Page 13 of Fall of the Trident
Both men waited for her to descend the steps first.
“Hello, Captain Arnold, it’s nice to see you again,” she greeted the Group 2 commanding officer with a tired smile as his driver grabbed her bag and Trevor’s.“Why don’t the two of you take the back seat.I’m sure you have things to cover about tomorrow’s schedule.”She walked to the front passenger door and allowed the driver to open it for her.It took nearly twenty minutes before the driver pulled into the driveway at the Visiting Officer’s Quarters.
When they exited the vehicle, the captain immediately handed her a set of keys and pointed to the three-bedroom home on the right.“Ms.Markel, we’ve arranged for you to stay here.”Handing the second set of keys to Trevor, he said, “Sir, you’re over here.There will be a car and driver waiting for you at seven.Several of the men have requested that Ms.Markel join us for breakfast, if that meets with your approval, sir.”Don gave her a smile.“She’s a favorite among the men.”
“Not all of them.Iearnedthe name of Ms.Manacle.”All three laughed.
“That’s true,” Trevor agreed, then added, “but hopefully we’ve gotten rid of most of them.Thank you, Don, for personally picking us up.I’m sorry we’re only here for a few hours, but we’ll be back soon for an official visit.”
“I’ll see you both tomorrow morning at the club.We’ve reserved a room, and they still serve a decent buffet breakfast.”The captain stepped back.“Ma’am.Sir.”He nodded since neither officer was in uniform.
The houses were mirror images divided by their driveways.She headed to the front door of her assigned house as they drove away.For some reason, her key wasn’t working.She turned to see if Trevor was having the same problem and found that he was right behind her.
“My mama taught me to walk a lady to the door.”He covered her hand in his then she realized the problem at the same time he did.“It’s upside down.”
She flattened her hand, and he took the keys from her, easily unlocking the door.They stood so close she could smell the faint remnants of his aftershave.His salt and pepper five o’clock shadow was hours beyond its name.She glanced around and saw the interior lights were out at all the homes around them.Unfortunately, the porch lights to their visiting quarters lit the homes all the way down the driveways.
“You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now.”Trevor sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly.“But this certainly isn’t the place, and I wouldn’t feel right following you in.”She held his gaze.“I can promise you, though, I will kiss you the way we both deserve.Soon.”He stepped back.“Go in and lock the door behind you.”
“I can’t wait for that kiss, but I know I’m going to have to.”She shoved open the door.“See you at seven.”
“I thought I felt old after this morning’s breakfast but now I feel ancient.I’ve known most of those commanding officers since they were in BUD/S, fresh out of college, and they were telling me about their children entering middle school.Then to see those boyish young faces of the men who just returned from Afghanistan.Most of them look as though they should still be in high school.”Marta whispered to Trevor as they walked from the VIP viewing area of the Group 2 formation to the tent where food had been set up.Wives, girlfriends, parents, support staff, and pretty much anybody who wanted to celebrate the return of the SEALs, had been invited at the last minute when it had been announced that Vice Admiral Maddox was going to be addressing them.
Marta was so proud of her staff for pulling this together in just a matter of hours.She was also glad she’d talked to them before she left San Diego since they had been arranging a receiving line.She quickly nixed that idea.Trevor preferred just meeting people who wanted to meet him.The forced introductions, and never enough time to speak with friends, was one of Marta’s biggest complaints.She did require, though, nametags for all the guests.Everyone in uniform wore an official nametag and their insignias designated the ranks.
“Vice Admiral Maddox.”The familiar deep voice made Marta smile.
“Captain Micah Reid, what are you doing here?”The former commanding officer of Group 2 held out his hand to Marta.“I thought you were at the Pentagon.Did I miss a memo that you had been sent back to Little Creek?”
“No memo.We’re here to welcome back our son, Mak, and I wanted to introduce you to my wife, Berit.”He gestured to a beautiful brunette with silver streaks that looked more like highlights than natural graying.The woman must have been about five years younger than Marta, but she was holding a baby that looked to be about a year and a half old.
“Berit, I’d like to introduce Vice Admiral Trevor Maddox.”The captain took the baby from his wife freeing her hands to shake.“This man straightened out my ass several times over the last twenty years, but I wouldn’t be here without his guidance.And this is the indomitable Ms.Marta Merkel.If it deals with SEALs, she knows how to get it or get rid of it.”
The small group laughed.
“And this is our granddaughter, Kenzi.We’ve been taking care of her while Mak was handling things for you.”Captain Reid smiled.
“Pleased to meet you, Berit.”The women shook hands, but the name tickled in the back of Marta’s mind.“I saw the paperwork for marriage come through.Are you still working at Langley?I swear I saw something recently with your name on it.”
Berit smiled.“Yes.I was officially promoted to Director for Support.I’d been the acting director for nearly a year after...”
“Yes.I’m so glad you found the moles inside the CIA.Are you recovering from your kidnapping?”Marta recalled that Berit was key in uncovering a huge plot involving her former boss.
Berit nodded toward Micah.“He made sure I saw a trauma psychologist who finally released me about six months ago.I think that’s why they were waiting to promote me.”
“Congratulations are in order.”Marta looked at the squirmy child in Micah’s arms.“She looks like a handful.”
Both women giggled.“She is, but we love her.”Berit glanced around.“Mak said he’d meet us?—”
“Da.Da.”Kenzi bounced in her grandfather’s arms.
“It looks like she’s found him.”Marta wondered what it would be like to take care of her grandchildren.She’d never have that opportunity.Letting out a long sigh of acceptance, she focused on the loving eyes of the approaching handsome sailor.
“Where’s my baby girl?”A chief petty officer snaked his way through the crowd, his arms open, his attention completely focused on the child in front of her who practically jettisoned out of her grandfather’s arms.He smothered the baby’s face with kisses, making her giggle.
“Vice Admiral,” at the announcement of the rank, the chief quickly moved his daughter into the crook of his arm.“I’d like you to meet our son, Mak Barker.”
The young man instantly held out his hand to shake.“Sir, excellent speech.Thank you for taking the time to come to Virginia to welcome us home.”
