Faith (SEAL'ed Book 5)

by AJ Alexander

  Avery and Amber are situated on the couch with Bristol and Braxton cradled in their arms. Emma and Jimmy are snuggled on the other end of the sectional with Olivia plopped right on Jimmy’s lap. Olivia has decided since she can’t have her Batman for Christmas, she can settle for Grandpa. Jimmy pretends to be grumpy about it, but we can all tell how much he loves having her around. I keep telling Emma she needs to give that man some babies, but she’s young and has her whole life ahead of her.

  Just as I have a seat next to Emma, the room erupts with cheers as a ringing comes through the speakers. It seems I’m just in time for the call. “I can’t help but feel like I’m intruding.” I lean over and whisper into Emma’s ear.

  “You’re family,” Emma says before wrapping her arm around me. I lay my head on her shoulder as Olivia climbs over everyone to get into my lap.

  “We see Ba’man, Momma?” The hope in her eyes almost breaks my heart. I’m at a loss for words. He doesn’t want us, but I can’t tell her that. Sensing my hesitation, Emma chimes in.

  “Batman is working right now, but if he finishes in time, he will come see us for sure! Why not come meet Uncle Charlie and Uncle Logan?!”

  “Unca Chawee?” Olivia’s face immediately lights up with a smile.

  “I call dibs! I don’t know who she belongs to, but she is mine now,” I hear a voice boom over the speakers.

  “Oh no mister, you have two boys of your own. This one belongs to me,” I smart back, trying to fake a smile. I see the spitting image of Bristol and Braxton on the screen. I don’t know how anyone is going to tell people apart in that family.

  “Maybe we can work out a custody agreement or something?” Charlie says with a smirk, I can tell that Avery and Amber have their hands full with this one.

  “Sure, do you babysit?” I ask with a smile, already knowing the answer. Before he can even respond, Avery chimes in.

  “He has a serious case of diaper duty when he comes home for the foreseeable future.” Amber nods her head in response. “The only babies you will be babysitting are your own, Mister Mom.” You can see nothing but love radiating off of these three as they stare at each other, I can’t help the jealousy that I feel. Not wanting to sour everyone’s mood, I try to find a place to escape to.

  “Now that no one is trying to steal Livie, I am going to grab something to drink. Anyone want anything?” I plaster a fake smile on my face, but Emma notices. She gives my hand a squeeze before shaking her head no and whispering for me to go on ahead. Barely able to keep it together long enough to make it into the kitchen.

  The pain engulfs me as soon as I turn the corner, barely out of sight of everyone in the living room. I slide down the wall to the floor, covering my mouth with both hands to hold in the sound of my tears. I cry for so many things at this moment—for the loss of my first love, for the loneliness I feel right now, for the loss Olivia must feel only having a mother. However, most of all, I cry for the loss of Justin, my friend, that has come to mean so much more to me in such a short amount of time.

  I thought that any feelings of love had died with Trent, that I only had room in my heart for Olivia. However, just the short amount of time I have spent writing and getting to know Justin has meant so much to me.

  I jump in surprise as a hand rests on my shoulder, turning to see Emma looking down at me with tears streaming down her face as well.

  “I’m so sorry that I can’t make the pain go away. I wish I knew what was going through my brother’s head or why he is being this way right now, but I do know one thing. He is a good man, and he would never desert either of you. Believe in that, please.” She holds out a thin wrapped package and envelope to me. “Merry Christmas, from Justin. I already gave Olivia hers. He sent them to me before you guys stopped speaking, but I am sure he would have wanted you to still have it.”

  “I can’t,” I begin, but she shakes her head no and turns to head back to the living room. With shaking hands, I open the envelope.

  Catwoman,

  I have no idea what I have ever done in this life to deserve a chance to know you and Olivia, but I will be thankful for the time we had together. Well, not specifically together, since it was all through email and letters.

  Honestly, I feel like it was meant for us to meet that way. The connection I feel with you two goes beyond anything I could have imagined from someone I randomly met on the street. I would like to think that when I came home my sister would have introduced us, we hit it off, and then lived happily ever after, but this isn’t a fairy tale. Batman doesn’t get the girl.

  I wish for nothing more than for you to find happiness in life and let your heart fly free. Don’t hide behind the wall of fear for the rest of your life, open your heart to love. I had hoped that I was the one you would come to lean on in your time of need, to love when the time is right, but that was not in the cards for us. I want nothing more than for you and Olivia to be happy.

  I could ask for nothing more. Hopefully, when I get home soon, we can at least be friends, because I have been warned by pain of death from Emma that she was not letting either of you go, not even for me.

  I’ll keep Gotham safe for my Catwoman and Robin—Always.

  Yours always,

  Batman

  Shaking my head, I begin to unwrap the present. What I find shocks me to the core. A signed copy of the first appearance of Catwoman - me. His Catwoman.

  Without words, Justin has told me everything that I needed to know. He wants me, both of us for the long haul. That no matter what he will protect us from everything, just like Batman does. Tears spring to my eyes as I let out a full belly laugh, even in my nerdiness, this man gets me. Pushing up from my position on the floor, I head back to the living room to join my family and finally face my fears.

  21

  JUSTIN

  I need to see them, to make sure that Becca knows that I haven’t deserted them. I can’t imagine what she must be thinking since it has been a week since she wrote that email. Without taking the time to think about what I am doing, I shut my laptop and head to the briefing room where the team is Skyping with the girls. I know Cowboy set up a sweet system in his house, so they could all talk on the holidays.

  Knowing my sister, there is no way that she would let Becca and Olivia spend the holiday alone. I just pray that they all decided to go to Katie’s and not stay at Jimmy’s place. I burst into the room and look directly at the screen, hoping to just catch a glimpse of my girls. As if on cue, Becca comes bolting back into the room with a frantic look on her face, searching the screen, and hope begins to blossom in my chest.

  “Where is he? Is he there with you guys?” Becca whispers as she clasps something desperately to her chest. I know they couldn’t have missed my entry into the room, but Cowboy responds.

  “Sorry, Ma’am, LT isn’t around right now. Last time I saw him, he had just gotten off of watch. Maybe he decided to hit the showers before he came for a call.”

  “Don’t Ma’am me, that’s my mother. You also don’t need to BS me. It’s alright.” I watch her shoulders sag in defeat as she has a seat next to Emma. I want to bust through all of the guys and scream to her that I am here. I am here for her and Olivia just like I promised in my emails, but she did ask for time and space. Suddenly an idea pops into my head, I run back out of the room and grab the sat phone from the tactical equipment box. I know we are only supposed to use this for emergencies, but this is an emergency to me. I will gladly take the hit for using it.

  Once I return to the room, I find a paperclip and throw it at Cowboy smack in the back of the head. He immediately turns and heads in my direction.

  “What the hell was that for, LT?” he asks.

  “I need your number.”

  “Why not just come and Skype with everyone else?”

  “Stop wasting my time! Just give me the damn number,” I growl. He must notice something in my eyes because he immediately rattles off his house phone number. I quickly dial it, holding my breath
as it begins to ring. I have no idea who answers the phone, but before they can even say hello, I say, “I need to speak to Becca.”

  BECCA

  “Momma! Ba’man got me Ba’man!” Olivia squeals as she hugs her new doll to her chest. That doll is going to be her new best friend, I can tell just by the look in her eyes. I take a seat next to Emma again on the couch.

  “Thank you,” I whisper. No other words are needed at this point, she has renewed my faith in her brother with these small gifts. I don’t know if they were sent before or after our small email disagreement. But somehow, I just know everything is going to be okay. Maybe not right now, but I just need to have faith.

  I sit and watch all my friends continue to speak with their men, the smiles on their faces hide the pain I know they have right now. How the separation is killing them inside, but they keep on pushing forward. The strength in this room will never cease to amaze me, while also bringing me hope that this may just work out.

  I’m broken from my thoughts when I hear my name from across the room. “Becca, someone wants to speak to you.” I look up to see Katie smiling at me. I turn to look at the projector, hoping to see Justin’s smiling face but am met with a wink from Charlie and a gentle smile from Logan instead.

  “Okay. Not sure why you fellas would want to chat with me instead of your lovely ladies, but what can I do for you?” I say with a smile. They both chuckle in response, suddenly a phone appears right in front of my face.

  Katie must sense my confusion because she continues, “Say hello.”

  My heart begins to race in my chest as I grab the phone with shaking hands. “Hello,” I whisper.

  “Merry Christmas, Catwoman.” Justin’s deep voice comes across the line, bringing tears to my eyes.

  “Took you long enough, I don’t like being kept waiting.”

  “Sorry, love. I got a little lost along the way, but I promise I’m here now,” he says with a soft chuckle. I want to ask him what he means, but I know there is no time for that. I have no idea how long I am going to be able to have him on the line right now, and I need to make it count.

  “Why are you crying?” Justin asks, shaking me from my thoughts, and I begin looking around. If he was here, I would have known, and the guys told me he was not there for me to video call with.

  “How do you know I’m crying?”

  “I can see you. Damn, you are so beautiful,” Justin responds almost reverently as I snap my eyes toward the screen, squinting my eyes trying to find him. Logan, Charlie, and the girls are all talking to each other around me as if nothing is happening, but he has to be there. There is no other explanation.

  “You’ve been there the whole time, haven’t you?’ I whisper into the phone. I try desperately to hold in the torrent of emotions that are threatening to break free at this moment. Even when I thought he had left us, he was there, silently waiting and watching us.

  “I will always be here for you, even if you don’t want me to be. I will protect you and Olivia with everything that I am.”

  “Thank you,” I manage to get out before I break down, handing the phone off to Emma. She wraps me in her arms, taking a moment to talk to her brother and wish him a Merry Christmas.

  “No cry Momma, Daddy say Ba’man home soon.” Livie climbs into my lap and snuggles into my chest. I can’t say that I am too keen on her believing that Justin and I are going to get married because her deceased father said so, but to think that Trent is around looking out for me and our baby girl is comforting. Maybe he did send Justin to take care of the two of us in his stead, I just need to take this all one step at a time. Sometimes the best things in life happen after you take a leap of faith.

  Epilogue

  Two Years Later

  BECCA

  I can’t believe my baby is five. Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital, sleeping with her on my chest because she had acid reflux. A lot has happened in both our lives since moving to San Diego, the biggest change being our new extended family.

  Justin and the team came home from deployment a few months after Christmas. Homecoming was amazing, but it brought back some painful memories for me with having not been able to welcome Trent home properly. Being the amazing supportive man that he is, Justin took it all in stride. Took Olivia and took care of her like a champ, as he said Batman and Robin were finally together at last, and let me tell you those two are thick as thieves.

  We have been taking it slowly just as I asked in all those letters years ago, there is no rush to prove something we already know. Justin, Livie, and I are a family. There is nothing a piece of paper can prove that we don’t already know. However, I can see the longing in Justin’s eyes when he sees Logan and Charlie playing with their kids, he wants to be able to officially call Olivia his own. I am not against the idea, but someone has to get off his ass and ask me already.

  “Hey, Sleeping Beauty! Get your head out of the clouds and help us get this show on the road. We have a birthday princess arriving in less than an hour.” The way Emma is barking out orders, you would think that it was her kids’ birthday. Not for lack of trying, but Jimmy is yet to convince her to marry him. I have faith that he will be able to wear her down sooner or later.

  Taking a second to just sit and admire, I look at the transformation that has happened, not only in my life but in this room. Emma was able to convince Jimmy to let us have Livie’s birthday party at The Mission. He’s even helping with setup, he would do anything for Olivia. Pink, purple, and white streamers are covering the ceiling, the tables have been moved into groups to make long tables. The ‘head’ table, where her majesty will sit with her friends, is covered in glitter and sequins, her chair decorated too. The entire place has been taken over by pink, glitter, and unicorns, with the exception of a Gotham city backdrop on one wall. She can’t have a birthday party without superheroes, that’s just crazy talk.

  Katie, Avery, and Amber have been making tutus for all the attendees, crowns, fairy wings, and wands are set out for anyone that wants those as well. I’m completely overwhelmed by how much the people in our lives have come to mean to us, and how much we mean to them.

  With tears in my eyes, I head to the back to grab the teapot for the table. Her favorite juice, tropical punch, is inside and will be served in teacups on saucers. The table is big enough for everyone, she made sure that everyone will have a seat at ‘her’ table, all of her favorite people in one place. She may be a demanding little thing, but her heart is in the right place.

  “Emma? Can you start bringing teacups out here, please?” I holler over my shoulder, making my way to the table. Setting it down, someone scares me as they press against my butt. A little shriek escapes me, the chuckle confirms that it’s Justin.

  “Hands on the table, Catwoman.” His voice rumbles against my ear, making my stomach and thighs clench.

  “Emma will be coming out here any second,” I say nervously, looking toward the doorway, but complying with the command anyway.

  His lips smile against my skin before biting my neck. “I’m not going to fuck you, Becca. I just wanted you against me for a minute. To feel your curves under my hands…” Speaking of those hands, they slide up my sides to my breasts, cupping the weight.

  “Dammit, Justin.” Emma’s voice makes me jump, and my cheeks flush. “Grope her on your own time, we’re busy.”

  His hands grip my hips, holding me against him. “Just making sure my girl doesn’t need help with anything.”

  “Yeah, sure you were.” She rolls her eyes, I can’t get enough of their sibling banter.

  “I’m good, thank you. Now get out of here before you become a distraction.” Turning away from him, I head to grab more teacups, but his arm around my waist stops me mid-step.

  “You are definitely missing something,” he says as he circles to stand face to face with me. Hands on my hips, I lift an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue.

  The smirk on h
is lips gives me approximately half a second warning before his mouth is covering mine, his hand at the back of my neck. Will I ever get used to how I react to him?

  Before I want him to, he pulls back and kisses my forehead. “I gotta go see about a girl.” He laughs at my frustrated growl. As Justin walks out, Danny, Charlie, Logan, and Jimmy enter in a cloud of balloons. I think they bought out the store! They’re everywhere!

  “Oh my God! So many balloons!” Emma yells and laughs as she runs over to the guys.

  Jimmy cracks a smile, her smile is infectious and kisses her cheek. “There’s more to come.” Emma and I each take a handful of ribbons and wrap them around chairs until we can get them all sorted.

  Once all the balloons are inside, I give directions to the guys. We have to divide and conquer in order to get this all done. “Danny, can you get balloons tied to weights to go around the dance floor?”

  “No problem.”

  “Is Layla going to be able to make it?” Layla is not an easy person to like, but she’s part of the group. We would never exclude her.

  He smiles, obviously grateful that I didn’t forget about her. “Yeah, she’ll be here soon.”

  “Great, Livie will be happy to see her.” Turning to Charlie, I think about the next stage. “Alright Charlie, Logan, follow me.”

  Charlie and Logan are finishing up the balloons when the girls come in with the tutus. “Oh goodness!”

  “Krall, the Warrior King, get your fine ass over here!” Avery shouts, Charlie takes Bristol from her.

  “How’s my little man? Did you take a nap?” He waves his arms around, telling his daddy all about something. Charlie is intently listening to the story, interjecting with ‘mmhmm’ and ‘oh no’ when Bristol pauses. Amber grabs a green tutu and walks toward Charlie. “Time to get dressed, the birthday girl will be here soon.”