CHAPTER TWO
Later that evening, Charley glanced around the large party room. She was still in awe at how many people had shown up for her going-away party. But then again, everyone who knew Alex knew that once the energetic woman got something in her head, there was no stopping her.
The party was being held at Bayside. The quaint little bar and restaurant was a staple amongst the SEAL community. It was a place where military personnel, specifically SEALs, could relax and unwind without worrying about being hounded by SEAL groupies or people just looking to spot a SEAL.
The room buzzed with energy as voices, laughter, and music blended into a symphony of well-wishes and goodbyes.
The room was packed with tables overflowing with appetizers and desserts.
A large banner hung over the main buffet table reading: We’ll Miss You, Charley!
The cheerful font did little to quiet the whirlwind of emotions churning inside her.
Charley shifted on her feet as she clutched a half-empty glass of sparkling water. She plastered a smile on her face as another well-wisher hugged her and handed her a card.
“We are surely going to miss seeing your lovely smile around the office,” Mrs. Delaney said. Mrs. Delaney was a sweet but slightly overbearing woman who worked on the Foundation’s administration team. “San Diego won’t know what hit them.”
Charley managed another smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Delaney.”
Before the woman could drag her into a conversation, Charley spotted the small blur with pigtails and sassy attitude barreling straight for her.
“Aunt Charley!” The little girl called out.
Charley bent down just in time to catch Sienna as the blonde tornado launched herself at her with enough force to nearly knock her backward. Sienna’s tiny arms wrapped around Charley’s neck.
Laughing softly, Charley gathered her up and settled her on her hip, breathing in the familiar scent of strawberry shampoo and chocolate, most likely from the cupcake Sienna had probably snuck earlier.
“Well, hey there, wild child,” Charley murmured, smiling even as emotion pressed tight against her chest. She was going to miss this kid. “You trying to tackle me before I leave?”
Sienna pulled back just enough to fix her with an offended little look, her round cheeks puffing out. “I am not wild. Mommy says I’m spirited.”
That made Charley laugh for real. “Oh, I see.”
Sienna nodded, her expression serious. She leaned in and whispered, “Daddy says that’s just a nicer word for dramatic. Whatever that means.”
A snort escaped Charley before she could stop it. She hugged Sienna a little tighter, blinking fast as warmth and sadness tangled together inside her. God, she was going to miss this little girl. “Sounds like your mommy knows you pretty well.”
“I know.” Sienna looped her arms around Charley’s shoulders again and lay her cheek against hers. When she spoke this time, her voice turned softer. “I’m really gonna miss you, Aunt Charley.”
Just like that, the laughter faded, and Charley felt the words land straight in the center of her chest. She swallowed hard, smoothing a hand down Sienna’s back. “I’m gonna miss you too, baby girl. So much.”
Sienna lifted her head, her big blue eyes serious in that way only kids could manage, like they knew more than adults gave them credit for. “Who’s gonna babysit me when Mommy and Daddy go do boring grown-up stuff?”
Charley smiled, though it wobbled around the edges. “I have a feeling your mom and dad will figure something out.”
Sienna frowned. “But it won’t be as fun. You let me have extra sprinkles and chocolate sauce on my ice cream.”
Charley widened her eyes. “Excuse me, I did not.”
“You did too,” Sienna said, with all the confidence of someone presenting hard evidence in court. “And one time you let me stay up past bedtime and watch the mermaid movie.”
“Hey now, that’s our little secret,” Charley playfully whispered.
Sienna giggled, then her little face turned thoughtful again. She touched Charley’s cheek with her tiny hand. “Can you still come see me?”
The question nearly undid her. Charley pressed a kiss to Sienna’s temple and held her close, rocking her gently without even thinking about it.
“Yeah, sweetie. I can come see you. Maybe you, your mom, and your dad can come visit me, too. And you can call me anytime you want, okay? Actually, I want regular updates. I’ll talk with your mommy and set up a day to talk every week. How does that sound?”
Sienna’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “Really?”
Charley grinned. “Of course. I want to hear all about school and everything else going on, including all the ridiculous things your daddy has done.”
Sienna gasped dramatically. “Daddy is always ridiculous.”
“True,” Charley whispered, grinning.
“And if you get lonely,” Sienna added, lowering her voice again like she was sharing state secrets, “you can just think about me and how pretty I am.”
Charley laughed through the sting building behind her eyes.
Before Charley could answer, Bailey appeared beside them with that warm, knowing smile of hers.
“I wondered where my child had disappeared to.”
Sienna immediately tightened her grip on Charley’s neck. “Mommy, Aunt Charley said we can talk every week.”
Bailey looked at Sienna and smiled. “I think that is a wonderful idea.” Her gaze then settled on Charley, and her expression softened. “You doing okay?”
Charley nodded, even though the answer sat shaky inside her. “Yeah. Just trying not to steal your daughter and take her with me.”
Sienna perked up. “I could pack a bag.”
Bailey laughed and reached out, brushing a hand over Sienna’s hair before looking back at Charley.
“We’re all going to miss you like crazy, you know that?
” Her voice was soft, and sincerity filled every word.
“You’ve been such a huge part of our lives.
Of her life.” She touched Sienna’s back lightly.
“And no matter where you go, that doesn’t change.
You’ll always be part of this family, Charley. Always.”
That did it. Emotion swelled so fast that Charley had to look down for a second, trying to blink as fast as she could to keep the tears from gushing out of her eyes.
Her throat tightened, thick with gratitude and heartbreak and the ache of leaving people who had become so much more than friends.
She carefully passed Sienna into Bailey’s arms, her fingers lingering for a second on the little girl’s shoulder.
“Thanks,” she said softly, her voice rougher than she wanted. “That means more than you know.”
Bailey’s expression turned tender. “We love you. Don’t forget that.”
Charley pressed her lips together and nodded. “I won’t.” She forced a small smile, hoping it looked steadier than she felt. “I’m just gonna go grab a little air.”
Before either of them could stop her, Charley slipped away through the patio doors and out onto the deck.
The frigid evening air hit her flushed skin, and she drew in deep breath after deep breath, gripping the railing as the sounds of laughter and music carried faintly from inside.
Her chest ached with the effort of holding everything in.
For a moment, she tipped her face toward the dark sky and let the fresh air steady her, willing the sting in her eyes and the tightness in her chest back under control before she went back in there and said goodbye all over again.
Opening her eyes, she looked out at the dark ocean that stretched beyond the beach. The moonlight reflected off the water as the sound of the waves gently lapped at the shoreline.
Soon her mind began to wander. She thought about how her role had evolved over the last few years.
She had started out as a volunteer helping with fundraising.
But when Alex learned a bit about her past, she asked her if she wanted to take on a larger role in managing the administration office.
Now she was the Executive Director of the West Coast office and clinic.
Going back to the San Diego area felt right on paper. She believed in Alex’s charity foundation and the work it did for veterans, military service members, and their families. She knew she could make a difference in even more lives. But San Diego wasn’t just a city. It was a minefield of memories.
She felt a tear slip from her eye as memories of her dad and brother surfaced.
“Charley?” A voice called from behind her.
When she turned, Alex was standing there, looking concerned.
“Sweetie. What’s wrong?” Alex asked as she rushed to Charley’s side. Alex had a heart of gold and always put herself before others.
Charley shook her head as she wiped the tears from her face. “I think everything is just finally hitting me now. I’m nervous, scared, and just wondering if I’m doing the right thing.”
Alex joined her at the railing and nodded as if knowing what Charley was struggling with.
“It’s okay to feel those emotions. In fact, it’s natural. You’re making a big move. But you are also going back to a place that you saw yourself never going back to.”
Alex had definitely hit the nail on the head with the last part of her statement.
“I’m afraid that I’ll get too far into my own head and forget my purpose for being there. I don’t want to fail you.”
“Charley, you won’t fail. For the last two years, you’ve dedicated your life to this Foundation.
Even if things become difficult, you’ll figure it out.
Because that is who you are.” Alex pointed toward the room full of people.
“Turn around and look inside. All those people in that room came to see you. And you want to know why? Because you made an impact in their lives, whether it was big or small.” Alex paused for a moment, letting Charley think about what she was saying.
“That, to me, doesn’t look like failure.
In fact, I don’t even think you have an ounce of failure in you.
I know you’re going to thrive out there and do amazing things, not just for the Foundation but for yourself as well.
If I didn’t have confidence in you, I wouldn’t have offered you this opportunity.
And I think this move will help you heal and hopefully give you some closure.
I know your aunt and uncle are itching to see you and have their niece back.
And if you still feel like you need someone to talk to, my phone is always on.
And I’ll only be a five-hour plane ride away. ”
“She’s right, Charley,” Ace, Alex’s husband, said as he stepped up beside his wife, wrapping his arm around her waist. “You’ve done wonders in advancing the Foundation.
Not to mention, because of you, I’ve been able to spend more time with my wife.
” Alex looked up and smiled at him. “I have some buddies out there. So, if any issues arise and you need something, just call Alex, and I’ll reach out to them. ”
Charley looked up at Ace. He was a Navy SEAL and an amazing husband. Alex was lucky to have a man like him in her corner.
“Thank you, Ace. I appreciate that.”
“Okay, now get your butt back inside because more people showed up,” Alex jokingly scolded, making Charley laugh.
“Yes, ma’am.” She gave Alex a mock salute. Before she rejoined the party, she hugged Alex. “Thank you, Alex,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome.”
◆◆◆
Alex watched Charley as she walked inside. She was going to miss Charley, but Alex knew this was the best thing that could have happened to her.
Ace slipped his strong arms around Alex’s waist and rested his chin on top of her head.
“She’ll be okay,” he reassured her.
She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. She looked up and grinned.
“I know she will. She just needs a little push. I really hope this move helps her find closure so she can move on.
Who knows, maybe she’ll meet a wonderful man who will sweep her off her feet.”
Ace groaned, which made Alex giggle.
“Hey, I’m just saying that it can happen.”
Ace’s blue eyes brightened. “I know because you and I are living proof,” he told her.
Alex smiled, lifting onto her tiptoes and giving him a peck on the lips.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.”
“Want to head home?” She asked, feeling the need to ravish her handsome husband.
“I thought you’d want to stay until the end?”
“Arianna and Campbell have things under control.” She squeezed Ace’s waist. “I’m feeling like I need some special time with my husband. And since Derek and Juliet have the baby, we have the house to ourselves.”
Ace snorted a laugh, but the twinkle in his eyes and the smile tugging at his lips told Alex that he was on board.
“You’ve become insatiable,” he said, softly kissing her forehead.
“And you love it.”
“Damn right, I do!” He playfully growled before scooping her up in his arms and carrying her out of the venue as their friends and family waved and whistled at them.
Alex lay her head against Ace’s chest. Life was great in her world. She hoped Charley would experience the same happiness once she settled in her new home.