Page 18 of Spring UnVeiled
“What’s wrong?”She said when he opened the door.
“Not here.”Evan gestured for her to enter.
When she reached her desk in the empty office, she dropped her purse.Turning to him, she crossed her arms.“Now, tell me.”
“Kylie had the baby, the one I didn’t know about until last night around six.”He glanced away as he reined in all the sadness that overwhelmed him at the most unsuspecting times.
“Is there…is the baby okay?”Concern filled her silver-blue eyes.
He managed a small smile.“Ian is fine.Kylie…Kylie is dead.”
“What-the-fuck?”boomed the familiar voice from behind them.
Evan came to attention.“Sir, may I have a few minutes of your time?”
Vice Admiral Maddox pointed to his office.“Now.”
“Is Genevieve at home?”Ms.Merkel called to his back.
“Yes.”Then Evan warned, “You may want to wait for a little while.I’m hoping she’s asleep.We didn’t get home until after five.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, the vice admiral pointed to the seats in front of his desk.To his surprise, his mentor took the one next to him, turning the chair so he could face him.
“What the hell happened last night?I got a text from your aide canceling drinks.He said he was at the hospital with you.”
Where to start?So much had happened in the past twelve hours.Evan recounted the highlights, sharing in the birth of his grandson, then the lowest point of his life, when Genevieve told him their daughter was dead.
“What can I do to help?”His mentor’s words didn’t say condolences, but they didn’t have to.He was a man of action.“Beyond giving you a week of bereavement leave.”
“Thank you.I might be able?—”
“Evan, you were there for me and stepped up when Carol passed away.”Pain still glinted in the older man’s eyes.“Let me repay the favor.I’ve been handling my job as well as that of commanding officer of Group 1 for nearly a month.I can do it for another week while you handle…what’s going to happen to the baby?”
Grinning, and grimacing, at the same time, Evan announced, “Genevieve and I are petitioning the court for immediate custody.Know anyone over at the JAG office?Or someone with a pickup truck?”
His friend looked out the window at the rapidly filling parking lot.“I believe your aide has a pickup.If not, I’m sure he knows someone who does.”
Smiling, he continued, “I’m pretty sure I can help direct you to someone at the JAG office.I’ve spent several hours with Captain Dupree who is the judge.”Vice Admiral Maddox’s lips pulled into a straight line.“That folder I shared with you yesterday?I went through it case-by-case with him.He helped me convince Captain Desmond that immediate retirement was an excellent idea.So, I guess you could say I have a good working relationship with him.”The vice admiral went behind his desk and made the call.
Three minutes later, as he exited his commanding officer’s office, Ms.Merkel stood from behind her desk.“I’ll call Genevieve around nine-thirty.In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you?Kylie wouldn’t allow her mother and me to give her a shower so I’m not sure what she has?—”
“I’m picking up Genevieve at ten and we’re going shopping.”He chuckled.“We need everything.”He glanced away before returning his gaze to the secretary who knew everyone and everything.“Could you do one thing for me, though, please?Could you get a hold of base housing and find out how soon my quarters will be ready.”As soon as he asked the question, he thought of something else she could do.“Could you also check with transportation and find out when my furniture will arrive?”
She smiled back at him.“That’s two things.But I don’t mind.A call from this office is going to get attention much quicker than if your aide called.”She sat down and picked up the phone.
An hour later, with a huge smile on his face, Evan exited the JAG office.He quickly texted a thanks to Vice Admiral Maddox.Not only was the captain able to grant emergency custody of Ian to both Evan and Genevieve, but he also staved off Child Protective Services for two weeks.They’d certainly have a room at Genevieve’s and arrangements made for Ian’s care by then, and very possibly, his grandson would have a room at his home as well.
Ms.Merkel had texted letting him know that his quarters were being repainted and his household goods should arrive in five days.
Lieutenant Commander Harrison did in fact have a pickup truck, which was available as soon as Evan returned to his office so they could exchange vehicles.
The plan was coming together.
After picking up Genevieve, they made a quick trip to the hospital, arriving just in time for feeding.
“Captain Hubbard, why don’t you feed little Ian this time?”Before he could protest, the nurse handed him his grandson, then held the rocker while he sat down.She readjusted the baby in the crook of his arm then shoved a bottle into his free hand.“There you go.Perfect.”
Even though it had been twenty years since he’d held his daughter this way, it quickly came back to him.Ian started to fall asleep, so he was ready to get up.
