A SEAL at Heart (25 page)

“Yes,” said Kona eagerly. The child was bouncing energetically. Her eyes were lit up and her smile was beaming. Maybe she was a reflection of her mother, who had lightened up also, or perhaps Jack was in a place where he was prepared to be back in the swing of life. Either way, as they headed toward their cars and the Celebration of Life party at McP’s, he knew the Don-shaped hole would always be there, and that all of them would reinvent themselves as much as they could and would mostly be fine.

“Let’s eat!” proclaimed Kona. “Mommy, we need to bring Mrs. Popcorn. I left her in the backseat of the car.”

“Okay, Kona. We’ll get her,” said Sheila. “We’re almost there.”

Jack helped settle Sheila and Kona in their car, and then he and Laurie climbed into his Jeep. “See you there,” he told them.

“How was it?” Laurie asked when they were alone.

“Good,” he said with a nod. “I didn’t give the whole speech. Only the first couple of paragraphs.” He wasn’t about to drink in his uniform, so he hightailed it to his apartment for a quick change. Zipping through the green lights, he knew he’d be at his destination in minutes.

“Those were the best parts,” she said, holding on to the side of the Jeep. “Jack, do you have to drive so fast? We’re not pursuing an insurgent!”

“Yes, dear,” said Jack with a grin that was both placating and teasing.

“Oh, don’t give me that crap!” Laurie replied with a smile. “If you’re going to be doing this for the rest of our lives together, then—”

Pulling to a halt with a screech, the Jeep jerked to a stop in front of his apartment. “Yes?” he enquired.

She unhooked her seat belt and climbed over to him. Her lips grazed his gently once, twice, and then she kissed him. Full lip on lip—with its bombardment of emotions—waylaid his intentions.

One minute he was thinking about a retort, and the next he was contemplating carrying her into his apartment and stripping her naked and taking her as they leaned against the wall.

His fingers sought the release for his seat belt and then he was pulling his keys out of the ignition and lifting her into his arms. Having traveled these steps a hundred times, he could do it sleepwalking, and before he knew it, they were at his door.

Fitting the key in the lock, he opened the door, pulled the keys out, and slammed the door shut with his foot. Her hands worked over him, releasing buttons and pulling the clothes from his body.

He did the same until they both stood naked. Then he was laying her down on the floor, reacquainting himself with the woman he loved. Her body was soft and curvy, sexy and familiar, and yet completely new as another layer of emotions played into their lovemaking.

Lifting his head, he stared into her eyes. “Did you really think we would only be bed buddies?”

She laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Yes, I did. I know how you guys operate. I didn’t expect anything, so I didn’t get hurt. But I knew I wanted to have fun.”

“And now?” He had to ask the question to completely understand the way she felt about him.

“What do you think, Jack?” Laurie’s hands tried to drag him back down for a kiss.

“No, wait. I have to say this…” He held himself poised above her, the woman he had gone to for help and begun to fall for. “I have feelings for you.”

“I know that,” she said, running the tips of her fingers over his ears, trying to distract him.

He captured her hands and squeezed them tightly. “I love you, Laurie. Just for the record, beauty is courage, kindness, joy, and pleasure. Even when you’re unsure, I see more of that in you than in any woman I’ve ever known.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Tears gathered at the corners. “Bravery is honesty even when it’s uncomfortable, happiness at simple things, and knowing that every day matters. You have that and so much more. I love you, Jack.”

They kissed, and it was one of the sweetest moments of their life together so far. If they have been in a luxurious suite it could not have been any better. He reached for his wallet, breaking the kiss; he found a condom and rolled it onto his cock.

With a sure stroke, he buried himself deep inside of Laurie. His body shook as he balanced himself on his elbows, not because the technique was taxing on his body, which it wasn’t, but because this was the woman he loved and his emotional investment was one hundred percent. Every moment with her mattered, and he wasn’t going to take anything for granted.

Her hands brought his face closer to hers. She kissed him tenderly on his lips. “I enjoy being with you, Jack. As much as I’ve wanted to deny it or even be cool about it, I can’t. I fell for you the moment we spoke at Dick’s Last Resort, and every interaction and hurdle has only brought us closer. You’re my ideal, Jack, even when I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted.”

For the second time today, words clogged his throat. He cleared it and said, “See. You wanted a SEAL. You didn’t know that before, because you hadn’t met me.”

“You’re right. You’re always right,” she teased. “I have everything I want right here.”

“Can I get that phrase in writing? No wait. Let’s have it bronzed!” He tickled her until she laughed. Then he captured her wicked little tongue until their kiss drove them both into a more primal dance. “Did you mention I was perfect?”

“Jack!” She moved against him, asking for more.

He refused to deny her.

With swift strokes, he brought her to climax twice before he allowed himself to cum. Then he rolled to his side, gathering her close. He could have stayed there forever, but today was about honoring a friend, as well as life and love.

“Is it time to go?” she asked, reading his mind.

“Yeah,” he said, kissing the top of her head and then untangling his limbs from hers. “Let me grab some jeans, and I’ll be right out.”

Laurie jumped up and dashed for the shower. “Okay! I’ll be really quick.”

“No fair,” he shouted back. “It’s no fun unless we both smell like sex.” Nonetheless, he found the clothes he wanted and headed for the bathroom. She was already toweling dry, and he snapped a towel in her direction, praising her lush curves and laughing at her small squeal of annoyance. His cock started to harden again, so he put the shower on cold and jumped in.

***

The courtyard of McP’s was packed with people. Jack parked his Jeep around the corner, and then he and Laurie walked to the gathering. From the kitchen of the pub, the smell of frying beef and chicken wafted his way, even from fifty feet away. His stomach growled. He’d worked up one hell of an appetite with this lovely lady and he was seriously hungry.

“Was that your stomach?” she asked, teasing him and then fake-punching him in the stomach. Laurie was definitely feisty tonight. “I’m starved, too!”

He nodded his head, and then ignored his hunger. Banging on the far side of his leg was a fancy paper bag. Laurie hadn’t asked what it was, and he was glad. He hoped she’d like the surprise.

The parking lot was stuffed full of cars, motorcycles, and bikes. To move anything would require a coordinated attack. Most likely everyone would be walking home anyway, and the owner wouldn’t mind. He was one of their own. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL.

A sign was taped to the gate saying Private Gathering, and they waded willingly into the chaos. To his left, a keg of Stella was propped on the table. Next to it were several trays of chicken wings and potato skins—Don’s favorite bar snacks—as well as several plates of mozzarella sticks with veggies.

Someone had set up a barbecue in the back and the turkey burgers and ribs sizzled loudly on the fire. The smell of a sweet spicy sauce filled the courtyard, in addition to a little smoke.

Their old CO, Jiffy, had once said, “Courage is not in walking blindly into battle, but fighting the battle where you know how high the odds are stacked against you.”

Jack’s eyes searched the faces. Community—Team guys and their wives—surrounded Sheila and Kona. This group never left anyone behind. Loyalty was forever, and no matter what circumstances faced a family whose warrior father had been killed in battle or training, the community would help.

He nodded at several of his brethren as he steered Laurie toward a couple of empty seats.

The party was getting loud and rowdy. Gich was holding court in the back corner, near a second keg, with a bunch of the Old Frogs and SEALs. Jack gave a small wave to them all and then helped himself to two beers. As he sat down next to Laurie, he asked, “How many of these have you been to?”

“Too many to count,” she said grimly. “My dad’s was the hardest death. I was so young, and everyone around me was the size of giants. Kona must be feeling that way. Let Sheila know, okay? I could help, talk to Kona about this, if she wants. It could be now or later… just putting it out there.”

“I’m sure she’d like that.” He nodded. “Are you going to be able… to do this?”

The implication was there… the larger question of whether or not Laurie would stick through it. Being with a SEAL took guts and a backbone of steel; none of it was easy.

Her eyes held his. “Yes.”

He cleared his throat. “You know these are part roast and part what we loved about the guy, right?”

Her eyes studied his, thoughtfully. The fact she didn’t answer right away meant she was probably really giving tremendous weight to the inquiry, just as he wanted. “Don’t look so worried. I’ll be fine. I’m familiar with how it goes. Back then, when my dad died, I had Gich. Now, I have you. I’m a strong woman and I can deal with it all. Just promise me that when we’re together, you’ll be really here with me and not thinking or wishing you were somewhere else.”

“I promise. You are my beautiful, bright, and talented lady, and I won’t disconnect when I’m home. If I do, you have my permission to call me on it.” Jack was not sweet-talking her, either. “Just don’t whack me on the back of the head for a few more weeks.”

“Ha ha!”

He reached for her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her in front of the entire bar.

“Get a room!” shouted Knotts.

“Now that’s living!” agreed Chalmers. He raised a glass in their direction. Billings hadn’t been able to attend—still on heavy meds—but it was good to see that someone had sprung Chalmers from the hospital for a few hours. Good to have most of the family together. Well, except for Seeley and Pickens, the black sheep who had been reassigned to ships rumored to be somewhere in the Arctic.

A few people clapped and yelled more comments at their next public display of affection.

After another long, luscious kiss, Jack released Laurie and stood. Picking up a glass of beer from the many placed on the table for just this purpose, he raised it high. “Hey! I’ve got a toast! I’d like to raise a glass to a man who knew what love was. From day one, when he met his bride, Sheila, he told me—his swim buddy who gets to see it all—that he knew what the future held for him. Sheila was the only woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Don said someday I’d be bitten, too. Well, he was right! This toast is to Don. Thanks for sharing the fact that love is real, and for allowing me the joy of being part of your world with Sheila and Kona. To Don! Hooyah!”

“Hooyah!” resounded the men and women in unison. “To Don!”

Waitresses brought in pitchers of Stella to be passed around, and trays of ribs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers, making sure everyone had sustenance and drink.

Jules placed plates of food in front of Jack and Laurie. “I’ve never seen him so happy. Congratulations!” she said to Laurie. “You make an adorable couple. Now, where did my husband get to?”

“Don’t know. Thanks, Jules,” said Jack with a grin.

“Thanks,” replied Laurie as she reached for a burger. Jack’s hand stopped her from having a bite. She frowned at him. Obviously, the woman wanted to eat.

Another waitress placed chips and salsa on the table along with glasses of ice tea. It was quite a banquet.

A few more guys arrived, including Franks and McCullum from Team THREE. Jack greeted them with a nod before returning his attention back to the group.

“One more thing!” Jack yelled, forcing everyone to quiet down again. He hauled Laurie to her feet. “I was once accused of having an empty life, which matched my very empty walls. I’d like everyone to meet the lady I’ve fallen in love with. This is Laurie Smith, and this is a gift for my lady.”

Wolf calls, sexy whistles, and loud shouts, along with clapping, ensued as Jack helped Laurie to stand and face his military family. He handed her the fancy paper bag and said, “Here…”

“What is it?” she asked, puzzled and unusually shy.

“Open it,” he said, softly raising his eyebrows. His instincts had led him down this path, and in his mind, this was a super gift.

She gave up her uncertainty and armor, plunging her hands into the bag. Withdrawing an item wrapped in blue tissue paper, she ripped off the top and gazed at it.

“Come on, what is it?” shouted Knotts. “If it’s a nude picture, let us know so we can cover the children’s eyes.”

“Maybe it’s a lock of his hair,” shouted Gertz, a Petty Officer from Team ONE who had operated with Jack and Don on occasion. He had saved their asses. Of course, Don and he had been able to return the favor. Gertz was a good guy to have come to Don’s Celebration of Life. “Or he framed his last pair of ‘tightie whities’ from way back when… you know, BUD/S! I think my balls are still torqued.”

“I knew you’d be the heckler, Gertz. Stow it or I’ll show you pain!” remarked Jack jokingly and shooting a derisive gesture at his friends.

Gich raised a glass of scotch in his direction. With a nod, he took a deep drink and lowered his glass.

Jack smiled. He was filled with warmth at the gesture. The relationship between him and Laurie was definitely growing on the old guy. He lifted his cup of beer and toasted back, and then he drained the brew in one long gulp.

Laurie peeled off the rest of the blue tissue wrapping. Gripping the gift in both hands, she stared at it blankly for a few minutes.

A strange smile was frozen on her lips and then slowly it warmed into a wide grin. Laurie turned it around and held the picture up like a prizefighter showing off a championship belt, proud for the entire world to see. Her words were loud. “It’s a picture of us.”