- epilogue -
It’s another beautiful day in Hawaii. My paddle board glides across the mirror-like water toward the tiny beach that has become my favorite . The sun is hot today and I take a break, resting on the top of my board. With my feet dangling in the water, I lean back on my elbows. In the distance I hear the familiar, yet painful, “Arf, arf, arf,” call of the Monk Seals near shore. I fight the urge to call back.
It’s been five months since Victor Alfa left for his top secret mission. We fucked all night, proclaimed our love for one another, and then he vanished. Sometimes I wonder if I dreamed the whole thing. I rest a hand on my belly and gaze toward the horizon. No, that isn’t possible. Victor Alfa is mine—even if I haven’t seen him in so long.
Winston was furious when he came back to the boat the day after Victor and I consummated our relationship. He had a black eye and knew within minutes what I’d done. Instantly, my value in his life decreased. I was worth nothing to him without my virginity to sell to the highest bidder. He kicked me off the boat. I’ve been living in a tiny house on the northern shore ever since, working as a waitress to make ends meet.
He thinks I’m foolish for letting a Navy Seal get the best of me.
He thinks I’m crazy for thinking he’ll be back.
But I know better. Victor loves me and he’ll return when he’s finished with his assignment. We’re meant for each other. The both of us could search far and wide, human and seal-kind, and we’d still come up empty, longing for one another. I can feel it in my bones.
A pod of dolphins swims nearby and I watch as the mommy, daddy, and baby dip and dive in the water. I long to swim with the sea creatures. On a whim I stand and tighten the string on my bikini. Lately the top feels too tight, my round breasts bulging at the fabric. I drop off the board, feet first into the water and lose myself to the majesty of the ocean.
The dolphins are already gone, but a large sea turtle swims nearby. I reach out and touch his back, feeling the smooth, hard surface. A dark shadow swims to my left and the turtle darts off. Sharks like these waters. I need to be careful out here alone.
I make my way back to the board and after a few attempts it’s clear I won’t be able to get back on top.
That’s when I lose it. I break down and cry. I need Victor. I need his strong arms and controlling touch. I don’t care if he’s man or seal. I just want him back in my life.
A school of fish darts under my feet and the shadow lurks closer. I’ve got to get on the board. Got to, I think, using my elbows for leverage. I feel something slick brush past my leg and I fight back a scream. It happens again, this time against my belly and I sob even harder. I don’t want to die out here. Not like this.
I close my eyes and pray that the shark will leave, but something touches my feet and then rubs across my breasts. I’m about to dive deep when a flipper nudges against my behind and I’m pushed upward on top of the board. I sprawl on the surface, ass up, but scramble to my knees. Looking down I see a blob swimming straight for the surface.
The water breaks, cascading like rain, and I gasp at the sight before me.
“Victor?”
“Ariella! What are you doing out here all alone?”
“You’re back!” I cry, ignoring his question. He climbs on the board and pulls me into a tight embrace. “I was afraid you’d been injured. Or worse.”
“I’m safe,” he says, kissing my mouth. His hands run along my body, taking me in. When he reaches my breasts he stops and tilts his head. “We dropped a shit-ton of bombs on those fucking North Koreans. We did our duty.”
“I have something to tell you,” I say, but he’s skimmed past my tits to my stomach. It’s not huge yet but it’s there. I lay a hand on it protectively. He places his on top.
“You’re pregnant?”
I nod, fearful that he won’t believe it’s his, or worse—that he won’t want it at all.
“Five months.”
His mouth breaks into a wide smile and in seconds he’s on his knees. I can’t hold back the tears as he leans forward, kissing my belly all over.
“We’re having a baby?” he asks, as though he needs me to say it out loud.
“No,” I assure him. “We’re having a pup.”
His eyes brighten with glee and the rough exterior of my Alfa slips long enough that I see the adorable man deliriously happy to be a father.
His forehead presses against mine. “I love you,” he whispers. He touches my belly with a wide, flat hand. “I love our little pup growing in your belly.”
“I love you, too, daddy.”
“I always thought my heart belonged to the Navy,” he says. “But now I know I can have more than one love. You, this pup, and the Navy. You all have a place in my life.”
He eases me off the board until we’re floating in the ocean. The water lifts my breasts and my belly. His hands touch every inch of my skin. I lean forward and kiss him, my Alfa. My Daddy.
My forever.