Chapter 14
14
TROPHY
Lance jogged up the gangplank, boarding the ship and showing his military I.D. before making his way through the familiar hallways of the ship. It was late, thank goodness, which meant some of the guys would be already asleep in their racks. Instead of going to his own bed, he went to the computer room and got down to business.
He texted Stephanie and glanced at the clock, realizing she had probably fallen asleep already. Opening a screen on the computer, he looked up several apartments he had saved with a newly critical eye. Seeing her, the little sonogram photo, and meeting with her made this all feel real. It wasn’t just a place to rest anymore – he wanted a home. He sent two apartments to her and hesitated.
Princess ,
In looking at the apartments, I’m kinda being picky and not sure if you are of the same mindset. I think that maybe the bedrooms should be close together (for now) in case our little Peanut needs something during the night.
When I first looked (yup, I did) I was checking out the locations, schools, and where the beach was… but I don’t think that matters as much anymore. I would rather it be comfortable and fit our little family when it’s time. What would you like in a place? I’ll go take a peek in person, if you see something you like.
I miss your laugh and your smile already. Now, I’m off to get some shut-eye because duty starts at seven in the morning. I won’t have my phone or be available until late tomorrow.
Sweet dreams,
Lance
Clicking send, he opened up another email to write his family to give them the update.
Dear Mama, Dad, and Laura,
Just got back onboard and am about to go get some sleep, but I wanted to let you know things went really well this weekend. Did you get the sonogram picture I sent you? I also sent one of me and Stephanie. I can’t thank you enough for your advice telling me to calm down and relax – because the weekend went better than I thought. I’m hoping to get her to move out here a little closer so I can be more involved… and I’m actually excited to be my little Peanut’s daddy.
Yeah, I’m calling my baby Peanut.
Hush, Laura, you wouldn’t understand .
It’s crazy to think that a little part of me is growing into a person, the next generation and I don’t even see many of the signs just yet, you know? And Stephanie is just a miracle to me. I’m so crazy about her, and it hasn’t faded in the slightest. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I really like her, Mama.
Maybe we can all get together at some point?
Love,
Lance
Clicking send once again, Lance paid a few bills online, sent Stephanie more flowers, and then logged off. Gathering up his backpack, he walked down the hall to the berthing he shared with the guys and braced himself. Sure enough, several of the guys were asleep, but Pasteur was there, reading his Bible. The man looked up at him and waved before holding up a thumb.
Lance did the same, before putting a finger over his mouth and pointing at the closed curtains. The guys were sleeping, and he was tired too. It would be morning much too soon.
“Tomorrow,” Lance whispered simply and saw Pasteur nod before he went back to reading. Shoving his bag onto his bunk, he changed quickly and climbed into bed, pulling his curtain shut. Plugging in his cell phone and setting an alarm, he hesitated and looked at their picture for what had to be the hundredth time in the last three hours. It was hard to believe she didn’t realize just how pretty or special he thought she was and vowed to make sure she always felt that way when she was with him.
Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to drift off to sleep.
Waking up early the next morning, Lance felt refreshed from sleep and checked his phone.
Stephanie texted?
He skimmed over her words, reading it twice in disbelief… and smiled. The text that had come through at some point during the night.
Hey, I got your emails – yes, it’s 3 a.m. but nature calls. I hope I didn’t wake you. I just wanted to say that I miss you and agree on the bedroom locations within the apartment. Let’s talk about email number two, okay? Emails 1 he’d just slap a hat over it and seize the day.
You got it, Princess. Cozy it is! I’ll text before I call to make sure you are free to talk – and then I’m gonna hightail it outta here to go take a peek at the property in person.
You have literally just made my entire week with that single text. Thank you.
??
Putting a heart on there, feeling like a goober, he clicked send. He really was surprising himself when it came to her because he never imagined doing all the silly romantic things, yet here he was. Emojis, pictures together, kissing, rubbing noses, heck – he rubbed her feet and loved every second of it.
Getting up, he yanked on his uniform, pulled his cap down low over his brow, and took off out of berthing to get something for breakfast, whistling happily.
Nothing could dampen his day!
Twenty minutes later, Lance was still whistling happily as he reported into his duty station, where he was going to be checking and filing reports for the next eight hours with a few other lucky ‘winners’ as well. Everyone was yawning and griping, and he was in too good of a mood to let them drag him down. Dang it, he was going to check out an apartment tonight or tomorrow!
“Goooooood morning, you stunning sacks of crap!” Lance sang out, clapping a hand on a few guys shoulders and shaking them happily. “It’s time to be the reason our CO pops ibuprofen like it’s M&M candies. Here’s your to-do list for the day. One – look like you are busy, even if you are scribbling on the same sheet of paper for four hours. Two – ‘ Don’t tell ’ doesn’t mean you can’t flirt. Make the whole world quake when you walk in a room, either from fear or desire. Don’t really care, let ‘em stare!”
This finally roused a nervous giggle from a few of the guys and girls around him as they looked at him like he’d lost his blasted mind. Maybe he had? Was this what happiness felt like?
If so, keep it coming …
“And number three – the most important of them all. Remember, if ketchup packets under the toilet seat lids are wrong, I don’t wanna be right… oh, and don’t forget, Wite-Out on the stains. It’s all about using your brains, peeps…”
“CAVANAUGH!” the commanding officer yelled walking into the room with a cup of coffee and looking at him with disbelief. “How much coffee have you had this morning? Do I need to send you for a drug screening?”
“Nope!” Lance grinned as another man whispered something foul about him getting laid to his back.
That might have been the old version of him, but even that fool wasn’t as happy as he was now. He looked over his shoulder and smirked arrogantly, bragging because he was in a relationship with his precious princess, Stephanie with a baby Peanut on the way.
“Wrong again. I’m married, buddy.”
The commotion he’d begun, was quickly turning into an uproar at that simple statement. Frankly, Lance was a little insulted by a few laughs and a few shocked expressions. Was he really that bad before he met Stephanie?
“Trophy, congratulations – now get to work! The rest of you, sit down, shut up, and let’s get started. Boys and girls, you can gossip and chit-chat on your own time – NOT ON MINE.”
Putting his head down, Lance got to work and then hesitated as a thought hit him. He couldn’t go look at the apartment tonight because it would probably be too late by the time he got off work… but he did have time to make it to the Naval Air Station legal services office on base to get things straightened out with his marriage license.
He slowly opened another tab on the computer screen he was typing on and quickly requested an appointment. There was one left at 4:15 p.m. today – on the other side of the base. He would have to haul his butt outta here in order to make it there while still grabbing the marriage license hidden in his rack. Yeah, it was going to be darn close, but this could seal the deal on getting Stephanie to move down here. Plus, he promised his girl he would fix it – and he wasn’t going to back out now.
Hours later, sweating profusely in the summer heat, Lance was walking out of the legal office – grinning from ear to ear – whistling once again. The license was validated with a copy of his current military I.D. along with a statement explaining that he had been at sea at the time. He added that the license was mailed to the wrong address and returned to him after the thirty-day expiration period. Technically , in a very roundabout way from a certain perspective and a creative point of view, it was vaguely true.
To get that license validated, he would have spun that viewpoint in every which direction to make sure things were legitimate. He wanted no questions on their marriage or for his child to have his name.
They were married. It was filed with the state. She was now his legal wife. Tomorrow, he was going to add her to his dependent paperwork and his insurance, as well as putting her as a beneficiary with the government.
A breeze hit him at that moment and he got a whiff of himself, grimacing. Yeah, he smelled and was glad Stephanie wasn’t here to see him like this. She might be relieved about the marriage license, but any celebration might have been hindered because he was filthy.
Getting out his phone, he texted Stephanie.
Marriage license is taken care of and filed with the state. You are stuck with me, princess – and I’m glad. I just left the legal office and headed back to the ship.
Text me when you are free and we can talk about the apartment, okay?
Oh wow! Seriously? That easily? Consider me impressed – I will be late calling. I’m actually leaving work right now and heading to dinner with Natalie and Lila.
Peanut wants a steak and a baked potato badly. ??
Peanut gets what HE wants.
Yup, SHE gets whatever SHE wants.
Ha! Feed my baby, enjoy your evening, and text me later, Princess.
I promise I will – and thank you.
It’s my pleasure.
Lance sighed happily and began walking toward the carrier, feeling lighter than air. Now , he was getting a shower.