Page 64 of Triton

Epilogue

A yearafter I first met Erik at the pool in the Del, I stood amongst my classmates. Of the eighty-one people who had started BUD/S, only sixteen remained.

And I was one of them. I had done it. I was the first female BUD/S graduate.

My face was plastered on every magazine cover. Gold medal Olympian turned GI Jane. I was livid at the news coverage. The success of being an operator depended on my anonymity. But I knew that Erik and I would get through it together.

Erik was no longer my instructor. After our public kiss on the “O” course, Erik had been sent to Indoc until I was through with BUD/S. And I had been training all day, so we had agreed not to see each other until I graduated.

But unlike before, we had no doubts about our relationship. We had vowed that night I conquered Dirty Name to be together no matter what the costs.

And I graduated today.

I dressed in my crisp white Naval uniform and prepared to get my diploma.

The commander of the base, shook each of our hands, one byone.

“Congratulations Class 334. I welcome all of you to the Teams. Hooyah and welldone.”

I looked at the audience and saw that my mom was sitting next to Erik’s mom and sister. Isa and Grady were also there. I hadn’t spoken to my mom in months, and I didn’t want to share my happy day with her. But today I would focus on my blessings and not my family drama.

I made my way down the line and shook all my instructors’ hands. Erik was waiting for me at the end. Our relationship now had become an open secret. Even so, we didn’t advertise the fact we were together.

I stood in front of Erik and offered him my hand. He took it, kissed it and knelt in front ofme.

Oh mygod.

“Champ, you earned your Trident today. But I’ve got another piece of metal for you to wear.” He reached into his pocket and grabbed a small velvet box. He popped it open, and I gasped when I saw a gorgeous diamond ring. “Will you marryme?”

“Yes, yes, yes! I loveyou.”

“I love you, too.”

And I knew that he truly loved me. He’d believed in me when no one else had. He’d helped me overcome my fears. He was a strong man who wasn’t emasculated by my success.

And I finally believed that I deservedhim.

He placed the ring on my finger and then lifted me up into hisarms.

“Now, you’ll always be part of my world.”