18. Jack
18
JACK
I hold the door open for Ava as we enter The Thirsty Fox. It’s lunchtime, and the place is bustling, especially with their buy-one-get-one-free offer today. This bar is known as the official watering hole for Red Mark staff. Even though I’ve only been here once, I can’t get over how amazing their cheeseburgers are. They say they’re the best in Montana.
Ava pushes the stroller through the door. I let her walk ahead of me, captivated by the way her figure moves. It’s the first time I’ve seen her in a dress, and it’s not just any dress. The ivory fabric clings to her body, showing off the curves. The skirt gracefully stops in the middle of her thigh, revealing her lovely legs. If I had to kill to indulge in her, I would.
This afternoon, we’re going on a double date with Morgan and Tyler, who just returned from their honeymoon. It’s been three weeks since I arrived in Helena. After the showdown in Townsend and Clancy, there haven’t been any incidents so far. Willem seems to be going about his usual business as well, according to our intel. He’s currently in London. Rumor has it he’s meeting with Richard Branson. Nobody knows if it’s true or if there’s anything more sinister in his agenda .
Cass, Sam’s wife and the bar manager, has reserved a table for us. She greets us with her usual warm smile as I pull out a chair for Ava and assist her with Quinton.
“Hello, Quinton,” Cass greets the baby, gently caressing his cheek with her fingers. It’s been a few weeks since we last visited Cass, but he seems to remember her and smiles. “Oh, you’re such a sweet baby!” she exclaims. Then, she turns her attention to Ava. “Now I want another one!” the mother of two jokes.
Or maybe she’s not joking. Both Ava and I notice her hand discreetly rubbing her belly while her lips quiver, clearly suppressing a broad grin.
“Cass?” Ava drawls. “You are having another one, aren’t you?”
Cass looks torn, perhaps caught between letting out her bubbling emotions and berating herself for spilling the beans. “Sam and I decided not to tell anyone yet. Please… don’t react,” she whispers, her eyes wandering left and right.
Cass is a familiar face to many in this bar, so we keep the beans to ourselves.
Ava continues, “I want three more!” Then she glances at me.
Cass pats my shoulder. “No pressure.”
I chuckle, although Ava’s intense gaze makes me believe my girl isn’t joking either. I’m open to the idea of having children, but I do hope that she has the patience for me.
Cass compliments Ava, saying, “You look stunning, by the way.” She winks at me and adds, “Keep her close if I were you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. I take a seat next to Ava, holding her hand. Quinton sits on her other side.
“So, while we’re still waiting for Morgan and Ty, I’ll give you the menus. You know what I’d recommend, right? ”
Ava and I chuckle.
Cass offers, “Would you like to order drinks first?”
“Well, let’s wait for Ty and Morgie, thanks,” Ava says politely.
“Sure. If you need anything, you know where I am,” she says before leaving the table.
I press my lips against Ava’s hand, appraising her lightly made-up face. The soft brush of mascara emphasizes her long lashes, making her eyes all the more enticing. And who can resist her lips, alluringly covered in cherry-colored lipstick? They tempt me like we hadn’t already made love today.
Tyler and Morgan make their way into the bar, instantly infusing the already vibrant atmosphere with their presence. Walking hand-in-hand with his wife, the former SEAL appears rejuvenated, as if he has just emerged from a day spa. It’s no surprise, considering he just returned from the trip of his life.
Ava rushes toward Morgan, the sound of her hurried footsteps traceable among the bustling diners. Their tearful reunion begins with heartfelt embraces even before they reach the table. In their silent interaction, I can sense a bond that goes beyond mere friendship. It’s tangible in the way they hold each other, and now their eyes convey reassurance in each other’s presence.
“Are you all right? Are you okay?” Morgan stammers, their embrace still tight.
“I’m fine, but I missed you,” Ava replies, her voice filled with longing.
Morgan was just a toddler when they first met, and with a five-year age gap, Ava has become a nurturing older sister figure to her. But today, they both stand united as equals, sharing the burden of Ava’s ordeal .
“You should have called me!” Morgan exclaims, shaking Ava’s shoulders.
“You were on your honeymoon, for heaven’s sake!”
“I was in Antarctica, but I would have returned to Helena when I reached Argentina. You really should have called me!” Morgan insists in frustration.
Meanwhile, Tyler and I exchange greetings. It has been over a year since I last saw him. Navigating the aisle of the Thirsty Fox, the newly married man wears a contented smile, hinting that his post-wedding affair went off without a hitch.
As I invite him to take a seat, I overhear Ava telling Morgan, “Everything is under control thanks to Jack and Red Mark.” Morgan then glances at me, silently expressing her gratitude. The two women release each other from their embrace, and Morgan swiftly heads toward me, enveloping me in a tight hug. No words are spoken, only a few sobs.
“So, how was your honeymoon?” I query, not wanting to dwell on Quinton’s kidnapping.
“It was out of this world. Literally. Antarctica is like a world of its own,” Morgan says, rounding me to get to Quinton. “Quinnie-Bear! Hello, baby. Do you remember me?” She takes him out of the stroller. “You’ve grown already! You’re so heavy now.” She settles him on her hip with an exaggerated grunt.
“Mo!” He attempts to pinch Morgan’s chin.
“Yes, I’m Morgan, but I think you’re calling your puppy, aren’t you?” Morgan says, kissing Quinton like she can’t get enough of him.
Quinton cringes, wriggling hard.
“Quinton, it’s Aunty Morgie.” Ava tries to calm him, but he insists on getting away.
“Huh… I feel like a boogeyman.” Morgan sighs, putting Quinton back in his stroller.
“Give him time. He’ll warm up to you,” Ava reassures .
Cass takes our order while we talk about the newlyweds’ honeymoon—from glamping in South America to joining a few scientists in Antarctica, thanks to Morgan being a biologist.
Morgan then looks at Ava. “My God, what have you been doing? You’re like… ripped!” She feels Ava’s arm.
“I’ve been working out with Jack,” Ava replies.
“For real?” Morgan exclaims.
“USMC boot camp style?” Tyler quips.
“Kind of. The gentle version,” Ava says.
I give Ty a proud trainer’s wink. Oh yeah, Ava Belle has been hitting the gym with me. I never pressured her because she’s always perfect in my eyes. At first, she was just looking for an energy boost, remembering how exercise helped her recover from endless chemo during her battle with leukemia. But once she started, there was no stopping her. She’s a pocket rocket that keeps throwing surprises. She can do ten pull-ups without breaking a sweat, and she’s solid in her lifting and squats.
Better still, Quinton, my trusty assistant, is always there during our sessions. I especially enjoy our morning jogs with him, where Ava and I take turns pushing his stroller. Sometimes, Elmo joins us, too, as long as we’re not going too fast for his little legs to keep up.
“And this is new!” Morgan exclaims, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinizes her best friend some more. Her fingers weave through Ava’s bouncy hair.
In response, Ava lifts her shoulder in a nonchalant gesture, leaving Morgan’s imagination to figure out the how and why.
I did notice my girlfriend was spending more time than usual taking care of her hair this morning. She transformed her curls into beautiful waves, making them look more voluminous. She used a wand-like device that she purchased during one of our shopping trips, along with some hair products. Her strands appear thicker, and the blonde hues seem even shinier. And she smells phenomenal.
As the burgers arrive, our eyes are drawn to the sight of perfectly grilled patties sizzling and releasing their mouthwatering aroma. I’m dying to savor the soft sesame seed bun and the succulent ground meat melting in my mouth. Not to mention the Thirsty Fox’s secret sauce.
“So, you’re a new woman now,” Morgan remarks. “Thanks to a certain Marine.”
Ava raises her eyes to me, nibbling a lip.
Morgan continues, still intrigued by her best friend’s change. “I can’t even remember the last time I saw you wearing a dress. And to top it off, it’s a sexy dress like that!”
Ava responds calmly, “It’s the baby-daddy effect.”
Morgan mouths a ‘whoa,’ then says, “That’s bold!” She then turns to me, “Has she told you that?”
I cackle. “Something along that line.”
I have to admit, I feel flattered to be considered Quinton’s father. Ava has mentioned the idea of having more children in passing, but we haven’t had a serious discussion about it yet.
Tyler, who has been quietly enjoying his burger, chimes in, “Bozeman feels like a distant memory now. It’s hard to believe that Quinton is already eight months old.”
“And I was just two months pregnant then,” Ava adds.
Morgan cocks her head, asking me, “So, was it really love at first sight? I distinctly recall seeing you completely smitten, offering Ava your jacket. And she…” Morgan gestures toward Ava, “…she was awe-struck. I mean, you were the biggest lightning strike of the night.”
I remember that stormy night. Morgan was hiding under the protection of Red Mark after narrowly escaping an attempt on her life. At the time, I was off duty, and Sam was short on manpower, so I agreed to help. That night, Tyler had to travel. I was assigned to stay with Morgan at Tyler’s parents’ farmhouse in Bozeman. Little did I know, Tyler returned with Ava in tow.
“Oh, look at you blushing, baby!” Ava steps in after my extended silence.
“Shush! Let the man speak!” Morgan protests.
I look at Ava, reminiscing about her kind, radiant eyes even during the miserable weather. And her curly hair, bouncing and shining, seemed to call out to me. Being a Marine who doesn’t indulge in impossible romantic notions, I never believed in love at first sight. But with her, everything was proven possible.
I clear my throat. “Well, I didn’t just want her. It was a feeling I had never experienced before. I wish I had kissed her then and asked her out,” I admit.
Tyler whistles and addresses me by my rank, as he always has since we first met. “L.T., you’ve given the perfect answer.”
Ava leans in and kisses me, then smiles while she thumbs the lipstick marks she’s left behind.
Tyler washes down his lunch with a few gulps of beer—Fallen Angel, Cass’ own brew, which has apparently become the bestseller at this bar. He asks, “What’s next for you guys?”
I reply, “My leave ends next week, and I need to sort things out back in Hawaii.”
Ava looks at me, a thin layer of concern coating her face.
Morgan wipes her sauce-covered hands and asks, “Ave, if you could live anywhere, where would it be?”
“L.A. had been my home. But I’ve fallen in love with Montana since Bozeman. And in the past few weeks, I’ve felt it even more. If I were a baby and my mother asked me where I’d love to live—California or Montana—hands down, it’s here. There’s ample space, I can breathe, and we’re surrounded by nature. And you’re here, Morgie. What else can you ask for?”
“So, more kids are on the cards?” Morgan teases, to which Ava responds with a wink.
I smile, responding to her spontaneous delight. She genuinely wants to give Quinton siblings, as having children is a blessing for her, especially after her battle with leukemia. It’s amazing how the drugs never affected her ability to get pregnant. Any children we have together will be so fortunate to have her as their mother. But will they also be lucky to have me as their father?
Morgan continues. “Hey, I actually know someone who works at a media company here. I could put in a good word for you. You may not be producing courtroom sketches, but you could be a good fit in their design team.”
“That’ll be great!” Ava exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement as if her future suddenly becomes clear.
“You’re going to be based here permanently, Jack?” Tyler asks me.
“It’s a possibility, yes,” I respond tentatively. The only military installation in Montana is an Air Force base near Great Falls, which is about a hundred miles north of here. I don’t believe there’s any opportunity for me there, but I don’t want to bring it up at the moment.
“Or, I could come with you to Hawaii,” Ava suggests, possibly picking up my unease.
Shifting my chair closer to her, I put my arm around her shoulder and say, “We’ll need to talk about it, sweetheart.”
“You know what I’m going to say, right?” Tyler nudges. “Would you consider joining Red Mark?”
I lean back, acknowledging his predictable question. “I won’t rule it out.”
“Comet has been talking about you. ”
“Has he?” I say. “He’s a great kid.”
“He’s young, but he’s had to deal with a lot of tough shit.”
“He told me he helped his mother raise his brother because their dad passed away when Huxley was only twelve,” Ava says.
“Yeah, that, and did he tell you about Colombia?” asks Tyler.
“He did.”
“That he lost his girlfriend in that operation?”
So the Comet omitted that part when he told me the story. Perhaps he hasn’t made peace with that yet, knowing it might interfere with his focus at the time.
I shake my head in disbelief and mutter, “That’s messed up.”
Away from the ladies who are busy putting on a bib on Quinton, Tyler says, “She was a local, a CIA informant. She was shot a week after the raid, her body left on a bench in front of a church.”
“Fuck,” I mumble to him.
While Ava and Morgan take turns feeding Quinton, Ty and I order our second burgers. The baby enthusiastically devours his carrot puree and honey tea, specially prepared by the chef.
Desserts arrive, drawing a collective gasp of surprise from everyone at the table. Even the ladies, who initially said ‘no’ to the huckleberry pie and ice cream, give in to the temptation.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I glance down and see a message from my captain reminding me about my leave.
Noticing my expression, Ava asks, “You okay?”
Unable to bring myself to discuss it right now, I dismiss the message and stroke my partner’s hand, silently telling her we’ll talk later.