by Linda Ellen
Their audience erupted in whistles and shouts of “Woohoo, woman!” “Just lay one on him, babe!” “He’s in for it, now, boys!” “Kiss her, Tucker, you lucky slob!”
Once their lips met and his own reacted, her senses burst just like in the tunnel of love; fireworks shooting sparks down her arms and out to every nerve ending. Their surroundings faded. The whistles and shouts seemed far off.
Gary only waited a few seconds before he threw caution to the wind and took over with equal passion. The kiss went wild as he slanted his head to the right, his lips surrounding hers in the masterful way she’d always dreamed. Totally forgetting their audience, she opened to him and he deepened the kiss even more as his arms slipped around her and yanked her against his chest. Ignoring the bulky equipment he was wearing, she wound her arms around his neck and his crazy headgear, holding on for dear life.
Just as the kiss seemed like it would go on forever, they forced themselves to release one another. Still close enough to feel each other’s heart pounding, they peered into one another’s eyes and their breaths gasped.
Gary blinked. Julie blinked.
“Wow,” they sighed in unison. Their audience laughed over an enthusiastic applause.
Gary cleared his throat and rasped, “Dang it—what a lot of time we’ve wasted on being just friends. Julie…I’m nuts about ya…I think about you night and day…”
As her gaze locked dreamily with the sky blue eyes of the man she loved and she heard his declaration, Julie made a decision. She was through with waiting, done with pretense, and finished with being best friends, so without further adieu, she gushed, “Gary Tucker—will you marry me?”
He blinked again, chuckled, and then tipped back his head and yelled, “Yeeaaahoooo!” as the crowd around them burst into applause and ear-piercing whistles.
Looking back down into the fresh forest green of her eyes with a face-splitting grin, he quipped, “After a kiss like that in front of all these witnesses, I guess I’d better!”
Now, it was Julie’s turn to whoop, and as she did, she threw herself back into his arms to boot.
Gary swung her around and around, both of them laughing deliriously, and Julie knew she would never forget their proposal—correction, her proposal—as long as she lived. Harriet, you were right…I’m so glad I listened to you!
When he finally put her down, she straightened her dress and glanced around at their gathering; clearing her throat and trying to regain at least a semblance of dignity. “I’ll see you tonight at the club, honey—and I’ll save my first dance for you, so don’t be late.”
“Okay, sweetheart,” he answered, snatching one of her hands and bringing it to his lips.
She smiled lovingly up into his face and almost sailed into his arms once more, but stopped herself. Slowly backing several steps away until he dropped her hand, she turned to go, but then a mischievous imp made her swing back, the sun kissing her features as she blessed him with a sassy look over one shoulder. Her feisty grin nearly knocked his socks off—again.
“Oh, Lieutenant?” she purred.
“Yes, ma’am?” he asked as the other fellows chuckled and called out teasing jabs that he was smitten for sure… she’s already got a ring in his nose, as well as other not so polite expressions. Someone suggested he revive himself with the oxygen mask and the others laughed. However, she did notice he was holding it with one hand as if he might.
Julie met Gary’s twinkling eyes and couldn’t resist one more tease. “You’d better wipe that lipstick off your mouth before your commanding officer sees you.” Then with a wink, she whirled and sashayed back the way she had come. Continuing to walk, determined to give Gary’s and every other eye a show worth watching, she controlled herself from squealing with joy.
Her blue-eyed lieutenant chuckled with glee as he reached into his back pocket for his handkerchief and did as she suggested.
EPILOGUE
Seven years later, July 4, 1950
The Tucker Mansion, Houston, Texas
Gary Tucker stood in front of the dresser mirror in his and Julie’s bedroom, fighting with his green army tie. Why does she want me to wear my old uniform every Fourth?
Even as that thought floated through his mind, he knew the answer. His lovely wife happened to be extremely proud of the job he had done during the War, and she was determined that no one would ever forget the sacrifices he and his brothers—and all of the service men and women—had made to help America and her allies defeat the enemies of freedom.
As he loosened the knot for the third time and began retying it, Gary’s mind drifted back over the last seven years. So much had happened…
Right up to the end of the war, he had poured himself into his flight students, working to ensure their skills and instincts were as honed as possible before he sent them on to advanced training. Then, once the war had ended, he had mustered out of the service and set about reestablishing himself in civilian life.
He had promised himself he would never again give up flying, and he hadn’t. Surprising him for his twenty-ninth birthday, as a gesture of love and understanding between them, his father had even gifted him with his own airplane—a Piper J3C-65 “Cub Special”, bright yellow with a black lightening bolt down the fuselage. Julie had helped his dad pick it out; she chose it for the color—her favorite. Then to his delight, the love of his life had shown an avid interest, and so he had personally given her flying lessons, and had the joy and honor of presenting her with her private pilot’s license on her twenty-third birthday.
The biggest event, of course, had been his and Julie’s wedding. 15 September 1945. They had mutually agreed to wait until the official end of the War, which was of course, 2 September 1945 and Julie had picked the 15th to commemorate the day she had marched out onto the airfield and told him what’s what. With that twinkle in those green eyes that he adored, she always said she wanted to make sure he never forgot the day she, Took the bull by the horns…whatever that means—he wasn’t sure, because each time he asked her, she would just giggle. He was quite sure, however, that he was the bull in reference.
Like he would forget that day? That had been the most exciting, most satisfying day of his life—that is, until the day he pledged his life and fidelity to the woman he cherished. The day his brothers still teased him about—with his shaky hands and stumbling lips.
But there were other milestones, too. Like his father’s decision to put Steve in charge of Tucker Manufacturing’s plant in Louisville after the war ended and they had retooled it to satisfy post-war needs. Steve was doing a bang-up job as plant manager, just as Gary knew he would. He smiled as he pictured his brother and his feisty wife Mary June—along with their twin daughters, Eugenia and Garrietta—MJ’s clever way to honor both of Steve’s brothers, as well as her mother, Harriet. Those four-year-old identical beauties, with their mother’s hair and delightful freckles coupled with their father’s sky blue eyes, were the apples of quite a few eyes in the family, especially their uncle RJ, who miraculously had made it through the war unscathed.
Before that, on 20 September 1943, just days after he and Julie were formally engaged, Gene’s wife Viv had given birth to a strapping son they had named John Charles Tabor Banks, in honor of Gene’s loving adoptive father, John, and the triplets’ real father, Charles Tabor. The tike, now a rambunctious seven-year-old, was a delightful mixture of his parents—he had his father’s dark hair and his mother’s honey brown eyes—and Viv was fond of saying he’d inherited his Uncle Steve’s penchant for teasing. Indeed, he kept his two younger sisters, five-year-old Barbara Sue and three-year-old Mary Phyllis—both named for their grandmothers—flustered and squealing as he pulled their blonde pigtails and chased them around the yard with garter snakes, frogs, or whatever latest creature he had discovered. And now, she’s expecting again… John Charles…or JC as he liked to be called…was fervently praying for a boy this time.
Drat this stupid tie! What’s wrong with me, I’m all
thumbs, today, he groused as he emitted a frustrated growl, ripped the tie loose for the fourth time, and started again. For days, he had felt as if something was in the air, like something monumental was about to happen, but for the life of him, he couldn’t get a handle on it… Ah well, what comes, comes. He needed to get out there and help with preparations for the big annual Tucker-Banks-Wheeler-Harriman-Powell family picnic, he reminded himself sternly. The 4th of July was one of four times out of the year when the whole clan made the trek to Texas—even Gene’s family, as well as Viv’s and Mary June’s parents. The women of the house had been planning games and contests, and buying food for weeks.
Angling his chin forward, he worked until he had the tie perfect, and tucked it in place. Then, Gary set about pinning onto his uniform shirt the various decorations—his wife as well as his father always wanted to see.
His father… That brought to mind another milestone, the day he and Julie had agreed to live with his father and stepmother in the mansion in Houston—albeit in a totally separate wing that was quite private—so that he could take over the running of Tucker Manufacturing and his father could retire and enjoy his golden years with Charise. Ahh, Charise. The best decision Dad ever made was marrying that wonderful lady. The entire family adored her, as she was a loving and supportive wife, wonderful mother-in-law, and fantastic grandmother to their growing brood of grandchildren.
“Hey Lieutenant, aren’t you ready yet?” a familiar, sweet voice asked from the vicinity of the hall. He turned and met the loving leaf-hued eyes of his wife, and took a moment to gaze at the picture she made standing there framed by the carved oak door casing. His heart kicked up a notch as it always did when she was around—and his smile widened when he saw she was wearing his favorite of her dresses—that fetching little red and white polka dot number. Ahh, the memories that garment ignited. She looked especially lovely in it today. Practically glowing with health and happiness. He smiled, knowing he had a lot to do with that.
“Just about. Tie fought me today.”
She glided into the room and took over buttoning his collar tabs and attaching his service pins. When she was through, she smoothed her hands over his shoulders and down his chest, lingering with her palms over the muscles and manly nipples she could feel through the material.
“You look so handsome, sweetheart. I never get tired of seeing you in uniform. Thank you for indulging me.”
Stretching up a bit, she touched her lips to his for a brief kiss, but before she could lower herself to the floor again, he grasped her hips and deepened the exchange quite ardently. She responded to him instantly, just as she always did—his passionate and insatiable wife. One caress and kiss led to another and before long, he began to walk her backwards toward their bed for a little bit of pre-picnic fun.
Pealing her lips from his and planting a hand on his chest, however, she nixed that idea.
“Gareth! Behave,” she admonished, although ardor glowed in her own gaze as she glanced up and recognized the fiery blaze lurking behind the cool blue hue of his eyes. “You know my resistance is practically non-existent when it comes to your kisses…or your hands…or your… other activities.”
He stuck his lip out in a playful pout, and so to soften the blow, she added lovingly, “As much as I would adore spending the day here in our room, making love with you and lying naked in your arms—” she paused for a second as memories of doing just that with her very handsome and virile husband caused a delicious shiver to ripple down her body that nearly made her change her mind. She cleared her throat and declared, “Our guests will be arriving any minute.”
He groaned in exaggerated misery, and then chuckled as she crooned, “Poor baby,” before opting for a loving hug. He settled for that, as her hugs were something he never seemed to get enough of. They stood together, swaying gently for a full minute, just luxuriating in one another’s touch. For each one, the miracle of the depth of their love was a constant source of wonder.
When Julie finally drew back, she smiled up into his eyes. “I’m so glad Paul and his fiancée are coming this year.”
He released her with a sweet kiss, albeit reluctantly, and turned toward the mirror to run a quick comb through his somewhat longer, but still short hair.
Her words about his friend, Paul Bloch, reminded him of the news that none of them would ever forget.
Gareth, Sr.’s premonition that if Gary were to fly bombers, he would get shot down on his first mission more than likely would have come true with tragic results. Paul’s B-17, that he had named Miami Moonglow, had indeed been shot down by the Luftwaffe on its maiden mission. The crew was forced to bail out over Germany and tragically, three of the men had perished—Harrison Breton, the ex-mayor and Paul’s navigator; George Russo, the ex-symphony conductor and Paul’s tail gunner, along with another man that Gary didn’t know, which had served as Paul’s co-pilot. The rest of the ten-man crew, including Paul, had been taken prisoner—and spent the remainder of the war among 9,000 or so other Allied servicemen at Stalag Luft I, a German prisoner-of-war camp near Barth, Germany. How any of them survived, in Gary’s book, was a testament to the virility, training, and strength of the men themselves—and help from the Almighty.
It had been a hard pill to swallow when he had learned the news. Because Paul had no family or wife to notify should he perish, he had of all people listed Gary as the person to contact in the event of his capture or death. Accordingly, Gary had received a telegram with the details. What made matters worse was he and Julie were having a pleasurable dinner with his father and Charise in the hotel dining room when the missive came. To say that he had lost his appetite and the festive occasion was ruined would be a gross understatement—especially because of the significance for Gareth, Sr.—it was Paul’s first mission. After Gary read the telegram out loud, his father had swallowed dryly and closed his eyes as if saying a prayer for Paul’s safety, and then had murmured aloud, “I wonder the status of the rest of his crew…” he’d paused before adding, “I was thinking of the wife of your friend, the ex-mayor, and her statement after the graduation when she had spoken fears that could have been gleaned from my own mind.” Gary had made inquiries and had found out the sad news. It was only then that he had fully realized the gravity of what his father had done in getting his orders changed. He’d saved his life. It had been quite a profound and emotion-packed moment for them all.
Paul had been in pretty bad shape when they had finally been liberated by Russian troops on 30 April 1945, spending months in the hospital followed by a veteran’s convalescent home. But, he’d made a turning point on the one-year anniversary of his release from the camp, and pushed forward to rebuild his life from that point on. Now, he was gainfully employed as a short-haul pilot, and engaged to be married to one of the nurses he credits with pushing, pulling and coaxing him back into the land of the living.
“Are you okay?” Julie asked softly, wrapping her arms around his torso. “Thinking about Paul?” she added. Ah, she can always read me like a book.
He swallowed and whispered, “Yeah. I still feel guilty that I wasn’t among them in that camp.”
“Oh Gary!” Julie breathed, turning him to face her. “You know Paul doesn’t think anything of the sort, and you shouldn’t, either. I, for one, thank the Lord every day that you weren’t among them. And…I don’t think your father would have survived to witness your release if you had been.”
He smiled down into her eyes and leaned to place a sweet kiss against her forehead. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” he murmured tenderly.
“Just being you—the soon-to-be father of my baby,” she added without preamble.
It took several seconds for her words to register, and then his mouth dropped open and he gently shoved her back a few inches again to stare into her eyes—which were crinkled with laughter.
“Julie, honey! Do you mean it?” he gasped. They had been trying and praying for a baby since their wedding night, but after nearly
five years, it hadn’t happened yet and they had begun to get discouraged. Now—was their dream coming true?
Julie giggled in response and nodded vigorously. “I was going to wait to announce it when everyone was here, but…” she paused, and he knew what she meant, that she went ahead and told him in order to help bring him out of his self-imposed doldrums.
With a whoop, he picked her up and swung her around and around before setting her feet on the floor again and giving her another firm kiss.
Tears of pure joy came to his eyes and he pulled her into his embrace, cradling her head against his chest.
“Oh honey, you make me so happy. Every single day since we declared our love has been the best days of my life—and now this. A baby together. I love you, so much…”
She nodded against his shirt and squeezed him back. “I love you, too, always and forever, my blue-eyed lieutenant.”
He tipped back his head and laughed before once again taking the lips she offered—he couldn’t resist.
~~THE END~~
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Historical Links
MIAMI BEACH TRAINING CENTER
As always, when I’m doing research for a book, I come across some amazing gems. I’d never heard of Miami Beach being used as an officer’s school before this. If you hadn’t either, check out these interesting links: