Operation Family

by Dobson, Marissa

  “She’ll have your house looking like Santa’s workshop if you let her.” Sam shook his head at Nicole’s excitement. “I’m surprised she didn’t want lights for outside.”

  “She did but I overruled her.”

  “You didn’t overrule me.” She gave Mac a playful jab with her elbow to his stomach. “I saw reason. The outside isn’t finished and it’s too late to put them up now just to take them down in a few days. Next year we’re decorating outside. I don’t care if no one will see it from the road, we will.”

  “Anything you want, amore.” Mac kissed the top of her head. Merda, she had him wrapped around her finger. Oh, how the mighty SEAL had fallen.

  The hour was late when Nicole stepped out the car in front of Mac’s dark house. The Christmas party had been wonderful, full of unexpected surprises, and new people. Mac had told her they were a tightknit group, but she didn’t truly understand it until tonight. They had accepted her into their fold completely, a tight bond already in place between her and the women. Gwen and Wynn had known each other for years, but it didn’t seem to matter to them that Nicole was a newcomer.

  She stood there a moment, letting the cold December breeze flow over her, taking her stress with it. She hadn’t realized she had been nervous about meeting his fellow SEALs and their families, but now that it was over she was relieved. After talking to the wives, she had a better idea what to expect from the military life. Through uphill battles, deployments, and trainings, she was prepared to stand by him.

  Mac wrapped his arm around her waist as they made their way toward the front door and she pressed herself tight against him. “It was a wonderful party.”

  “I’m glad you had a good time. It was your first introduction into military life, think you can handle it?”

  She waited until they were at the top of the steps before turning to him so they were face to face, and leaned close. “I can do anything to be with you.”

  “You don’t know how happy that makes me.” He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.

  “Take me upstairs, I want you to make love to me again.”

  He slipped the key into the lock and opened the door. “I thought you’d never ask.” He bent down and scooped her into his arms.

  “I can walk.”

  “I have no doubt, amore.” He kicked the door shut behind him and flicked the deadbolt, all with her in his arms. “You’re mine. Sempre.”

  As he carried her up the stairs, she ran her hands over his chest, and she couldn’t help but like the sound of the words he spoke. “It’s so sexy when you speak in Italian.” He whispered something in Italian against her ear but she couldn’t make out the meaning of it. Instead, it seemed to have a direct line to her core. He could have said anything and it wouldn’t matter. It wasn’t about the words, but the way he said it.

  In the master bedroom, he laid her on the bed and went to shut the door. “I want you naked.”

  “So demanding,” she teased, echoing the very words he’d said to her.

  “When I want something, nothing will stand in my way, including a few shreds of cloth.” He pulled off his shirt and began working his belt through the loops of his dress slacks. “Now come on, there’s something I want to show you.” He stripped off the rest of his clothes, only leaving his boxers in place before going to the closet.

  “Where are we going?”

  “The stairway to the stars. Now come on.” He disappeared inside the walk-in closet.

  “You don’t seriously thing I’m going to have sex in a closet, do you?” She slipped her little black dress off, pulled off the stockings she hated, and still there was no sign of him. “Mac, I’m serious.”

  “You’re going to miss out if you don’t come in here.” Following Mac’s words was a creak of wood. “Come on, amore. I won’t wait all night before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you in here.”

  She slipped off the bed and padded toward the closet. “Mac, don’t you think the bed would be more comfortable?” She glanced around but all she could see was clothes and space. Where did he disappear to?

  Mac stuck his head out of what she thought was a wall, but had to be a hidden doorway. “I do. Now come along, I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “Where the hell are you going? Where does that door go?”

  “I already told you, it’s the stairway to the stars, now are you coming?” He held his hand out to her. “Tonight I’m going to make love to you under the stars.”

  “It’s too cold to be outside.”

  “Just trust me and come on.”

  She placed her hand in his and let him pull her toward the door. “Stairs.” The word emerged soft and full of surprise.

  “My CO has faith I can lead my men, but you doubt me when I tell you we’re on the stairway to the stars. What little confidence you have in me, amore.” He nodded for her go to first. “Watch your head at the top.”

  “I have every confidence in you but this is impossible. I’ve seen it from the outside. There’s not enough room for another floor.” She took the stairs slowly, her mind running with the possibilities of what she’d find.

  “It’s not another floor in strict terms. It’s an attic of sorts that is only accessible from this room, but trust me it’s something you won’t regret. Now get those legs moving or I’m going to take you on the stairs. Those sexy bikini bottoms are calling my name, and you waving that sexy ass in my face is only making me hotter.”

  “I’m not having the steps dig into my back.” She sped her pace, watching the slant of the roof as she neared the top. The chill in the air hit her and she felt her nipples hardening. “It’s a little cold.”

  “No worries, I’m going to warm you up.”

  There in the middle of the space was a full size mattress completely made, but what caught her eye was above it. A huge skylight, letting in the moonlight and all the stars. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s not much, only a mattress on the floor, but when I can’t sleep or just need an escape I come up here. When you’re lying under the stars, you realize how small you really are in this world. After tonight, there seemed to be no better place than this to make love to you.”

  She reached back, unhooked her bra, and lay down on the center of the bed. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  With a playful grin etched onto the contours of his face, Mac wasted no time stripping his boxers. Naked, he crawled onto the bed next to her. She reached out to touch him, to draw her hands over his perfect body.

  “Bella, amore.” Mac leaned over her, kissing a path down to her breasts before he feverishly claimed her hard nipple. He slid his other hand down her body, caressing her thigh before he spread her legs.

  She dug her nails into his back until he looked up at her. “Please…” He pushed her legs farther apart until he had enough room to slip between them, his stiff shaft pressed against her inner thigh.

  “All in due time, amore.” Before she could respond, he pressed his lips to hers, his tongue diving deep between her lips. He slipped his fingers between her legs and thrust into her tightness, making her squirm with delight as he used his thumb to massage her clit. She moaned around his unrelenting kiss, clawing at his shoulders with her nails, until finally his teeth grazed her lower lip and he pulled back enough to let her cries of frustration escape.

  “I need you now.”

  He hovered above her, angling between her spread thighs, his shaft teasing along her entrance without entering as he watched her.

  “You’re beautiful…with the moonlight reflecting off your skin, even more so.” As if that single statement snapped the last of his control, he drove into her with one powerful thrust. He gave her no time to catch her breath before he began rocking in and out.

  She arched into him, her body pressed against his and placed kisses along the arch of his neck. Her teeth grazed over the pulse of his neck that beat frantically. Pleasure built within her until the ecstasy began to overwhelm her. She wrapped
her arms around his neck, holding onto him with every pump, until her body exploded around him. He continued to drive his shaft into her, slamming home with more urgency than before. Her inner muscles clenched around him, tightening until each pump felt like too much. Until with one final thrust, he called her name.

  With him still buried deep within her, she collapsed back against the mattress, her breaths coming in hard, fast pants. “That was amazing.”

  He slipped out of her, leaving her with an emptiness, and lay down next to her. His leg over hers, he pulled her tight against his body. “You’re amazing.”

  They laid there snuggled together watching the sky. Never before did the star constellations seem so clear. “This would be beautiful when there’s a meteor shower.”

  “It is, but nothing compared to the beauty beside me.” He kissed her temple. “Who knew something as horrible as death could bring me three wonderful blessings? You’re more than I could have ever hoped for, and the twins are pure angels. Nicole, I love you.”

  He loves me. She ran her hand down his cheek, their gazes locked together. “Oh, Mac, all my life I wanted something like this and now I have it. I love you.”

  “I told you I thought this Christmas would be the best one for all of us. We’re a family.” He trailed his fingers along her hip and up her body.

  “There’s just one thing…”

  “Anything, amore. Just name it.”

  She bit her lip, unsure how to put her one worry into words without making her sound ungrateful. “Not right now, but I want kids of our own. Don’t take that wrong, I mean the girls are ours and I don’t love them any less because I didn’t give birth to them, but I want to experience the joy of birth myself.”

  “I understand, and we can have as many as you want. A whole house full and if we ever outgrow this place we’ll find a bigger house or add on.” He tugged a blanket from the edge of the bed and pulled it over them. “I don’t want to spoil the evening, but you’ve been distant. What’s on your mind?”

  “I was thinking about Sam. He took a lot of Mom’s anger on the phone yesterday to shield me, but he’s going to have to deal with it when he gets back home. He’ll only be there one day before he has to report back to the rig. I wish my parents would just accept this.”

  “This situation, you mean?” When she looked up at him, he continued. “I overheard you remind Sam before the call to your parents that you didn’t want to tell them about us. Why?”

  Guilt poured through her. “I’m sorry.”

  “There’s no need to apologize, I just want to know why.”

  “Since my first date when Dad exploded because the boy tried to kiss me, I keep my personal life away from my parents.” Her hand left his chest and moved to the scar. “If I date someone, that’s my business and no one else’s. Sam is another matter altogether, he won’t have it. He feels the need to approve any man in my life.”

  “Angelo and I would do the same if we had a sister. Just wait until Gabriella and Sophia are dating.” He let out a joyous laugh at the thought.

  “What a nightmare that will be. Between you, Angelo, and Sam, any boys they bring around will be scared out of their minds. I’d be surprised if the girls even get a kiss before they’re twenty, because of all the fear you’d have put into them.”

  “Who said they’d be allowed to date before they were twenty-one? Or maybe I’ll send them to a convent and my girls can be nuns.”

  “Not on your life.” She tipped her head and kissed his lips. “Our daughters will have a good head on their shoulders and will make the right decisions. One day they’ll find men just like their daddy, because I couldn’t hope for a better man for them.”

  The words just like their daddy tore at Mac’s heart. He wanted better men for Gabriella and Sophia, men who were stronger and didn’t let people down. His actions and choice had gotten men killed. The girls deserved someone better than him.

  Hell, Nicole deserved someone better than him but he couldn’t tear himself away from her. He wanted her like nothing he’d ever wanted before, and he’d go to the ends of the earth to keep her in his arms. Nicole was the woman he dreamed about, until he realized marriage and the military didn’t mix. He’d seen too many divorces over the years. But he was sure this relationship was going to work, he could sense it. They had more to fight for, more on the line, and more importantly, they came into this knowing it wouldn’t always be easy, but it would always be worth fighting for. Their little family meant everything to him.

  A star shot across the sky, leaving a trail of light in its wake. As if it transported him back to his childhood when he believed in simple things, he made a wish that everything would work out for his little family. That he could keep Nicole in his arms and Gabriella and Sophia safe. That he’d do right by Shawn in raising the girls, and he and Sam would never have to come to blows over Nicole’s happiness. A happy family and future.

  Christmas Eve was upon them. As Nicole and her new family sat in the living room with the Christmas tree lighting up the room, she cherished where the year had brought them. In Mac’s safe embrace slept Gabriella, unaware what a special night this was, while Sophia rested against her Uncle Sam’s chest as he read her a Christmas tale.

  She couldn’t believe what changes the year had brought her. In January, she had her accounting firm; business was great but she was miserable. It wasn’t what she wanted any longer. The numbers that had always been her thing had lost their appeal. She wanted a life outside the endless hours, something that would provide daily challenges. Little did she know that by summer she’d have closed the firm’s doors and a week later would be a nanny. It hadn’t been what she went to school for, but she was happy. Though that happiness was nothing compared to what she had now.

  New Year’s Day would bring another year but it would also be seven months since the girls were born and her freedom from routine. In seven months Gabriella and Sophia had blossomed into beautiful little girls and she had been a part of that.

  Thank you, Shawn, for placing that ad in the paper and for giving me a chance even though I had no experience.

  She curled her legs under her and snuggled closer to Mac. “These sleepy little girls should be put to bed.”

  “I think Gabriella is sleeping fine and Sophia seems to be enjoying the story. Why not wait a bit? It’s a quiet evening, surrounded by those we love.” Mac kept his voice low so as not to disturb the girls.

  “All right, just a little longer.” She rested her head against his shoulder. The doorbell echoed through the space, startling her. “Expecting someone?”

  “No. Here, take Gabriella and I’ll answer it.”

  “No way, she’s asleep. I’ll get the door.” She unfolded her legs and stood. “You keep still and let her sleep.” She pushed off the sofa and strolled toward the door.

  “Check the peephole before you open it,” Mac called to her.

  “This isn’t the first time I opened a door at night.” Sam had made sure she had enough street smarts to keep her safe. She checked the door and could just barely make out Angelo through mountains of presents. “It’s Angelo.”

  “What is he doing here?” Mac questioned.

  She pulled open the door, and Angelo stepped inside, handing an armload of presents to her before he reached back outside the doorway and grabbed his Santa sack. He had a red velvet Santa outfit on with a pillow stuffed up under the jacket to give him a big belly, a black belt around his waist and a white beard completing the outfit. “Santa’s here.”

  “What are you doing?” Mac twisted around to see his brother and tried not to laugh at the sight.

  “You said you wanted to make this Christmas special for the girls. Well, Santa has made a special call to see the García twins.”

  “Aww, Santa.” Nicole held back the tears that threatened to fall.

  “I won’t have any of that. Now come along and be my little elf so I can see these special girls.” Angelo didn’t wait for her, instead
he headed straight for Sophia who was watching him with such joy that her little feet were kicking in excitement. He sat his bag aside and reached down to lift Sophia from Sam’s arms. “Little Sophia, have you been a good girl?” He held the girl out in his arms, checking her over. “I’d say you’ve been keeping your Mommy and Daddy busy, haven’t you?”

  “I’m going to grab my camera.” Sam dashed off to his bedroom in order to get the camera he never left home without. Photography was one of his hobbies and he had such an eye for it that he’d sold a number of his pictures.

  “You almost didn’t make it in time, Nicole wanted to put them to bed.” Mac held out a hand to her, to bring her back next to him.

  “I believe I missed Gabriella. You must have worn her out today.” Angelo sat and bounced Sophia on his knee.

  “She was up earlier than Sophia this morning,” Mac explained, glancing down at Gabriella who was missing all the fun. “We’ll have to wake her up so she doesn’t miss Santa’s visit.”

  “Just give me a couple minutes to get a few pictures of Sophia with Santa first.” Sam came into the room, his camera at the ready.

  “Sam, maybe you should think about moving here. Without you, I’m not sure if I’d have any good pictures of the girls.” She glanced at Mac. “You should see the ones he took of them so far. Every three weeks while he was off the rig, he’d come over and take pictures of the girls. The scrapbook I brought with me has some beautiful photos of them.”

  “Have you considered making that your living?” Mac asked.

  “Not me.” Sam shook his head. “It’s a passion but that’s all it is. I don’t want to be stuck with the pressure of finding that perfect picture for weddings, events, or family pictures. I do the pictures of the girls because they are growing so fast. When they first came home from the hospital they were so tiny and now look at them. The pictures will be a timeline of their life, something to look back on. Nowadays so many people don’t take pictures to remember their lives. It’s a shame.” He snapped away, moving as needed to get a better picture as Santa Angelo and Sophia shared their moment.