Code name: Siren

Yes!

The next day we left Noctis with Soap and Roach.
I initially wanted to take him with us but Simon convinced me that we couldn't just take him with us to the restaurant.

He barely heard on his own name.
It would have been chaos.

I was really excited for this date.
It was a bit like our first date.
And I wanted to keep this memory up.
So I decided to put on the same dress as back then.

As Simon saw me as I got changed he couldn't keep his hands off of me.

„Simon we have to go now"

„It's not my fault you're so beautiful"

he murmured while kissing me.
I giggled and managed to shove him off so we could go.

I had really missed spending time like this with Simon. We really hadn't been on a date in forever.
And to be honest I missed Geromes cooking.

My mood was the best it had been in ages.
As we entered the restaurant Gerome greeted us loudly.

„Ahhhhhhhhh there you are. I was worried you would have found another restaurant"

he said joking.

„How could we? No one cooks like you Gerome"

I said sweet and hugged him.

„Cara mia you get more beautiful with every visit"

he said charming.

He brought us to our usual table and got us something to drink.
We ordered and he left.
I leaned back and against Simon's shoulder.

„I'm so happy to be here."

I sighed.

„And I'm happy to be here with you"

he said softly.
He was looking at his hands and seemed deep in thoughts.

„Is everything ok Simon?"

„Oh ehm yes. But there is actually something I wanted to say"

„Oh really? What a coincidence.
I also wanted to tell you something"

I laughed slightly.

„Oh well then lady's first"

he grinned.

„Ok soooooo you know how I have stocked up my therapy sessions?"

„Yeah. Is there something wrong?"

He raised one eyebrow.

„No no.
It has a good purpose.
So I talked a lot with my therapist and also Price.
You know I had to struggle with the past incidents a lot.
It's just very much.
And that's why I came to a decision.
I'm getting out of active duty."

I could see how Simon's eyes widened and he wanted to say something.

„Wait.
Before you say something and jump to conclusions like last time let me explain."

I grabbed his hand.

„I love you.
More than anything.
But I can't keep going on like nothing happened.
It's consuming me.
The thought of going on another mission makes me uncomfortable.
I just can't do it anymore.
And I don't wanna break just because of this.
So I'm attending a full time supervisor job at the base. I'm gonna be responsible for the rookies and new recruits. I'm no active special force soldier anymore. I'm still part of the team, and if it's really necessary and there are no one else who could go I can be sent on a mission.
But only in the wildest emergency.
I wanted to tell you sooner but I was nervous.
I won't ask you to change anything.
I can't ask this from you.
I can live with you going on missions.
But I simply can't do it anymore.
And I want this life with you. So I gotta step back.
And I really think I have found my peace and happyness in teaching."

I paused.
I looked up to him with a nervous look.
I had really no idea how he would react to this.

„I really don't want you to think this is because of you or that you would hold me back"

I added quickly.
His face was unreadable.
But then a large smile crossed his face.

„I'm so happy Liz.
You have no idea.
The thought of you going out there again haunted me. But I would have never asked you to stop.
This isn't my decision to make.
And if you decide it's the best for you then I'm standing fully behind you.
You're a great teacher and I'm so happy that it fulfills you like this."

He leaned down and kissed me deep.
I was suprised but also so happy that he was fine with it.

„And for the fact that I will go on missions.
There will be a solution soon I promise"

He grinned.

„Really? What do you mean?"

„It has something to do with the thing I wanted to tell you"

„Oh. So what is it?"

I looked up to him with bright sparkling eyes.
He took a deep breath.

„I love you.
More than anything on this world.
And I can't even put in words how much you mean to me.
And I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you.
So I wanna ask you if you want to spend the rest of your life with this idiot and marry me?"

He pulled out a small box and held out a beautiful simple ring to me.

I stared at the ring and then back to Simon.
My heart was pounding and I was sure everyone in this restaurant must be able to hear it.

„Simon....oh my god. Yes! YES! Of course"

I felt warm tears run down my cheeks as he slipped the ring on my finger and pulled me into a deep kiss.

I looked down at the ring and smiled.

„This is beautiful Simon"

„I already asked Price for permission so I'm safe"

he said proud and looked clearly relieved.

„You asked Price? Really?"

I looked up to him.

„Of course. He raised you. His opinion and permission were important for me"

I cried even more and he pulled me even closer.

„I love you so much"

„I love you too.
And now we can be a real family.
And when we're married I can reject missions.
I have more flexibility.
For us."

I couldn't believe this was actually happening.

Gerome came around the corner with our food and looked at me concerned.

„Bella is everything ok?"

„Of course! Gerome look im engaged now!"

I held out my hand with the ring and his eyes began to sparkle.

„Oh how wonderful!
You know what.
It's such an honour to have been able to see every step of this.
From your first date to this.
The visit today is on me"

„Oh no Gerome we can't-„

„No discussion Simon!"

With that he placed out food in the table,
pecked a kiss on my head and left.

Simon and I looked at each other and laughed.
This was the best moment in my life.
I couldn't have asked for more.
This was all I ever dreamed of.