The truck bucked violently across the bumpy road, its worn-out engine protesting with piercing whines and groans. Meagan's grip on the locket tightened reflexively, her fingers tracing the delicate gold engravings of the initials *M.S.* An absent-minded smile crept onto her lips, softening her features.
"Jeez, Stewart! Rub it in, why don't you?" Renee teased, her voice stern but her eyes sparkling with warmth. "We know you have the perfect family, okay?" She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, her smile softening the remark.
"She's so smitten, and it's obvious why. Have you seen Mason Stewart?" Stephanie's eyes went wide and dreamy, as if she were in another world.
"Okay, slow down, tiger! He's taken!" Meagan's face flushed as she uttered those words. She bit her lip softly and clenched her fists in her lap. "Damn it! I can't believe I just said that." She chuckled awkwardly, suddenly self-conscious, and turned to look out the window.
Meagan expected teasing from her colleagues, but she wasn't prepared for the fit of laughter that erupted. She turned abruptly to face them, only to see Stephanie's bright, tear-filled eyes glistening with mirth. Meagan laughed too.
Lord knows they needed it after the relentless attacks they'd endured over the past week. It had been a rollercoaster of Taliban assaults, and moments of levity were rare.
"But on a serious note, Stewart," Fishin interjected, shaking her head as if to clear it, "how did you manage to snag a billionaire? Not just any billionaire, but hot damn, be-my-baby-daddy Mason Stewart? I mean, you're in the army, miles apart all the time, and he hasn't divorced you or fathered a bunch of bastards."
"Some of us are just born lucky, I guess," Meagan replied with a shrug. "I mean, I've got the best combat squad—sisters in arms and in life." Renee's eyes glowed with pride as she winked at Meagan, her lips curling into a playful smile.
"You've got the best, most handsome, chocolate-dripping baby daddy, and triplets to boot! I mean, looking at those boys, you know they're mini versions of 'I'll-break-your-heart-someday' faces." Renee playfully nudged Meagan as she finished.
"This just makes me miss them even more," Meagan said, her voice trembling slightly. She cleared her throat. "It's the triplets' birthday today. Mason's taking them on their first camping trip. I should've been there too, you know? They've been holding out for two years, waiting for me to make time for it. I miss them so much."
"Don't worry, sunshine," Fishin said, her eyes glazing with mischief. "You'll get to hold him soon—and do all those nasty things you're thinking of. And kiss those handsome babies you made. Just make sure your rich husband buys me a house when you do."
"For me, I want a car," Stephanie chimed in, her eyes twinkling. "Something I can take on road trips. I know your husband's capable, so consider that my retirement wish."
Meagan rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You know we're all retiring next week, right? It's official. I'm retiring too, just like you guys."
"Yeah, as the most decorated soldier in our platoon! Jeez, you're one lucky rat," Renee said, reaching playfully for Meagan's ear and tugging it, making Meagan swat her hand away.
"Yeah, you didn't say what you wanted for your retirement, Renee. You're not planning on asking for my husband, are you?" Meagan teased, her eyes narrowing as Renee feigned seriousness.
"Can I have him? And those sweet boys?" Renee blinked and pouted, earning a shove from Meagan.
"They're not on the market. Custom-made for me, so pick something else. Besides, you've got your beautiful baby girl too," Meagan said, eyeing Renee as she pretended to think.
"Come on, Renee, anytime now!" Stephanie snapped, her voice tinged with impatience.
"Well, as for me, you can give me…" Renee began, but her words were cut short by a deafening boom.
The vehicle tumbled violently, tossing Meagan like a rag doll. Her vision blurred, her ears ringing, as she struggled to process the horror unfolding before her eyes.
Fishin's laughter was silenced, her body torn apart, limbs scattered like twisted dolls. Renee's screams echoed, her eyes wide with terror as flames engulfed her.
Meagan struggled to comprehend the chaos. Her breath hitched, and she panted hard, trying to regain control. "Renee, respond!" she shouted, struggling to crawl toward the flames engulfing her friend. But she couldn't move, as if something held her down.
Stephanie's weak voice reached her. "M-Meagan… what…" Meagan saw her face contorted with pain, confusion, and terror, and it broke her heart into a million pieces.
"No… no…" Meagan whispered in anguish, her eyes welling with tears as the gruesome scene unfolded. She felt trapped, paralyzed, unable to do anything.
A blast of heat from the flames forced Meagan to shield her face. Through the smoke, she saw her colleagues—once full of life and energy just moments ago—now scattered in the most gruesome ways.
Meagan's tears mixed with dirt and soil as her head dropped lifelessly. Clutching her locket, she ran her fingers along the initials, remembering Mason's face—his magnificent bronze-sculpted body, his surprising gray eyes. She saw her boys playing with their toy swords, their voices pleading: "Mommy, please stay one more day… stay with us, please. You promised." The words echoed in distorted tones as she gasped.
"Renee, Fishin, Stephanie, stay with me!" Meagan begged, tears streaming down her face.
As darkness claimed her, Meagan's whispered words faded into silence.