Chapter 9
GINGER WAS MAKING preparations for a small get-together at the Green house before Jake’s deployment on Friday. He wanted to get his whole blended family together—all the kids and their mothers. Of course he had asked her permission, but that wasn’t something she could deny him. Adele was back from LA with some breaking news about her visit there. She’d been delighted to host the party at her house, and insisted she have it catered.
Jake was looking stunning in his new cotton shirt and slacks, even with his cue ball head. His beginning beard made him look rough and dangerous, and she liked it. The two of them had spent a little time together the day before, wandering the shops, having lunch and just enjoying being a couple.
Ginger bought a new light pink dress with a lowered neckline Jake couldn’t take his eyes off of.
“You know this is going to help me in the competition for your attention, Jake,” she said as she paraded in front of him. He was sitting on the bed, watching her.
“Come here, and let me show you how I show my appreciation, then, sweetheart.”
Put down her hairbrush and presented herself to him. “This dress makes you look like a really good girl, with bad girl thoughts I know you have. I like seeing those thoughts in your eyes when I kiss you.”
“You do?”
“Absolutely,” he said as their lips touched. He ran his hands from the backs of her knees up to squeeze her ass. “Are these the new panties?” He lifted her dress and saw the peach-colored thong underwear he’d picked out.
“Why of course.”
“Don’t you think you should drop those drawers and show me a little thankfulness.”
“Not until tonight, Jake. I want you to think about it all day. I want you so distracted you’ll forget the names of your kids.”
“Unfair.”
“You are more than welcome to punish me all you want, but after we’re alone.”
“We’re alone now.”
“You know what I mean.” She knew it was past time for them to get over to Adele’s. Her pulse had quickened and she looked forward to her libido growing as the afternoon and evening wore on, culminating in what she’d hoped would be a mind-blowing event. Doing this helped her also cope with the thought of missing Jake in just a couple of days. It used to help her by anticipating the reunion than the missing him. She’d adopted several tricks like this in the past. “I like the idea that every time you look at me, you’ll know what I’m anticipating.”
She grinned at him, planted another kiss and began to move away.
“Hold on. You can’t walk away from me that fast.”
Her blood pressure spiked and her panties got wet. But she managed to slip from his grip and walk to the bathroom where she applied her pink lipstick. When she looked back at him, he was still grinning on the side of the bed.
“I have a huge boner.”
“Well, good. That’s exactly what I wanted.”
“All right.” He stood, examining his crotch. “Dayam, woman. You are lethal.”
“Count on it, Jake.”
ON THE WAY over, the girls were singing together. The back of Ginger’s car was loaded up with towels, pool noodles and floaters, as well as sun screen and some sodas and snacks the girls loved.
“I’m going to make a speech.”
Ginger quickly scanned his profile. She hadn’t gotten used to Jake’s lack of hair. She liked the stubble growing, however. “Speech?”
“You’ll see. Got it all planned.”
“Have you really?” She was intrigued.
“See, I’m good at anticipation. Just like you wanted.”
“You’re beginning to have secrets like your father.”
“No secrets, baby. We said that. We hold nothing back. Remember?”
Now she’d wished they were alone. Jake was seriously turning her on. “I like this new you.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Good.”
They arrived, finding it difficult to park. Two catering trucks were parked end to end, and she recognized Monica and Karlene’s cars, plus several others, including two Hummers Ginger thought might belong to Team Guys. Jake had to park Ginger’s car nearly a half a block away.
The girls ran to the front door ahead of them. Jake was overloaded with baskets of things they’d brought. Ginger had made a plate of cookies and brought some juices the girls wanted.
Once inside the front door, Ginger caught the festive mood right away. Caterers had totally taken over the kitchen, while others were outside serving guests at tables and patio furniture under various bright umbrellas. The girls had already found the water and were playing with a couple other children she knew to be Team kids.
Alex and Lucas greeted Jake, rubbing his head and tried to hand him a beer, but he declined. Cooper and Libby were getting their two kids ready for the pool. Danny was in the pool with his two boys, riding herd on Ali, who was using his slingshot to lob water balloons at some of the adults, until Danny stopped him. Kyle and Christy were sitting under an umbrella holding hands, but watching Brandon and the others in the pool.
The churning blue water was filled with more kids than Ginger had ever seen at the house.
“Just look at all that energy, Ginger. Isn’t it grand?” Adele was dressed in a colorful kaftan, her face beaming behind huge sunglasses.
“Thank you so much. I had no idea this was going to be such a big event.”
“You know they always get together somewhere before they deploy. No one has a house big enough for this crowd, so I volunteered when Jake said he wanted to throw a party.”
“He knew about all this?”
“He made the invites himself.”
Ginger took a glass of champagne from a silver tray an aproned girl presented her. Then she was shown a tray of stuffed mushrooms. “Adele, you’ve gone all out. I’m glad you’re feeling up to it.”
“You know, Ginger, I’ve been a pretty hard charging lady most my life. Here I have all this beauty and family right in front of me. Why not share? This house was never a place any of you felt good about visiting. I mean the kids always did, but a pool and their favorite food, and they’re easy. But I wanted to do something for Jake’s brothers. It just seemed about time.”
Adele slipped her arm around Ginger’s waist. The affection she showed was touching.
“I’m glad, Adele.” She noticed Monica was sitting with her baby on a blanket on the lawn, surrounded by three tatted and very muscular men. “She’s having a good time,” she said as she nodded toward Monica’s group.
“I think Monica has a good time everywhere.” Adele took her by the shoulders. “She and the baby belong here because they are family. But understand, Jake belongs to you, Ginger.”
“I don’t think he belongs to anyone, Adele. But thank you for saying so.” Ginger searched the gathering, looking for Jake and found him staring back at her, and then he winked and gave her a smile that nearly had her melt.
Adele had followed his gesture and her blush. “See what I mean?”
She enjoyed the feeling of the flushed face, and that her former mother-in-law was reveling in it.
“I’m not sure I like the new haircut, though.”
“It’s for their mission. The beard too.”
“I see. Well, if it’s necessary.”
Then Ginger remembered what she’d wanted to ask Adele earlier. “You didn’t tell me your news about LA. You said you had news?”
“Yes. Gerud and I went to visit Rob Peterson, his father. The two of them hit it off very well. Rob’s going to help Gerud. I never thought it would work out this way. Really kind of a miracle.”
“That must be a huge burden off your shoulders, with the way Burt’s will reading went.”
“Oh God, that was a terrible day. Poor Gerud. I guess we must be the family of second chances, though. Somehow, we just always come out okay.”
“So happy for you. How was it seeing him? It’s been many years, right?”
“Nearly thirty.”
“Wow. So, how did you feel?”
“I think Rob was always the level-headed one. We could have had a nice life together. I say that now with no regrets for being with Burt all those years. The poor man did the best he could, but his demons got in the way.”
“That’s a good lesson for Jake.”
“I agree.”
“So are you going to see him again?”
“I suppose so. We set it up to talk. And I know he and Gerud will talk. I think Gerud would like to see much more of him. But sadly, Rob has not very long to live.”
“How long?”
“About a month. And the last part of that won’t be pretty, Ginger. I’m thinking he won’t want anyone to see him then. But who knows? We’ll just see what comes. I am glad he invited us over and we got to talk, finally.”
Ginger was impressed with Adele’s strength. “You deserve your happily ever after.”
Adele examined her carefully. “Yes, but for me, it’s enough that my child has one. I’ve lived my life. I’ve made all my choices. I do live for this.” Her hand swept in front of her as they watched the crowd of families enjoying themselves on this sunny day in San Diego. Both women knew that there would be storm clouds ahead, but for today, it was perfect. “I only wish Burt were healthy and alive to see it. I really do. That’s my only regret, but nothing I can do.”
Christy Lansdowne came running over, her blonde hair tied up in a big clip. Adele left to join a group under one of the umbrellas.
“Ginger! So great to see you. Brandon was so looking forward to the girls coming.”
“I didn’t know you guys would be here. But what a great party, especially for the kids.”
“How’s Chelsea Fiona doing?”
“Oh, she thinks she belongs to Jake, the way he’s spoiled her. She even started following him into the bedroom like she could sleep with us instead of the girls, which was a non-starter. We didn’t bring her today.”
Christy also watched Monica laughing as one of the SEALs was bouncing the baby Samantha. Karlene was nearby, talking to one of the SEAL wives. Aaron was crawling at her feet.
“You know, I’m glad you’re comfortable with all this.”
“It’s part of being with Jake, isn’t it?”
Christy’s pretty face was serious. “You’re doing a great job, Ginger. This will help Jake come to terms with everything.”
“I get along with the other gals, and the kids will be better friends the older they get. Wouldn’t be fair for me to demand he stay away from a family he created. I have to embrace it. Like I said, it’s part of Jake.”
“You’re a better woman than most. I’ve seen a lot of jealousy and insecurity on the teams with the wives. It can be rough. But if you’re solid with your man, that’s the main thing. And they need the support. Poor Lucas’ wife Connie went nearly crazy. Those kids are way better off with him.”
“Well, thanks for the encouragement. I’m hoping we can make this permanent. I really want to make it work.”
“You will.” Christy hugged her.
“Jake says he has a speech, can you believe that?”
Christy beamed. “He’s a character, all right. I’m glad he’s lightened up considerably since his father’s passing. That had to have been hard on him.”
“Especially since it happened when he was away. But yes, things are more settled.”
The rest of the afternoon went smoothly. More people arrived, and a few left early. Ginger enjoyed the play she and Jake made with their eyes. She also saw Jake speaking with Karlene and Monica on one occasion, together. He held Aaron, walking him around to introduce him to other partygoers, then for a time had Samantha as well, carrying the both of them and appearing to enjoy his brood.
Adele announced that there would be a special desert served. Jake was in the shade with all four of his children, kneeling, especially to speak with Jasmine and Jennifer. Jennifer listened to her daddy and then slapped her hands across her mouth, jumping with exuberance. Everyone else faced Adele and waited.
Jake and the kids made it in the circle formed around Adele. Ginger walked closer to the edge to see what the plan had been, sure this was his speech. Her girls were holding onto Jake’s leg and Ginger could see they were excited. Jake handed the baby to his mother and let Aaron crawl on the grass at his feet.
“Ginger, come on down here for a sec,” he said.
The crowd parted, making room for her to stand with Jake in the semicircle. Her girls ran to her and each grabbed a hand, dragging her over to their daddy. Aaron sat up and attempted to eat some grass, but Adele stooped down and removed it from the toddler’s mouth. Samantha was squirming in her arms.
The girls presented their mom to Jake. He cleared his throat, glanced around the circle of Team guys, friends and relatives, and began.
“Ginger, I’ve made almost every mistake a man could make, and still you’re here, and you still love me. I’m not nearly worthy, but if you’ll have me,” he kneeled down and both girls giggled and looked up at their mother’s face.
Ginger could feel the flush of her hot cheeks, but also the warm tears running down her face, dripping onto her new pink dress.
“If you’ll have me, I’d be honored if you’d marry me, and this time it will be forever.”
The crowd started to whoop and clap. Kyle shouted out, “Hold on folks. We haven’t heard her answer!”
“Say yes, Mommy,” whispered Jennifer as the crowd tittered.
Ginger ran to Jake, threw her arms around him, threw her legs up around his hips and whispered to his ear, “Yes, sweetheart. You didn’t even have to ask.”
“Oh yes, I did. And I had to get permission from our daughters, too.”