Bonus Scene
Jack
Christmas Eve
Another Year Later
The soft glow of dawn creeps through the curtains as I sit in the rocking chair in the nursery, cradling our little one against my chest. The house is still, the only sounds the distant roll of the waves outside and the quiet, even breaths of my sleeping daughter, Rose. She’s only three months old and already has me wrapped around her tiny, delicate fingers. I rock her gently, brushing a fingertip along her downy-soft hair, amazed that someone so small holds so much of my heart.
It's a quiet, private morning ritual I’ve come to cherish—just Rose and me in the early hours while Holly sleeps. Holly deserves every bit of extra rest she can get; she’s been everything to Rose and me, giving every piece of herself to our new life as a family.
I’ve taken over the early mornings, getting up before the sun so Holly can have an extra hour of peace. I wait until she wakes and comes out to join us, her hair tousled and her eyes sleepy, and we all sit together in the stillness of a new day. It’s a rhythm that feels more like home than any place I’ve ever known.
Looking down at Rose, I can’t help but marvel at the way my life has changed. There was a time, not so long ago, when the thought of this kind of peace—of family—seemed like a fantasy. But here we are, settled in this coastal town that has accepted us without question, our pasts fading like fog over the ocean. For the first time in my life, I have a purpose that goes beyond anything I ever expected. Holly and Rose are my everything, and every day, I work to be the man they deserve.
Rose lets out a small, sleepy sigh, her tiny fist curling around my finger, her grip surprisingly strong. I chuckle softly, feeling a swell of pride and awe. She has Holly’s expressive eyes and my darker hair—a little blend of us both. Every time I look at her, I feel a rush of protectiveness, a fierce determination to give her a life free from the shadows that once followed us.
“Good morning, you two.”
I look up to see Holly leaning against the doorframe, her eyes warm with a sleepy smile. She wraps her robe around herself as she approaches, sitting on the arm of the rocking chair and gently brushing her hand over Rose’s cheek. My heart melts every time I see Holly with our daughter; it’s like watching the most beautiful love story unfold in real-time. She’s as much my anchor now as she was during those frantic, dangerous days, but here, in this light, she looks like the peace I waited my whole life to find.
“She’s getting stronger every day,” I whisper, keeping my voice low as I watch Rose yawn, her tiny mouth opening in a perfect little O. “And she’s got a grip that would put mine to shame.”
Holly laughs softly, running her fingers over Rose’s small fist. “She’s going to be a handful. I can already tell.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I murmur, leaning my head against Holly’s as she nestles close.
We stay like that for a while, watching our daughter in her peaceful sleep, marveling at the tiny miracle we created.
Holly sighs contentedly. “Did you ever think we’d have this, Jack?”
“No,” I admit, my voice filled with awe. “But now, I can’t imagine anything else. You both are my world.”
Holly’s eyes soften, and she kisses my cheek before resting her head on my shoulder again, her hand on Rose’s back. “I used to dream about this,” she says quietly. “A home, a family… love.”
A comfortable silence settles over us as the first light of morning grows stronger, casting a warm glow over our little house. I close my eyes for a moment, absorbing everything—the steady rise and fall of Rose’s breaths, Holly’s soft touch, the faint scent of the ocean mingling with the warmth of coffee brewing in the kitchen. This is what I fought for, what I risked everything for. And I know, without a doubt, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Rose stirs, her eyes fluttering open, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. It’s like she knows, even in her innocence, that we’re hers, that we’ve built this life for her. Holly looks on, smiling as Rose reaches out her tiny hand toward her mother, a small, contented sigh escaping her lips.
“Look at her, Holly. She’s perfect.”
Holly nods, her eyes shining with the same pride and joy I feel. “She is. And she has the best father in the world.”
I shake my head, a bit of humility creeping into my tone. “I don’t know about that, but I’ll give her everything I have. I’ll make sure she knows nothing but love.”
Holly leans over and kisses me softly, her lips lingering on mine as she whispers, “You already have. And we love you very much.”
The morning unfolds in peaceful familiarity as we slip into our usual rhythm. But just after lunch, the low rumble of an engine pulling into the driveway breaks the quiet. Holly, seated on the sofa with Rose nestled in her arms, tilts her head toward the window.
“Who’s that?” she asks, a touch of fear in her voice that never completely goes away when someone visits the house unexpectedly.
I move toward her, taking a sleeping Rose from her arms and holding out my hand. “Come with me.”
She takes it, letting me guide me to the front door. When I open it, she freezes, her breath catching in her throat.
Holly’s mother and brother stand on the porch. Gabriel and Wren are beside them, their baby girl, Nova, tucked safely in Wren’s arms. But my focus is on my wife.
Her hand grips mine tightly, trembling slightly. Her breath hitches as she takes it all in. Then, like something snaps, she lets go and steps forward, her eyes welling with tears. I stay back, giving her the moment she deserves, my chest tightening as I watch her reunite with the family she thought she’d never see again.
“Holly,” her mother whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
“Mama,” Holly chokes as she rushes to her, wrapping her arms around her in a fierce hug.
Her mother holds her just as tightly, her tears falling as she whispers reassurances I can’t hear over the lump forming in my throat.
When they finally step apart, Holly’s gaze shifts, landing on her brother. The disbelief and joy on her face make me smile. “Harry!” she gasps. “Look at you—you’ve grown so much!”
He’s tall now, gangly in that way teenage boys are before they grow into themselves. His awkward smile softens as Holly pulls him into a hug. “Missed you too, sis,” he mumbles, his voice cracking slightly.
I stay rooted where I am, watching the scene unfold. Gabriel catches my eye, nodding slightly. His presence is like a protective wall around this moment, ensuring that nothing and no one can touch the happiness in this house.
Holly turns to me, her eyes shining with gratitude. “How?” she asks, her voice trembling. “Is it safe?”
Gabriel steps forward, his voice calm and steady as he answers. “It’s safe. Your mother and brother have been in a secure location for the past year, but Jack thought it was time for a visit.”
Holly’s shoulders sag with relief, and she reaches for her mother’s hand, holding it tightly as fresh tears spill down her cheeks. Her mother nods, her voice soft as she reassures her. “We’re okay, Holly. We’ve been okay. But being here, seeing you and Rose... it’s everything I’ve prayed for.”
Wren steps forward then, her smile warm and open. “And we couldn’t pass up the chance to meet you.”
Holly laughs, the sound thick with lingering emotion. She wipes her cheeks as she hugs Wren. “It’s so good to meet you. And your little one is gorgeous.”
Wren beams, shifting her daughter in her arms. “Thank you. Nova keeps us on our toes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The rest of the day feels like something out of a dream. The house fills with laughter, the scent of fresh pine from the Christmas tree, and the soft glow of twinkling lights casting warmth over every corner. Holly’s mother cradles Rose, rocking her gently, while Harry sits on the floor, pulling silly faces to make Rose giggle.
The rest of the day unfolds like a dream. We sit together in the living room, the Christmas tree twinkling in the corner as we catch up.
Gabriel and I sit near the tree, reminiscing about our SEAL days. It’s easy, the kind of camaraderie that only comes with shared history and trust.
In the kitchen, Wren and Holly work together to prepare snacks, their voices drifting in and out of earshot. Wren laughs softly at something Holly says, her tone warm and encouraging. I catch snippets of their conversation, Holly talking about how peaceful life has been here, how she’s finally found herself in the quiet simplicity of this town.
As night falls, the smells of baked ham and freshly baked rolls fill the house. Gabriel and I set the table while Harry helps his mom place the final ornaments on the Christmas tree. Holly leans against the kitchen counter, sipping cider as she watches, her eyes soft with contentment.
When the food is ready, we all gather around the table. Candles flicker gently on the windowsill, their light mingling with the glow of the tree. Holly’s mother sits beside her, one arm around her shoulder as they laugh at something Harry says. Gabriel and I hold our daughters, their hands grasping at the twinkling table lights as if trying to hold the magic of the moment.
Holly catches my eye from across the table, her gaze filled with so much love it takes my breath away. I reach for her hand, squeezing it lightly as a silent promise passes between us.
This is what we’ve built together—this peace, this family, this life.
And it’s only the beginning.