_It’s getting closer and closer to deployment, unwrapping myself from the girls to head to the kitchen to make coffee. After the fiasco with Avery, the girls and I have basically moved in together.

As I wait for the coffee to finish, I can’t help but think how different this deployment will be than the rest. Logan and Katie got engaged a few days ago, hearing the joy in my friend's voice when he called will stay with me for a while. I could hear the squeals from the girls when Katie called, then to find out he was going to be a dad, I can’t help but feel a little jealous.

I’ve never considered myself a family man, never taken anything other than being a SEAL seriously. I’ve had women, don’t get me wrong, but they always knew what they were getting with me. A quick fling while I was home, sometimes I came back for seconds, but for the most part, I was a no strings kind of guy. That was until Avery climbed into my jeep.

I’m startled from my thoughts by the beeping from the coffee maker. Pouring all three of us a cup, I head back into the room to wake the girls. I stop at the door and admire the two beauties that lay before me. I can’t imagine my life without these two, to think that it almost all came to an end just a month ago.

“Stop being such a creeper and bring me my damn coffee.”

I’m startled by the sound of Avery’s voice. “If you don’t want me staring Sugar, you shouldn’t look so edible,” I say with a smirk as I make my way toward her.

“Good enough to eat, isn’t she?” Amber leans over taking a bite of Avery’s shoulder.

Just watching the two of them together makes me instantly hard, but it’s so much more than that. I reach the side of the bed, hand them both their cups, and place kisses on their foreheads before heading toward the bathroom.

“No snarky retort? Not going to take me over the knee or threatening to put my mouth to better use? Nothing?”

“Avery, he may be dying. Should we call an ambulance or something?” Amber says making me chuckle. I feel a set of arms wrap around my waist, stopping me from going any further.

“What’s up, Buttercup?” Avery whispers in my ear, placing a kiss on my neck.

I sigh, relaxing into her arms. “I don’t wanna go.”

“We don’t want you to go, but we also need you to.”

I turn in her arms. “Really, Sugar? Already tired of me?”

“Calm your tits, Flapdoodle. We need you to go so you can keep us safe, and to make sure Logan brings his ass back in one piece. You leave so we can sleep safely at night. It will be hell without you, but it needs to be done.”

Amber slides off the bed, I watch as the sheet slips off her naked body and exposes her gorgeous skin to me.

“Charlie, we’ll still be here when you get home. Right here where you left us, waiting.” She wraps both of us in her arms.

We stand there, holding one another and enjoying the feeling of being together.

With the help of the team, I’ve finally been able to pull another date idea together for the girls. With me heading out for deployment again soon, I must give them things to remember me by. I ensure there’s no evidence of where we’re going or what we’re doing.

I head to the door like a gentleman and knock, Avery pulls it open with a smirk on her beautiful face. Dressed in jeans and a baby blue tank top, since I told her tonight would be causal.

“Evening, Sugar.” I place a soft kiss on her lips.

“Evening, Smoochy-Face.”

Chuckling, I step past her looking for Amber.

“Where is she?”

Avery laughs. “You know damn well she’s messing with her face.”

Heading directly to the bathroom, I barge in, not bothering to knock, and I scare Amber. Unfortunately, she was drawing something on her eye and now has a black line across her face.

“What the fuck, Charlie?!”

I’m doubled over laughing.

“Don’t you know how to knock on a door? Get out!”

I step back, appreciating her curves in the light pink tank and jeans she has on before she slams the door in my face.

“Good job, Slick. Now, she’s going to be pissy.”

“Nah, I’m a Romance Ninja.”

Shaking her head, she goes back to the living room and flips the tv on.

“Sweets? Let me in, baby.”

Amber opens the door with a glare. “What? Want to draw on my face yourself this time?”

“No, I want you to wash all that shit off, I want to see you, not that crap.”

Her brows furrow in confusion like she doesn’t understand she’s beautiful without makeup on.

“Sugar, you too! Wash all that shit off. I want to see my girls in their natural beauty.”

For once they don’t argue, it’s weird, I’m not sure I like it. Heading back toward the door, I wait for them. Who knows how long it will take to get all that crap off, I want to get to the good stuff, no more distractions.

Avery comes around the corner, clean faced and I pull her toward me, “So much better.”

Her smile tells me how much it means to her that I think she’s beautiful just the way she is, wrapping my arms around her, I capture her lips in a deep kiss.

We’re just coming up for air when Amber joins us by the door.

The smile on my lips cover my face, they’re breathtaking creatures, my Twin Tornados.

“There’s my beautiful Sweets.” Wrapping an arm around her, I pull her to us and kiss her just as deeply.

“Time to go, get your sexy asses in the Jeep,” I say as I slap them both on the ass.

I open the door and hurry to make it to the car before them, opening their door and offering a hand for them to climb in.

Avery shakes her head, she knows I’m no gentleman. Amber swoons, placing a chaste kiss on my cheek before sliding in after Avery.

“Where are we going, Knight Rider?”

“It’s a surprise, just enjoy the ride,” I say, winking at Avery in the rearview mirror.

“I always do.”

We head toward Santee Lake, picturing the scene that awaits us makes me smile. I have to admit, I’m damn proud of myself. The sun is starting to set which is perfect for what I have planned.

Charlie pulls off at Santee Lake and finds a spot.

“Uh, are we going for a hike in the dark?”

“Oh, ye of little faith, follow me for a night you’ll never forget.”

Opening our door, Charlie kisses me on the forehead as I climb out, holding both our hands.

“If I get attacked by a pack of coyotes, I’m going to be pissed,” Avery snarks.

“Don’t you worry, Sugar, I’ll protect you.”

As we get closer to the lake, I can see a white sheet hanging from a tree, it's hard to make out details. There’s something on the ground, a bed maybe? What the hell is going on out here?

As we’re approaching, lights turn on, casting us in a soft glow of white. There are Christmas lights twisted around the tree branches above us.

The big sheet is stretched over a frame as a screen, a small projector, and a big pile of blankets, pillows, and maybe an air mattress are set up on the ground.

Avery and I stop, taking in the scene before us. A bug net covered in fabric is set up like a teepee, giving us privacy along with a picnic basket and ice bucket inside on the blankets, champagne chilling.

Charlie is at the projector, getting it set up while we make our way to the blankets and sit down.

No one has ever done something like this for us before, frankly, it’s so thoughtful and sweet. A tear escapes my eye, slowly trailing down my cheek.

“Those better be happy tears, Sweets.” Charlie comments, popping the champagne. Reaching into the basket, he grabs plastic cups to pour each of us some champagne.

The movie previews start up on the screen as he sits between us, pulling food out of the basket. Fruit, crackers, cheese, and meat are all in containers for us to snack on. It’s all amazingly thought out, classy, even a little cheesy, but in the best possible way.

“Charlie,” Avery whispers. “Thank you.”

Her eyes are full too, she’s just as moved by this as I am.

Wrapping her in his arms, he presses a kiss to her hair. “You’re welcome.”

Charlie lets go of Avery and pulls me in for a hug.

“I couldn’t be happier than I am right now,” I say into his chest.

I can feel him smile into my hair before leaving a kiss.

The title menu for Sixteen Candles starts up, surprising us both.

“How did you?” we ask at the same time. Looking at each other, we both answer, “Katie.”

Before the movie starts, Charlie starts arranging pillows behind us to lean against. With him in the middle, he leans back and lays down, stretching his legs out in front of him. Avery and I lay down on either side, using his chest as a pillow. As the movie starts, Charlie wraps an arm around each of us, Avery and I hold hands on his stomach, completely content in this moment. I don’t know what we did to deserve him, but we’re going to keep him.