Latched (Coronado Series Book 1)

by Hart, Lea

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  SUNDAY

  Mark woke up with a start, he looked down at Birdie and could feel her breathing. His heart slowed down after the initial panic, and he kissed her gently on the top of her head. He tried not to move, she still had bruised ribs and he knew how painful that was. Feeling her squeeze his hand made his heart thump, She came back to me. He slipped off the bed and looked down as he studied her carefully. She didn’t look like she was in pain, in fact, she smiled at him, “Good morning Baby. How are you doing?”

  She put up her hand and moved it back and forth and motioned for him to lean down. She whispered in his ear, “My throat hurts. I don’t really have a voice.”

  He cupped her face with his big hand, “It will take time. Don’t worry, you are going to be able to boss me around in no time at all. I’m going to get the nurse, and then I’m going to hit the head and get cleaned up. I’ll check and see what your parent’s eta is, they are supposed to be here sometime today.” She smiled up at him and tried to adjust herself on the bed and winced. He helped her adjust the bed and gently lifted her so she was sitting up a little. He leaned down and kissed her very gently, “Love you Birdie.”

  She pulled his hand so his face was close to hers and whispered, “Love you more.”

  He felt like his heart had grown two sizes. “I will never get tired of you saying it.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m going to go get the nurse and then I’ll be back.”

  He went out to the nurse’s station and let them know that Birdie was awake. They told him her parents were in the waiting room. He walked in and saw a couple that had to be Birdie’s parents. The woman looked like an older version of his future wife, and he knew where Birdie got her big smile. He walked over to the couple and introduced himself, they both stood up and her Mom gave him a big hug. “I understand that you have taken very good care of our baby girl. We are very appreciative.”

  Tom shook his hand, “Young man, we understand that you haven’t left her side. Is that true?”

  He stood at attention in a modified parade stance and looked him in the eye, “Yes sir. Josh and I grabbed a chopper and came as soon as we got the news. I didn’t want her driving the car. I wanted to have it fixed before she got back in it. I apologize.”

  Joy took his hands, “Now you listen to me, it’s not your responsibility. She knew we were not happy about that damn car, but she was sentimental about it. As I’m sure you already know, our Birdie is very stubborn. She is not easily persuaded to veer from the course that she has set. The good news is that the car had been totaled and she’s going to be fine.”

  Mark looked down and then lifted his eyes and met both of their gazes, “Thank you for saying that. The nurses might be done with their morning routine, so she’s probably ready to see you both. I’m going to grab a shower and I’ll get us some coffee. Ana brought a bag yesterday, so Birdie has her stuff. I think she wants a shower.”

  Joy gathered her things, “Well I better go and get her taken care of.” She and Tom entered the unit and Mark headed to the doctor’s locker room to get cleaned up.

  The nurse finished checking Birdie’s vitals as she looked up and saw her parents walk in. Seeing her Mom and Dad opened up something in her and she started crying. Her Mom came over and gently sat on the bed and gathered her daughter in her arms and cried right along with her. Tom kissed his daughter on her head, “Well I guess we finally got rid of that damn car.” Birdie and her Mom looked up and started laughing.

  Her voice was coming back, “Mom, I want a shower. Can you help me? The nurse said it was ok if I had someone help me. I need to wash my hair and brush my teeth.”

  “Let’s get your stuff and get you cleaned up. I know you’ll feel better after you have a shower. Tom, you go meet Mark in the waiting room while Birdie and I take care of things here.”

  He gently gave his daughter a hug, “Love you Birdie. Thank God you’re ok.”

  Joy helped Birdie up from the bed and got her into the bathroom. Together they managed to get her showered and changed into clean pajamas. Joy blew dry her hair and brushed it out, it was like being a little girl again. Birdie wanted to put a little makeup on just to feel like she was gaining a little control back. The nurse came in with a breakfast tray and let them know that she would be moved down to a regular room in a couple of hours. She got settled into bed and attempted to eat her breakfast. “So tell me about this man who has blown into your life like a gale force wind. From your last email, I didn’t get the impression that it was as serious as it appears to be.”

  She sat back, drank her tea and tried to gather her thoughts. “I guess I fell in love with him over the last two weeks. I’m not exactly sure when it happened. I remember seeing the car coming at me and I must have felt that this might be it. My first thought was that I didn’t tell him how I felt. I think I screamed it as the car hit me and that’s the last thing I remember. Until last night when I woke with Mark staring at me and holding my hand. I thought I was just going to have a short fling with him so I could break my rut. But he’s had other ideas the whole time. I think it’s good, but overwhelming.”

  Joy looked at her daughter and held her hand, “So do you think this is the man for you?”

  “I’m not sure, we have only known each other a couple of weeks. It could just be lust. I don’t even know if we would get along over a long period of time. Somehow seeing that car come at me allowed me to say what I felt. I certainly want to see where this goes. He’s the best sort of person and I think right now I feel love. But is it puppy love or real? I don’t know. He said it to me before he left last week, he thought I was sleeping. He is very confident in his feelings, but I’m not sure he knows.”

  Joy squeezed her daughter’s hand, “Well, I think it’s definitely worth finding out. He hasn’t left your side since he got the news. He organized everyone to take care of your life while you have been in here. I think in his mind it is already done.”

  “Mom that is part of my concern. He is very bossy and wants to take over, it must be part personality and part job description. I’m not a person who wants to be bossed around and told what to do. I have to teach him to back off a little. I already told him I was the boss and I don’t think he remembers it all the time.”

  “Nature of the beast dear, you don’t become a SEAL if you’re not confident. These are men who back up that confidence with training and experience. They have to operate as if there’s not a thing they can’t accomplish. One of their biggest assets is their inability to give up and that shows up in all areas of their lives. I remember talking to Sarah when Josh was going into BUD/s and she explained what is was like. These men have to be the best of the best before they are even considered eligible to enter the program. Then they go through initiation and only a small percentage make it through that - then they have training for a year before they get their Budweiser. There is no way to come out of that program not believing that they are invincible. Then they go and do their job in the world and we know what that takes, then out comes a man like Mark. In addition to that, he’s their commander, and he is responsible for his squad. I don’t think you could have found a more competent, confident man if you ordered him up on the internet. This has to be something that you are willing to take on though. Only you know whether he is worth the effort.”

  “You’re right Mom. I guess my initial assessment is that he’s worth it. He told me I could be the boss, but he’s in charge. I am not even sure what that means.”

  Mark and Tom walked in as they were finishing their conversation. Mark handed Joy a cup of coffee and a bag with a bagel in it. He walked over to Birdie and took her hand and kissed her head. “How does your head feel? The nurse said they were moving you in a little while and your last MRI is scheduled for later this afternoon.”

  “Well I definitely have a headache, but I want to go home. Maybe they will let me out tonight.”

  “Baby, I don’t think that’s going to happen, but maybe t
omorrow. Josh is going to bring your Volvo up for your parents to drive and Frisco brought my truck yesterday. Ana has been taking care of your shop, so don’t worry.”

  “Mark, my Volvo wouldn’t start the other day, something is wrong with my battery. That’s why I took the Wagoneer, I was only going to make a delivery two miles from my store.”

  He tensed up and she felt his demeanor change, “The guy who hit you ran a red light and was drunk. It wasn’t his first offense, he died at the scene of the accident. Instant justice, you don’t always get that.”

  She looked at him and was shocked, “I didn’t want him to die that’s not justice.”

  “Oh yes it is, you were lucky to have survived that accident. You have an angel on your side. What if the next person he hit was a van full of kids? What would you think then?”

  “Let’s just agree to disagree. I’m going to have to think about this some more and my head hurts.”

  “I’m sorry baby, I don’t want you to be upset. But that son of a bitch almost took you away from me and I would not have survived that.”

  Both of Birdie’s parent watched the whole thing and Joy knew at that point that this was the man for her daughter. He could stand up to her and still hand over all the power that Birdie wanted.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  MONDAY AFTERNOON

  Birdie tried to get into Mark’s truck and couldn’t make her feet work. He was very patient and waited while holding her hand. He could feel her start to tremble and her hand was sweaty. He took her hand and pulled her over to the side, so they wouldn’t be in the way. He encircled her in his arms and put his hand on her head, he wanted to give her the animal comfort of his body. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “We will take as long as you need but we have to get you in the car today. Otherwise it will be harder tomorrow and even harder the day after that. We can sit down on the bench and I’ll hold you until you’re ready, do you want to do that?” She was only able to nod her head as he took her over to the bench. He sat down and put her on his lap, “I’m going to hold you, just rest your head on my shoulder and when you’re ready you let me know.”

  “Mark, I feel ridiculous sitting on your lap, let me sit next to you. I can do this, I just need a few moments.” He gently slid her off his lap and put his big arm around her and held her hand. They sat there for a long time and didn’t say anything. Birdie people watched as she gathered her courage to get in the car. “All right, let’s do this.” She walked over to his truck and he helped her in and buckled her up.

  She sat stiffly and looked straight ahead. Mark got in and grabbed her hand, “Ready baby girl?” She nodded her head and closed her eyes. They made their way onto the freeway and Birdie kept a very firm grasp on his hand the whole way home. He kept looking over and she didn’t open her eyes once.

  He parked in front of her house and she looked at him as she let out a big breath. “You did it, I’m very proud of you. We will get in the car every day until you feel more confident.” She didn’t say anything and looked away - he could think whatever he wanted, but that didn’t make it true. He grabbed their bags out of the back and came around and they walked up to her door. Her Dad opened it as they came up and took the bags, walking into her house made her feel 100 times better.

  Joy came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel, “Perfect timing. Dinner is almost ready. I made your favorites to welcome you home.”

  Birdie smiled and gave her Mom a big hug, “Thanks Mom, you’re the best.”

  Mark took their bags upstairs and put them in the closet. He hoped it was going to be all right that he spent the night. He couldn’t imagine not sleeping next to Birdie after he came so close to losing her. They would be separated enough when he was deployed.

  They sat at the big farm table and enjoyed Birdie’s favorite dinner which was beef stroganoff, green beans, Cesar salad, French bread and angel food cake for dessert.

  “Mrs. James, thank you for dinner. Now I know who Birdie learned from.”

  “Mark, my daughter is a much more accomplished cook than I am. I can do the basics very well and that’s about it. Birdie is great at experimenting, she is very talented.”

  “Thanks Mom, for dinner. It was just what I needed, I’m starting to feel better already. I’m starting to feel tired so I’m ready to go up and take a shower in my own bathroom.”

  Tom got up, “I’m going to finish in the back yard. I just want to water the garden and then I’ll come in.”

  Mark got up and cleared the table, “Go up Baby. I will bring you up a cup of tea in a little while.” He bent down and kissed her and started loading the dishwasher.

  Birdie and her Mom watched him bend over as he put the dishes in. “I can see your attraction, and I understand it.” Birdie laughed and made her way upstairs. Joy started putting the leftovers away and turned to Mark, “I want you to know that we are fairly modern parents and we understand that Birdie is an adult. We are not going to disapprove if you’re spending the night here. I know that you feel like you almost lost her and I’m sure that you want to keep her close.” She patted his arm and walked out of the kitchen and into the back yard to check on her husband. Mark was surprised, her parents were amazing. He was going to like having them as in – laws.

  He walked into the bedroom and saw Birdie lying in bed with the remote. She was looking at her shows, “Can you help me in the shower? I can’t lift my arms enough to wash my hair, my ribs still hurt.”

  He gave her a sly grin, “Damn, I get to be on shower duty for a couple of days, excellent. I will make sure you are very clean.” He leaned over and kissed her.

  She got up, went into her closet and put her clothes in the hamper. He looked at her in her under wear and took a big breath in, “I want you to know that I will probably be at full mast anytime I see you naked or if you smile. But I understand that you have to fully heal before we make love again, so just ignore it and I will too.”

  “Well I hope it happens soon, otherwise all the hard work you did to get me out of my rut will be for nothing. We’ll have to start all over again with a more intensive schedule, just to make sure.”

  He slipped her bra strap off her shoulder and swept his hand over her breast. He kissed her soundly, “Well we wouldn’t want that to happen.” He unhooked her bra and helped her out of her panties, “Let’s get your hair washed.” He pulled out the towels, went in and turned on the water. He took her hand and led her in the shower. He placed his hands gently around her shoulders and bent down and kissed her with all of the desire, love and relief that was in his heart. She put her arms around his waist and kissed him back with everything she had. She could feel her own mortality for the first time in her life and it made her realize that she didn’t want to miss the opportunity of loving this man because she was scared or cautious. He pulled back and smiled at her and leaned his head against hers, “Thanks for coming back to me, I love you.”

  She put her hand on his heart and felt the steady beat, “You’re a good man to come back to.” She leaned forward and kissed his heart. “Your heart is your biggest muscle and that’s saying something, because you have some very impressive muscles.” He grabbed the shampoo and started washing her hair and she melted into him. She leaned her forehead into his massive chest and felt her heart fall into him. As he finished her hair she felt herself come out of her reverie. Pulling his hand, he sat down on the bench, “Let me wash your hair.”

  He grunted his approval as she started massaging the shampoo in. He let his head fall forward as he kissed her chest, “Thank you Birdie, it feels good. It’s been a long couple of days, I’m so grateful to be here with you.”

  She kissed the top of his head and kept washing his hair and massaged his shoulders and ran her hands down his chest. “Thank you for sticking around, I have no words for what you did for me. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I swear I felt you with me.”

  He pulled her down on his lap and looked into her beautiful eyes, “I know
it’s crazy, but I love you. This is it for me. I know it doesn’t make any sense and I’m sure that I am freaking you out. But I want you to start to get used to the idea, this is it.” She pulled his face forward and kissed him and let the tears fall. She understood and was just going to have to get her mind wrapped around it.

  They pulled themselves together and finished their shower, then they got out and dried off. He helped with her night gown and brushed her hair. They brushed their teeth and he smiled when he put his toothbrush back and winked at her.

  Birdie started laughing, “I’m going to buy a big package of toothbrushes and put them under your side of the sink. That should make you super happy.” She opened the cabinet under the right side of the sink and there was a box of condoms and some toilet paper. “All yours babe, have at it.”

  He looked at her with a big grin, “I have a side! This might be better than the toothbrush, but I’m not sure.”

  Birdie sat in bed with the remote and was looking at her list of shows. She noticed Mark was pulling on a pair of shorts, “Where are you going?”

  He pulled on a T- shirt, “I want to go downstairs and make sure everything is locked up. I didn’t do it before I came up.”

  “I think my Dad will do it - he always checks everything before he goes to bed. Even if I have closed everything, he goes behind me and checks. They’re probably watching TV and snuggling on the couch that’s their nightly routine.”

  “Are you sure? I feel funny letting your Dad do it.”

  “I think its ok but go down if you want, they might be kissing though.”

  He put his hands up, “I do not want to interrupt them. What we are going to watch tonight?” They went through the list and chose The Blacklist. She settled back and tried to get comfortable, “Do you want me to tape up your ribs? It might help?”

  “It’s just itchy, I will find a comfy spot in a minute.” Mark slid down in the bed and she leaned into him and sighed, “Found it.” She kissed his chest, “Love you.”