Page 18 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
On his half of the screen, Micky has a completely mischievous smile on his face, and I know his next words will be outrageous. I’m grateful when Pete cuts him off before he can get started.
“Cool your jets Micky, you narcissist.” Pete is smiling at first, but he visibly sobers up when he wants to talk to me. “I’m sorry about your sister, Chief. I know none of this can possibly be easy.”
“That’s what I was going to say next, but you think I can’t be serious. It’s a damn shame.” Micky shakes his head in mock sadness. I know it’s all an act to get my spirits up, and I really appreciate the thought from my officers. “I am sorry ‘bout it,Chief. When my old man snuffed it, I felt like my world went a little bit darker. I can’t imagine what this feels like for you.”
My throat nearly closes up. When I told my commanding officer that I needed time away, I knew he would share the reason with my team. I’d even welcomed it, thinking it meant I could avoid that horrible conversation altogether. But it turns out, this conversation is just as terrible.
“Thank you, Pete. Micky.” I almost consider saying more but end up just nodding. The men nod back at me.
“You holding up?” Pete asks.
I nod again. “Just getting used to the new normal.”
“That’s the chief I know.” Micky crows. I think he is done but, in his usual way, Micky keeps on speaking. “Heard you’ve got a kid now.”
Pete palms his face in exasperation. “I told you not to say anything about that!” He looks at me now. “You see why we don’t tell him anything?”
The words sting, but I know Micky is just trying to be supportive in that clumsy way of his. I take a moment while Pete is scolding him, swallowing hard.
“My niece,” I correct quietly. “I’m taking care of her now, yeah.”
“That’s why you’re not coming back at all, right? Instead of just taking leave?”
I feel my throat tighten. I nod. “I guessed the captain would have told you guys.”
I had originally only asked for leave to take care of Emily’s funeral. After Allison showed up with Maddie in her arms, I’d had to call my captain back and tell him I didn’t think I was ever coming back.
I shouldn’t be surprised that my team found out. It was only a matter of time before they realized I wasn’t coming back.
“Sorry,” Pete says. Then, with a shrug. “Can we meet her?”
I nod. “One sec.”
The truth is, Idowant to show Maddie off, at least a little.
I hadn’t thought I would be in charge of a child anytime soon, but I couldn’t be prouder to show Maddie off to my men. I leave my room for a bit before I return with Maddie in my arms. She is awake and content to just stare around her with that special gaze of wonderment only babies have.
“Here she is. Princess Maddison in all her glory.” A series of oohs and aahs from both of my men follow her arrival. “Say hi, baby.” I tell her.
Predictably, Maddie doesn’t listen to me and continues staring until a wave from Micky on the screen catches her attention. She reaches out, trying to touch both the men’s faces. All that is there is glass.
“She’s a pretty one. And she looks more than a little bit like you, Chief.” Pete murmurs, staring at Maddie in wonder. It would be comical if I didn’t understand why, because as biased as I might be, it was absolutely true to say that she is the most beautiful child walking the earth.
“More like my sister,” I say softly. Their expressions soften, and I clear my throat. From outside of the room, I hear a shuffling sound stop—Allison, listening in. I want to be annoyed, but the apartment is small, and I don’t have the energy to care much.
“That she is. The little tyke looks just like her uncle.” Micky agrees. “So that’s the end of the road for you, Chief? No more missions.”
“It is. I wasn’t there for my sister when she needed me. Hell, I couldn’t even protect all of you when it came down to it. So I’m going to focus, and do everything I can to make sure she never misses a parent for all of her life. As much as I can, at least.”
If Jeff doesn’t come and take her away,I think worriedly.
“I understand. We all understand, Chief. And please don’t say you didn’t do enough for us.
You did more than anyone could expect of you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be alive today. So thank you. For every single second of your service. It was an honor serving with you.” Pete salutes me, and Micky follows suit.
Their actions are enough to bring tears to my eyes, but I manage to hold it back. They’d just laugh like hyenas the next time one of them brought it up.
“It was an honor serving with you, Chief,” Micky declares, holding his salute, back ramrod straight.
