The Medal of Honour rested against Miles' uniform.
For a brief second...
The entire ceremony hall remained silent.
President Maxwell stepped back after fastening it carefully into place.
Then applause erupted.
Not polite applause.
Not the kind people gave simply because protocol required it.
The sound filled the hall.
Senior officers stood.
Generals clapped.
Miles remained standing on the platform, looking out across the room.
His family was the first thing he noticed.
Timothy was smiling.
The old man's expression carried a pride that he wasn't even trying to hide.
Daniel stood beside him, applauding with the same warm smile Miles had seen many times before.
Elena...
She was wiping the corner of her eye.
Miles saw it.
His own expression softened.
Chloe had her phone in her hand.
Click.
Another picture.
Click.
Miles looked directly toward her.
Chloe grinned and took one more.
Hope and Asher were practically bouncing beside their seats.
