Chapter 10
10
ORION
Evan stared at the screen that was suddenly blurring before his eyes as he read Cherry’s email. The lump in his throat was choking him, and he couldn’t believe how blessed he was to have run into this woman. She was everything he could have wished for – and more. Maybe Pasteur was right. If she wasn’t the angel he needed, he was certainly filling in as hers; but what if they were each other’s?
“You okay, man?” Trophy chuckled, slapping him on the shoulder. “You look constipated or like you are about to start.”
Evan cleared his throat and looked away, quickly wiping his eyes before letting out an obvious fake cough. Yeah, it would not do to let the team see how emotional Cherry’s email made him – and he was glad he was sitting because he would have fallen straight to his knees. Jeremy was his heart, but Cherry was quickly becoming something else, something just as vital to him.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just getting ready to write my son, and I miss him, you know?” Evan admitted as Trophy nodded.
“He’s a good kid.”
“The best.”
“Hey, fellas,” Tic-Tak arrived in the doorway, taking a big bite of a stick of beef jerky, chewing openly. “Whatcha doing?”
“Writing home.”
“Looking at things I shouldn’t…”
The two men answered together at once but very differently, causing them to look at each other before both burst out laughing. Evan chanced a look at Trophy’s screen, saw a whole lot of skin, and then looked away, shaking his head at the other pilot.
“You’re gonna get in trouble, you know…”
“Then Ohio should have logged out,” Trophy retorted, grinning as there was a sudden flurry of commotion around him as several guys came over to check out what was on the screen.
Orion smirked and looked back at his screen, focusing on Cherry’s words. He had never been that young mentally – or that stupid. Nor would he use another pilot’s login, but then again, Trophy was the wildest of the bunch.
Pasteur walked in and came over to look at the commotion before slapping Trophy on the back of his head and walking away.
“Hey!”
“Don’t drag others down with you.”
“I’m not ‘dragging’ – they are crowding me of their own free will.”
“Trophy…” Pasteur dragged out in obvious annoyance.
“What? Are you looking for a schoolgirl outfit? A nun? What’s your cheap thrill, Pasteur? And I’ll do a search, well, technically, Ohio will do a search and pull up something fun and exciting for you.”
“Did I hear my name?” Ohio chimed in from the other side of the room.
“You’re lookin’ at porn, good buddy,” Moonbeam tattled, grinning.
“You forgot to log out,” Pasteur and Evan volunteered in unison.
Ohio shot to his feet in horror, jumped over the couch, nearly kicking someone in the face, and shoved Trophy aside in his chair, bumping him into Evan as everyone started chuckling in awareness. Ohio was typing on the screen, quickly clicking buttons, before turning and giving Trophy the middle finger, not two inches from his nose.
“No thanks,” Trophy grinned.
“I wouldn’t do this to you, ya’ know.”
“Because I would have logged out.”
“You’re supposed to have my back.”
“I do – and I knew you’d come running.”
“Not before you were gawking at ‘Miss January’s Jolly-Jugs’…”
“It could have been worse,” Trophy smirked. “ ‘Midget clown porn’ would get you a heckuva reputation aboard this ship, brother.”
Ohio’s mouth dropped open in horror as the rest of them roared with laughter, slapping each other on the back. There were several ribald comments made before the crowd dissipated, allowing Evan to focus once more on his email to Cherry and Jeremy.
Dear Jeremy,
Mallorca, Spain, is next on the books, and I can’t wait. It’s an island off the coast and is supposed to be beautiful. Your Uncle Trophy and I are supposed to grab dinner in port – and I remember our bargain. I’m going to send a few photos, try calling, and look for something ‘really cool’ for you. I doubt they have any Transformers, but perhaps something else will do.
I miss you, buddy.
Cherry said you had an amazing first day of school. I’m so proud of you for taking care of our girl like you did. Make sure to give Cherry the biggest hug from me, okay?
Love you, Tiger.
Daddy
Clicking send, Evan opened another email and took a deep breath as he began to type something personal to Cherry.
Dearest Cherry,
Or should I address this as Cerise?
That’s a spectacular and original first name – just like my wife. I appreciate you sharing with me and opening up. My thoughts are scattered and a little overwhelmed, so bear with me as I ‘blab’ along for a moment, addressing a few things you mentioned.
Did I ever have that ‘moment’ – oh yes. Everyone says that you suddenly ‘get it’ when you have a kid, and I have a photo of me holding Jeremy when he was first born in my bunk, but my ‘moment’ was different. I think he was two weeks old, and it was four in the morning. Kristie was tired and didn’t want to get up, so I was feeding Jeremy a bottle before I had to go to work. I remember clear as day, seeing a smidgeon of something in the formula… and I freaked out.
I realized that I wouldn’t eat my food if it had something unidentifiable in it, nor would I expect my son to. It was at that moment that it hit me how I was responsible for his health, his happiness, his well-being – and that this little helpless being would look to me to provide for him. Things changed from that moment on, and looking back, I don’t think Kristie had her ‘moment.’ I am so darn grateful that you told me, mentioned it, and shared it. I don’t know if you realize how much that meant to me to read your words.
I believe in God, Fate, Destiny, whatever. I do see something in you, something incredibly beautiful, but as for being smart enough to pluck you out of a crowd – I wish I was that smart. It turns out I’m just incredibly lucky. While I’d like to think that I ‘picked’ you to be my wife, I truly believe it wasn’t so much of a choice but a blessing bestowed on a very humble and grateful man.
Jeremy is our son - agreed.
This might have started as two strangers shoved together, both stuck in their perspective worlds, but I think you are right. It’s not just the kisses or the attraction, but something else is there. We are fortunate, and I would like this marriage to be very real between us.
I would never press you to share your past because it opens scars that are better left healed. You had your past. I have mine. Let’s leave them behind us and start from the moment we met. That is all I care about and how we move forward together as partners.
I love that you two are going to decorate the house – and I can’t wait to be a part of this next year when I am home. Hopefully, we can decorate as a family several more times, so please feel free to indulge your Pinterest addictions, my sweet Cherry. I cannot wait to see the photos.
My favorite things are walnut fudge (straight sugar rush!), cuddling, the rush that I get when my Hornet first takes off from the carrier, memories of Jeremy’s birth, my son’s smile, and kissing you.
Your heart is in very good hands, I swear it. I will never shatter your illusions, hurt you, or ever make you feel bad. Jeremy is my son and will always be precious to me – but what you bring to the table is just as beautiful and special.
Let your walls down.
This is me, taking your hand and begging you to trust me. I believe I’ve finally found a partner who shares my same thoughts, feelings, and dreams – and I couldn’t be more aware of what a miracle this is.
I’m dating my bride.
I’m planning on winning your heart.
I’m hoping for our chance at forever.
Yours always,
Evan
P.S. I’m going to try calling from Mallorca when we get into port. I would like to talk to Jeremy for a few – but I also want us to have a few personal moments to chat.
Trophy’s voice interrupted him as he was re-reading his emotional email to Cherry, hoping he conveyed just what was going through his mind and addressing some of her concerns.
“Jeeeeez. What is that? War and Peace? I don’t think I’ve ever written an email that long,” the pilot teased him, and Evan hesitated, clicking send quickly to get the private email off the screen.
“Don’t read over my shoulder.”
“I’m not. That looked like a bunch of emotional drivel…”
“I was writing my wife.”
“Kristie? Why on earth would you do that?”
“No, my new wife.”
“When did you get re-married?” Trophy asked with a smarmy smile that quickly spread across his face. “Did you hear that, fellas? Big-Daddy-Orion got married before the cruise!”
Pasteur chuckled knowingly.
Evan groaned, knowing what was coming as he heard the frantic sounds of chairs scraping nearby, a clatter of pounding feet, and laughter as several of his team began dancing, bumping into him, and grinding against his chair playfully – as was their ritual.
Every time someone had a baby, found out they were going to be a father or got married, it was a quick celebration among a bunch of crass guys who had nothing better to do. They all needed a bit of joy in their world, some laughter, and this did the job because it was so ‘out there’ and crazy. Someone started playing a filthy song as he was shoved around bodily against his chair, the keyboard, and finally, Evan threw up his hands into the air.
“All right, all right… mercy, guys!” he laughed nervously as someone slapped him on the butt. “That’s my wife’s – and enough, okay?”
“Congrats, buddy!”
“Congratulations, Orion.”
“Can’t wait to meet the missus…”
“We’ll do this again when there’s another baby Orion on the way!”
Evan smiled shyly, realizing that there was hope of him someday having another child in the future with Cherry as long as he didn’t blow this somehow. No, he would need to give this relationship, this marriage, everything because he would not give her up without a fight.
As the carrier pulled into port, Evan couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing wishing that it was already time to return to Mayport. There would be fanfare, families waiting, and, more specifically – his family. Looking out in the distance almost distractedly, he saw the turquoise waters and the peak of the island in the distance.
Pretty, but it’s not home…
“Who’s got liberty today? Let’s gooooo!” Ohio howled excitedly as Memphis, Moonbeam, Tic-Tak, and Shellac shot to their feet. Evan, Trophy, and Pasteur shared a flat look.
They had duty.
“Y’all have fun, be good, and we’ll see you fools in town tomorrow,” Evan answered for the remaining men. Trophy gave him a sideways smile and wagged his eyebrows at Pasteur.
“We’re eating good tomorrow, eh? Touring the town, a little shopping, a little clubbing…?”
“Eating – yes,” Evan answered. “I’m dying for some fresh shellfish or paella. I need to get something for my wife and Jeremy, but I’m not going out and getting plastered with you, Trophy. You’re dangerous.”
“Agreed,” Pasteur chuckled. “If I get arrested for drunken disorder, it will be in the United States – not some foreign country.”
“I’m not that bad…”
“Yes, you really are,” Evan retorted, laughing. “I felt my liver hurt in reaction to the amount of booze you drank last time we all went out drinking.”
“He has a point.”
“Don’t encourage him, Pasteur,” Trophy grinned. “My main man needs to lighten up a bit and…”
“I’m happy – and I don’t need to get drunk to feel that way.”
“Fine. I’ll have some wine, relax with my two favorite flyboys, and disgrace myself on seafood before getting completely wasted.”
“Try enjoying life sober, Troph,” Pasteur said, looking at him. “You are bound to crash and burn at some point.”
“Nahhh, besides, life is worth living to the fullest – isn’t it? I mean, the only thing that will slow me down would be if I ended up becoming someone’s daddy like Orion over here. I mean, can you imagine me being a role model? I’m a role model of what NOT to do. The thought alone is terrifying, isn’t it?”
“Never say never,” Evan replied quietly, looking at his friend with a new set of eyes. Trophy always put up a front, trying to look tough or like things didn’t bother him, but there was something behind his words. Fear? An unspoken wish? He chanced a glance at Pasteur, who was also looking at him strangely.
“We’ll all grab a nice meal together, look around, and I’ll go with Trophy,” Pasteur said quietly. “I’ll make sure he makes it back to the carrier in one piece. You can hit the stores and find something to send back home to your family.”
All three men rose to their feet, nodded, and parted ways, heading to their designated duty stations. The crowded halls of the vessel slowly started to empty as the flood of sailors moved to get off of the ship, excited to explore their first port of call.
Evan sighed.
Several hours later, standing watch on the deck, Evan slipped his phone from his pocket and texted Cherry. He didn’t want to get caught with it, but the temptation of having cell service was awfully appealing.
Hi Cherry, just wanted to give you a heads-up that I’m going to try to call you in an hour or so.
EVAN?!
Oh my gosh! Okay – we’ll be ready!
Evan shoved his phone back into his pocket and felt it vibrate as someone walked around the corner in the distance. Glancing at his watch, he sighed. His shift was almost over, and he seriously couldn’t wait to hear their voices. He stood at the railing, looking out over the city as the lights came on and the sunset in the distance. It really was beautiful, but nothing compared to the look on Cherry’s face when he'd kissed her as they exchanged their vows.
“Oh man…” he breathed softly, his shoulders slumping.
“Buchannan!”
Evan seized up and saluted as the other officer arrived early to relieve him from duty, and you didn’t have to mention it twice to Evan. He took off in a heartbeat, looking for a spot with a bit of privacy to call his family. Dialing, his hands trembled and he felt tears sting his eyes as he heard the first ring, followed by Cherry’s sweet voice.
“Evan?”
“Hey, Cherry,” he whispered thickly. “Gosh, your voice sounds so good…”
“Oh gosh, I’m so glad you called.”
For a moment, he could practically picture her face if he closed his eyes. Her voice was hoarse, and a part of him wondered if this meant as much to her as it did to him.
“Let me grab, Jeremy,” she said softly, and he interrupted quickly.
“Sounds good – but don’t hang up. I want to talk to you, too.”
“Will do,” she replied, and he heard a bit of noise followed by his son’s excited voice.
“Hey Daddy! Where are you?”
“Spain. Where are you, buddy?”
“Not Spain…” and both chuckled emotionally.
“You sound like your Uncle Trophy – stop that, Tiger.”
“Fineeee,” his son drawled dramatically. “I’m in Florida.”
“And I’m still too far away. How are you doing, buddy? How’s school? Cherry tells me that you two are decorating for Halloween. Are you excited?”
“Yes! Did you know that Cherry isn’t scared of spiders?”
“Ugh. I am!”
“I know,” Jeremy cackled like some mad scientist, making Evan smile as he listened to his son. “We got a big one for the front yard and made another with pool noodles and a laundry basket. We put a bunch of plastic pumpkins inside, sprayed them back, and Cherry put some red lights around them. It looks sooo cool.”
“It sounds horrifying.”
“That’s the point, Daddy!”
“To scare your poor daddy?”
“To scare everyone because it’s Halloween.”
“What costume are you going to wear?”
“We’re going to be zombies.”
“Well, that should scare people, too.”
“Are you dressing up?”
“As a sailor…” Evan chuckled easily. “I’m sure they will do something aboard the ship, but I don’t think it will be nearly as fun as what you have planned.”
“Cherry and I went to Dave and Buster’s for my birthday. Did you know our birthdays are close together? So we celebrated together and had root beer floats.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“I miss you, Daddy.”
“I miss you too, Tiger. You be really good for your mom, okay?”
“I promise.”
“I can’t wait to see you – and I’m going into town to find something cool to mail you.”
“A spider?” And there was that delightful little cackle again that made Evan tear up as he smiled in awareness.
“Noooo, not a spider. I was thinking more along the lines of soap or a toothbrush.”
“Daaaaddy!”
“No soap? Just the toothbrush?”
“Daddy, you know I don’t want a toothbrush or soap…” and Evan heard Cherry’s laughter in the background. “Something cool, okay?”
“Gotcha,” Evan murmured. “Find my son something cool and spider-esque…”
“The bigger the spider, the better.”
“If it makes me cry, it’s perfect?”
“Exactly!”
“I love you, Jeremy. Lemme talk to Cherry, please.”
“I love you too, Daddy. Do we have to say ‘bye’?”
“I’ll try to call again before we leave port.”
“Okay,” his son whispered tearfully. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Tiger. It’s gonna be okay. I promise.”
There was a rustle in his ear, followed by Cherry’s voice.
“Evan?”
“Hey there. How are you?” Evan began, feeling nervous and not exactly sure what to say. With Jeremy, it was so easy, and nothing was off-limits. They could talk about spiders, bodily functions, gross stuff, or just guy things. But with Cherry, he was kind of lost.
“I’m good. Are you in Mallorca?”
“I am,” he hesitated, dropping his voice slightly so they had a little privacy. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Oh gosh,” she chuckled softly. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“I’m going into town tomorrow and want to get you something special…”
“You don’t have to do that,” she interrupted, protesting immediately. “Just get something for Jeremy.”
“Cherry, I want to buy you something too. Something special from me to you – a gift.”
“Oh…”
“Is that okay?”
“I would love that,” she admitted in a hushed voice that sounded so painfully small and intimidated. “Do you mind? I don’t know what they have in Spain, but…”
“Soap,” he cut in, needing to make her laugh – and she did. Her laughter tinkled softly in his ear, wrapping its way around his heart and soul. “They’ve got soap here and probably some trinkets.”
“Well, unlike Jeremy, I love scented soaps.”
“I’d love you to use them when I’m home.”
“Oh mercy…”
“Is that okay for me to say?”
“Yes. I mean, we’re married.”
“And we’re going to take our time getting to know each other,” he added softly, feeling his heart skip a beat at the breathless, dreamy note in her voice that he heard. “So you wouldn’t mind if I bought you something… personal?”
“Not a-at all,” she murmured, her voice stumbling. “It’s just a lot.”
“Too much?”
“As long as we take our time, then no.”
“I’m not planning on coming home and attacking you,” he said hoarsely, “But the need to kiss you is there. I’m hoping to hold you close, kiss you, and for us to go on some dates together.”
“I would love that.”
“I just want us to have a chance to become something more.”
“More than strangers?”
“Much more than strangers… or friends.”
“Are the walls coming down?” she whispered, and he heard the warble in her voice along with a slightly teasing lilt to her statement.
“The walls are down, and you are welcome to ask, say, or do anything.”
“So, we’re going to give this a try?”
“We’re going to give this our all – if you’re interested.”
“I am, Evan,” she whispered. “I really am. Are you… interested?”
“Very much so, which is why I wanted to call,” he admitted tenderly. “I needed to hear your voice.”
“This is crazy, isn’t it?”
“A blessing.”
“Oh gosh,” she choked out tearfully. “I really like that you think I’m a blessing to you. I don’t think anyone has ever said that about me.”
“You are my blessing, Cherry, and I’m well aware of how special this is. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me that we have this beginning between us. Things are so different this time around for me, and I’m grateful we can have friendship as a basis to start.”
“Me too.”
“I’m going to need to go get some rest while I can. When we are on ship, it’s work, sleep, and eat. Tomorrow’s excursion is going to feel like a vacation,” he chuckled softly. “I’m really glad I got to hear your voice, though.”
“I’m so glad you called,” she began and hesitated.
“What?”
“Tonight, dream of me,” she whispered softly, her voice achingly tender. It was so perfect, so filled with longing, that he closed his eyes at the sound of it, waiting. “Dream of us as if we were a real couple.”
“We are a real couple, Cherry,” he replied thickly, his voice husky.
“Then dream of me kissing you, holding you close…”
“Cherry…”
“Dream of coming home and kissing me on the pier.”
“I always do,” he admitted hoarsely. “Is that so wrong? I think of kissing you on the pier every time I shut my eyes.”
“I’m glad.”
“It doesn’t bother you that I want you? I know we’re still strangers but…”
“Evan,” she interrupted softly. “I’m scared, but I’m also really glad that you do. Let’s just keep working at this and see where we are at together in a few months.”
“I’d really like that.”
“Sweet dreams then, Evan.”
“Have the sweetest of dreams, my Cherry,” he breathed, drawing in a shaky breath in awareness that maybe this was more real between them than he imagined. Maybe there was a chance, because he wanted her desperately, but if she was interested too – perhaps they could cross the line from stranger, to friends, then continue the climb as lovers.
Evan swallowed.
He wanted Cherry’s love.