The Truth Behind the Badges

Into the Forest

Kira's POV

The trip was long, or at least felt that way once we left the forest, many things seemed to look the same after so long. Jacob and I were quiet for most of the trip, just listening to music. We had never gone camping together before, but when I was little mom and dad had taken us out for many adventures, at least when work didn't get in the way. "Hey, you ready for this adventure?" Jacob asked playfully, glancing between me and the road. I smiled as I held his hand, "As long as I'm with you." I said with a smirk.

Another hour went by, and we had arrived at a small cabin, there was no sign of anyone else around, not even another cabin in the area. The cabin overlooked the small lake, a few chairs sitting near the docks with a fire pit. Inside the cabin, it wasn't large, there was one bedroom with a small dresser. The kitchen was quite small as well, the cottage aesthetic covered the cabin making it cozy. It didn't take long to bring everything inside and unpack, sitting down on the couch once we finished. Jacob grabbed the remote to turn on the tv as I curled up next to him with a blanket. We stayed cuddled together for quite some time before he decided to get up to cook supper, with that I followed to help him. We sat outside by the dock to eat and watch the sunset, the last glow of the sun as it rested behind the trees. "I got to say, nothing beats a sunset over the lake. Sure, the sunsets in the city are nice but out here...it's so different. I missed this." I said as I rotated the marshmallow I had on the stick. "It's been a while since we got to do something like this so I figured you might enjoy a break from the city, besides now I have you all to myself. Between work and helping the guys with their kiddos, we haven't had a lot of us time." His smile faded a little as it removed his marshmallow to make a s'more. "Well at least we are here now, and you're not too innocent in all that either. You've been pulling a lot of shifts lately, way more than normal or good for you." He turned, making a face at me as he ate his s'more. "Ha so mature honey, had me the chocolate please." I started to laugh at the different faces he made, taking the chocolate bar that he handed me, making my own s'more. We spent a while out by the fire just laughing and enjoying our time together.

The next day I woke to Jacob's arm lying over me, holding me to the bed, a smile creeping over his face. "Morning darling!" he leaned over kissing me before I could say anything...

"I found a nice swim spot just a short distance down the trail, if you're interested. Well after we get something to eat." he said as he crawled out of bed, leaving the room. I stayed in bed for a bit longer, I wasn't much of a morning person even when I had to get up to shift it was a struggle. Eventually I did get up and got dressed, I had to dig around in my bag for a second to find my bikini and cover dress. Figured it would be simple to just get ready since I was going to find this swim area Jacob was talking about. Leaving the bedroom, Jacob had just finished making scrambled eggs and toast, making our plates as we sat at the kitchen table.

Jacob's POV

I watched her leave the bedroom in that little dress with her hair down, I couldn't speak, I was literally speechless. Ha, some may think that is crazy but honestly getting to come home to her every night, no matter what she wore or looked like, always blow me away. Call it what you want, she is the love of my life and after everything she has been through, I am just happy with how open and honest she is with me. This trip was for her, I always promised I would take her out wherever she wanted, while I couldn't get off any longer than four days, she knew it came from the heart at the end of the day. She is something special and so perfect. Over the last yar and a half so much has changed, we both have had some close calls and days where we wished there had been something more we could have done, but at the end of the day we came back to each other. She is my anchor, the light of my world when everything else is so dark.

We sat eating in silence, my thoughts running wild, today was the day. I had everything planned to take her out right at sunset, going to the docks with the reflection of the sun. Everything would be perfect, just like her, tonight I would propose to the love of my life.

After breakfast I quickly cleaned up, taking her hand and walking down to the lake jumping straight into the water. Kira quickly joined me as she stepped down into the water, playfully splashing water at me. Safe to say we acted like kids around each other. I wonder what it would have been like if I knew her growing up. Would things be any different? Not that it mattered, were here now. We spent hours swimming and eventually just laid on the bank to rest, she lay next to me with my arms wrapped around her. We had turned to cloud watching for a bit, even looking at the varus birds that flew by.

~~~~~~Couple hours later~~~~~~

I was working on a fancy dinner while Kira went to get a shower and rest for a bit. I wanted to make her favorite steak dinner. I even went to Anthony to make sure I didn't mess anything up. I had talked with him many different times both for advice and ideas, he was excited when I told him what I was planning, giving me his blessing almost immediately.

Setting the table near the lake and finishing the preparation before returning to the bedroom to get Kira.

Kira's POV

I had just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed when I heard the door close. He had asked that I wear something nice, going through my bag I found the sundress I had packed. It was new, something Jacob had just bought for me. By the time I finished getting dressed I heard the door open and close again, turning I saw Jacob looking at me from the doorway. "You look marvelous darling!" I smiled walking towards him, giving him a kiss. "I have a surprise for you." I walked out with him, holding his hand as we walked down to the shore. Seeing the diner and the work he put into everything I smiled again, "When did you learn to make all of this? I'm not complaining at all, but..." He smiled as he pulled my chair back for me before walking over to his. "I wont lie, I did have help from Anthony, but I did make this myself." I laughed a little, "Thank you for this, I'm glad you took a chance to learn with my father, he's really grown to like you, even more, over time." We sat talking and eating for a while, the light of the sun reflecting across the water.

Jacob's POV

The sky had reached its golden hour, the thin bright light crossing the sky as the colors danced around the thin clouds. I reached into my pocket, the small box resting in my hand, it's now or never. I stood taking Kira's hand and walking her away from the table, letting her hand go as I got on one knee holding the ring box in my hand.

"Kira Lee Sanchez, you are the love of my life, my light in the darkness, my anchor when I feel alone. I want nothing but the best for you, my darling, will you do me the honor of making me the luckiest man alive by being my wife?"