Chapter 17
Seventeen
“ O kay, let me have it.” Gunner stood in the gym of Montgomery Defense. It was coming along nicely. Rows of exercise equipment were opposite two large boxing rings and an open area for weight lifting.
The guys just stood silent, not moving an inch except for Hawk, who was dramatically shaking his head.
“I told you to stay in touch, Gunner.” Nash folded his arms over his chest.
“And I did. I told you my mom had passed, and that I was taking extra time at home before coming back.”
“You might have mentioned that you were taking extra time because your new wife was recovering from giving birth to your daughter.”
“Who the fuck is she, Reap? Is she trapping you? Are you being too fucking stubborn to ask for our help? Because I know for a fact, you wer—” Hawk asked.
“Shut the fuck up, Hawk. I’ve known Lily since we were little kids. She’s not trapping me. I don’t tell you guys everything about my life.”
“You have a kid.” He saw the raw emotion in his buddy’s eyes and felt the guilt that had been hiding in the shadows creep into his chest.
“I’m sorry, Tracker. I should have told you. I shouldn’t have shoved your face in it.”
Back when all the guys were still in the SEALs, Gage’s wife, Melody, and their two-year-old son Mikey, were killed on their way home from base. Gunner could still hear Gage’s screams when he heard the news. They’d just landed in the middle of some god-forsaken desert overseas, and the entire team was expecting to head out on a mission the next day. Gage turned right around and flew back to the states, leaving the team to complete the mission a man down, and brokenhearted.
The guys made it back in time for their funerals, and they all served as pallbearers for Melody. Mikey’s casket had been so small that Gage only needed one other person to help. He’d asked Gunner, who had a special bond with his son. The cute kid was speech delayed, the same way Gunner had been as a child. He truly believed Gage’s son just preferred taking in his surroundings more than being in the spotlight. Gunner considered it an honor to carry him to his final resting place. He fucking should have told Gage.
“I’m happy for you, you idiot. Melody was the best thing that ever happened to me. Mikey changed my entire world, and now one of my best friends is experiencing that, too. But hell,” he scrubbed his hand over his face. “It fucking hurts you didn’t tell any of us for so long. And how do you think that looked to Lily? That none of us even knew she existed?”
“Yeah, you messed up big time there,” Stone added.
“We went through some shit after Sage’s birth. It was…hard. My mind was focused on her and the baby, not on telling every person I’ve ever known all about my life.”
“Great. Glad to know we’re just people you know.”
“You assholes are twisting everything I’m saying. ”
“No, man, we’re not. Maybe we’re just helping you hear how you actually sound.”
“We have this cute kitchen in here,” Mae brought Lily into a big room that was more gourmet than anything she would ever categorize as cute. “The company stocks the fridge and all the snacks in the cupboard, so if you ever need anything when you are visiting Gunner, don’t even ask. Please, use anything.”
“Wow, that’s very generous.”
“Our boss, Sebastian, is literally the best. The guys helped him out on a personal matter a few months back and it seems like he’ll forever be trying to take care of them to say thanks.”
“Gunner told me a bit about what happened, and I met Emma and Mr. Montgomery earlier. She’s so beautiful and warm. It’s hard to imagine how she stayed like that with everything that happened.”
“I know. I’m so glad you met her, though. We get together every once in a while and go out for drinks. We are quite the rag-tag group of girls,” she laughed. “You’ll have to join us next time.”
“That’s really sweet of you. I’m not sure I’m ready to leave Sage just yet, but maybe.”
“She’s an absolute doll. How did she do on the trip down?”
Lily looked at her baby, still fast asleep in Mae’s arms. “Fantastic. I was so worried about it, but she slept nearly the whole time.”
“That’s great. Okay, so if you see over there,” Mae pointed down a hallway behind a glass door. “The guy’s offices are all down that hallway. You have to have access to go through the door just because of some of the contract work they do. I won’t have access for you today, but when I do, you’ll just use the same card that I’m going to give you for your apartment.”
“This feels like spy-level stuff.”
Mae laughed. “The guys are super strict about security. No one is breaking in here unless they’re a better hacker than Gage. And after spending some time watching him work, I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Do you ever get nervous with the work they do? I mean, your brother is in constant danger.”
Mae shrugged, swaying back and forth while she looked down at Sage. “Yes and no. The guys know what they are doing. Could something go horribly wrong? Of course. But that’s what their training is for. I think it’s hard to remember when you look at them because they’re all so dopey and relaxed around here, but they have training for the most dangerous situations and encounters. My brother can handle himself. And if his slow ass can, Gunner will be more than fine.”
“…Gunner will be more than fine.”
He rounded the corner just in time to find Lily chewing nervously on her lip as Mae bounced Sage up and down.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I’m thinking we should head up and get settled. Are you ready to see our apartment?”
“I think so.” Lily flashed a smile at him and turned to Mae. “Thank you so much for showing me around.”
“My pleasure. Let me just make your ID cards quick.” They followed her out to the front desk. “Lily, I’m going to give you a guest one for now. You’ll be able to get into your apartment and into the main door for Montgomery Defense, but I’ll need you to fill out some paperwork for the proper authorizations for your own key card.”
“That’s fine. I can stop by tomorrow some time if that works.”
“That would be great. Hawk and I are right across the hall from you upstairs, so if you guys ever need anything, just come and knock. Oh, and give me your number quickly so I can text you about girls’ night, okay?”
Mae slid her phone over to Lily, who quickly typed in her number. Gunner was about to grab Sage from Mae when Lily reached over and took their daughter from her.
“There you go. I’m sure we’ll see you later, Mae.”
“Bye, Lily. Gunner.” Mae’s eyes closed slightly, sassing Gunner. He was used to it. Hawk’s sister had been a pain in all of their asses before, and now that she was permanently working with them, he knew it was just a matter of time before she got in some sort of hot water they’d have to save her from.
By the time they made it to the elevator, Sage was fussing on Lily’s shoulder. “Let me take her for a minute, Lil. That way, you can check out the space when we get up there.”
“Are you sure?”
“I haven’t held her since we got off the plane. Give me my daughter.”
She stirred more as Lily lifted her off of her own shoulder and placed her down on his. Gunner loved the way Sage’s warm little body immediately snuggled into the crook of his neck, her tiny baby breaths causing her back to rise and fall rapidly as he patted his hand on her bottom.
Gunner pressed the button to call the elevator, but it must have already been on the bottom floor because the doors opened immediately. Lily walked on, turned and gave him a questioning look.
“What?”
“Are you going to tell me what floor we live on so that I can push the correct button, or are you going to make me guess?”
“See that black box?” Gunner pointed to a box just under the buttons. “Hold the card Mae gave to you up to the reader. That’s how we get up to the apartments.”
“Why even have buttons?”
Gunner shrugged. “So, girls’ night, huh?”
He loved the flush that dotted Lily’s face and ears.
“She just invited me. I thought it wouldn’t be polite to decline it on the spot. If she actually invites me, I’ll probably just say I can’t because of Sage.”
“No, Lil. I think it’s great. You deserve to have friends here, too.”
The elevator doors opened and Lily bolted out ahead of him.
“Are we on the top floor? I bet the views inside are beautiful!” Gunner remembered counting four floors above the ground level, which housed Montgomery Defense. The parking lot had backed up on a patch of land dense with trees, which wasn’t Gunner’s favorite thing coming from a safety standpoint, but maybe they had a view of whatever that area was. That would be pretty for Lily and Sage to look at each day.
Lily was bouncing on her toes when he finally stopped in front of apartment five, which matched the number on the back of his ID card.
“Well, don’t just stand there. The anticipation is killing me.”
“Is this what you’re going to be like on Christmas morning?” he teased.
“Worse,” she laughed. “But also, I’ve been too nervous to ask where the bathroom was, so I really need you to open the door so I can pee.”
“Lil. You shouldn’t have waited for me. ”
“Less scolding, more opening the door so we can walk in together as a family. Chop chop big guy.”
Gunner held his card up to the scanner and heard the lock reposition. “You do the honors.”
Lily smiled, twisting the handle and pushing the door open.
“Gunner, this place is amazing! I can’t imagine what the rent is costing you. Can you really afford this?” Her eyes grew wide, and he watched as she placed her free hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, that’s probably rude and I have no right to know.”
“There is no rent, Lil. It’s just a perk from my job. I told you, Sebastian is really generous.”
Generous was an understatement. From what he could see of just the open concept living room and kitchen, he owed his boss big time. He was right about the view. Floor to ceiling windows off the back side of the building overlooked a park, complete with walking trails and a children’s playground. That would be great for Lily to take Sage to until he could get them into a house with their own backyard and play set. Gunner had always wanted to build a treehouse, something he pictured as a rite of passage for fathers everywhere, and had big plans for the one he’d make for Sprout.
Lily returned quickly from the bathroom and was busy looking out the windows while Gunner walked with Sage into the kitchen.
“Lil, have you seen this?”
Crisp white cabinets and marble counter tops framed professional appliances. Gunner took one look at Lily’s astonished face and knew she would be happily spending time in there cooking as soon as he stocked the fridge. Which was top priority for the next day. There was only so much takeout he could stomach.
“I’m honestly speechless, Gunner. What’s the catch? There’s really no rent? Everything is so beautiful and I just can’t imagine someone not trying to make a profit off this property.”
“No catch. We don’t even have to pay for the utilities. The jobs I do aren’t easy. Most of the time, they aren’t safe.”
“Gunner…”
“Remember Lil, I told you. My job is my life, and it’s the reason I never thought I’d get to have a family. Most people can’t handle the unknown dangers.”
“I can,” she said as she straightened her shoulders. “I promised to support your goals as a part of this arrangement, and that includes your career. Let me see Sage for a minute so I can change her diaper and nurse her.”
The lightly furnished apartment was going to make their first day home so much easier than Gunner had planned. “Go to the couch, Lil. I’ll get her changed while you get ready to nurse her.”
After changing and handing Sage off to Lily, Gunner headed back to the parking lot to bring up the rest of their luggage. He’d paid a moving company to pick up Sage’s things in Connecticut and bring them down to Texas, but they weren’t scheduled to arrive until the end of the week. So, he’d packed a travel bassinet for her along with all the other baby necessities. Never in a million years would he have thought he’d know safe sleep rules or what diaper creams were best for sensitive skin, but there he was, well versed in both things and more.
Hauling the luggage out from the bed of his truck, a branch snapped in a small patch of trees behind him. Gunner’s eyes scanned the treeline, and he waited. A breeze tossed the leaves back and forth as branches swayed. His eyes continued to search until a squirrel popped out from behind a rock and ran across the pavement.
Fucking nature. If they were a part of Montgomery Defense property, then Cap needed to get rid of those trees, and fast. They were thick enough that someone could hide in there. He didn’t like the idea of Lily and Sage walking by it every day on their way to the park.
Gunner turned back to the building, still unable to shake the feeling of eyes being on him. If there was one thing he took away from being in the SEALs, it was to always trust his gut. And his gut told him to get to his girls.
Back in the apartment, he found Lily dancing with Sage, who was wide eyed and smiley.
“There’s your daddy, Sprout. We wondered what was taking you so long.”
“Just making sure I got everything in one trip. What were my girls up to while I was gone?”
“Planning.” Lily winked as she gently swayed back and forth with Sage. Jesus, the sight of them in this new place was so fucking beautiful his chest felt tight from how much he wanted the moment to never end.
“Oh yeah? Planning what?”
“Our lives here. I can see us putting up a great big Christmas tree right there, and having movie nights with popcorn and hot chocolate by the fireplace. Do you think Sage will have a princess phase? It would be so fun to set up a big princess pillow fort in the living room and binge watch all the old princess movies I grew up on.”
He couldn’t hold in the laugh that erupted from his chest.
“What?”
“You’re just already the best mom, Lil. I don’t get how you don’t see it.”
She walked over and gave him a half hug with the arm that wasn’t holding the baby. Her green eyes sparkled with hope as she looked up at him, and he realized Sage’s eyes were slowly turning the same shade as her mother’s. “This place is amazing, Gunner. I can’t wait for all the sweet memories we’ll make with Sage here.”
“It’s nice. But I think we’ll eventually want some place with a big yard. Somewhere to put up a swing set and a trampoline for Sage.” His finger swept across Sage’s chubby cheek and she gave him a big gummy grin.
“You’ve been thinking about that?”
“Of course. I think about our family all the time.”
Lily squeezed her arm around him tighter and then let go, walking towards the hallway.
“The bedrooms are that way.” Lily tipped her head and Gunner nodded. “I saw there are two.”
“Two bedrooms is good.” They’d still sleep with Sage in their room for now, but when she was a little older, it would be good for her to have her own space. Lily walked ahead of him, opening one of the doors.
“I’ll take this room with Sage. Both rooms have attached baths, but the tub in here looks a little more kid friendly, so I thought she and I could have this one.”
Wait. What? His heart squeezed painfully. There was no fucking way she was taking the baby and sleeping in a different room from him.
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“Why would you both sleep in a different room from me?”
“Because this is the way it was always supposed to be…” she whispered. “If I hadn’t gotten sick?—”
Of course. He didn’t know why he thought she’d stay in his room with him. He knew the doctor cleared her to travel and even told her she’d likely be able to stop her medication in the next few weeks. But he couldn’t help the disappointment that crawled under his skin.
“But you did, Lil. What if something happens again? ”
“It’s been almost six weeks, Gunner. I think we are in the clear. It’s time.”
Right. Time to get back to being married, but not. She stood there in the hall staring at him, but what was he going to say? That he didn’t want her to sleep in a different room from him? That even though they hadn’t touched while sharing the same bed, all he wanted now was to lie with her in his arms every night?
“Okay. But if you start feeling sick, I want to know immediately.”
“Of course.”
“Middle of the night or not, Lil. You bust through the door and wake me up. Missions that have gone sideways haven’t had me in as much of a panic as seeing you on the bathroom floor so sick that night.”
“I will. I promise.” She looked down at her feet and then back into the room she’d claimed for herself and their daughter. “I’m going to unpack some before dinner, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll do the same. The guys gave me a list of places that are good to order in from around town. Maybe we can do that tonight so we don’t have to figure out a meal?”
“That sounds amazing.”
Gunner couldn’t stop himself. Before she could walk away, he grabbed her hand and stopped her. “Thank you for doing this, Lily. For coming to Texas with me. For letting me claim Sage as my own. I just…just thank you.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek before turning and walking into his room.