No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology by Elizabeth Knox (black authors fiction TXT) 📕

was or at least playing the role. “I have missed you so much. I wanted you to come by so badly, but I needed to do this on my own.” He kisses me.

“When are you able to go home?” Darren asks me.

“Anytime I think. I know the commands for Houdini, but he seems to be doing everything before I know I need him.”

“I can take you after my shift then?” I quickly nod as I fling myself into his lap. We kiss some more before Albert makes him go clean something. I finish the dishes and write in my journal. That night I left and was back home. I asked Darren if he wanted to stay the night with me and he thanked me for asking. He’s been dying to hold me in his arms all night.

As we got ready for bed, I climbed in first as Darren was taking Houdini out one last time for me since I was exhausted from the day.

“This dog cracks me up.” Darren comes in carrying him.

“You know he can walk, right?”

“I know that but he’s so cute.” Darren uses a baby voice. He puts Houdini down on the floor while he walks around taking off his shirt. Wow this man is hot. He slides in with me and pulls me into his arms. “I can’t believe one of my dreams is coming true right now.”

“One of your dreams?”

“Yes, holding you in my arms. The main dream is you changing your last name to Hughes someday.” He winks at me. Houdini finally finds his way up here and lays at my feet. I drift off to sleep feeling happy for the first time in almost two years. I plan to make the best of my life, no more hiding. If the world doesn’t like me with scars and all then that’s on them. My family loves me. Darren loves me. Houdini loves me. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’m thankful that Darren came into my life when he did and introduced me to the K9s for Warriors because I don’t know if I would’ve pushed so hard to be independent, have a dog that helps me when I need him, or a boyfriend who only wants the best for me.

Epilogue

Mia

A year later

“Would you hurry up?” Darren yells and Houdini barks.

“I’m coming. I don’t know what the rush is. The ceremony starts in an hour,” I remind him.

“But the guest of honor needs to be there early.” I roll my eyes. The mayor of our town decided that since today is the three-year anniversary of me coming back to Pennsylvania, granted I was in a coma at the time, that it was time to celebrate me. Something like this would’ve sent me into a panic attack. The therapy is getting better to the point that I’m seeing her once a month. Houdini has been a godsend that I feel more confident with myself. Darren and I bought a house with a fenced in yard so Houdini can run and for when we have kids. We’ve been planning our wedding for three months now and with our mothers I want to elope.

We arrive at the park where the ceremony is going to be and there’s about fifty people there. “I didn’t think there was going to be so many people here.”

“They’re here to get a look at the hero.” Darren winks at me. He knows that I hate being called a hero.

The ceremony starts right on time.

“I want to thank everyone for being here. This is three years too late but better late than never. We watched Mia Edwards grow up from the tomboy in pigtails to the Army soldier we see today. When we got word of the accident that you were in, we all feared the worst. When you came back to us, we didn’t know how to handle it. You almost lost your life protecting our freedoms and that’s something I don’t think we could ever repay or say thank you enough for.” The crowd starts clapping. The mayor has me come stand next to him. He has a plaque that has my name on it. “Now join me in welcoming home Sgt. Mia Edwards.” The crowd cheers, claps, and there are some whistles. Houdini is right beside me the whole time. He moves out of the way.

“I didn’t realize I needed a speech. I’m horrible at public speaking.” I nervously chuckle but I feel Houdini bumping the back of my leg. “Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your kind words. When my base was attacked, I didn’t know if I’d make it back or not. I lived with a lot of guilt because some of my best friends didn’t make it home, but I did. I had a very wise person in my life ask me if I’m hiding from the world how am I honoring them and I couldn’t answer because I wasn’t honoring them. I decided that day that I would live a life that would honor them and make them proud. I stopped being afraid to live. I fell in love and will be getting married to the love of my life. I have my family by my side. I also found what I enjoy doing every day and that’s working with K9s for Warriors to help other veterans like me who need extra help once in a while.” I look down to Houdini. “Houdini might look like an adorable dog to you but to me he saved my life more times than I can count. He weathers every storm with me. I’ve been able to heal because of the love from a dog, Darren, and my family. This town is my home and I know that you love me too. Thank you for this wonderful day and I hope that I continue to make you proud.” I step away from the podium.

I feel so much lighter. This is what letting go and living feels