Using his best announcer voice, French tells the guys what they have to expect. Pulling Timmons and I together he gives us the rules. "No hits below the belt, submission is in, but try not to make it a KO fight, okay guys?” We both nod and he makes us touch knuckles, which we do with gusto, the cheers from the guys around us making me laugh.
I let my arms swing out to my side, losing some of the tension as I just let Timmons rile himself up. It's funny how the kid views me as weaker and I'm going to make him pay for that. French gives us the typical UFC "Get it on!" with throwing his hand down and Timmons and I start to circle, taking mental inventory. It's strange how the BUD/S training makes us all machines, technical and methodical. Timmons traces the lightning bolt shaved in the side of his head with his thumb, giving me an evil grin, and it's on.
We trade blows to the body, our Team mates cheering us on and throwing insults or encouragement. He throws a hard right and I duck, blocking the flowing knee he brings up and grabbing his leg, I throw him off balance and knock him flat on his back while I land on top of him. I quickly put him in an arm bar, putting what little pressure on the elbow that is needed for a tap-out, seeing the redness fill Timmons's face as a loud ringing fills the background. It is our command phone, but everyone except French ignores it and I can hear him answer it just as Timmons taps hard on my thigh three times, signaling his defeat, and my brothers cheer. Getting to my knees, I slap Timmons on the back telling him it was a good fight.
"Martinez," French says briskly, catching all our attention and the room falls silent. Reno nods at French, standing at attention. "Get on Skype, you have an urgent caller. Command has patched her through."
Fear and anxiety build around my heart as Reno sprints to the computer cove, throwing the curtain open as I get to my feet. I can hear the familiar dial tone as I accept congratulations from the Team, stripping my gloves off and tossing them on my bunk.
"Chief, get your ass over here!” Reno's excited voice fills the calm, quiet space between he and the bunks, which only seconds before was filled with enough testosterone to kill a small mammal and I hustle to him. He is facing me as I approach, a weird mix of excitement and concern notable across his face. "It's time," he says, turning back to the screen.
"Wha..." I say and turn, surprised to see my Rhea on the screen; her beautiful face creased with anxiety. "Rhea, what are you doing? What's going on?"
"Hey, Baby." Her sweet voice fills me with joy, her blue-grey eyes burning through to my soul, and my heart races. This is my woman and I need her so much. "Rosa's in labor. Today's the day." Her smile lights up the screen, and I slap Reno on the back. "Y’all ready to go in?"
I look to Reno, who seems to be vibrating with excitement. "You want me to see this?" I ask, not sure if I want to see it myself.
"Hell yeah, Bro," he says, pulling a chair up to his side so that I can sit, "just listen to me when I tell you to close your eyes or I'll slit your throat when you're sleepin', okay?" He grins and I smile back. I can hear Rhea laugh at us and my heart jumps.
"Yeah, Bro, I promise." And we’re off; my beautiful fiancée plunging us into what I know will be a crazy experience.
~~~~~~~~~
Rhea
September 15, 2012 [US time]
I practically fall into the cushioned metal patio chair, my legs sore and tired from the five hours I put in at my Assistant Manager job at Victoria's Secret. My manager, Jenna, called me last night, frantic because she had just gotten an email about a huge markdown that needed to be completed by two PM today, begging me to come in on my normal day off to give her a hand. I had, of course, agreed and trudged my butt in there at seven this morning, sitting in my squeaky office chair as one girl unloaded bras and panties onto the table before me as I scanned and ticketed them; pushing them off to another girl, who hung them back up.
I am dog tired and this little boy inside me is going crazy, kicking for minutes on end. I take a sip from my iced tea and I slip my feet up into another chair as my phone starts to vibrate on the metal table, playing Eric Church's "Creepin”, and I know it's Harlan.
"Hello," I sigh, putting the phone between my shoulder and cheek.
"Rhea, are you okay?" Kendall's voice comes through, and I smile, glad to hear it. As the time nears my due date, I think Kendall is getting as excited as I am, sometimes seeming even more so.
"I'm good, just tired. Went in for a few hours today, and my feet are killin' me." I wiggle my toes with my legs propped up on the chair, glad that there is an awning over the patio to keep the scorching sun from my relaxation.
"Okay, I was scared for a second." I can hear her release a sigh, and it makes me giggle. She really is too wound up for her own good. "Alright, well Harlan and I are goin' out to an early dinner and we were wonderin' if ya wanted to join us."
"Yeah, I'll go with. Where were ya plannin' on going?” Even though my legs feel like they are going to fall off, I can’t pass up the always fun company of my best friend and her boyfriend, who I consider my best friend as well. They really are made for each other, and just being around them makes me feel better. They make me forget the hurt that rests in my heart from missing Chad.
"Har wants Chinese, so we figured we'd go to Waverly and the buffet they have there," Kendall replies, and I can hear a car door slam in the background. They aren’t wasting any time. They also know the story of Chad and I at that specific buffet. Before he had deployed, the sweet little Chinese lady behind the counter had called Chad my husband and sent us home with a bag full of takeout, lasting me a week with Kendall and Harlan helping me eat it.
"Sounds good. You on your way?" I slowly lower my feet from their position on the chair, stretching my back as I stand slowly. Gathering my iced tea and my Nook, I slide the screen door aside.
"Yeah, we'll be there in five," she says and I can hear the smile in her voice. It makes me giggle as I say goodbye, putting my condensation laden glass in the fridge to save for later and slowly waddling up the stairs, still trying to stretch my back. I sure am going to be glad when the baby finally comes so I don't get winded putting shorts and a tank on anymore.
I literally have to lie back on the bed, taking deep breaths as a slight sweat breaks out on my forehead from getting dressed. "One more month," I tell myself in mantra, pushing myself up, slipping my cheap flip-flops on and heading out the front door to sit on the porch in the sun. It is hot, but the sun feels good as I spray on some sunscreen; setting my purse on the steps right before lowering myself down.
Leaning my head up to face the sun, I run my hand over my extremely round belly, trying to soothe this baby from his vigorous activity. It's still amazing to me that I'm having a baby, that there's a baby inside me at this second. Yes, I know, I see the pictures and hear the heartbeat, but it is still mind blowing. Come to think of it, nine months ago this was the farthest thing from my mind. I was so focused on taking care of my depressed mom and getting to work on time that I barely thought about my future, much less having a family.
A thin, silent tear falls down my cheek as I’m thinking of my mom. I wish she was here, not only for me but for my son in the future. She was such a great mom that I know she would've been an even better grandmother.
"I know you're up there, Momma," I say quietly to myself as I hear Harlan's ancient Jeep start to rumble down the road. "I know you're watchin' over me, and I just want you to know that I love you. If ya could, just watch over this little guy." I run my hand over my belly as the gravel crunches in my drive. "I'd really appreciate that."
Harlan's Jeep might be ancient, but it's a hell of a lot more comfortable than his pickup as I slide into the back seat, adjusting my seatbelt so that it doesn't rub on my collar bone so much. "Who were ya talkin to, momma?" he asks with a wink in the rearview mirror as he pulls back out onto the road; Kendall swinging around to face me with a red lipped smile.
"I was just prayin'," I say, not that it is a lie because I was praying that my momma would look over my son
from her seat in heaven. I know she will. Kendall gives me a wide, sweet smile and squeezes my knee with her manicured hand, turning back around to face the road before us, the middle of our one horse town flying by.
The town of Waverly is just as small as Wakefield, and pulling into the familiar strip mall with Big Lots and Dollar General, I spot the Golden King Chinese Buffet with a smile. Just the image of Chad's smile when I had told him that the woman had called him my husband the last time I was here makes me sigh with happiness.
Kendall stands at my open door with her hand out to help me. "What are ya smiling at, Ray?" she asks as I slide from the Jeep.
"Just rememberin' the last time Chad and I were here." Kendall laughs, because she knows the story and she squishes me between her and Harlan, who throws his arm over my shoulders. I grin to myself in this moment of silent happiness, because I know how excited they are going to be when Chad and I ask them to be godparents to our son. Kendall is going to freak. I just hope I remember to bring ear plugs.
The food is just like I remembered it: amazing. I think the little Chinese woman manning the counter might have recognized me because every time I look over, she winks at me. The waitress leaves us with the bill and our fortune cookies, and Harlan passes them out, telling us we have to open them at the same time. I'm way too stuffed to eat it, but going along with my two friends, I peel open the cellophane wrapper, cracking open the cookie and picking out the white paper.
"Now we all gotta read them out loud or they won't come true." Harlan smiles, his dark blue eyes hopping from me to Kendall. She giggles at her boyfriend as I gaze back down to read my fortune. Harlan starts to ramble his off, but my mind is still running over the words before me and how weird it is that they actually fit.
"Your family will come under hardship, but don't worry, you'll survive it." What the hell kind of fortune is that? Looking down to the 'Lucky Numbers' always printed underneath it makes me wonder a little more. All of my favorite numbers are there, in sequential order: 2, 16, 22, 24, 30, and 31. Kendall's elbow brings me from my musing.
"What, what did you say?" I question, seeing the sly smile on both her and Harlan's face.
"Read yours, Ray." She giggles, missing a swat at Harlan's hand as he grabs a half of her cookie, popping it in his mouth with a grin.
Something inside me tells me not to read it aloud, so I just pass it around, watching as Kendall's eyes pass over the tiny paper. Passing it to Harlan, she lets out a 'Hmm’ kind of sound, her eyebrows knitting together and I know she feels the same foreboding as I do. It's too coincidental for my liking, and I tell Harlan to throw it away as Kendall and I scoot from the booth. Paying the bill at the counter, I smile as that petite woman approaches from the kitchen with a paper bag in her hand again, smiling at me.
"Hello again," she says in broken English, and I give her a sweet smile, signing the receipt for Kendall. "You have baby soon?" she asks, nodding toward my belly, and my hand automatically goes to it as I nod.
"Next month," I say as she slides the paper bag on the counter toward me.
"You take this." She smiles, shoving the bag a little more my way as I shake my head. "No, no take. Healthy food fo' healthy baby." She laughs. I smile, handing the paper bag to Harlan at my right as he pulls his wallet from his pocket, slipping a twenty into the tips jar with a heart melting grin.
"Thank ya, ma'am, I'll make sure she eats every last bit," he says, tipping his hat and making the older woman blush as I leave with a wave, weaving my arm around Kendall's waist as we walk to the Jeep. "I just think that lady has a thing for cute country boys," he jokes, slamming his door shut and reaching back to put the bag on the seat next to me, and Kendall slaps him on the arm.
"Don't go leavin' me for some older lady now, Harlan Dow," she chides and we all laugh, the Jeep idling at the traffic light entrance to the plaza.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, playing a sweet little salsa tune, and I know it is Rosa. Noting the time, three-thirty is a little early for her to call, but I just shake it off, swiping the screen. "Hola Rosa." I smile.
"Rhea," she sounds panicked, and my heart automatically starts to race, "Rhea, it's time." I know what she means. The baby is coming, but my brain is a tornado.
"Time? Time for what....Oh!" I slap Harlan on the shoulder, motioning for him to pull over for a second. "Did your water break?"
"Not yet, but my mom is taking me to the hospital. My contractions are only ten minutes apart." I can hear her breathing that unmistakable pattern into the receiver and my hands start to shake. "I need ya here, Rhea," she almost whispers.
"I know; I'm on my way," I tell her, saying that I'll call the number we had been given to reach Reno and Chad in case of emergency. I hang up with Rosa, my nerves firing on all cylinders. It is going to take us an hour to get to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital where Rosa's OBGYN is located, so I tell Harlan to step on it, which he does with gusto.
I am on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I am surprised we haven’t been pulled over at the speed Harlan is traveling. He whips into a handicapped spot just as I get through to Chad and Reno's commanding officer, telling him the situation as I slide from the Jeep with Kendall, rushing through the entrance.
"You'll have to give me a few moments to clear this, Miss Griggs," the Major says, and I say I’ll hold, keeping my phone close to my face so that I won't miss when he comes back.
I'm on the edge of hyperventilating as Kendall and I jam into an elevator with a group of visitors and she grips my hand, pulling my attention to her. "You need to calm down. I don't want to deal with two ladies givin' birth today." She smiles and I concede; trying to calm myself by closing my eyes. Taking deep, rhythmic breaths, I bring myself back down to 'calm Rhea' as the elevator dings open.
With the phone still to my ear, I follow Kendall, because, frankly, I can't remember the room number the nurse at the front desk told us. Weaving around people, I'm on my best friend’s heels as she turns into one of the rooms, seeing Rosa's face.
"Ray!” she cries, throwing her arms out for a hug that I hurry into. "Ken!” she squeaks out as Kendall crashes into us.
"How far are you?” I ask, running my hands over her face and pushing back a few stray strands of her pitch black hair.
"I'm close, about eight centimeters dilated." She gives me a pain edged smile, and I can tell she's keeping our pact for opting out of the epidural. She wouldn't have this sheen of sweat on her brow if she had gotten it, and I squeeze her hand, sending her some of my strength. "Have you gotten through to Reno?"
I point to my phone and shake my head. "Not yet, I'm waiting for the Commander to clear me." She nods slowly as her doctor enters. Dr. Rhodes is a forty-something, tall, curly haired man who has a huge smile, nodding to me as he slides down into a stool at the foot of Rosa's bed.
"Hello there, Rhea," he says, his thick southern accent rolling around the room, and I give him a smile. "You're lookin' good, but I gotta warn ya, bein’ in here might affect you in more than one way." He nods toward my belly, and I shake my head. There is no way I am leaving Rosa's side.
"I know; I'm prepared," I say, but am as unsure as ever as soon as the words leave my lips. Doctor Young, as well as Doctor Rhodes, have told me time and again that being there with someone who is giving birth can be just as emotional as giving birth yourself, so it might send me into labor, but I'm not leaving.
"Alrighty then," the Doc says. "Let's have a look then, Rosa my dear." He croons just as I hear the commander's voice come back on the other end of my phone and I excuse myself to the hallway.
"Miss Griggs," he says, and I answer him, "you've been cleared. The order has been placed down to allow Martinez and Payne a Skype viewing for as long as the labor and one hour after."
"Thank you," I breathe out in relief, and I can hear him chuckle a tiny bit.
"You're welcome, ma'am, and give Mrs. Martinez our best wishes." Saying that I will, I disconnect the call and hurriedly connect with S
kype. It only takes minutes, but feels like hours, before Reno's face pops up on my cell’s screen, worry written all over his features.
"Rhea, where's Rosa?" he asks, and I give him a reassuring smile.
"It's today, Reno." I smile as tears rim my lashes, the overflowing happiness at this moment finally hitting me. Rosa is having her baby. This is happening. I can see the wide smile cross his face and he turns his body away from the camera, yelling out something behind him. Then there he is, my man, my fiancé.
"Wha..." I hear him say and he turns, surprise written all over his bearded face. What I wouldn't give to run my fingers over that grey sprinkled face right now. "Rhea, what are you doing? What's going on?"
"Hey, Baby," I say trying to hide the sudden desire that has risen inside me. "Rosa's in labor. Today's the day." I smile and I see Chad slap Reno on the back. "Y’all ready to go in?"
Reno says something to Chad, and then I see him pull a chair up behind them, practically pushing Chad down into it. I catch something like "I'll slit your throat while you’re sleeping", but just ignore it, waiting for an answer.
"Hell yeah I'm ready, Rhea; take me to see my wife." I'm still laughing at his enthusiasm as I push open her door, seeing that the doctor has her legs up on the bed.
"Did you get him?” Rosa asks in a strained voice, and I can tell she's already been pushing. I flip the screen her way, and her face softens.
"Mamacita, I'm right here," I can hear Reno say as I slide in and take Kendall's place, holding one of Rosa's hands as her mother holds the other. I hand the phone to Kendall so she can be the sort of videographer. I turn my attention to my friend in labor.
Rosa squeezes my hand as the doctor's deep voice booms through the now busy room. "Alright Rosa, with the next contraction I'm gonna have ya push again as we count." She nods, looking at me with wide eyes.
Coming Home: Book 2 The Wakefield Romance Series Page 13
