Page 116 of Creed

Morgan looked at me and nodded, like she was trying to urge me to tell them about what was happening. Addie already knew, we talked to her about a week prior.

I cleared my throat and leaned forward. “In fact, I’ve been called back up. I’m being deployed for an undetermined amount of time.”

I heard a few people shift in their seats. “What about Morgan and Addie?” Jake asked.

“We share a home, so they won’t be going anywhere. They’re in the safest place possible and my MC will look after them.” I answered.

“You’re in an MC?” Karter’s eyes grew.

I shook my head. “Not like you may think. We’re all veterans and we do not partake in illegal activities. Everyone there knows how to keep my girls safe.” It was a lie. We broke the law all the time. It was the only way to get shit done.

“Is this deployment going to be safe?” Allison asked with concern evident in her voice.

I looked down at Addie then at her and she nodded like she understood that wasn’t a conversation to have in front of Addie.

“I’ll be commanding the missions and we’ll be dark for most of the time. If I’m needed, I’ll go in, but as for now I’ll be in a mobile command center. Once this deployment is over I’ll be home for good. I have an official separation declaration that’s been signed by the Secretary of Defense and the President.”

I would be going into Jordan where we just lost several servicemen, and we knew our targets. One would be high value and needed neutralized and the other was to be captured for intel. The problem would be finding them. They had been confirmed in Jordan but if that changed we would have gone wherever necessary. It was an extremely high valued target that would disable the enemy and save countless lives. The other was for information only then would be eliminated as well. Though it was a secret mission, it was backed by several world leaders. It was to be the riskiest and most monumental mission of my career. Then, if I survived, I’d come home, marry Morgan, adopt Addie, and grow our family. We both hoped to live out our days on Creed’s Lake.

“Damn, Delta Force. You guys are like more badass than the Navy Seals.” Weston said.

I shook my head. “Its not Delta Force this time. I’m commanding a tactical squadron that’s made up of members from every special forces group in the Armed Forces. It’ll even include satellite communication through Space Force. Other than that, it’s all I’m permitted to say. Actually, this should stay in this room. I don’t need to be identified in public.”

“Our brother is a fucking badass!” Weston punched Karter’s arm.

“Weston! Watch your language. There’s a child in the room.” Nicole walked in and placed a glass of ice tea in front of me then made her way to her seat next to her husband.

I heard Weston mutter under his breath. “Child? More like Satan’s soldier.”

I shot that little fucker a warning look and he sunk down in his seat.

I looked at Nicole and noticed her eyes were puffy again, like she had been crying.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Karter asked.

“Of course I am, let’s have dinner.” She glanced at me then down to her plate.

Kenny looked at Nicole then to me then to Nicole and shrugged it off. Morgan reached under the table and squeezed my knee before she leaned over and whispered in my ear. “She was standing behind you when you were talking about your deployment then rushed out of the room. What’s wrong with her? That wasn’t very Nicole like.”

I shook my head. I hadn’t told Morgan about the cancer. Mom wanted to do it herself when she had a chance. I checked with Morgan, and she was fine with talking with my mom in private. Mom wanted to talk to each person separately because she felt she had some apologies to make, and she also wanted me to get to know my brothers without her diagnosis hanging over their heads. She might not have been a good mom, but she was their mom, nonetheless. They didn’t even know she already had a port and one treatment in the bag. The cancer was small enough that the doctors felt she could beat it without surgery. If the masses didn’t shrink they would talk about surgery then.

Kenny spoke up. “Your grandfather has been pretty emotional since he learned you were living in Indiana. He understands why you haven’t reached out, but he is constantly asking for a visit. Is that something you’ll consider before your deployment?”

I glanced at Nicole, and she gave me a nod. “Yeah, I guess I should.”

Kenny smiled. “Both your grandparents will be very excited. They waited so long for you to come home. Hell, my dad will probably plan a parade.” They all laughed but Kenny looked at me. “He’s a veteran of Vietnam and he’s very proud of you. Just let me know when and I’ll make sure I’m in town.”

Morgan squeezed my knee then kissed my cheek.

“I look forward to learning about his service.” I said.

After dinner, I took a walk with Nicole and Jonathan. They expressed their concerns, and both agreed it would be good for the boys to go back to Indiana. I explained that my gated community had quite a few veterans that would help whip them into shape. I would have my attorney draw up some guardianship, non disclosure, and liability paperwork and send them over. For the time being, Jonathan had his staff packing the boys bags and we would talk to them together and let them know what was happening. We called the boys out and talked to both of them. They were actually excited about the idea, but they had no clue the hell they were about to face.

Weston was interested in the enlistment idea. He would finish his senior year at Creed’s Lake. Morgan agreed to teaching him through the homeschooling program and Karter would spend his junior year with Morgan as well, go through the same boot camp idea as Weston, but have a job. He was to send everydime to the girl’s family. He wasn’t with the girl. From what I understood it was a one time deal that resulted in a pregnancy. That didn’t matter, he would send money and fly back to California every other week for the doctor’s visits. After the baby, he would spend every other weekend with the child and pay child support.

After the boys things were delivered, we set them up in a guest room and we put Addie to sleep like we always did. Morgan and I both felt it was healthy for the both of us to tuck her in at night whenever possible. Plus, I fucking loved it. It was something I looked forward to every single day. It was a peaceful few moments and I knew it made Addie feel safe. Eventually, we added saying prayers to our routine. They were prayers for Callie and Shane. It was very important to us that Addie never forget Callie. It was hard at times. Seeing such a little girl grieve was heartbreaking, and not every day was easy, but we were becoming a family, and I was happy as hell about it.

An hour after putting Addie to sleep, I was leaning on one elbow and flicking my tongue over Morgan’s erect nipple as she rode me slow and steady. I reached up for her head and pulled her lips toward mine. “You’re so damn beautiful.” I pressed her lips against mine as I flipped us over and made love to her. My thrusts were slow and steady as one hand traveled from her leg up to her breast as the other cupped her head and I looked into her eyes.

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