Page 21 of Destiny Reclaimed
Chapter Six
Jack woke from thefirst good night's sleep he’d had in a long time, feeling relaxed and content. There was something to be said for waking up in your own bed in the home where you grew up. More importantly, the fact the woman he loved had accepted his marriage proposal the day before certainly brought the comfort and contentment required for a good night’s rest.
Pleasant dreams of Gwennie filled his night. He recalled how those beautiful caramel eyes of hers with specks of bright green lit up every time her sweet, bow-shaped lips pulled into a smile. Still fresh in his mind, the memory caused his fingers to tingle at the thought of touching her smooth peaches and cream skin like he'd done the night before.
He fluffed his pillow and rolled onto his side all the while hoping to fall back asleep to indulge in more dreams of his love. His body heated. Soon she would be sharing a bed with him, and rather than dreaming of the love they’d share, they’d be sharing it.
Soon.
The aroma of coffee teasing his nostrils caused him to roll off the mattress onto the cool wood floor. He slipped into jeans and a T-shirt, then pulled on a pair of socks and padded downstairs for a coup of joe.
Stopping outside the kitchen doorway, he secretly listened to his parents’ banter. He’d forgotten exactly how much he missed this—them—the simple life. The lifestyle he’d endured before he’d shipped off to war.
His parents spoke comfortably with each other. Years in the making he supposed. His mom mentioned a sale on ground beef at the grocery store, and his dad made mention of the weather forecast. Completely uneventful conversation, yet, he couldn’t wait to get in there and join them.
He smiled at the thought of him and Gwennie sitting at their own kitchen table, holding a similar conversation as their son sat in a highchair between them. Actually, he could see them with a handful of kids. Maybe three or four. Having been an only child, he recalled how lonely he was at times and often wished for a brother or sister. In his opinion, his buddy, Marvin, had it made with both a brother and a sister.
Jack sighed.Marvin.If only his best friend had made it home, he’d be the best man at his and Gwennie’s wedding.
Best man.Who on earth was he going to ask to fill that role? He hadn’t seen most of his hometown buddies in over two years.
Jack swallowed hard at the thought of how many of them went to Vietnam and probably didn’t make it home. He could ask Gary, Gwen’s twin. Out of respect for his best friend, and the entire Tebon family, that might be a nice gesture. A lump caught in his throat. That is if Gary makes it home from this awful war.
“Jack?” his mother questioned.
He stepped around the edge of the doorway into the kitchen, catching her cheery gaze. She was a morning person, always had been. Early to bed, early to rise.
“Good morning.” Jack leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. Looking across the table, his dad’s smile let him know he was pleased with his show of emotion toward his mom.
His mother rose from her seat. “I’ll make you some eggs. Scrambled with cheese?” she asked.
He nodded and smiled. She remembered how he liked them.
Snagging the newspaper section his mother had left behind, he skimmed over the news. Still, in need of a break from this reality, he skipped over any section that referred to the war.
Within minutes, she’d set a plate of eggs and toast in front of him then took her seat at the table.
“So, I didn’t want to hound you too much last night when you got home because it was late...”
He grinned, knowing what was coming. She wanted wedding details.
While he waited out her pause, he forked a mouthful of eggs.
“Do you and Gwen have a date in mind? Any plans at all yet?”
He chewed slowly just to mess with her. The impatience emitting from her gaze was toe-tapping. He almost laughed out loud. “She wants a big, traditional wedding. But, as soon as practically possible. So a few months, I guess.”
“Well, they do have a large family to call together. Ours, on the other hand, being so small, shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.”
“Yeah. I’d be happy going to the courthouse today, but she wants traditional.”
His mother’s smile stretched. “Every girl dreams of a big wedding with all the bells and whistles.” She reached across the table and place her small hand on his forearm. “And a handsome groom.”
“Just let us know what you need us to do,” his dad chimed in.
“Thanks.” He savored a bite of eggs as he thought about holding another conversation with his dad about this time travel and Preserver and Protector business.
He had so many questions. For one, did he know he’d traveled yesterday? Let alone, met him—preserved history on Omaha Beach? Was he allowed to tell him this information? How far did the secrecy rule among Preservers and Protectors go? But, since his father had been Preserver, could he talk to him about specifics? Or no?
