The Trainer
Chapter 12
All that Wolf could think about was the small diamond ring that was in his top dresser drawer. He and Willow had only known one another for a few weeks and had been on one formal date. The others had been quick lunches at work or dinners with her family. He knew how he felt but he wasn't certain that Willow felt the same way. And the other concern was, for the first time in his life, he had a chance to have a family. Did he really want to be away from them all the time? He loved being a sailor but being on land suddenly seemed more appealing. He sat down at the training facility and filled out the paperwork to request a land position, the problem being; it was Mike he had to ask. He shuffled up to Mike's office, dreading it. He had no idea what kind of reaction the man would have. As he knocked on the door; he reminded himself that Mike had given him the engagement ring and his blessing. Wolf walked in and sit down in front of the desk, waiting on Mike to finish on the phone. Finally, he hung up.
"You look like a man with something on his mind?" Mike questioned as he sat back in his chair.
"Yes, sir." Wolf admitted.
"I hung up my badge fifteen years ago so don't make me guess." Mike insisted.
"When did you know you didn't want to deploy again?" Wolf asked.
"Andrea was pregnant with the twins when the last opportunity came up. Granted, I could have volunteered. They would take an old salty sailor like me any day of the week. I knew it was time to hang it up because even though I was having trouble with being a dad again; I knew I needed to be a better one. Be present in my children's lives. I have a lot of regrets, too many now. I was not going to let Andrea me a single parent, only popping in a couple months of the year and missing all the important stuff. The Navy prepares you to miss birthdays and holidays. That isn't what bothered me. What bothered me was not being there when they didn't feel good. Not being there for the basketball game or Hannah's art show. The minor day to day stuff. I knew I couldn't do that to Tommy and Annika. My guess is; that moment has come for you?" Mike asked.
"I think so, Sir." Wolf admitted.
"I'm glad. I saw what my being gone all the time did to Christine. I want something more for my daughter." Mike told him.
"Do you regret it? It kind of screws up promotions?" Wolf asked. It was a stupid question because Mike was at a top rank.
"I didn't care if I ever got another promotion and in the end, neither will you. I know that it seems odd but changing your baby's diaper will be much more fulfilling than a promotion. Spending the day with your sick child. Going to the range with your oldest. What's important has to change when you have people in your life." Mike advised as he played with his pen.
"I've never had that before. What family I've had in the past several years have also been in the military." Wolf admitted painfully.
"Well, having a family is far more important than this. That is why Andrea is contemplating retirement. Our needs have changed and she's ready to pull the plug. I am not quite there yet but she is. What's in your hand?" Mike asked.
"A request to transfer to a full time land position. Since you're my CO, I have to give it to you. I would like to stay here but if that isn't possible…" Wolf stuttered.
"I will have to do some looking but I think…I'm sure I can make it happen. Give me a couple days. You give that ring to my daughter yet?" Mike questioned.
"Sir, we've only dated a few weeks, not really been on a lot of real dates. I don't know how Willow feels. I know how I feel but Willow is a bit of a mystery." Wolf told him.
"I have been saying that since they put her in my arms at the hospital. I know my daughter and I know she is in love. She may not know it yet but she is. She lights up when you're in the room and misses you when you're gone. Put that damn ring on her finger and let the chips fall." Mike ordered as he took the piece of paper out of Wolf's hand and signed it, handing it back.
"Thank you, sir. Do I need to ask for her hand?" Wolf asked.
"Oh my God, Wolf. Seriously! I have a date with a seventeen year old brunette looking at naked people painted on canvas. Go!" Mike told him in a firm voice and Wolf laughed. Maybe it was a good thing that Willow had her dad's personality.
"Yes, sir. Have a good day with Hannah." Wolf told him.
"I don't know how anyone could have a good day looking at paintings of naked people. She calls it art though." Mike said as he stood up and grabbed his cover to leave.
"It isn't so much about what you're doing as it is spending time with your daughter." Wolf corrected.
"Right, correct. Hannah's worth it. So, Willow has a work thing. What are you doing?" Mike asked as they walked down the steps.
"I have no clue." Wolf admitted.
"Make plans for a proposal. Andrea will help I'm sure." Mike told him as they started to part ways.
"Sir…most fathers wouldn't be so…accepting of this. You only just got Willow back." Wolf questioned.
"True, but I like you and you live a couple doors down. And you won't be deploying so my daughter won't be on her own for months at a time. I won't be losing her either, just gaining a son. Now, I gotta find someone for Hannah. I'm thinking Miller...in a few years." Mike said with a laugh.
"Thank you, sir. That means a lot. A lot more than you realize. Should I warn Miller how conniving you can be?" Wolf joked.
"Nah. Let him be blindsided like you were. And it's not conniving. I just love seeing my girls happy." Mike admitted as he got in his truck.
"Sure." Wolf said as he got into his own vehicle. He had to laugh at Mike, even if he was a little stunned. He drove home and waited until he saw Mike leave with Hannah before walking to their house to speak with Andrea. He needed her wisdom. He was shocked to see Kara Green there. Apparently the twins and Frankie were having a play date. Andrea let him in with a chuckle and sat him down with her and Kara at the kitchen nook table. Wolf was feeling very outnumbered.
"Mike told me you would be stopping by. He said you needed romantic advice." Andrea said with chuckle.
"Something like that, ma'am." Wolf admitted.
"He said you have the ring and need help with a proposal." Andrea persisted.
"He has a big mouth." Wolf said under his breath but apparently both women had good hearing because they were howling with laughter.
"Well, you don't want to take Mike's advice on romance. I can promise you that much." Andrea advised.
"And don't ask Danny. He isn't so good in the romance department either." Kara added.
"Well, considering that Willow is so much like Mike; maybe she won't care for a swooping gesture." Wolf said hopefully.
"Uh…Wolf, I am going to give you a bit of education. Just because Willow doesn't seem like the romantic, doesn't mean that your proposal should be lacking. Do you want her to tell your grandchildren how you bumbled up the proposal?" Kara asked wisely.
"It's Willow, so she probably would anyway." Wolf told them.
"Maybe but she does deserve the best. She's talked quite a bit about that Ferris wheel." Andrea encouraged.
"It would be a repeat date though? That doesn't seem right. How did Mike and Danny propose to you ladies?" Wolf asked.
"Considering we were both knocked up, that factored into it." Kara pointed out.
"Yes, but they had to ask?" Wolf persisted.
"Alright, I'll bite. Mike didn't handle my pregnancy with the twins so well. I figured what we had was a one night stand. It was great but I wanted something more. Mike had told me that he loved me but after I told him; he disappeared for a week. Didn't even go into work. I figured that I would be a single mother. I was hurt and disappointed. I wanted Mike to be a father to our baby. I had severe morning sickness my entire first trimester with the twins. One day I passed out in Tom's office from dehydration. I hadn't told anyone about the pregnancy, aside from Mike and Kara. Tom had me taken to the hospital. What I didn't know was that Tom also knew of the pregnancy; because Mike had asked him to keep an eye on him while he was on his sabbatical. Mike showed up at the hospital, out of concern for me and our baby; or babies as we found out that day. On the surface, everything looked seamless but behind closed doors, it was a different story. I eventually gave Mike the 'I'm having these babies with or without you; man up speech.' He did his part and manned up. Felt horribly for how he treated me. As far as asking me to marry him; he showed up with a ring one day after work and handed it to me, almost like he was giving me a piece of chocolate. No elaborate proposal but he was sincere. We were married a week later. Now; he did still struggle with the idea of the babies. I thought, right through the delivery that he would bolt but then they put Tommy in his arms. I remember looking over at him; he was kissing Tommy and crying all at the same time. I think I knew then; he was in for good." Andrea admitted.
"I wanted to shoot him. I think I even threatened him. Thank God Mike is forgiving." Kara added.
"I think you scared him." Andrea joked with Kara while taking a drink of her coffee. "Wolf, look. Yes, Willow is like her father. Difficult, quiet, maddening at times. They both could take personality lessons from Hannah. But, they are also loyal and when the chips are down; you don't want anyone else in your corner. She loved that Ferris wheel so my suggestion is; take her back there. Fill her full of sugar and she'll say yes. Stop thinking about the logistics in your relationship. Just go with the emotion. Willow will respond." Andrea instructed.
"I haven't even told her that I love her and I have no idea what her feelings are like." Wolf admitted.
"That's a good place to start. Besides, I happen to know what she is doing today. Her dad thinks it's a work related thing but she is actually talking to her therapist. She wants your relationship to progress; if you know what I mean. She's ready." Andrea told him.
"Uh…Oh…!" Wolf put two and two together.
"Sounds like a man that is about to get laid." Kara joked.
Dr. Grover's Office
"I know it sounds stupid and I'm not even sure that Wolf feels the same way…that he would want to…you, know." Willow told Dr. Grover.
"He's a guy. My guess is; he would be receptive." Dr. Grover responded as she sat down on the couch next to Willow and handed her a cup of hot tea.
"I…you know this, but I had never done this…consensually." Willow admitted.
"There is nothing wrong with that. You have concentrated on raising your brother and sister the last six years. You didn't bring strange men into their lives. Now, they have your dad and Andrea and you said your dad wants you to have a normal life; even pushing you and Wolf together. I can say one thing for sure; it will be better than what you've ever experienced. Just take a deep breath and relax." Dr. Grover advised her.
"I'm overthinking this, aren't I?" Willow asked.
"A bit. Willow, I cannot imagine that your dad would be so accepting of the relationship if he had any doubts about Wolf. He knows what goes on in a relationship and while I'm sure he would prefer not to think about that aspect; he is trusting Wolf with someone that he loves more than life itself." Dr. Grover reassured her.
"True." Willow agreed.
"Willow, sex is a beautiful part of any relationship. It symbolizes trust. Just because you've been through a rather traumatizing event; doesn't mean that you should shut that door. It can and will be enjoyable. I think you will surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it. It is with the right person. Just go with it." Dr. Grover told her.
"I suppose. I am concerned with the logistics. I live with my dad and Wolf lives a couple doors down. That could be weird." Willow worried.
"Like I said, your dad is well aware of what goes on in a relationship. He is letting you stay in an apartment attached to his house that happens to have a separate entrance. He knows you're an adult and in an increasingly serious relationship. He doesn't want details but he isn't a stupid man. Now; my next appointment is due. I figure this will happen for you in the next day or so; so I do want you to make an appointment next week. Any anxieties about the act can be discussed. Don't overthink this and trust Wolf. Now, take the afternoon and get some really nice underclothes." Dr. Grover ordered as she stood up and walked to the door.
"Underclothes?" Willow asked, confused.
"Yep, lingerie. You want this to be a pleasurable experience for Wolf too. Although, most men only care about what you're wearing for about a minute." Dr. Grover joked.
"Yes, ma'am. Thanks for fitting me in." Willow thanked her as she walked out the door. The next client was there and Dr. Grover welcomed him into her office while Willow made the appointment for the next week. She got in her car, contemplating just driving home but instead drove to the mall and went to a store that sold the items she needed. As she perused the bras and panties, her cellphone dinged. She smiled when she saw that it was a text from Wolf.
"We both have tonight off. I was thinking about taking you back to that street fair?" Wolf asked.
"That sounds really nice. What time?" Willow replied.
"Five? I'll pick you up." Wolf told her.
"Great. See you then." Willow texted back.
Willow finally found what she was looking for. She wasn't into lace and such so the red, lacy bra and panties were not something she would normally buy. It fit and showed off assets. The panties also covered her scar, not that it would matter in the end. Willow made her purchases and even bought Andrea a perfume that she had been raving about. Andrea rarely bought anything for herself; concentrating on her husband and family. It was nice to treat her.
Willow drove home and went through her entrance into her apartment. She quickly changed into the set that she bought and a blouse that she had borrowed from Hannah and not returned and a pair of shorts. She was a ball of nerves. She walked into the house and was relieved to see Andrea in the kitchen. MJ, Tommy and Annika were in the living room and Lauren was asleep in her bouncy seat. She put the perfume on the counter and Andrea gave her a huge smile.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do that." Andrea admonished.
"I wanted to. So, Wolf and I are going out. He is picking me up in a bit. Dad and Hannah still out?" Willow asked as she grabbed a piece of cucumber that Andrea had been cutting up.
"Yeah, he's made a day of it for her. I don't expect them back until after dark." Andrea told her.
"Good. Hannah needs it." Willow admitted.
"She does and your dad needs it too. I think I just heard Wolf pull up. Enjoy." Andrea agreed as Willow headed for the door. Wolf met her on the porch and they walked to his Jeep. She could tell he was nervous about something. They made light conversation and finally got to the street fair. Their dinner out was hot dogs as they looked around. Finally they agreed to ride the Ferris wheel. Willow had noticed how fidgety Wolf was and choose to ignore it. She had cuddled into his side and they were looking at the city lights when he pulled something out of his pocket.
"Look, I am not good at this stuff and you may shut me down but I've fallen in love with you. I know it seems a bit early but…I would love to have you be my wife?" Wolf asked as he showed her the ring and Willow immediately gasped.
"Oh, my God. That's my mom's engagement ring. I thought it was lost." Willow said tearfully.
"Your dad found it at the house in Norfolk. He gave it to me for you." Wolf told her.
"Oh, wow." Willow said, completely distracted.
"I'm not a patient person…" Wolf admitted, still holding the ring.
"Oh…right. Yes. I want to be your wife. I love you too." Willow told him as she leaned over and kissed him passionately. After the long kiss; Wolf slipped the finger on Willow's finger. It fit perfectly and looked like it belonged. They continued kissing even as they were descending.
"Okay, I have no idea what to do with the rest of the evening. All my planning went into that." Wolf apologized.
"It was great and I have an idea." Willow told him as she grabbed his hand.
"What?" Wolf asked.
"Let's go back to your place. Mine is out." Willow asked.
"You sure?" Wolf asked, knowing what she was implying.
"I am. Just be…you." Willow added.
This isn't the end! Seems like it is but it isn't. I love your reviews. Please, please review!