Apocalyptic Proportions: Rescue Team Nine (Book 2)

Epilogue

Dice

"Damn, man, you're making me dizzy with all that pacing. If you don't quit, I'll personally punch your lights out."

I stop walking long enough to confront Gunner.

"You're probably the only man I'd allow to tell me that. And only because you're so good at what you do."

"And what's that?"

"Being an asshole."

Gunner smiles. "I thought it was called honesty."

Bear's wife, Ayasha, walks down the stairs of the main ranch house at Wayward Ranch. She joins her husband on one of the couches in the main entrance while we await news on the ongoing labor. He draws her to his side and gently kisses the top of her head. They've been through their own personal hell and came out stronger because of it. The house is owned by her grandmother but is big enough that she and Bear settled here after they were wed. Ayasha now co-owns the ranch, and they'd been excited to accept Aimee as part of their medical staff. The ranch is a working ranch that doubles as a school for disabled children and adults and a halfway residence for families needing support. It's how the ranch earned its name. It's also now the main base for the men of Rescue Team Nine. Red and Aimee have settled into one of the surrounding cabins close to the bunkhouse where we, single members of Rescue Team Nine, reside. That number is getting smaller.

"Hell, you'd think you were having the little snots."

Glaring at Gunner, I feel Striker's hand when he stands up and slaps me on the shoulder. His grin is answer enough. Red and Aimee decided to have their twins at the ranch by the resident doctor and local midwife. I return Striker's grin. I don't give a shit what Gunner says.

"Hey, I admit it. I'm pretty invested in that couple upstairs. Don't forget who had to stay attached to that fucking earpiece."

"He has a heart. I'm impressed."

The room goes silent. I don't have to turn around to know the familiar voice behind me. Fuck.

"Oh, you know me. Just your average Casanova. Besides, someone has to help Red's son learn the ropes around here."

I don't turn around when I answer, but I know she's listening. Humor is one way I've learned to cover my emotions. And covering my feelings is proving to be a challenge at the moment. I can feel my pulse beating a little faster, and my dick is betraying me with each new second. Her voice has that effect on me.

Bear coughs. "I'm his best friend. I think that job should go to me."

Striker and Gunner grunt in disapproval.

"Boys, before we have a match of whose masculinity is tough enough to do the job, why don't we wait on the babies for that."

"Ayasha, always the word of reason." Bear's voice is full of love as he wraps his arms around her and pulls her close.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Cloey close the distance from the doorway to a nearby chair. I know she's here to see the new baby. Ayasha and Cloey are cousins and have been best friends their entire lives, even with the disapproval of Cloey's parents. Rescue Team Nine had gotten mixed up with a mission involving the two families, and somewhere in the process, I allowed myself to get drawn in by the pretty blonde. She is everything I know I should stay away from. Love has never been my forte—my parents made sure of that—but I'm a damned good lover. Unfortunately, I'm a man unable to love, and she's a woman who just lost a brother. Grief makes a sore enemy to love. One night of passion, and now I can't get her out of my fucking head. When our eyes meet, I'm saddened that the warmth I once remembered is gone, and a stubborn resolve stands in its place. I hadn't realized until now how badly I want to feel that warmth again. I'd been telling Aimee the truth that night in the hospital. Some people come into your life and turn it upside down. Some people are just too damned hard to forget.

The sound of crying breaks the spell, and it's not long before all attention is focused on the balcony above us. A little while later, a door opens and closes, and Red steps forward. His eyes are wet with tears, and his face is flushed with happiness. Nestled in the crook of each arm is a tiny baby, one clothed in blue and one in pink.

Gunner makes his way to stand next to me. "Look, it's Thing 1 and Thing 2."

I take that opportunity to smack the man on the back of the head. "Respect, man, respect."

Looking up, I smile at Red.

"They have a name yet?"

His face lights up.

"As a matter of fact, they do. I want to introduce you to Jacklyn Elizabeth Porter and Tyler Chance Porter."

My jaw drops. I'm not usually emotional, but I can feel the wetness threatening to overcome me. My life is marred with politics and reality, not love and kindness.

"You're giving him my name?"

"Are you sure that's a wise idea?" Gunner asks.

Bear laughs as he stands to join me on the other side.

"Don't look so shocked. He may be my best friend, but even I'm smart enough to know you helped push those two up there together. I think we all agree you earned it."

I peek at Cloey and find an odd expression on her face. Her eyes find mine, and the room stops.

Breaking me out of whatever spell has us transfixed, Red yells at me, "What do you think, Dice? Think we did good?"

When I turn back toward my comrade, my smile is wide enough to light the room. I yell back up at him.

"Of that, my friend, I have no doubt. They're perfect. Absolutely fucking perfect."

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Author's Note

These men have formed a special place in my heart. It's always been my goal to create stories that inspire, and I feel like each member of Rescue Team Nine is doing that. Red's story came to me one night in the spur of the moment. One minute, the story wasn't there, and one moment, it was. It was almost magical how it fell into place so quickly. I like to think his story was meant to be. Jack "Red" Porter has a special place in my heart. I closely relate to some of his emotions. They say some of the best characters come from within, and his character did just that. There were days I felt we were one as the words made their way to the screen.

Aimee's character strived for love. Most people admire her desire, honesty, and hard work, but underneath her gentle façade is a woman full of determination and strength. I always say never underestimate a character. She was one of those characters who started out small but grew with each passing chapter.

Suicide has become such a massive problem in today's society. Depression is real, and it's a condition that so many suffer from. Please remember that sometimes a loving word or a listening ear may be someone's amazing grace. I hope that this story shows that.

If you loved Red and Aimee's story, stay tuned because up next is Dice's story in Impossible Odds. 

Yours Truly,

Sabrina Guthrie

P.S. There are currently 5 ongoing stories being written right now. Apparently, I love a challenge. Those current stories are available on Kindle Vella, but they are also available through subscription on Inkitt and Ream! Because they are Vellas, they have to be placed behind a paywall, which is why they are placed under subscription. However, I tried to make it as cheap as possible.

Feel free to join me there! Once they are complete, I plan to publish them in print, with the exception of Striker's story, Accidental Strike. His story will join the rest of Rescue Team Nine under my free stories! I will always keep that series together. Thank you so much for taking the time to enjoy my stories!