Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Mike laughed as Axe let out an excited bark and danced around on the beach like a hyperactive puppy.
“I guess he missed you,” said TJ with a chuckle as the team jogged along the beach.
“Wait till he sees Ali,” said Mike as they reached the turnaround point and headed back toward the Navy base.
The four SEALs ran shirtless in the warm morning sun. Their bodies were covered in sand and salt from the rigorous training program the Chief had run to celebrate Mike’s return. They’d started with pushups and crunches in the surf followed by a half mile swim and finally a three mile soft sand run.
Throughout the session Axe never left Mike’s side. Over eighteen months had passed since the dog had been shot and thanks to Ali’s veterinary skills he showed no sign of injury.
“So, how did the proposal go down?” asked TJ between breaths as they reached the end of their run.
Mike gave the boys a move-by-move breakdown of the entire operation as they stretched in a park.
“That’s pretty slick essé,” said Ernie when the story was complete.
“An operation that’d make any SEAL proud,” added TJ.
“Not bad at all kid,” said Rick. “Kicks all my proposals in the ass.”
Mike frowned. “You’ve only been married once.”
Rick shrugged. “I went through a phase of asking chicks to marry me. No big deal.”
The other three men shared looks of disbelief.
“Anyway,” he continued. “We need to talk about your bachelor party.”
Mike grabbed a stick and tossed it across the park. Axe dashed after it. “Yeah, Ali and I are keen to keep this low key. We don’t want a repeat of the Girlfriend Selection Course.”
“You two wouldn’t even be together if it wasn’t for selection,” said Rick. “Come on, brother. One last hit out with the team.”
Axe dropped the stick at Mike’s feet and looked up at him, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. “One last hit out? I’m getting married not going to prison. The decision is final. No bachelor party.”
“Does that mean you’re not having a best man?” asked Ernie. “Because technically it was me who introduced you to Ali in the first place.”
“The fuck! How you figure that?” snapped Rick.
“I recommended the vet. Even said she was pretty.”
TJ finished stretching and sat on a bench seat. “That’s true.”
“Well, what about selection?” asked Rick.
“That was TJ’s idea.”
Rick frowned. “Yeah, well it was my element that let you SEAL the deal,” he said accenting the words with his fingers.
Mike laughed. “Guys, I could never choose between you. You’re all family. Plus, it was actually Axe who brought Ali and me together.”
TJ grunted. “He’s right, but you can’t have a dog as your best man.”
“True, and that’s why I’ve asked my brother, Dean.”
Rick frowned. “What the hell? I thought you were an only child?”
“That’s because you’re the world’s worst listener. You’re only interested in tits and ass,” said Ernie.
“That’s not true.”
“Really? What’s the Chief’s wife’s name?”
He frowned. “That’s not fair. We never see her.”
“Emily. Her name is Emily,” answered Mike.
He shrugged. “I knew that.”
TJ rose from the bench. “Rick, Mike and Ali want a low key event. We will respect that.”
Rick scowled as he nodded. “Yeah, got it.”
“Right,” TJ continued. “Let’s get back to work. We’re running mask drills in the kill house.”
* * *
Leonie’s squeal of delight filled the café turning heads and earning a scowl from an elderly woman reading a paper. “Ali, it’s freaking beautiful.”
She blushed as her sister clutched her hand, inspecting the engagement ring.
“Holy shit! He must have dropped a bomb on this.”
Her sister, a blonde middle-aged mother of two had a real way with words. Ali’s father always accused her of having a mouth dirtier than a railway worker’s coveralls.
“And you said he proposed on a glacier with a violinist and a bottle of Dom?”
Ali smiled. “Yes, he did. It was the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“That’s panty dropping right there. I’m wet just thinking about it.”
She giggled. “Leonie!”
Her sister took a sip from her coffee. “That boy’s a goddamn dreamboat.” Her eyes shone as she smiled. “I am so happy for you.” She lowered the cup to the table. “OK, so let’s talk wedding. When you were little, you always wanted the whole nine yards: unicorns, carriages, doves, an orchestra and white lace. Yards and yards of white lace.”
“Oh, that’s right, I remember. No, Mike and I have agreed on a small intimate affair. I’m thinking one of the vineyards out near Swartz Canyon.”
“Yes, with a string quartet and a reception under the vines. Big weddings are so passé.”
“I knew you’d understand.” She paused. “That’s why you have to be my Maid of Honor.”
Leonie smirked. “Please, who else could do the job?” She clapped her hands. “This is going to be so much fun. I am going to throw you the best bachelorette party this city has ever seen.”
Ali scrunched up her face.
“What?”
“Mike and I kind of agreed we would keep things low key.”
The happiness slid from Leonie’s face. “You’re kidding, right? No bachelorette party?”
Ali shook her head.
Her sister’s jaw dropped. “Why would you do that? You know the bachelorette party isn’t actually for you. It’s for people like me. Ladies who haven’t been drunk in months. Ladies who haven’t felt the hot hard abs of an athlete since… Well, since ever.”
“You’re being a little dramatic.”
“No, I’m not. You’re entirely selfish.” She folded her arms.
“OK, OK, maybe we can have a small gathering. Just a few girls, but it’s not a party.”
Leonie winked. “Got it. Let’s call it pre-wedding drinks and…” She raised her hands and used her fingers as inverted commas. “Activities.”
Ali frowned. “Minimal activities.”
Her sister downed the last of her coffee. “Yeah, yeah whatever. OK babe, I’ve got to run.” She leaned over and kissed Ali on the forehead. “I’m so happy for you. Give my best to Mike and Axe. I’ll see you at the planning brunch on the weekend.”
Ali drank the last of her latte as her sister left the café. She couldn’t help but feel she was going to regret agreeing to a ‘small’ gathering. Still, Leonie was an amazing sister and a terrific mom to her nieces. If she needed to let down her hair a little who was Ali to say no?
* * *
The wedding planning team occupied a long table at Mike and Ali’s favorite café, the Spanner Shop. The converted mechanic’s garage was a short distance from her veterinary clinic and served the best coffee, sandwiches and muffins in a ten-mile radius.
Mike and Ali sat on one side of the table with TJ, Leonie and Mike’s younger brother Dean, opposite.
The junior Saunders bore a close resemblance to his older brother. He had the same gray eyes, chiseled jaw and blonde hair. However, unlike his SEAL brother Dean had not followed their father into the services. He was a software engineer who spent most of his time perched behind a computer. As a result his hair reached his collar and he carried a little extra weight.
It was Mike who started the meeting. “Guys, firstly Ali and I would like to thank you for taking time out on a Saturday to help us wade through all this wedding stuff.”
“You’re the best,” added Ali.
“It’s also a chance for TJ, who’s agreed to be the master of ceremonies, and Leonie, Ali’s sister and maid of honor, to meet my brother and best man, Dean.”
Leonie leaned across and whispered to Ali. “He’s just as handsome and he’s younger.”
Ali shook her head and laughed as Mike continued. “I’m going to reemphasize that this is going to be a very low key event. About thirty guests and the bridal party.”
“And a string quartet,” added Leonie.
“Of course.”
“Have you chosen a venue yet?” asked TJ.
Ali answered, “We’ve narrowed it down to three. Mike and I are heading out to Swartz Canyon after this to check them out.” She glanced at her watch. “In fact, we’re going to have to leave soon.”
Leonie clapped her hands. “OK, venue aside we need to get to the most important part, the fashion. Ali, have you picked out a dress?”
“No, I thought you and I could do that next week.”
“Lock it in. I’ll get something to wear at the same time. Right, now for the boys.”
“I thought I could wear dress uniform,” said Mike.
TJ coughed into his fist. “Wear a tux.”
Dean nodded in agreement. “Hey, bro. Proud of your service but this isn’t about the military. This is for you and Ali.”
Ali placed her hand on his. “I don’t mind. It’s up to you.”
“Uniforms are sexy,” added Leonie.
“Buy yourself a nice tuxedo. Every man should own one,” TJ said. “Sure, get a few photos in your dress whites, but trust me, get married with class.”
“Did you?” asked Mike.
TJ winked. “Damn straight I did. I wanted Emily to know she was marrying a man not a sailor. A man that would put her first over the service at the drop of a hat.”
Mike nodded. “Tuxedo it is.”
The Chief turned to Dean. “I’ve got an A-grade tailor that will sort both of you boys out. We’ll hook it up for next week.”
“Sounds good,” replied Dean.
“Well that’s the fashion,” said Leonie. “Next we need to talk through decorations, music, invitations, food, gifts and timings. Oh, and most importantly, an engagement party.”
Mike groaned.
Ali squeezed his hand. “Do we need an engagement party?”
Leonie shrugged. “Maybe not a party, just a sit-down dinner. I know Mom and Dad would love that.”
Ali nodded. “OK, can you come up with some options? Mike and I need to get going.”
They rose from the table and Ali hugged everyone. Then the pair disappeared out the front door leaving TJ, Dean and Leonie at the table.
“A buddy of mine owns a restaurant in town. Mike took Ali there on one of their first dates so it might be a good venue,” said TJ.
“Just ‘n’ Thyme?” asked Leonie.
“That’s the one.”
She rolled her eyes. “It took me three months to get a table.”
“Yeah, he tells me it’s doing well. I’ll make a call and let you know, but right now we get down to the real business.”
“Which is?” asked Dean.
“The bachelor and bachelorette party.”
Leonie’s eyes lit up. “Oh hell yeah. Tell me more, Mr. SEAL.”