Page 119 of Rising Tiger

He hoped the same for India. An Asian version of NATO was a fantastic idea on so many levels. One of their first steps forward was going to be a technology swap. DARPA would be sharing everything it knew about the Havana Syndrome device and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization, known as DRDO, would be doing the same with what it learned from the directed-energy weapon Asha would be transporting back to New Delhi.

After a nice back-and-forth with Suliman, Harvath looked at Asha. “So, Vijay’s son Akshay, there’ve been how many dates so far?”

“We’ve been out twice. Coffee and a lunch. I don’t know that I’d call either of those a ‘date.’?”

“You just don’t want to call them dates,” Harvath replied with a smile.

“What about you?” she asked, changing the subject as the waitress set down his drink.

“I just found out that I’m going to be a godfather.”

Nicholas and Nina’s baby had fully recovered and they were planning a christening in the chapel of their home. They had asked Scot and Sølvi to both be godparents and were hoping the ceremony could happen when Sølvi came to the States for the wedding, sometime between Christmas and New Year’s.

“Congratulations,” said Asha, raising her glass.

Suliman and Harvath raised theirs.

“To having something to do,” she continued, “someone to love, and something to look forward to.”

The trio clinked glasses and Harvath smiled. He did have something to do. He also had someone incredible to love. And there was so much coming up for him to look forward to.

He couldn’t wait to get home and hold his goddaughter and he couldn’t wait to be back together again with Sølvi.

He was blessed, beyond measure. And he was going to take time to enjoy it.