by Hart, Lea
He laid back with a big smile on his face, I’m never going to get tired of hearing that. This is our beginning.
CHAPTER FIFETEEN
TUESDAY
Birdie was laying on her side, she must have rolled over during the night. Her ribs didn’t hurt very much. She could breathe easily and was recovering faster than she thought she would. Mark was laying against her with his hand against her stomach. She looked down at his muscled forearm and thought, I want to wake up every day with this man wrapped around me. I know it is crazy, it has only been two weeks. Mark kissed her neck and she could feel him against the small of her back, maybe tomorrow they could get back to it, she hoped so.
She tried to roll on her back, but he was keeping a tight hold of her. He finally let her go and she rolled into him and kissed his chest right over his heart, “Good morning.”
He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back, “Morning baby. You must be feeling better, you were sleeping on your side. That’s a good sign and you’re breathing normally. I’m going to make coffee and then I have to head into the base. I have to meet with the people who designed the new equipment we were trying out and give them my full evaluation.” He dropped his lips to hers and kissed her thoroughly. “Maybe we can do more than kissing tomorrow if you feel like you’re up to it. I miss making love to you.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Now that I have had you, I want you. This has never happened to me before.”
“Shit Birdie, you can’t say something like that to me without warning. I’m going to be thinking about it all day. I always feel like I’m the one out of control with you and to hear that you want me too…that is good news.” He kept his hand on her face and lowered his lips to hers and kissed her as gently as he could, “Love you.”
“You go get ready, I’m going to go and make coffee and get you something for breakfast.” She got out of bed, put her robe on and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Mark joined her and stared at her the whole time. She could tell that his mind was working away at something. Well he would probably tell her when he was ready. She finished up, kissed his arm and made her way downstairs.
Her parents were still sleeping, so she tried to be quiet in the kitchen. Her parents had kept her fridge full so she was able to make Mark a breakfast burrito to take with him. She figured he had to be out early and didn’t have time to sit down. She heard his boots on the stairs, looked up and her heart skipped a beat. She handed him a cup of coffee in a mug and a bag with his breakfast in it. “I don’t know how much time you have, so I packed everything to go. You have a breakfast burrito, fruit and some yoghurt in the bag.”
He took the mug and kissed her, “I have a few minutes. Come sit and have coffee with me. I want to know what you’re doing today.” She grabbed her coffee and sat next to him.
“Mom and I are going to the shop today. I’m thinking of looking for a person who can work part time.” She took his hand, “I also need to shop for a new delivery car for the store, maybe I’ll let my Dad do that. I guess I should take the Volvo in and see what’s wrong with it.”
“Don’t worry, Frisco took it to the dealership and had it checked out and then checked it himself. The light in the back got switched on and that’s what drained your battery. Since you don’t drive it every day, it killed the battery. I had Frisco put a new one in, just to be sure.”
“Mark, you didn’t have to do that, let me pay you back for everything.” She started to get up and he took her hand and made sure she sat down and looked at him.
“Birdie don’t insult me. I’m supposed to take care of you, it’s my job.” He finished his coffee and got up, “Don’t stage a rebellion because you’re not used to someone helping you. This is how it’s going to be and you don’t get to be in charge of this.” He stood at his full height and crossed his big arms over his big chest and waited for her to come up with an argument.
She noticed that Commander Mark had returned and she contemplated pushing back. But he wanted to do this and it was very generous of him. She pulled on his crossed arms and he leaned down with a very stern look on his face. Kissing his cheek she whispered in his ear, “Thank you for helping me and wanting to take care of me.”
He wrapped her gently in his arms and kissed her head, “Love you. Have a good day, I’ll call you when I’m on my way home. I can pick up dinner for everyone if you want?”
She took his hand and handed him his breakfast bag and started walking to the door, “My Mom is going to want to cook while she is here. It’s her way of taking care of me. So we just have to sit at the table and enjoy it.”
She opened the door and he walked down the steps and turned around, “We have to get you in the car again today. We can do it tonight after dinner.” He could see her shake her head and this time she was going to stage a rebellion. He jumped in his truck before she could get started. One battle at a time, he was glad she didn’t push back about the car. He waved to her and headed to the base. She stood on her front porch and watched him drive away. He could think what he wanted but it didn’t make it true, and he would soon understand that. She walked back into the house and started making breakfast for her parents.
Mark walked into his office and stared at the stack of paperwork that waited for him. This was his least favorite part of the job. He booted the computer, looked at the emails that arrived overnight and opened up the one that told him that the team was being moved up on the rotation. They had been in stand down for about a month. It was their turn next to be up for deployment. He was going to have to get Birdie to marry him before they got called for the next long one. The thought didn’t scare him, in fact it gave him a very calm feeling. The hard part was going to get Birdie to go along with his plan.
Birdie sat at the table with her parents eating breakfast, while her mother was writing down her menu for dinner and her Dad was reading the paper. Tom looked up and studied his daughter, “So is this young man the one for you?” Her Dad, though a trained diplomat, liked to cut to the chase with his daughter; no lead in - just the facts.
“I told Mom that I love him, which is crazy because it has only been two weeks. I don’t know if it’s puppy love or the real thing or something in between. We haven’t had the chance to get on each other’s nerves yet. We still have to figure out if we get along.” She took a sip of her coffee, “I know he’s a good man and very honorable, I definitely want to find out where this goes. I even told him I’m a democrat and he doesn’t care. He is very clear about where he is and how he feels. He told me that this is it for him and I know he believes it.” She stood up and started collecting the plates, “He’s a little overbearing and bossy and I have to learn how to manage that before I’m going to be totally comfortable.”
Joy studied her daughter, “I think he’s a good match for you. He will stand up to you and yet he allows you to be the boss and vice versa. I think you two will be good for each other. You’ll each have to find your balance.”
“He gave me all of his files and wants me to be his accountant. I told him I couldn’t because we’re involved and he just ignored me. The thing is, he actually has quite a bit of money. His Dad invented a widget for the super computers and he and his mom and sisters all receive quarterly checks from the companies that use them. He has a lot more money than your average Navy SEAL Lieutenant. I can pay his bills when he is on deployment, but I think I should recommend someone else for the rest.”
Tom sat up in his chair, “I think that’s a good idea. You don’t want to be in an awkward situation. Does he know how much money you have?”
“Of course not Dad, I’m sure he can figure it out though. He gave me a key to his condo and left a credit card on the table the other day. When I handed it back to him, he told me to keep it. He wants me to use it if I need anything when he is wheels up. He had my car checked out and put in a new battery and wouldn’t let me pay him back. He got sort of insulted and made a big deal about how it was his job to take care of
me and protect me. It’s only been two weeks and he is trying to take over. He is a pushy man, but in the nicest way.”
Her Mom and Dad laughed, “It sounds like he is miles ahead of you and just wants to bring you along. Make sure this is something you want though, otherwise you will be swept up in the tide.”
“I think that’s the key, I just need time. I don’t want to be rushed. Dad can you look into some options for me for a new delivery car for the shop?”
Tom folded the newspaper, “You have given me a great job. You know how I like to do research. Why don’t you let your mother and I buy the car for the shop?”
“Daddy, I have to buy it as an expense for the business. Haven’t I taught you anything?”
Her Dad laughed, “That’s why I have my brilliant daughter handling our finances. I’m just a dusty old academic.”
Joy laughed, “Tom you are the very opposite of that. Go find Birdie a safe car while we go to the shop. You can come take us to lunch later on.” She stood up kissed her husband and helped Birdie do the dishes.
********
Birdie sat at the farm table in her shop going over her calendar, she was trying to come up with a schedule for a part time person. She heard the front door open and turned around, James walked in with a big pink box from her favorite bakery. He opened his arms and she stood up and went to him, “I do not appreciate all of the stress that you have put me through. I love you and you scared the shit out of me.” He looked down at her, “I want to be the maid of honor in your wedding.”
Birdie laughed and held her middle, her ribs were still a little sore. “You have to fight Ana and Rory for the honor. Maybe I can have three? Mom, James is here. Can you make some coffee? He brought the big pink box.”
Her Mom popped her head around the corner and smiled, “Hello James, lovely to see you. I’ll make a fresh pot and then be right out.” She blew him a kiss and went back to the little kitchen.
“Mark let me have a couple of minutes with you on Saturday afternoon before you went in for your MRI. The man was very worried, but he kept up a brave front. He wasn’t going to give you a choice, he was willing you into getting better. The power of his focus and intention was overwhelming. Do they teach you that in SEAL School?”
“It’s funny that you said that because I told him the other day that I felt he was with me. I thought it was just the residual effect of being in a coma but I think I must have felt his focused attention.” Joy came out with a tray of coffee and plates and napkins, they were nothing if not civilized here at Island Flowers. James opened the bakery box and they all peered in and smiled. Everyone picked their favorites and they settled in for a good chat.
Tom walked in with a folder of papers and printouts. “I guess, I got here just in time.”
Joy got up and kissed her husband, “Go sit, I will get you a cup.”
James shook hands with Mr. James, “Nice to see you again Sir. I’m sorry it has to be under these circumstances.”
Tom nodded his head, “Well at least our Birdie is ok and we got rid of that damn car. I have several options for a new delivery car. I just need some info about how much you transport and then we can narrow it down.”
They sat around the table, looked at the printouts and discussed the options. Birdie heard the phone and got up to answer it. “Good afternoon, Island Flowers.”
“Hi Birdie, how are you feeling baby?”
“Hi Mark, I’m feeling pretty good. We’re sitting at the table drinking coffee and eating treats that James brought in. We are looking at cars that Dad did research on. What are you doing?”
“I’m doing paperwork. Later we have PT, time on the gun range and then the obstacle course. I’m calling to check on you and tell you I love you.”
“Thank you for checking on me, I love you too. Text me when you’re on your way home. We’re going to eat around six. If you are later than that I will keep a plate warm for you.”
“Sounds good, I will see you tonight.”
She hung up the phone and straightened the front desk a little and then came back and sat down. James studied her for a moment, “Should I start planning the wedding now?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m going to wait until our one month anniversary.”
********
Frisco walked into the office and saw Mark working on paperwork. “How is Birdie doing today?”
“I just checked on her, she is at her shop with her parents and James eating treats from the bakery. Thank you for taking care of her car for me, I appreciate it man.”
“I would do anything for Birdie, you know she’s important to me. Are you going to ask her to marry you?”
He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, “Yes I am. This is it for me. I’m in love with her and she is going to be my wife.” He leaned forward, “I haven’t told her all of this yet because she will freak out. I’m going to get her used to the idea first. I know I have my work cut out for me, but this can’t be harder than BUD/s.”
“Well I’m glad you think that. Listen, I came in here because I need a couple of days off. I want to go get my sister and bring her down. I talked to my Mom and she hates the boyfriend that Melanie has and wants her to come down and stay with me for a while.”
“No problem, it’s a good time to do it. We’re going to be moved up on the rotation in the next couple of weeks. If she needs a job, Birdie wants to hire someone for the shop. I don’t know if it would be a good fit, but they could at least talk.”
“That would be a good idea. I need to get my sister turned in another direction and this could be a start. I’ll do the paperwork for the leave and give it to you.”
“Just text Birdie with the info, so she doesn’t hire someone before she meets your sister. I’m tired of my office, let’s go out and do the obstacle course and then hit the range.” Frisco saluted him and they headed out.
TUESDAY EVENING
Later that evening Mark and Birdie were standing on the front lawn staring at each other in a standoff. “I told you I am not getting in the car, I don’t want to.”
Mark stared back and was unmoved, “Baby, it will be harder if you let it go. I’m not asking you to drive, I’m suggesting a ten minute drive and that’s it.”
“No, I don’t want to.”
“Please do this for me. Your parents are going home in a couple of days and I may get called for wheels up. I want you to be able to get in the car if you need to. Don’t let me be worried about you if I’m half way across the world.”
“Jeez, lay on the guilt. All right, ten minutes and that’s it.” She walked to his truck and he helped her in. Birdie looked him in the eye, “I am doing this for you.”
He buckled her in and gave her a kiss, “I know, thank you.” He walked around the front of the truck and got in. He looked over and she was resting her head back and her eyes were closed. “Maybe this time, you can open your eyes for a little while.”
She looked over at him and gave him the stink eye, “How about I do what I want.”
He started the car and took her hand in his lap. She could feel her heart start to beat as they pulled out. She tried yoga breathing and that helped a little. She knew she had to do this, but it was really hard and scary. Mark looked over at her and could tell she was trying to control her fear. She held his hand tightly with her eyes closed and her face scrunched up. He decided to try to distract her, so he started talking.
She knew what he was trying to do and didn’t think it would work. But hearing his deep voice started to help her relax. He was telling her the story of coming down here for the first time and how excited he was that he was going to be able to enter the program. The car stopped, she opened her eyes and they were parked by the base. “I knew you could do it, I’m very proud of you. Do you want to get out and take a little walk to the beach? I can point to the area where we did a lot of our initial training.”
They got out and he took her hand as they made the short walk to the
sand. She held tight to his hand, she was still feeling shaky from the car trip. They walked out and sat down close to the shore and he started telling her the story of hell week. She leaned against him as her heart rate returned to normal.
“Did you always know that this is what you wanted to do?”
“I knew I wanted to join the military in high school. But my Mom made me promise that I would go to college first, so I did. I talked to the Marines, the Air Force and the Navy while I was in college. Once I talked to the Navy recruiter and he suggested that I look into the SEAL program that was it for me. I knew if I passed the tests and they gave me a chance that this is what I wanted to do.”
“What appealed to you about being in the military?”
“I knew I wanted to serve my country, I think that was always part of me. I have an instinctive need to protect. I didn’t know what it meant until I started talking to recruiters in college. I knew I wanted to try for the Seals when I found out how much they got to be in the water. It’s like having the best most difficult adventure of your life every day, while protecting the country you love.” He wrapped his arm around her and continued, “I’m in a fraternity with the hardest men, doing an impossible job every day. I think the most important thing I learned is that to survive as a small unit you have to learn to go around large obstacles rather than through them. You never give up. You look for another way in, a back door that isn’t being watched and when you find it, you fully exploit it. That attitude follows you inside and outside of the teams as you search for the easiest way to do a hard thing in everything you do. It’s a testosterone filled society of tough guys and bad asses doing a difficult job. I’m telling you all of this because I want you to be able to begin to understand who I am. I hope it helps when you’re trying to figure out what I am doing. It’s my nature to push through obstacles, every day is a hard day when you are a SEAL. So I push through and you have to let me know when you don’t want to be pushed. I want you to be able to get in a car again and I want you to be able to drive. So I’m going to push, just let me know when you can’t take anymore.”