CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Don’t worry. We’ve sent a message to Jalen, JT, Rush, and Tobias to be extra careful,” said Jak.
“They’ll stick out like sore thumbs with their size,” said Brooks. “Let us go down there.”
“No. That’s what Bora wants. They’re not stupid. They’ll find a way to make themselves small and disguise themselves. We have to trust them. Brooks? Go. Get your girl and marry her before she changes her mind. The wives will help you.”
Brooks wanted to say no. Not to the wedding, but to being forbidden to go to Bolivia. Instead, his heart began to race and the thought of Lennon becoming his wife took over his brain. He nodded with a grin and stood, heading back to the cottage.
By the time he arrived, Lennon was sitting on the front porch with coffee.
“Good morning,” she smiled. “Is everything okay?”
“Marry me,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Brooks. I know why you’re asking me. You forgot to wear a condom. But it’s fine. I take the shot. We’re fine. Don’t worry.”
“Lennon, it’s not about the possibility of you being pregnant. I hope you are pregnant. I want to marry you. I love you. I told you, this happens fast for everyone here. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you.”
She smiled at him, slowly standing.
“I know,” she grinned. “Your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother came by with Camille and Claudette and a jeweler. I hope you don’t mind. I picked out my own engagement and wedding ring.”
Brooks laughed, lifting her off her feet.
“I don’t mind at all. Did you happen to pick a band for me?”
“I did,” she smiled. “A sport band for everyday wear and a titanium band for special occasions.”
“Perfect. I love you, Lennon. Did you call your folks?” he asked.
“I did but they truly can’t make the trip, Brooks. They can’t travel any longer, it’s just too hard for them. They were happy for me, relieved I think more than anything. But they were happy.”
“We can make it a simple ceremony if that’s your preference,” he said.
“Somewhat simple. Gwen already brought me a dress, the food is getting prepped and all I need now is your brother.”
“My brother?” he frowned with anger in his eyes.
“Yes,” she laughed. “Someone has to walk me down the aisle.”
“Ah,” he nodded. “Sorry. I’m not sure where that came from.”
“It’s okay. I liked that little green monster for just a moment. I don’t think anyone has ever been jealous of me or for me.”
“Then you were around a lot of stupid people,” he said kissing her.
“Brooks? You’re not doing this as some heroic way of saying goodbye are you? I mean, you’re not going to marry me and then run off to Bolivia and die are you?”
“No. That is not in the plan. In fact, Ham, Gator, and the others refuse to allow Mitchell and me off the property for now. But, I do want you to know that Bora called us this morning. He was warning us to stay away.”
“Maybe you should,” she said staring up at him.
“We can’t do that, Lennon. We can’t allow him to take over Bolivia and work with the drug cartels. He knows too much.” She nodded.
“It was worth a try,” she said kissing him again. “I’m hungry. Let’s have breakfast before we get married. I have a feeling I’m going to need the extra nutrition.”
“You damn sure are,” he laughed.
Lennon was slowly learning that meals at Belle Fleur were an affair. Big, loud, tasty, and full of life and love. Children were running in and out, kissing parents and grandparents goodbye as they headed off to school.
Brooks’s triplet younger brothers all waved at them, and she could only smile at them.
“The high school girls I knew would have fallen all over the three of them,” she smirked.
“They do,” nodded Brooks. “Thankfully, Mom and Dad have taught us well. Respect women, respect yourself, and don’t do anything stupid. They don’t want to throw away their military careers before they start.”
“So, they’ll all be SEALs as well?” she asked with a frown.
“Probably. They’re headed to the Naval Academy at Annapolis first but given their training and family history, it’s a pretty good bet.”
“Don’t you worry about them?” she asked.
“Nah,” he smirked. “They know what they’re getting into.”
“I don’t mean that. I don’t mean the training or anything. I mean, the danger. Don’t you worry about them going off on some mission and not returning home?”
“We always worry about that,” chimed Mitchell. “But you can’t allow yourself to be obsessed by the thoughts. You’ll be miserable. They’re young now but I guarantee when you see them after the academy, you’ll see that they are grown men.”
“If-if we have sons, will you encourage them to join the Navy?” she asked staring at Brooks. The entire table froze, waiting for his response.
“I will encourage them to follow their hearts. If they decide military service is what they want, I will support that. If they want to go to college, I will support that. If they want to sell ice-cream, I will support that.” Lennon laughed, shaking her head.
“No, you wouldn’t,” she giggled.
“I swear to you, I would. I love ice cream,” he smiled.
“And I love you,” she said kissing him sweetly. She finished her breakfast, kissed Brooks again and waved.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To get ready for my husband at the end of the aisle.”