by Jaime Lewis
“Hey, what’s with the pout?”
“I want to get married soon, but Ace and Alex’s wedding is in a few weeks.”
“And? What does their wedding have to do with us getting married? Do you want a big wedding?”
She shook her head, no. “I only have my mom, Alex plus Derek, and Alex’s uncles. How about you?”
“I only have my team. They’re my family.”
She nuzzled his neck. “So are we talking a small wedding then? Maybe, I can ask Alex if we could use her backyard. It would be the perfect setting with that large patio deck she has. Plus, she has those built-in heaters so that the cold temperatures wouldn’t be an issue. We can keep it simple and invite the team, Alex and her uncles—since they are like family to me—and of course, my mom. We could probably pull it off in the next week or two.”
Potter thought about it. They weren’t scheduled for any training or deployments, but that didn’t mean the shit couldn’t hit the fan, and they’d be sent out on a moment’s notice. But if they could pull it off, why not?
“Do you think you and your partner in crime can pull it all together even with you hiding out?”
She grinned at him. “Oh, Alex and I can pull anything off when we put our heads together.”
He chuckled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She laughed and kissed him.
“I’ll call Alex tomorrow, right now I want to make love to my fiancé.”
He smiled. “I like the sound of that, but I’ll be happier when you call me your husband.”
“Soon.” With her on top of him, she leaned down and kissed him. “Now, less talking and a little more loving, please.”
“Oh, honey. Are you trying to boss me around the bedroom?” He gripped her hips and flipped her onto her back. She was laughing until he thrust into her in one swift movement, and then she was moaning and calling his name. Oh yes, she could definitely handle being Potter’s wife.
Chapter Sixteen
A couple of days had passed, and there had been no sign of Chaz, Esteban, or their men. But Alex had called Potter and Tenley the other day and told them that a vase of flowers had been left on Tenley’s front doorstep. Alex didn’t need to tell her who they were from. She knew it had been Chaz. It was the same game he liked to play with her over and over again. Be mad with her one day and then try to buy her forgiveness the next day. Now that she had Potter by her side and his team backing her up, the game was over.
She finally got the opportunity to call and explain to her mom and Alex everything minus the part about knowing who Miguel or Dante really was. To say they were upset was a stretch. They were downright furious with her that she hadn’t come to them for help. But in the end, after Tenley explained, they understood. They cried with her over her losing the baby. But then those tears turned to excitement when she told them that Potter had proposed to her and they would be planning another wedding together.
Alex had been thrilled they wanted to use her backyard for the small gathering. Tenley truly believed that Alex was just excited to plan and host another party. So, for the past four days, the two of them spoke over the phone every waking minute. At least that was what it felt like as they started pulling everything together for the wedding that would take place next weekend.
It was now Monday evening, and she and Potter were in his truck heading to Bayside to meet everyone for dinner. It was the first time she’d seen Alex since the night of Derek’s birthday party. When they arrived and walked in, she immediately ran over and embraced her friend.
“God, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too. You look good.” Tenley didn’t take the comment personally. She knew she had let herself go over the last few months. But staying with Potter for the past couple of days had helped. She’d been able to catch up on some much needed sleep. Well, except for when he decides to wake her in the middle of the night, claiming he needed a midnight snack. She was okay with being his “snack” and didn’t mind losing sleep with him.
Alex tugged her hand and motioned her to sit down next to her. The two of them were sandwiched in between Ace and Potter.
As the waitress approached to take their drink orders, Tenley looked up to order and ended up locking eyes with Suzette from across the room. The smirk that the bitch had on her face meant she was looking for trouble. Tenley watched as the blonde bimbo strutted over to their table. Her hips swayed all the while she had her sights set on Potter, and that just pissed off Tenley. Jesus did this woman ever give up.
Potter must have sensed her uneasiness because he clutched her jean-clad thigh with his large hand and squeezed. Tenley clenched her fists under the table. Suzette didn’t want to mess with her tonight. Dammit, she just wanted one freaking night of no drama to enjoy with her friends and family.
“Potter, I didn’t realize you were joining everyone tonight. I’ve missed seeing you.” Suzette said in her squeaky high-pitched voice as she tried to act all seductive. She placed her hands on the empty chair across from them and leaned forward, exposing a massive amount of cleavage that Tenley swore was new. She had boobs, but not that big. Tenley actually chuckled as she thought of the perfect nickname for the little witch.
Potter wanted to reply, but Alex beat him to it, surprising everyone. “Beat it, Suzette. This is a private party, and you’re not wanted here.”
“I don’t believe I was talking to you.” She snapped back at Alex, and judging from the angry expression and narrowed eyes on Alex’s face, Tenley was betting that Suzette had crossed a line.
“You know Suzette; you have such the reputation around here that if they were to name a cookie after you, they’d call you a whoreo. Make that a double stuffed whoreo with the way you got those plastic boobs stuffed in that teeny-bopper dress you’re wearing.”
Tenley couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped her. But she couldn’t let her friend have all the fun. “I think cum dumpster has a better ring to it.” Then without missing a beat, she snagged Alex’s drink and took a big sip.
Suzette gasped as everyone started laughing and giving Tenley and Alex high-fives. Maybe it was a little childish for name-calling, but it was better than letting Alex go after her. You would think after being humiliated in front of people that Suzette would get the message, but no. She turned her attention back to Tenley and Tenley saw the claws were coming out.
“You bitch. Who do you think you are? I didn’t hear Chaz complaining when I was in his bed last night.”
Tenley couldn’t help the shocked look on her face. Not that she was upset that Chaz had stuck his dick in Suzette, but she was surprised Suzette knew about her and Chaz.
Suzette snarled. “Yeah, that’s right. He came in here asking about you, but once I told him you’d been shacking up with another man, you were just a thing of the past.”
Once Tenley had gotten past that fact that Chaz had come into the bar looking for her, she turned her glare at Suzette, who still held that bitchy smirk. She wished she could wipe that fucking smirk off her face, but instead she looked at smiled. “I’m very happy for you, and I only wish you and Chaz the absolute best.”
“You do?” Suzette admitted, looking surprised by Tenley’s revelation.
“I am. You see my mom,” Tenley pointed to her mom sitting at the other end of the table next to Derek, “she taught me to give my used toys to the less fortunate.”
“Tenley Marie.” Her mom gasped, but then couldn’t hold back the laughter and it caused everyone else to join in.
However, Suzette wasn’t one to back down, and before things escalated from name-calling to fists being thrown, Potter stood up, towering over her. He gave her a stare down that would make Big Foot piss himself.
“Suzette, let’s just settle this now. I never have and never will be interested in you. I’m also going to go out on a limb here and say that goes for every man sitting at this table as well.” Tenley smiled when all of the guys nodded in agreement. None of them had ever slept
with Suzette. Irish was the only one to take her on a date, but even he wouldn’t sleep with her. And that was saying something because Irish was a man whore.
Potter looked at Tenley sitting next to him and gave her a grin before turning his attention back on Suzette. “You see, I’ve got all the company I’ll need for the rest of my life right here.” He brought up Tenley’s left hand from under the table and brought it to his lips.
Suzette’s eyes went wide as saucers when she spotted the ring on Tenley’s finger. Then her face turned so red Tenley swore steam would soon be shooting out of her ears.
“You’re engaged?” She shrieked, drawing attention to their table. Then she looked at Tenley, who couldn’t help but smile.
“I am, so if you don’t mind, please leave and don’t ever come near myself or Tenley again.”
On an exaggerated huff, Suzette whirled around and stomped off.
Tenley suddenly felt nervous. If Suzette knew Chaz, she could tell Chaz about the engagement. She felt Potter squeeze her hand, and from his knowing look, he knew what she was thinking. Just to make her life complicated by meddling, Suzette was probably on the phone with him now, telling him what she just learned.
“Potter…”
“Shhh…Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her temple, but Tenley still felt uneasy.
Stitch pulled out his pocket hand sanitizer he carried with him religiously and used a napkin to smear some along the back of the empty chair next to him that Suzette was holding on to. “Stitch, what the hell are you doing?” Ace asked, looking both amused and confused.
Stitch curled his lip up in disgust. “Can you imagine where her hands have been? I don’t want that nasty shit anywhere near me.” Everyone laughed, but Stitch’s words were spot on.
Tenley managed to push aside the negative thoughts and focus on the enjoyable night with her family. She glanced around the table as everyone talked and laughed. Now that she had all of this back, she wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way.
◆◆◆
As the night wound down, Potter and Tenley were making their way toward the door when Derek stopped them.
He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Tenley, I received an interesting call this morning from a lady claiming she was a social worker with Hearts for Borders.” He gave her a look with raised eyebrows and a half-smile.
Tenley’s eyes widened with surprise. It had only been about a month since she had left Ecuador, and the last time she spoke with Donna, the director for the organization, she said it would probably take a couple of months to get all of the adoption paperwork for Alejandra to go through. She hadn’t expected to hear anything this soon, though she was elated to hear the process was moving forward.
She looked at her mom, then Potter, then back over to Derek. This was something she hadn’t told a soul she was doing. At the time she made the decision, it had only been her. She didn’t have the renewed support surrounding her that she did now, surrounding her.
She licked her dry lips. Shit, she probably should have mentioned Alejandra to Potter sometime over the last few days, but in all honesty with everything going on, it had slipped her mind. She was pretty sure that Derek knew what was going on since the social worker had reached out to him, and she was grateful that he didn’t go spilling the beans to her mother.
“Could the four of us sit for a few minutes? There’s something I need to tell you all.”
She looked up at Potter, and his eyebrows were scrunched together. Christ, she hoped this wasn’t a deal-breaker. She couldn’t bail on Alejandra.
Once everyone had taken a seat at one of the small tables near the back of the restaurant, Tenley took a deep breath and started telling them about the beautiful little girl she hoped to one day have as a daughter. She knew the guys had met Alejandra and had fallen head over heels for this sweet girl, but they didn’t know exactly how attached she had become to Alejandra.
“Potter, I will understand if this is something that you don’t want. And I swear I didn’t keep this from you on purpose. With everything that has happened over the last couple of days, my mind has been elsewhere. But, I can’t give up on her. I’m really all she has.”
Potter gave her a heated glare, and she swore that if she were combustible, she would have exploded.
“Are you fucking kidding me? What kind of a person do you think I am that I would turn my back on that innocent little girl? A little girl that has apparently captured your heart and love. I’d be honored to stand beside you, and help give life back to that girl who has lost everything near and dear to her.”
“Really? You’re not upset?”
“No. In fact, I already knew and gave Derek a heads up.”
“You did? H-how did you know?” She asked, looking between him and Derek. Derek winked at her.
“Shelia mentioned it when I was asking her some questions about Alejandra. I don’t know why, but one look into those big brown eyes of hers, and she instantly found a spot in my heart. I wanted to make sure that she was going to be cared for, and that was when Shelia told me you had already inquired about adopting her,” He took Tenley’s small hands into his much larger ones. “I want to raise her with you. I want us to be a family, Ten.”
She looped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight and sniffled. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” He kissed the side of her head, then looked over when Derek cleared his throat.
“I think that little girl affected the entire team. I know I damn well wanted to snatch her and take her home with us,” Derek said, smiling. “Anyways, the social worker said that she would be reaching out to you this week to schedule a home visit. I took the liberty of telling her the news of your engagement. She was pleased to hear that Alejandra would be placed into a stable home with both a mother and father figure. She also said if there are no hold-ups in the paperwork and the home inspection goes well, your daughter could be arriving in two to four weeks.”
Juliette reached out and took hold of Tenley’s hand. Her eyes were glistening with tears. “I’m so proud of you, honey. Everything that you have overcome the last few months is beyond incredible, and not to mention the amount of strength within you. You are going to be a wonderful mom and soon to be wife.” She glanced over at Potter, who had his arm draped over Tenley’s shoulder. “And you…I know you SEALs have a reputation to keep. But underneath all that armor, you are such a loving and compassionate man, Potter. You are going to be a fantastic father. I’m elated to call you my son-in-law. I’m so happy for the both of you.” A tear slipped out of her eye, and Tenley watched as Derek wiped it from her cheek and gave her a gentle kiss where the tear was.
“Oh, good, you guys are still here.”
Tenley looked up and saw Ace and Alex coming back in. They all watched as Alex hurried over to the table and bent down to look under it. “Thank god,” she mumbled when she stood back up, holding her wallet in her hand. “It must have fallen out when I accidentally knocked over my purse earlier. It’s a good thing Ace wanted to stop at the store next door, or I wouldn’t have realized it was missing until who knows when.”
Alex stopped rambling and looked between the four of them sitting at the table. “Is everything okay?” Ace wrapped his arm around Alex’s waist and pulled her back against him.
“I think they were having a private conversation and we interrupted them.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “Oh! I’m so sorry. How rude of me. We’ll get out of your hair.” She hugged everyone, then walked over to her dad and kissed him on the cheek.
Tenley smiled and glanced up at Potter. He was beaming, and he gave her a nod knowing what she was silently asking of him. She gave his hand a slight squeeze and cleared her throat. “Actually, if you guys have a few minutes, there’s some news that Potter and I would like to share.”
Tenley had to hide her laugh because rarely did anything go unnoticed by Alex, and by the puzzled expression on her
face, it was quite obvious that what she was going to share with her best friend was going to knock her socks off. She waited until the two of them took the seats across from them.
“While I was in Ecuador, one of the victims I treated was a little girl. Her name is Alejandra. Her parents were killed when their house collapsed with all three of them inside.” She saw Alex’s eyes start to get glassy and Ace handed her a napkin.
“From the moment she and I met, we had formed a bond. Besides getting her patched up, my main concern was what would happen to her since she had no other family. The orphanages they have down there aren’t the greatest, and that was even if she got placed in one. It killed me knowing that after we left, she could become homeless with no one to love her or take care of her. Ace, you met her.”
Ace smiled. “I did. And I have to say; she’s a real sweetheart.” He looked at Potter and chuckled. “Shit, man. She had you wrapped around her tiny fingers in a matter of minutes.”
Potter shook his head and smiled. “I know. It’s crazy. She is special and deserves a great home with a loving family.”
“So, are you guys helping to find her a home down there? Who is she with right now? Is she safe? Is there anything we can help with?” Alex hammered out the questions one right after the other, and it made Tenley chuckle.
“She is being taken care of right now by my friend and colleague Shelia, who I worked with while I was down there. She’ll be in her care until the adoption goes through, which should happen in a matter of weeks, hopefully.”
“Do you know anything about the family adopting her? I mean, are they suitable?” Alex asked.
“Alex, you know the adoptive parents very well, and I was hoping you guys could help with her transition to her new home when the time comes,” Tenley said, giving Derek and her a mom a wink. Alex gave her a confused look, but Tenley didn’t miss the smirk Ace gave Potter.