by Bella Juarez
“Sir, we’re both over the age of forty. I think we’ve got things figured out by now. This is urgent,” Jack said shortly.
“Then this is a marriage of convenience, not love?” the chaplain questioned.
“Chaplain, can you do this for us or not?” Jack asked, becoming more impatient.
“I’ll have to talk with the bride.”
“All right. She’s at BAMC right now. She’s been there for almost three weeks because she almost died a couple of weeks ago. Get in the truck and I’ll take you to her,” Jack said shortly.
The chaplain said nothing and Jack waited for his answer.
“All right, Captain. You’ll have to get a marriage license at the courthouse. You’ll both need to go and do that today and then come here and I’ll marry you, after I talk to Anna,” the chaplain said.
“Fine.”
Jack went back to BMAC and had Anna’s doctor called. He’d requested a temporary pass for the afternoon, but the doctor moved up her release and allowed her to go home. Within a couple of hours they were on their way to the Bexar County Courthouse. They got the marriage license and returned to the chaplain’s office shortly before two in the afternoon.
* * * *
Lieutenant Colonel Landez looked at the marriage license and shook his head because he’d serious reservations about this marriage. Chaplain Landez was very interested in meeting Anna Santiago. He’d instructed his secretary to give him a few minutes before she brought the captain and his fiancée back to his office. It wasn’t long before he heard a slight knock on the door.
“Come in,” the chaplain called.
“Sir, are you ready for Captain O’Malley and his fiancée?” the secretary asked.
“Show them in, Connie,” the chaplain said.
Reverend Landez was surprised. After meeting Captain O’Malley, Anna wasn’t what he’d expected. She was dressed in yoga pants, a T-shirt, tennis shoes and her arm was in a sling.
“Please, have a seat, both of you,” the chaplain said with a warm smile.
The couple sat down and looked expectantly at him.
“Anna?” the chaplain asked as he walked around his desk.
When Anna met his eyes it was clear why these two had been drawn to each other. The chaplain saw in Anna an inner strength and intelligence. He surmised she was probably more strong willed than her future husband and he also detected a calm grace and dignity about her. Any number of men would be attracted to a woman like Anna. She wasn’t an unattractive woman. Had these circumstances been normal, and were she dressed as a bride, Anna probably would have been very beautiful.
“Reverend.” Anna smiled, extending her left hand in a very old-fashioned feminine handshake.
Reverend Landez took Anna’s hand and lightly held it.
“Okay, we’re here,” Captain O’Malley stated.
“I told you, I need to talk to the bride first,” Reverend Landez said calmly.
“Of course.” Captain O’Malley smiled as he stood to leave.
“No, Jack. I want you to stay,” Anna said softly but firmly.
* * * *
Jack sat back in his chair. Reverend Landez took a seat at the edge of his desk. Jack was nervous. He’d no idea why Anna had asked him to stay, and he felt as if he were heading into an ambush.
“Anna, I really wanted to speak with you before the ceremony. I can assure you whatever you tell me is confidential and we can speak alone because I want you to speak freely,” Reverend Landez said.
“Don’t worry, Reverend, I will. Whatever I say, Jack should hear. No secrets.”
Jack wanted to be anywhere but where he was sitting at the moment. Anna was very unpredictable, and she’d made her feelings about this whole marriage thing very clear. This was no time for her to make her move. Jack took a deep breath. What the hell is she up to now? Reverend Landez cleared his throat.
“Anna, frankly I have some reservations about this whole situation. And in good conscience, I can’t do this without knowing that both of you understand what’s about to happen. Being married should be for the rest of your life. And I’m not sure you two have that kind of commitment,” the chaplain said.
“We don’t,” Anna said.
Jack closed his eyes. It was over. The chaplain had been a real pain in the ass about this situation to begin with, and Anna was confirming all of his suspicions. Even though it was true, she didn’t have to say it out loud. Work with me here!
“Anna…” Reverend Landez started.
Anna held up her hand and stopped Reverend Landez.
“May I finish, please?” Anna asked.
Reverend Landez adjusted himself and looked squarely at Anna. Jack was exasperated. Didn’t she understand what he was trying to do?
“Reverend, I don’t know what Jack told you, but I’ve been married before,” Anna said.
“Then you understand what a mistake this could be…” Reverend Landez interjected.
“Yes, I do. I also know that I was no more committed to my first husband the day I married him than I am to Jack. It took years to love him. Really love him. You’ve married a lot of people. You know as well as I do that it’s a gamble and no matter how many classes, retreats, or counseling sessions you go through, real love in a marriage doesn’t happen right away. You’re infatuated and attracted to each other. You’re not in love.”
Jack turned and looked at Anna in mute shock. What she’d just said made so much sense and it was true. He and the chaplain were watching Anna intently.
“I’m not divorced. I’m a widow. My husband and daughter died within a few hours of each other. Real love doesn’t happen for a long time in a marriage. It’s the result of the things you share and endure together. And you never realize how much you love someone until you lose them. Jack and I’ve been through a lot already. Don’t doubt me, Reverend. I know what I’m doing,” Anna concluded.
What the…Jack was awestruck. Even if he wanted to say something he couldn’t. Anna made sense of all the things that drove him from a real relationship with a woman and made him want the one that was sitting next to him. It was the need to be committed and dedicated to something better. No matter what happened. These were the same traits that made him a good SEAL.
Anna had also made sense of the insane attraction Jack had for her. Never in his life had he known someone like her. She understood so much without having him say a word. He felt like he’d found someone who might finally understand him and a small part of him wanted to believe that Anna could fill an emptiness that had been gnawing at him for a long time.
“That was a very wise observation, Anna. I’m sorry I doubted you,” the chaplain said. Reverend Landez glanced down at his watch. “Let’s get on with this. You need to have that back at the courthouse before four thirty. Will you follow me to the chapel?”
Jack found himself in a position he never thought he’d be in. He was about to be married, and as much as the thought frightened him, it gave him hope as well. He looked at Anna who looked so calm and sure of herself, the complete opposite of his own feelings at this moment. The Reverend began the ceremony and thankfully made it quick.
“I’ll be using your given names. I suppose Jack is a nickname?” the Reverend asked.
“Yes, sir.”
Jack couldn’t remember the last time he set foot in a church and he sure as hell couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard his given name. This whole scene was surreal.
“John Thomas, do you take Anna Marie to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
It was now or never and Jack was sure Anna would have no problem walking away. He took a deep breath and questioned why he was standing here about to drastically change his life. He recalled asking himself the same question his first day at BUD/S.
“I do,” Jack said before he realized he’d spoken the words.
“Anna Marie, do you take John Thomas to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“Yes.” Anna hesitated. “I do.”
/> “What God has joined, let no man separate. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the Reverend Landez said.
“That’s it?” Jack asked, astonished.
Jack was a little surprised at the abruptness of the ceremony because it had taken him a lifetime to get here. All the things he and Anna had been through, including their little ongoing game of chess seemed to culminate in the blink of an eye.
“Isn’t this what you wanted? And, it is if you want to get to the courthouse in time to file your marriage license,” the Reverend said with a smile.
“Jack…” Anna started.
“Kiss your bride, Captain,” the Reverend reminded.
Forgot about that. Jack turned to Anna as if seeing her for the first time and gently cupped her face in his hands. He meant to give her a quick peck. Instead he found himself kissing her slowly, savoring every second, realizing he never wanted to be without Anna again. Jack smiled as he comprehended the significance of what had just occurred.
“Check,” Anna whispered with a smile.
Anna had eased his tension with her playful petulance. Much like a few weeks before when she almost died, they had managed one more hurdle, together. The next one would be much higher and harder to get over because of their stubborn personalities. Now it was time to figure out how to build a life together. Jack felt positive about this new twist in their little game of chess.
“No, this is just getting interesting,” Jack whispered back.
Chapter 37
Rivercenter Mall
El Paseo del Rio, San Antonio, Texas
September 3, 2008/0948 Zulu
“You can’t go back there! Do I need to say this in a different language?” Jack yelled again.
“What language do I have to use to make you understand I have nothing? I went to the hospital in an ambulance! All I’m asking for is five damn minutes!” Anna demanded loudly.
“No! That’s final, this conversation is over!” Jack said loudly.
“Then what the hell am I supposed to do about clothes? This is all I have!”
Fuck! Is this married life? “Fine! Where can we go get damn clothes and get you off my back?”
“Rivercenter Mall, it’s down the street.” Anna settled back into her seat.
Jack held the door open as they entered the mall from garage parking. There were way too many people here for his liking. The major argument had started when Anna wanted to go back to her house for some personal things. He couldn’t figure out what part of you can’t go back there she didn’t understand. They’d gone through this whole exercise all afternoon just so she wouldn’t go home! So, here they were.
Anna walked into one of the department stores and started fishing in her purse for her wallet when Jack stopped her.
“No, don’t use any of your credit cards,” Jack said.
“Then what do I do for money?” Anna asked sarcastically.
Jack dug out his wallet and handed Anna his credit card. He saw the spark that made her dangerous and so very sexy. He could almost visualize little horns growing out of that pretty little head of hers. She took the card and smiled wickedly.
“What’s my limit?” Anna asked.
“Ten minutes. I’ll be waiting right here. For ten minutes. If you aren’t back in said ten minutes, I will go find you, and you don’t want me to find you. Remember one thing. I don’t give a shit what people think. I’ll drag your sexy ass out of here kicking and screaming.”
Anna turned and waved the card at Jack as she made her way through the store. He smiled. She was such a brat.
As he walked around, Jack found himself in the jewelry section of the store at a large display that had attracted his attention. As he studied the pieces inside, an unusual ring caught his attention. He located a salesclerk.
“Can I help you, sir?” the clerk asked.
“That ring in the display, the band with the diamonds. Is it for sale?”
“Yes, sir. The pieces in the display are unique and one of a kind.”
“Is it a ladies’ ring?”
“Yes, sir. It’s an anniversary ring. It runs about average size for a lady. It was designed by Alberto Mendez, a local artisan who recently passed away. Are you interested in seeing it?” the clerk asked.
“Yes.”
“It would make a lovely gift for an anniversary. Say, twenty-five years…” The clerk opened the case.
“How about twenty-five minutes,” Jack said under his breath.
“Excuse me?” the clerk asked.
“Sorry?”
“Anyway, if it needs to be resized, bring it back and we can get it done for you. The total carat weight is one and one-half carats. The price is 3,800 dollars.”
“American money or pesos?”
“Sir?” the clerk asked, bewildered.
“That’s more than I paid for my first vehicle!” Jack exclaimed.
“Well, we have some other nice anniversary rings, right over here, that are much more economical,” the clerk said with a knowing smile.
“No…I’ll take that one in the display.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure, unless you don’t want to sell it.”
“All right, sir. How will you be paying for this?”
Jack realized that Anna had his credit card and then wondered what kind of damage she was managing to inflict on him.
“I guess I’m paying cash. You take debit cards, right?” Jack asked.
“Uh, yes, sir. We do take debit cards.” The clerk retrieved the ring.
Anna came and found Jack when she was finished. She didn’t want to sign for the purchases. The saleslady was waiting for them to complete the sale. Luckily, this section of the store wasn’t that busy. He started to sign the signature pad, looked at the total, and then looked at Anna.
“Damn it, woman! Four hundred eight dollars and change for personal stuff! I haven’t spent that much on personal stuff in ten years,” Jack said.
“I’ll gladly pay for it myself,” Anna countered.
Jack shook his head and signed for the purchase. The saleslady handed him two large bags. They made their way to ground level and found a nice restaurant to rest and take a meal before they went to his house. They were out on the River Walk and he quickly understood how this place was such an attraction in San Antonio.
Jack looked around at the lush green foliage and cobblestone walkways that lined the banks of the peaceful, historic river. The river seemed to thread its way through the city one level below the hustle and bustle of city streets. River cruisers lazily traveled past them. He decided that he would make Anna take him around and explore the rest of what he couldn’t see. The San Antonio River Walk was a very romantic place in the setting sun. He looked at his new wife. She was watching him take in the sights.
“You owe me a tour of San Antonio,” Jack commented.
“I do?”
“I took you around San Diego, so you need to take me around San Antonio.”
“We’re married—all that dating stuff is over with,” Anna teased.
“Was that a date?” Jack asked innocently.
“Wasn’t it?” Anna asked with a smile.
Jack leaned forward and looked at Anna intently.
“What?” Anna asked.
“I have something for you, Mrs. O’Malley.”
“The bill from my shopping spree?” Anna quipped.
“No. Something else.”
Jack took the small box out of his pocket and handed it to Anna. She accepted the box without a word but with a puzzled look. She slowly opened the box and gasped. She glanced at him and then looked at the ring once more.
“I can’t take this, Jack,” Anna said quietly.
Anna closed the box and handed it back to him. He took the ring from the box and reached for her left hand.
“It was made for you.” Jack slid the ring on Anna’s finger.
* * * *
Anna lay in Jack�
��s bed as the TV was lowly playing in the background. It was indeed a bachelor’s house because it was sparse on furniture. She would’ve normally been asleep by now, but she was too nervous because she was thinking about her wedding night with Marc. Obviously it wouldn’t be the same. The nervousness was getting to her as panic started to rise. She hardly knew Jack, and now she was married to him. She wondered when he’d quit messing around downstairs and decide to come to bed. She was after all in his bed. She lay staring at the TV but not really seeing it. She was sleeping before she knew it.
* * * *
Jack put his papers aside and stretched. He was hesitating going upstairs to his room because Anna seemed to be really tense when they walked inside. He showed her to his room and allowed her some privacy but finally decided he was too tired to wait anymore. As he made his rounds, he thought about the events of the day. This was certainly not a course he’d envisioned taking in his life. He was married now.
What the hell did I just do?
As Jack reached his bedroom and peeked around the door, he saw Anna’s silhouette in the darkened room. He watched her breathe a deep, slow rhythm and knew she was sleeping as the glow of the TV cast her shadow on the blinds. Jack knelt down next to the bed and watched her sleep. Anna looked so peaceful and calm. He would often watch her sleep in the hospital. After watching her for a while, he seemed to be able to rest. Being around her calmed him. He looked at the ring on her finger and smiled because she’d kept it on.
Jack remembered how soft she was when he’d kissed her earlier after Reverend Landez married them. And damn it! If he didn’t feel it again, that tremor when he touched her. He was fighting it, but for the first time in a very long time, he was falling for someone and it was a hard fall. He’d always had a very powerful attraction to Anna that was undeniable.
He changed quietly and crawled into bed next to his new wife.
“Good night, Mrs. O’Malley,” Jack whispered before he shut his eyes.
* * * *
Anna woke slowly to the feel of Jack’s body next to her. She pulled the sheets around her and caught a glimpse of her wedding band. Anna lifted her hand slightly and looked at the diamonds in the band glinting in the dim light that flowed into the bedroom. She felt Jack shift and take her hand. He pulled closer to her and enclosed her body in his arms as he planted a slight kiss on her shoulder.
