by Amanda Boone
“Hey Karen,” the day nurse, who’d become a dear friend, called out.
“Hi Rosie,” Allison smiled. “I hate being called Karen. I know that’s what my ID said, but it sounds so odd and exhausting. “Who names their infant Karen?”
“Couldn’t tell you doll,” Rosie smiled. “But I do have an idea as to how we can jog your memory.”
“Tell me,” Allison said, taking a seat in the cafeteria with her coffee. She waited for Rosie to join her and then she sighed. “I’m desperate. Nothing’s right. I can’t say why, but it’s just not right.”
“You’re going to tell me a story. A story about yourself. All I want you to do is keep talking. Close your eyes, start at point A and go full steam ahead to Point B. Don’t think about what you’re going to say or how it sounds, just talk.”
“Okay,” Allison smiled. “I was once a little girl and I wanted more than anything for my sister and I to get adopted. We were glued to each other and I knew that whoever took me would also love her. We’d grow up to be the best of friends and everything would be peachy. Then the day finally came when I got adopted, but they didn’t take both of us. They only took me and I cried and cried for my sister. She was my best friend and they’d ripped us apart.
Eventually I grew up and memories of my sister faded to the back of my cluttered mind. I’m getting ready for a flight to visit the college I want to attend when a soldier bumps into me. He apologizes and I can’t stop staring. He’s so damn good looking, all dressed up in his uniform. His white hat tucked under his arm. He’s extends his hand and says, “I’m really very sorry ma’am. Private First Class Brody Crowley at your service.”
I thanked him for his sacrifice and before I knew it we were exchanging emails. He said he had to be gone for a year on deployment or he’d take me out to dinner to make up for almost trampling him. I told him I’d take him up on it when he returned.
“Stop Karen,” Rosie said, smiling. “I think you found the Marine you remember.”
“Brody Crowley,” Allison whispered. “I don’t know where he is though.”
“Well, seems to me he’d be close by if you’re here.”
“Camp Lejeune is the only military installment that’s even remotely close to here.”
“It’s worth a try don’t you think?”
Allison smiled. With Rosie’s help, Allison called the main office headquarters for Camp Lejeune and requested a connection to Brody Crowley’s room.
“May I ask whose calling ma’am?” the young woman asked. “It’s a matter of formality.”
“Tell him it’s an old friend.” Allison tapped her foot in a nervous rhythm as she waited.
“Brody Crowley,” came a voice on the phone.
“Brody, you’re Brody Crowley?” Allison asked, her voice trembling.
“Allison?” Brody said into the phone. “What’s the matter sweetheart? Are you in trouble?”
“My name’s Allison?” she asked, her mind racing to catch up.
“Where are you darling?” Allison told Brody where she was and that she’d be waiting in the cafeteria. “You stay right there. I’m coming to get you.”
Allison hung up and turned to Rosie who was smiling. “I knew we’d figure it out. Now that doesn’t mean that all your memories will come back this fast, if they come back at all.”
“Will you wait with me?”
“If he makes it here within the next thirty minutes, I’ll be here girl.” Rosie managed to squeak by and was holding Allison’s hand when Brody stepped through the door. He was in his fatigues and instantly knew Allison.
“God look at you,” Brody said, his eyes furious. “What happened sweetheart?”
“I don’t know,” Allison said, taking in his face. She reached out and gently touched his cheek as a flood of memories washed over her. When Brody’s arms came around her to steady her she giggled. “Oh god it’s so nice to remember you.”
“I could say the same thing,” Brody smiled. “When you left last night I couldn’t figure out why everything seemed so off.”
“Brody,” Allison said, her eyes dark, serious. “Whoever you were with last night wasn’t me. I’ve been here for two days and three nights.” She didn’t miss how he looked over her head at Rosie to confirm what she’d said.
“No,” Brody said, patiently holding her hand. “You and I, we…”
“I’m telling you, whoever it was that was with you, wasn’t me. I’m still trembling from meeting you. Did I seem this nervous last night?”
“No, but you did seem a little too relaxed.”
“I’m never relaxed,” Allison smiled. “Especially with the wedding coming up.”
“What did I give you when I got back this time around Ally?”
“From Afghanistan?” Allison said. “You bought me a computer, said it was top of the line so I could finally do my writing without losing my work over and over again.”
“Oh thank god!” Brody said, yanking Allison close to him. He bent his head and kissed her, relishing the shaking in her muscles. “I’m right here sweetheart. I’m never letting you go again.”
“Good, because whatever happened to me was bad, really bad.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Brody promised.
***
Karen showed her pass at the gate and was asked to pull over to the right for further verification. “Is there a problem?”
“It’ll just be a minute ma’am,” the soldier said as he waited by her car. Karen tapped her fingers lightly on the steering wheel and hummed as sh e waited. Today was the day she found herself a real man to wind around her finger, preferably she’d hit the jackpot with a master sergeant at least. Hopefully a single soldier with no children to tie him down. She was well into her daydream when a jeep pulled up and Brody got out. The soldier by her car immediately turned and saluted Ale sure lison’s fiancé. Impressive, even if she didn’t care about him. The fact that other men had to bow to him was more of a turn on than she’d anticipated.
“At ease soldier,” Brody said. “What’s this about?”
“Sir we received word that this woman was already on post. We detained her to make sure that the facts we had were valid sir.”
“Allison?” Brody said, bending over at her door. “You okay?”
“I’m great Brody,” Karen smiled. He smiled back and winked at her.
“That’s absolutely wonderful.” Brody stood up and nodded to the MP’s who’d arrived while he was talking to the woman he’d mistaken for Allison.
“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car. Leave the keys in the ignition.”
“Is there a problem Brody?” Brody gave her a hard, furious look and walked over to the side of his jeep. When he opened the door, he watched the woman’s eyes widen almost unnoticeably when Allison stepped out of the truck.
“Actually, you’re under arrest for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Be thankful that Miss Duvaine isn’t military personnel or you’d be under arrest for impersonating a member of the armed forces as well Miss Dubarry. Don’t forget her Miranda rights.”
Brody watched the arrest to be sure it was done by the book and then he walked Allison back to the jeep. “You’re shaking,” he said to Allison as he helped her up.
“I’m angry,” Allison said. “I’m angry that she tricked you. I’m angry that she nearly got away with changing my life forever. She made me lose my memory and everything I knew. She made me think I was crazy.” Brody pulled her close as tears welled in her eyes.
“It’s alright now sweetheart,” Brody said. He returned Allison to his apartment and headed over to his CO’s office.
***
“Come in,” Brody heard when he knocked on his Commanding Officer’s door. Brody entered at attention and stood saluting his CO. “As you were. What can I do for you sergeant?”
“Sir, I just had the MP’s arrest a woman who impersonated my fiancé. She not only impersonated her, but she assaulted my fia
ncé when she was off post and stole her car under the falsehood as well.”
“Have we turned her over to the police yet?”
“Not that I’m aware of sir.”
“Alright,” Lieutenant Johnson said. “I’ll see that she’s properly handed over. Is your fiancé alright?”
“She’s a little shook up sir, but seems to be alright otherwise.”
“Good. Take the afternoon to see that she’s comfortable. We’ll see you back to work at 0700.”
“Yes sir,” Brody said, snapping to attention and saluting the Lieutenant before turning a one hundred and eighty degree turn and exiting his CO’s office. Brody made a stop by the Commissary to pick up some things for dinner and headed over to his apartment. He walked in to find Allison sleeping soundly on his bed. Love swamped him as he put the cold food in the fridge. He left the dry goods where they were and moved to the side of his bed to watch Allison sleep.
“I love you Ally,” he whispered against her ear. She stirred and turned sleepy eyes on him. Her smiled was slow and warm, irresistible. Moving an inch or two, Brody took her lips under his, drawing out their kiss until Allison moaned. She pulled away first and smiled broader.
“I love you too sergeant,” Allison grinned. “But just now you’re going to want me to brush my teeth.”
“Hurry,” Brody said, tapping her on the butt as she got up. He heard her brushing her teeth and laid on the bed waiting. It’d been forever it seemed since he’d touched her. With the events of the last week throwing their lives into upheaval, Brody planned to make use of his day off and enjoy spending much needed quality time with Allison. He thought momentarily about asking her if she’d like to go for a walk or to the beach, but when she stepped out of the bathroom in just her bra and panties, every thought in his head flew out the proverbial window.
Stunning didn’t begin to describe her, with her long legs and smooth, toned stomach. Her breasts rose off her chest like offerings to the gods and Brody was sure he must have done something right in life to have a woman like Allison agree to be his wife. He wasn’t boastful, but damn she was beautiful. “I guess a walk is out huh?” he smiled.
“Not entirely,” Allison smiled. “But just now I have a craving for a different cardio workout.”
He was sitting up on his bed now and slid his hands up her thighs and hips when she drew close enough. Her honey blonde hair fell over his face when she bent to kiss him. That first contact rippled desire straight to his toes as he allowed Allison to lead him. She climbed onto his lap and sat back, lifting his white t-shirt over his head. “I’ve missed you,” Brody found himself saying. He didn’t want to think about how close he’d come to losing her, how close he’d come to marrying a woman he didn’t even know, didn’t want to know.
“The feeling’s mutual soldier,” Allison smiled. “But you’ve committed an atrocity in the eyes of the military. I’m afraid I’m going to have to punish you for that.”
“I won’t be court martialed will I?”
“That remains to be seen,” she chuckled. “But I can guarantee you’re going to suffer some. Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, running. It’s all on the menu for you.”
“I’ll give you a push-up,” Brody laughed, lifting Allison into the air until she squealed. “You want more?”
“So much more,” Allison said as he lowered her. Her mouth found his and sank into the love that drove them. Heat and arousal built moisture between her thighs and urged her on as she ground her hips against him. “Brody, please.”
Breathless, Allison unhooked her own bra and tossed in on the floor as Brody’s warm lips touched her. His wet tongue slid seductively over her taught nipples, first one and then the other lavishing attention on both of her breasts until she moaned. She rocked against Brody as need coursed through her. Her hands found his tank top and pulled it off, wanting to tear the rest of his uniform off to find the flesh underneath.
“Easy Ally,” Brody smiled. “You can’t go this fast.”
***
“Please babe,” she groaned. Her hands fumbled with the buckle of his uniform belt and Brody laughed. Laying back on his bed, he undid his belt and pants, which Allison dispatched with the same quick hands he’d come to love. Arousal was easy to come by when the woman he loved was so steeped in it. Soon he found himself stripped bare and easily tucked Allison beneath him.
“I love you Allison Duvaine,” Brody whispered against her ear as he covered her. He ripped her panties off her body, enjoying the way her hips bucked against him. Foreplay was kept to a minimum mainly because Brody knew she was already aroused enough, already wet. She was writhing beneath him, her body trembling as need knifed through her.
Grabbing her hips, Brody filled her and steeped himself in the pleasure of her long moan. They fell and rose together, their rhythm one of love, respect and understanding. Brody took her up slowly, building her so that she’d peak on a long orgasm. He wanted her body to weep with pleasure and satisfaction. His hands slid over her body, kneading her breasts and squeezing their tight tips so that she bucked against him, taking him deeper. Her warmth thrilled him, urging him on. When she was close, Brody backed off, letting her body slow its climb. Over and over again he drove her up and back down, driving her crazy and pushing himself as well. Her nails dug into his shoulders creating a pleasurable pain that only fueled his own need. Control slipped through his fingers as he found the wet mound of her clit. Touching her sent Allison’s body spiking against him, burying him so deep. She crashed over that glorious edge and Brody was helpless to do anything but jump after her.
“Can we move the wedding up?” Allison said, pressing a kiss to his shoulder as he lay on top of her. His weight felt natural, as if she’d been built to hold him in this intimate scene.
“Seriously?” Brody asked. “We’ve already sent the invitations out though. The dates been set for a year.”
“I know,” Allison said, her bright eyes shining. “I’m just getting anxious. I can’t believe we’re down to our last six months. The waiting is starting to wear on me.”
“Nonsense,” Brody smiled. “You just stick with me a little longer babe and I promise we’ll have the wedding you always dreamed of. Then we’ll work on the marriage both of us have been dreaming of.”
“Do you ever worry that we put more planning into the wedding than our marriage?”
“No,” Brody said, finally lifting off of her. He made himself comfortable on the other side of the bed and tucked them both beneath his sheet and comforter. When Allison snuggled close to him, resting her head on his chest, he pressed a kiss to her hair. “I’m not saying that we haven’t invested more time, especially lately on the wedding, but Ally you have to remember where we started. When I first took you out after my deployment you barely said two words to me. I remember wondering if I was really interested in a woman who could write me a novel love letter, but couldn’t talk to me face to face. Eventually though, we worked through it all. We became best friends and I for one have never been more thankful for you. So what’s the real reason you’re so antsy now?”
“I just want to know that nothing will come along to ruin what we’ve built and plan to build.”
“Nothing like Karen, or nothing like your eye?” Brody asked. He felt her stiffen. “Allison, if you had lost the sight in both eyes, I’d still love you. I love that when I look at you I see my best friend. I see a woman who is strong, capable and more self-assured than she wants to admit. I see a woman who loves me with all of my flaws and scars. You are my rock sweetheart and I will work every day to be yours. So trust me when I say that nothing will come along to ruin our day.”
“Promise,” Allison whispered, tears evident in her voice.
“Ally,” Brody said, turning so he could see her face. “Baby I asked you to marry me because I’m in love with you and I love you. You are the light when it’s only darkness around me. You shine when nothing else does and I’m going to be in love with you in five years and ten and
twenty-five.”
“Brody I’m pregnant,” Allison said without so much as a breath to give him pause.
“You. You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?” Brody asked, a smile slowly spreading over his lips. His hand reached out to touch her womb, his fingers spanning the place their new baby nestled.
“I found out at the hospital,” Allison said, tears falling off her cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I-“
“You don’t have a thing to apologize for sweetie,” Brody smiled. “You’re the woman I love and you’re carrying my child.”
“Your parents are going to-“
“Think that you’re amazing,” Brody cut her off. “Do you know how ecstatic my mother’s going to be? She’d wanted a grandbaby since I entered the service. Kept talking about how I should meet a pretty girl and settle down. When I told her that I’d fallen in love with you she was practically planning the wedding before I’d even bought a ring to ask you.”
Allison laughed. “I can so see Jennifer doing that.”
Yawning, Allison nestled down close to Brody and listened to his heart beat. Her hand covered her womb and flexed when Brody’s hand joined hers. They had a ways to go yet, but knowing he loved their child even now put Allison’s mind and heart at ease. He wouldn’t turn her away for her eye, or for knowing about the baby and not telling him. She kissed his chest and fell asleep to the soft sound of his heartbeat and the tinkling sound of rain outside.
***
Epilogue
Allison stood in front of the mirror and smiled. They’d decided to keep the wedding date the same and she’d had her dress modified to accommodate the baby that was quickly taking up the space in her abdomen.
“You ready?” Jennifer asked, a bright smile on her face. “Let’s go make you an official Crowley.”
“Okay,” Allison smiled. Jennifer helped her walk down the stairs without tripping on her dress.