SEAL Forever (22 page)

“Same here, bride-to-be, the future Mrs. Swifton.”

She liked the sound of that and could hardly believe this moment was happening. “I'm really going to be Mrs. Swifton.”

“Yes, you are. Oh, by the way, your parents and all of your brothers are flying out this weekend from their respective homes. What do I have in store for me?”

“Goodness, Declan, you're in for a challenge.” She felt sorry for him in that moment. Her family could be a lot to contend with, though she loved them dearly. “There are a lot of them. Knowing them, they'll probably make a vacation out of it.”

“Nice! Besides, it can't be worse than Hell Week.”

“We'll see,” said Maura, wiping her face with the hankie again as she smiled at the notion of her family putting Declan through the wringer. She knew he was right, though; he was a steadfast man, a SEAL of his word, and he'd handle it.

Two police officers—a male and a female—were walking in their direction. They stopped in front of them.

The female asked, “Is everything okay, ma'am?”

Maura couldn't contain herself. “Yes, he proposed. Look.” She stuck out her hand and then laughed outright.

The male police officer chuckled. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” said Declan uncomfortably.

The cops moved slowly away, heading toward the center of activity where the restaurants and stores were located. Mothers walked by with babies sleeping soundly in their strollers. The air held a peaceful quality to it, a certain calm and tranquillity. She relished the quiet as she sat beside the man she loved.

“Do you want to go home and get naked?” he whispered.

“Yes,” she answered quickly. “Though I wish we didn't have to wait that long.”

His laugh was very male. “I have a solution.”

The drive to the Naval Air Station North Island took less than three minutes. Declan drove them to the Navy Lodge on the beach. Pulling into the half circle, he left Maura in the car with the engine running and went inside.

Two ladies were at the front desk. Lessie greeted him. “Hello, sir, how can I help?”

“I need a room for tonight. A cottage if possible.”

“For only one night?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yes,” he replied. “I'm active duty and I've just gotten engaged.” The last part of the sentence felt strange to say aloud, but he was going to work every angle he could to fulfill his plan.

“One moment, sir.” Lessie went into a back room.

He looked around the spacious interior. They'd done a good job redoing the place. Noticing an ad for a garden space, he contemplated suggesting to Maura that they get married here. It'd be convenient to book rooms for her family rather than drag half of the SEAL community to her hometown. But it was her day too, and he needed to ask her about her dream.

Lessie returned with a smile. “Sir, we have one cottage, but you need to be out by 0800. If you agree, then it's yours for the night.”

Declan nodded. He pulled out his military ID and credit card, secured the room, and then took the key card and got back into his vehicle.

“How did you do? Did we get a room?” she asked.

“Yes. We did very well,” he replied. He drove around the last part of the half circle and then cut through the parking lot and turned onto the main road. He paused at the stop sign.

A plane was taxiing to the runway as he reached the access road and turned left. Going slowly down the road, he turned into the first cottage driveway.

“These are the best spots going.” He turned off the ignition and pulled the lever for the trunk. Grabbing a bag and a cooler out of the trunk, he went around to the passenger side and opened Maura's door.

“What's that?”

“Well, I'd been working on a romantic getaway for us—a surprise of course—for this coming weekend, but this stuff should work well now.”

“With a cooler?”

“Yeah, just add ice.”

His future wife rolled her eyes and laughed. “That's my Boy Scout.”

“SEAL, dear. Get it right.” He winked at her as they headed to the front door of the cottage. “The card is in my back pocket.”

“You just want me to grab your butt.”

“Anytime you want, and yes.” He grinned. “You know if you keep rolling your eyes, they'll fall out of your head.”

“Who told you that?”

“Gich. Along with his lecture on how disrespectful it is. What can I say, I was in my teens—though late teens—when I joined the Navy. I was a bit of a wiseass.”

“And that's changed how, precisely?” She keyed them into the cottage. “Wow, this is beautiful.”

“Gee, thanks.” He made a face at her. “Yeah, it's nice. Two bedrooms and only a few steps to a fairly deserted stretch of beach.”

Maura grabbed the cooler from his hand and put it on the table. Picking up the ice bucket, she said, “I'm going to go get ice while you unpack our goodies from your bag.”

He put down the bag. “Let's trade duties.” He picked up the entire cooler and took it outside. Walking down the access road to the community building, he slid the cooler under the ice machine and kept pushing the button until it was filled. Then he picked it up and headed back.

His eyes scanned the beach and he could see an unattended blaze in one of the square fire rings on the beach.
Maybe we should head out there before it goes out. Enjoy the romance.

Coming back into the room, he nearly choked on his tongue as Maura stood before him in the sexiest black, see-through, lace nightie. He swallowed several times. Putting the cooler on the table, he didn't even bother diving inside it for a near beer. Instead, he went right to her, picked her up, and carried her into the bed. “I'm glad I packed that lacy thing. I think I almost swallowed my tongue.”

She squealed with delight. “Declan!”

He placed her gently on the bed and merely grunted an answer as he stripped off his clothes, pulled off the prosthetic, and lay down beside her.

She didn't seem to need any encouragement as she took control, climbing on top of him and pinning down his arms. She leaned her face close to his. “Thank you for the best night of my life.”

The kiss was deliriously intoxicating.
More, more, more…

“May every day and night together keep getting better,” he murmured against her lips.

“Hooyah!” she answered. “Did I say it right?”

“Yes, you did,” he said, rolling her onto her back. He looked into her eyes. “You're everything I want and didn't know I needed.”

Her hands were holding on to his shoulders. “I knew I wanted you the moment I saw you. It just took you a little time to catch up.” She looked down and then away. “When did you know?”

He touched her cheek, bringing her gaze back to him. “You don't have to look away anymore when you get shy or embarrassed. You can always look me in the eye. I won't judge you.” Brushing his lips against her cheek, he watched the color rise.

“Okay.”

“To answer your question,” he said as he kissed his way down her neck and up the other side, “I fell for you the first time as I carried you up the beach during that crazy storm where you lost your paddleboard. The second time was when you went toe-to-toe with me when we spoke on the balcony and you wouldn't let me sit in my man cave. The next time was when you said yes, in the restaurant. I look forward to adding to this list for the rest of my life.”

Maura pushed him back and her eyes tracked his. “Really?”

“Yes. Life rewards bold actions.”

“I was brave for five seconds and it changed my life. Who would have thought?”

He rolled onto his back, laughing.

“What?”

“Of all the things that could blow your mind tonight, it was me admitting to you how much that kiss meant to me.” Declan put his hand over his eyes. “Here I thought it would be the proposal.”

She straddled his body with her legs. “Me too.”

“You bring laughter and light to my life.” He grabbed her arms and lowered her to him. “I love you, Maura.”

“I love you.”

They rolled around on the bed. Maura's lacy nightgown was stripped away in the process so that they were skin to skin. Every touch fed the fires of intimacy and sensuality until Maura was arching into him, aching for completion.

“I want to remember this moment forever, and if…” She ran her nails lightly down his rib cage on either side.

He drew air through his teeth. He was so hard; he had to concentrate on not coming yet. “If we conceive…”

“Then it will be another beautiful memory to add to all the memories we already have.” She lifted her hips and lowered herself slowly onto him.

This was the most exquisite feeling in the world. It was impossible to describe with words, and yet the warmth, the wetness, the tight strength…all of it surrounding him, holding him, was akin to what heaven must be like.

His body pulsed with need as he watched her lift herself up and down, driving his body crazy with need. She had this wicked little smile on her lips that made him want to kiss her into submission on the one hand and drive her batty with desire on the other. There wasn't anything on this planet he wouldn't do to make her happy. This was going to be one of his lifelong goals: bringing her utter joy, complete fulfillment, tremendous passion, and endless entertainment.

Putting his hands on her hips, he guided her so she found her rhythm first. He wanted to see that look on her face when she surrendered to her need and wallowed in the completion. One night soon, he'd see how many times he could bring her before she gave in and could take no more. It was a delightful torture worthy of much experimentation.

“Declan!” He felt her body clench as her sheath spasmed, and she climaxed.

Happiness radiated from her. A low laugh came from her throat along with a panting and breathy sigh.

He gritted his teeth, not willing to come yet.
Hold on
, he repeated over and over
. Hold on.

Rolling his hips, he changed the rhythm to bring her again.

Maura's back arched as she came a second time, and this time he couldn't wait any longer. He needed to join her.

Rolling her onto her back, he set a swift pace that had her writhing underneath him and clawing his back as she moaned his name over and over. Finally, he could endure the velvet bliss no longer and gave into the pleasure, coming in an explosion of completion.

Coming together was like linking into a universal power, an energy that made him feel like they were one being. And in this oneness, all possibility was real and everything conquerable. If he could have opened his eyes, he was sure they must glow.

Sliding to his side, he pulled her with him.

Her exhaustion was beating at him like a bird's wings, and he gathered her closer, bringing the covers over them.

“Thanks,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

They were still connected. He was deep inside of her.

As he was starting to pull out, she said, “Stay. Please.”

He nodded his head. He could deny her nothing. This would be his Achilles' heel. She was his anchor for heart, mind, body, and soul.

Her arms cuddled into his chest as her breath came out in small puffs, displacing tiny hairs on his chest.

“The most perfect night of my life…” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

He listened to her breathing for a long time, feeling her heart beat alongside his, before he allowed his eyes to close and gave in to his own need for rest.

This time as he drifted away, there were no night terrors. There were only dreams of him and her, and their life together.

The Saturday following the engagement proposal, in the parking lot in front of their Imperial Beach apartments, three men crowded around a motorcycle. Around them children skateboarded and teased each other, and the road behind was at a standstill as cars filled with people were headed to the beach.

Declan, Leaper, and Miller finished the last of the modifications for Declan's beloved motorcycle, Joy Juice. Grease covered them in odd places on their hands, face, and clothing, but the laughter coming from those three was hysterical.

Maura shaded her eyes as she watched them start the engine. It was followed by slaps on the back and probably words of appreciation, not that she could hear anything with the motor that loud.

A few neighbors poked their heads out and pointed. They seemed pretty adamant about the noise. Maura wasn't sure how they could differentiate it from all the other noises around them, but she made a gesture letting them know that she'd handle it.

Going down the stairs, she interrupted the three stooges and yelled, “Stop revving the engine. You're aggravating the neighbors.”

“What?” yelled Declan, putting a hand to his ear.

Maura flipped the key, turning off the engine.

“How did you know how to do that?” asked Leaper.

“No one ever asked me, but I had a Harley when I was fourteen. It was my mom's, and I rode it all over my parents' property, at least until my car accident. After that I shied away from pretty much all moving vehicles for a while.”

The men stared at her briefly, seemingly assessing her. Not Declan, of course. He beamed with pride—not that he'd had anything to do with her skill set.

“Told you she was cool!” said Leaper, jabbing Miller in the shoulder.

Miller went after Leaper, and two men mock-scuffled.

Declan came around the bike and grabbed Maura's hand. “Are we pissing off the neighbors?”

“Affirmative.” Maura gestured to the neighbors standing on the balcony, looking down on the scene with very unhappy expressions on their faces.

She couldn't resist shouting to the guys who were now wrestling. “Hey, guys, save it for the gym.”

“Or the bedroom,” added Declan with raised brows.

“Ha, ha,” said Miller getting in a last gut punch before he stepped out of Leaper's reach. “Besides, I didn't start it.”

Leaper groaned. “My fault. It's always my fault.” He hunched over, playing up the fact he was nursing his “wounds.”

Maura looked at her watch. “Miller, you better get moving. Isn't your date with Sue Kolls at 1800?”

Miller grabbed her wrist and stared at it. “Damn, I only have thirty minutes. It's going to take me at least that long to get home. Dec, old buddy…can I use your apartment to clean up?”

Declan looked at Maura. The two of them had a silent conversation. “Sure,” he said, “but be quick. I'm going to take Maura for a ride, and I want you gone when I get back.”

He took his house key off his key ring and tossed it to Miller. “Leave the key on the table and the balcony door open when you leave.”

“Sure thing,” said Miller, taking the steps two at a time.

Leaper sat down on the sidewalk. He looked sullen and unhappy. “What am I supposed to do? My swim buddy is getting married. Miller's got a date. Sobbit, Tyler, and Bunks are riding up the coast to attend a screening in La-La Land, and Hayes and Wilson are in Julian at some retired Frogman's party. What the hell?”

Maura put her hand on his shoulder. “I promise, I'll find someone for you.”

The man cradled his stomach like a kid with a tummy ache. “A lot of good that does me now. I need something to do.”

She held up two fingers, gesturing for him to wait two minutes. Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, she dialed the gym. “Hey, is the superhero class running today? Uh-huh. Two classes. No, three, because we have an adult version now. Great! I'm sending down the perfect helper. His name is Leaper. He'll be there shortly.”

“What have you just committed me to?” Leaper looked doubly unhappy.

“Let's see, a day of playing with ropes, balance beams, kids, teens, and adults—many women in their twenties that like to dress in costumes and work out.” Maura waited for the news to sink in.

“Nice,” he said, nodding, a smile growing on his face. “I can walk there and pick up my car later?”

Maura held her grin in check. “Sure can. Get going. Just ask for Mrs. B. when you get there.”

The man was on his feet in seconds. He stretched his arms over his head and took off at a run. Rounding the corner, he didn't even look back.

“Good one,” said Declan.

“Tell me about it. If he doesn't meet someone in that adult superhero class, the man is doomed. They're all Comic-Con fans—you know, comic books, graphic novels, cosplay, superhero TV and films, and animation—and given that Leaper is a real-life hero as well as a crack-up, I'm pretty sure the ladies will go nuts.” Maura leaned up and kissed Declan's chin. “Where are we going?”

“You'll see. Hop on.”

Declan opened the back hatch and pulled out two helmets. He gave one to her and secured one on his head. Then he climbed on the hog first, sliding his prosthetic into a foot holder and securing a brace along the back side to keep it in place. Turning the key, he held in the clutch and cranked up his Joy Juice.

Maura made sure the strap was secure. Doubts poked at her from the back of her mind that this could be dangerous, but she squashed them into pulp and let her excitement show. Wrapping her arms around his waist, Declan took a dirt path through a field and then wove his way through the streets until he could find a spot to cross the busy road. Soon they were hauling it down the Strand doing seventy, with the wind batting their cheeks and the sun beating down on them.

At the first light, Declan turned off. He gestured to a security guard and took them down a long road. Again they wound through residential roads until they reached a home with a Sold sign on it.

Declan pushed a button and the kickstand went down automatically. He turned off the key, and the silence was quite loud for a few seconds.

Maura got off the bike and put her hands on her hips. She looked at Declan. “You didn't!”

Flowering herbs filled the entryway, along with balloons and vases of roses. A sign on the wall said, “Welcome to the Home of Mr. & Mrs. Swifton.”

Covering her mouth with her hands, Maura walked from room to room. “There are two extra bedrooms. Oh, look at all this closet space, and a full bathroom, a double-garage… And this laundry space is great. I can set up a permanent ironing and steaming place here. The kitchen is open-concept, and the dining room is huge, and so is this living room.”

“Wait until you see our room.” Declan took her elbow and led her into the master suite. “It has a steam shower and a standalone tub, and the view…”

She broke his grasp and ran to the double doors. Throwing them wide, she stepped out onto the patio and walked to the railing. Opening the gate, she went down the gangplank to a dock where a double kayak was tied up. The front seat said “Hers” and the back said “His.”

Overwhelmed with joy, she wanted to cry. “I don't know if I can keep back the floodgates.”

“Then don't. It's one of the best parts of you that you share your emotions easily. Let the waterworks roll.” Declan's smile was bright and warm, his eyes filled with love. He pulled her into his arms. “Is it your favorite surprise…as of now?”

“Getting there,” she said as she rubbed her belly. “Someday, I hope to fill these rooms.”

“Yes, the Navy's symbol is Neptune, and that's definitely a god known for blessing fertility.”

Maura wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Can we go look at the house again?”

“As much as you like.”

As they reached the patio, she stopped him. “What if I hadn't liked it?”

“My Teammates would have had a great place to stay, and hopefully, they wouldn't wreck the staple of my life savings.” Declan turned her toward him. “You really do like it, don't you?”

“Yes,” she said. “It's the perfect place to begin growing our family.”

“Begin?” he asked. “How many kids are we having?”

“I'll let you know when I'm done, but I'm thinking at least five.”

“I was thinking two or three.”

“Whoops! You should have asked me that question earlier, because multiples run my family. My granddad on Mom's side was a twin, and my grandmother on Dad's side was too.”

Declan leaned against the wall. “Why didn't they deliver the hammock chair yet? I need to sit down.”

“You bought me the chair—the double seater—that we saw in Seaport Village?”

“Yes, though I guess we're going to need more than one,” he sighed.

“As Wordsworth said, ‘The external world is fitted to the mind.'” Her hand caressed his butt as she led him inside. “So we'll decide how many kids we want and stick with it. I'm told, after the first child, the others are easier.”

“Check, please…” Declan murmured, heading to the bathroom, where he turned on the water in the shower and stuck his head inside. “Just give me a minute to adjust,” he shouted through the spray. “Multiples.”

* * *

Declan had spent the rest of the next two weeks packing and moving boxes. They'd spent the following weeks cleaning and preparing the house, and then throwing a small welcome party. Add in a wedding, a honeymoon, and a lot of very vigorous exercise, and the time had flown by.

Today was the end of a very active four months, which had included surgeries, recoveries, physical therapies, moving, an engagement, and a wedding, not necessarily in that order. It was hard to believe so much had changed in his life.

Turning his Harley, Joy Juice, into the Amphibious Base, he flashed his ID and headed not toward the Team FIVE Quarterdeck, but to BUD/S. He was starting his new duty and he was primed for action. He would be testing the trainees and seeing if these tadpoles had what it took to become SEALs.

He knew from his experience that a lot of men had the physical toughness. It was the mental agility and acuteness, the desire to get the goal despite the odds, that separated many talented athletes from their wish to be a SEAL and plopped them back into the general population of the Navy. The ones that made it through BUD/S and Hell Week had an indefinable quality that meant they could be leaders
and
followers, that courage and commitment to their Teammate and their oath came before their own needs. Their dedication was unwavering.

Declan knew the wives took on a similar commitment when they married a Team man—not an easy thing, because a SEAL wasn't just a SEAL while he was active duty. That way of life and sense of responsibility and duty was forever. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. Men were who they are…forever.

Parking his bike, Declan withdrew the key, stashed his helmet, and headed for the door. He showed his ID and was escorted to his office. Stacks of file folders were loaded on his desk, and a man was waiting in his chair.

“Only a half hour early. I thought I taught you better than that,” said Gich, sticking out his hand. “Christ, I was two hours early on my first day at BUD/S.”

“Yeah, and you probably weren't getting any either. Those of us with wives have other duties, you know.” Declan laughed before he swatted away the hand and leaned down to hug the man. “Good to see you, Commander. What brings you here?”

Gich spread his arms wide. “I've had three different offices in this place, and I've got to say, this one is the best.” Then he resettled in the chair. “Besides, if I'm going to have you following in my footsteps, I have to make sure you do it right.” Gich's bullshitting was a great way to begin this new journey.

He'd play along. “What's your advice, Commander? Tie the tads up and throw them in the ocean or stick with the pool?”

“That's stage one, my boy, you know that. No, I'm talking about when you're in the mountains. I know this place that has the best pie. Before the stage begins, you need to stock up, and then there is this little pub with darling waitresses—not that you're looking anymore—but you can bring a few of your Teammates who are single…”

Sitting down in his chair, Declan pulled closer to the desk. He'd thought that being behind a desk would mean the end of his time in SEAL Team. Instead it was a phase of his career he was eager to experience. If he could be anything like the man sitting in front of him, he would consider his life well lived, because Gich had saved lives with his actions in combat and at home, and his teaching in the Teams was legendary. He was a role model to everyone, but to himself, he was just an ordinary guy. That was a SEAL, someone who didn't need to be recognized for the glory.

Yeah, he'd be happy to be just like the most outstanding man he knew, Gich. With a wife like Maura at his side too—a woman who was independent, passionate, honest, and the perfect swim buddy—the possibilities really were endless.

“I brought you a present,” said Gich, handing him a package wrapped in newspaper. “It was given to me by a brother, before we lost him in battle about a decade back.”

Declan unwrapped the package. He looked at the framed print. It was the Navy SEAL Ethos. He read through it, saying the last line aloud: “…the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.”

Gich stood and the two men shook hands. “I know they're in good hands.” And then he walked out of the office.

Picking up the pile of files, Declan opened the first one. He gave the candidate his full attention, making notes on a separate piece of paper on how to push him, teach him, and make him the best SEAL he could be. Because being the best meant pushing oneself every day and living up to the promise of success, courage, commitment, innovation, and achievement.