One year later, the Pentagon was buzzing with the news of the annual flag officer promotions.

I stood in the center of the massive, ornate naval reception hall, surrounded by the highest-ranking military officials in the country.

CNO Vance stood on the podium, holding a small velvet box.

"It is my distinct honor to announce the promotion of a woman who has redefined naval intelligence and tactical command," Vance said proudly.

"Evelyn Hart, please step forward."

I walked to the front of the room, my heart swelling with absolute, undeniable pride.

Vance pinned the third silver star to my collar.

I was officially a Vice Admiral.

The room erupted into applause. I turned and saluted the crowd, my eyes scanning the sea of uniforms until they locked onto the man standing in the front row.

Nathan was smiling so widely I thought his face might break.

He had recently accepted a massive promotion of his own, transitioning from active field deployments to the commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Training Center on the East Coast.

It was a prestigious command that kept him firmly stationed in Washington D.C., eliminating the brutal, months-long separations of overseas deployments.

Later that evening, after the reception had cleared out, Nathan and I walked hand in hand along the Potomac River.

The Washington Monument glowed brightly in the distance, reflecting off the dark water.

"Vice Admiral Hart," Nathan teased softly, pulling me closer to his side to block the cool evening breeze. "I am going to have to start saluting you when you walk into the kitchen."

"I highly encourage that level of discipline, Captain Reed," I laughed, using his newly acquired rank.

He stopped walking and turned to face me, taking both of my hands in his.

"I have spent my entire life traveling the world, Evelyn," Nathan said, his voice dropping its teasing tone and becoming deeply serious.

"I have seen the worst of humanity, and I have fought in the darkest corners of the earth."

He reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out a beautiful, flawless diamond ring.

It was not the gaudy, ostentatious rock he had bought for Caroline to appease my father's shallow expectations. It was elegant, timeless, and absolutely perfect.

"But I have never found anything as beautiful, as strong, or as incredible as you."

He didn't kneel. He stood tall, looking directly into my eyes as an equal partner in everything.

"Marry me, Evelyn. Let me be your safe harbor for the rest of our lives."

Tears, rare and precious, spilled over my eyelashes.

"Yes," I whispered fiercely, throwing my arms around his neck. "Absolutely, yes."