Page 42 of Spring UnVeiled
Tears started to run down Genevieve’s face and Evan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight.Dylan successfully got the sleeper off and took off the diaper, setting it aside like Genevieve had done.He then took the wet wipes and started cleaning Ian.When the baby shot pee into Dylan’s face, she and Evan burst out laughing.
Dylan covered the baby’s privates with his hand as he pulled several wet wipes from the container and washed off his face.
“Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.”Evan continued to laugh.“I can’t wait for the first stinking diaper.”
An hour later, Evan got his wish.
“Holy shit.Is the baby sick?”Dylan asked as he opened the diaper and nearly vomited.
Evan and Genevieve stood in the doorway snickering.
“Nope.”Evan walked over and slapped the man on the shoulder.“Consider yourself duly christened into fatherhood.”
“Not yet.”Genevieve followed him over and helped the young man by showing him how to use the diaper to wipe most of the shit away.“You are not duly christened until he throws up on your uniform and you have to leave in two minutes.”
“Fuck, yes.I forgot about that one.”Evan laughed.“I had to buy new rows of ribbons thanks to Kylie.”
Genevieve giggled.“We just couldn’t get the smell out of them.”
By the time Dylan was leaving, they had formed an unusual family.
“I’ll walk you out.”That was Evan’s way of telling Genevieve that he wanted to talk to the young man alone.But he didn’t close the door, leaving only the screen between them.
“What do you think about your first day in fatherhood?”Evan asked.
“It was only a few hours, but I feel excited and scared to death, sir.I’d rather face a dozen terrorists than that tiny baby upstairs by myself.”
Evan laughed.“I felt the same way about Kylie, but you’ll get through this.”
“Sir, I’m not sure I will.I don’t know how to be a dad.I never had one.Mine took one look at me as an infant and walked out on my mom.Don’t worry, sir.I’m not going to do that to my son.”
“Who was the best father figure in your life?”
“Popa,” Dylan said without hesitation.“He was so patient with me.”
“There’s your father.It sounds like that man raised you.Be like him.You’re still going to fuck up.Everyone does.”Evan glanced back towards the house.“Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to get a second chance.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Big day tomorrow.I’ll see you at the briefing.”
When Evan returned to the house, Genevieve enveloped him in her arms.“Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to get a second chance.I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter17
“I’d liketo thank Commander Brenner’s men for bringing this atrocity to our attention.I want to thank Commander Dennis, and his men under the direction of Lieutenant Chaney, for the quick and decisive work they were able to complete within days.”Evan faced a secret room full of armed men, SEALs, and MPs.He just prayed no one had whispered a word about the takedown.
“As you know, I called all hands on deck for eleven o’clock this morning.”Evan’s gaze swept the room.“You will be divided into teams of three, including one military police and two SEALs.Expect resistance.That can be added to the list of charges.Every man on the list should be changing into his dress uniform.I want them all walked out in handcuffs, very visibly.Search them.These men know how to get out of a set of cuffs.No one gets away.Does everyone understand your orders?”
“Aye, sir,” returned the chorus of deep voices.
“Commanders, pick your teams.”He looked at the men one last time.“Good hunting.”He left the building on the far side of the base.
Fifteen minutes later, he stood in front of a sea of white uniforms.He’d received confirmation that everyone on the list had been arrested and was currently being processed for their crimes.
“I want you all to be the first to understand that things will be different under my command.Fifteen minutes ago, we started to take out the trash.I’m putting you all on notice—there may be more garbage that we have to toss.
