Chapter 22: The Barbecue - part 2
Sat by herself on the wooden park bench, Kelsey feels alone. She looks over her shoulder at Clay and his team. Watching as the group cuddle and coo over her baby, and supervised by Clay, they pass him around between them. With the back of her hand, she wipes away the large tears from her face. They're running down her cheeks continuously. She doesn't even really know why she's crying, but still she continues to cry. The tears come with the sporadic waves of sadness she feels. One minute she finds herself totally elated, happy, smiling. Clucking over the tiny human bundle in her arms, and then the next minute she feels like she's in the pits of despair and she just wants to grab him, board a plane and fly home to the UK.
But she's not even sure if that's the reason for the tears, or if it's that right now, in this moment, she feels like an outsider. Like they're over there, a strong bonded unit which she doesn't fit into. This past week has been one of relentless confusion and chaos. One minute she was on a plane traveling here, filled with anxiety about seeing Clay again. Then happy when they were reconciled at long last. And then, weeks earlier than she expected, she was giving birth, to a baby boy, in the bathroom of a bar. She smiles, laughing to herself. God how bloody bizarre is all this? She sighs. You couldn't make it up.
She's stuck between two countries, unable to go anywhere for now. It's like a limbo like hell where she's reliant on everyone else and she's hating the lack of control that she has over anything going on in her life.
Awww! She grimaces putting her hand to her breast and she has to admit that some of her tears are because she's in pain. That her swollen, sore breasts really hurt, the right one more so. It's hard, sore and aches like hell and as she continues to gently massage it, she starts to weep again. Sighing she takes a deep breath in as she looks up at the blue sky. She's enjoying the heat of the warm sun on her face and it makes her feel better. She stares long and hard at the glass of juice in her hand, she didn't even really want it. Only taking it to be polite. Shit !
Fuck! She sighs emptying the orange liquid onto the grass and standing the glass on the ground beneath the bench, she wipes another large tear from her cheek.
She closes her eyes, taking a long slow breath in. Losing herself inside her head, her thoughts whizzing around, she tries to make the most of these few, precious, quiet minutes by herself. But as she opens her eyes again, her gaze is drawn toward the road on the other side of the park. A broad smile breaks out across her face as she watches the tall, well-built guy who's walking towards her.
She stands up. Still smiling, she shields her eyes from the sun to get a better look. Alex! "Oh my god... Alex!" She calls out, waving. Wearing a stylish pair of ray ban sunglasses and chewing gum, he puts his hand up and waves back as he sees her and he hurries across the grass. Brushing his floppy, dark locks back from his face. He has this huge presence, and making long confident strides, he heads straight in her direction.
"Oh god!" She gasps excitedly, virtually running across the park towards him. Throwing her arms around his waist as he easily picks her up, holding her in his arms, before he places lots of kisses along her neck.
"Hey trouble, how are you?" he smiles
"I'm good!" she sighs relieved to see him "Oh my god, I'm so glad you came. I'm just sorry it had to be like this, you know a meet and greet barbecue."
"Hey, I'm just happy to see you. And since when did something like this bother me? You know me better than that"
"I guess not" she laughs "I'm just so glad you came" She hugs her arms around his chest, him squeezing her tightly against him "Oh careful! " she grimaces as she adjusts her shirt and bra where her breasts were rubbing against his chest.
"You okay?" he frowns, he can see the face that she makes.
"Yeah fine, it's just ... just awkward "She smiles putting her hand on her chest.
"Wow!" He looks down at her, unable not to notice her larger, fuller figure squashed into the button front shirt " Well look at you... you um... you look great!" he smiles "Tired ..." he brushes her hair back from her face "..but great!"
"Yeah, yeah I am tired. Three hour feeding shifts will do that! And as for great looking?" Hmmm "Yeah, I'm not so sure about that"
"Hey c'mon, you always look stunning, well in my opinion. But I know I'm bias."
"Oh Alex... " she closes her eyes and starts sobbing "I'm am so glad you're here." once again she wraps her arms around him but his time she doesn't let him go.
He takes his sunglasses off, placing them up on his head "Jesus Christ Kelsey, let me bloody breath" He laughs, though as he looks at her his smile quickly changes to a frown. And as his eyes adjust to the bright sunlight he can see that she's crying "Hey, hey Kelsey, what the hell's wrong?" he frowns "Kelsey talk to me. What's the matter?"
"Nothing." she wipes her face, but she can't stop the tears flowing. "Sorry. I don't mean to be like this I just, ... oh god!"
"Well I've never had this effect on you before, that's for sure." he laughs " So, you gonna tell me what's going on? Everything's alright with you and... him?"
She nods still crying "Yeah we're good. Everything's good. "
"So why all the tears? Christ I've never seen you cry like this before. Okay maybe that one time, when I shut your hand in the car door but..."
"Yeah ! " she laughs "Yeah that did hurt! I'm sorry. I'm a mess. Lack of sleep I guess. Take no notice. I don't know why, just a bit tearful right now." she takes a deep breath Fuck! "Sorry. Alex, I'm so glad to see you"
He towers over her brushing his hand through her hair, looking her over, studying her. He laughs
"What?" she looks up frowning "Alex, what are you laughing at? Stop!"
"You, you look strange"
"Oh thanks! You know if that's supposed to be compliment, then you're failing at life" She punches him hard on the arm " And yeah, I know this outfit , it doesn't exactly scream MILF, but the first one got baby puke on it. Which by the way, is an everyday hazard now. You're gonna love that, seeing how squeamish you are with bodily fluids."
"Hey, I was medic, I'm not squeamish. Though maybe a tad, where vomit is concerned. Any way I don't mean what you're wearing, I mean seeing you with no baby bump. I got so used to it that now it seems strange." he puts his hand to her stomach "Feels a lot softer now. So..." He smile "What did you do with your bump?"
"Well..." She blushes ".. all seven pounds of bump is just over there." She sighs reaching up, wrapping her arms around his neck, she kisses him, gently, full on the lips "So, you did bring me some clothes, right? "
"Oh, oh now I see, you're just using me! You only want me for a suitcase of clothes, is that right?"
"Of course " She nods, smiling at him "What? You didn't think it was your model good looks and great body did you? Cos just to tell you, that ship sailed a long time ago, and I wouldn't wanna disappoint your ego."
He laughs as he wraps his arms around her and kisses her head "Well good job I brought you a huge suitcase full of clothes then. And by the way, do you know how much it cost me in extra baggage duty? You owe me big style Kelsey Roberts!"
"Oh, shut up, you officers can afford it!"
"Ohhhh... us officers?! I see that's how it is now. Well, may I remind you that you too are included in that us!"
Hmm! "Maybe. Technically I guess, for now. Though I'm not sure for how much longer"
He frowns watching her "What? You're gonna give it up?"
She shrugs "Who knows. Maybe. I'm thinking about it."
"Wow! Okay. Wasn't expecting that, but hey I guess you have to do what's best now." Hmmm! he sighs "So, anyway, you gonna show me this bump?"
"I guess." she smiles "He's over there, with Clay. C'mon I'll introduce you." They turn around and walk towards the barbecue where Clay and the guys are standing "Wait!."
She stops. Hesitating, she holds her hand against his chest preventing him moving "Alex... please be nice. I've only just told Clay that you were coming and... well he's not taken it all that well. I think he's convinced there's something going on between us. So, I don't want a scene, not today. I mean it's the first time I've met some of these people myself, so just play nice"
"Hey..." he smiles "I promise, best behaviour. Scouts honour Ma'am. You know what, I'll use all my charm on him"
Hmmm! she frowns "Alex shut up, you were never a boy scout. Oh, and you never behave either, so don't pretend you do. Anyway c'mon .." she laughs "I'll introduce you."
o-o-o-o-o-o
"Oh! Oh yes." Mandy gasps, a big grin spreading across her face. She teasingly bites her bottom lip Mmmm! she groans "Who the hell is he?" she tilts her head nudging Lisa who's standing beside her
"Ohhh!" Lisa looks back at her in surprise "Oh yeah!"Mmmm! " Wow! Do we know who he is ?"
"I have no idea, but he um... he looks like he knows Clay's girlfriend, or at least I hope he does"
Sonny looks up from the steak that he's tending on the barbecue. Frowning as he listens to the continuous running commentary Mandy and Lisa give on Alex's appearance. Turning his head he looks out across the grass to see what they're actually talking about.
"Oh hell" he sighs "He's sure as hell not what I was expectin'" He frowns, nudging Clay with his elbow to attract his attention. "Hey Blondie, look up! Your Marine buddy's here."
"Oh, fuck!" Clay sighs as he finishes up his second bottle of beer "What the...". He frowns, watching as they slowly wander towards them.
He has to admit, Alex, looks nothing like the picture he had in his head. He's tall, toned, definitely works out, a lot. And even Clay can't deny he's good looking. No, he's certainly not the beefy meat head that he thought he would be. Shit!
Jason moves in closer beside them. He frowns as he watches them too "So who the hell's this guy?"
Their comments attract the attention of Naima "Oh! I guess that must be Kelsey's friend" she also frowns "She um... she asked me if it was okay, for a friend to come along, when I saw her yesterday. But I actually had no idea it was a guy"
"You knew about this?" Ray frowns, raising his eyebrow showing his concern "And you didn't think to say anything"
"No! Ray, she asked if a friend could come along. What was I supposed to say? Honestly, she never said it was a guy."
What concerns Jason, more than the guy he can see headed in their direction, is the angsty, apprehensive, glaringly sour, look on Clay's face as he opens a third bottle of beer. "Hey, hey Clay!.. Just calm it down, okay. Stay in control here."
"She said just a friend, does he look like just a friend?"
"C'mon just cos he.. he looks like that, there's nothing to say that he isn't just a friend"
Mandy continues biting her lip. Wistfully, teasingly twisting lengths of her hair around her finger. From the smile on her face it couldn't be clearer what she thinks about Alex "So do we know his name?" she sighs watching as he and Kelsey are nearly beside them. "I gotta say.." she laughs "he's pretty damn hot"
"Well.." Jason frowns. He lets out a long sigh and folds his arms across his chest as they now all stare in the couple's direction " I wouldn't say he's anything special."
"Yeah sure!" Mandy laughs, her eyebrow frowning as Jason looks at her "Oh c'mon Jason, look at him." she gestures in their direction "Even you can appreciate that he' a good-looking guy" She smiles teasingly "What'd you say Naima? "
"Oh, I don't know. I'm a married woman, I haven't noticed" She smiles. Flustered by Mandy's question, she looks up at Ray, stroking her hand along his arm "I only have eyes for one man" she smiles, kissing her husband on the cheek "but yeah, I guess he does have a nice um... presence about him "
Ray looks at her an frowns "Hey! What're you tryin to say here?"
"Oh baby don't worry. He doesn't have more of presence than you!" she smiles kissing his cheek "Ray, honey you know I love you very much, but... " she laughs teasing him "I have to agree with Mandy on this one"
Oh fuck! Clay sighs "They're coming over"
"Clay ..." Sonny frowns, he's concerned by the look on his face "look, just keep it together, alright. Don't let him know he's botherin you. We got your six on this "
Clay nods and putting the bottle of beer down he lifts Casey from the travel seat, holding him tight to his chest, protecting his back and head with his hand.
"Hey!" Kelsey smiles as they reach the group and apprehensively begins to introduce them all "So um... everyone, this is my friend, Alex. He's literally just flown in from the UK"
"Hi !" he smiles "I'm on what you'd call a humanitarian mission. Bringing clothes to the needy" He laughs, putting his arm around Kelsey. He thought that maybe the joke would break some of the tension in the awkward atmosphere. In fact he's only met with a raft of blank stares.
Clay stands silently watching him. Cuddling Casey, holding him tight to his chest. There's an obvious tension between the two guys but Alex doesn't let it bother him and he confidently puts his hand out towards Clay to greet him
"You must be Clay, right?" He smiles as Clay just scowls. He neither answers not does he accept the shake of his hand, instead holding his hand tighter around his baby son and Alex tries again "Kelsey's told me a lot about you. All good, I might add." he laughs "It's nice to finally put a face to a name"
His over confidence throws Clay off balance and eventually he has to give in otherwise he knows its him that's going to look bad. Reluctantly, he puts his hand out and they exchange pleasantries "Yeah um... same here. Though, can't say I know a lot about you" he sighs glancing over at Kelsey "So how long will you be staying?"
"Oh..." Alex smiles " I have a couple of weeks R n R, so I'll stay as long as she needs me to"
Clay is starting to get annoyed. Alex's overconfident, arrogant attitude. Who the hell does he think he is? "As long as she needs?" he laughs. He can't help but reply sarcastically "Well it's not like she needs you here at all, is it."
Kelsey sighs she can see Clay's aggrieved but she's annoyed that he doesn't appear to be trying to make an effort. She doesn't say anything and ignoring his comments she continues to introduce him to the rest of the group. Pointing them out one by one.
"So... this is Brock and um.. full metal" she frowns she's never known his name Clay's only ever called him Metal "And um.. this is Jason, Master Chief Hayes, Clay's team leader"
She smiles. "There at the barbecue, that's Mandy and Sonny, he's from Texas. This is Ray, and his wife Naima. Today, it was their idea"
"Hey Alex..." Ray smiles, the only one of the group making an active effort to reach out and welcome him with a shake of his hand "So what is it you do? Did someone mention Royal Marines?"
"Yeah, yeah that's right" he smiles "I'm unit CO, Lieutenant colonel... four two commando"
Ray raises his eyebrows, he's somewhat impressed. Jason doesn't move. his eyes exchange glances with Sonny and Ray. They can all see from the look on Clay's face, and his eye rolls, that he's not impressed.
He tightens his hold on Casey, stroking his tiny body as he sleeps contentedly against his chest. Kelsey sighs. She knew Alex wouldn't be able to resist trying to impress. She watches as Clay gives a long hard stare in response to Alex's comments. She can feel the vibes of his annoyance. Then Clay coughs getting Alex's attention "So did Kelsey tell you want we do?"
"No.." Alex smiles at him "..well she didn't tell me, not exactly. But I can kinda guess, from looking at you. I guess she didn't think it was something I needed to know."
Kelsey can feel a clash of egos brewing, Alex starting to lose some of his cool with Clay's comments. And as they start to pick at each other there's a tense awkward silence "Look...let's not do this right now. Alex..." She smiles ".. I thought you wanted to meet bump." she laughs, carefully lifting Casey from Clay's arms
"Hey there baby boy" she smiles as Casey blinks his eyes open to look at her "Aww, were you sleepy there with Daddy. I know, but hey... I want you to come meet your Uncle Alex. He's been waiting to see you for a while now"
She turns, her face beaming, passing the waking baby to a hesitant Alex's arms. Forcing him to take hold, she then adjusts his hands around Casey's head "So, this is Casey, aka bump" She smiles again, kissing his sleepy cheek.
Alex pulls him closer to his chest to hold him more securely, and Kelsey turns to look at Clay, she can see him awkwardly shifting position. Moving from foot to foot where he stands and sighing loudly. She smiles at him, taking his hand in hers, pulling his body closer to her. She holds him tight, trying to reassure him by leaning her head against his shoulder. Placing her hand on his chest, stroking it gently over his tee shirt, she smiles; she can feel him puffing his chest out, trying to make his presence felt.
"Hey.. hold his head" Clay sharply corrects Alex, as he stares hard at this man holding his son. He feels really uncomfortable about it, and it doesn't go un-noticed by the rest of the group.
"Well, hi there bump" Alex smiles as the tiny baby he has balanced, carefully, in his arms "You know the last time I saw you, you were in your mummy's tummy and we didn't even expect you to be here yet." Alex looks at Casey's hand, his tiny fingers in his own larger hands "Well at least he doesn't look like a squid anymore" he smirks as he looks up at Kelsey.
"A squid?" Clay frowns, taking immediate exception to his choice of words.
Kelsey tightens her grip on Clay's hand, trying to calm him "Oh don' t take any notice of him. It's just something he said at the scan. The image was fuzzy on the first one they did, and Alex being Alex said to the doctor that he looked like a squid" Both she and Alex laugh about their shared moment, much to the exclusion of Clay. She look around at him and she can tell he's annoyed "Oh, he looked nothing like a squid, it was just him being stupid, as normal!"
"Well I thought he did" Alex laughs "But I do have to say he's so much cuter now" He smiles at her, stroking his large finger against Casey's cheek "Hey there. You know you're a very handsome boy" he looks up and smiles at Kelsey "Hey Roberts... you know you did good, he's beautiful. Congratulations... both of you"
Kelsey smiles at the fact that Alex is making an effort with Clay, now if she can just get Clay to reciprocate then things would be perfect. It doesn't work and Clay's still taking offense to Alex's squid comment.
"Yeah well of course, that's just your opinion, right. About how he looked" he sighs out loud. He is trying to calm down, trying to be nice, trying to not let Alex bother him but as he watches him hold his son he's finding it incredibly difficult to do.
Casey starts to cry and that's Clay's instant excuse to take him back "Here I'll hold him." He lifts him back, placing him tight against his chest again "Shhh! Shh shh!" he comforts him.
"So, anyway" Ray decides to interrupt the tense atmosphere "Alex, would you like a beer" He smiles as he offers him up one of the bottles from the cooler box
"Oh yes thanks. That'd be great!" He turns around taking a large swig from the bottle looking at Mandy who's also helping herself to a beer. She looks up at him still twirling lengths of her hair around her finger. She smiles.
"So..." Alex sighs "Mandy, was it? Well you can't tell me you're Navy as well. If you do .. " he smiles his big charming grin " then I think I'm gonna look for a transfer when I get back"
Oh purleeess! Kelsey groans under her breath, rolling her eyes as she endures watching Alex turn on the charm with an openly flirting Mandy.
"Um... no!" Mandy smiles, running her hand through the ends of her hair " No, I'm...I'm more behind the scenes. Admin, intel that kinda thing."
"Oh, right I get it. Neither confirm nor deny " he winks, smiling at her "Though, I can't imagine someone who looks like you, would be spending much time behind the scenes" he smiles again, having another swig from his bottle of beer "You know, maybe we could meet up while I'm here, for a drink and you could give me a bit more insight to behind the scenes"
"Sure!" Her smile beaming across her face from cheek to cheek "That would be good" she bites her lip flirtily as she turns her head. She smiles at Davis, hushing her voice "God he's ta die for!"
"Yeah" Lisa grins "Though you'd think he was a model, not a Marine, right?"
Jeeeez! Kelsey sighs, rolling her eyes she listens to the fawning conversation between the two women. It's not as if it's something she's not used to it. It often happens when she goes anywhere with Alex. He smiles, at the look her face which gives away exactly what she's thinking. He smirks and knowingly winks at her .
Oh Man! Sonny sighs. Will you listen to Miss Mandy gush all over this guy and I thought Lisa had better taste! Sonny frowns, as he looks up and stares at Clay.
Ray steps in to act as peacekeeper. Diverting Alex's attention away from the rest of the team, or more Sonny and Clay's "So, Alex why don't you come meet out CO, Commander Blackburn. He's just over here. I'm sure he'd be interested to meet you"
Kelsey sighs. She checks on Casey, who's still crying. Gently stroking his cheek with the back of her hand. She notices Clay watching her and she smiles. Moving her hand to his cheek she lightly brushes her fingers over the stubble on his face, before reaching up and kissing him "You okay?" she frowns, before dropping another, firmer, kiss on his lips.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He bites the inside of his cheek as smiles at her "He's um...he's just, not what I thought he was going to be."
Hmmm ! She sighs unsure if that's a good or bad thing "Clay, just give him a chance, okay? I've known Alex since we were young and... I just want you to like each other. He's harmless when you get to know him. Okay a bit crass sometimes and yeah..." she laughs " he can be a bit sarcastic, but... he's a good guy. So please, for me, will you just try?" she smiles, kissing him again.
"How long's he staying for, do we know that yet ?"
"I don't know" she shrugs " I guess until he gets bored and wants to go back. Though looks like your friend Mandy has captured his attention" She glares over at the pair of them, watching as Mandy flirts, smiling and constantly touching his arm. Alex responding in the teasing way that he does to her advances.
"I guess maybe she's just his type" Clay frowns "Why? Does it bother you or would it, I mean, if they went for a drink?""
"No!" she sharply responds frowning "No, of course not. Why should it bother me who he sees? It won't last anyway" she laughs " I know him. I know what Alex is like. He's a player. He likes, a lot of, attention. He'll be loving it, her hanging on his every word like that"
She sighs as she continues to watch them, Alex and Mandy, talking. Casey cries and she strokes his back as he lays tucked against Clay's chest "He's getting grizzly. I guess I better try and feed him, before he gets over tired" She scoops the baby back into her own arms "I'm gonna go and sit over there, on the bench. You stay, be with your friends. Have another drink"she kisses him again.
"Come here" Clay smiles, wrapping his hand around her head. He puts his lips to hers giving her a long, slow, lingering kiss.
"What was that for?" she smiles
"Just because...Because I'm happy. Because, you... you and him, it's all I want. Just for us to be a family."
"I know!" She smiles "Come on... you better go check on Sonny. See how that foods going. I'm actually quite hungry now. Go tell him I'll have a burger with all the trimmings, when he's ready."
Gathering Casey in her arms, she walks back toward the park bench, where she was sitting alone earlier. Then hesitating she turns around, just to check on what Alex is doing. She watches him as he interacts with the group. Standing tall, his arms folded against his chest. His obvious strength shown in his mannerisms as he engages in a deep conversation with Eric and Ray. Oh Alex! She sighs, smiling to herself as she notices Mandy's still stood beside him.