Chapter 13

No One Else Could Love You More

T Minus 1 Year and 6 Months…

"Attention to orders."

The promotion ceremony was mid-way through when re-commissioned Colonel Mark West approached Don.

"The president of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Air Force, has placed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, integrity, and abilities of First Lieutenant Donald West. In view of these special qualities and his demonstrated potential to serve in the higher grade, First Lieutenant Donald West is promoted to the permanent grade of Captain, United States Air Force, effective April 28, 1996. By order of the Secretary of the Air Force."

Colonel West removed Don's single silver bar and replaced it with the double bar of the captain's insignia.

Don stated his oath:

"I, Donald West, having been appointed a captain in the United States Air Force do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely; without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God."

He was handed his certificate of promotion and looked for Judy. He caught her eye and winked, and then sat as the next candidate stood. Captain Thomas Bryce was being promoted to major in the very same ceremony.

Don had wanted his father to officiate his promotion ceremony and it took intervention from their New York state senator to make it happen. The senator had written a letter of recommendation for Don when he had entered the Air Force Academy and Don called on him to use his influence to re-commission his father for the one day of his promotion. His request was granted.

Judy and Jan West bonded immediately. Jan appreciated Judy's sweet, friendly nature, and Judy enjoyed Jan's carefree, relaxed attitude. Judy couldn't hear enough about Don's childhood. The Wests were quite a family… outspoken… rambunctious… loving. And Don was the 'feistiest' of the offspring.

"… And then he climbed the tree to rescue the cat before his father came home, but the cat was stubborn, more stubborn than Don, and when he finally got close enough to grab the cat, his father pulled up, slammed the car door shut, which scared the cat, and it jumped right out of Don's reach and onto Mark's head. Don lost his balance and fell onto his dad's shoulders. And there was Mark… the cat grasping his head and Don holding onto his face. Poor Mark… couldn't see, couldn't hear, couldn't breathe…"

Judy laughed along with Jan as Don and his father approached them after the ceremony.

"Telling that cat story again, Jan?" Mark asked.

"That and a few more," she replied.

Don took Judy's hand and led her away. "Oh, no. No more stories. Before you know it she'll tell you about the time my brother Chuck chased me out of the house… buck naked!"

"Who was naked, you or Chuck?" Judy asked.

"Me, of course. I was four and June was babysitting, but she was on the phone, as usual. Chuck was getting me back for breaking his toy robot. He had me convinced that this green snake crawled out of bathtub drain and into the tub just as I was about to take my bath. I ran out of the house screaming like a banshee."

"Oh, that green rubber snake of his! I had forgotten about that story, Don. That reminds me of another one."

"Save it for the restaurant, my dear," Mark commanded.

As the Colonel drove his rented car to the restaurant, Jan commented that she was sorry Judy's parents hadn't been able to accept the invitation to join them. Judy noticed the shadow that passed over Don's face and reached for his hand as she again apologized for her parents.

"My father doesn't want it to seem that he's favoring any of the pilots, especially since both Don and Captain, I mean Major, Bryce were being promoted today."

As they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by Major Bryce and his family, who were also dining in the upscale eatery that featured a piano bar. As they ordered dinner, Don didn't notice Tom Bryce speak with the musician. After the waitress left, the piano man announced a dedication from Major Bryce to Captain West... The strains of "Rescue Me…" drifted across the room and Don laughed, touched by Bryce's actions. He took Judy by the hand, saluted the Major and led her to the dance floor. Mrs. West walked over to Tom and dragged him to the dance floor while he shook his head with every step.

"I don't dance!" Bryce complained as they took spots next to Don and Judy.

"It's easy!" Judy exclaimed. "Just move… "

Tom was stiff as a board, but no one noticed because all eyes were on Judy. Don had never seen her dance, and he was as mesmerized as every other man in the room. Mrs. West was no slouch herself and received a few admiring stares from the over fifty crowd. Don and Tom gave each other a high five as the music ended and they returned to their respective tables.

Before dinner was served, Judy excused herself to use the rest room and Jan took that opportunity to give Don her opinion. "She's lovely, Don. She's sweet and caring…"

"Not to mention beautiful," his father added.

"Yeah, she is, but that's not why I…" Don stopped himself.

His mother finished the sentence for him. "Love her?"

Don had been afraid to say that word out loud.

"It's written all over your face, son," his father said. "Have you told her?"

"I can't, Dad. For one thing, her parents hate me."

"Goes with the territory."

"So I've heard."

"I don't think your grandfather accepted me until well after June was born!"

"It's not only that… I… Suppose I don't get the pilot's job? God knows if we'd ever see each other again."

His mother patted his hand. "One step at a time, Don. I do believe things have a way of working themselves out."

Dinner was excellent and Don had planned a small surprise for his parents with dessert, but Major Bryce and his family were preparing to leave and stopped by their table for a quick good-bye. As Tom's father went for the car, Major Bryce requested one more dance from Judy, this time to a tune with a more sedate pace.

"That is, if the captain doesn't mind," Bryce stated.

"I don't mind if Judy doesn't," Don replied.

Tom lead Judy to the dance floor and said, "I hope you don't my saying, but you and Captain West make a handsome couple."

"Thank you, Major Bryce. It's nice to hear something positive about us for a change."

"I apologize for my attitude about his relationship with you in the past. The competition for the Jupiter is tight and some of us pilots can be pretty rough on each other."

"I guess I understand. I'm glad that you and he have been getting along better."

"I quite possibly owe him my life, as well as your father's life, Judy. I would have gotten that plane down, but I'm not so sure it would have been in one piece."

After Bryce led Judy back to the table, he thanked her for the dance.

"You're welcome, Major Bryce. And you may add excellent dancer to your list of accomplishments," she said.

He smiled. "Please be sure to tell your father that for me."

Major Bryce saluted the table and left.

Don feigned jealousy when he asked, "Excellent dancer? Tell your father?"

Judy laughed. "The pilots are always telling me, Will and Penny to put in a good word for them with my parents. In fact, Don, I think you're the only one who hasn't!"

Don laughed. "I think the less your parents hear about me from you the better."

"Seriously," Jan asked, "has it been difficult?"

Don and Judy looked at each other and nodded.

"But worth every minute," Don commented.

The pianist then called everyone's attention for another dedication as a cake was brought out to the Wests' table. The musician announced, "Colonel and Mrs. West, in celebration of your thirty-ninth wedding anniversary, your son has made a special request. From the year 1956…" and he started to sing, "More than the greatest love, the world has known…"

"I believe this is our song, Jan," Mark said.

"Indeed it is, Mark." Jan leaned towards Don. "Thank you."

As his parents whirled around the dance floor, Don considered telling Judy how he felt about her while Judy wondered if she and Don would ever share any kind of anniversary together. Neither one spoke, though, as they were lost in their own thoughts.

"No one else could love you more…" As the song ended, Mark dipped his wife and then they returned to the table. "Your mother has worn me out!" Colonel West commented as he dropped into his chair. "I think it's time we… retired for the night," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Don's red 280Z was parked at the hotel and he let Judy drive to her house. She parked and shut down the engine.

"I'm glad I had a chance to meet your parents. I enjoyed being with them," she said.

"Yeah, they are a lot of fun."

"Your family is so close. How can you even think about leaving them, Don?"

"I don't know, Judy. I don't have a good answer for that. I'll miss them, but I still couldn't drop out of the program."

The porch light went on and Judy sighed. "My parents are on the lookout again. I guess I should go. Would you like to come in for awhile?"

"Yeah, I would, but…" He looked at the door. "Your dad's in his pajamas. I think he's giving me the evil eye."

"You mean the 'mark of Zorro'?"

He laughed. "I'll walk you to the door."

They both exited the car and Don took her hand as they went up the walk. The door was ajar, but Don took a chance that he could steal a kiss. He was wrong. Before he was able to put his arms around her waist, Professor Robinson appeared, and Judy gave Don a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Good-night, Don."

"Good-night, Judy."

Professor Robinson waved to him as he closed the door, "Good-night, Lieutenant…"

Don heard Judy's exasperated "Captain!" as the door closed. Don walked back to the car thinking about how ironic it was that his sixty year old parents were getting 'more' than he was. All he wanted was a kiss… 'Damn, that man must have radar…'