Chapter 6:
Monday February 13th 2012
25 Ocean Driveway, Annadale
Staten Island, NY
0745 Hours
Nathaniel was spending the morning with his sister Kimberly and Hope, Adam Zelinski was in Brooklyn spending the night with his family.
Nathaniel was dressed in a Henley shirt, blue jeans and pair of camo boots, his niece Hope was dressed in a white blouse, a tight skirt and a pair of ballet flats.
Nathaniel looked up as he said, "I don't know if your mother enforced the regulations on uniform, but tight skirts weren't supposed to be worn."
"You went to Catholic School like me which was how long ago?" Hope asked. Nathaniel rolled his eyes before saying, "Well as your highly trained Navy SEAL uncle… be prepared a longer confession session, God how I remember 'em."
Hope looked at him as she asked, "How long was confession session for you?" "30 minutes. Prepare for an hour long if you're lucky." Nathaniel said.
"Give me 5 minutes." Hope said before running up to change her skirt. 5 minutes later, Hope appeared back in proper regulation uniform as she said, "Much better."
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Nathaniel drank the rest of his black coffee as he said, "Let's get goin'. Do I need to pick you up after school?"
"No, I'm walking back here with my girlfriend, we'll spend some time together, don't worry, she's come around the house a few times, she won't hurt me or do anythin' out of the ordinary." Hope said. Nate smiled, "Alright. If you need me or you've got a problem, call me on my phone. Gotta meet somebody today and I've gotta work on my Harley for today, which is why I brought it here."
"Can I ride it sometime?" Hope asked hopefully. Nate laughed as he said, "You crash it, you owe me a new bike, I've had that one since I was 16. It is a classic."
"Like your car, I break it, I owe you a new one." Hope said getting the picture. Nate smiled, "Exactly right. Let's get goin'."
The pair walked to the sidewalk a 1995 Harley Davidson sat there in its glory as Nate pulled out a motorcycle helmet, he then handed it to Hope as he put on a pair of his goggles and a pair of gloves.
Nate got on first and Hope got on shortly after, the pair sped off heading for the St Joseph by the Sea High School.
They arrived in under 2 minutes. Hope got off and handed Nate the motorcycle helmet that he loaned to her, he then said, "Have a good day at school, anybody tries to bully you…"
"Knock 'em flat?" Hope asked. Nate threw a look at her as Hope nodded, "Just ignore 'em, don't give 'em the satisfaction."
Nate nodded, "It's better to do nothin' but don't hurt others." "Understood Uncle Nate." Hope said.
"Good luck, kid." Nate smiled. Hope waved at him and turned around.
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Nate watched his niece head into school as revved the engine, he then heard somebody say, "Harley Davidson, what model?"
Taking off his goggles, Nate looked up to see a Caucasian man looking down at him, the man was very well built, in his mid to late-30s. Light Brown hair into a neatly cut hairstyle, Light Blue/Green eyes as well. Nate recognised him as Joseph Lafayette.
"1995, Heritage Softail. How are you, Lieutenant?" Nate asked.
Joseph laughed as he pulled Nate into a bro hug as he said, "I ain't seen ya since last year, Afghanistan. You pulled off that risky challenge of evacuating your team in broad daylight and under fire."
"That was a not-so easy challenge for anyone, besides somebody still sent me into that ambush." Nate said. Joseph smirked, "Still can't let anythin' go, can ya? I hear you were on a 30-day leave from the Navy." Joseph said. Nate nodded, "Yeah, I'm just spending some time in the city. How's Vera, she still puttin' up with you and your smartass?"
"Still in love as the day I met her." Joseph said. Nate smiled, "Glad to hear it brother. Glad to hear it. how's your family, I know you had 4 brothers and a sister?"
"My brothers are fine, last I heard. Alina is happier than I've ever seen her." Joseph said. Nate nodded, "Of course, I need to ask, did you ever tell Alina what you signed up for when you joined the Navy?"
Joseph rose an eyebrow as he curiously asked, "Why'd you ask?" "I don't know if Alina spoke to you or ever asked you about it." Nate said.
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Joseph nodded, he put it together, his younger sister was dating one of his oldest friends from the service. When Alina told him that she had her purse snatched from her but Nate had swooped in and saved her purse and the camera.
He had been thankful to Nate for doing what he had done, he could understand Nate's worry about telling the person he loved what he really signed up for.
He had done the same with his beloved Vera who still accepted him for who he was and respected him no matter what.
Joseph then said, "What you did for Alina, that's something I respect and I owe you for that. You came to her rescue, Alina likes you, she likes you a lot. As if I don't get enough of you as it is."
Nate scoffed as he said, "You like me." "Enough to wanna kill you, though my limit has been pushed. Don't try breaking her heart, because if you do, I will kill you, make you a nice lil' cold case for years to come." Joseph threatened.
Nate nodded, "I understand, Lieutenant. Besides, you might have some trouble. You did train me some of your moves."
"That I did, but I'll show you a few more that you coincidentally missed." Joseph teased. Nate nodded, "Point made. I'll see to it that nothin' bad happens."
"Hey, 'bout tellin' Alina what you do… she might be a lil' surprised. She mighta figured it out."
"Alina is a smart girl. Playing dumb would only just make me feel bad." Nate said. Joseph nodded, "Somethin' you don't want to do."
Nate said, "Yeah, I better get goin' say hi to your wife for me, as well as your kid." "I'll do that. See you soon, buddy."
"See you soon, Lieutenant." Nate said.
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Nate headed back to his motorcycle as he revved it up, he then began riding all the way to Manhattan.
He stopped outside Alina's apartment as he looked at his phone seeing a text message from yesterday, "Can you come over tomorrow? I need to see you."
Nate walked up the stairs of the apartment as he checked his gun holster was secured. He walked up to her apartment as he knocked twice on the door gently.
The door opened as Alina was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a white shirt that said 'I New York'. her black hair was long and flowing as she said, "Hey! Why don't you come on in?"
"Is somethin' the matter?" Nate asked. Alina then said, "Heard you saw my brother today…"
"Just came from dropping my niece at school today. Saw him just as I was about to come over to yours." Nate said.
"I spoke to him; said he saw you around a lot." Alina said. Nate nodded, "Alina, I need to talk to you."
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Alina walked over as she sat down, she patted the seat next to her as Nate reluctantly sat down, he then said, "I never really told you more about my job in the Navy and what I really do."
"Nate, you don't hafta apologise, it's okay." Alina said. Nate then said, "I hafta tell you what I do. You deserve to hear it from me."
Alina nods as Nate takes a deep breath. He begins, "I am a Navy SEAL. I've served for nearly 17-years. I joined up when I was actually 16."
"You lied about your age, how come they never called you out on it?" Alina asked in a shocked tone.
Nate then said, "It was never easy, I never wanted to earn respect for what I did, only my brother Bobby, Kimberly and a few others knew the truth about why I did what I had done."
"Why didn't you ever tell the truth?" Alina asked. Nate then said, "I couldn't risk myself getting kicked out or get sent off to prison for lying about my age. I love the Navy; I love being a SEAL. I don't like the recognition that people like reminding me of what I had done overseas."
"I know people say the same 'bout vets like you and my brothers. You protect us, without that protection we wouldn't be here. I care and love that you love this country, like I love it." Alina said.
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Nate smiled gratefully as they hugged. Alina felt protected and safe inside Nate's arms, fluttering in her stomach intensified greatly.
To Alina, being in Nate's arms was the safest place in the world, where she felt safe, calm and assured that nothing bad would happen to her.
Nate stayed with her for a few hours, they listened to a lot of jazz music, they danced with each other for the entirety of the day.
Nate still felt a strong urge to kiss Alina, but he wanted things to be perfect. They were made perfect when Frank Sinatra began to sing, They Can't Take That Away from Me with Natalie Cole.
Nate was twirling Alina in his arms, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead as he whispered, "Let's keep on dancin'?"
"Let's do just that." Alina whispered to him.
For Nate, he felt right at home in Alina's arms. He felt the strong scent of her coconut milk flavoured shampoo.
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The pair enjoyed a quiet evening, Nate even got to try Osso Buco which had been Alina's favourite Italian meal.
Nate had to admit that he was falling head over feet for Alina, she was perfectly cultured, classy and really attractive.
He had eventually told her about his sister Kimberly's wedding day on Valentine's Day, she readily accepted to go to the wedding especially on Valentine's Day.
Nate was riding home to Brooklyn, he walked into the garage as he worked on his motorcycle, he made sure that the engine was working properly, even making sure that there was no damage to the interior and exterior of the motorcycle.
He then began to clean his dress uniform after changing out of his vest, he prepped the shoes shining them with a brush and a rag for afterwards.
He continued this well into the evening.
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Tuesday February 14th 2012
310 East 46th Street
Manhattan, New York
1310 Hours
Nat was arriving at Alina's apartment at the time he had specified for Alina, he wore his dress blues with an overcoat, his ribbons shined clearly on his jacket. he picked up the boutonnière and a bouquet of roses.
He had noticed the vase of red roses in her apartment that were blooming perfectly yesterday.
Nate headed up the stairs to her apartment. He knocked on the door twice and it opened.
Alina was wearing a beautiful red dress that came down just past the knee line. Alina's dark hair was curled to perfection, her eyes raked over Nate's uniform as he flashed a smile towards him and said, "You look handsome, Nathaniel."
"You look absolutely incredible and beautiful, as always Happy Valentine's Day, Alina Lafayette." Nate showed her the roses and the boutonnière as Alina awed at the sight, she said, "Happy Valentine's Day to you, Nathaniel Dempsey."
"Shall we?" Nate asked.
Alina nodded, "We shall, kind sir."
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Hope you guys are excited for this chapter.
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