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𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘼 𝙃𝘼𝙇𝙁 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

1400 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗦, 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦

I sat on the kitchen island with a smile as Colton washed the dishes from our previous meal.

"You're not ready for the third tour are you?" He asked while still washing the dishes

"Who's ever really ready?" I teased before gently pressing my feet against his back causing him to laugh

"So you don't like calling me Lieutenant?" He asked turning to face me

"Well when you put it like that it does sound kinda nice" I replied with a smile as he walked in between my legs looking me in the eyes

He then pressed his lips against mine before leaning against my chest causing me to wrap my arms around him.

"You're so warm." He said randomly while I rubbed his head beginning to laugh before we heard a noise at the front door

He then moved away from me quickly grabbing a gun from underneath the coffee table while saying lowly, "Stay behind me."

I then nodded before grabbing another gun he had stashed beneath the kitchen sink as we quietly made our way to the door carefully.

As soon as the front door opened we peered around the corner with guns pulled seeing it was no other than the guys with smiles on their faces.

As we put our guns down they began laughing at us, "You guys should've seen your faces!" Ross laughed causing me to mimic him sarcastically

"What the hell are you guys doing here?!" Colton asked slightly irritated as I walked into me and his open bedroom trying to hide my things so we wouldn't have to explain

"You guys need a security system!" Houston said causing Colton to sarcastically raise his eyebrow and say, "I'm holding it."

They then laughed causing me to shake my head as Max then walked into the room wagging his tail the closer he got to me causing me to bend down rubbing his head after hiding the bit of my things I had out.

"Dinah!" The guys called causing me and Max to make our way to them

"How's the meanie treating you?" Houston asked causing me to laugh

"Good," I replied

"My question still hasn't been answered, why are you all standing in my house?" Colton asked once again

"Why are you walking around the house with your pecs out around our Dinah? You tryna seduce her?!" Franks joked diverting from his question, causing me to shake my head in laughter

"She's not you guys' Dinah and I have no reason to seduce her." Colton rebutted

"Oh shut up, Ken doll, why are you so defensive?! We've been calling her our Dinah the past 2 years" Banks asked with a smirk

"Because she's not," Colton replied leaning against the kitchen island

"He's in a bad mood." I then said with a little pout causing Boone to smile as he turned to him and said, "Well, he has no reason to be...this is your new Commander! Orders came in today!"

Colton then smiled before he asked clearly in shock, "What?"

"Yeah!" They all replied with smiles

I then looked over at mushy with a smile while saying, "Congratulations!"

He then walked over and hugged me tightly, "You won the bet...again." He said lowly causing me to laugh

"And you're gonna keep your word," I replied while hugging him back

Colton had promised and bet me if he got ranked up this year which he thought he wouldn't due to some structural issues the base had going on, he'd start praying with me.

"Aww!" The rest of the guys cheered while Colton said, "I will."

"Alright, pretty couple let's go celebrate!" Houston cheered

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"You know you and the guys drink like fish," I said beginning to laugh watching the guys dance and laugh while drinking their beers by the pool table before looking at Colton

He then looked over and laughed while saying, "Please don't tell me praying means I can't drink."

"The sin isn't in the drink it's in what you do after that drink" I replied pushing his shoulder gently

"Let's go dance," He said getting up from his seat causing me to smile as he stuck his hand out for me to grab

"Come on don't keep me waiting now. Gotta show you how us Texas natives do." He then said as I got up from my seat

"Oh whatever" I replied with a smile as we walked towards the dance floor as one of my favorite songs began to play causing me to light up

"You didn't?!" I asked referring to the fact he had walked over to the jukebox about five minutes ago

"I did" He replied nodding his head with a low smirk

He then wrapped his arms around my waist causing me to wrap mine around his neck as we looked into each other's eyes.

Walks by me every day, her and love are the same

The woman that's stolen my heart

And beauty is her name

I'm hoping I can make you mine

For another man steals your heart

And once your beauty is mine

I swear we will never be apart

"I swear this is a classic!" I hummed happily

"I see why you listen to it so much." He responded with a smile

"Yes!" I beamed

"So when we get to Iraq tomorrow...you gonna protect me baby?" He asked lowly causing me to laugh

"Hmm, you gonna protect me?" I replied teasingly

"I got your back...and front," He said causing me to hit his shoulder as we began laughing

"What?!" He rebutted acting as if he didn't just say what he said

"I can't stand you," I replied leaving room for a sweet silence to fall upon us

I then laid my head against his firm chest as he held me in his arms as we still rocked steadily back and forth to the music.

"I love you." Colton then said causing my heart to stop as I looked up at him knowing it wasn't not one of those three beers he had drunk

"You don't have to say it back right now. But just know I'll respect your beliefs and wishes as far as your religion goes and I'll try to involve myself as much I can...I just love you and don't ever want to lose you because ever since I realized I was in love with you everything has felt better-" He ranted nervously

"I love you too," I replied cutting him off, causing him to smile lowly before he leaned in kissing me

Applause then broke out as we pulled away causing us to look over toward the guys who were all smiles cheering for us.

A/N: There's the first I love you! And Dru Hill is 😩 How'd you guys like the chapter? I know there are not a lot of you reading this but I appreciate those who are reading, commenting, and voting! Thank you so much and please continue! And follow me if you don't🖤