Saylor Epilogue-Two Months Later

The past two months since discovering Bosch hadn't acted alone had been busy and stressful for a variety of reasons. The obvious was we were still not even close to being able to prove Campbell had any involvement. The piecing together of the evidence and investigation had to be done on the down low. It was tedious and frustrating.

I wasn't the one doing it, although I was helping where I could. I was consulted more than a few times on dates, incidents, and people. I gave them everything I could remember. The Dark Patriots had taken the case and were the main ones investigating. They'd come to Hunters Creek to meet with the club and me. I'd been introduced to Sean, Cassidy, Undertaker, Sloan, Gabe, Gemma, Griffin, and Hadley. They were quite a bunch and, in many ways, similar to the Warriors and Marauders. They brought their kids along, too, which was great since they were absorbed into the Warriors' babies and kids without a bat of anyone's eyelashes.

The Patriots were thorough, and I was more than impressed with their operation when they went into detail on some of the things they did. Others were top secret. I knew that meant they did off-the-books wet work, most likely for the government, although it would never be admitted. I did get something out of them while waiting to take down Campbell. It was something I never anticipated.

Before they left after staying four days, I was taken aside by the four owners–Undertaker, Sean, Gabe, and Griffin—who had been SEALs, so they knew the ropes. However, they apparently were impressed with my thoroughness and the information I found through my research. They admitted they'd looked into my time in the Marines and what I'd done as part of the military police. They offered me a job.

Obviously, it wasn't one to go out in the field and be an operative, but to work remotely whenever they had a need for someone with my analytical mind and investigative skills, as they called it. I was beyond stunned. They told me to think about it and let them know. Player and I talked extensively about it. A few days later, I accepted their offer. I was so excited. My VA wouldn't be abandoned.

In fact, the VA aspect would grow soon, and I had made it clear to them that the VA would come first with me. They were more than okay with it. I was shocked again when the club approached me after church to say they'd spoken and voted. They decided they wanted to expand Warriors' Haven and build more housing, but in this case, it would be to house veterans. Those struggling to adjust, holding down a job, or needing a home and a way to get back on their feet would be eligible to be helped. I was speechless, and I admit that I cried.

Work was underway, using their construction company to build the first house for them. The fundraiser they offered to have was coming soon, but they weren't waiting for it to start. All of us at the compound and several at the VA were working hard to make it a huge success, with one noticeable absence, a great one, in my opinion. Noah was no longer working for the VA. His attitude and the number of complaints had become too much. They fired him. I smiled all day when I heard the news. Until they found someone new, I was helping out when I could. I'd been doing it unofficially for a while anyway.

The new Veterans Haven would be on a piece of the property they used for the original Haven, which had enough acreage to ensure privacy yet keep both Haven developments in a workable area. I don't know what I was more excited to see. The first house for that finished or the house Player and I were having built.

I hadn't had time to rest on a personal or professional level. Two weeks after Bosch was no longer a threat, Player took me out to a fancy dinner in town. He even dressed up in a blazer, button-down shirt, and dress slacks. I knew this from Devyn and Becca's reaction. They were there helping me to prepare for my date. They told me how he was dressed and how amazing he looked.

I think Becca had a crush on him. I introduced her to the club a few days prior, and she'd talked constantly about Player. Of course, it was mainly hero worship. He'd discussed with her a deal the club had to offer her. He would bring her on part-time at Archangel's Realty to help with office work. In addition, over time, they'd have her fill in at some of the other Warriors' businesses to help when needed and as a babysitter. She was beyond grateful, but she cried when he told her the rest. Her mom did, too, when Player and I went to tell her what had transpired.

If she proved to be as great as I assured them she would be and she helped where and when she could, they would not only be flexible with her schedule to work around school and pay her a decent wage, but they added one more thing. They would help her with the cost of her college. Hell, I bawled right along with her when he told her. I had no idea they were doing that. So far, as I knew she would, she was blowing them away. They loved her, and she was an unofficial family member. The kids adored her, too.

That established her worship of my man. We'd gone to dinner, and afterward, he'd taken me for a moonlit walk. Even if I couldn't see the moon, it was romantic, and I loved it. After walking for half an hour, he stopped on a bridge that spanned a stream.

"Saylor, babe, I need to know something."

"What? You know I have no secrets from you."

"I know. It's nothing like that. I gotta know if you'll build a forever home with me on the compound. I want us to have our own home. Made the way we want. You can have the layout you desire, and anything that will make your life easier, we'll have it done. Adapt the house just for you. Will you do that?"

As much as I enjoyed living in the townhouse, which was a beautiful house, it wasn't the friendliest for someone like me. Even my house wasn't built specifically for me. I'd made several changes to it, but it wasn't perfect. I knew that I loved him and we were going to spend our lives together, so there was only one answer I could give him.

"Yes, yes, I'll build a forever house with you! Oh my God, are you sure you want to do all the different things we talked about?" I asked excitedly. One night, he and I discussed the things one can do to make a house better for me. I was bouncing with excitement, but moments later, I was crying, and he had to hold me up.

It wasn't the thought of the ideal house that had me reacting that way. It was the fact that a moment or two after I agreed to the house, he asked if I'd also marry him and make it truly the O'Connor's home. He slipped a ring halfway onto my fourth left finger as he asked. I couldn't breathe to answer him, so I nodded and then collapsed.

Suffice it to say, it was the best date night of my life. We waited until the next day to share our double-good news with the club. That night, when we got home, we made love for most of the night. Truly, if only we could have the Campbell problem out of our lives, then they would be almost perfect, which scared me in a way. Was there such a thing as too much luck and happiness? Were we tempting fate too much? I prayed we weren't facing a major heartache.