Page 5 of The Entire Team

“The women today weren’t unique. I’m not a match for you. No one understands why we’re together or why you’re with me anyway.”

Bethany laid out in front of him, “they are clearly not looking at what I am.” He settled over her slowly kissing his way up her body, starting at her knees. She buried her hands into his hair as he settled between her legs. He slid two fingers into her as his mouth sucked on her clit. She ground against his face until she came. He kissed each hip bone, her belly button, and then settled over her nipples. He feasted on one, her hips fighting for contact and then he switched. She was getting frantic for friction.

“Teddy, fuck me god damn it!” she pleaded. With one thrust he was buried inside her. He stilled, it had been awhile, she was fucking tight. When he felt her relax against his size he pulledback and took her hard and fast. She cried out as she came, he followed behind her.

“As soon asI can I’ll call for you, okay?”

Bethany nodded, knowing he could see it. He lifted her hands to his face, feeling her slowly run her fingers down it. “You see me.” He took her hands in his, feeling both their rings, “trust me. You are my everything, Mrs. Williams.”

She brought her hand up, catching him just below his ear, her fingertips petting. He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her.

6

Months later Ted was at the airport waiting for Beth. He knew she’d wait until the crowd moved through, she’d be patient, it would make it easier. When he saw her, he couldn’t stop grinning. He moved up to greet her, “Beth, you made it!” He grabbed her up and swung her around. He stopped abruptly setting her feet back on the ground. One hand running down to her lower belly.

“We’re pregnant,” Bethany said. “You’re worried.”

“What?”

“I can hear you.”

“Surprised, worried, amazed.” He took her arm and headed toward baggage claim. “You didn’t say anything. What has the doctor said? Boy, girl, names.”

She squeezed his hand, “there’s plenty of time for all that.”

Bethany metwho would make up the rest of Ted’s team before their daughter was born.

7

GENIE

Current Day

By the time Ted “Genie” Williams was 31 he was five kids deep; three girls and two boys. Tidiness was the first lesson all the kids learned so their mom wouldn’t trip, rough housing wasn’t allowed inside so furniture didn’t get jostled or shifted.

“Bethany,”Genie called as he shut the door behind him. Genie walked through the house seeing her in the backyard playing fetch with her dog through the accordion window doors.

“Beth,” Genie almost reverently repeated as he stepped up behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her dog returned with his ball.

“Release,” she stated. He immediately dropped the ball at her feet. “How was work?” she didn’t turn to look at Genie.

“Work. Is there a plan for dinner?”

“Is it that late already?”

“I’m home,” Genie parried back. He kissed her neck, “I’ll get it.” As he headed back to the house he called over his shoulder, “hot dogs, right?”

Bethany growled.

“I can see you rolling your eyes!” he laughed as he moved through the doors.

8

SYLVIE

Sylvie was about a year into her tour. As an Army medic she was serving a tour with the Navy and was currently on a sea tour. They’d been underway for a few months; she hadn’t made friends. Being a loner wasn’t unusual she always had a hard time making friends. But even withloner status, Sylvie had attracted some unwanted attention.

She was alone in the clinic when her regular antagonist stalked in, as usual overly confident. Stuffing down her inherent dislike for him, Sylvie asked, “Can I help you?”

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