Page 50 of Seamus: Unconventional
Ben smiles up at me. “Partners, sorry, dog is a habit I’ll work to lose. Command?”
I nod. “As in CENTCOM command. We’re all Officer ranked soldiers. It’s what we know.” I shrug.
Ben asks Ranger questions then Cort puts Lead glasses on and asks his own. They comment on reasoning, feeling, connection like this is new. I guess it is for them and get bored, so I sit in a chair while they grill Ranger. Gonzo comes over then a bunch of partners are here. They get questioned too.
I order drinks and something to eat counting the partners and Brothers that showed. Mase sits by me after a while. “I got food and drinks coming.” I tell him.
“Fruit?”
I nod. “Yeah, I sent light snack.”
“How has it been with Katie?”
I smile. “Good. She loves the boys and partners as much as I do.”
He nods but has something on his mind. He proves it leaning closer and talks softly. “Kateri said she’s worried she’s going to get attached and you’ll get sick of her.”
I shake my head. “I’m in the same boat. We need to talk. Is there surgery for her? She doesn’t talk about it.”
“Kateri and Alder asked. Something was removed so it’s not happening for her. Kateri can explain it if you need it, but Katie isn’t up for rebuilding anatomy that has devastated her life twice. She enlisted after being assaulted on prom night. Her step-dad asked if she encouraged the boy then dropped her off at the PD to make a report alone because he didn’t believe her. With her mom gone, she didn’t have anyone for support.”
“Cody?” I shake my head. He’s younger than her by two years. “That’s why she’s not so close to him.”
Mase nods. “He said something to his girl that was joking but hurt Katie because she didn’t ask to be disfigured or sexually abused before that. I got to tell you, Brother, she didn’t know anything but the bad she was shown so she doesn’t see what you do. She loves you but is scared.”
She loves me? “Yeah?” I hoped she’d stay but wondered if she’d find a guy she’d be willing to get surgery for.
He shakes his head no, then sends it to me. It’s Katie talking about not seeing a point to surgery rebuilding her to be fake normal. The fake normal sounds like it disgusts her. “Can she be my ol’ lady?”
He smiles his Mase smile. “Cort is gonna freak.”
I laugh. “Whatever. She needs to know she’s wanted right here. I can’t do anything that would hurt her and I’m so fuckin’ relieved she wants to be part of us. It’s like the only almost normal thing in my life.”
He laughs loud at that and I look at Cort and Ben laughing. Fuck!
Shadow and Light come bounding into the yard with the boys following. “You’re going to claim Katie?!” Vinny yells passing a stunned Shadow.
I put my finger up. “Shhhh.”
“I thought your junk didn’t work.” Mark and his grownup shit is a little much for all these Brothers.
“Her scars and what works or doesn’t isn’t yours, mine or anyone but theirs to talk about.” Mase handles that well.
“Thanks. Yes, I’m asking her because what doesn’t work is way less than what does work. Military should be its own species. Everything we do is rolled in oaths and promises. We go to other countries and fight for others to have rights and freedoms with respect and stability. During that time, we’re battered, branded and brutally wounded. We forget what the fight is for, then come home to find it’s no longer the home we fought for. The rights and respect is ebbing away and no one seems to notice or even care outside our walls. Honor, truth and justice mean different things than when we left. Strength, equality and loyalty are opposite to what we fought for. Here, we find those values, those oaths and promises mean exactly what we fought for. Katie is wrapped in those oaths and promises. She understands my partners and loves my new boys.” I give Mark a smile and pull Vinny to my lap. “Since she’s been here, life is easier. A partner that gets me and my family is more than I thought I could have and probably more than I deserve, but if she’ll have me, I’ll claim her for life so she knows loyal, equal, respect and honor aren’t just words. I can show her everyday what that means and Badass will help me.”
“Yes.”
We all turn. Barks and a cheer go up with Vinny screaming something as he runs to her. Mark pulls me up and walks with me to Katie who is getting mauled by Vinny and my goofy partner that doesn’t know he doesn’t give good hugs.
“Let me in, Brothers.” Light pulls the goof away and Mark steps back with Vinny. Katie is a mess of tears but she’s smiling. “I don’t know how it will work but it can be our life and Badass says there is no divorce. We work harder when we fuck it up and I bet the freaky people will show to help.”
She laughs, tears and all. “I’m in.”
Another cheer then I’m pushed aside while everyone hugs my new girl, or ol’ lady, or whatever. She’s mine, that’s all that matters.
I breathe deep then get hugged badly from Shadow then worse from Mase. Cort and Ben both hug me normally. Everyone else waits while they both talk softly to me about the partners and options in every BSC Club for their retirement. They’re going to love this.
We all turn toward the barking up in the air. The flight suits are for everyone apparently.
