She reached over and ran her hands over Gabriella’s stomach. “Come on, sweetie, you need to wake up, Santa’s here to see you.” As Gabriella’s eyes opened, Nicole lifted her into her arms. “That’s it, sweetie. Look Santa.”
As if she understood who the man in the red suit was, Gabriella reached out to him with one arm while she rubbed her eyes with the other. Baby chatter was shared between the twins as Nicole placed Gabriella in Angelo’s other arm.
“Perfect, right there.” Sam knelt, snapping more pictures with both girls on Santa’s lap.
When the girls found Angelo’s fake beard, their laughter and smiles made Sam’s clicks of the camera faster. Not a moment of this was going to be missed thanks to her brother and his ever ready camera. Memories to cherish for years to come.
Mac came to stand by her, his arm around her waist, as they watched the scene unfold. “I think we’ve found Angelo’s job for years to come, because the girls must have Santa visit them on Christmas Eve. It’s now part of our traditions.”
“Hear that Angelo, you’ve become the official Santa for the García family.” Mac laughed when Angelo looked up at him, a hint of fear in his eyes. “Wait until there’s a house full of children.”
“I can see the headlines, Santa mauled at the García house, next at five.” Angelo tipped his head back and let out a deep laugh. “Cazzo, I’m screwed.”
“Watch your mouth.” Mac eyed his brother. “We’re going to teach the girls Italian and I don’t want that to be their first word.”
“What’s Cazzo?” When neither of them answered her, Nicole turned to face Mac. “Well…”
“Fuck.”
It took her a moment to realize that was the translation, not him bitching about having to translate it. “Oh yeah, none of that around my innocent girls.”
“Their father is a SEAL and I’m a Marine, do you honestly think they will not hear this stuff?” Angelo watched her before adding, “Just know these little girls have a bunch of big and powerful men watching over them.”
“I might not be military but no harm will come to my nieces under my watch.” Sam sat his camera aside.
“I never doubted it for a moment Sam.” She smiled at her brother, knowing the girls had two amazing uncles to protect them if anything ever happened to her, or Mac. “Now I should get these girls to bed so Santa can put out the presents for morning.”
“One more picture, I want to get one with the four of you. The first picture of the new family.”
“Oh, Sam, shouldn’t we do that tomorrow when we’re all dressed for Christmas dinner at Mac’s parents’ house?” She hated taking pictures and at least wanted to be wearing something nicer than jeans and a long sleeve shirt.
“We will tomorrow but you need a family picture with Santa.” He tipped his head. “Now come on.”
“Come on, amore. Our first family picture and tomorrow we’ll have another one, more formal, to put on the wall.” Mac led them forward.
The first official sign that they were a family made her heart flutter. “All right, but Santa’s chair needs to move, I want it in front of the tree. We need to have the Christmas tree with the light glimmering behind us. Then I want you to put that on time delay and get in the picture with us.”
She wanted the picture to remind her of this night because in two days Sam would be on his way back to Texas. They’d still be close but distance would separate them. Visits would be few and far between when he left. So many milestones would be missed. The sadness of the loss coursed within her, casting a shadow over their Christmas celebration.
With the girls asleep for the night in the nursery, Nicole had a moment alone with Sam while Mac and Angelo were discussing the entertainment space in the basement. They sat in the living room, the tree casting the only light while Sam drank a beer.
“Out with it, sis. I know something’s on your mind.” Sam took a swig from his beer bottle.
“You’ve always known me so well.” She turned to face him, bringing her legs up onto the sofa to hug them to her body. “I’ve been thinking about you going back to Texas.”
“If you’re worried about Mom, don’t be. I can handle her. She’s upset because she feels you’re wasting your life by caring for children that aren’t yours when you worked so hard to put yourself through college. But I know this is more than just your love for the girls. You love Mac.” When she opened her mouth to say something, he stopped her. “Don’t deny it. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”
“I wasn’t going to deny it. You’re right…I do love him.” She ran her hands down her legs. “That’s not what’s on my mind. I know you can handle Mom, and honestly after the holidays I’m going to tell Mom about Mac and me. Maybe that will get her to ease up. No, I’ve been thinking about you. You took the job on the oil rig to get out of the house and help Mom with the medical bills from Dad’s treatment and then his heart attack.”
“What’s your point?”
“I know you’re not happy doing that work and there’s so much you miss being on that rig for three weeks at a time. Why don’t you move here? There’s plenty of space here until you get on your feet, and Mac could use the help with the house.”
“Mac doesn’t want me around, he’d rather keep you all to himself.” Sam brought the bottle to his lips but didn’t take a sip. “If this came up because you think I won’t visit, I promise I will.”
“Actually, it was Mac’s idea. With his squad having time off for the holidays it means his rotation will be up next for any mission that comes along. The chances of him being deployed after the first of the year are high. Having you close…well, it would mean a lot to me and it would give Mac more piece of mind.”
“Angelo and his parents are close, plus the women you spoke of, Wynn and Gwen. You won’t be alone.”
“This isn’t about me being alone. You’re right, I do have his family and the military wives. This is about me wanting you close and wanting you happy. If you were happy on that rig I wouldn’t even approach the subject, but come on, Sam…you’re not.” She tucked her legs under her and leaned forward. “Angelo and his parents are great and I know if I needed something they’d be there. Angelo is a JAG officer for the Marines, his hours are long, but there’s always Maria and Tony. They’ll be a part of the twins’ lives, but it won’t replace their Uncle Sam.”
“This is your life. You’re just starting out.”
“I don’t know what that has to do with anything. You’re my brother and I love you. Mom and Dad are settled there, they have their lives, but we don’t have to stay there. Mac’s keeping Shawn’s house, we can use it whenever we want to see them. It’s time for you to start living your life and stop thinking about everyone else. If you don’t want to start over here, go anywhere you want, but it’s time for you to stop working a job you hate.”
He set his beer aside and glared at her. “You’re more outspoken than you used to be.”
“All I’m asking is for you to think about it.” She straightened her back and returned his glare. “There’s more to life than making a living. Look what happened when I gave up my career, it brought me a family of my own and a man I love.”
“Not everyone is so lucky.” He picked up his beer again and took another long drink.
“You won’t know unless you try and you’ll never find love if you’re locked up on that rig three weeks at a time. It’s time for you to live your own life. It doesn’t hurt that if you’re here the girls will have their Uncle Sam in their lives regularly. You mean a lot to me and the girls need you. Please just think about it.”
“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
Even with his agreement, she didn’t have hopes that anything would come of it. Sam was too stubborn for him to give up his career without something to fall back on, and he wouldn’t let his sister convince him to give up providing for their parents when things became tough. He’d work his life away on that rig if it kept everyone happy, even if he was mis
erable. Though she wasn’t about to give up. She’d see that he found the same happiness that she found with Mac. Even if it took her last breath.
Christmas morning had come at last and with the first rays of sunlight Nicole’s eyes popped open. It might be their last Christmas morning that they could sleep in, because with two little girls the idea of Christmas and presents would get them up earlier. Next year they’d be a year and a half old; the holiday season would be more fun as they’d tear open their own gifts.
“Morning, amore.” Mac whispered, snuggling closer, his head pressed against hers while his teeth claimed her earlobe.
“We have no time for that this morning.”
“We can make time. Sam and Angelo can handle the girls if they wake up.” Mac slid his hand under the blanket to slide along the curve of her body. “It works out nicely that Angelo was tired and wanted to see the girls open their gifts. Now he’s here and can help Sam look after the girls while I give you a proper Christmas present.”
“How about sex in the shower? Than we won’t be interrupted and when I first saw that shower all I could think about was making love pressed against glass while the rainfall showerhead covers us with warm water.” She slipped from the bed and held out her hand to him. “Come on. I’ve always wanted to make love under a waterfall, this is as close as I’ll get.”
“It takes a minute for the water to warm up. Why don’t you wait in bed under the warm blanket and I’ll get it started.” He gave her a kiss that promised more to come and strolled away, his shaft already standing to attention.
“I’m cold without you,” she hollered toward the bathroom as the water turned on.
“I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“You better.” She pulled the blanket tight around her. Every ounce of her wanted to go to him, she didn’t care if the water was cold, she just wanted to make every moment count.
“Amore.”
She stripped the blanket off and padded quickly toward the shower. The sight of him already inside the glass enclosure, water running down his naked body, stopped her in her tracks. Damn he’s a fine specimen of manhood, and he’s all mine. Not waiting a moment longer, she stepped in under the jets of hot water until they cascaded down her body. She closed her eyes, putting her head under the powerful showerhead and letting the water rinse away the chill.
Once the chill was gone she opened her eyes and found Mac standing there before her with a sneaky grin on his face.
“I believe you promised this would be worth my wait.”
“That I did.” He nodded, his gaze watching her with intensity.
She waited but when he made no move to touch her she gave into temptation and ran her hands down his slippery chest. “I thought you wanted to make this the best Christmas of my life. Time to man up, SEAL.”
“You couldn’t be more right there.” He knelt in front of her, the water cascading over him. “All my life I’ve been dedicated to the Navy, to my men, and to saving others, little did I know that one day you’d come along and save me. What we have between us is something I’ve seen others have but I never thought I’d find. It’s beyond anything I could have imaged and I refuse to let it pass me by. I’m an old sea-battled, weatherworn SEAL and still you’ve shown me there’s more to life than just the military. I love you, Nicole Marie Ryan. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” He slipped a beautiful princess diamond ring with an infinity-swirled band from the palm of his hand.
“Oh, Mac!” Tears slid down her face, mixing with the hot water. “Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and stood up. “I know this is happening fast, but things have never been clearer for me before. You’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
She pressed her index finger to his lips. “If it was happening too fast I’d have said no. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Now I think a celebration is in order.” With a wiggle of her eyebrows, she pulled him closer.
He took a step, advancing on her and pressing her against the shower wall. “Amore, someday you’re going to wear this old man out.”
“Not a chance.” She ran her hands over his wet chest. “You can’t deny you want this is much as I do.” She glared up at him.
Without delay, he crushed his mouth to hers, and slid his hand between her legs. A moan pealed from between her lips as he found her core. He held her captive against the cool titled wall, drawing her closer to orgasm. She moaned around his unrelenting kiss. Fierce desire rose within her like a tidal wave smashing through a dam.
“I want you.” She murmured against his mouth, holding onto him as wild delight eddied through her.
His teeth grazed her lower lip and he pulled his hand away. She cried out in frustration, but he ignored her demands. Gripping her hips, he lifted her and spread her thighs before he drove into her with one powerful thrust. He gave her no time to catch her breath before he began rocking in and out of her. Her body tight with desire and a building climax, she had no control, as he left her mouth and kissed a path along her neck. She dug into his shoulders, holding on to him as every pump of his hips sent pulses of pleasure exploding through her. She came apart at the seams, her inner muscles clenching to him as he continued to drive into her.
He slammed home in a frenzy and his climax burst through as a second tsunami shattered her world. She shook with the force of it. If it wasn’t for his support she would have collapsed into a heap on the shower floor.
The water turned cold and he shut it off, sliding free of her slowly and reluctantly. Her mind was almost numb, raw sensation skittering through her. Wrapping her in a towel, he carried her out of the shower, placing her on the bathroom counter, then dried her off.
“If I had the energy I’d have you take me right here on the counter so I could see it in the mirrors.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’ll add it to my list. Once the weather is nicer I want to make love to you by the creek that’s just beyond the trees.”
“Promises, promises.” She moaned and dragged her nails along his back. “But now I think we must get dressed. I can hear Sophia giving her uncles a hard time.”
“They can handle the girls for a little bit longer while I spend a few more minutes alone with my fiancée. After all, it’s Christmas morning, aren’t we entitled to make them earn their keep?” He lifted her off the counter and stood her in front of him.
“Isn’t making Angelo sleep in the guest room that’s not complete, and is more storage than an actual bedroom, payment enough?” She laughed at the thought of what her future brother-in-law had slept in.
“He’s a Marine, he’s slept in worse.” He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her close to his body. “My fiancée, I can’t believe it. I love you.”
“I love the sound of fiancée but I think I’ll love wife more.”
“You just let me know when. Hell, if you want to do it tomorrow I’ll be there,” he teased.
“Not tomorrow but I don’t want to wait too long.” She let her head fall against his hard chest, enjoying the sensation of his body against hers. All her life she had wanted this and each step she took on the path of life brought her here. It saddened her knowing that death had brought him to his happiness, but she wouldn’t have changed the outcome for the world.
To dress the girls in their Christmas outfits was easier said than done. They wanted nothing to do with the cute black velvet dress with the sparkly, silver sheer tie around the waist, no matter how much Nicole and Sam fussed to get them into them. She didn’t even want to think about the cute silver barrettes she had purchased to complete the outfit. As she slid the dress over Gabriella’s head, the little girl’s arms flew like wild trying to keep it off. “You stop this right now, or you’ll both be going naked.”
“Are they always this hard to dress?” Sam hadn’t even gotten the dress over Sophia’s head and was looking more flustered than she had ever seen him.
“The
y love being naked almost as much as they love bath time and splashing in the water.” She leaned down until she was at eye level with the girls. “It’s Christmas, we’ve got to go see your Nana and Poppy. Let’s put them down on the play mat for a few minutes and they can burn some of the energy, then we’ll try it again. A few minutes from now, they’ll forget all about being naked.”
“Just wait until they realize they can take off their diapers. Then you’re in deep trouble.” He chuckled. After placing Sophia on the play mat, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress slacks. “So, when were you planning to tell me?”
“Tell you what?” She laid Gabriella next to Sophia under the dangling toys.
“You’ve never been a good liar.” He glanced to her hand. “Ring finger, left hand.”
“Aww…” She ran her thumb over the ring and twisted it before turning it the right way around. “Mac asked me this morning and I said yes. What more is there to tell?”
“How about telling your brother? Shouting it from the rooftops? That’s what people normally do when they’re engaged.”
“It’s Christmas, it’s more about family and the holidays than Mac and I. Don’t you approve of him? Oh, Sam, please be happy for me, I love him.”
“I approve of him. Actually, I’m not sure if I could have picked anyone better. Maybe younger, but not better.” Sam paused, looking at the girls before his gaze returned to her. “I haven’t said anything about the age difference before now, but you know Mom and Dad will have an issue with it. Dad will probably have a fit when he finds out. How are you going to deal with them?”
“The way I’ve always dealt with them, on my own terms. This is my life and I’m living it. Mom’s already not happy with me living here in Virginia with Mac and raising the twins, this is just another thing she can be upset about. Or she can look at it as the life she wanted me to have. She’s been telling me I should find a man of my own, get married, and have a few children. I’m doing it.”
Operation Family Page 14