Bootyversary: Booty Call Series

by Love, Frankie

  I feel my legs give out, and someone steadies me, but my heart feels like it’s been ripped from my chest. Because I know that no one could have survived the impact of that explosion.

  * * *

  “Lance Easton,” I tell the nurse again. “I was told they brought him here.”

  It’s been three hours since I watched the building explode with Lance inside. Although according to some of the witnesses I talked to, he escaped out the back entrance with another child before the building erupted in debris and flames.

  Like the other victims, he was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital. But no one can tell me anything.

  “Please,” I tell her, desperate for any news.

  “Are you family?” she asks.

  I don’t hesitate to lie. “Yes. I’m his...wife.”

  She frowns but nods when her gaze drops to my belly. “Okay, follow me.”

  “So he’s all right?”

  “He’s stable at the moment.”

  I burst into tears when she leads me to a small room and I see Lance lying there, his large body looking way too big for the small bed. There are tubes in him, and his eyes are closed, his face covered in dirt and soot, but he looks all in one piece, and the monitors beep with a steady rhythm.

  He’s going to be alright, I tell myself. He has to be. Because I still need to tell him the truth.

  I love him.

  Chapter Nine

  Lance

  Before I open my eyes, I am already seeing visions of the woman I love. My heart is Peyton’s and for a moment I doubted that I’d ever see her face again.

  I blink, and the ringing in my ears begins to fade and then there she is. Next to me, squeezing my hand. Tears in her perfect hazel eyes.

  “He’s awake!” she shouts. My eyelids flutter as I come to, taking in the fact that I’m in a hospital room. Flashes from before start barreling against me. An explosion. A family screaming for help. Running into the building without a moment’s hesitation.

  I reach for her, but it’s painful. My body doesn’t feel like my own. My vision is still blurry, and I try to take in what is happening. But my eyes close. And I can’t open them no matter how hard I try.

  “Help!” Peyton cries, her voice trying to pull me from the deep current of sleep. “We need a doctor!” I feel her hands on me, hear her begging, “Don’t leave me, Lance. Please. Stay with me.”

  But I’m already slipping away.

  * * *

  When my eyes open a second time, I see Commander Miller. He sits up when I try to speak, when I try to put words together...but it’s impossible. My body is heavy, so damn heavy, like a million weights are resting on my chest and something is pinning my limbs down.

  I see Peyton. For a split second there she is ... waiting for me.

  Commander Miller calls for a doctor and I want to thank him for being here. For me.

  But my mouth feels like cotton, my eyelids like lead weights.

  “It’s okay, son, you’re gonna pull through,” he says.

  “Peyton,” I try to say. But I can’t. I can’t say anything at all.

  And I’m falling back into the darkness again, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

  * * *

  This time, when I wake, I refuse to go back under. I need Peyton. Need to see her. Visions of her giving birth, of holding my child in my arms, of kissing her, seem to have broken me free from the trance I was in.

  I need Peyton. Need to be with her. And she needs me. Our baby needs me.

  “Lance?” Peyton’s voice slices through the fog and her hands are on my face. “Lance? I’m here.”

  I blink, her touch steadying me, and she presses her lips to mine as a doctor tells her to move back, but she refuses. She kisses me, clinging to me.

  “I thought I lost you,” she says, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve been in and out for a week.”

  My eyes widen as the room comes into focus. A week?

  “I was so scared,” she says, not wanting to let me go even though a doctor is here. “But you’re going to be alright.” Tears stream down her cheek, and I manage enough strength to brush them away.

  The doctor explains my injury, how I was in and out of consciousness, they call it a self-induced coma. My body’s way of letting myself heal from the trauma.

  “I remember running out of the building,” I say, the events coming back to me slowly.

  I’d seen the explosion as I’d driven by, and when I’d pulled over and heard the screams inside, I hadn’t thought, I just took action. I’d gotten one child out, and then the mother, but there was another boy, a toddler. I’d barely gotten out of the building, the child in my arms, when everything went black.

  “Is the child okay?” I ask, needing to know the little boy is alright.

  The doctor’s features soften. “Yes, he’s alive and well because of you. The whole family is.”

  “You are a hero, Lance Easton,” Commander Miller says as he enters my hospital room and I try to sit up, wanting to give him the respect he deserves.

  “I’m honored that you’re here when there are more urgent places you could be,” I say, as Peyton walks toward my Commander.

  “Dad, tell him he’s wrong.” Peyton looks over at the Commander with a knowing smile.

  “She’s right,” Commander says. “The whole family has been here waiting for your recovery.”

  “Family?” I try to understand what’s happening.

  “Yeah,” Peyton says, taking my hand in hers. “Your Commander is also my dad. We figured it out the moment my parents arrived at the hospital to wait with me.” I must have a shocked look on my face because Peyton continues. “I never told them who the father of my child was, I wanted to wait until I could tell you.”

  Commander Miller smiles, squeezing his daughter’s shoulder. “She spent her life saying she wasn’t going to be with a man like her old man.” He chuckles, glancing down at Peyton with a look full of love and pride. “I never took offense to it because I knew my little girl was scared of losing someone she cared about. And I love my work, you know that, Lance, more than most people. But it’s meant my family has suffered.”

  Peyton’s fear in moving forward with me had nothing to do with how she felt about me as a person, I get that she’s scared of losing someone she loves. It’s a fear she’s been carrying around her whole life.

  “I know my daughter cares a great deal about you, Lance,” he continues. “And I know she thought she might be letting me down with this pregnancy. But I’ll tell you.” Commander Miller shakes his head and chuckles. “The moment I realized who the father of her child was I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this little one would have a loyal and fierce protector for a dad.”

  I admit to choking up then. “That means a great deal, Commander Miller,” I say, as he gives me a hug.

  “You can call me Dad, son,” he says. And those broken parts of me, the ones that got all fucked up when I was a kid - they damn near heal with those generous words.

  Chapter Ten

  Peyton

  I stand at the kitchen window and glance outside, one hand on my lower back and the other on my enormous belly. Lance and my dad are in the backyard talking, and the way they stand I know whatever they’re talking about is serious.

  It was a shock to me when I figured out that my dad was his commanding officer. A good kind of shock, especially when I saw how much my father cared about him. As well as the other members of his team. Lance was right when he said they were his family. The support they’ve shown him over the last few weeks as he recovered was bordering on smothering.

  “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” my mom asks, coming up beside me.

  “Like a beached whale,” I tell her honestly. I nod outside, toward my dad and Lance. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

  A small smile tugs at her lips and she just shrugs. “I’m sure just work stuff.”

  My chest squeezes. “I know
he’ll have another mission soon, but it’s been nice having him home.”

  The last few weeks since he’s been released from the hospital has been the longest we’ve ever spent together. And it’s been wonderful.

  My mom squeezes my hand. “Just enjoy every moment you have. Life goes by so fast.” She tears up. “I mean, look at you. My baby is having her own baby.”

  I hug her. “I love you, Mom. And I’m so glad I’ll have you around when...” Now it’s my turn to get choked up. “When Lance is gone.” I pull back and wipe away the tears that have spilled over my cheek. “Do you ever regret it?”

  She tilts her head. “Regret what?”

  “This life. Being married to someone who’s gone so often...who...” Might not return to you.

  She takes both of my hands. “There have been hard times, I’ll admit that. Before you came along, there were some lonely moments.” A smile pulls at her lips when she glances outside toward my father. “But no, sweetheart, there’s no regret. Your dad is the love of my life, and he gave me the most special gift in the world.” She looks back at me. “You.”

  “You’re going to make me cry again.”

  She chuckles, then her expression grows more serious. “I know you’ve tried so hard to protect your heart from loss.”

  I chew on my bottom lip and glance through the window at Lance. “And I almost lost him anyway.”

  Watching that building explode, see the mountain of a man fight for his life in a tiny hospital room, it made me realize that every second we’re given here on earth should be cherished - not fighting against the most precious gift we’re given, love.

  Lance glances over at me, and when he catches me watching him, he smiles. And my heart fills. God, I love the man. I love everything about him, including that he’s the type of guy who would run into danger in order to protect those who can’t protect themselves.

  My dad comes inside, and he gives me a funny smile, before drawing me into his arms and kissing my forehead.

  “What’s that for?” I ask, smiling up at him.

  “You’re wanted out back,” he says, grinning at me, before pulling my mom into his arms and kissing her.

  “Okay,” I say, shaking my head at the two of them, but already they seem to have forgotten that I’m in the room.

  I step outside and look around for Lance, but he’s no longer where I’d last seen him. It’s starting to get dark, and lightning bugs dance around the edges of the bushes, and stars start to twinkle overhead.

  “Lance?” I call out, and when I do, a thousand fairy lights flicker on around me, lighting up the backyard.

  I twirl around until I see him, walking toward me.

  “Is this what you two were doing out here?” I ask, smiling up at him when he pulls me into his arms.

  “Among other things.” He grins down at me and brushes my hair away from my face. “God, you’re beautiful. Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

  “I love you too, Lance.”

  He swallows hard, and I see a flicker of something that looks like doubt cross his expression. We’ve talked about a lot of things over the past few weeks. Mostly about the baby, but he hasn’t pushed me about the future. And I know it’s because of everything I told him, about not wanting to be with someone who’s gone all the time.

  “Lance,” I say, placing my palms on his chest. “What I said to you last time you left—”

  He cups my face and kisses me softly. “I understand, Peyton.”

  “No. I don’t think you do. I was scared...and...” I suck in a shaky breath. “I was afraid I’d lose you. That’s why I pushed you away.”

  The look he gives me is patient. “I know. But you don’t have to be worried anymore. I spoke with your dad, I have two more years before I can—”

  “No.” I shake my head, a million butterflies taking flight in my stomach at the thought of what he’s about to say, what he’s willing to give up.

  “No?” He frowns down at me.

  “Being a SEAL, it’s who you are, Lance. I won’t be the person who takes that away from you.”

  His hand cups the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair. “I’ll give everything up, Peyton, if it means being with you.” He rests his free hand on my belly. “Starting this family together, and me being your...”

  “My what?” I ask.

  He lets out a shaky breath. “Your husband.”

  “Lance—”

  “Peyton, I love you. I love you more than I ever thought possible.”

  “I love you too. But I won’t let you give up your other family. I get it now. I do. And while I hate the thought of you being away, of you being in danger, I know that’s what you were made for.” I smile up at him. “To be a hero.”

  He’s frowning down at me, and I see the worry in his eyes.

  “I’m not rejecting your proposal by the way,” I say, grinning as I wrap my arms around his neck. “I mean if that’s what this is.”

  His brows rise then. “You’re not?” He clears his throat. “I mean...” A shaky breath passes from his lips. “This isn’t how...” he mutters something under his breath, obviously frazzled, but then he’s getting down on one knee and pulling out a small box.

  All those butterflies start taking flight again.

  “Peyton Miller,” he says, taking my hand in his own massive one, and I feel him trembling. “Will you be my wife?”

  A huge smile spreads across my face and I lean down and kiss him hard. He kisses me back, but after a few seconds, he pulls away, and says, “You didn’t answer me.”

  “Yes,” I tell him. “I want to be your wife, Lance Easton.”

  He kisses me again, but this time when he does, I feel a small gush between my legs.

  “Oh,” I say, startled.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” I smile up at him, because everything is so damn right. “But I think I’m going to have your baby.”

  He laughs, his hand on my stomach. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ve already established that.”

  I shake my head, grinning despite the pain that wraps around my stomach. “No. I mean now.”

  “Oh,” he says, then his eyes widen. “You’re in labor?”

  “I think my water just broke, and this...” I wince as the pain gets worse. “Feels like a contraction.”

  He goes into full alpha protective mode, and despite my protests, he lifts me up and starts to carry me to the car.

  “What’s going on?” my mom asks.

  “Get her bag, and we’ll meet you at the hospital,” he says, then grins down at me. “Because we’re going to have a baby.”

  Epilogue I

  Lance

  Three months later...

  When I walk into the house, coffee and pastries in hand, along with an infant car seat carrier, I’m reminded that my idea to hire a housecleaner while we are at the hotel tonight was a perfect idea. There are dishes piled in the kitchen, the floor needs to be swept and laundry is in dire need of being washed and folded.

  Not that any of this really matters.

  What matters is that my girls are home, healthy. But our darling Saylor has colic, had croup, and loves to cry probably more than anything. Our priority has been survival, and apparently most first-time parents can relate.

  Throwing in a wedding on top of that may not have been the best idea, but when we realized I’d be shipping out for four months, we decided to make it official.

  And now, as I walk into the bedroom, finding Peyton sitting on the bed, black mascara running down her cheeks, pumping breast milk, in her pantyhose and nothing else, I wonder if we’re officially crazy.

  “Babe,” I say, handing Saylor off to Kendall who came over to do Peyton’s hair and makeup. “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  “This was a bad idea. No amount of Spanx is gonna help this situation.”

  I look over at Kendall, who for today, seems to have a magic touch with our baby. Saylor has stopped fussing in
her auntie’s arms. “I can’t talk sense into your bride,” Kendall says. “Maybe you can explain that she is literally a goddess.” She closes the bedroom door, leaving Peyton and me alone.

  “Pey,” I say, setting down the coffee and croissant. “You are perfect, just the way you are.”

  She turns off the pump and removes the suctions from her breasts. It’s going to be our first night leaving Saylor with her parents, and she’s been anxious - which I totally understand. But at the same time, I’m looking forward to one-on-one time with the love of my life on our wedding night.

  I reach for her white silk robe and she pulls it on. With a tissue, I wipe her eyes and draw her to me. “Pey, you are beautiful, and I am more in love with you today than I ever thought possible.”

  “I was so much sexier on our first booty call though,” she says, blowing her nose. “Remember, I had that light blue teddy on? No cellulite. No stretch marks. No—”

  I cut her off with a kiss. “And no Saylor.”

  She blinks back another onslaught of tears. “That’s true. And she’s pretty incredible. Even if she likes to cry more than anything else.”

  “She just has a lot on her mind,” I say, kissing her again. “And you know what?”

  “What?”

  “I can’t imagine getting married without our little girl there. The timing is perfect.”

  “Even though I’ll look like a whale in my wedding photos?”

  “That’s insane.”

  “I know, it’s just the baby weight and—”

  “Maybe a present will cheer you up?”

  She groans. “Lance. I didn’t get you anything.”

  “You already gave me Saylor. I think you’re doing pretty well.” I pull out a jewelry box from my pocket. “Happy second Bootyversary.”