Hello There!
This is my longest story thus far and I hope you are still with me :)
Thank you for all the comments and feedbacks! It makes my heart swell!
Much Obliged,
Abby
Dalton's Promise
Chapter 7
Top…Top…Adam!
It's as if someone directly yelled into his ear, memories come flooding now…
I am United States Army Captain Adam Top Dalton, in charge of Special Ops Omega Team 7.I have a dog named Patton. Our base is at Incirlik in Turkey.
I report to Deputy Director Patricia Campbell. We go way back. She's one of the best! There's also Noah, who still owes me good news when he is in charge. There's a fierce agent named Hannah who I met in Colombia with my team…my team…Preach! Preach who I've known the longest. Dude gives solid advice. He is the one in the car with me fist bumping with me… McG! … McG is the one named Joseph! He always has a quick retort. A pretty boy but a very commendable medic and a good soldier who is always bantering with Amir!… Amir, the newest addition to my team… He's my invisible man! I also gave him the most difficult job by ordering him to leave me, which I'm sure he's getting flak from…Jaz! Jaz is… my what? It's complicated….As of the moment, she's my badass sniper who's probably gonna shoot me on the spot when I see her again because she didn't like my plan. She has some thoughts…She made it clear that she didn't agree with my plans… I promised Jaz… She's the one I made a promised to. She's the brunette that's always at the back of my mind. I can see her beautiful face clearly now. Her laughter is what I'm hearing, the one in white that we saved. She's in therapy because of that mission. She needs to be ok. Jaz…Jaz I need her… I need to go home and fulfil that promise.
He said a silent prayer of thanks, his heart is beating faster. After breakfast, he told Nina that he remembers everything.
Nina feels happy that he remembers and gives him a hug "Adam…It is nice to formally meet you. That's why you always seem alert. You know how to handle that guy who tried to rob us…you had training. You're in the Army as well."
"That's why you have this…" They both turned around to look at Joseph holding on to his military dog tags. The shock is evident on their faces.
Nina reached out and looked at the dog tags confirming that indeed it belongs to Adam. She asks the kid "Joseph, where did you get this and why didn't you give it to me?"
"I'm sorry, I took it from his neck when we first saw him. It was like the necklace dad left me. I'm sure he will also leave like dad. I just want something to remember him by. " The kid confesses, tears now falling onto his chubby cheeks.
"Oh honey, it is not nice that you got it without my knowledge or his permission. You could have helped him remember faster had he had that with him when he woke up." Nina explains wiping Joseph's tears.
"I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry." Joseph is now inconsolable.
Dalton kneeled down to his level. 'Hey kiddo, it's alright. I'm not mad. I remembered who I was anyway so I'm thinking, I'll give this one to you but you have to promise me that in the future, you will not take anything without permission ok? Listen to your mom. "
"Really? Yes I promise. I'm really sorry for taking it in the first place" the kid enveloping him in a tight hug.
"Thank you Adam for talking to him. Joseph is craving for a father figure, a role model I guess. I try my best to do right by him and with my husband being away, it's just so hard sometimes."
"He is a good kid, Nina and you're a great mom".
"Thank you for that. I'm so happy for you Adam. Only left thing to do is go to Manila for your Embassy."
10 June 18
0800H United States Embassy, Manila
Nina and Joseph made the trip with him to Manila. He met with Ambassador Jones who was extremely pleased to know that he is alive. Ambassador Jeffries is his friend and he told him that the Ambassador is well recuperating with his family in Utah.
Dalton asked the assistance of Ambassador Jones to help Nina and Joseph in any way he can to which he agreed. The US Embassy will be providing some monetary assistance and give an educational grant for Joseph.
"This is too much Adam, Sir Jones" Nina was shaken and was overwhelmed.
"It's the least we can do as you saved one of ours. Thank you for assistance and kindness. Congratulations to you Joseph. Please see my secretary on your way out." Ambassador Jones shook Nina's hand. The Ambassador arranged for Dalton's direct flight to DC.
"Thank you again for taking a chance and saving my life Nina. I wish a better future for you and Joseph. I hope your husband finds his way back to you" He gave Nina a tight hug.
Nina is now slightly tearing up. "In a way, you saved us too. I just hope that where ever my husband is, he finds someone who will gives him the same kindness and helps him to go home to us. "
"My guy Preach once told me that all the good karma you give will eventually come back to you. I believe that. If there is anything you or Joseph need, call this number day or night, they will make sure I get the message." He scribbles a number and gives it to Nina. He kissed her cheek and gave her a tight hug.
"And you young man, take care and listen to your mother and study hard. Ok? I'll also tell my Joseph that I've met a much better looking Joseph here in the Philippines. I hope one day will meet again." The kid nodded and gave him a hug.
"I have to go and catch my flight. I made a promise to someone that I cannot break. Goodbye." he waves at mother and son.
It is time for him to go home.
10 June 18
2230H
Somewhere above the Pacific Ocean
"Patricia, It's me. I'm on my way home."
"Adam! Oh Thank God! I knew you're alive. I can feel it. I kept praying for you."
"Thank you. The short story is that the storm swept me to the Philippines. I ended up with a short term memory loss. A great family saved me. Have you told anybody? How's everyone?"
"Not yet, I'm hoping to see you in the flesh first. When Ambassador Jones called in to say that he has you in custody, I immediately wanted to fly there but he assured me you'll be on the first flight out."
"I am currently above the Pacific Ocean. He sped up the process for me."
Patricia breathed in deeply and calmly for the first time since she pronounced him MIA. She continued on, "That's fantastic. The team is…well physically okay at least. Emotionally though that's another thing. I've put them all on a mandatory medical leave for now and they're avoiding Dr. Martin like he is the plague."
Nodding his head, he laughs "Sounds about right… yup that's my team."
"What time do you arrive?"
"This is a red eye flight so in about 18 hours or so. "
"Come straight to the office. I'll gather everyone and you can surprise them."
"Roger that, see you."
Adam ended the call and looked at the stars from outside the window's plane. He remembers one of the conversations he had with Jaz.
"Tell me what these lady eyes are thinking" she said. "That's not even a challenge." I replied.
Later on, she asked the same question. "C'mon, tell me." Her question was met with silence but earned her a look. Since I didn't answer, she continued on.
"The truth is, you're afraid we are getting close." she said quietly.
"No, the truth is, I'm afraid you're not close enough." With that bombshell I left the room.
Adam realizes that he needs to do a lot of thinking, decisions to be made. A moment later, sleep engulfs him.