Page 62 of Soaring and Saucy

“Bye, Trophy…” the woman laughed, shaking her head. “Go on, and I’ll take good care of your wife. I’ll fill her in on all the dirt about Navy life and…”

“Nuh-uh,” Lance grinned. “I want her to still think that I’m amazing.”

“Nothing could change my mind,” Stephanie interjected, winking at him. It was like they were having their own private conversation despite the chaos around them as the corner of her couch suddenly appeared behind Lance.

“Move your big butt, Trophy…”

“Hey! It’s not big,” her husband retorted glibly. “People pay for sweet cheeks like this… squats, buddy. Your flat posterior needs some serious squats.”

“Are you talking about your butt again, Trophy?”

“That’s what posterior means. He’s using a polite term because ladies are present.”

“Thanks, Pasteur… ya’ nerd.”

“Is there anything else worth discussing? I mean, look at this body,” Lance teased, winking at her. “Snagged my wife, didn’t it?”

“MOVE IT… and go get some boxes!”

“Boxers? You wanna see me in boxers? Stephanie, you want me in boxers, princess?”

“I didn’t say that, you freak…”

“Oh my gosh,” Stephanie and Madeline said in unison, looking at each other and laughing easily. The guys were laughing, taunting, hurling quips and insults playfully at each other almost like a family. Madeline ushered her to the couch, sat with her, and they chatted easily for a few moments, before Stephanie was needed.

It was time to get to work.

Boxes were everywhere, paper and bubble wrap on the floor, as chaos swirled around them. Before long, in the blink of an eye, the apartment was starting to take shape before them. It hit Stephanie like a load of bricks what the difference was between Louisville and Mayport.

It didn’t matter where she was, what things she had, or if her furniture was in good condition, things put away nicely, or pictures on the walls. It was the man nearby who held her heart, playfully talking smack with his friends that made it feel like she was truly home. Her apartment in Louisville had felt empty when he left, and the moment he’d met her at the airport, she had felt that same sense of belonging. Even here, now, she felt that same sensation of perfection that she was supposed to be here, as she did every time Lance hugged her or held her close.

He was her home.

That loud-mouthed, playful flirt with the saucy temperament was more wonderful and beloved than she could have ever imagined. He was her entire world – and their child, her universe. She laid a hand on her stomach which was just starting to bulge in the sweetest way, remembering how he’d dropped a trail of kisses around her belly button, whispering words of love to the baby and her.

And as if he could read her very thoughts, Lance looked at her. His eyes dropped slightly to her hand, and she treasured that proud look that appeared on his face each time he looked at her and slowly nodded, his eyes molten with emotion.

“Guys!” Lance said loudly, not looking away from her. “Cut the chit-chat, and let’s finish up. Y’all do not want to be here in about an hour.”

“Why?” Tic-Tak taunted knowingly while Memphis laughed, shaking his head.

“Because I want to be alone with my soulmate,” Lance admitted, not looking away from her as she gazed at him longingly. “I love you, Steph.” The taunting and teasing began, only for her to speak over them pointedly.

“I love you too – and guys? Thank you so much for your help, but my husband is right. Thirty minutes, fellas.”

“Sheesh, we help them move, and this is what we get?”

“You’ll understand when you grow up someday,” Memphis taunted, slapping Tic-Tak on the shoulder playfully. The aviator frowned as the others started laughing obnoxiously, taunting him.

“I’ve gotta go,” Pasteur said quietly, looking at his cell phone and yanking out his keys from his pocket, already moving toward the front door.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yup,” the man was evasive and quiet – and left not a moment later. She met Lance’s eyes and saw the slight negative shake of his head. If that was Lila texting him, they both needed to leave the entire matter alone.

Madeline was sitting directly beside Memphis, whispering to him. Orion had already left to go home, claiming he had something ‘urgent’ to handle. Ohio, Shellac, Moonbeam, and Tic-Tak were all that remained. She saw them each diving for the last slices of pizza and then glanced at Lance again, unsure how to ‘evict’ their guests in a half hour because she wanted to be alone with him.

Looking at him again, she saw he was thinking the same thing.

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