Page 21 of Resolution
“Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you, too, Mom.” She stands and walks to me. Before I know it, she has her arms wrapped around me in a hug. “Thanks, Mom. I’d better get to bed.”
“Anytime, sweetheart,” I offer to her as she turns to leave the room.
Well, that went better than expected. Where’s a manual when you need one?
8
Enzo
Fuck.I’m tired. I’ve been working nonstop since Samantha left. I’ve literally flown across two continents and won’t be back to Ramstein for another week or so. I’m not sure if it has to do with these being my last weeks in the Air Force and I’m ready to retire, or I’m dying to see Samantha again, but it feels as if time’s standing still. The next six weeks are never going to get here.
I’ve been able to keep minimal contact with Sam, but nothing compares to the real thing. I’m one moody SOB and my buddies have been letting me know it. Gunderson, my life-long friend since Basic has been riding my ass about me actually dating someone seriously. Hell, if our roles were reversed, I’d be doing the same thing.
We’re on call, waiting for orders to extract Team 6. Gunderson and I catch up to pass the time. He’s recently been on leave and I can’t get over the stories he’s telling about his trip to London. It seems he had more than one woman catch his attention. Now, I’m not saying he’s a man-whore, but the dude likes to have his fun. Ever since his divorce ten years ago, he’s sworn off commitment and takes being single to a new level.
“You should’ve been there, Harps. The club was fantastic. I had to swat women away like flies. It was an epic vacation. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself more. What did you do on your leave?” Gunderson asks. He takes a long pull on the water bottle he’s holding while he waits for my answer.
Christ, I’m not passing judgment, but after being with Samantha, I’m so fucking happy those days are over for me. There’s something to be said about spending time with the one you love. Gunderson has no idea I actually proposed to Sam. He’s heard the guys razzing me about dating one woman seriously and this is the first time we’ve been alone or had the time to say anything.
“Samantha came for my birthday and we had quite the celebration.”Boy, did we ever.
“Really?” he asks in disbelief. “I’ll bet it’s nowhere near as epic as London.”
I attempt to catch him off guard, by understating, “Well, it was epic for me.” This catches his attention.
“What happened?” Gunderson asks with more interest.
“Well, for starters, I’m engaged…” I get interrupted before I can say more.
“No. Shit?” Gunderson’s frozen in place, awaiting my response. His eyes bulge in disbelief.
“When have you known me to lie?” I raise an eyebrow to prove a point.
“Wow!” He actually seems a bit shocked. “Not to be rude, but isn’t it a little soon? Didn’t you just meet this woman a few months ago?”
“When you know, you know.” I feel a huge grin spread across my face at the thought of Samantha. “I already had the ring picked out before she got here. I just didn’t get around to asking her for a few days since she got sick.”
“Oh, man, that sucks. Was she okay?”
I can’t help but laugh at the situation now. I was such a wreck not knowing what was wrong with her. That poor doctor. I was such a dick. “Yeah, she’s okay. She’s pregnant, but okay. Thank God for anti-nausea medicine.”
“Oh, shit!” He brings his fist to his face and looks as if he’s going to take a bite out of his knuckles. Then Gunderson’s quiet for a moment as he studies me. “Fuck, you’re serious.”
“Dude, you haven’t heard the best part yet.”
“What’s that?” He looks as if I can’t say anything else to shock him.
“We’re having twins! I’m going to be a fucking father of twins. After Vanessa, I was sure that ship had sailed for me. But not only do I get to be a part of Maddie, Frankie, and Declan’s life, but we’re having twins. Isn’t this fucking fantastic!” I can’t control my excitement by the end. I’m going to be a father. I waggle my brows to emphasize my point.Fuck yeah, I’m excited.
“Holy shit! You went from being single and carefree to a family with five children in two seconds flat. Aren’t you freaking out?” The sincerity on his face shines through. Gunderson’s one of my best friends. He genuinely wants to know how I feel about this, all BS aside.
“Not gonna lie. I freaked the fuck out at the hospital. Samantha had been so sick and the doctor wouldn’t tell us what was wrong.” Shaking my head at the memory, I continue, “Then, when I saw two flutters as heartbeats across the screen…”
“Fuck, that had to be a sight to see.” Gunderson’s face could’ve mirrored mine when I witnessed it firsthand. It’s filled with a mixture of shock, awe, and disbelief.
“Aside from Samantha saying yes, it’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen in my life, man.” Words don’t exist for my emotions. Hell, I’ve known for weeks and I still feel as if I’m on a rollercoaster. But one thing’s for sure. I can’t wait to be a dad.
