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“Well, you’ll definitely get a say this time,” she said warmly. “We’re going to make sure you have the best home life and the best holiday season that you’ve ever had.”
Christian smiled, and for the first time, it seemed like he believed her.
CHAPTER THREE
The crisp November air had a refreshing bite as Ava and Christian walked through the courtyard of Virginia Beach’s City Hall, weaving between booths at the career and college day.
The leaves crunched beneath their feet, a mosaic of autumn oranges and reds. Christian led the way, his backpack slung over one shoulder, moving with a sense of purpose that made Ava’s heart swell. She was here to support him, letting him take charge of the day.
He stopped at a few local college tables, asking thoughtful questions about their programs and even visiting a trade school booth with an interest in auto mechanics.
Ava smiled, pride filling her as she watched him do his homework at every booth they passed. His questions were sharp, and his demeanor was calm and mature. He was a fifteen-year-old, far beyond his years. Ava knew his background had forced him to grow up faster, but seeing him like this, confident and in control, filled her with admiration.
After about an hour and a half, they finally approached the military booths, where the Navy’s display dominated the scene. Their booth was by far the grandest, with large banners, displays of various Navy equipment and uniforms, and even a few models of ships and aircraft. Given the proximity to Norfolk and the SEAL base in town, it wasn’t a surprise the Navy would go all out.
Christian’s eyes lit up as he approached the recruiters, two of them standing behind the booth in their crisp uniforms. He immediately struck up a conversation, his enthusiasmevident as he asked questions about different career paths and opportunities in the Navy.
Ava hung back, letting him take the lead, and once again, she was impressed with how well he handled himself. Christian wasn’t just asking about general things. His focus was centered around the SEALs.
“This is my mom,” Christian said suddenly, introducing her with a proud smile as he turned back toward Ava.
Ava felt a jolt of surprise at his words.Mom?Her heart skipped a beat, but she smiled warmly and stepped forward, shaking hands with the recruiters. She didn’t correct him.
One of the recruiters, a tall man with close-cropped hair, smiled at Christian. “So, you’re interested in becoming a SEAL, huh?”
Christian nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir. I’ve been studying the process. I know it’s hard even to get selected for BUD/S, and I’ve been reading about the training and what it takes to get through it. It’s tough, but I’m getting ready. I’ve been practicing the PST, and I joined the swim team at my high school.”
The other recruiter, a woman with a sharp, professional demeanor, raised her eyebrows, impressed. “You’ve done your homework. That’s a good start. It’s one of the hardest things to do in the military, but it sounds like you’ve got the right mindset.”
Christian beamed as the recruiters continued to talk to him, asking more questions about his interest in the military and his schooling. Ava listened, pride swelling in her chest. He was handling the conversation like a pro.
“Well, you came at the perfect time,” the male recruiter said, smiling down at Christian. “We’ve got a SEAL team doing a demonstration in about ten minutes. You should definitely check it out.”
Christian’s eyes went wide with excitement, and the recruiters handed him a bunch of Navy swag. He got a T-shirt, a keychain, stickers, and a water bottle. He thanked them excitedly, clutching the items to his chest, and then turned to Ava.
“Do you mind if we stay a little longer to see the demonstration?” he asked, practically bouncing on his heels.
“Of course,” Ava said, laughing softly. “Today is all about you.” She took a few brochures from the recruiters and nodded her thanks before following Christian toward the open field where the demonstration was set to take place.
Christian led them to an area off to the side, away from the main crowd gathering at the front of the field. Ava glanced around, curious. “Why over here?” she asked, a little puzzled that he wasn’t trying to get closer for a better view.
Christian pointed to the side, where a group of men that she assumed were the SEALs were gearing up for the demonstration. “This way, I can see everything—front and behind the scenes.”
She smiled, understanding now. “Smart,” she said, giving him a playful nudge.
The demonstration started soon after, with the team piling into vehicles that Ava could only describe as futuristic dune buggies. Christian leaned over and explained what they were called. The excitement was clear in his voice. “Those are special vehicles for all kinds of terrain. They can handle pretty much anything.”
Ava nodded, impressed. She couldn’t help but admire how much Christian already knew. As the SEALs raced through the field, displaying their tactical maneuvers, an announcer called out to the crowd. “We need a volunteer to help out the team. Anyone feeling brave?”
Before Ava could even blink, Christian’s hand shot up.
The announcer scanned the crowd, and then his eyes landed on Christian, standing off to the side. “You, over there!” he called out, pointing to Christian. “Come on up!”
Ava’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves as one of the SEALs jogged over, escorting Christian to where the rest of the team stood. She watched, her emotions bubbling over with pride as Christian beamed, chatting with the SEALs like he belonged there.
As she watched from the side, a figure appeared next to her. She glanced over and felt her breath catch. A tall man, broad-shouldered and in the same tactical clothing as the others, minus all the gear, stood beside her. He had a strong jawline, piercing hazel eyes, and a surprisingly friendly and slightly shy smile. Ava felt her pulse quicken as he met her gaze.
“He seems happy,” the man said, nodding toward Christian. “And he really seems to understand what we’re doing out there.”
