Shane and Pattrick arrived at Caroline’s house last, which Shane felt was good because they wouldn’t have to deal with everything separately and could get it over with at one time. She felt Pattrick squeeze her hand in encouragement as they walked towards the house. Pattrick rang the doorbell which ramped up Shane’s nerves even more.

Caroline answered the door with a smile, hugging them both as they stepped into the house. Shane followed Pattrick into the house looking around the room to see who all had made it. Shane noticed all of Wolf’s teammates, their wives, their kids, Pattrick’s mom and sister Tina, Laura, Laura’s fiancé Joe, her son Cody, Joe’s brother Marcus, Lindsey, Cortez, Diesel and York.

Shane swallowed and felt out of place with all the hugging and joking going on. She smiled when Laura, Lindsey, Cortez, York and Diesel came over and engulfed her in hugs and asked her how she was. She was then pulled into a huge hug by Sheila and the other wives.

“Hey um, Shane, when did you start wearing jewelry?” Diesel asked.

“Saturday,” Shane said without missing a beat.

“Oh yeah? Let me see that string!” Diesel said.

“String?” Shane asked confused.

“Yeah, you know…when you get serious with someone in high school you put a thick string of yarn or something on the ring finger…wait a minute, you hoe’s are telling me you don’t know what I’m talking about? Where the kids at?” Diesel looked around to see the kids playing and ignoring the adults, realizing none of the kids were high school age.

“Diesel, did you fall and hit your head again?” Shane asked.

“Great, this bitch has jokes all of a sudden.” Diesel mumbled.

“Okay Pattrick, you both asked for everyone here, minus Tex and your dad, we’re here. Now spill.” Cookie said to get the night started.

Shane looked at Pattrick scared, then curled into him when he pulled her into his arms.

“Shane, what’s wrong?” Laura asked on guard suddenly.

Shane looked at Laura then to Pattrick who nodded. “It’s all good Laura. Um, well, Pattrick and I flew to Vegas on Saturday and got married.” Shane said in a quiet rush.

“What?” Everyone shouted at the same time.

Wolf let out a loud piercing whistle, “Let’s let the kids talk, women, keep a lid on it, men, back off, please.”

“I know one dude who isn’t getting any tonight.” Diesel snickered.

“Diesel, Dude always gets it…oh never mind you’ll never understand with this group of men.” Laura said shaking her head. “Shane, just answer us this, are you happy?”

Shane looked at Laura, then at Pattrick, then back to Laura with a huge grin. “Yes, very much so. I know it’s fast and out of character…”

“Sweetie, what my lass only wants is ye to be happy. If doing what ye two have done makes ye happy, then that’s all that matters. Son, I will say this, welcome te our side of the family, but if ye hurt our girl, I don’t care if ye are a SEAL’s son, these men will never find ye body when I’m done with ye. Are we clear?” Joe asked Pattrick.

Sheila walked up to Shane and Pattrick, “Is that why you’re so skittish tonight, sweetie? You’ve been worried about our reaction?”

Shane nodded, “Yeah. We didn’t say anything and I was afraid you would all be mad since we are in our last year of college.” Shane rambled.

“Guys, I love this woman. She’s it for me. I don’t know how else to explain it. I can’t live without her. I want her to be the last thing I see at night and the first thing I see in the morning. I want everyone to know she’s mine.” Pattrick said strongly staring into Shane’s eyes smiling.

“Shane?” Caroline asked.

“I feel the same, Caroline. Pattrick’s my light in the darkness when it tries to choke me. I’ve never had that from anyone other than Alpha Squad. When I see how Laura and Joe are, his devotion to her, I’ve always prayed for my prince charming to come and do the same thing for me. Now I have that in Pattrick. Is it always going to be easy with us? No, we still have our issues, but I love him enough to work through it.” Shane said strongly and confidently.”

“That boy ain’t no prince charming, more like one of the dwarfs and you’re snow white…hmph,” Cookie said at the same he grunted when his wife Fiona elbowed him in the stomach.

“Mom, I know you’re upset because I didn’t tell you or dad. But, this is one thing I know with my heart was the best thing for me. I hope in time you can forgive me. I wanted something for just me and Shane, then we had planned to have something small and intimate after I finished SEAL training for the family. I want Shane carrying my last name, surrounded by family on days when I will have to be at the base for days on end.” Pattrick said to his mother.

“Oh baby!” Sheila said hugging Pattrick then going to Shane. “I could never be angry at you for marrying this beautiful soul. We totally understand. Your dad will be so proud of the young man you’ve become. I say, if Caroline and Wolf are okay with it, then we turn this get together into a celebration.”

“I have something to say first.” York said.

“Oh shit, the quiet one has something to say, be careful guys.” Diesel said laughing.

“Diez, you do remember she’s the team sniper, right? She will snipe your ass one of these days when you least expect it.” Lindsey reminded her.

“Swiper, no swiping.” Cody yelled out loud causing all the adults to laugh.

“Shane, just know that you will always have a family in our team. We may have rescued you, but to all of us, you’ve become family. You fought hard to become the woman you are and we couldn’t be prouder of you. You know you’re one of us and if you ever need anything, you can count on us.” York hugged Shane tight then looked at Pattrick.

“I may only just be meeting you tonight, Lindsey and Laura may approve of you, but know this, just because these men and women say you would never hurt her, she’s one of ours just as much as she’s yours or Wolf’s team to protect. You hurt her, make her cry or anything, I will come after you. These guys may have told you that already, but I can and will take your ass out without you even knowing I’m in the area. Are we clear?” York asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” Pattrick said. “Crystal clear, because if I knowingly harm my wife in anyway, I give you and everyone in this room permission to take me out.”

York stared at Pattrick for a few minutes which had Shane starting to worry. “Well then, welcome to the family, Pattrick.” York said giving Pattrick a hug. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. York wasn’t one to trifle with.

Dinner was great, with lots of jokes back and forth between the adults, ideas about what Pattrick and Shane should do for living arrangements after graduation. They talked about what Shane could do while Pattrick was gone for SEAL training and joked about Pattrick crying while in training. Shane was finally able to relax better now that the news was out and everyone had accepted their marriage. No one knew that their world would come to a halt three days later.

Thursday morning started as any other day, Pattrick and Shane got up early and did their morning run together, had a quickie in the shower, then ate their breakfast before heading to class. Around midafternoon, Shane was heading back to her dorm room when she saw Wolf, Dude, and Abe walking up the sidewalk toward the dorms in their fatigues, something she’s never seen them in before.

“Hi guys, what are you doing here? Did we forget a lunch date or something?” Shane asked with a smile.

“Hi Shane. No, where’s Pattrick?” Wolf asked straight to the point.

“He’s in class for another two hours. What’s wrong?” Shane started to panic thinking they changed their minds about accepting her.

“Do you know what class he’s in?” Abe asked.

“Oh, um yes.” Shane said meekly and backing away after pointing to her left.

As she was walking away, Dude came to her, “Hey, are you okay?”

Shane just looked at him confused. “Yes, I’ll just go and pack his things so you can help him go back to his dorm. I don’t know what I did…”

“Shane, what are you talking about sweetie?” Wolf asked softly. “We aren’t here to move him. Shit, I’m so stupid sometimes. You thought something had changed with us being so short. Habit, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. The rumors here are kind of bad so I wouldn’t be surprised if he did decide it wasn’t…”

“Stop that shit right now, young lady.” Dude said strongly. “God, I would love to find your mother. It would be the second time in my life I’d consider beating a woman.” Dude sighed. “Pattrick loves you Shane. Nothing will change that. I promise.” Dude said hugging her.

“I’m sorry, Shane. We are one-track-minded right now.” Abe said hugging Shane as well. “We are trying to find Pattrick, his mom and sister need him right now. His dad was badly injured on his op. They are flying him into Bethesda Medical in DC.”

“Oh, my God. Um, let me take you to the classroom he’s in.” Shane led the three men to Pattrick’s class and knocked on the door, stepping aside to let the three men stand in the doorway. The professor in the classroom turned from evil bitch stare to a stuttering “how you doing” female when she saw the men at the door.

“Hello, how may I help you lovely men?” she asked.

“We are here to see Pattrick Jones, ma’am.” Wolf said.

“Oh, um, yeah, okay.” She replied disappointed.

Dude and Abe rolled their eyes when Pattrick walked up to them with a smirk. “I’ll have an easy A now since she’ll be asking me all about you three.”

“Shut it kid.” Wolf chuckled. “Your mom is waiting on you. Your dad is being flown from Germany to Bethesda Naval Hospital. We don’t know how serious it is. Commander Hurt got the three of you a plane ticket to fly out.

“Wait, only three tickets?” Pattrick asked.

“Sorry, kid. He wasn’t aware you had gotten married until we said something.” Wolf said.

“Wolf, I’m not leaving her alone.” Pattrick said shaking his head.

“You listen to me, Pattrick Matthew Jones. I was on my own before I met you and I can handle a few days without you. Your parents and your sister need you right now, so no more shit. Go pack your bags and go see your dad.” Shane said with sass.

Wolf, Dude and Abe coughed to hide their laugh at Shane’s hands on her hip. Pattrick nodded, leading the way back to Shane’s room to pack a bag.

“I will call you every night babe. I love you.” Pattrick said pulling Shane in for a passionate kiss and a hug.

“I love you, too. Give your mom and sister a hug for me.” Shane said hugging Pattrick back.

“Shane, give me your phone.” Wolf said.

“Give him your phone babe, you can trust him.” Pattrick said softly.

Shane reluctantly handed Wolf her phone. Several minutes later he handed it back to her. “There now you have mine, Caroline, Dude, Cheyenne, Fiona, Cookie, Abe and Summer’s phone numbers in your phone. If you need anything, you call us okay?” Wolf said.

“Um, thanks.” Shane said quietly.

“Left a few out, didn’t you?” Pattrick smirked.

“Shut up, runt. Don’t start.” Wolf warned with a mock glare.

After kissing Pattrick goodbye and waving the men off, Shane headed back to her dorm room to focus on her final project and other homework. Shane normally cherished these quiet times alone, but admitted she missed Pattrick more than anything. He had invaded her life. Little did she know her life was going to get even worse.

* * *

“Ugh…can you believe he married that bitch?” Cynthia whined to her friends in front of Robert.

“It won’t last. She’s a prude.” The first nitwit said.

“Yeah, men like Flash get bored with prudes quickly.” Nitwit two agreed.

“I’m sure we can help it along.” Robert said with a grin.

“Oh yeah? How?” Cynthia asked excited.

“Well, one of my older brothers is a cop with Riverton PD. He knows those bitches Shane was with at the big game a few months back. Says they are a big deal or something. I really found out some interesting information about our lovely Ms. Shane.” Robert said with a huge smirk on his face.

“Oh yeah, what did you find out?” Cynthia asked intrigued.

“Let’s just say our lovely Shane isn’t as pure and innocent as she probably has our Flash thinking she is. She’s a pro in the sheets, that’s for sure.” Robert announced.

“Well, she’s a pro that snagged the Flash. I mean what do you care Robert? He’s not going to play pro football, but you’ve got offers for the draft. Didn’t you tell Cynthia that the Chargers and the Texas teams wanted you?” Nitwit one asked out loud.

“They were hoping for Flash.” Robert said angrily. “I’m fucking second choice. That fucking bastard was even as talked to by the Patriots and the Steelers, my home fucking teams. So, who cares if he wants to be a loser and join that fag group called the Navy Squids. Everyone knows, the Army is where the real mean join.” Robert finished with anger in his eyes at the women in his room.

“Not much can be done about it now. They’re married. At least there are teams interested in you. That’s always a plus.” Nitwit two said.

“The fuck did you just say? That fool wouldn’t be the star he is without me, you little bitch.” Robert said angrily.

“Well, she’s right about the fact that there’s nothing we can do about their marriage.” Cynthia whined.

“Oh, but there is, my pets. And you three bitches are going to help. We have two more stars to add to our troop. You see our hero is gone for a few days, leaving his blushing bride behind and at our mercy. So, here’s what is going to happen.” Robert laid out the plans he had devised for making Shane and Pattrick pay.

Robert smirked over first nitwit’s head to the second nitwit, “And you my dear stupid bitch are the one who’s helping us with all this magic.”

Cynthia smirked back at Robert, escorting nitwit one out of the room when there was a knock at the door. In walked two more members of the football team that Robert was tight with. All hell was about to break loose in San Diego.