Okay, I hope you enjoy. If not, I blame being sick.
Not mine.
When I found Julie, Tank and Lester in the waiting room, Tank was snickering.
"What are you snickering about?" I asked him.
"Ranger got shot in the a…butt." He replied, amending his statement and giving Julie a small glance.
"You think my husband getting shot is funny?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
"Well, yeah a little, I…guess…" He slowed to a stop when he saw my face. "No, no I don't."
"I didn't think so. Get in the SUV."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Don't call me ma'am!" I screeched.
They chuckled as they walked to the SUV. Men. I should beat them up. We made it safely to the hotel and checked in. The guys had said goodnight before entering the room next to us.
"Wow," Julie said as we entered our room.
"I agree." I replied. I found the master suite and placed the small bag on the bed. Julie continued to search the rest of the hotel room before making it back to the bedroom where I was currently stretched out across the bed.
"Stephanie?" Julie asked softy.
I sat up. "What's up?"
"Um," she blushed. "Do you mind if…?" She paused.
"Mind what?"
"If I stayed in here with you?"
I looked at her for a moment. "You want to sleep in here with me?"
She nodded and blushed harder.
"Sure, of course." I patted the bed next to me. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, I just…"
"Too close a call tonight? Not knowing if your dad was okay?" Julie nodded. I knew what she was feeling. The adrenalin rush was starting to wear off. I couldn't believe how close I came to losing him. If I had, I don't know if I would've survived. I had a feeling that I would have. For our child. He or may not have had a father, but they would've had me. I yawned. "Let's get cleaned up and into bed. We can go see your dad as soon as they'll let us."
"Okay."
I went into the master bath while Julie used the other bathroom off the second room. I washed the make-up off, brushed my teeth and took care of business. By the time I made it back, Julie was already laying in bed. I slid in and she curled around me.
"Night, Stephanie."
I kissed her hair. "Night Julie."
She snuggled closer, and my heart melted as we drifted off to sleep.
"Jeez, man, I wanted you to teach them a few things, not get shot by friendly fire." The man standing next to the bed said to Carlos. Carlos just rolled his eyes. Sensing me behind him, the man turned around.
"I'm sorry, we haven't met." He said to me. "Major Kyle White."
"Stephanie Manoso." We shook hands.
"Manoso, huh. Sister?"
"Wife."
"To Roberto?"
"To me." Carlos interjected.
Major White turned around. "You? Son of a bitch, I'd never thought I'd see the day you'd settle down." He turned back to me. "I guess I can't blame you." He said with a wink. I rolled my eyes. Men.
"Well, congratulations. Jenna isn't happy that I'm starting two weeks early, but she's busy with the baby." He shook his head. "Shot in the ass. Amazing." He turned to me. "The only time he gets shot working for the government is when he's straining newbies in basic."
"I'd rather it'd be here than over there."
"I agree. I'd rather not lose another friend over in that hell hole."
We thought about that for a moment.
"So when is this lovely wife of yours taking you home?"
"In about twenty minutes. The nurses are a little backed up." I said.
"I'm sure they're sad to see you go."
"I'm just glad they're letting me out." Carlos said.
"Only because Bobby had to sign a contract in blood to let you go."
He smiled at me. "Babe."
"It's true! I saw him come out of the office with a band aid on his finger!"
He continued to smile at me. "I'd rather go back out there and finish my week."
"What?"
"Babe. It was just a flesh wound. The doctor could take care of me there as well as Bobby."
"No." I crossed my arms.
"Uh, I think I'm going to check on some things." Kyle said.
We watched him leave and then I turned back to him.
"You are not going back out there."
"Babe, be reasonable."
"No, you be reasonable. You're hurt!"
"If I don't go back, what kind of message does that send?"
"Who cares?"
"I care." He said. Then he sighed. "I know if I was in your position, I'd be fighting you, but…" He paused. "But I can't not finish. If I don't go back, that just shows the recruits that it's okay to give up. And that's not good for people training to go to war."
Damn, I hate it when he's right. If he gave up now, that just shows them that once they get hit, it's okay to get out, when it's not. Not for the safety of the country. I sighed.
"Babe, please." He said, holding his arms out to me. I walked over and got into his arms.
"I'm sorry, it's just…" I started.
"No, I'm sorry. I know that you care about me, and I love you for it. But this is something that I have to do. It's not like I'm going to enjoy it."
"I know. I'm just being difficult. But I don't want to lose you. If you can get shot in the ass, then you can get shot in the chest."
He gave me a small smile. "Don't worry, Babe. I'll be wearing a vest from now on."
I shoved his shoulder. "Don't be a smartass."
"I'm being completely serious. I'll take every precaution I can. I won't go easily or quietly. You won't be able to get rid of me."
I sighed. "That's all I ask."
He kissed my forehead and I snuggled closer to him. "I think we just had our first fight." I said.
I could feel him smile. "I guess we did. It's too bad we're in a hospital."
I looked up at him. "Why?"
He wolf grinned at me. "No make-up sex."
I laughed. "Make it up to me later."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
