Lily called Quinn again for the third time this week. With luck, he would answer this time and all would be well, but a recording had now replaced Quinn’s voice. This number is no longer in service. A chill went through her entire body. She sat frozen holding the phone to her ear long after the line went dead with ominous silence. A sense of dread and foreboding cruised and circled her body enclosing her like a cold wet blanket from head to toe before it centered in the middle of her heart with a heavy thud making her shudder and shake. What was going on? Lily began to doubt herself. She began to relive and question their time together in the Caribbean. Was it just a sham? A diversion from his life as a SEAL? A chance to bed her and satisfy a desire? To conquer? Lily put her head in her hands and began to sob. She crawled into bed finding solace and comfort. Trying to pull herself quietly together, she curled up in a protective tight ball around her baby, finally accepting that she was the only one standing between her new life and the world that they would sadly live together without Quinn.
After twenty-four hours of a piety party for herself, Lily decided to make one last phone call. This time to Jade as she was hoping to get some information about Quinn. Jade was excited to hear from her as she had just gotten news that she was officially pregnant and excited about sharing the happy news with Lily. A baby girl would be born early summer. In her excitement, Jade mentioned nothing about Quinn.
Lily asked cautiously, “So, I guess Jasmine and Quinn are excited about becoming an aunt and uncle?”
“Jasmine is, but I haven’t had a chance to tell Quinn, yet,” she replied still pumped with enthusiasm, but a little more subdued.
Lily tried to press subtly, “I guess he’s still with the SEALS? How are things with him?” hoping to keep the questions as generic as possible and still get answers.
“Things are fine with Quinn. You know how he is,” she said vaguely.
After wishing Jade well and happiness, Lily hung up and filled in the blanks – he’s still a SEAL and he’s fine. So, that’s the way it is. Time to face reality. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Jade that she was going to be an aunt as well, not yet anyway. That would be Quinn’s job. She decided that the father of her baby would remain a secret until that time.
Lily went to the doctor the following day. She had just gotten back from that appointment and was sitting outside on her cheery white wicker couch with colorful lime green and hot pink pillows. It was on a screened-in-porch surrounded by a backyard filled with the nature of wildflowers, roses, and lots of lilies. Colorful chirping birds swam in the bird bath nearby and an occasional hopping cottontail joined them. It was her quiet happy place – a place that gave her comfort.
Lily sat with her sonogram pictures pressed up against her tummy. She looked at the results again making sure that there had been no mistake. Nope, the two penises were still there. She would give birth late January to two baby boys. She gathered her thoughts and took a deep breath. Time to call Mom and Dad.
CHAPTER 26
Lily’s dad, Luke, did not take the news of her pregnancy well. He was ready to kill the son-of-a-bitch that had impregnated his little girl as soon as he found out who he was.
Unfortunately, Quinn was fighting his own demons at a hospital in Berlin, Germany. He had been in intensive care for several months, first fighting for his life and then fighting the pain, infection, and operations to save his life and limb. When he wasn’t screaming, he was lost in a dream where he was frolicking in clear blue waters with dolphins and his true love, Lily. Then, she would disappear in a blur as he would reach out for her. Where are you going, Lily? he’ ask over and over as he’d thrash his head back and forth against the pillow. I need you. Then, he would feel a cool wet rag being lightly washed soothingly over his face. It was calming as he disappeared into nothing again
Lily, oblivious to Quinn’s struggles, began to make plans for her upcoming responsibilities that she had finally accepted would be hers and hers alone. She’d lost all hope that Quinn would ever want to be part their family. The twins would have the support of her own loving family and that would have to be enough for now. Fortunately, she lived in a four bedroom house – three bedrooms up and one down. Once the twins were born, she would move upstairs to be near them. That would also free up the downstairs for her parents when they came for a visit. Somehow, she knew that would probably be quite often, which pleased her immensely. Her brother, Jonathan, would be in the act as well as he would be starting K-State and majoring in architecture in the fall. Uncle Matt and Aunt Jen would not be left out either. Financially, she would not have to worry. She had her career and her own trust fund. Adding everything up, she knew that she could manage. She was a strong woman. Besides, she looked around and she was it, the main person that would give the twins love and stability. They would never know how it could have been any different, how great a father Quinn would have been – only Lily would know that.
CHAPTER 27
Lily was deeply involved in the community for her expertise as the local veterinarian in the small Kansas town. She had acquired a reputation as the “go to” doc for all animals in the area needing prosthesis due to injury, cancer, or other major medical issues. She had become employed by the military on more than one occasion to help out with injured military dogs. Most of those wounded animals were flown into the Army base nearby, Fort Riley.
Being pregnant did not slow Lily down. She was going to Germany this week to observe a technique of skin grafting on humans. When she got back, she would be picking up a special bomb sniffing Belgian Malinois dog by the name of Gunner. He had lost his leg when a bomb went off unexpectedly. This German Institute had manufactured a unique devise that was helping burned victims in battle and she hoped to apply the same technique on animals.
Gunner was young and had only known one master. He was suffering from Post-traumatic Syndrome as he tried to cope with the loss of his missing leg pain. He didn’t understand what had happened to him or his master. His equilibrium was off. He spooked at any loud noise. He was a wounded soldier that was a total mess even though they are known to be fearless under fire. He was also highly intelligent – enough to be concerned and anxious on a daily basis just like the humans they followed into battle.
The Belgium Malinois are specially train dogs that have been described as feeling like they are invincible. They are disciplined to jump with their masters from helicopters 5,000 ft. in the air, slide down a rope, and respond to any command like any other soldier. They didn’t care what they were doing as long as they were with their master. They often slept with them, ate with them, and exercised with them. As a result, they were devoted friends and lifesavers that masters knew would always have their back as they walked with them on point sniffing for bombs and often into the Valley of Death. They are considered part of the Band of Brothers by their unit. When they are wounded, they receive the same care and honor as any other soldier. An established Warrior Dog Foundation helps to pay for their care until they heal.
When Lily got back from Europe, her job would be to help Gunner adjust physically and emotionally. When he recuperated, he would be sent into retirement and placed where he could enjoy the rest of his life. Lily, however, was interested in him for a much deeper medical reason. She had heard through the military about this company in Germany that was doing stem cell imprinting on burned and injured servicemen. She hoped to learn the technique and maybe use it on canines and other animals that lost their limbs making their healing a lot less painful if their stem cell could regenerate new skin. It worked on the same idea as a regular computer. The stem cells were harvested and put into a spray gun. The theory seemed as possible for canines as it was for humans. It was only being used on the military soldiers at the present, but in a few more years they hoped to use it on anyone in the world that needed it. The military gave her clearance.
Lily left for Berlin a week before she picked up Gunner when she was four months pregnant. She wanted to take this time off before her b
abies were born. She didn’t want to leave the twins after they had just entered this earth. She only had a small window to get everything in place before their birth. Lily left at the end of the week.
The German company had devised the stem cell gun that were more than accommodating to show off their newly invented modern miracle. Lily spent the next few days understanding the device and conversion of the skin cells. After a couple of days they took her to a military hospital to observe the technique and injured warriors. She spent an entire day gathering a complete understanding. When she left, she was ready to put her knowledge into practice.
By the end of the week, an exhausted Lily left through the double doors of the entrance to the German hospital for the last time before going home. As she did so, she felt an unknown presence surrounding her. For some reason, she turned around as she exited and looked up at the stately white infirmary. Her eyes were drawn to the second floor window in the corner with the shades drawn as though someone were sleeping – a force so strong that she didn’t understand it, almost compelled her to go back inside the hospital. It pulled like a magnetic device. She stood there in limbo for a moment in time looking up and frowning, then a car honked breaking the connection. It was as if someone had suddenly hung up the phone, ending a conversation that she seemed to be attached to in some odd way. It was like fate was trying to interfere with her life twisting her to its will. Unfortunately, rarely does anyone take the time to analyze those strange things that happen, perhaps that’s because our mind cannot make any logic from it.
Lily was no different than most people that have a sixth sense as she looked away, hurrying to hail a nearby cab, not giving the strange circumstances another thought. That evening, she was on a plane headed back home to Kansas, driving all peculiar thoughts from her day away except for the birthing of her upcoming twins. Strangely, her last image before she fell asleep on the plane was of Quinn.
The family gathered around Quinn’s bed that same day in the infirmary as they each held hands while they hoped and prayed that they wouldn’t lose a son, a brother, a friend as he was given his last rites. However, before it was over, Quinn suddenly became restless and agitated subconsciously knowing Lily was nearby. Lily, I’m here, he tried to shout in anguish.
Two souls touched each other that day coming together for a small sliver in time giving strength to the injured. Quinn almost died at the same moment because he had given up on his beloved thinking Lily was lost from him forever. She reached out and touched him giving him the will to live even though she vanished almost as soon as he envisioned her. But, she left a faint smell of lingering strawberries that had him reaching out for comfort and life. It was just a little quirk of fate unknown to anyone except the unconscious man in the hospital room imprisoned in his own body, but it was a lifeline that was given to him to navigate back towards the living.
CHAPTER 28
Lily was at the end of her eighth month. The twins would be born in two weeks. Their rooms were loaded with everything money could buy – cribs, rockers, mobiles, teddy bears, toys, automobiles, planes, and trains, which ran back and forth betweenthe twin’s two rooms on a ledge overhead. Little pieces of clothing crowded their closet, which looked so cute as they hung silently waiting patiently in anticipation of the blessed event that would soon arrive.
Up to this point, the twins had been quite active little critters as they turned somersaults and fought for room and comfort in their mommy’s tummy. That space was beginning to be more prime as less territory became available, not so different from the real world that they would soon be entering. It was a time that Lily began to see more elbows and knees than she had ever seen. It was surreal, but exciting. Even her glum dad laughed when she showed him doing their comical antics, knowing that there would be much more to come before they entered the land of humans. She was only sad that Quinn wasn’t there to share the moment.
The next week, the twins started to show some action that they were thinking about entering the world early – like before lunch. Lily couldn’t believe it, but she finally realized that perhaps she’d better take a drive to the hospital that was near her home. It was a good decision as the twins decided all on their own to come right after that without much more in the way of warning except for the labor pains that suddenly became severely intense. Lily was a mother one hour later. Fortunately, it was an easy delivery without incidence as birthing goes. As luck would have it, there had been not enough time for a C-section and the twins never went into stress. So, it was a natural birth.
It was amazing and breathtaking as Lily held her twins in each arm for the very first time. Dominic came out first, followed by Tyrone who both came out yelling. By this time, her family was there and the twins were now snoring away. All were anxious to hold the new little bundles. Lily prayed that none of the family noticed the close resemblance to Quinn with their bright blue eyes and little tuft of brown velvet hair. They both had healthy lungs and did not seem to be a bit happy to have left their warm and familiar cocoon, but like all of us, they adjusted as soon as they began to eat.
The whole family was there to celebrate the new life that came into the world. Jonathan had been nearby at the Kansas State Library when Lily went into labor. Platinum and Luke came by helicopter from Kansas City and arrived just after the birthing. Everyone was excited and wanted to hold the newborns as they were passed around. It was obvious that they would not lack for love and attention. However, as Platinum and Luke left the hospital, Luke reiterated a previous statement, “I’m still going to kill the son-of-a-bitch when I find out who he is.” So, I guess that said it all as far as he was concerned.
Lily was fortunate to have a couple of new vets that could run her animal clinic while she recuperated from the birthing of newborns. A widow in the neighborhood would watch the twins in a nursery room at the clinic so Lily could be nearby and not be separated from the twins. It was a bit stressful in the beginning, but the joy of new life was so rewarding, it didn’t matter.
For a while after the birth of her sons, Lily would sadly relive her relationship with Quinn thinking all that he would be missing as an unclaimed father. It was a stretch not to damn him all to hell. But, being a mother for the first time seemed to bring her some serene calmness because of the life that she had brought into this world. She was prepared to live the life of an unwed mother without love from Quinn. She would give them the stability that they would need backed up by her extended family.
Lily finally accepted the finality of her fate. It became much easier after that. But, before she signed off, she said one last prayer: Just in case Quinn might be ill or hurt, please watch over him. But, then the devil made her add: If not, please delete this message and don’t bother.
CHAPTER 29
Before the twins were born, Lily and Gunner had time to bond. It was a difficult waltz as she knew she would have to give him up when he was well and the time came when the Army would ask for him back. But, for the present, he looked to her for guidance and commands. As he did so, he began to heal both physically and emotionally. By the time the twins came along, he considered himself a member of the pack.
Lily had managed to grow Gunner’s skin stem cells and spray them from a spray device that she and her architectural brother, Jonathan, had created. It was a device that would eventually make them both wealthy in their own right. The results were staggering. He healed at an astonishing rate making the raw wound and tenderness mend and disappear altogether. Unfortunately, Lily wasn’t able to grow a new leg for him, but the future would probably make that happen. For right now, he seemed happy to have a prosthesis that moved like an extension of his own lost limb. He could run and swim like the wind with the same speed and capabilities as he had before he’d lost his leg. He was still considered a soldier – just a wounded warrior, still owned by the military unless otherwise dismissed.
After the twins were born, Gunner slept in their nursery at the vet office during the day. At night, he slep
t on a floor bed next to Lily. In the beginning, every night for several weeks, he whined and pleaded to sleep next to Lily on her bed. She was tempted, but it was just too weird, like he was taking the place of a husband or Quinn as his name popped in her head. Gunner finally adjusted when she’d roll over and comfort him by rubbing his ears and cooing if he were upset, assuring him like he was a small child.
The twins were soon seven months old and had begun crawling all over the place. The minute they woke up, they went into action. They loved climbing all over Gunner. He seemed happy to let them and seemed happy to consider himself the protective big brother.
CHAPTER 30
Lily tried to keep in mind that Gunner was still very much valued by the army for his many abilities even if he were only to be used domestically. He was now ready and completely capable of fulfilling his obligations until he retired. Sadly, she knew that the time was near when he would be leaving them.
So, after almost a year, it was no surprise to her when she got a call from the military base commander inquiring about Gunner’s development. “What can you tell me about Gunner’s progress?”
Lily was happy to say, “He is doing quite well both physically and mentally. His skin stem cell recovery has been a success. He also has adjusted well to his prosthesis and is not nearly so scared of his shadow.”
The commander was impressed, “Do you think he’s ready to go back into service?”
Lily hesitated, “Service, yes, but not combat. I suspect that he may never be able to follow that path again.”
The commander hesitated and then said, “Do you think that you could bring him to the command post tomorrow. I’d like our base vet to take a look at him with you present.”
Forever Lovers Page 10