~ STARK ~
Hildie's beautiful face was pleading and smiling and such a joy. I wanted to take her face and kiss her, but I knew this part needed to go first.
"Do you want to repeat after me, or wait until the end to give your own?" I asked her quietly, realizing we hadn't discussed it.
Her eyes welled up and a single tear trickled down her cheek, but she was beaming. "I want to give it back to you as soon as you've offered it. I'll repeat you, Gabe. Always. Every day."
God, I couldn't breathe. My throat was going to close. I was blinking and clearing my throat, pulling myself together as I held her hands. I was afraid I would break down like a child to weep, but I took a deep breath and gave a hasty prayer, then met her beautiful, swimming eyes again.
"Hildie… I am a soldier. And with the honor of a soldier, I bind myself to you with these words."
She beamed, nodding, and repeated the words.
