“Jamie, come on. Do you really think that’s what this is about? There’s no way in hell Brad would even think of saying anything of the sort. He adores you! He probably just wants to talk about returning home soon. Right? One can only hope.” Valerie knew she was walking a fine line as she tried to soothe Jamie’s nerves without ruining Brad’s surprise.
“Val, I’m also a realist. I’ve heard some horror stories about how tough it can be on military families, but I knew what I signed up for when I married Brad. I wasn’t just marrying the man I loved, I was marrying into the Army and an entirely new way of life. We’ve endured these deployments together. When he’s gone, tears are never far away. I miss him that much, always.” She tried to keep her emotions in check. “I keep myself together, though, especially around the kids. I’ve succeeded, for the most part. I stay calm so the kids feel secure and have a sense of stability.” Jamie thought about how hard it had been and wondered if Valerie could fully understand it. Letting her emotions take over kicked off a vicious cycle that was hard to break once it started. At six and eight, the kids were very intuitive. Unfortunately, they were also old enough to understand their dad’s job came with inherent dangers. They knew there was more to just missing their dad. They worried if he would make it home alive.
“Jamie, listen. I get it. I may not be able to fully appreciate what your family goes through, but please listen to me. You’ve been doing a fantastic job. I think you’re reading way too much into that email. Relax!”
“Maybe you’re right. It might be another career move. After all, Brad’s job has always taken front and center in our relationship. A military career isn’t like a standard nine to five office job, something I’ve learned the hard way. Even when he wasn’t on deployment, he worked long hours and is often sent out of town for training exercises.” Jamie sighed as she recalled their unsettled lives. “For the most part, we’ve always tried our damnedest to live off base in a regular neighborhood. Military housing has some definite benefits, but it inherently comes with its own cliques, expectations, and drama. We prefer a small community. Not to mention living in a house versus a Government Issue housing complex that is subject to a frightening long list of Army regulations. They may have been written with the best of intents, but it leaves a neighborhood sanitized of anything that makes it feel like a comfortable community. Brad and I both believe that our family needs a place that we can feel at home in.”
“Okay, enough worrying about a conversation that you haven’t even had yet. Let’s just enjoy the day! Stop thinking so hard.”
Jamie couldn’t help it. Maybe that’s what this is about? Could it be another transfer? We were supposed to be here for another year yet. It would be hard to say goodbye to her friends when the time came, but it was part of the life they lived. Jamie had the very distinct feeling that it would be harder than normal to say goodbye to the girls of Éveiller Drive. Who was she kidding? She would cry like a baby when it was time to go. The love they had given her and her family had been nothing short of a miracle considering she told them all up front they were only there for a limited time. Most people she met didn’t want to invest a large amount of time or emotion into a relationship that started with its very own deadline.
Over the years, the lack of meaningful relationships forced Jamie’s independent personality to the front and center. She never would have survived the first few years of marriage if she relied on others to care for her emotional well-being. Jamie was not one that bored easily, and she managed to keep a full schedule, even with all of the moves. Odd jobs often filled her days and evenings before they had children. She found plenty of hobbies that kept her busy, not to mention sane. Loneliness seemed to be her best friend until their son Alex was born. Being a mom gave her joy in life and filled her heart with a sense of purpose that she never expected to find as an Army wife. Two years later her life found even more meaning when their daughter, Zoe, took her first breath.
She still missed Brad when he was gone, but because of the kids, she wasn’t completely alone and this gave her a small amount of peace. The years flew by, just as her mother warned her they would. Her small family learned how to deal the best they could with Brad’s career. They moved when they needed to, often with little complaint. It was her opinion that no matter what base, or how often the Army would transfer Brad, keeping her family together was in the best interest of everyone. They were in this together.
When there are no more deployments and month long training events, what will it be like? Will we get on each other’s nerves? Jamie wasn’t sure why those particular thoughts ran through her mind. She knew Brad planned on staying in the Army as long as he could. His retirement was her pipe dream. It meant no more moves. Staying in one place meant putting down roots in a community and forming lasting relationships. These were all the things that Jamie dreamed of doing one day.
His plans almost took a turn for the worse after he almost gave his mom a heart attack the night before. If he had known how badly she would have reacted, he never would have surprised her to begin with. After Valerie dropped him off, he made his way inside where he dug around in the kitchen looking for ingredients for dinner. He had a few hours to kill and figured doing something nice for his mom would be the perfect way to spend his time.
Brad thought back over the years of being away from his family. When the opportunity arose to be stationed near his hometown, he took it in a heartbeat. He knew his mom would love having him back in the area, even if it was only until the next duty station assignment. In the meantime, it would be good for her to spend as much time with Jamie and the kids as possible. It worked out better than he could have imagined. His mom was born to be a grandma and the kids loved living near grandma. She also gave Jamie the support she desperately needed. Now, as long as he could get Jamie onboard, they would stay right where they were.
The idea of hurting his wife and his mom made Brad feel sick. It wasn’t his intent to deceive them by keeping his injury from them.
After his mom’s initial shock of seeing him wore off, he tried to get his mom to understand that being deceitful wasn’t his intent. One thing was for certain, he never expected his mom to attack him for thinking he was an intruder, or that she would be able to dial 911 so quickly.
After the police left and the misunderstanding was cleared up, Elaine chastised him like she had when he was a boy. Her scathing lecture was immediately followed up with a bear hug that nearly squeezed the daylights out of him. Brad explained the IED explosion, how badly his ankle and leg were mangled, and showed her the scars. Her tears flowed freely as he recounted the attack and his time in recovery.
When all was said and done, his mom understood why he wanted to do things on his own. It was typical of Brad to not want to upset her or Jamie. Elaine also understood that her son was trying to carefully return and reinsert himself in his family as a changed man. They spent the rest of the evening together catching up on everything he missed while he was gone and his plans for the future.
First thing the next morning, Elaine took Brad to pick up a few items from the store, then dropped him off across the street from his house to prepare for his surprise homecoming.
Now that Valerie had found a way to get Jamie out of the house for a few hours, it was time for Brad to get his butt in gear. He had a very small window of time to get the house set up before she came home. Everything needed to be perfect for her and perhaps most importantly, he had a healthy amount of ass kissing to do as well for keeping her in the dark.
Brad carefully watched as Jamie and Valerie pulled away from the curb. She looks so good. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms. He missed his wife so damn much, it was all he could do not to chase after the SUV and yell for them to stop. Sadly, he knew the injury to his leg would never allow him to catch them, even at their slow speed.
Shortly after Brad hauled his belongings across the street, the delivery vans started arriving. The kitchen was soon filled with roses of all color
s and varieties. Next to arrive were the contractors he hired to complete a therapeutic project that would not only be good for his leg but fun for the whole family. He was worried that a single afternoon would not be enough time to complete the job, but the contractors assured him they would have everything done in just a few hours.
Brad worked diligently to get everything set up in the house while the team of contractors worked quickly outside. He had several gifts for Jamie and the kids. Each one was strategically placed to create the most effective surprise. Sure, he could have wrapped each item individually and given it to them, but it would be much more fun if they were to find them on their own.
The afternoon passed by quickly. Brad looked around and doubled checked everything. Satisfied that it was finally ready, he sent Valerie a text letting her know that she could bring Jamie home.
“So what are your plans for the evening?” Valerie asked as she maneuvered through the small town streets towards Éveiller Drive.
“I think I’m just going to relax tonight. Maybe read a book. The kids are spending the night with Elaine, so the house will be unbearably quiet.” Jamie sighed as she glanced at the passing buildings.
“It will be a nice break to have a little alone time and it’s always good for the kids to spend time with their grandma.” Valerie slowed down as she pulled into Jamie’s driveway. “I’ll give you a hand with your things.”
“Thanks. I had a great time today. It was nice to get out for the day. I know it’s good for Alex and Zoe. I just miss them so much when they are gone. It would be different if Brad was home with me…but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.” Jamie opened the door of the SUV and made her way around to the back to collect her packages. Valerie grabbed the rest and they headed for the front door.
Just as Jamie started to place the key in the lock, the front door swung open. “Oh my God!” She screamed and shuffled backwards. The bags she held in her hands fell to the ground as her mind tried to grasp what—who she saw standing before her. Her breaths were short and ragged as astonishment and surprise sprinted through her body. Is it really him? The thought zipped through her mind a million times over. She turned to look at Valerie who stood directly behind her, ready to catch her if she passed out from shock. Jamie turned to face the man in her doorway again and once again back to Valerie when she finally noticed the big cheesy grin on her friend’s face.
Brad stepped out of the door and took the three short steps to his wife. Jamie noticed the limp in his walk that wasn’t there when she saw him off at the airport. She noticed the longer hair and stubble on his normally smooth face. Her mind tried to string together a coherent sentence, but nothing came out. She stood with her mouth open as he wound his arms tight around her. Her eyes closed as the tears started to stream down her face. She inhaled and was rewarded by the familiar scent of her husband. His warmth seeped through to her bones. Her frame began to shake as the adrenaline fled her body.
Brad placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. “Open your eyes, baby. It’s really me. I’m home.”
Jamie’s lids fluttered at first then slowly opened. “Oh God, you really are here.”
“Yeah, I am.” Brad answered before leaning in and softly pressing his lips to hers.
Jamie moaned as the scorching heat of Brad’s lips lit her body on fire. As soon as her mouth opened, his tongue dove deep inside of her mouth. Her arms wound tight around his neck, her fingers plunged into his hair as the kiss became more urgent. She was thankful when he pulled her closer. She needed to feel more of him pressed against her. Wanting to feel his bare skin, she released the hold she had on his hair. Her hands quickly slipping under his t-shirt.
Jamie had no idea how long they remained in that position, kissing one another. When she pulled away slightly, Brad pulled her back to him, leaning down and burying his face in her neck. “I missed you so damn much.”
“I missed you, too, every second of every day.” Jamie's fingertips danced gently through his hair.
Brad lifted his head and looked around the neighborhood. “I think we scared Valerie away.”
“She probably thought that we were going to do it right here on the sidewalk,” Jamie laughed.
“Not a bad idea, but I think I’d rather get you in the house first.” Brad winked at Jamie before slowly bending down with a grunt and retrieving the forgotten bags.
“Are you okay?” Jamie worried about her husband. She saw him limping when he came through the door, and now it looked like it pained him to bend over.
“Yeah, just a little sore. I’ll explain everything once we get inside and get you settled.” Brad gave a playful slap to her ass and ushered her in the house.
“Brad, what did you do? Look at this place!” Jamie’s mouth hung open as she entered their home. Hundreds of roses lined any previously opened location. Bookshelves, table tops, even the kitchen counters were covered with hundreds of long stemmed roses. As she made her way through the house, she followed a pathway formed by rose petals to the back door and on to the patio. “Holy hell! Is that what I think it is? How did you do all this in just a few hours?”
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Brad’s smile never faded as he watched his wife explore the new hot tub. “I made all of the arrangements before I got back into town. I didn’t believe them when they told me they could set it up in a few hours, but I’m glad I was wrong. Do you like it?”
“I love it. Wait until the kids see it. They are going to go nuts. We won’t be able to keep them out of it. You know that, right?” Jamie joked. “Wait, your mom has the kids tonight. Maybe we should call her and have her bring them home?”
“I asked her to take the kids so we could spend some quality time together,” Brad winked. “We have a lot to talk about, and I wanted to be able to do it without any interruptions.”
There’s that phrase again, Jamie thought. “You’re making me nervous. You keep saying we need to talk. Nothing good comes from starting a conversation with those words.”
“It’s fine, baby. I’m home and that’s the important part.” Brad tried to reassure Jamie.
A sense of worry filled her gut as she turned to face him. “Not that I’m not thankful, thrilled, or happy beyond words that you are home—but why are you home? What happened? Are you okay?”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about. Let’s go sit down and talk for a bit and we can go from there, okay?” Brad headed for the living room to his favorite spot on the couch. He patted the seat beside him for Jamie to sit next to him.
Jamie couldn’t resist. She curled up on the couch next to Brad and placed her head on his shoulder. “Okay, let’s have it. Tell me what happened.”
Brad took a deep breath, calming his nerves. It felt so damn good to have Jamie in his arms. He never wanted to be away from her again, and thankfully his deployments were done. Here goes nothing, he thought. “A group of us had just left the base for our normal patrol. It should have been like any other day. Everything had been quiet for weeks, probably too quiet. That should have been our first warning. The streets were deserted. We turned a corner and hit a bump.” Brad paused his story, his fingers sweeping gently over Jamie’s shoulder.
“The front of the vehicle exploded, killing Mac and Dan instantly. The rest of us, though hurt, started taking on gunfire and had to scramble the best we could. The convoy behind us thankfully came to our aid pretty quick and got us out of there. I knew that my ankle and leg were pretty messed up. Those of us who were injured were sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany.”
Jamie interrupted. “Why didn’t I get a phone call? A letter? Something?”
Brad squeezed her a little tighter before continuing. “There was so much that was going through my mind at the time. Most of all, I didn’t want to worry anyone stateside. I survived. My injuries were non-life threatening. I all but begged my sergeant not to call you. I even had to call in a few favors so they would go around Army regulations.”
“Why would you do that? Don’t you think I should have been told?” Jamie tried to pull away in protest, but Brad was having none of that.
“Yeah, you should have been. Honestly though, what would you have done? Left the kids with my mom? Flown to Germany? For what? To find me stuck in a bed, drugged out of my mind to deal with the pain, followed by weeks of psychological therapy, not to mention physical therapy seven days a week.” Brad knew where she was coming from, but he wanted her to not only see his side of things but understand it as well.
“I would have been there for you. You know that.” Jamie’s voice had taken a harsher tone.
“I know that, baby. But—I needed to do it on my own. I needed to get my head around everything that happened. I needed to deal with the fact that the injury would be permanent and my military career was done. I needed to say goodbye to my friends that died. Most of all, I needed time on my own to say goodbye to my old life. I didn’t want a pity party and that’s what it would have been. I know I should have told you, but I couldn’t.” Brad felt like his heart would explode if Jamie didn’t say something soon. The silence that stretched on would surely kill him. What was she thinking? Was his omission of what happened too much for her to handle? Could she ever forgive him?
Éveiller Drive Complete Boxed Set Page 12