“Just one thing, Sir,” Peace said. “I am sooooooooooooo… short.”
__
The transport touched down at Coronado with Seal Team Six, and a few other military personnel, looking anxiously at home base. There would be no tickertape parades, or marching bands to greet the secret warriors. Only some friends and family members would be there to meet them. The balmy weather and bright sunshine of San Diego in December, was a welcome sight after the deteriorating weather in Iran.
A throng of well-wishers, and family were on hand as the transport coasted to a stop. Bull, in the full dress uniform of a newly promoted Warrant Officer, stood on the tarmac, holding little Catherine in his arms, with Holly next to him. Becky stood nervously with Dan’s parents, keeping Dan Jr., and his sister Allie under control. Jill, her long blond hair blowing gently in the breeze, held Peace’s sleeping son in her arms. Holly held Jill’s arm comfortingly on one side, while Ed and Nancy stood between her and Becky.
“I’m so pumped, I feel like my head’s ready to burst,” Jill whispered to Holly. “I hope Peace likes my new dress.”
Holly laughed, looking at her friend’s sleeveless pale blue dress. “I think his mind may be on other things, girlfriend. You could have come to meet him in a burlap bag, and I doubt he would’ve noticed.”
“I guess you’re right,” Jill said with a sigh. “Is it always like this, Nancy?”
“I’m afraid so,” Nancy replied, patting her arm, and taking little Cole from her.
“Hey, they’re all alive,” Ed broke in brusquely, stroking a big hand gently over his adopted grandchild’s head. “What the hell more do you want, right, Bull?”
“You betcha’,” Bull replied on cue. This excursion was only his third outing without a cane.
“We could use a bit shorter absence,” Becky piped in with resignation in her voice. “Maybe with Iran out of the terrorist network, things will calm down for a while.”
“That would be a fine Christmas present indeed,” Ed added. “I… hey, here they come.”
With the departure ladder in place, the transport hatch opened, allowing a stream of khaki clothed figures to emerge from the plane and descend to the tarmac. Family and friends were allowed then to hurry over to greet the returning soldiers with cheers, and flags waving. The group of slightly more than a hundred men, women, and children, were quickly turned into a screaming sea of red, white, and blue. The sea quickly washed over the waving warriors with enthusiasm.
Many minutes passed as long months of fear, and doubt, vanished in an instant. Tears flowed freely, as relief washed away all other emotions but joy. Peace, with some disbelief he actually stood holding his wife and son in his arms, let every other thought fade, leaving only the sweetness of all he had fought to gain envelope him. Nearly a half an hour later Ed signaled imperiously with his arms.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Polasky called out in a voice used to command. “The Christmas party is at Ed’s. We are closed to all others. You all are invited to join us to the wee hours of the morning tomorrow night, Saturday, the 22ond of December. Food, drink, and rides home will be provided.”
Cheers rung out amongst the large group, as promises were exchanged with the exuberant Ed, who passed out the fliers he had brought for the occasion. Peace laughed as he read over the flyer Nancy held up for him to see. Under entertainment, in addition to Syl’s band, Peace’s name was in bold letters.
“I can’t perform. I’m too far out of practice,” Peace stated.
“I heard that, you slacker,” Polasky replied belligerently, glowering down at Peace. “Don’t even try to weasel out.”
“Don’t worry, Ed,” Tony Chin assured him loudly from where he stood next to Bull, holding Catherine, while Tony’s parents simply touched his arms and shoulders almost reverently from each side of him. “Peace has been entertaining the troops ever since we left Iran.”
There were a chorus of agreeing voices from the Seals, who were in the midst of their own mini-reunions. Ed nodded amiably.
“I knew it. You should have worked up an entire Vegas act by now. You still owe me for damages left over from your escapades before you left the States,” Ed reminded him as Nancy tried to put her hands over his mouth to quiet him.
“He’ll perform,” Jill promised. “Just as long as it’s not tonight.”
Dan, with Allie on his shoulders, and little Danny holding his hand with both of his, walked over to give Jill a kiss hello. Becky, and Dan’s parents followed him in a tight group. Shaking hands with Bull, and leaning down for another kiss from Holly, Dan then peered at little Catherine in Tony’s arms.
“She’s beautiful, Bull,” Dan remarked. “Little Cole is a handsome devil too. Have you all drawn up the pre-nups?”
Bull growled impressively, eliciting much laughter from his audience. “Very funny, Sir. I see your wit has improved since the last time I saw you.”
“Hey, we have to start breeding the nation’s new warriors, right?” Dan joked.
Suddenly, Holly grabbed Peace around the neck, as he let her pull him down for a hug. “Thanks for getting Bull back to me, Peace, I…”
“Don’t mention it,” Peace cut her off, with a headshake, as he shifted Cole so he could hug her. “Bull made me carry him so many times up the hill on base, hauling him a little way on level ground was a moonlight stroll. Besides, he smelled like roses compared to how I reeked when he piggybacked me all over Iraq. Now, about Catherine’s dowry, Bull, I…”
“Why you little…” Bull blustered, as the others laughed. “You better hold on to the baby until you’re out of sight. I’ll give you a dowry, you no good…”
“Temper, temper,” Peace broke in, waving an admonishing finger at his friend. “It’s not good for your future son-in-law to hear us fight. How’s your back?”
“I won’t be passing through any metal detectors,” Bull answered with a shrug. “Other than that, my rehab’s coming along faster than yours did.”
“I will, of course, have to test that myself,” Peace lectured comically.
“Anytime, anywhere,” Bull replied, grinning ominously.
“Hey, you guys want to come over for a while?” Dan asked, gesturing the rest of the team over closer. “My folks helped Becky get a barbeque all ready, except for throwing the meat on the grill.”
Except for Bull, Holly, Peace, Jill, Ed, and Nancy, the rest of the men begged off; but promised to bring everyone over to Ed’s the next night. The team gave Bull his first salute as an officer, which he returned stiffly, before heading to the base parking lot.
“I figured you’d be too busy with hello’s to entertain, Dan,” Ed remarked, blocking another attempt by his wife to cover his mouth.
“The kids don’t go to bed until eight-thirty,” Dan explained, pulling Becky close. “You all will be gone long before that. I didn’t get a chance to see Peace for quite a while at the finish, and we haven’t seen Bull at all.”
“We’d really love to have you all over,” Becky added enthusiastically, Dan’s parents nodding their heads in happy agreement. “We have everything all ready. I secretly worked it out with Jill and Holly yesterday anyway.”
“Why ask then?” Peace laughed, exchanging knowing looks with Bull. “Oh, yeah, you wanted to make it seem like it was the Commander’s idea. Once he decided on your already pre-conceived course of action, then you…”
“Don’t let that mouth of yours dig you in any deeper, Pauley,” Dan cut him off, much to the amusement of the others. “Now, are you coming, or are you going home without Jill?”
“Ouch,” Peace replied, distastefully, as Jill hugged him laughing.
“I didn’t mean to speak for you,” Jill assured him. “I just thought…”
“Don’t explain anything to him,” Becky warned her off with a flourish, and then added in a mechanical sounding voice: “resistance is futile.”
“C’mon, I’ve already received my orders,” Ed intoned, as Becky’s Star Trek Borg referenc
e drew the expected response. “Let’s stop pretending and go make a couple of toasts.”
“With the new babies, accompanied by jet lag, we better make the toasts with soda pop,” Peace inserted, with Bull nodding his head in agreement.
“Peace is right,” Bull confirmed. “I only thought I knew what sleep deprivation was.”
“It’s all good though, right?” Peace asked, holding little Cole up close, as if inspecting him, as the baby reached for his Father’s nose.
“Better than anything, brother,” Bull answered, pulling Holly close. “Let’s go eat, I’m starving.”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Last Order of Business
Dan’s Father watched Peace get up from the patio table, with a promise to bring back more sodas, and joined him as he walked into the house. Peace waited for him when he heard Dan Sr.’s offer of help. Peace smiled at Mr. Righter, before leading him inside the house.
“It’s been good seeing you again, Sir,” Peace said over his shoulder, as they walked into the empty kitchen.
“I saw your folks before Jan and I left for California, Pauley,” Dan Sr. began. “I told them about Jill and the baby. I even asked them if they’d want to join us on the trip. They…”
“Jesus, that was nice of you,” Peace exclaimed in surprise. “I know they’ve really done some crappy things to you and your wife over the years.”
“It takes all kinds, son,” Dan Sr. sighed, nodding in agreement with Peace’s assessment. “I think Jan and I are going to sell our house and move out here permanently. We miss watching the grandkids grow up, and we’re in a position to do it now. I admit the one thing I won’t miss is living next to your folks.”
“I bet Dan and Becky are thrilled with the prospect of you folks moving out,” Peace said earnestly, as he handed soda cans from the refrigerator to Dan Sr. “I’m sorry my parents were such pains in the butt all this time. What did they say about your offer?”
“A combination of epithets about our obvious involvement in Iran, you were part of it, and they couldn’t believe you were still serving in the Fascist American military.”
“Sounds like they haven’t changed a bit,” Peace said apologetically. “Were you able to leave without punching out my Dad?”
Dan Sr. laughed appreciatively. “Yea, but just barely. I reminded them my son was serving with you, and to keep their commie, pinko jargon to themselves. Anyway, those two fruitloops slammed the door in my face.”
It was Peace’s turn to laugh, as the two men began walking back out to Dan’s patio. “I appreciate you trying, Sir.”
“Forget it, I had to try. Jan ordered me to. I heard you were going to find out your real surname, and change from Peacenik.”
“It’s still under consideration; but I have so much to catch up with right now, it will have to wait,” Peace replied.
“When you’re ready, son, let me know,” Dan Sr. said, as the two men paused at the doorway. “I know what your surname is. When you and Dan were little, we had a barbeque with your folks. This was before we knew they were a couple cards short of a full deck. After a few beers, your Dad talked a little about your Grandfather. His real name was Paul E. Stillman.”
Peace contemplated this revelation with surprise plainly on his face. “Thank you, Sir. I guess my Father cared enough to name me after my Grandpa.”
“Actually, he did it to take a swipe at your Grandfather,” Dan Sr. explained. “Your Dad bragged about letting your Grandfather know, because he thought he knew your Grandfather would go into a rage. Your Dad was disappointed. All your Grandpa wanted was to see you, but your Dad wouldn’t let him. I thought I should keep my nose out of your folks’ business over the years; but when Dan told me about you considering changing your name, I figured you had a right to know.”
Peace remained silent for a time, until he heard catcalls from the patio about people dying of thirst before he arrived. He smiled at Dan’s Father, meeting the older man’s eyes squarely.
“This makes it all a lot easier, Sir. I can’t tell you how grateful I am you told me. Thank you.”
Dan Sr. nodded, and put an arm around Peace’s shoulders. “It wasn’t completely altruistic, Pauley. No offense, but I detest your old man.”
Peace laughed, nodding as he stepped outside, handing out the sodas to the men at the patio table, as he endured the good-natured comments about his service. Continuing on, he and Dan Sr. passed out drinks to the women and kids at the sandbox. Peace gave Jill a lingering kiss, with one hand on his slumbering son. A moment later, he and Dan’s Father returned to the patio table, sitting down once again with their own sodas.
“Captain Jessup said you’re a First Class now, Peace,” Dan said, opening his soda. “It went through last month. When are you going to quit pretending, and apply for OCS?”
“We already have too many officers on the team now, with Bull and Doc both getting promoted out of the grunt ranks,” Peace replied. “I think I’ll just wear my three stripes for a while, and see how the brass react to a Lieutenant Commander, and two warrant officers on the same Seal Team. Hell, Jessup will probably get shipped soon, now he’s made Captain.”
“The Captain told me he won’t be going anywhere,” Dan remarked. “Seal Team Six will remain an experiment for the near future. That means, we’ll all get to stay on the team, no matter what rank we are, for as long as we wish.”
“Hoo-ya!” Bull and Peace barked, provoking laughter from the sandbox.
“Nick, Tony, Tracer, and JT already told me they’re staying in,” Dan added after a moment. “Doc said he will have to try and work his internship at the Naval hospital while we cover for him.”
“That could be tough if we deploy for any length of time,” Bull injected. “He’d have to start all over.”
“We’ll just have to hope things will stay calm till Doc gets through training,” Dan said. “I’ll get 007 to look into it for me.”
Peace jumped up, clicking his heels together with a stiff British salute, as the others laughed. “At your Majesty’s Service, Sir!”
“007?” Dan Sr. said questioningly.
“It’s an inside joke, Dan,” Polasky assured him, covering up quickly, as Peace sat back down, having realized Dan’s Father was unaware of his CIA involvement. “Listen to this. What’s your name, buddy?”
Immediately realizing what Polasky had in mind, Peace leaned nonchalantly back in his chair, extending one hand out on the table cavalierly. “Bond… James Bond.”
For the next few minutes, Peace entertained the table with an extremely glib impersonation of Sean Connery’s portrayal of the character, including numerous one-liners from the many movies. Peace matched each line with the appropriate facial changes, accent, and arched eyebrow.
“Wow, Pauley, you are good,” Dan Sr. remarked. “I get it now.”
“As Seal Team Six mascot, it’s my duty to provide the entertainment here, and abroad,” Peace explained jokingly.
“No more in jokes, Dad,” Dan added, embarrassed to have slipped up so obviously. “We’ve been in the bush so long, I forgot where I was, and who I was with. Peace is the vaudeville show when we’re on the road.” Dan Sr. nodded his understanding, and raised his soda.
“No matter, here’s to all of you guys, and thank God for your safe return.”
They all joined solemnly in Dan Sr.’s toast.
__
“Did you like the barbeque, Hon?” Jill asked, leaning contentedly against Peace, who sat next to Cole on the backseat of the van.
The baby was awake, and staring with interest as Peace hovered over little Cole’s car-carrier, making faces at him. Ed drove the van, with Nancy next to him. Peace looked over at his wife, desire long suppressed, washing over his features. He patted her hand, taking it up in his, and kissing it softly.
“Yea, it was great; but I was ready to go home. It’s been a long day.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” Jill whispered, nuzzling his neck.
; “I wish I’d been there for Cole’s birth,” Peace replied with regret. “I’m glad you had Ed and Nancy with you when you went into labor.”
“I had plenty of help. My Mom and Dad made it hours before the birth. To tell the truth, I don’t remember much about the labor,” Jill told him.
“Just as well you don’t,” Nancy stated from the front seat. “The little bugger took his own sweet time coming, huh Ed?”
“Yep,” Ed laughed. “He’s a cement head, just like his old man.”
“Don’t listen to Grandpa, Cole,” Peace exclaimed, holding his hands over the baby’s ears to the others’ amusement.
“Holly’s pregnant,” Jill announced suddenly.
“Really?” Peace asked in surprise. “Bull didn’t waste any time, did he? How come she didn’t announce it at… oh, I get it, everybody but me already knew.”
“I asked the others to let me tell you,” Jill answered. “I… I want to have another baby too.”
“Yea, slacker,” Ed called out over his shoulder. “More grandchildren, and make it snappy.”
“Hoo-ya!” Peace acknowledged, taking Jill into his arms. “I think I can handle that.”
The End
Thank you for purchasing and reading Peace. If you enjoyed the novel, please take a moment and leave a review. Your consideration would be much appreciated. Please visit my Amazon Author’s Page if you would like to preview any of my other novels. Thanks again for your support.
Bernard Lee DeLeo
Author’s Face Book Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BernardLeeDeLeo/
Author’s Contact Links - http://rjparkerpublishing.com/bernard-lee-deleo.html
Peace - A Navy SEALS Novel (DeLeo's Action Thriller Singles Book 3) Page 66