Page 65 of Rules of Engagement

Jocko

“What’s up with the jungle gym and the giant slide? When I came home and saw them, I assumed a family was moving in.”

“They're for Lucifer’s training.”

“Oh.” Jorja’s head turns to study them as we walk by. “He's a very, very special dog, isn’t he?”

The proud papa grins. “Yes. He's pretty special.”

Once we're inside, I direct the men to put the boxes marked L in the second bedroom. She shows me the post on Facebook. I shrug, “So?”

“So, it’s implying you two are loose cannons.”

I laugh, and she frowns.

“This isn’t funny, Jocko!”

“Babe, loose cannons?”

She nods.

I try to take her in my arms, but she retreats, so I stand my ground.

“I’m not worried about it, Jorja. You shouldn’t either.”

“But ….” Her eyebrows draw together.

“Listen, it comes with the territory of being a SEAL. People have preconceived ideas. They stereotype us. Think all sorts of batshit crazy stuff about us. That we're out of control killers. But the truth is SEAL’s are highly disciplined, trained, dedicated warriors, and so are our MPC’s.”

“MPC’s?”

“Multi-Purpose Canines. Lucifer was a full-fledged member of the military.” I stop talking. “Hang on. I will show you. I have a box of pictures somewhere.”

We walk into the second bedroom. “They're in a big box marked ‘Luce Awards.’”

She bends down to spin a box around, and the view of her ass makes me smile. “Is this it?”

“Yes. That's it.” I walk over, pick it up, and carry it back to the kitchen counter. Then I begin educating her on the brilliance of Lucifer. I have pictures of him in combat, doing drills, sniffing out bombs, scaling a thirty-foot fence, a series of apprehension, and taking down enemy combatants shot from body cams. With each one, I share with her the story behind it.

“Wow!” She stares at all the pictures. “These are awe-inspiring.”

“Yeah. Like I said, he's pretty special.”

The last one is of him standing proud at his retirement ceremony with his medal pinned on his vest and his award hanging on a ribbon around his neck. I’m kneeling next to him showing his certificate of retirement.

“He isn’t a loose cannon. He is never out of control.”

Her brows draw together. “But, people will be afraid of him after that post.”

I shrug. “It doesn’t matter. We don’t care.”

“I know, but I care.”

“That's because you're sweet.” I put a wild, stray hair behind her ear. “But I've already thought of needing to introduce Luce to Sunnyville correctly. I spoke to Emerson, and we're going to do a K9 skills demonstration at the Fourth of July event. Once people see how he works, they'll stop worrying about him. Besides, I know this talented writer atModern Family, that's going to do a killer feature spread on us that will set the record straight.”

She takes a deep breath. “I'll do you proud. I promise.”

“I know you will, Babe.”

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