Chapter 30

SPOV

Luke's breaths evened out as he quickly slipped into sleep. I was having some problems falling asleep. My flight leaves at 0700 and I need to arrive at the airport for 0500. Thankfully the drive to LaGuardia wouldn't be too bad early in the morning.

My mind was working overtime in an attempt to sort through why I was feeling so antsy. Dad was originally planning to drive us then park in the long term parking area. Lucas decided he would drive us and park dad's car in our garage. He was glad his car wouldn't be left unattended in the airport parking lot.

I couldn't shake the feeling something was off. There wasn't anyone I could talk to about my feelings. Maybe I'm just getting a little ahead of myself. Perhaps it's just because I know the mission will eventually involve my friends. Too much is riding on the intel dad and I gather. The alarm clock already showed it was 0100. It was obvious sleep would evade me tonight.

As though he could sense my inner turmoil, Lucas rolled me over until I was facing him. He gently placed my head on his shoulder before placing my leg over his hip. "Try to sleep Sweetheart," he said lifting my chin to place a sweet kiss on my lips. "Just focus to match my breathing."

Lucas placed another kiss on my lips and tucked my head under his chin. I felt his breath in my hair when he exhaled. My head was on his shoulder, but I could easily hear his heart beat. Matching my breaths to his, I was eventually lulled into sleep.

A few hours later, my alarm was sounding. It was time to wake up and shower. Lucas was on the same wavelength as me. He followed me into the shower where we made love. We grew used to our daily routines involving sex. The next few weeks were going to be difficult for both of us. However, it would also be a great test to ensure our marriage has staying power. I had absolutely no doubt we'd make it to the other side.

"I'm going to miss you my love," Lucas stated as he wrapped the towel around me.

"I'll miss you too," I say leaning into his warmth.

"Are your bags packed?" he wondered. When dad mentioned a potential mission for us, I packed my canvas bag. I'll wait until I reach the airport before changing into my fatigues. We were required to arrive in uniform. It's a shame my husband has never seen me in uniform. Maybe I can get dad to take a picture for him.

"They are. I packed them a few days ago," I replied.

His face displayed a sly grin when he asked, "Do I get to see you in uniform?"

"I'm not changing until we arrive at the airport. Can't risk anyone finding out what I'm doing. I can always have dad take a picture," I suggested. His lips suddenly slammed against mine. Okay… he liked that suggestion. If our coworkers were to see me in uniform, it would completely give away my secret. I had other clothes packed for the trip too. Another set of fatigues, a more formal uniform and lots of black, nondescript clothes. You just never knew what was needed.

Dad and I would have to report for our medical exam when we arrive in DC. I'll need the medic to administer another birth control shot. I still had a few weeks on the current dose, but I would rather play things safe. I'm not ready to become a mother yet. As the saying goes, 'better safe than sorry.'

I sat on our living room couch to lace my boots. Lucas watched as I laced up my standard issue military boots. It's the first time he saw me wear them. His eyes darkened as he watched me tie the laces. "Does watching me put on Army boots make you horny?" I jokingly asked.

"It certainly does," he answered as he took a seat beside me. He was about to pull me into a passionate kiss when my dad knocked on the door.

Giving his head a shake, he left to answer the door. As I suspected, dad was already dressed in his fatigues. He always looks very handsome wearing them. I remember the first time I saw him in uniform. "They still fit?" I joked.

"Funny pumpkin. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I can possibly be," I answered, following him through the door. Lucas grabbed my bag and followed us. He loaded the bags into the back and held the passenger side door open for me. Dad insisted on sitting in the back. I knew he was giving us the distance to the airport to hold hands.

The ride to LaGuardia was mostly quiet. Our conversations revolved around Mallory moving to Trenton. She was starting her job at Rangeman in one month. I was excited to learn she would be helping me with client visits and skip tracing. First I had to get through the next few weeks without seeing my husband. We'll be able to communicate for about an hour each day. If the intel gathering becomes more intense, I wouldn't be permitted to talk to him.

Since there's always a risk I would be deployed, I would need to remove all jewelry except my dog tags. Dad passed me my dog tags and service weapon as we pulled into the terminal. He kept them locked away with his in the gun safe. Mom didn't have the combination and it was where he had his gun locked away. She never realized dad had my service weapon locked away too.

I had a copy of my orders so I could make it through security with my service weapon. My first trip would be a visit to the women's room to change my clothes. After tucking my dog tags into my shirt, I grabbed my button down shirt and pulled it on. I decided to leave it open until we arrive in DC.

Luke's jaw dropped to his chest when I exited the washroom. He was completely surprised to see me wearing my fatigues. "Sweetheart, you look amazing," he said as he pulled me into his arms.

"Thank you honey. I haven't worn these in so long," I say pulling at his shirt. He kissed me before releasing his grip on my shoulders. I love this man so much. How am I going to survive the next few weeks without holding him in my arms. It was time for me and dad to go through our security checks.

Whenever you carry a weapon, it always takes longer to make it through the gates. I passed dad my papers to hold while I removed my rings. With this particular mission, I was warned there was a small chance I would have to assist in the field.

My wonderful husband took my rings and hooked them on the chain with his dog tags hanging around his neck. He wanted to keep them close to his heart. I gave him a final kiss before security helped me get through all their required checks. With our military clearance, we were able to keep our weapons and duffles with us.

Removing my rings was devastating. Lucas handled it much better than me. It was the first time I removed them since the day he placed them on my finger. Dad was waiting for me near our gate. "You'll get them back pumpkin," dad whispered when I approached him.

"I know I will. It was just very difficult to remove them. I never realized how much they mean to me," I quietly said. We continued to exchange quiet small talk while we waited for our flight to board.

An hour before our flight was scheduled to board, security approached us to help us board the plane. Our weapons and duffles were carefully secured and locked into the overhead compartment by the flight attendant. We were permitted to board before the other regular passengers.

A few minutes later, a familiar figure entered the plane. I stared straight ahead and ignored the man walking towards us. My hair was tightly pulled back and fastened at the base of my skull. Either I had to cut my hair short, or pull it back. Since Lucas loved my long hair, I opted to pull it into a low, tight bun. Dad had his hair buzzed short, so I doubt he would be easily recognizable.

I'm not sure if it was pure luck or lack of recognition to cause him to walk past me. If I talk too loud, he would definitely know it's me. I searched my memory for the languages he knew. Spanish… definitely. French… a good possibility. Latin… more than a possibility. Italian… not to my knowledge.

I quietly whispered to dad in Italian. He responded back with a whisper. The man briefly looked in our direction before returning to his iPad. Using my secure phone, I sent Luke a quick encrypted message. He'll know exactly what I mean. Within a minute, Lucas replied. I thought he would already be on his way home. My husband was obviously waiting for my plane to take off.

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LPOV

Waiting for my wife's plane to take off was near torture. I fought back the tears when she had to remove her wedding rings, a necessity in case she had to enter the field. Placing them on my chain with my dog tags made me feel better. It also made my wife feel better too. I almost expected her to cry when we said goodbye. She was braver than I realized.

As I waited for the inevitable departure, my secure phone chimed. I thought I saw him enter. Stephanie confirmed it was him. She thought it was amusing he didn't recognize her.

Unfortunately her theory was blown out of the water when I received a text on my Rangeman cell phone. I quickly sent a message to my wife. 'He suspects he sees your double on his flight. Just sent me a photo.'

'Crap,' she texted back. 'Does he speak Italian?' I laughed out loud.

'No. Just Spanish. He knows very few words in French,' I told her. I could almost hear her planning her next move. Hopefully Frank could keep up with her.

'Ok… so I'll talk using a combination of French, Latin and Italian… got it. Thanks. XOXOXOXO. Love you,' she texted.

'Love you too,' I replied. I knew she would delete all our messages from her phone. It wouldn't be good to keep such sensitive information available.

Using my Rangeman phone I texted Binkie. 'Why do you think it's Stephanie on the flight?'

'Kind of looks like her. Can't be… Steph wasn't in the Army,' Binkie concluded. I blew out a sigh of relief. She couldn't afford to have our guys uncover her secret. Although I did have a feeling he was going to be let in on her secret. Maybe this is why my wife felt something was off. The potential to have her secret revealed was scaring me.

However, none of us really knew much about Binkie. He typically kept to himself and really hated gossip. Even if he did figure it out, I knew he would keep her secret. At Rangeman we have each other's backs. It's also true in the Army.

As I sat alone in my car, I watched my wife's plane taxi towards the runway. I'm really going to miss her. For the next 24 hours, she wouldn't be able to contact me. She needs to pass her medical and physical tests before they even allow her to work behind the scenes. It's imperative to be prepared for anything.

I know she's going to do an excellent job. Sly Fox and Eclipse together will keep our comrades safe when they're deployed. Stephanie's plane received the signal to take off. I watched her plane enter the runway and pick up speed. Giving a quick wave and wishing them a safe flight, I started the car to head back to Trenton.