Chapter 16

 

One Month Later

 

Palm trees passed by the window of the SUV, and Rebecca gasped as they pulled into their neighborhood, taking in the cars parked up and down the road in front of the house.

“What’s going on?” she asked, looking around in confusion.

Their neat, perfectly landscaped little yard had been decorated with white streamers and silver and white balloons, and for a moment she thought it was a celebration welcoming her husband back to active duty after his recovery. Then she noticed the “Just Married” sign hanging on their front door.

Patrick glanced over at her, the corner of his mouth tugging up in a smile, and took her hand his much larger one. His thick fingers wove between hers, connecting them more intimately, and he maneuvered his large black SUV into the driveway and garage with one hand in a secure grip on the steering wheel.

“The guys on the team wanted to surprise us,” he said, his voice gruff. “Since we snuck off and got married a few weeks ago, they’re throwing us a reception.”

“Right now?” she asked, still in disbelief.

“Right now.”

“What’s a reception?” Logan asked from the backseat.

“A type of party,” Patrick explained, glancing in the rearview mirror. “This one is for us—because Abby’s mom and I got married.”

“A party?” Abby asked, her voice rising in delight. “Really?”

“Really,” Patrick said, a smug look of satisfaction on his face. No doubt he was pleased he’d pulled this off without any hint of her knowing. Cool blue eyes met hers, but she didn’t miss the spark of mischief in them.

“You knew about this and didn’t tell me?”

“I knew you’d want to do all the work,” he said easily, drawing her hand up for a quick kiss as he pointedly eyed the slight swell of her stomach.

She wanted to shiver in delight as his warm lips brushed over the back of her hand. Patrick’s lips on her skin always drove her crazy—and he loved to kiss and caress her everywhere. She was even more sensitive now that she was thirteen weeks pregnant, her hormones completely out of whack.

And Patrick seemed to enjoy touching her even more because of it—knowing that it drove her out of her mind.

Crazy pregnancy hormones.

He placed her hand back in her lap, his heated gaze momentarily landing on her bare thighs, which were peeking out beneath her gauzy sundress. His large hand slid around one leg, just above her knee, and he gave it a quick squeeze, letting his thumb move in lazy circles.

She blushed, feeling the familiar traces of desire coiling through her at his warm hand on her bare skin.

Patrick was still insatiable—he enjoyed touching and caressing her all day and making love to her all night. Setting her on fire with heated looks. They were always careful around the kids, but that didn’t stop her from loving all the attention he gave her. He always knew exactly how to send her up in flames—and wasn’t above flirting with her all day until they were finally alone in their bedroom.

And now he was her husband.

She caught Patrick’s hand in both of hers, feeling the tendons bulging beneath his warm skin. The callouses on his hands from days of PT and rigorous training.

The corded muscles on his forearms from hours of physical exertion always made her breath catch, and there was something erotic and sexy about his muscular arm resting on her bare thigh. Even though they were married now, a touch from him could still leave her breathless.

“You’re in so much trouble for not telling me about this.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“The house is a mess! We can’t have a party here. I’m finally over my morning sickness and have so much to catch up on. Even with all the work split between the two of us we’re behind—we have two kids!”

“That’s why I hired a cleaner while you and Alison were getting pedicures this morning.”

“We really can’t have people over tonight,” she continued. “Wait—you did what?”

“Hired a cleaner. Sent you and Alison out the door while I manned the fort.”

“Manned the fort?” she asked with a laugh. “It’s a house, not a Navy base. And really, wouldn’t that be manning the ship or something? Commanding a SEAL team?”

“Leading those guys on a mission is nothing compared to chasing around a couple of kids.”

“Seriously. They should make that part of your SEAL training—chasing a toddler around for twenty-four hours.”

“We’ll have our chance,” he commented dryly. “And watching Evan attempt to change a diaper this morning? That was something else.”

Realization dawned on her at the way Patrick had shooed her out the door this morning when Evan and Alison had arrived. Patrick had insisted that she needed to go out with her best friend. She hadn’t given it much thought since Alison had a one-month-old baby, and Rebecca figured she deserved a break.

“Alison didn’t tell me about the party tonight or your plan,” Rebecca continued. “Oh, I’m going to kill her, too.”

Patrick looked over at her in amusement. “I hope you know a good lawyer.”

“I just might,” she said, grabbing her purse and opening the passenger door. “And believe me when I say she shows no mercy in the courtroom.

Patrick chuckled and opened his door. He usually insisted on helping her out of the car, but when the kids were with them, Rebecca had said they needed his help instead.

He’d begrudgingly agreed.

They got the kids in the door and walked through their quiet house to the backyard, where a barbeque was fully underway. Patrick’s large hand rested on the small of her back, guiding her forward as their kids ran off to play. She felt a brief flash of nervousness mixed in with excitement. They’d only gotten together once since her husband had recovered from his injuries—a bonfire down at the beach where they’d told everyone they’d gotten married. Patrick had been in physical therapy recovering since then.

And now that he was back with his team?

He’d be training with them again Monday morning. Deploying again soon. Sent into harm’s way.

“You okay?” Patrick asked, ducking down.

“Yeah. Just nerves.”

His cool blue eyes searched hers. “The accident was a fluke—it could’ve happened to anyone. I don’t want you to worry about me. You’re pregnant,” he said, his eyes softening.

“I know. And no, an accident like that couldn’t happen to anyone. Most men have to worry about bad guys shooting at them or blowing them up.”

His face was unreadable as he watched her. But his eyes showed concern. Patrick was good at what he did—he led an elite SEAL team. But after her first husband had been killed in a horrific car crash, widowing her, what were the chances she’d marry a man sent off to war all the time? Who went on secret missions he couldn’t even tell her about?

It was hard to imagine a more dangerous career.

Patrick’s life as a SEAL was who he was though. He’d given himself to the Navy—and he was good at his job. Just like he’d never ask her to give up her career as an attorney, she’d never ask him to give up his.

Christopher manned Patrick’s usual place at the grill tonight, and a grin spread across his face as he caught sight of them.

“They’re here!” he whooped. “Announcing…Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Foster!”

“Hoorah!” one of the men shouted out amidst other whoops and hollers.

“To Ice and Rebecca!”

The backyard broke into applause, and Rebecca blushed beside Patrick, his arm wrapped around her. Although she was used to standing up in front of an audience in a courtroom, arguing for her clients in front of a judge, all the attention from their friends put the focus on them in an entirely different way.

Patrick ducked low, his lips hovering near her ear. “You bring new meaning to the term ‘blushing bride.’” His low voice rumbled right though her, and she felt herself flushing for an entirely different reason.

“Oh, stop,” she chastised, glancing up at the amusement in his eyes. “It must just be the heat.”

“I love the way you still blush around me,” he murmured, his voice gravel. He gave her a soft kiss as the rest of the backyard cheered.

“Way to go, Ice!” someone shouted.

“About damn time you two tied the knot!”

She looked around the group after Patrick broke off the kiss, amazed that everyone had come and planned this without her knowing. Patrick’s entire SEAL team was here with their significant others—even his CO, Captain Ryan Mitchell, who’d recently begun dating Patrick’s sister Sarah. Somehow amidst all the commotion of Patrick’s injury, they’d finally gotten together after flirting with one another for a year.

A year’s worth of foreplay, as Sarah had described it.

Her eyes fell on Alison, seated at the table on the patio, nursing her baby boy while Evan hovered nearby. God they were cute together. Alison waggled her fingers in greeting and grinned.

“You’re in trouble!” Rebecca called out.

“Your husband was very persuasive,” she said.

“Who, Patrick?” Rebecca asked with a laugh. “Never.”

“And who am I to argue with a bunch of determined Navy SEALs? They want to throw a party—we throw a party.”

“Damn right,” Evan agreed.

Rebecca laughed and grabbed Patrick’s hand as they walked toward the group on the patio. His strong fingers wrapped around hers, and she beamed, feeling like she might actually burst with happiness.

Matthew stood up from the patio table, his fiancé Brianna rubbing her slightly swollen belly from where she sat. She was a few months further along than Rebecca but barely looked any more pregnant than Rebecca did.

“About time you arrived,” Matthew drawled, walking over to give Patrick a handshake. “Congratulations to the happy couple.”

“Had to give you time to set up,” Patrick quipped. “And thank you.”

Matthew’s green eyes settled on Rebecca. “And I understand even more congratulations are in order? We’re going to have a mini SEAL team running around here soon.”

“We just might,” she agreed with a laugh. “I’m due a few months after Brianna.”

“Congratulations, ma’am,” he drawled, his eyes warm. “I think Bri’s driving Alison crazy with pregnancy questions,” he admitted. “Now that you’re expecting maybe she’ll start asking you—I mean, since you already had a baby before.”

Rebecca laughed, glancing over at Brianna, who was watching in awe as Alison expertly moved her baby over to nurse from her other breast. She wasn’t sure who looked more shocked—Evan or Brianna. Alison was a pro already though. It was hard to believe she and her best friend had each ended up with a man on the same SEAL team and now would have babies close together in age. Not even two years ago she’d been a single mom and Alison had been lamenting she’d never get married or have kids.

Funny how things worked out.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about the party,” Rebecca said, walking over to give Alison a quick hug.

“Are you kidding? Your husband would’ve killed me.”

Her boyfriend Evan’s eyes flared. “Not a damn chance would he have gotten past me.”

The women all laughed.

“Let’s have a toast to the happy couple,” Mike said with a huge grin, handing Patrick a bottle of beer and Rebecca a bottle of water.

“Most people toast with champagne,” his fiancée Kenley said, eyeing him skeptically.

“Angel, we’re Navy SEALs. We don’t do champagne.”

The other men guffawed in agreement.

“That’s where we come in,” Lexi said, pulling two bottles of champagne from the cooler. Her black hair shone in the sunlight and her violet eyes flashed with amusement.

“Amen, sister,” Kenley said, walking over to Lexi. “Let me help.”

Lexi and Kenley were friends who had worked together near Washington, DC—Lexi for the Pentagon and Kenley for a defense contractor. When Lexi had been kidnapped during her assignment, Kenley had rushed down in worry. She’d been in the condo where Lexi was staying when Mike and Christopher burst in, Mike unintentionally mistaking her for an intruder. He’d pinned her to the wall in the confusion, but the sparks had flown between them.

It was hard to believe such a rough and tumble group of Alpha males had finally settled down—but those guys fought hard for what they believed in, including the women they’d fallen for. They were all protective, assertive men with that natural instinct to help others.

And now instead of chasing after women at Anchors, the bar they’d used to frequent, they’d be chasing their kids around soon.

Rebecca smiled. Most of them had no clue what they were in for.

Lexi produced another bottle from the cooler. “And don’t worry—I also brought sparkling cider for the pregnant ladies!”

“I can’t wait until I can drink again,” Alison said, relaxing back into her chair as Evan took their baby son from her. “It’s been ten months!”

“You always pump and dump,” Brianna said. “I read about it in my pregnancy book.”

“Which one?” Matthew drawled. “I think you ordered every book ever published.”

“Ha ha, funny guy,” Brianna said, shooting him a look. “Don’t you want to be prepared for when the baby comes?”

Evan raised his eyebrows. “Pump and dump? Do I even want to know what that means?”

“It’s okay, honey,” Alison said. “I’m going to stop nursing when I go back on my shift in the ER. I can hold out another month for a glass of wine.”

“Hell, I’ll buy you a whole case then,” Evan said.

Rebecca laughed, shaking her head.

“Can we say ‘girl’s night’?” Alison asked with a grin. “Well, we’ll have to wait for your baby….”

“I’ll take that,” Brent said, grabbing the first bottle of champagne from Lexi as she struggled to open it. “You’re about to shoot that cork straight across the yard.”

“Maybe she’s used to things blowing prematurely,” Mike quipped, grinning as he walked over and pulled Kenley into his arms. She relaxed against him, her brown curls blowing slightly in the breeze.

“Sonofabitch,” Christopher muttered, glaring at Mike. “Keep your problems in the bedroom to yourself.”

Mike smirked as Kenley turned pink. “Believe me, Blade. We’ve got no problems there.”

The other men chuckled as Kenley playfully shushed him.

“Where’s Ella?” Christopher asked, referring to Brent’s new girlfriend.

“She had to study. She might be able to come by later.”

“Study? It’s the end of August.”

“The semester starts in August, hun,” Lexi said, taking the open bottle of champagne back from Brent and beginning to pour it into plastic cups.

“Well, damn.”

“Hell,” Brent muttered. “I’d rather she study now so I can enjoy her all to myself later on tonight.”

The other guys laughed and Lexi playfully shoved him. “I’m so telling her you said that.”

Brent smirked. “I’m sure she’ll have no complaints.”

Everyone had been shocked when Brent, the biggest player on the team had become smitten with Ella. She’d transferred from a college in Florida and was just starting her senior year at a school here in Virginia. Now that the men were all spoken for, the dynamic on the team hadn’t changed entirely though—those guys still ribbed each other like brothers.

“All right!” Lexi said, passing out glasses of champagne and sparkling cider. “Time for a toast!”

Patrick’s arm slid around Rebecca’s shoulders as the rest of the group gathered round. Their kids ran shrieking through the yard with his sister Sarah chasing after them. “Be right back, kids! We’re having a toast.”

“I don’t want any toast!” Abby shouted, and everyone chuckled.

Their CO Ryan stood off to the side, his thick arms crossed as he watched everyone around them. His face softened a bit as Sarah hurried over to him, a huge smile on her face. She grabbed two glasses of champagne, handing him one, and he cocked a brow.

“Oh hush,” she said, resting one delicate hand on his massive chest.

The rest of the group chuckled. Only Sarah could get away with shushing the commander of the SEAL team. He didn’t exactly appear upset about it though, Rebecca thought with a smile.

“To Ice and Rebecca,” Christopher said, holding his beer high in the air. “Rebecca, I know you can do better than his sorry ass—”

The other men chuckled as Patrick growled beside her.

“—but I’m damn sure Ice couldn’t do any better than you.”

“Here, here,” Patrick agreed, his eyes blazing with heat.

Christopher looked to Rebecca. “You’re officially part of our SEAL family now. Although who am I kidding—you were ever since you and Patrick first started dating. I knew he was head over heels for you when he had the rest of the team guarding you 24/7. And I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness, because no one deserves it more. Congratulations!”

Beer bottles clinked together, and the women toasted their champagne and sparkling juice. Lexi grabbed a fork and began lightly tapping her glass, signaling it was time for them to kiss. Rebecca felt heat rising in her cheeks as all eyes landed on them, but Patrick smiled and pulled her close, ducking down for an intimate kiss.

His large hand spanned the small of her back, and with his large frame surrounding hers, suddenly everyone else faded into the background.

“Hoorah!”

“Kiss the bride!”

After the cheers died down, conversations continued on around them.

“Let’s get something to eat,” Patrick said. “I plan to fully enjoy Blade taking over grilling duties tonight.”

“I still can’t believe you did this,” Rebecca said.

“Technically the rest of the team did. I just kept it a secret.”

“So who do you think will tie the knot next?”

Patrick smirked. “The hell if I know. My only concern is the woman in front of me.” Their eyes locked for a moment before Patrick handed her a paper plate. He piled his own plate high with food as some of the other guys on his team walked over.

“The CO said you’re back on active duty,” Christopher said, taking a swig of his beer. “Guess we’ll see you Monday morning?”

“Affirmative,” Patrick replied, his eyes sweeping toward Rebecca.

She looked toward him worriedly, knowing this moment had been coming. He was a SEAL. She’d known that from the moment she’d met him. She’d known in the back of her mind that he could be injured—killed.

“It’ll be good to have you back, Ice,” Evan said, slapping him on the back. Evan had been injured in an explosion a year ago and had been sidelined from the team for a month. Rebecca knew the rest of the men were glad that Patrick would be back in training with them, but she couldn’t help the worry tugging at her heart. They were having a baby now. They were married. Part of her felt like she had that much more to lose if something were to ever happen to him.

“Hey, why so melancholy?” Alison asked.

Rebecca glanced over at her best friend. “Just thinking.” She absentmindedly rubbed the slight swell of her stomach.

“Everything’s going to change in a few months.”

Rebecca laughed. “I’m more worried about Patrick going back to work with the team than having a baby.”

“They’re the best at what they do. You know how it was for me when Evan went back—I mean, we weren’t even officially together until he was injured. But you got a second chance with Patrick. I mean, would he even have suggested getting married if he hadn’t been injured like that?”

“Not right away. Neither of us were in any sort of hurry, although he had already picked out a ring.”

“Exactly. His accident just hurried everything along. Things have a weird way of working out sometimes.”

Rebecca turned toward the sudden burst of laughter over near the grill and saw Christopher eyeing a burger that had landed on the ground. “Let me try again!” he said, flipping a second off the grill and neatly catching it on the platter.

The guys broke into cheers, and Patrick’s heated gaze caught hers.

Alison laughed beside her. “That man looks pretty damn happy.”

“Christopher or Patrick?” Rebecca asked innocently.

Alison gently elbowed her in the side. “Your husband. Your husband looks completely smitten with you.”

Rebecca glanced at her best friend. “The feeling is mutual. And I’m pretty damn happy right now, too.”