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PATIENCE

L ivie and Theo were waiting for Patience when she got home.

They’d decorated the whole downstairs with balloons and a big welcome home sign.

She’d been on the verge of tears since she’d gotten on the plane and left Quinn behind in Swuyji.

It felt wrong. But he promised. Now she’d see if he would keep his word.

He had seemed different, but he hadn’t said a word about her visit.

They’d never been alone, either, though.

It’s not like he could pull her aside and tell her he changed his mind.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.” Patience hugged Livie tight.

“Of course we did. It’s not every day you come home from being rescued by Navy SEALs because of a mad scientist. The disappearance of the team from Doctors without Borders was all over the news.

When they said they’d been working in Swuyji, I knew it was where you were.

I was so worried. Then relieved when I got your text that you were coming home. ”

“It still feels like a nightmare. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever lived through. I thought for sure we were all going to die.”

“How does something like that even happen? He took the Hippocratic oath to never do harm, but then he developed a lethal virus that could destroy humanity?” Livie’s eyes teared up. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I’m home now, and honestly, that’ll be my last trip for a while. If my parents want to see me, they’re going to have to visit us.”

“They’re going back?” Theo asked.

“That’s what they said. They’re just waiting for a new assignment. My dad is more determined than ever to help the world.”

“But you were all almost killed. They don’t want to stay here with you for a while?” Livie said.

Patience had been wondering the same thing. But it had always been this way with them. She didn’t doubt that they loved her, but she wasn’t what was important to them. When Quinn had really listened to her and took care of her, it meant the world.

“I guess not. It’s okay. I’ve got you, right?” Patience hugged her again.

“Of course. Both of us, and Quinn too, right?” Livie asked.

“I don’t know about that. We still haven’t talked. I saw he texted me when I got my phone back, but I don’t know. I’ll have to see how it goes.”

Theo hugged her. “It will be okay, Patience. Have some faith in the big guy. He’s been through a lot in his life.”

Patience let his words sink in. They were so like Doc’s. “I guess you know his story?”

“I do, but it’s his to tell.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before, too.”

“You just need some patience, Patience.” Theo chuckled. “See what I did there?”

“You’re a regular laugh riot, boo.”

“Should we have cake now?” Livie asked when they stopped laughing.

“Cake? You didn’t tell me there was cake.” Patience clapped.

“What kind of party would it be without cake?” Theo asked.

“True.”

“You go relax. I’ll get the cake and champagne,” Livie said.

“How about you both go sit and I’ll get it,” Theo offered.

“I knew there was a reason I asked you to be my boyfriend.”

“If I remember right, you asked me to be your fake boyfriend.”

“True, but I knew you were excellent boyfriend material.” Livie giggled.

“If you keep this up, I’m going to OD on sugar,” Patience said and then grinned.

“Just wait, payback’s a bitch.”

“Yeah, yeah, so you keep saying. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that.”

Patience was heading over to the couch to sit down when the doorbell rang. “Are we expecting anyone else?”

“I didn’t invite anyone.” Livie shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ll get it.” Theo went to answer the door while Patience and Livie settled on the couch.

Then he stepped into the living room with a smile on his face. “Patience, you have a guest.” When he moved out of the way, Quinn was standing behind him.

Had it only been two days since they’d been together in Swuyji? He looked different. It might just be the lack of his uniform and face paint, but no, something had changed.

“You came!” Patience jumped up from the couch and barely stopped herself from throwing herself into his arms. They hadn’t talked yet. He might just be coming to check on her. She needed to calm her tits.

“I promised. I always keep my promises.” Quinn’s deep voice sent butterflies flitting through her stomach. “Is there some place we can talk…alone?”

“Sure, let’s go up to my room. Can you put a pause on the cake?”

“Well, we wouldn’t have any without you, silly woman.” Livie pulled her into a hug, then whispered. “Give him a chance, okay?”

Patience nodded. “I will.”

Quinn stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching her. It felt like he was trying to see inside her. But she’d already poured her heart out to him. There was nothing left for her to share.

“C’mon, little doc. We have a lot to talk about.”

“Okay.” She followed him upstairs and into her room.

He closed the door behind her, then sat down beside her on the bed.

“I know I hurt you. It was never my intention, but no matter how hard I tried to push you away, I couldn’t. It was the truth when I said I didn’t have relationships. I’ve never had a girlfriend, never been on a date.”

“Really? I thought you were just saying that to get rid of me.”

“No, Patience, never. I won’t lie to you ever. You can count on that.”

She nodded as she watched the expressions change on his face. Her stomach knotted and goosebumps raised on her skin. Somehow, she knew she wouldn’t like what was coming next.

“My childhood wasn’t pretty. Actually, it was horrific. My father was an abusive drunk. He beat my mother and then me when I tried to get between them. It went on for years and either no one noticed, or they were afraid to get involved.”

“Oh, Quinn…”

“Please let me get this out and then I’ll answer your questions, okay?”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around her waist to keep from reaching for him.

“During my senior year of high school, I came home and found my mother lying in a pool of blood on the floor. My father was standing over her and just kicking her. I lost it and attacked him. By the time I calmed down, he was dead. I’d done to him what he’d done to her.

I checked them for a pulse, but they were both gone. I almost ran away, instead I called the police. I thought for sure I’d be going to jail for the rest of my life. But Theo’s parents stepped up. They were teachers in my high school. They fostered me until I was eighteen and I joined the Navy.”

“Oh my God.”

“I told you. I’m not a good man. You just never believed me. But, Patience, I want to be for you. I’m sure you don’t believe me, and I don’t blame you. All the times I pushed you away, tried to ignore you. You shouldn’t forgive me, but I hope you do.

I coped the only way I could by burying my emotions. It seemed like the only way, the safest way. I convinced myself I was the same as my father, that I’d hurt anyone I got close to, so I was afraid to take the chance.

Keeping to myself had worked for years. Until our last mission. The one we’d returned from before the blizzard. There was an incident on while we were in the field. I can’t tell you the details, it’s top secret, but it brought everything back. Reminded me of what I was—a monster—beyond redemption.

I don’t deserve you, Patience, but I want you more than life itself.

You’re all the things I thought I could never have.

I’ve never met a woman like you, one who is soft but tough as nails.

Compassionate but ruthless. You’re perfect.

And if you can forgive me, I swear I’ll cherish you for the rest of our lives.

I promise, if you just give me a chance, you’ll never regret it.

Unless it’s already too late. If you can’t look beyond the blood on my hands, I understand.

I’ll disappear from your life and never bother you again. ”

Quinn got down on his knees in front of her, taking her hands in his. Gazing up at her with his gorgeous green eyes, she saw all the love and devotion he’d hidden for months. She also saw the shame and pain, too.

The tears she’d held in for so long escaped and slid down her cheeks. With one of his fingers, he wiped them away. Then he cupped the side of her face. Leaning up so they were eye level, the leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, sharing her breath.

Livie would say she shouldn’t let him off the hook so easy. But that wasn’t Patience, it hurt her to see him suffering. To leave him hanging without knowing what she’d decide. Sure, she could have dragged it out, told him she needed to think about it. But she didn’t. She knew what she wanted.

“No, Quinn, I won’t forgive you.”

He pulled back and studied her face. The expressions crossed his face so quickly she couldn’t follow them all, until all she saw was sorrow. He thought he’d lost her. When he started to get up, she put her hand on his shoulder.

“Wait. Don’t you see? There is nothing to forgive. You were born a protector. You will always be one, and now you’re mine. I’m not letting go. I love you. I never stopped loving you. I was just waiting for you to realize you loved me back.”

Quinn pulled her into his arms, his lips slanting over hers, until she parted for him. His tongue slid into her mouth, rubbing against hers, claiming her breath. When he finally pulled back, and they were both panting.

“I love you, Patience. You’ve brought me light when I was living in darkness. I will stand beside you for the rest of our lives if you’ll have me.”

Nodding yes, she pulled him toward her for another kiss. Her heart nearly exploded with joy. Finally, after all the pain, worry, and fear, he was hers and she was his.

The End

I hope you loved Quinn and Patience as much as I did. This was a tough story to write, and Quinn had a lot to work through. But I couldn’t be happier that he found his happily ever after with Patience.