December 7, 1941
December 7, 1941
It was 6:20 in the morning and Icis Creed had just woken up. Rising sluggishly from his cot, he pulled on his boots and hurriedly exited his quarters. Sundays were usually days of rest for the U.S. Navy, but being a mess attendant instead of an actual officer had its setbacks. Icis ran down the hallway towards the galley as quietly as possible, envying the men who were still snuggled comfortably in their blankets. He thought about the cool side of his pillow longingly. Some part of him yearned to bang on the door of the sleeping officers, making them suffer as much as he was currently. But he didn't. Instead, he made sure his steps made the faintest noises, trying so hard to refrain from waking his fellow service men.
They could enjoy their early Sunday morning. Icis Creed had work to do.
By 7:00 in the morning, Icis had finished all of the chores on his list, which meant that he had the rest of the Sunday to himself. After putting his mop back into the broom closet, he made his way to the deck of the ship. He was just about to leave the USS Arizona when a familiar voice called.
"Hey Snowman!"
Icis turned to see a friendly face approaching him. It was Captain Steven Blake, a 22 year old captain of the U.S. Navy and Icis' best friend. Blake was four years younger than Creed, and he had the zest to prove it. The young man always had a big smile plastered onto his face. He approached each situation exuberantly and earned the reputation among his peers as being loyal, steadfast, and kindhearted. Besides being your regular Mister Congeniality, Steve was wooing the women of Oahu with his dashing good looks and charming personality. His dark hair, bright blue eyes, and lean built were surely a sight to be seen. But unfortunately for the ladies, he was already married.
"Hotshot! Awake so early?"
"Yeah. I've gotta meet my wife in town. She's getting restless. Something about me being more married to the ship than I am to her." Steve chuckled.
"Oh you're gonna get it today Blake." Icis laughed. "It was nice knowing you."
"I know. She misses me too much."
"I believe it."
"She can never get enough of me."
"Now I doubt that."
Icis patted Steve on the back and walked with him to the port. The two men bantered, exchanging witty comments and playful punches, their laughing echoing throughout the base. Steve paused, letting the laughter die down before talking.
"Want me to let you in on a little secret, bud?
"Depends on the secret."
"It's a good one, I promise."
"Alright then. Shoot."
"I think my wife is pregnant."
"You think?"
"I think."
"Now how do you know before the lady does!" Icis stated, snickering. Steve rolled his eyes and grinned. But almost instant, that grin was replaced with an almost contemplative look. He looked as if he was deep in thought and could not be disturbed. His striking blue eyes gazed into Icis' dark brown ones. Icis felt as if his soul was being searched and comforted. It was an enigmatic experience.
"I don't know. I could just… feel it."
"F- feel it?"
"Yeah… plus she's puking all over the bathroom floor."
The two men continued laughing, which got them irritated looks from the families buying groceries in the commissary. Icis gave an apologetic look while Steve just smirked and dragged his friend away from the glares.
"Hey Snowman, let me ask you something?"
"No, Steve. I am not going to help you with whatever evil antic you've got planned this time. Last time you convinced me to do something, they had me cleaning the heads for weeks. I am not go-"
"No, Icis! It's not that…yet."
"Alright then. Shoot."
"Do you want to be the godfather of my child?"
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Steve?"
"Why wouldn't it be? You're already the godfather of my other kid."
"I'm dangerous…"
"You? Dangerous? With what? Your timidness and your corny jokes? Or is it your rock collection and your pristinely cleaned boots?"
"Shut up, Steve. You know what I'm talking about."
"What? Your ability to make ice cubes? Buddy, that's a cool party trick, but it's not going to hurt anyone."
"What if others hurt her or him because of me?"
"I highly doubt that."
Icis timidly pointed to his skin, looking down and grimacing. Steve took a deep breath and put his arm around his best friend's shoulder. He grinned and playfully punched Icis on the shoulder.
"Everything will be fine."
"You're not leaving me with a choice, aren't you?
"Nope."
Icis Creed walked through the town with his hands in the pockets of his tan blouson; a bead of sweat dripping down the side of his forehead. The weather was typically beautiful. The air was rather temperate and the clouds were mostly over the mountains, allowing the sun to peak through and bless the Islanders with warmth. It was definitely a beautiful day in Pearl Harbor.
After Steve left cis no choice, but to accompany him to town, the two men walked hurriedly through the small crowd gathering slowly across the streets. Steve impatiently checked his watch; paying more attention to the small clock on his wrist than the people he was jostling through.
"It's only 7:10, why is this boy in such a hurry?" Thought Icis.
As they continued down the street, the two men received longing looks from all types of women. Steve was too busy to notice, or didn't quite care, but this type of attention embarrassed Icis. He understood why Steve would get such looks, with his Superman-esque features and all, but he didn't quite understand why they would look at him the same way. He didn't think that he was anymore handsome than the average man, but he was wrong. There was something powerful in the way his copper-colored skin mixed with his chocolate-brown eyes and kinky, black hair. His chiseled facial structure and his strong physique made him appear almost like a god amongst men. He was hard not to notice. And it intimidated Icis. He attempted to avoid eye contact with all the swooning women, glaring at the rhythm of his feet and the shine of his boots instead.
Icis was caught by surprise when he realized that he no longer walking next to his best friend. He turned to look for Steve and instead was met with the deepest hazel eyes.
"Icis!" said the woman, with her hand extended. Icis took her hand and shook it.
"Mrs. Blake! You look stunning."
The woman chuckled, her long, dark waves bouncing as she flicked it over her shoulder. Steve put his arm around the woman, kissing her cheeks and nuzzling her forehead. He looked at Icis with a large grin and a gleam in his eyes.
"Please, Mrs. Blake was Steve's mother. Now how many times have I told you to call me Angie?"
"Plenty. Now how many times have I told you to call me Snowman?"
The three made their way to a small diner along the coast and ate their way through a pile of assorted breakfast foods. The waitresses looked in surprise at the stacked plates the two men had devoured in just a matter of 20 minutes. Angie smiled wryly at her companions, wiping her husband's mouth with her napkin.
"So… You never told me exactly why they call you Snowman?" she asked. Icis stopped mid bite, chills running on the back of his neck. It's been 5 years since they have all known each other, yet Steve was the only one who knew Icis' secret. The topic never really came up and Icis wasn't exactly eager on telling Angie. He was afraid of her reaction. He looked to Steve for affirmation. Steve nodded.
"Your husband gave me that nickname."
"Why? Are you from somewhere cold? Like Washington?"
"What? No, I—"
"ALASKA! You're from Alaska."
"No, Angie—"
"Canada? You've got to be from Canada with that nickna—"
"No, Honey just listen to him." interrupted Steve. He urged Icis to continue.
"He named me Snowman for my… mutation…"
Icis looked around to see if anyone else had heard, but the rest of the diners were busy stuffing their faces with bacon and eggs. He turned to Steve solemnly, expecting a bad reaction from Angie. But Steve just gave him a reassuring pat on the back.
"Mutation? What mutation? You look fine to me."
Icis turned to Steve again, who just nodded and smiled. Icis then aimed his right hand at Angie's cup and inconspicuously froze the remnants within.
"Steve told me that you liked iced tea…"
Angie looked at him with awe and chuckled. She grabbed Icis' hands to examine them, checking for any physical differences from that of a "normal" human body.
"Brilliant…" she stated. "There are no physical abnormalities. Well, besides your hands being the temperature of a frozen fish, but that's not saying anything since Steve's always feel like the pavement during a hot Texan afternoon."
"You're—You're not afraid?"
"Why would I be afraid?"
"Exactly." Stated Steve. "This is why I want him to be the godfather of our new child."
"Wha—Who told you!?" questioned Angie, a red blush covering her fair skin.
"So you are pregnant!"
Angie looked at her husband with disbelief and grinned. She smacked his head and started smiling, tucking a piece of hair behind her left ear.
"Yes, you idiot. I'm pregnant."
"Yes! Does she know yet?"
"No, no. I haven't told her."
"I told you, Snowman." Steve laughed as he hugged his wife. He reached down to her stomach and rubbed his growing child, whispering good thoughts.
"Congratulations, Hotshot. Mrs. Hotshot." Chuckled Icis. "How long are you?"
"3 months."
"3 months! How tiny!" exclaimed Steve as his kissed his wife's belly. "And in roughly 8 months we'll have a new Blake. With Icis as the godfather of course."
"What. Steve no. Not again—"
"With Icis as the godfather." Stated Angie, a small smile on her face. "Honestly, Icis, if Steve didn't ask you then I would've—"
Suddenly, their heartwarming moment and mirth were disrupted by a deafening boom coming from the docks. The three rushed outside, along with the rest of the diners, and watched as planes came swooping down from within the clouds. Confusion, shock, and fear enveloped the town. Looks of disbelief plastered on the faces of all the people. Tears rushed down Icis' face as he came to realize what has happened.
Pearl Harbor was under attack.