Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  “Mom, Gamma, this is Micah, and Reese. Gamma, this is Grant.” I motion to each individual as I introduce them. Grant steps over to Gamma, kissing each of her cheeks as well. “I now know where Lillian and Ophelia get their exquisite looks from.” Gamma pats his cheek lovingly. “Oh, sweet child. You can come live with me any time you get ready.” Everyone chuckles as Grant gives her a wink.

  Mom fixes another three plates of French toast, handing them to the guys. They all scarf it down, thanking her repeatedly for a home cooked meal. After an hour of easy conversation, Cooper regretfully informs us we need to get going. Micah, Grant, and Reese follow Cooper and I to my bedroom, each grabbing a box and disappearing. Cooper grabs the last box, placing a kiss on my cheek as Grant reappears. “I’ll see you at home, love.” I smile as they vanish.

  Mom and Gamma appear in my bedroom doorway, both with tears in their eyes. I shrug. “I guess that’s it.” I swallow the lump in my throat as they both embrace me. Within a few seconds we’re all crying. “I can’t believe you’re moving out.” Mom says lowly as Gamma wipes under her eyes. “You remember what I told you.” I nod at her. Knowing she’s warning me of the betrayal she has seen. Giving them each one last hug, I step back. “I’ll see ya’ll soon. I love you both.” Mom blows me a kiss as Gamma smiles. I close my eyes, visualizing my bedroom at Cooper’s house.

  When I open my eyes, I find myself there. I look around at the boxes piled next to the closet before walking over to the bed and falling down, face first onto my pillow. The tears slide down my cheeks, soaking my pillow. I feel the bed sag down next to me and Cooper’s hand on my back. “You okay, O?” I shake my head against the pillow as I sniffle. He nudges me with his hip, so I’ll turn over. As I turn, he scoops me up in his arms, placing me on his lap and wrapping his arms around me.

  I bury my face in his chest, crying openly as he strokes his hands up and down my back. “I’m sorry, love. I know it’s hard moving away from everything you’ve ever known.” After some time, Cooper pulls back, brushing my hair out of my face. “I’ve got an idea.” He stands, lifting me with him before turning and depositing me back on the bed. “I’ll be back.” He says as he strides out of my bedroom door.

  I walk toward my closet, flipping open a few boxes before finding a pair of leggings and a tank top. Making my way to the bathroom I take a quick shower before changing clothes, throwing my hair into a bun on top of my head. When I step back into the bedroom, I find Cooper sitting up in my bed, wearing just a pair of athletic shorts, his dark hair still damp from a shower. He smiles at me as he holds up the remote. “I see you got the memo on the pajama party.” I chuckle as I walk toward the bed, jumping in and pulling the covers over me. He pulls his side of the covers down, sliding in next to me. I snuggle against his bare chest as he starts a movie. A small smile creeps up my face as Pretty Woman begins to play. “This is my favorite movie.” He gives me a bit of a grin. “I know. I called your Mom, then ran around the block knocking on everyone’s doors until someone had the DVD.” I smile as I watch the opening credits, blinking rapidly as tears fill my eyes. “You really are something, Coop.”

  We spend the next few hours lying in bed, watching movies and talking. I sit up, yawning and stretching my arms over my head. “What do you want to do for dinner?” I ask Cooper as he stands up. He gives a little shrug. “The teams going to be here soon. We always have a meeting the night before a mission, so we’ll probably just grab some pizza.” He makes a look of disgust. “I’m so damn tired of pizza.”

  I chuckle as he walks toward me. “Why don’t I cook something while y’all talk? Anything in particular that everyone will like?” He gives me a small grin as he places his hands on my hips. “You’re going to cook for my team?” I shrug one shoulder. “I’m cooking for us too. I’m not a huge pizza fan myself.” I wrinkle my nose at him as he smiles widely. Dropping his head his lips meet mine with a quick, sweet kiss. “You sure you want to let them know that you can cook? We may never get rid of them.”

  I laugh as I step back, making my way to the boxes next to the closet to find an outfit. “What do you have here to cook?” I ask as I turn around with a long sleeve dress in my hands. Cooper gives me an impish look. “Eggs and bacon.” I roll my eyes playfully as I walk toward the bathroom. “Well, that won’t do. I’ll just change clothes and head to the store.” I spin around to face him. “Wait. There is a grocery store here, right?” He laughs lowly. “Yes, love. Get ready and I’ll drive you over.” I give him a little smile before walking into the bathroom.

  Once I’m dressed, I walk downstairs to find Cooper in the kitchen with his back to me, talking on the phone. “Ophelia said she’s going to make dinner tonight.” He pauses, obviously listening to whoever he’s speaking with. I grab my purse from the kitchen table, slinging it on my shoulder as I wait by the door. “Absolutely. Spread the word and I’ll see you guys at five.”

  He ends the call and turns around, finding me waiting by the door. He gives me that wide grin as he walks toward me. “Ready, love?” I nod as he pulls the door open for me, stepping into the garage. We get into his car and he backs out of the garage, turning left out of the subdivision, the same road that leads to Headquarters. We pass the drive that would take us there. “I haven’t been this way.” He reaches over, gripping my hand in his. “I didn’t think you had. I’ll forewarn you, our town isn’t anything big. Just a few stores that some of the retired members decided to build a few years ago.”

  I scoff. “I come from small town Alabama. It will probably feel like home.” He continues driving until we run straight into what he calls ‘town’. I look around as we drive down what could be Main Street in any small town back home. There’s a drug store, a doctor’s office, a pizza place, an ice cream store, clothing store, and a bakery. Cooper pulls into a parking spot in front of a store named ‘Perishables’. Shutting the car off he quickly hops out, jogging around to open my door.

  We walk into the store hand in hand. My eyes widen as we stroll down the aisles. “This place is amazing! I’ve never even seen some of these things other than on TV or a magazine.” I say as I hold up a strange looking fruit. Cooper chuckles as he shifts the basket he’s carrying to his other arm so he can grip my hand. “This place is different for sure. Mary, the owner, travels everyday to bring in the freshest products possible. She also takes requests.”

  I place the fruit back as we make our way down the aisle. I quickly pile all the ingredients I’ll need to make gumbo in the basket, also grabbing a few things to make Cooper breakfast in the morning. We make our way to the checkout where he places the basket on the counter.

  A middle-aged woman with a kind face and short blond hair looks up from the book she’s reading. “Hey there, Cooper.” He gives her a nod with a polite smile. “Mrs. Mary.” She looks from Cooper to me. “You must be the young lady that has our tiny community buzzing.” I give her a small smile, my cheeks blushing. “I’m Ophelia. It’s nice to meet you.” I say as I offer my hand. She shakes my hand lightly. “What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Cooper looks down at me, his mouth curved into a smile. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  We get back to the house and Cooper helps me unload the ingredients on the counter. Turning to me he places a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be in the living room, love. I need to get my notes together before the guys get here.” I nod as I make my way around the kitchen, gathering the things I need. Once I find a cutting board, I start dicing everything. I hear a knock on the door and turn to wash my hands. “I’ll get it.” Cooper calls as he walks to the door.

  I go back to chopping as he answers the door. “Yeah, sure. She’s in the kitchen.” I glance over my shoulder to find Charlie walking in with a big smile, her pigtails bouncing as she practically skips into the room. “Hey, Charlie.” I say brightly. She leans back against the counter next to me. “Sorry to show up unannounced. I had to get out of the house though.” I shrug my shoulder. “No worries. I’m just cooking dinner whi
le Cooper gets ready for the mission tomorrow.”

  “Awww. Ya’ll are so cute and domestic like.” I chuckle as she clasps her hands under her chin with a dreamy look on her face. “Why’d you need to get out of the house?” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Raven. She’s in a mood. And when she’s in a mood the whole neighborhood has to listen to her horrible heavy metal music.” I laugh as I turn to place the chicken in the sauté pan on the stove. “What’s going on with her?” Charlie lifts her hands up to her sides. “There’s no telling. It’s Raven. She tends to stay in a mood.”

  I turn toward the front door when I hear another knock. Charlie skips toward the door. “I’ll get it for you.” I turn back to the stove, assuming it’s one of the guys on Cooper’s team. “Look who needed an escape as well.” I turn to find Dom standing next to Charlie. “Sorry to drop in on ya. I’ll just head out. I didn’t know you were having company tonight.” I shake my head as I stir the roux. “You should stay for dinner. Cooper’s having a meeting with his team tonight, so I thought I’d cook for them.”

  Cooper walks into the kitchen. “Hey, guys. I didn’t realize you were coming over.” He looks over at me as he shakes Doms’ hand. “Sorry, man. I shouldn’t have come over. I can go.” Dom starts to turn toward the door as Cooper places a hand on his shoulder. “Stay. I’m sure Ophelia is making enough for all of us to have dinner. Right?” I smile as I nod at them. Cooper grins at me before walking to the refrigerator and pulling out a beer, handing it to Dom. “Thanks.” He says as he lifts the beer slightly. Cooper asks Charlie if she’d like anything, to which she declines.

  “If you all will excuse me. I still have some things to go over before the team gets here.” Cooper says before striding out of the kitchen. Dom leans back against the kitchen counter next to me. “I had to get away from the sulking Reese.” I let out a little chuckle. “What’s he sulking over?” He shrugs a shoulder as Charlie taps my arm, handing me a glass of wine. She leans against the counter next to Dom. “Sounds like my house today.”

  He laughs. “Yeah. I stopped by there first but heard the heavy metal from the front steps. I know better than that.” I turn from the stove. “What’s going on with them?” Dom shakes his head slowly. “I think Reese has his eyes set on someone, but he’s too in his own head to go for it.” My eyes widen with excitement. “Really? Who?” He holds up one hand, palm facing me. “Not my business to tell.” I make a pouty face as he laughs.

  The front door opens and Grant strolls in, spotting us in the kitchen he heads our way. “Speak of the devil.” Dom says under his breath as Grant steps in. “Good evening ladies, and Dom.” He grips one of my hands as he leans in placing a kiss on each of my cheeks, doing the same with Charlie, then shaking Dom’s hand. “It smells heavenly in here, Ophelia. I can’t wait to taste some of your southern cuisine.” I chuckle at his properness as Dom scoffs. “Technically, that would be my state’s cuisine.”

  I wave my hand toward him as I roll my eyes before looking back to Grant. “Cooper’s in the living room. I think he was still getting things ready.” Grant gives a nod as he turns and walks out of the kitchen. My head snaps back to Dom, my eyes wide. “Reese and Grant?” I whisper yell at him. He gives a little grin. “I didn’t say anything.” Charlie clamps her hands together in front of her. “Oh my gosh! They would be so stinking cute together!” Dom and I laugh as Charlie goes on about how ‘cute’ they would be.

  The front door opens behind me, all our eyes shifting that way. Ryder and Zane walk in, spotting us in the kitchen. Zane gives me a high five before Ryder gives me quick hug. “Damn, princess. It smells awesome in here.” Zane says as he inhales a deep breath. “Thanks. I thought ya’ll could use a break from pizza.” They both nod in agreement. Ryder glances at Charlie. “Raven here tonight?” She shakes her head slightly. “No. She’s too busy being herself.”

  Dom coughs, trying to cover his laugh. Ryder’s face falls briefly. So quickly I’m not sure I caught it. Zane walks toward the refrigerator, pulling it open and producing a beer. Just as he twists the top off Cooper walks in. “What are you doing, Z? You know we don’t drink the night before a mission.” Zane’s head falls back before he points at the drink in Dom’s hand. “But he has a beer.” Cooper rolls his eyes. “He’s not on our team, genius.” Zane sighs as he passes his full beer to Dom. “Stupid ass rule.” He mumbles as he strides out of the kitchen, Ryder following.

  The door swings open again. Micah stepping in and glancing around. He throws up one hand toward the living room as he walks into the kitchen. “Hey everyone.” He glances at the stove as he gives me a quick hug. “You have no idea how happy I am that you offered to cook tonight. I’m thrilled it’s not pizza.” I laugh as I stir the pot of gumbo. “How often do you guys actually have pizza?”

  “A lot.” Cooper and Micah say in unison. Micah looks over to Charlie. “Hey there, Charlie. I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.” She gives him a bright smile. “Me either. Ophelia was nice enough to invite us to dinner when we both showed up out of the blue.” She motions between herself and Dom. Micah offers his hand to Dom, giving a quick handshake. Cooper claps his hand on Micah’s shoulder. “Let’s get in there and get this over with so we can enjoy dinner.”

  Cooper steps over to me as Micah walks out of the room. Dropping his lips to mine quickly. “We’ll be done in about thirty minutes, love.” I smile at him as he turns to walk out of the room. “Gahhhh. He is so freaking cute.” I turn to Charlie with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah. I think so too.” Dom laughs as Charlie’s eyes widen. “Not Cooper. I mean he’s cute too, but I was talking about Micah.” I smirk at her. “He asked if you were seeing anyone last night. I wasn’t sure what to tell him.”

  She jumps up and down excitedly. “Seriously? Like, oh my God!” She yells. I shush her as I turn around to find Cooper and his team all looking our way. Charlie gives an embarrassed wave while mouthing sorry. Micah grins at her as everyone else refocuses on Cooper. I walk over to the kitchen table, grabbing my phone out of my purse. “I’m going to call Raven and Reese. See if they want to join us for dinner.” I walk to the front door, stepping outside to make the phone calls.

  Raven doesn’t answer her phone, so I try Reese. “Hello?” He answers after a few rings. “Hey, Reese. It’s Ophelia.” He doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “I, uh, I just wanted to see if you wanted to come over for dinner. Cooper’s team is here. Dom and Charlie as well.” I hold my phone between my shoulder and ear as I wrap my arms around myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this chilly weather. “Um. Yeah. I guess I can come. What time should I be there?” A small smile tugs at my lips. “We’re eating in about thirty minutes.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there soon. Thanks for the invite, Ophelia.” He hangs up and I reach up for my phone, trying Raven once more. It rings a few times before she answers. “What?” My mouth falls open slightly at the way she answers the phone. “Um, hi Raven, it’s Ophelia.” I hear loud music blaring in the background. “Yeah.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I wanted to ask if you’d like to have dinner with us in about thirty minutes. Cooper’s team is here, Dom and Charlie. Reese is on his way.” I hear the music turn down.

  “Is this going to be a nightly bonding thing for us? We all have to come to your house to sing Kumbaya and shit?” I huff as I roll my eyes. “All you have to say is no.” I hear shuffling from the phone. “No way! I’m coming to grace you all with my cheerful disposition.” She hangs up the phone without another word. I look up, closing my eyes in exasperation. “Ugh.” I groan to the sky.

  “Hey.” I bring my face down to find Reese walking up the sideway toward me, his hands in his pockets. “That was fast.” I say as he reaches me. He shrugs. “Come on. We’re based in the kitchen until Cooper’s team finishes with their meeting.” I turn and walk up the steps to the front door.

  I step inside as Reese follows. He closes the door behind him and we both walk toward the kitchen. Charlie is leaned on the counter,
her chin resting on her hands as she stares dreamily toward the living room. I bump Dom’s arm with my shoulder, nodding my head toward her. “How long has she been in that trance?” He rolls his eyes. “Since the moment you walked outside.”

  I walk over to the stove, stirring the gumbo and placing the rice in the water I’ve had boiling. When I turn around, I catch Reese staring into the living room as well. I can’t help the grin that pulls at my lips. Dom catches my eyes and rolls his causing me to giggle. Reese looks over at me as I clear my throat, trying to school my face. He looks between Dom and I who both try our best to have expressionless faces.

  Reese looks down at the floor with a sigh. “I guess you guys know.” I step over to him, placing my hand on his arm. “He’s a charmer. It’d be hard not to be crushing on him. You saw my Mom and Gamma this morning.” He gives a little laugh as he moves his head up to look at me. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” He glances over my shoulder toward the living room before looking back at me. “Please don’t tell him. I’m not sure I’m ready to, I don’t know.” He looks back down at the floor.

  Dom places his hand on his shoulder, Reese looking over to him. “We’re not going to tell anyone. Hell, I didn’t even tell Ophelia. She guessed it.” I nod as Reese looks between us. Dom throws his arm around mine and Reese’s shoulders. “Time for a group hug now. We’ve had our first team breakthrough.” I laugh as Dom squeezes Reese and I against his broad chest.

  I’m still laughing as I pull away from him, turning to find Raven with her arms folded across her chest and her eyes narrowed. “I knew dinner was a bogus story just to get me over here for the next round of team building exercises.” I shake my head as I gesture my hand toward the stove. “Dinner.” She peers over at the stove. “I’m not convinced. I still think it’s a decoy.”