“I could be there tomorrow afternoon. Would that work?” Lily was thinking that she could bring Gunner in while the twins were sleeping. That way, they wouldn’t notice that he was gone.
“We’ll see you at one o’clock tomorrow,” then he hung up.
Lily shook her head. She didn’t think she could ever be a soldier. She would just find the men way to bossy and enjoying it. Too many tried “bossy” in the civilian world. When Lily was the recipient of such chauvinism, it never worked so well for them.
The next afternoon, Lily appear on the Fort Riley base promptly at twelve forty-five. That would make her in the commander’s office five minutes early. She knew that she was cutting it short, but she ran into road construction on I-70. She should have allowed for it as there is always road construction on I-70. She had just sat down when the door opened pronto at one o’clock. It was like the oven bell had just dinged letting you know that time was up and the chicken was done. She knew she was expected to be there when it opened, wondering what the commander would have done if she hadn’t been. She smiled and stood to greet him never indicating for one moment what she was thinking.
CHAPTER 31
Quinn woke to a stark white room with an intercom speaking in a muffled tones outside his hospital door in the hall. He frowned. His dad was sitting in a chair in the corner sleeping, looking unshaven and rather disheveled. He looked at his left arm, it had a needle with fluid going into his body vein. His right leg was bandaged in a sling that was being held a few inches above his mattress. Just then, he heard voices outside his door. His head turned as it opened. First his mom came in and then the doctor. She gasped and rushed towards him, waking his dad. They both gathered around his bed with tears and moisture in their eyes. They were joyful that their son had returned to them from a very long journey and was finally awake and lucid. They were grateful.
The first one to speak was his dad, “Welcome back son. We thought we’d lost you,” he choked out with emotion.
Mom said nothing, she just threw her arms around him sobbing.
Quinn looked at his dad, “How long have I been here?” he asked hoarsely as his throat was still raw from all the tubes.
“About seven months,” he stated solemnly.
He swallowed, trying to process that information.
“Where am I?’
“You’re in a Germany facility,” his dad replied soberly.
“And my team?” he struggled to inquire, “Where are they?”
His dad hesitated, “You and only three others made it.”
“Who didn’t?” laying back with his eyes closed, Quinn asked, dreading the answer.
Troy stated who the two Seals were that died. Quinn’s head nodded slightly in acknowledgment. He was too upset and it took too much effort to ask any more questions, but he wanted to do so. He wanted to ask about Lily, but his exhausted body took over. He immediately fell back into a deep sleep consumed by the surrounding darkness.
Quinn had a kaleidoscope of dreams that night, which included all the brightly colored lights of the rainbow mixed-in with shouting and excruciating screams. His lifeline, Lily, always seemed to be nearby, but he couldn’t seem to find her. Where are you, Lily? Come and get me. I’m waiting……..waiting…….for you.
CHAPTER 32
For the first time since Quinn was brought back to life, he was alert and alone. He lay in his hospital bed looking up at the stark white ceiling trying to muddle through all that had happen before he was awaken from the nightmare that had left two of his comrades dead. He felt responsible for their deaths. He replayed the events in the waters of Port of Adrian in his mind again, only considering himself lucky because the bomb was rigged to explode inward toward the ship rather than outward towards the underwater SEALS. He continued to dial it back over and over to see if he’d missed anything that could have been done that would have changed the outcome that day. They all knew the risks involved in the foreign turbulent sea. Yemen’s port was known for its underwater volcanic activity. He came up with no answers. He hung his head for his comrades and for himself. Now, because of an act of fate, he had become a member of the dreaded Club of Wounded Warriors – obsolete. He knew he was luckier than most. He was alive. Unfortunately, that was as much luck that he was going to be allowed for some time.
Quinn looked around for any signs of communication, like a cell phone, when his sisters appeared at the door to his hospital room for a visit.
“Knock, knock. May we come in?”
Not that they waited for an answer, but their appearance certainly brought a smile to Quinn’s face. It broadened farther when he saw who Jade brought with them. He was thrilled to meet his new niece, Magdalena, who wasn’t quite a year old and a tiny replica of his twin sisters. He grinned, thinking how much fun it would be to watch Jade deal with a teenager. He would look forward to that entertainment with much anticipation. As he held the delicate little fingers of his new little niece, he realized just how much time had passed and how much time he had lost. It made him a little sad. He hoped to close that gap as soon as he was strong enough. He was looking forward to starting some intense therapy tomorrow as all was healed enough to be rebuilt and strengthened.
Quinn’s sisters chatted over mundane things that he had missed out on while “he was sleeping” as Jasmine put it. They talked about all the cute things Magdalena did, which made him smile, what Jade’s husband was doing, and Jasmine’s new boyfriend.
Quinn started to ask about Lily when Jade dropped the unexpected bombshell, “Lily’s married and has a baby,” which wasn’t quite correct, but it never occurred to her otherwise as Lily just wasn’t the type to get knocked up and not be married. “I haven’t talked to her,” she continued, “but her dad mentioned it to Dad. You know how dads never ask the details,” she rattled on, “but I think he’s only a month or so old,” she assumed incorrectly. “The last time I talked to her was before Magdalena was born and she mention neither a husband nor a pregnancy,” she kept spewing out the devastating news as all the while she cooed and smiled at his miniature niece.
Quinn was grateful that everyone was looking at Magdalena at that moment. He was always good at camouflaging his feelings, but not at that particular instance as it coupled with the recent emotions of living again. He was shocked about the news of Lily. He didn’t see that coming. He was grateful that the nurse chose that moment to come into his room to check his vitals and his sisters were asked to come back later. Waving goodbye and encouraging Magdalena to do the same, they left the room much to their brother’s relief, never realizing the emotional agony they left behind with their big brother.
Damn you Lily! Couldn’t you have waited? Surely, that week in the Caribbean meant something!
Quinn was miserable and angry all at the same time. He rubbed his eyes and felt something like moisture. He put his arm over his eyes trying to block out the world until his pain medication took over. Part of Quinn’s heart died that day, his soul was soon to follow with more crushing news.
Just when Quinn didn’t think it could get any worse, his doctor announced the following week that he’d probably never have any children of his own. To make it all the more devastating, he added that he hoped he’d be able to have an erection as his scrotum still had both nuts, but was significantly swollen leaving some noteworthy damage from “the accident”. Later that day, the nurses found a hole in the wall where Quinn had thrown an impressive right knuckle punch for the second time in his life.
CHAPTER 33
Quinn’s parents had him out of the Berlin infirmary as soon as they could get the papers signed and dismissed. He was taken to a chateau of Uncle Dawg’s that was on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, in hopes that a change of beautiful scenery mixed with serenity would help nurse Quinn back to health. It had a salt water spa and was equipped with all the necessary equipment to exercise, strengthen, and put him back together again. A French cook, a housekeeper, a young Italian maid, and a physical t
herapist came every day. Three cute young nurses alternated around the clock.
His dad commented, “If nothing else, they’ll make great eye candy.”
His mom told his dad, “This is not a time to be thinking with your dick. How would you like looking at candy, you couldn’t have? What are you imagining anyway, a trifecta?”
Troy hugged a frigid Swan, “I’ll always enjoy looking, but will never want anyone, but you. Besides, how’s he ever going to know what his body is capable of unless he tries? Isn’t that the SEAL motto?”
“Somehow, I don’t think an erection was what they were talking about,” Quinn’s mom quipped drily.
CHAPTER 34
Quinn’s parents hung around for another week making sure he had everything he needed to help him recuperate and live a normal life before they went to visit Aunt Kat a couple of hours away. What they chose not to understand was that nothing would ever be normal again. He was glad that they wanted to be supportive, but he needed some time to process all that had happened, including Lily, which was just the crowning blow. So, after reassuring a tearful mom that they could do nothing more and that he needed time to rebuild his body strength and to concentrate on getting well, they made plans to fly back to the states after visiting Aunt Kat. He spent the next month pushing his body to its inter core. By the end of that time, he was almost off his crutches and most of his medications.
That next weekend, Quinn limped into the lush den of the chateau with its walnut wooden floor covered with a bright Persian rug of blues, reds, browns, and tan. Masculine chairs of chocolate brown leather framed the fireplace that was burning to take the chill off the fall weather that cool late fall night. A large ornate antique desk stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea.
As Quinn was about to cozy up to the roaring fire, he noticed a manila envelope addressed to him lying on the top of the dark patina desk top. Curious, he sat down to open it. He dumped the lumpy contents in front of him. Two things spilled forth, both of which he’d had on him the day of the Yemen explosion – his dog tags and Lily’s rose colored bikini throng. He stared at the offending object that had landed in the shape of a smile. His face hardened as he clenched his jaw not even able to touch the offending scrap of fabric that had once belonged to his true love and was at one time a loving souvenir. He could hardly bear to look at it, much less hold it in his hand before throwing the offending object in the fireplace.
Quinn limped out on the balcony and leaned against the railing, trying to control his rage that had only been exacerbated by the small piece of cloth that belonged to Lily. As he gazed out at the dark churning water, he took a final trip down memory lane while he watched the waves beat themselves against the granite rocks below as the sea tossed, agitated, and emulated his own turbulent emotions.
CHAPTER 35
Lily was in the middle of changing diapers when her cell phone rang. Looking at the number, she realized that it was the commander from the Fort Riley base. Knowing that the time for Gunner to leave them was coming to an end, she dreaded returning his phone call.
Gunner, who was still somewhat needy, followed Lily to the couch like he also knew what the conversation was going to be about before she made the call back to the base commander. Nuzzling her hand, Lily took a moment to rub his ears and coo just like she did with Dominic and Tyrone. He responded with love and adoration of a wet slobbery tongue. It would be a difficult transition for both of them emotionally as she tried not to dwell upon the separation to come.
Dialing back, Lily got the usual bark from the commander that everyone else did. She didn’t think he had another form of dialect. She couldn’t help but wonder how that was workin’ with his wife. “Lily here, what can I do for you, Sir?” It was all she could do to keep from standing to attention and saluting over the telephone.
Not being one to beat around the bush, the commander got right down to business. “We have a placement for Gunner with a young man in Europe who is also a Wounded Warrior from a bomb explosion and a recipient of skin spray. One of our doctors thought they might be a good match for each other. Gunner will be deployed next month to the soldier’s home in Italy. Would it be possible for you to accompany him and help both of them adjust to each other?”
The commander had Lily’s attention. She was definitely interested. She was more than curious about the newly generated skin stem cells on a human patient. She was anxious to converse with someone that could talk. She needed to know for Gunner’s sake what he was feeling, had he experienced any discomfort, was he still sore etc… Besides, she wanted to make sure that Gunner and the soldier were a “fit” herself. It would comfort her to know that. “I’ll see what kind of arrangements I can make and get back with you, Sir.”
Quinn also got a call from his commanding officer the same morning. He was not one bit happy with what he had to say. After hanging up, he muttered to himself, “Now isn’t that just “friggin” great. My commander thinks I need a visit from another wounded soldier.” How in the hell does he think he knows what I need, Quinn thought disgustedly. I suppose he thinks I need bonding time, too. Just because we were both bombed and missing body parts, I think I’m quite capable of picking my own cripples if I want one – harsh, but it was the way he felt.
Quinn went into his exercise room to do some extensive exercise and let off steam. While he was at it, he decided that he was going to start looking over the sexy afternoon nurse. Maybe, she’d be interested in being his night nurse and tucking him in bed when the sun went down. It was time to move on and what better way to do that than with another woman – mornings lately had shown him that an erection was possible. Somehow, he didn’t think that performance was going to be a problem. If he had any doubt it was dispelled that afternoon when the nurse was leaning over him removing his bandages and showing off an abundance of cleavage.
CHAPTER 36
A week after speaking with the commander, Lily was on an Italian airliner headed for Rome. She was accompanied by a handsome soldier that was about her age and a slightly distraught and needy Gunner that would have climbed in her lap if she would have let him. The soldier was coming up the ranks in the Army. He had an interesting history. His name was Tom Jackson.
Tom made his money to pay for college by being a stripper. (Lily tried not to let her imagination get carried away as she thought about him shirtless, muscles gyrating and wrapped around a pole or is it just the girls that do that?) Of course, he was a lot of fun and chatty as he had no inhibitions and was quite comfortable with his own sexuality and anyone else’s for that matter. He left no doubt that he was interested in Lily. There was no question that he would happy to be her stud guy, making her a member of The Mile High Club and entertaining the surrounding passengers if she gave him the slightest bit of encouragement. She thought, however, that it might not hurt to take him up on his not too subtle offer at a later date. It was time to move past Quinn and stop mourning over a relationship that was gone or never existed. Even if she did not take Tom up on his invitation, it was noteworthy to be admired and flattered after Quinn had dropped her flat only after a week of romping in the Caribbean almost two years ago. It felt quite good to her ego to just be checked out as he let his eyes roam not too subtly over her anatomy and be recognized as an attractive woman again. Besides, she was primed and ready to have an adult conversation with a desirable young male. She suspected that Tom would have no trouble multitasking with conversation and sex combined if need be. Twin boys under one were not exactly stimulating to the mind no matter how much she loved them. It might be a good and healthy diversion, one that could satisfy both of them. It certainly was worth a consideration.
At Lily’s insistence, they went first class to Rome with reclining beds. That was the only way she would travel with Gunner who got the reclining seat next to her much to the disappointment of her escort. Gunner was very happy to be her canine companion right next to Lily in his own bed. He was used to sleepi
ng in the same sleeping bag as his previous owner, which made him a “crowd-er” with any available space just like any other male. The only difference was that he didn’t pig the blanket. So, he was quite happily content and comfortable as he snuggled against Lily while the aircraft hummed over the Atlantic for the next eight hours from Chicago as the engine drown out any disturbing noise.
That morning, the passengers were asked by the pilot to wait to disembark from the airliner until the wounded American soldier got off the plane. After the passengers craned their necks and discovered that the soldier was a Belgium Malinois, they clapped as Gunner left the aircraft wearing his prosthesis, oblivious to all the surrounding commotion that he had caused. It made Lily proud to be an American.
Transportation was waiting to take Lily, Gunner, and the lieutenant to the wounded soldier’s home. It was nice to have accommodations arranged and waiting.
“What do you know about the young man that was injured,” she asked Tom soon after they were settled in the van.
“I know little about him except that he was wounded during a bombing on one of our ships in Yemen,” the lieutenant answered. “That’s about it.”
It was not surprising that Tom knew so little about his assignment as the Army was quite good at giving out only snippets of information. The less everyone knew about their situation, the better was their attitude. Perhaps, it also kept any enemy of the United States from learning something that might appear to be trivial, but was not. Everything is always on a need to know basis. The only other thing that Tom did know, was that injured soldier outranked him. He was to salute him upon meeting him for the first time as Army protocol demanded.
It took a “while to get to the home of the unknown soldier. It didn’t matter in the least to the occupants as they had a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea for most of way. That was a particular wonderful change for Lily after living in landlocked Kansas. It was a peaceful and calming ride, but it reminded Lily way too much of the last time she had spent a week in the beautiful clear blue Caribbean with Quinn – a distant memory that she didn’t go to often as it made her terribly sad. But, those memories would still encroach and surprise at unexpected times, just like the annoying pop ups on your computer.
Forever Lovers Page 11