Chapter 28

Duke paced his office, hands clasped behind him. Flint was right, damn the man. Lately, Scarlett was getting a little restless about their relationship. It had started when Flint and Jaye had announced their engagement and now, Cover Girl and Beachhead were expecting. Of all the men on this team to conceive a child with the model, he sure as hell hadn't expected it to be the surly Ranger. Now, Scarlett was dropping even more hints about their future.

It wasn't that he didn't want to marry her, or be the father of her children. He did. He was just, well, hell, he didn't really know what he was. He knew he loved her. That was not a question or a problem. Was he ready for marriage? He didn't know. He should be, he knew that, he was in the age range where he knew he should be. So, why did it scare him. Hell, even Flint who had always been known as a lothario, was getting married. So, what was his problem? He simply didn't know. He didn't get much more time to dwell on his problem, the ex-lady's man himself barged into his office.

"Duke? Is everything alright?" Flint asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, why?"

"You were supposed to be in a meeting with myself and Beachhead a half hour ago."

"Oh, great! I completely forgot." This concerned Flint, Duke never forgot meetings.

"What's wrong?"

"What makes you think something's wrong?"
"You never forget a meeting."

"Oh, yeah. I know." Duke sighed. "I got caught up in, uh paperwork" He tried to hide the real problem with a normal one.

"Uh huh. Why don't I believe you?" Flint narrowed his eyes at his friend. "What's the real problem?"

Duke laughed. "You know me too well old buddy. Fine, its Scarlett."

"What did you do to piss off Red?"

"I didn't do anything."

"As in, you didn't do anything to piss her off or you didn't do anything and that pissed her off?"

"The second one. I haven't done anything and that has pissed her off."

"Let me guess, she's starting to talk about weddings and babies and all the girly stuff we wouldn't expect from her, right?"

"Yeah. Ever since you proposed and Cover Girl was found to be pregnant, she's starting to talk about home, and babies and everything."

"Well, that's normal, I guess. I mean, her best friends are both becoming family women. She probably feels left out."

"Maybe, but last night she told me that if I loved her I'd ask her to marry her. She came right out and said it." Duke said simply.

"Well, you knew that was going to happen."

"Yeah, I know."

"What's the problem? You love her don't you?"

"Yes, you know damn well I do. For God's sake, I haven't even looked at another woman since I laid eyes on her."

"So, then what's the problem? Don't you want to marry her?"
"I do."

"So, I repeat, what's the problem?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Flint asked. "Either you want to marry her or you don't, it's pretty simple. Hell, even Beachhead is considering marrying Cover Girl and not because of the baby either."

"Alright, fine, I'm scared."

"Of what? Scarlett knows you, I'm pretty sure she'll say yes."

"And that's what I'm afraid of."

"I don't understand."

"I've been army so long, I'm not sure I know how to be a husband"

"Oh, and I do? Duke, none of us know how be a husband. It's not like we can go to basic husband training or anything." Flint laughed. "Listen, Hawk said something to me once when I asked him if it was possible to marry Alison and asked if I had what it took to be a good husband." He started. "Hey, don't look at me like that. We both know I went from woman to woman faster than a bee to flowers" He laughed. "Hell, I even tried with Cover Girl and Scarlett. Both of whom shot me dead. Then I met Alison and it was over." Duke's eyes widened at his friend's announcement that he had made a pass at Scarlett. "Hawk said 'Son, none of know how to be married, it's on the job training that will never be completed. But, if you marry the right woman, the training, while hard, will be well worth it. You have to know you're marrying the right woman and son, I think for you, Alison is most definitely the right woman. She'll keep you in line and you'll love every minute of it. Just like I do.' Buddy, I think Shana's your Alison and your Caroline."

"Yeah, that she is." Duke laughed. "Maybe I will finally give her this." He pulled a ring out of his pocket and looked at it.

"You devil, when did you buy this?"

"About two days after I met Scarlett. Only problem, she was with Snake-eyes at the time."

"So, if you've known that long, what's the problem?"

"I don't know, I just don't know."

"Well, then just do it. Go for it. But, let's hope the women don't decide to do a triple wedding." Flint laughed.

"Oh no! I'm not getting married at the same time as Beachhead. You, I don't mind, him, I mind."

Flint threw back his head and roared in laughter.

Moments later though, the laughter died down quickly as the sound of sirens and blasts shook the building.