23. Allison

"Where arewe going first in Africa? I've been reading about safaris and am excited about it. We should go shopping before we leave."

"First, we will go to the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. The tour guide takes you to some exciting places. Of course, we must be careful how close we get to the animals. I don't want to be trampled by elephants or eaten by a lion," I teased with a grin.

"Don't even think about that. We won't get out of the vehicle; even if they say it's safe, I want you where I can hold onto you at all times," I said kissing Ghost.

"Sweetheart, we don't have to go to Africa for you to hold me all the time. I love it when you hold me," Ghost said, wrapping me in his arms.

"I will buy us those large hats they wear in Africa, so we won't get sunburned. I'll make a list of everything we'll need to take. This is the first time I've ever been to Africa. Have you been there before?"

"Briefly, we went there once to rescue two college students whose families were wealthy. They paid the ransom, and we went to get the kids. It was a good thing we did because they refused to release them without more money."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"We took the two students from them. That was the only way we could get them. The men who had them didn't bring them to the meeting place. They laughed and thought they were so smart to have machine guns pointed at us while they demanded another million dollars. But we followed them and snuck in and out of there while they slept," Ghost said, chuckling.

"I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when they woke up. They didn't know they were messing with the Delta Force Guardians," I said, kissing him. "I'm so happy you found me. When I found the switch to open that skylight, I started crying. I was so happy. I knew I could scream and be heard."

"I felt you there, so I went back to that house. I love you so much. Are you sure you want to go on a safari? If you want to do something else, we will," Ghost asked.

"No, I want to go, it will be exciting. We'll have lots of fun," I said, trying to convince myself as much as I was Ghost. I wasn't sure if I could get up close to wild beasts in Africa.

"If you're sure, it will be so exciting. We'll have so many pictures to look at with our children and grandchildren," Ghost replied.

Ryan and Carly walked up onto the porch. I got off Ghost"s lap and sat beside him after Ryan hugged me. "I hope you can stay out of trouble for a while. My heart can't take many more things happening to you."

"You won't have to worry about her for a while. We are going on a honeymoon," Ghost said.

"This sounds so exciting. Where are you going?" Carly asked.

"On an African safari."

"What? Why would you go on an African safari when you're afraid of bugs? Do you realize how many bugs there are in the African wilderness?" Ryan asked, frowning. I looked at my oldest brother like he was crazy. Ryan knows me, he raised me since I was six.

"Ryan, I haven't been scared of bugs since I was a child," I said, squinting, trying to tell him to shut up. Apparently, he didn't get the hint because he wouldn't shut up. "What are you talking about when we took that trip four years ago you were screaming over every bug you saw. All I can say is please video all of your safari for me, so I can laugh my head off."

"That's not fair Ryan. I outgrew all of that and you know I didn't scream at every bug, it was only the big spiders. They were all over that damn rainforest, and you know it. It's not my fault those monsters were after me."

I heard a chuckle and my brother Mike and Sean stood there smiling. Sean was home, I smiled and ran and hugged him. I was still angry at him because he joined the Navy Seals, and this world was so crazy that I worried about him.

"Sean, I missed you. How long do you get to stay?"

"Until tomorrow, they only let me have a few days to help find you. I'm so happy you were found, plus you're married, you've had a busy few months. Now, where are you going on your honeymoon?"

"We are going to Africa, and I'm going to have a wonderful time. Because my husband will be with me, we will have a memorable honeymoon that we can share with our children and grandchildren. I am not afraid of bugs," I said, daring any of my brothers to say differently.

"Whatever you say, sweet sister of mine," Sean said.

We visited with my brothers and Carly for an hour before they left. They promised to be here in the morning for breakfast. It was so nice to hear them laugh when yesterday I didn't know when I would see them or if I would ever see them again.

Let's go to bed, sweetheart," Ghost said, kissing my neck.