldn’t have been able to tell that he had a bruised rib if he hadn’t already known. The young soldier was sitting by Tasha at the adjacent table, both smiling like kids in a candy shop.
Javier and Jenny tossed sticks toward the waves for Ginger and Spark. The dogs raced after the sticks, kicking up rooster tails of sand.
“Five days of cleanup,” Rico said. “And five days of…”
She let the words trail off. Fitz knew what she wanted to say.
Funerals and memorials.
The troops from Canada and Mexico had assisted with cleaning up Galveston and helping take care of both the injured and the dead after clearing the city of the final beasts. But there was still too much work and mourning to be done before the Allied States could even begin to discuss the next stages of restoration.
Fitz squeezed Rico’s hand.
They had a long road ahead of them, but he was eternally grateful to be alive with his friends.
“Damn, I was just about to eat your food,” Horn said, as they approached the table. “Just kidding. Kind of. But seriously, this shit is delicious.”
He took a bite of a burrito, chewing with his mouth open.
Ruckley shook her head. “You smell, you have no manners, and you curse a lot. Did anybody every tell you that you’re kind of an ogre?”
“Exactly your type,” Timothy said.
Ruckley gave him a glare.
“Hey, it’s obvious you two are perfect for each other,” Timothy said.
Tasha and Jenny both chuckled, which told Fitz they must be warming up to the idea of their dad getting back out there.
Fitz clapped the big guy on the shoulder and then helped Rico lower herself to the table.
“You going to offer me some?” Fitz asked.
Horn reached out and started piling pieces of roast chicken onto a plate. Then he passed it to Fitz and Rico.
“Don’t judge,” Horn said. “I’m just preparing for the winter.”
“Funny, because I thought Texas winters weren’t that harsh,” Tasha said.
Horn stopped eating a half-picked-off wing and looked toward Beckham. “I really can’t catch a break with them.” Then he glanced at Javier. “Kid, are you like this with your parents?”
“No way,” Javier said.
“Because you’re a young, respecting gentleman,” Horn said.
“They aren’t as big as you either,” Javier replied.
Horn dropped the half-eaten wing on his plate and wagged his head.
Beckham laughed.
“Javier, apologize,” Kate said.
“I’m sorry you’re big around the middle,” Javier said with a shrug.
“Not quite what I had in mind,” Kate said.
Horn let out a contagious laugh that got everyone to join in. Everyone, except for Dohi. Fitz noticed the man’s smile lasted for only a brief second.
“I’ll be right back,” Fitz said to Rico. He stood and went over to Dohi.
“How are you doing, brother?” Fitz asked.
Dohi simply nodded.
“It’ll get better,” Fitz said. “Everything will. We just have to trust in our future.”
Dohi gave another slight nod, but he didn’t appear convinced. A dark shadow seemed to hang over him that Fitz knew would not go away anytime soon. Not after everything Dohi had witnessed and survived. The best he could do was offer his friendship to Dohi and support him through the nightmares that would haunt him.
“We’re here for you, brother, and that will never change,” Fitz said.
Dohi smiled this time, a bit longer than the last grin. Fitz got behind his chair and pushed him up to the table next to Rico, who handed over a plate of food.
“Thanks,” Dohi said.
Javier leaned over the table, looking at Fitz.
“Mr. Fitz, do you think you’ll keep being a soldier?” he asked.
Fitz hesitated a moment, Rico watching him.
“You know, I think I’m getting too old for this stuff,” he said.
“Well, I’d be happy to take over Team Ghost if you ever step down,” Timothy said.
“Maybe someday, kid,” Horn said. “But not anytime soon. You got something to live for.”
Tasha smiled as Horn winked at her.
“I want to be a soldier, too,” Javier said.
Kate sighed. “How about starting out by helping me in the lab? I’ve still got work to do, and you might like it.”
“I can teach you how to do some cool stuff with computers, too,” Sammy added.
“Sounds boring,” Javier said.
“Computers are cool,” Fitz said, winking at Kate. “Maybe it’s time I learn some of that computer stuff for retirement.”
“You say that now, but look how retirement worked out for us,” Beckham said. “You never really retire from this job, no matter what the paperwork says, and sometimes boring is good, son.”
Javier shrugged.
“Want to look like me, kid?” Ruckley said, lifting her bandaged arms slightly. “Stick to the labs. Your body will thank you.”
“Yeah, you definitely don’t want to look like this lady,” Horn said.
“You’re such a…”
Ruckley let her words slide, and Horn grinned.
“You know, if my arm wasn’t in a sling, I would elbow you right in the ribs, you smelly oaf,” she said.
“You’re right. I’ve been rude. How about I make it up to you?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“How about dinner tomorrow?” Horn asked.
Ruckley raised a brow, like she wasn’t sure what to think. “You serious?”
“Is that a yes then?”
“If you shower, sure.”
“God, first Timothy and Tasha, now you guys,” Jenny said. “So gross.”
She feigned a disgusted expression, then picked up a stick and walked away with the dogs.
More laughter spilled from the group.
Fitz returned to Rico. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they watched Jenny play with the dogs.
After everything they had gone through, he finally felt a sense of peace. And he vowed he would do everything in his power to ensure that it would last. If that meant staying a soldier, then so be it, he would never stop fighting for his friends, family, and flag.
***
Beckham drove
