Page 24 of Spring UnVeiled
His gaze swept the room that was now empty of people.He remembered painting the walls a light pink before she was born.At eight, Kylie had decided that pink was a baby color, so he and Genevieve had painted the walls lavender, Kylie’s new choice.At ten, their daughter had announced that she wanted something more bold and held up a deep purple scarf.The next morning, he took the scarf to the paint store, and they matched it perfectly.By the time she came home from school, the wall was so dark purple, in low light it looked almost black.
The walls were now a pale yellow.
“How did you get rid of the deep purple wall?”he asked, wanting to redirect Genevieve’s attention as much as he wanted the answer to the question.
She leaned back and scowled at him.“We tried to paint over it with the yellow and it turned a terrible color.White didn’t work, either.I finally ended up hiring a painter who had to skim coat the wall to cover it before he could paint it the same as the others.”
“I take it that means I can’t paint the walls in here Navy blue?”He said jokingly.
“Hell, no.”Her words shocked him.Genevieve rarely ever swore out loud.She grinned at him.“A light green might be nice.It would go well with the frog theme.”She held up the crib bumpers filled with frogs leaping and sitting on lily pads.
Evan pulled her back into his arms.“Thank you.For a while, I was afraid you were going to buy those fucking Bambi things.”He kissed her on the forehead before he released her.
She stood staring at him, as though a little dazed.
“Time to eat.”Vice Admiral Maddox’s voice boomed from the bottom of the stairs.
“We need to go feed those boys.”She corrected herself, “I mean, young men, and their women.I hope nobody gives me a quiz.I don’t remember any of their names.”
Evan took her hand in his.“Nobody’s going to ask you anything.You’re not even expected to smile or carry on a conversation.”
They were greeted at the bottom of the stairs by Evan’s new boss and Marta Merkel.
“I know officers eat last, but you two go through the line first,” Marta ordered.“After we get some food into you, we’ll go through what’s left to be done.We’ll handle everything while you two are at the hospital feeding your grandson.”
“And changing diapers,” the vice admiral added with a grin.
“Hey, I changed Ian’s first diaper,” Evan said with pride as he picked up a plate and started through the buffet line they had set up on the kitchen counter.
Later, as one of the wives collected the paper plates, Evan stood and reached for Genevieve’s hand.When she took it and stood next to him, she squared her shoulders.Their silent communication from years of marriage turned the gear once again.
“Ladies, gentlemen, may I have your attention please.”Evan’s commanding voice brought the house to silence.He signaled to everyone in the other rooms.“Come on in.It might be a little tight for a few minutes, but I’ll make this quick.”
He squeezed Genevieve’s hand.“We can’t thank you enough for all the kindness you’ve shown us tonight.We’re well-aware that you gave up your evening on a moment’s notice and came here to help us prepare for the arrival of our grandson.We never could’ve accomplished this in such a short amount of time without your help.Marta, you’ve earned the title of Ms.Miracle once again.”
Genevieve held out her free hand and Marta stepped into a hug from both of them.
“The last twenty-four hours have been pretty tough for us.”He was slightly angry with himself that his voice broke.“This is not the way I expected to start my new command.Most of you know why I was sent here to take over command of Group 1.”He nodded at a few familiar faces and gave a smile to Commander Reece Brenner as he scanned the room.“I believe in leading by example.The fact that all of you showed up tonight to help us, virtual strangers, has proven to me that there is so much goodness in the leadership here in Coronado.Together, we’re going to make our SEALs proud to wear the Trident once again.Proud to serve the Navy and our country, and proud of each other.It hasn’t been the press that has trashed the good name of Navy SEALs lately, it’s been the men who work for us, and with us.”
He squeezed Genevieve’s hand, and she squeezed back as though encouraging him to continue.
He looked at her.“We have a lot to get through this next week.”His gaze returned to the room.“You showing up here tonight, and helping us, has proven to me that Group 1 will be the Phoenix that rises from the ashes and becomes known only for its fierce fighting ability.”
The room erupted with clapping, whistles, andhooyah.
Marta stepped forward and everyone quieted down.“You two need to get the hell out of here and go feed that grandson of yours.We’ve got this handled.”She made shooing motions with her hands.
They headed toward the door.No one argued with Marta Merkel.
“Sir, your SUV is at the end of the driveway.”Lieutenant Commander Harrison tossed a set of keys.
Evan dug into his pocket and reciprocated.
“Thank you, again,” Genevieve called before she stepped outside.
“Thank you.Thank you all.I look forward to working with you, soon.”Evan left feeling much better about his future command than he had since receiving the call requesting him to take over Group 1.
But there was still so much to do before he got to that point.
