Midnight Surrender (Freedom Fighters Series Book 2) (7 page)

The mess hall was crowded with new people. Tables overflowed, corners of the room were filled with refugees sitting cross legged on the floor. The only empty table was ours, which now sat filled with my friends and comrades. Diva sat on my left next to Mal and Alec was on my right. Big Dog, XXX, and several others rounded out the group, including Richard, James, and Matthew.

Cook had prepared a feast. Roast turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and rolls. For dessert there was peach cobbler and chocolate cake. Score! Breastfeeding always made me hungry and I could not wait to eat.

I pretended to ignore the conversation at the other end of the table as XXX told Mal a rather lewd and awkward joke.

“So this priest is sitting in the bar…”

I rolled my eyes. Nothing good would come from listening to XXX.

“Hello gorgeous.”

I looked up in curiosity. The comment was not directed at me but at Diva.

She arched an eyebrow. “Hello.”

Donnovan grinned. “This seat taken?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“What’s your name doll?” He asked, winking at her.

I had to hide my giggle behind my roll. Alec nudged me, a huge grin on his face.

Diva sat serenely, taking a bit of turkey. She chewed and swallowed, dragging out her answer.

“Diva,” she replied coolly.

“Fitting,” he answered, sopping up gravy with his roll.

He didn’t give his name. He was fishing, throwing out the line to see if she would pick up the bait. She seemed to know what he was doing and smiled. A brief look of disappointment covered his face but he hid it behind another smile.

“Diva, have you met Donnovan?” I asked, saving them both.

She shook her head.

“Michael, actually. Call me Michael,” he told her.

She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Michael.”

They continued to eat, glancing at each other now and then.

“What do you like to do around here?” Donnovan asked, striking up the conversation again.

“Practice,” she replied, still focusing on her plate.

“Same for me. I think my favorite is the obstacle course but I’ve always enjoyed melee weaponry.”

He finished his food and pushed the plate aside, watching her with obvious attraction. Diva loved melee weapons. Swords, especially. But she never said a word.

“Yep.”

He seemed a little disappointed in her answer. “Would you like to take a walk? It’s beautiful today.”

She shook her head. Diva was good. She had him hanging on her every word and gesture.

“Not today. I have plans.”

“Oh. With your boyfriend?” He asked, leaning forward.

This time I did giggle and hid it behind a cough. Diva shot me a glare.

“No,” she replied, digging into her dessert.

“Then tomorrow is a great time for a walk.”

She met his stare. “If you like.”

I could tell he did. A slow wide grin spread across his face, lighting up his features. “Oh I do.”

Diva blushed, her light brown skin glowing under the cafeteria lighting.

“I’ll see you at dinner,” he promised, getting up from the table. “Later guys.”

Diva let out a breath when he was gone. I stared at her until she looked at me, shrugging.

“He is kind of cute,” she offered.

Laughter erupted around the table.

“You’ve got jungle fever. He’s got jungle fever.” XXX told her in a sing song voice, pretending to swing his hips.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re an idiot X.”

He winked at her and she laughed.

Mal batted his eyelashes at her, pretending to give loud smooching kisses. She threw her napkin at him.

I turned to Alec. “Have you ever seen him approach a girl like that before?”

He shook his head. “Nope. We’re witnessing history.”

I looked at Diva and pretended to gaze at her lovingly. “You’re beautiful doll.”

I ducked and laughed as Diva threw the rest of her roll at me. Grinning, I launched mine at her, pelting her in the chest. She nearly fell off the bench. The resulting food fight caused as much laughter as it did chaos. When it was over I surveyed my friends, smiling at their youthful exuberance. Sometimes you needed to let everything go, drop the pretense of adulthood, and behave like a child. It was good for the soul.

After that, Diva and Donnovan were seen together almost every day. They trained and sparred together, ran the obstacle course, and ate at the pit together. A fast friendship grew between them, quickly blossoming into more.

There was no doubt of their mutual attraction. I was happy for my friend. Diva deserved happiness. Someone who could help her laugh and overcome all of the pain and hurt of the past. I had a feeling Donnovan was the one. He needed it as much, if not more, than she did.

One afternoon, we were out walking. Alec had the baby strapped to his chest in one of those little carriers. He was holding my hand, beaming a huge grin. We went outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Little Benjamin fell asleep, his mouth shaped into a little ‘o’. It was adorable.

“Lizzie, how are you feeling? You look wonderful. I can’t believe you had a baby two and a half months ago. You are a beautiful mother,” he told me, winking.

“I feel pretty good. In fact, I feel back to normal. My energy is back, even if I am a little sleep deprived. Why?” I asked, teasing him and knowing the answer.

We hadn’t been intimate since the baby was born. Alec held me every night but he didn’t try anything. He was waiting for me to feel comfortable and be ready. I was now. I played the innocent to tease him, enjoying his reaction.

“Oh well, you know, I was…hoping you were recovered and feeling all right,” he stammered.

Inside, I was laughing. I kept my expression innocent.

“Are you worried about me or the baby? We are healthy.”

“Um no, I…never mind.” He looked a little frustrated.

“Oh is that all? I was hoping you wanted to make love soon. Maybe you don’t feel ready or the desire?” I asked, swaying my hips and batting my eyelashes.

A slow wide grin spread upon his lips. He turned quickly for the compound and practically ran all the way to our room. He was careful with the baby. We didn’t want him to wake up, not now. Alec put him down easy in the bassinette and he never stirred. I closed and locked our door quietly.

Alec grabbed me from behind and carried me to the bed. We fell down on it, locked in an embrace, kissing passionately. His lips ignited a trail of fire across my neck and down to my shoulder, and then lower where he placed a kiss on my belly. I had missed this, missed him, missed his touch.

I called his name softly, pulling him closer. We threw our clothes on the floor, making love with wild abandon, clutching each other close, reveling in the feel and touch of our lover’s caress, contented just to be near again, to unite and become one. It had been too long. We needed that connection. It was part of our makeup, a part of our foundation.

Alec was smiling afterward, brushing the hair out of my eyes. I lay on his chest and looked down at him, watching those silvery grey eyes drink me in like I was the life giving spring of water in the parched and dry desert. I loved that look. The intensity and love in his eyes.

He was the most handsome man I ever met. I stared at him, completely in love, brushing his brown curls from his forehead. His eyes softened.

“I love you so much Lizzie. You are incredibly beautiful. I can’t believe my luck. I thank God for you every day and our son. I’m so happy.”

He held me tighter, kissing me, and hugging me close.

The days turned into weeks, and my happiness blossomed along with my son. It was a simple time but filled with moments of pure bliss. I never knew what I was missing before little Benjamin was born. Unconditional love like I had never known filled my soul. Motherhood completed me. I thrived on it.

A small knock interrupted the end of feeding time. Cradling my son in my arms, I opened the door, surprised and happy to see my best friend. I ushered her inside and shut the door.

“Give me a sec. Have a seat. There’s drinks in the fridge,” I offered.

Diva sat down in my room, silent as I changed little Benjamin and put him in his cradle for his nap.

“Are you sure I am not bothering you?” She asked.

“No, not at all. I’m glad you came by,” I reassured her, joining her at the table.

She sighed. “I need some advice.”

I arched an eyebrow. Diva never asked for advice. I had a feeling this was about Donnovan. I was right.

“How can I help?”

She seemed hesitant. “How did you know that Alec was the one?”

Surprise made my eyes widen. “Are things that serious?”

She nodded. “Yes, it has only been two months but I…feel very strong about him.”

It did not take long when you fell in love. I knew that from experience.

I smiled. “When I looked at Alec my knees went weak and I had butterflies in my stomach. I thought of him constantly. He was the most handsome man in the world to me,” I told her truthfully.

“That’s the way I feel about Don. He makes me feel special and beautiful…and wanted,” she admitted.

“It sounds like you care about him very much,” I observed.

“Yes, I love him Lizzie. I don’t know how it happened but I do.”

I squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you Diva.”

She smiled but it quickly faded. “I’m terrified.”

I think I knew what she was referring to. “Is it because of before?”

Diva had been attacked after the bombing. She was raped, which resulted in a pregnancy. Her captors beat her and the child was lost. The trauma still haunted her.

“Yes,” she whispered. “What if he finds me disgusting? After he finds out?”

I squeezed her hand. “Do you think he loves you?”

She took a deep breath. “Yes, he told me yesterday.”

“If he loves you he will not blame you. You will be just as beautiful to him as before. It was not your fault Diva,” I reassured her.

“I don’t know if I can tell him.” She looked at the floor then back at me.

I nodded in understanding. “If you can’t then you can’t. But I think you should Diva.”

“Why?” She asked, genuinely curious.

“Because if you hide it from him, he will know. He will suspect something and it may harm your relationship. Besides, if you can’t trust him with that, how will you ever be able to move forward?”

She sighed again, clenching and unclenching her hands in her lap.

“You are right Lizzie. Trust is important,” she agreed.

“Yes, and I think you will feel free once you tell him. You’ve lost nothing by telling him the truth,” I told her.

“Thank you Lizzie. I’m glad I talked to you.”

“I’m always here for you Diva,” I promised her.

“I know. You’re like the sister I never had.” She joked.

I looked at her seriously. “You’re as close to me as the one I lost.”

Tears filled her eyes and she wiped them away. “Love ya girl.”

I gave her a hug and sent her on her way.

Diva and Don both had unresolved trauma. They had been used and abused. Although it happened in different ways, they shared a common link. Perhaps that is why they were drawn to each other.

Suffering does that sometimes. It recognizes the pain mirrored in another soul and finds a common resting place. Through love and healing Diva and Don could bring each other peace. I hoped that would happen. They deserved their chance at happiness.

It was with great joy and not an ounce of surprise that we celebrated their wedding only weeks later. In our war torn and uncertain world we latched on to happiness whenever and wherever we could. The resulting party lasted the entire evening and into the next day.

I was happy for my friend. Diva and Donnovan were practically gushing their joy. During the celebration I danced with Mal.

“Isn’t it funny? We’ve known each other for years and this is the first time we have danced,” he told me smiling.

“I know,” I smiled in return, “I guess there was never a reason to celebrate in Darren’s camp. That’s terribly sad, isn’t it?”

“Yes, life is too short Lizzie. We have to make the most of what time we have,” his voice had softened. I felt his arms tighten around me.

“That’s one thing we have learned Mal, both of us.” I leaned my head on his shoulder, content to let him spin me around the room as long as he wanted.

Three songs later Alec cut in. Mal released me reluctantly, raising my hand to his lips, and kissing it before he walked away, a small grin twitching the corners of his mouth.

As Alec held me I remembered my conversation with Darren. The one when he admitted to having me followed, and the stranger he sent after us. I needed to warn Alec.