Page 60 of Her Marine
Killian followed behind Journee, his hand in hers as she led him toward an older woman approaching them that he assumed was her grandmother. Journee released his hand, and the two women shared a hug. When they pulled apart, her eyes slid to Killian.
“Grandma, this is Killian. Killian, this is my grandmother Nelda.”
Killian held his hand out, and When Nelda placed hers in his, he brought it to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Edmins.”
“Please call me Nelda. It’s nice to meet you too, Killian. Journee tells me you’re a marine, so thank you for your service.”
“I am, and you’re more than welcome.”
Killian’s attention shifted to Vera as she walked over to the three of them. She smiled at the two women before hugging him.
“Who’s this pretty young lady?” Vera questioned when they pulled apart.
“This is Journee. Journee, this is Vera, Axel’s mother.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Rose,” Journee greeted.
“Call me Vera.”
The four of them fell into conversation. Nelda asked him how long he’d been in the military and where he was stationed. Killian didn’t miss the way that Journee slightly tensed at that question. He knew that while they’d talked about him leaving, the distance still worried her. Killian placed his hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
He knew he could tell her it would be fine and work out, but it wouldn’t sink in or put her at ease until she saw it, and Killian had no issue showing her. Actions spoke louder than words, and he was prepared to use both to ease her worries because Killian enjoyed Journee’s company and being with her.
As the four held their conversation, and Vera gushed about how pretty Journee was, and that beautiful women had chosen both him and Axel, Killian chuckled because, naturally, he and Axel couldn’t have had anything to do with it.
“Killian, why didn’t you tell me you were dating someone?” Vera questioned after a moment before turning her attention to Axel, who’d entered the living room several minutes before. “Better yet, Axel, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Mama, that was not my business to tell,” Axel informed her, and Killian was aware that his friend did not want to be on the receiving end of the talking to he was about to receive.
“I apologize, Vera,” Killian stated. “But can you blame me for wanting to keep her to myself for a while? Wanting to enjoy being with her before we let our families know?”
Vera paused for only a few seconds. “When you put it that way, I suppose I can let it go.”
Killian smirked in Axel’s direction because he was positive the other man thought his mother was about to lay into him. His smirk received a mouthedfuck you, and Killian had to keep himself from chuckling.
When it was time to eat, Killian watched Talia weave past everyone to be the first in the kitchen. He wasn’t surprised; she’d asked Kaydence when they would eat every five minutes.
As they ate, conversations broke out around the kitchen, and Killian enjoyed watching Journee’s interactions with Courtney and Ian, Kaydence and Talia’s parents. They’d been introduced a few minutes before everyone moved into the kitchen to eat. They hadn’t spoken much about her parents. Killian knew they had passed in a car accident. She told him as much on their weekend away, but that was as far as they’d got into it. He wouldn’t push her to speak about it, but he’d listen when and if she decided she wanted to.
Once they’d finished eating, he played a few games of Texas holdem with Journee, Axel, Kaydence, Ian, and Courtney while Talia dealt and everyone else watched the parade. As they played, he went through the usual parent questioning with Courtney and Ian and watched the women cheat. Killian started to call them out but, at the last minute, decided he wouldn’t rain on their parade.
After their fifth game, it was time for them to go. They said their goodbyes, hugs going around before they went outside to Journee’s car. He’d turned his rental in the day before. Journee handed the keys to him, and Killian opened the passenger side door for her.
Once they were both in, he headed toward the airport. The ride there was spent with the soft sounds of the radio filling the car. At some point during the drive, Killian reached over and took Journee’s hand, but there was no talking between them.
He pulled into the drop-off lane when they made it to the airport. He figured it would be easier on Journee and himself if she didn’t come in with him. Killian wasn’t usually one that had an issue with goodbyes, but he knew this one would be different, even if it were only for a few weeks.
He popped the trunk, and they both got out, meeting at the back of the car. He pulled both suitcases out, closing the trunk before turning to Journee.
“I guess this is; see you later,” she stated before biting her bottom lip.
“It is, but you won’t even notice the time going by,” Killian responded.
Journee nodded, and he leaned down and kissed her. It was slow as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, and her arms wrapped around his neck. He released the handle of one of the suitcases and wrapped his arm around her waist, picking her up.
Killian wasn’t sure how long they stood there, kissing each other goodbye, but when they pulled apart, he slowly put her down and kissed her gently one more time.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he told her as they separated.
