Chapter 115-116-117

Chapter 115: "Reconnaissance at Langley"

Derek was in the gym, finishing up supervising the morning workout, when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw the name of an old contact he hadn't expected to hear from so soon: his former MARSOC commander, Colonel Lewis. It had been a while since they'd last spoken, and Derek wondered what the reason for this call was.

"Colonel Lewis, what a surprise," Derek answered, with a mixture of respect and curiosity. "What can I do for you?"

Lewis's deep, steady voice came through the phone.

"Derek, I have some important news for you. I hope you're sitting down."

Derek frowned and, realizing this might be a long conversation, sat down on a bench near the weights area.

"What's going on, sir?" he asked, feeling a twinge of anxiety.

"Remember that operation you did on loan to the CIA a few years ago? The one involving infiltrating hostile territory?" — the Colonel began.

Derek knew exactly what the Colonel was talking about. It was a mission he rarely mentioned, even to his closest colleagues, due to its highly classified nature.

"Yes, I do," Derek replied, keeping his voice calm. "I thought this operation would be buried in the CIA archives forever."

Lewis gave a short laugh.

"Well, it looks like some of this is coming out of the shadows. I've just been informed that the operation will be declassified soon. And you, Derek, will be receiving a medal for your actions on that mission. In addition, your star will be carved into the wall of honor at CIA headquarters in Langley."

Derek was silent for a moment, absorbing what he had just heard. It was a huge honor, especially considering the secrecy involved in the operation. The wall of honor at the CIA was reserved for heroes whose contributions were crucial to the success of intelligence and national security operations.

"This… is unreal," Derek finally said. "I never thought something like this would happen." I thought it would all be in the past.

"Believe me, it's well-deserved. They're having a small ceremony at Langley, nothing big, of course. You can bring your family if you want. It'll be low-key, so come in a formal suit, and whoever you bring should dress appropriately. It's going to be next month. Can you RSVP?"

Derek took a deep breath. He had received countless medals throughout his military career, but this one felt different. Not only because of the weight of the operation, but because of its personal significance. He knew that this mission had changed the course of many events, even though no one could know that publicly.

"Of course, Colonel. I'll be there. I'll bring my wife and maybe the kids too. Do you think that's appropriate?"

Lewis paused before answering.

"If you want, you can bring the kids, but remember that it's a low-key, somewhat formal event. They may not understand the importance of it now, but it will be a significant moment for you, and it's something your family should witness." Derek nodded, even though he knew the Colonel couldn't see him.

"Understood. I'll start getting things ready around here. And thanks for calling me, Colonel. It means a lot."

"You earned it, Derek. We're all proud of you. See you soon."

With that, the call ended, and Derek sat in silence for a few moments, staring at the gym floor, still processing the news.

A few minutes later, Kylie walked into the gym, looking for Derek. She saw him sitting there, his expression contemplative.

"Hey, honey, is everything okay?" she asked, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Derek looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, everything's great. Actually, I have something to tell you."

Kylie tilted her head curiously.

"What's wrong? You sound serious."

Derek laughed and stood up, hugging her gently.

"I just got a call from Colonel Lewis." One of the operations I did on loan to the CIA is going to be declassified. And, well... I'm going to get a medal for it. And my star is going to be carved into the wall of honor at CIA headquarters in Langley.

Kylie's eyes widened, a mix of pride and surprise on her face.

"Wow! That's... amazing! I knew you were a hero, but to have it recognized like this is..." She trailed off, clearly moved. "When is it? Can we go with you?"

Derek nodded.

"Yes, the Colonel said I can bring you and your family. It'll be a low-key ceremony, but I want you guys to be there. He asked us to dress up. Formal suits and everything."

Kylie smiled, her warm gaze fixed on Derek.

"Of course we'll go! The kids will love being there too, even if they don't understand everything right now. But Derek, this is such an honor. I'm so proud of you." She hugged him tightly, and Derek felt the weight of his life being somehow lifted by that moment. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to keeping secrets, to not sharing the details of her missions, but now part of her story would be revealed.

"Thank you, Kylie. It means a lot to hear that from you. I know I can't talk much about what happened on that mission, but knowing that you'll be there by my side makes all the difference."

In the days that followed, Derek and Kylie began preparing for the event. She hired a stylist to make sure they looked impeccable for the ceremony, and even the children would have formal attire for the occasion.

Stormi, always cheerful, was excited to wear a new dress, and Kylie made sure Aire also had a little suit to match Derek.

As they were finalizing the final details, Kylie suggested that they might invite her mother and sisters, since they knew how important this moment was to Derek. He hesitated for a moment, thinking about the low-key nature of the event, but when he saw Kylie's enthusiasm, he decided it would be a good idea.

Finally, the day arrived. Derek, dressed in a crisp black suit, looked out at his family, all ready for the ceremony at Langley. Kylie looked stunning in an elegant gown, and the children looked adorable in their formal attire. He felt a quiet pride as he looked at them, knowing that despite everything he had endured, this was his greatest achievement.

"Let's go," he said with a smile. "We have a star to see."

Together, they set off toward CIA headquarters, ready to witness one of the most significant moments of Derek's career.

Chapter 116: "The Wall of Honor"

The morning was cool, with a light breeze blowing across the perfectly manicured lawn of the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Derek, dressed in an impeccable black suit, led his family up the path to the main building. At his side, Kylie looked stunning in an elegant, simply tailored gown, perfect for the formal occasion. Her sisters, Kendall, Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney, followed closely behind, as did Kylie's mother, Kris Jenner. The children, Stormi and Aire, were adorably dressed in formal attire, with Stormi beaming from ear to ear, excited to see her "hero daddy" being honored.

As they approached the entrance, a sense of awe washed over the group. The CIA building, imposing yet understated at the same time, reflected the seriousness of the occasion. Derek had explained to them that the ceremony would be low-key, without much fanfare, but the weight of the moment was palpable.

As they entered the main lobby, they were greeted by a middle-aged man with graying hair and a stiff posture, dressed in a dark suit.

"Derek Rogan, it's an honor to welcome you back," the man said, extending his hand in greeting.

Derek shook his hand firmly.

"Director Burns, thank you for having me. It's an honor to be here today."

William Joseph Burns, the director of the CIA, looked at the group accompanying Derek and smiled warmly.

"And this is your family, I take it?" he asked, nodding to each of them.

"Yes, my wife Kylie, our children Stormi and Aire, and my mother-in-law Kris Jenner. My sisters-in-law are here too: Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, and Kendall," Derek said, as Burns nodded to each of them in acknowledgement.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Burns said, before turning back to Derek. — I know this ceremony is a modest way to recognize the impact your mission has had, but it's something we couldn't pass up.

As they talked, a few more familiar faces began to appear. Colonel Lewis, Derek's former commander at MARSOC, was the next to shake his hand.

"Rogan, I never thought I'd see you here receiving such an honor," the Colonel said with a half-sarcastic smile. "But if anyone deserves it, it's you."

Derek chuckled lightly, returning the greeting with respect.

"I appreciate it, Colonel. I didn't think I'd be here today either."

As they walked through the building, the group passed CIA agents and staff, all of whom greeted Derek with respect. A few quiet conversations broke out as the group moved down the hallway.

"He's that operator, isn't he?" one agent whispered to another as they watched Derek walk by.

"Yeah, that guy." I heard that his mission was decisive...

They finally arrived at the room where the small ceremony would take place. It was a large room, but with an intimate, almost solemn atmosphere. There were a few chairs set up for the guests, and in the back, a huge wall covered in carved metal stars: the Wall of Honor. The stars represented those who had given everything in the name of national security, without their names being publicly revealed.

Derek took a moment to take a deep breath before addressing the wall. Director Burns stepped up to a small podium set up in the center of the room and began to speak.

"We are here today to recognize a man who, on many occasions, put country above self," Burns began. "Derek Rogan, as a MARSOC operator, participated in an extremely sensitive and risky mission in hostile territory, while serving the CIA. For security reasons, many of the details of that operation cannot be released at this time, but what I can say is that the mission played a crucial role in preventing a serious threat to the security of the United States."

Kylie, holding Stormi's hand, looked at Derek with admiration in her eyes. Kylie's sisters and Kris were all silent, absorbing what was being said.

"What I can share with you is that without the courage and skill of Derek and his team, we might be telling a very different story," Burns continued. "Today, we add his star to our Wall of Honor, unnamed, as is protocol. But know that for those of us who are here, and for those who know the impact of this mission, Derek Rogan will always be remembered as a hero."

Burns paused and motioned for Derek to come closer. Derek walked to the podium and stood next to the director.

"Derek, on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency and the American people, we thank you for your service," Burns said, before shaking Derek's hand once more.

A brief applause echoed through the room, but the solemn mood prevailed. Then everyone stood and followed Derek to the wall. He stopped before the new star, one among many, without any inscription, just a metallic gleam on a wall of memories.

Kylie approached, placing a gentle hand on Derek's shoulder.

"That's yours, right?" she asked, looking at the star.

"Yes," Derek replied, a little emotional, but keeping his composure. "That's mine."

Stormi, curious, looked at her father and then at the star.

"Daddy, why isn't your name there?" she asked, with the innocence of a child.

Derek smiled and crouched down to be at his daughter's level.

"Because sometimes the things we do have to stay secret, Stormi. But what matters is that you and your family know that I was here and I did the right thing."

She nodded, still not fully understanding, but pleased with her father's answer.

Kris approached and, with her eyes full of pride, hugged Derek.

"You're amazing, Derek. Knowing that you were doing all this and never told us... You really are a hero."

Kylie's sisters, one by one, also expressed their pride. Even though they were part of a world where things were constantly exposed to the public, understanding that Derek operated on such a different level, with such secrecy, was something that left them impressed.

Kylie, standing next to him, looked at the star with mixed emotions. She knew her husband had been through intense moments, but being there, seeing the silent recognition of everything he had done, filled her with respect.

"I'm so proud of you, Derek. I know you'll never tell all the details, but what you did, what this star represents, is incredible," she said, holding his hand.

"Thank you, love," he replied, squeezing her hand gently.

As they watched the star, the room fell silent, everyone respecting the moment. The ceremony was simple, but for Derek, and for everyone who knew him, it was a milestone in his journey as a soldier and as someone who always did what was necessary to protect his country.

Chapter 117: "A Family Celebration"

After the silent and emotional ceremony at the CIA headquarters, the Kardashian Jenner family was back in the van that would take them to their next destination. Kris Jenner, always attentive to details, had organized a celebratory lunch at a luxury restaurant in the city. The chosen place was known for its privacy and refinement, ideal for a more intimate moment with the family, but without losing the glamour that they loved so much.

The restaurant was in Georgetown, a historic neighborhood of Washington D.C., with charming streets and classic architecture. As soon as they arrived, the discreet and sophisticated facade gave them an idea of ​​what awaited them. An elegantly dressed valet greeted the van and helped everyone out, with smiles of admiration as he recognized the famous family.

"Derek, we deserve a grand lunch after all this," Kris said, adjusting her sunglasses as she looked at her son-in-law with a warm smile.

Derek, still feeling the weight of the moment he had just experienced at the CIA, smiled back. He wasn't used to this kind of celebration, but seeing the effort his new family was putting in, he was touched. Kylie held his hand tightly, proud of her husband and eager to relax and enjoy the family meal.

As they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by an impeccably dressed maître d', who led them to a private room decorated with candles, white flowers, and a long table covered with a fine linen tablecloth. The ambiance was cozy, yet sophisticated, perfect for a family celebration.

"This place is beautiful, Mom!" Kim commented, taking in the details of the decor. "Very Kardashian-esque."

Kris smiled, pleased with her daughter's approval.

"I thought it would be the best place to celebrate such a special occasion," she said as everyone took their seats.

Stormi and Aire were seated in little chairs next to Kylie and Derek, while the sisters, Kim, Kendall, Khloe and Kourtney, sat around, chatting excitedly about what had happened at the ceremony.

"Derek, I never imagined you would be involved in something so secret and important," Khloe said, her eyes wide as she looked at her brother-in-law in awe.

"I knew you were a hero, but to hear the Director of the CIA talking about you... Wow," Kendall added, smiling at him.

Derek laughed, a little embarrassed by the attention.

"Well, I've never been one to talk about these things much," he said, adjusting the collar of his suit. "But it's nice to know that what I did made a difference, even if it all has to stay secret."

Kylie looked at Derek with a tender look.

"We know enough to be very proud of you, love," she said, squeezing his hand and smiling fondly.

The maître d' returned with the exclusive menu, and everyone began to place their orders. There was a wide variety of sophisticated dishes, from fresh seafood to prime cuts of meat. For the children, lighter and more colorful options were offered, ensuring that even Stormi and Aire could enjoy the experience.

"And to drink, what shall we have?" Kris asked, already leafing through the wine list.

"How about a champagne to toast Derek?" Kim suggested, smiling at everyone.

Everyone agreed, and soon the drink was served, accompanied by small glasses of juice for Stormi and Aire. As the champagne glasses were distributed, Kylie raised hers, looking at Derek with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I would like to propose a toast to Derek," Kylie began, her voice full of emotion. "For everything you have done, and for everything you continue to do, whether for your family or for your country. Today you have shown us once again how brave and committed you are, and we are blessed to have you by our side. You are our hero, and we love you so much."

Everyone raised their glasses, toasting enthusiastically.

"To Derek!" they all repeated in unison.

Derek, touched by Kylie's words, took a sip of his champagne and silently thanked everyone with a smile. The feeling of being surrounded by so much love and support was something he had never imagined finding, especially in a family as famous and complex as the Kardashian Jenners.

As the main courses were served, the conversation turned to funny stories and memorable moments.

"Remember that time when Stormi hid in the closet while we were playing hide-and-seek?" Khloe asked, laughing as she looked at her niece.

Stormi, always full of energy, smiled broadly and clapped her hands.

"I hid really well, Aunt Koko!"

Everyone laughed, while Kim and Kourtney continued to reminisce about other family adventures.

Amidst the lively conversations and the delicious food, Derek allowed himself to completely relax. He was at peace, surrounded by people who loved and supported him unconditionally.

Seeing Kylie interacting with her sisters, all smiling and jokingly, he reinforced how much she was the centerpiece of his happiness. She had given him a family, something he never knew he wanted so much until he found her. Kris, always observant, noticed Derek's serene look and took advantage of the moment to approach him.

"Derek, dear," she began, in a loving tone, "I know you're not used to this kind of celebration, but I want you to know how much we all admire you. You are an incredible man, and we are so happy that you are part of our family."

Derek, always modest, smiled at his mother-in-law. "Thank you, Kris. I am also very grateful to have all of you. You have welcomed me in a way I never imagined, and that means a lot to me."

"That's because you make our Kylie happy, and that's the most important thing," Kris said, lightly patting Derek on the shoulder before walking away.

As the meal came to a close, the maitre d' brought out a small, elegantly decorated cake with the words "Congratulations, Derek" written on top in chocolate. Everyone applauded as the cake was placed in the center of the table.

"This is for you, hero," Kim joked, winking at Derek.

Stormi and Aire cheered, clapping their hands and shouting "Cake!" repeatedly, making everyone laugh.

As they enjoyed their dessert, Derek looked around the table, seeing the smiling faces and feeling truly blessed. He knew that while his accomplishments as a soldier were important, what he valued most now was the family he had built with Kylie. She and the children were his new mission, and he was determined to do his best to continue protecting and loving each and every one of them.

Lunch ended with laughter, hugs, and promises of more special moments in the future. Derek's life, now intertwined with that of the Kardashian Jenner family, was far from ordinary, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. Today, he not only celebrated his star on the Wall of Honor, but also the love and unity he found on this unexpected journey.

New stories in my Patreon 

News stories there: " I won a Oscar when I was 19 " and " NCIS HAWAII: The Captain " 

This story is already complete there 

p@treon.com/SHADOWGHOST07 

Just replace the @ with an a