Blue Skies

by Ali Vali

  “Don’t you mean I walked away from?”

  As they reached the Lincoln Memorial, Berkley led her up the stairs. “Do I strike you as the kind of person who’s going to beat you over the head with mistakes? I meant what I said. It was both of us, and this time around I want us to take it slow so that we get it right.” She stopped them at the top and glanced out at the reflecting pool. “I want you to be as sure as I am this time around.”

  “What if I’m already there? I was the first night we spent together at your house, only this time it was my idea to rip your clothes off.”

  “You weren’t that shy the first time around, so don’t give me that,” Berkley said and laughed. “Besides, the choice might be out of my hands.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It could be that after meeting with the admiral I might not have any choice but to go and buy you a ring if he finds out what I did to you on that first night together, or he might not find me worthy enough for you.”

  Aidan stopped her again. “Promise me that you won’t let my father scare you off. He’s my dad, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a little intimidating.”

  “Let me walk you to your room and don’t worry about that.”

  “How do you know I checked into a hotel?”

  “Because your only other choice was staying with your parents, and I have a feeling you didn’t want to do that.”

  “I actually have an apartment here, but I do have one question for you. Are you on the fifth floor?” Aidan asked.

  “Some traditions are hard to break, baby, and maybe all your wishful thinking is contagious.”

  “Good,” Aidan said and felt feather light. “It’s those traditions that have kept me going, Commander.”

  Berkley patted her hand where Aidan still had it resting on the bend of her elbow. “Same floor makes it easier to sneak into your room once the halls are quiet.”

  “Still feel like sneaking around with me?”

  “Let’s see how dinner goes first before we starting thinking about dessert.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “I’m here to meet the Sullivan party,” Berkley said to the host of the hotel’s restaurant.

  “Welcome, Commander.” The man led Berkley to the table toward the back. Aidan was sitting so she was facing the dining room, and her father was sitting across from her making Berkley notice his thinning hair as he studied the menu.

  “Sir.” Berkley held her hand out to retired Admiral Preston “Triton” Sullivan. He was about five inches shorter than her but more than made up for it in bulk. He took her hand in a firm handshake, and Aidan covered her mouth to hide her laugh at the extra effort he obviously put into it.

  “Commander, have a seat,” Preston ordered. “We were getting ready to order without you.”

  “Ma’am, it’s a pleasure meeting you.” Berkley offered her hand to Mary Beth Sullivan after she sat down. “I apologize if I’m late. Aidan told me eight.”

  Aidan smiled at Berkley, then glared at her father. “It was eight, which means you’re fifteen minutes early.”

  “You certainly know your audience, Commander,” Triton said. “The Navy obviously thinks highly of you.” He pointed to the honors on her jacket.

  “Thank you, sir, but once you get to know me you’ll realize the last thing I am is a glory hound.”

  “My daughter tells me you’ll be leading the air combat part of the mission she’s getting ready to head out on,” Triton said as a conversation starter.

  “Yes, sir, I am.”

  “That would’ve been unheard of ten years ago.”

  “It’s a good thing for me that I was born in the right year. I’m going to be able to make the same contribution that my father has before I return to Nevada.”

  “Please, Berkley, don’t get him started on that. We don’t have that much time with Aidan, and I’d like to enjoy it without reliving military strategy gone wrong in American history,” Mary Beth Sullivan said as she took Berkley’s hand in hers. “Why not tell us something much more interesting, like where you met our daughter?”

  “We met in Hawaii during a drill our units were invited to participate in. Aidan was able to lock onto me and knock me out of the sky with her ground crew.”

  “That’s my little girl,” Triton said.

  “It did knock the ruffle out of my feathers, especially when I realized how short she was.”

  Aidan reached across the table and slapped Berkley’s arm. “Not all of us are giant Amazon warriors, Cletus.”

  “We became good friends after that and she helped me focus so that getting shot down even in a simulation hasn’t happened again,” Berkley finished her story for Mary Beth.

  “Once is all it takes to get what you’re gunning for,” Aidan said smiling at Berkley in a way that let her know she wasn’t talking about planes or anything to do with the Navy. “Tell us about your classes, Dad,” she said, steering them into safer waters. There was no reason to let her parents in on just how much she cared for Berkley.

  Triton launched into one of his lectures that lasted through the appetizers, and only stopped when Berkley asked a slew of what he called probing and intelligent questions. “Today we covered some dogfights that took place during a misunderstanding of airspace during the cold war, and the name Corbin Levine came up as one of the pilots who did their job but also kept his cool. Seems he not only provided air cover to a group surrounded by enemy fire, but he saved the lives of two airmen who’d been hit and were having trouble gaining control of their planes. It earned him quite a few commendations.” He picked up his drink and took a long sip. “Friend of yours?”

  “Captain Levine is Berkley’s father, Dad. I had the honor of meeting him recently when I was in Fallon,” Aidan answered.

  “I’m sure Commander Levine won’t have trouble answering my questions, Aidan.” The conversation stopped while their entrees were being served. Triton’s reprimand hung in the air like a bomb waiting to go off. “So, Corbin Levine’s your father?”

  “Yes, sir, he is. He’s currently the commanding officer at the Belle Chase Naval Station outside of New Orleans. In another year he’ll be retiring to work in the family business my grandfather started. It’s an airfreight operation that’ll keep him in the air like he wanted, even though they’re much slower planes than he’s used to.” Berkley took a sip of water and mentally counted to ten before going on. If this guy went off on her dad, she was going to have do something about it, and Aidan wasn’t going to like it. “Why? Is there a problem?”

  “The only problem is that I haven’t met the man yet. One of the pilots he provided air cover for that day was my little brother Gary. The boy got a little nuts after that, but he started that way, so we can’t damn well blame it on the stress of his service, but the reason he came back at all was because your dad was so accurate. Your father took a hell of a lot of chances so that Gary and a couple of his buddies could limp back to base.” He lifted his glass and waited for Berkley to do the same. “I looked up who it was that day that gave Gary the chance to get out of there with his butt intact. Tell your dad that I look forward to shaking his hand and having him come and talk to my class whenever he’s in town. You come from good stock, Commander.”

  “It really is a small world, isn’t it? Thank you, sir. I’ll have to tell him when I talk to him tonight. He doesn’t talk about those days much, but I’m thinking he’d love to reminisce if you give him the chance. He taught me everything I know, so I’ve heard all the stories. If you could talk him into it, your class will be in for a treat.”

  “I have to tell you that knowing who Aidan’s got watching her back makes me feel a whole lot better. I’m not privy to the goings-on at the Navy anymore, but I’m smart enough to know what you two are headed out to do is not only important but dangerous. I want your word, Commander, that you’ll keep an eye on my little girl. She might be a captain now, but that’s how I feel about her.”

  “That’
s why I’m here, sir, and I won’t let you down.”

  “Are you as faithful as you are dutiful, Commander?” Mary Beth asked.

  “Mary Beth,” Triton said with an edge in his voice.

  “It’s a simple question, honey, so calm down,” Mary Beth said.

  “There’s nothing simple in its implications. Don’t you know it’s a don’t ask, don’t tell policy now?”

  “Every bit as faithful, ma’am. You don’t have any worries on that front either. You don’t have to worry about Aidan at all.” Berkley didn’t think she had to elaborate any further.

  “I’m so glad you all are having such a good time without me,” Aidan said when her father looked like a pot that was getting ready to boil over. “Let’s change the subject.”

  “Why? To make your father happy?” her mother asked. “The Navy he believes in and still misses is the one that would have kept you in the secretarial pool, dear. If I were you I’d wake up and take some action no matter what the stodgy oldsters like your father think. Unless you’re blind, you have to have noticed just how dashing Commander Levine looks in that uniform. Keep playing hard to get and the woman at the next table in the little black dress will deliver her hotel keys wrapped in her underwear before dessert.”

  Triton had to slap Berkley on the back when she swallowed wrong at the end of Mary Beth’s observations. “Sorry,” she gasped as she reached for the water again.

  “I may be stodgy, Mary Beth, but Aidan can’t go around noticing how dashing anyone looks in their uniform, especially if they’re serving under her. She’s a captain in the U.S. Navy, and they still court-martial you for shit like that,” Triton said in a harsh whisper.

  “Guys, no one’s getting court-martialed, so calm down.” Aidan ran her hand along Berkley’s back, trying to get her to start breathing normally again. “Are you all right?”

  “Fine, just went down the wrong way,” Berkley got out in a wheeze.

  “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, Commander, but while my husband is interested in Aidan’s career, I’m her mother and I’m more interested in her happiness.” Her mother looked at Aidan and nodded her head in Berkley’s direction. “I know just how smart you are, baby, but I want you to take a good look at the sailor next to you. That’s what we used to call six feet of happiness just waiting to happen. It’s what I got in your father, just in a shorter package.”

  “I appreciate the vote of confidence, ma’am,” Berkley said.

  “No need to apply for the job I’m hoping you’re interested in. I have every faith in you to do right by Aidan, and that starts with forgiving her for her past misjudgments.” She reached for Berkley’s hand again. “Am I right about that too?”

  “Aidan isn’t to blame for anything, ma’am. We’ve both made mistakes, but this time around we’re going to take it nice and slow so that we don’t repeat any of the mistakes you mentioned,” Berkley forgot about her pride and spoke for Aidan’s parents’ benefit.

  Mary Beth let go of her hand and sat back in her chair and took a deep breath. “I see. Is that how you go about flying, Commander?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What I mean is, do you take those expensive toys the Navy lets you play with and go about your missions nice and slow, with no plan to make sure you’re successful?”

  “No, I wouldn’t say my time in the air could be described as slow,” Berkley said, followed by a small laugh that made her sound nervous.

  “Then how about you get with the program when your feet are on the ground as well? Life is short, and when you find something or someone worth your heart, you shouldn’t dally. Even though Triton is a major pain at times, taking the gamble on spending my life with him has been more than worth it.”

  “Thank you for the advice, and I’ll do my best not to disappoint.” Berkley smiled and glanced down to find Aidan’s hand in her lap. She was sure the squeeze she received to her thigh was Aidan’s way of saying she appreciated Berkley playing along and not just getting up and leaving.

  “See that you don’t and that’s good enough for me.” Mary Beth let go of her again and reached for her wineglass.

  They spent the rest of the evening talking about Aidan’s new commission and Berkley’s time in Fallon. The evening stretched out to dessert and a few cups of coffee before Aidan and Mary Beth excused themselves to the ladies’ room.

  “Finally,” Triton said as if this was the opportunity he’d waited for. “You seem polite enough, and your parents obviously taught you some manners.”

  “But, and I’m guessing here, you don’t think I’m right for her. The policy might mean you can’t ask me, and I’m not obligated to tell you what I want in a partner, but I also know you’re not stupid, so I’m sure I’m not what you had in mind when it came to someone in Aidan’s life.”

  “Mighty presumptuous of you, Cletus.” He pulled a cigar out of his coat pocket and stuck it in his mouth but made no attempt to light it. “Do you mind me calling you Cletus? Your father’s not the only one mentioned in some of that military history I read about. Impressive career so far, and now this assignment.”

  “Not at all, sir, and I’m sorry if I jumped the gun. As for impressive commissions, we both know Aidan wins that competition hands down.”

  “You’re a little right.” He leaned further in to keep their conversation private. “I don’t want my daughter hurt, and it’s not for the reasons Mary Beth accuses me of. I’m sure those manners of yours will keep Aidan out of any embarrassing situations when it comes to her service to her country.”

  “I would never put her in a situation that would blemish not only her name and reputation, but yours as well, sir. Both you and my father served with honor and courage, and I’ll do everything I can to respect that. I just met you, but I feel like you’re no different from my father in that regard.”

  “Like I said, that’s the least of my worries.”

  “Is there anything I can say to help ease your mind about this, sir?”

  “I remember Aidan coming home from Hawaii after you two met and her talking about this young flygirl who had hung the moon, to hear her put it. As a parent, it’s a big part of your job to accept not only who your children are, but who they will become.” He sighed and moved his cigar to the other side of his mouth. “As high as you had her flying is as low as she’s been since you two went your separate ways.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “I know what happened because Mary Beth finally wrangled it out of her, but that makes no difference now, does it? She left because staying would have meant betraying me, or at least that’s what she thought at the time. I love the Navy, Commander, and I’m sorry if what I’ve been preaching all these years has hurt you in any way because Aidan thought I put all that I believe about honor and service over what she wanted. Because let’s face it, what she wants is you, but she walked away from you because of me. If you’re going to blame anyone, don’t let it be her.”

  “I’m not going to lie and tell you that the separation didn’t hurt me, but I’m willing to try again. It’s one of the most important reasons I’m here.”

  “You’d better put your heart and soul into it is all I’m saying. You hurt her trying to make yourself feel better and I’ll make chum out of you.”

  “Duly noted, sir, and I can safely say I’d never do that to her. Aidan is one of those women you think of every day and wonder what if. No amount of time would’ve made me forget her even if we didn’t have this chance.”

  He laughed and slapped Aidan on the back. “She’s like her mama when it comes to driving you crazy. Mary Beth got under my skin from the minute I laid eyes on her, but don’t worry, in a good way. When it finally hit me that she was the one, damn if she hasn’t given me the time of my life ever since. Aidan’s also like her mama when it comes to making up her mind as to just how quick she wants the ring and the commitment that comes with it. You’re still thinking about how great she looks in a skirt, and damn if she hasn
’t planned the rest of your life for you,” he said making Berkley think he wasn’t talking about Aidan.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

  “You’re it for her, so you might as well go ahead and accept that and get with the program, like Mary Beth said. Trust me when I tell you it’ll be better for all of us involved, especially me. My wife has made me a happy man, but she’s hell to live with when she’s upset about something. Her daughter’s broken heart,” he said and laughed, “yeah, her daughter, because this somehow is my fault. So her daughter’s broken heart upset her. Sitting here, though, is the cure for that.” He pointed at her with his cigar. “Whatever you do, don’t screw it up for yourself, but more importantly, for me.”

  Berkley laughed with him. “I’ll keep that in mind, and thanks, sir. It makes a big difference that you and Mrs. Sullivan are so supportive.”

  “That we are, and when you get back let’s see if we can do something about bringing your father up here for some of his war stories.”

  “After this mission I’m sure we’ll have some R and R, and I’d love to introduce you to my father. I’m sure you’ll have a lot in common.”

  “It should be close to the Fourth of July when you two get back, so that’ll be a great time of year for family.” Triton stuck out his hand again and nodded when Berkley didn’t hesitate to seal their deal.

  “You didn’t just demand their firstborn, did you?” Mary Beth asked Triton when they returned. She and Aidan exchanged smiles when their dates jumped to attention as soon as they spotted them.

  “Just making polite conversation while you were gone. Don’t worry about it,” Triton said, removing the cigar.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll wheedle it out of you later, but for now it’s time for the parents to make a graceful exit.” Mary Beth leaned toward Aidan and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Commander. It was nice to finally meet you after hearing about you for so long. You lived up to the hype.”

  “The pleasure was mine, ma’am, and thank you for dinner, sir.”