Page 97 of Creed

I couldn’t believe I started having a flashback. That hadn’t happened since my last deployment. I pulled out my phone and sent a text that asked Bolton to meet me in my office when she was done. I sat on that bench as a man that was going through changes. It was time to start a new phase of my life. A phase I never thought I’d see, because unlike what Axton said at the hospital, I never envied Granger. I was perfectly content living out my life as I was, but then I met Morgan. That was when a side of me appeared that I never knew existed. I met a woman that I’d move mountains to keep happy and safe.

The day on the boat confirmed it for me. I was capable of feeling nothing but pure happiness. It was like Morgan and Addie could complete me someday. I never felt the way I did on that boat, not even as a kid. My father was a great man, but he had certain expectations. He may not have challenged me physically like sports and the military did, but he challenged me intellectually. It was constant education, and I was permitted a hobby in sports. I was damn good at it, even though I was also intellectually superior to many of my classmates. He forgot one thing when he was raising me, and I know now it’s what Ididn’t envy about Granger’s life. My dad forgot affection. It was something I didn’t know I was missing until Morgan and Addie. Hell, I didn’t want it until they came into my life, but I found myself constantly wanting them in my arms. I couldn’t express how I felt about them through words too well, but I hoped my arms said what I needed to say. Holding them was already what I looked forward to every morning when I woke up and every night when I came home from work.

I met with Bolton before my meeting with the prospects. She contributed my near flashback to the changes I was making. It was my fears coming to the surface and I was to meet with her weekly until my deployment.

Lunch was served to the prospects as I reamed all their asses. I demanded that if any of them couldn’t live by our rules and abide by orders, they needed to get up and leave Creed’s Lake to never return. I was sure they weren’t happy about the new training course, but it was necessary.

After that I met with every single one of our security team and reamed their asses as well. It was a day of bitching and making demands, although all I really wanted was to go home to my girls.

Amusement

Morgan

Addie and I were getting ready for Creed to come home. Getting her into a little summer dress was like pulling teeth, but once she was in it, she liked it. After that she was more open to the idea of doing her hair a little fancier. I curled it but she wanted pigtails, so we compromised, and I gave her low pigtails so her hair would fall down her front in curls.

She watched me curl my hair and apply makeup. I was wearing a summer dress similar to hers and she thought that was fun. She asked for lipstick, but she settled for some clear gloss.

“Its good to feel pretty, but it’s better to feel strong and independent.” I said as I applied the gloss. “We don’t need no darn boys.”

She scrunched her nose. “We don’t need no stinky boys. Yuck!” She acted like she was spitting. I laughed but heard a deep chuckle and turned to see Creed leaning against the doorframe.

“Da big guys home!” Addie went running and jumped into Creed’s arms. We were getting ready for Addie’s first visit to the community center. We were going to have dinner then take her bowling.

We had such a fun day. We started by having a tea party that turned deadly for her stuffed animals. Then took a bike ride down our driveway. She rode her bike with training wheels, and I rode mine. Then after lunch we went downstairs and played music as we danced our hearts out. She had a nap, then we started getting ready to go out to dinner.

“You’re both so beautiful.” He held Addie but bent over to kiss my cheek.

“Auntie Morgan made me wear a stupid dress.” Addie played like she was mad.

“You look so pretty though.” Creed said and she blushed then hid her face in his neck. She liked it but didn’t want to admit it.

Creed already had her car seat in the side by side, and Addie loved it. She squealed with excitement as Creed drove us toward the community center.

I had walked the red carpet with gorgeous men, but never did I feel the kind of pride like I did when I walked into that dining room on the arm of Alistair Creed. He was the most generous lover, kindest man, a borderline genius, and the bravest most handsome man alive, and he was all mine. Of course, Addie had her arms and legs wrapped around him like a monkey, but that was fine. He scanned his palm then led us to a table where one of Felicity’s girls handed him an IPad where he typed something in and signed it before she served us. They even had a booster seat for Addie, but of course she had to sit by Creed.

There was one thing I noticed. It was the first time in my life where not one man looked at me. The room was quiet and even a few turned their chairs, so they weren’t facing me.I leaned into Creed. “Am I in the Twilight Zone or something?” It wasn’t that I missed having fifty pairs of men’s eyes mentally undressing me, but it was just strange. I wasn’t used to it.

Creed looked around and his eyes landed on one of the men that turned his chair. He smiled and muttered under his breath. “Damn straight.”

“What is going on?”

He chuckled. “I claimed you as mine publicly today. Well, that and three boaters faced some harsh disciplinary action this morning. Can’t really blame them for looking though. You’re Morgan Rossi, the most beautiful actress of their generation, if not of all time. So, a few turned their chairs so they wouldn’t be tempted. They’ll adjust with some time.” He acted like it was no big deal.

“How mean we’re you this morning?”

He reached over and patted my hand. “Its cute that you are concerned, but they’re fine. I just taught a lesson through three examples. They will be enjoying a few months of reprogramming.”

I tilted my head. “Reprogramming?”

“Lets just say they will know every line of The Notebook and Titanic in the coming weeks.”

I laughed. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

He nodded. “I am. They will be taking a sensitivity and responsibility course. They are also on probation and lost their access to Club X for a few months.”

“Did you punch them in the face then spit on them?” Addie asked with huge eyes of excitement.

Damn, we might have been facing a little problem.

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