Page 43 of Spring UnVeiled
“Gentlemen, you are United States SEALs.You’re the finest warriors on this planet.You earned that reputation, but over the last few years, the Trident has been tarnished…by your friends and teammates.Every one of you allowed that to happen.Every man here knows right from wrong.
“Illegal.Immoral.It stops here.
“It stops now.
“Every man standing before me is responsible not only for his own actions but those of your team, in combat and at home.
“Hear me and hear me loud and clear.You are not Gods.You are not invincible.You are not untouchable, as your brothers who were led out in handcuffs have learned.Those who think theyare a Godtake risks, in combat and at home.They jeopardize your life.
“You are men.You bleed.You can die.
“I want to make sure you all come home.
“The Navy gave you this training to be the best in all things.You are SEALs.I will hold you to a higher standard.
“Several of your brother SEALs have been arrested for everything from human trafficking to treason.Those men are going to jail.You know if somebody on your team is doing something wrong.From now on, I expect you to take care of it.We cover each other’s backs in combat, and we take care of each other at home, but we don’t cover somebody’s ass, especially when we know what they were doing is wrong.
“It hasn’t been the press that burned the good name of Navy SEALs, it’s been men who work for us and with us.Group 1 will rise from those ashes like a phoenix, known only for its fierce fighting ability.Every one of you will once again be proud to serve the United States Navy and our country wearing a Trident.”
It took almost five minutes for the thunderous applause and cheers to quiet.
“Dismissed.”
Epilogue #1
On Friday morningof Evan’s first full week on the job, the trucking company informed him that his household goods would be arriving at nine.Since he was supposed to work from home in the afternoon caring for Ian while Genevieve met with her principal, he asked her to meet him at his quarters with the baby.He could take care of Ian and direct boxes to the right rooms.
The SEAL gossip vine moved at the speed of light.Within five minutes, Dylan called him.“Sir, do you need help with the move?My JG can handle today’s schedule.It’s pretty light and we were letting the men off early.”
Evan considered the offer only for a minute.“I could use some help with Ian.Genevieve has a meeting this afternoon and I have baby duty.”The young man needed more practice taking care of his son.Pretty soon, he’d have the child twenty-four seven.That thought squeezed Evan’s heart.
“I’ll meet you at your new quarters, sir.”
Genevieve was just laying Ian down for a nap in the only room already set up in Evan’s new quarters when Dylan arrived.As soon as he’d gotten the keys to his new place, they’d set up Ian’s room.
“Rank certainly has its privileges,” Dylan said as he looked around the extremely large home.“I just hope the base has a house for me sooner rather than later.I’m not finding anything within my budget over in San Diego.”
“It’s a pretty pricey area.”Genevieve walked over to stand next to Evan.
Just then, the semi-truck pulled up.After walking through the house and designating rooms to the crew, boxes started to pour out of the truck.Furniture came next.
“Sir, this is a pretty radical bachelor pad.”Evan looked at all the dark leather furniture, chrome, and glass that he’d selected for his condominium back in Virginia Beach.At the time, he wanted the absolute opposite from the warm and comfortable colors of the house he’d shared with Genevieve.“Furniture is another dent in my budget.I didn’t realize how good I have it in the Bachelor Officers Quarters.I saved up quite a bit of money, but I understand I need to buy a truckload of diapers.”He grinned over at Genevieve.
“And that’s just for the first year,” she replied.She stared at the furniture they were assembling in the living room.“This really does look like a thirty-year-old’s bachelor pad.”
“Dylan likes it,” Evan retorted.
“My point exactly.”They held each other’s gaze, so many unspoken words being exchanged.
“Dylan, will you take over here?I need to talk to Genevieve.”Without waiting for an answer, he took her hand and walked her to the master bedroom where the black padded headboard and footboard had been stowed.
“Was I reading you right?I need you to tell me what you’re thinking.”
She glanced toward the bed.“I love you, and I hate the thought of you living in this house and me living in mine.”When she placed her hand on his cheek, he rolled his face and kissed her palm.
“Me, too.”Evan was going to do this for the second time.He went down on one knee, her hand still in his.“Genevieve Hubbard, I never stopped loving you.Will you marry me…again?And live with me here?We can get rid of all my furniture and buy new.”
When her eyes lit up, he knew she had a plan.“We have furniture.I even know somebody to rent our house.”
