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Victoria was troubled, even though they were sitting in this lovely little restaurant and eating some of the most delicious food she had ever tasted. They had a small two-person table in a relatively quiet corner of the dining room, next to the wall decorated with photos of some of the more famous people who had dined there. Although it was crowded, Victoria’s agoraphobia was mostly dormant, overcome by the positive diversions around her. And yet something was going on with Benjamin, and she was frustrated by her inability to read him.
After the change of command event, Benjamin suggested they go out for a nice dinner. Victoria welcomed the distraction—the ceremony, moving as it was, was another step toward the transition of Joana out of her life. They had grown close over the past six months, and although they did not see each other every day, the thought that Joana was nearby was a great comfort to Victoria, particularly when Benjamin was at sea. She worried about how the loss would affect her, much as Benjamin was over the departure of the man who had become his best friend over the last two years. Victoria was grateful Benjamin recognized the need to step out of their routine, especially when he would head to sea again on Kauai the next day.
Benjamin had requested she wear the green dress she had worn on their first date but that she need not bother putting her hair up as on the earlier occasion. She reminded Benjamin this was a “hair up” dress, according to her friend Debbie. Like his uniform, it was essential to have things in proper order. He had smiled, raised his hands in mock surrender, and said, “I’ll never resist a lady doing extra for me.” She knew he liked the look and didn’t mind the extra work it took. Still, something was off in Benjamin’s unusually solicitous behavior—he was always thoughtful and accommodating of her unique needs, but this increased level usually preceded bad news.
She and Benjamin had had, what was for them, a fight after he returned from his last patrol. Victoria had been appalled by the risk he took that nearly killed him and told him as much. She was not buying the excuse that he sought justice for the women they rescued. Victoria knew from her DIA days the 252s had enslaved scores of women before these and were sure to enslave many more afterward—his sacrifice would make no difference. Then she foolishly demanded a promise that he not take any more chances with his life.
Benjamin was contrite—he admitted he had miscalculated the level of danger—but reminded her that his job entailed some risks. He could not make that promise. As they did with all their disagreements, they talked it out, then went to sleep in each other’s arms. But Victoria feared Benjamin might rethink their relationship as a result.
Victoria was finishing her meal of Orange Ginger Salmon, baked potato, and sauteed zucchini served, she was delighted to see, on separate plates. She knew her need to keep her food separated was an irrational obsession, but she could not help it: the food items tasted better when they were not touching each other. Victoria observed that Benjamin’s meal and everyone else’s she could see in the restaurant was served on a single plate—he must have discreetly insisted her meal be served this way, perhaps even paid extra to make it so. She loved him even more for his cheerful acceptance of this and her other compulsions, but was worried compassion fatigue might appear at some point. This worry was magnified tonight, as Benjamin had repeatedly been lost in thought.
Their dinner plates had been removed, and they were enjoying an excellent dessert wine when Victoria finally decided to press the issue. “Benjamin, you seem distracted tonight. Is there something wrong?”
Benjamin smiled and said, “You are getting better at reading my moods, Victoria. I’m sorry. I was just working myself up for this. We have been living together for almost six months without a firm commitment. I know you did that to spare me from what you thought were personal quirks that I couldn’t tolerate. At the same time, I know I put you through a great deal of uncertainty and worry about my job. I guess the change of command finally brought everything into focus, and, as much as I love you and treasure what we have, I need something more.”
Victoria felt faint. No! No, no, no! He is leaving me! That is what all this is about—he is trying to let me down easy. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then asked, “Benjamin, are you breaking up with me?”
Benjamin’s eyes widened in surprise, and he said, too loudly, “What?” He looked around self-consciously, then leaned forward and whispered, “My God! No, Victoria!” Then, he scrambled to his feet, came around the table, kneeled, and took her right hand in his left. “I know you set a condition that I would not ask for six months, and it won’t be six months until next week, but we will probably be underway next week. You might say no, I hope not, but I could not wait any longer than necessary, and I needed to do this in person, not over the phone.” He shook his head as if to clear it, then gave her a pleading look. “I’m screwing up the moment here, sorry. What I am saying is I love you, Victoria, and everything about you. I can’t imagine being apart from you. Would you please consider marrying me?”
Victoria put her left hand to her mouth and gasped in shock. Her mind tumbled as it went between the extremes of emotion. She felt like she was about to cry and could only open, then close her mouth, saying nothing. Benjamin’s expression became more desperate.
“Victoria, I realize this is a surprise. If you would like time to consider it, I’ll understand.”
No, I do not need time to consider it! I have been dreaming of this moment since we moved in together. What is wrong with me?! “No, Benjamin.”
“No?” Benjamin asked, his face falling.
Oh no! He thinks I am turning down his proposal. “No, no, no! I mean, I do not need more time!” She took another deep breath before continuing. “Yes, yes, yes! Of course I will marry you, Benjamin!”
Benjamin’s face flashed relief, and then he kissed her hand. He reached into his blazer pocket, brought out a black velvet ring box, and opened it to her, revealing a white gold ring with a pear-shaped emerald in a diamond halo setting. “I guess I should have had this out from the beginning, but I was worried it might put on too much pressure.”
Victoria’s eyes were fogging with tears that she blinked away quickly as she offered Benjamin her left hand. Now everything made sense: the subtle questions a few weeks ago on which gemstones she favored, his request for her to wear the green dress, and the quiet, romantic restaurant. He had cleverly created her most perfect vision of a marriage proposal. They had both comically blundered through the communication phase, making it even more special. She gazed at the gorgeous ring as Benjamin slipped it on her finger, then held it close to her heart. Only then did she notice the entire restaurant had fallen silent, and all the other diners were staring at them.
She saw Benjamin, still kneeling and smiling at her. She tilted her head toward the others, and Benjamin turned, noticing that they were the center of attention for the first time. Continuing to hold her right hand, he lifted his left hand over his head with a “thumbs up” and shouted, “She said yes!”
Victoria jumped in her seat as the restaurant erupted in applause and cheers. Normally, she would have been frozen in terror to be the center of attention of so many strangers. Instead, she stood and pulled Benjamin into a long, passionate kiss. She knew she would be safe with Benjamin for the rest of her life, and the noise and attention accompanying this moment seemed to be just about right.
Twenty minutes later, Victoria was still catching her breath. Several other couples had come to their table to congratulate them. Chef Scott himself came out from the kitchen in his cordon bleu uniform to wish them well and consented to a photo of the three of them the server took with Ben’s phone. When they sat at the table again, Victoria held out her arm to gaze at her beautiful ring. “It is so wonderful, Benjamin. Everything you did was so perfect!”
“Everything but the comms.” Ben looked guilty. “It’s amazing that after researching to find the most romantic restaurant in Brevard County and all the other preparations, as soon as I opened my mouth, I convinced you I was giving you the heave-ho. Are you sure you still want to marry me?”
“Considering I have been dreaming of this moment for months, and my first response convinced you I was declining your proposal, I suggest we both have work to do.”
“Well, Victoria, we’d better get on it. We only have the rest of our lives to get it fixed.”
“I have every confidence we will succeed, my love!”
***********************
Victoria lay next to Benjamin, tucked under his arm with her head on his chest as he slept. She listened to his slow and rhythmic heartbeat as her head lifted and fell with his breathing. She had been far too excited to sleep, but Benjamin had to report early in the morning for another patrol. He had been game to stay up with her, but Victoria did not want him to start another fatiguing patrol with a sleep deficit. She used a massaging technique she had researched, which, along with the wine from the dinner and the glass they shared on their return, put Benjamin to sleep.
They hardly talked after their return, just cuddled on the couch for an hour as Victoria admired the new ring on her finger. Although it was a simple design, she was captivated by the shape of the stone and its exquisite green color. As a rule, she did not wear jewelry other than a simple gold-inlaid pearl pendant her sister Julie had given her as a birthday present just before she died. She now had two treasures.
They had shared the news with Joana and Sam by phone on the way home from the restaurant. Both were ecstatic, and Victoria agreed to have dinner with them the following night to give Joana a chance to see the ring and talk about the future. After the call, she and Benjamin had a brief discussion, agreeing at once to ask Sam and Joana to stand as best man and matron of honor at their wedding. Victoria would ask them tomorrow.
There was much to plan and set up—at least Joana would be there at first to help her get started. Then there was communicating the news and sending out the invitations. I have not even met Benjamin’s parents yet. What will they think of me? The thought they might disapprove disturbed her, and she turned her head slowly to look at Benjamin’s face. He was sleeping soundly with a slight smile. It brought back the memory of when he was still in the hospital and, unsure of his future, asked her to reconsider her commitment to him. When she made it clear that would never happen, he had teased her that she was foolish, but they would figure things out somehow. And here we are, dearest man! We will figure it out somehow, as we always do.
Victoria nuzzled Benjamin’s chest, careful not to wake him. She knew she would miss him while he was away, now more than ever. And the ever-present worry for his safety would be there as well. But that lingering background of fear that somehow she and Benjamin would not work out was gone. The happiness she had known for the past year would continue forever. It was with that sweet thought that Victoria finally fell asleep soon afterward.
Ben was finished with the pre-patrol preparations. The crew was on board and hard at work, the fuel and water stores had been topped off, the container holding the squid projector had been moved from the storage building to the foredeck, and various systems were spooled up and tested. Haley requested a meeting with Ben and the two chiefs before setting the special sea detail and mooring stations. She had not told Ben the purpose, but he suspected it was to lay down the ground rules for the new command.
Ben was still riding high from the events of the previous night. He had been genuinely afraid that Victoria would have reservations about getting engaged, based on how upset she was about his last adventure with the Miho Dujam. His heart almost stopped when he mistook her no about not needing more time for a no to the engagement. His relief and joy were palpable, and the commitment, for some strange reason, made him less sad about leaving her for this patrol. There was no actual change in things, yet he felt a confidence in his future that before had been absent.
There was a knock, and Ben turned to see Drake and Hopkins standing in his doorway. “Ready for the big meeting, XO?” Drake asked.
“Damn straight. Let’s get it done,” Ben replied.
As they stepped over to the captain’s cabin, Hopkins said, “You look like you just won the lottery, XO. What gives?”
“Big news. I’ll share it when I get an opening,” Ben replied as he knocked on the door.
“Yes?” Haley’s voice called.
Ben opened the door and stuck in his head. “COB, Chief, and I are here as you requested, Captain.”
“Excellent! Please come in and take a seat, as best you all can, anyway.”
The three filed in, Ben grabbed the spare chair, and the two chiefs sat on Haley’s bunk. Once they were all situated, Haley continued. “I wanted to get together to go over a few things before getting underway. First off, I’ll repeat that it is an honor for me, and I’m super excited to be here. Considering where you all started, you have done a magnificent job, and you should be proud of everything you have achieved. We have all talked before, so you know my history and where I am in the power curve. I know I still have some learning to do, so if any of you see something you think might be a problem, you give me a nudge.
“By and large, I really like how everything is running here. I only have a couple of changes in mind. Chief, I want to get back on the Bridge to sharpen the edge a bit. I’d like to take the midwatch as OOD for this first patrol. Can you make that happen?
“Certainly, Captain,” Hopkins replied.
“OK. The second thing might sting a little. I want us to tighten things concerning decorum. While I get why Commander Powell was a little looser, given the relief for cause and all, I am confident that everyone here is beyond that, and we can switch to a more conventional approach.”
“Ma’am, can I ask you to specify what you mean by decorum, please?” Ben asked.
“Yes. No more first names when on duty, and we need to avoid unnecessary physical contact between the officers and enlisted. By that, I mean the occasional handshake is fine, and obviously, if someone needs help, you do what you need to do, but the other stuff is out. In particular, XO, I can’t have officers hugging enlisted members under any circumstances.”
Ben felt like he had just been punched in the stomach, but maintained a neutral expression. “Understood, ma’am. It won’t happen again.”
“Captain, I don’t know what you heard, but I hugged Mr. Wyporek, not the other way around,” Hopkins interrupted.
“Chief, I’m sure Mr. Wyporek doesn’t need a translator,” Haley said coolly.
“No, ma’am,” Hopkins said equally coolly.
“Good. Now that’s settled, how do we look to get underway, Chief Hopkins?”
“FC3 is warmed up with all codes loaded. The main gyro is spun up, and all sensors are checked and correct. Operations is ready for sea, Captain.”
“Very well. Chief Drake?”
“Fully topped off with fuel and water, all main diesels blown down with the lube warmed up, ready for start and power grid cutover any time. Engineering ready for sea, Captain.
“Very well. XO?”
“All personnel on board. Full load of ammunition for the main gun, the fifties, and small arms. Squid projector is on board and ready for mounting. All lines singled-up. Deck, Weapons, and Ship ready for sea, Captain.”
“Very well.” She glanced at her desk clock. “Let’s set the special sea detail in fifteen minutes. Questions?”
“No, ma’am,” Ben replied.
“Thank you,” Haley said and nodded.
Ben and the two chiefs stood and filed out the door. Once it was shut, Hopkins nodded toward the messdeck, and they turned and silently followed her there. Once out of earshot of the cabin, she turned to Ben and said, “I am so sorry, sir!”
“No harm done, Chief.” Ben nodded. “I’m still on the Lieutenants List. This will take getting used to, for me, anyway. If I slip up, please give me a nudge, or throw something at me as needed.”
“Will do, sir.” Hopkins smiled warmly. “Oh, what is your big news?”
“Victoria and I got engaged last night.”
“That’s fantastic!” Hopkins took a step forward with her arms out, then stopped and dropped them to her sides. She held out her right hand and said, “Congratulations, sir.”
Ben shook her hand and said, “Thank you, Chief.”
Drake offered his hand. “That’s wonderful news, sir. Congratulations!”
Ben shook his hand. “Thanks, COB. I guess we should go get’r done. Gotta send one last FIM, then I’ll head out.”
“FIM, sir?” Hopkins asked.
“Fiancée IM.” Ben grinned.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen!” Drake quipped as he turned to leave.
“See you on the Bridge, sir,” Hopkins said.
“See you in a few,” Ben said as he headed for his stateroom.
Haley looked at her hands folded in her lap. Well, that sucked. She had gone back and forth in her mind as to the best way to carry out the change and decided that ripping off the bandage would be the least painful. She knew Ben was an honorable man who probably never realized he was even giving all those back pats and arm squeezes or how an unscrupulous person could use that against him. He just doesn’t think like that. Haley smiled. I bet he’s also a lousy poker player—he looked like I had slapped him when I gave him the hugging proscription.
She was sure Ben would recover quickly and not show any effects in the meantime. Hopkins was a different story. Haley was caught off-guard by Hopkins’s leap to Ben’s defense, and her response to that had been unartful, to say the least. Now Hopkins is madder than Hell at me. Sam was right: she does have a mother thing for Ben. Haley shook her head sadly. At least I don’t have to worry about hugging anymore—she’d die before she put Ben on the spot again for that. I have to find a way to reach common ground with her.
Haley looked around the cabin, which was stark except for a plaque with the ship’s crest mounted on the wall opposite her small desk. She thought of decorations for the room. She had a picture of her and her father that she treasured, but she would never hang it in public view—it would be too weird. Margot had offered to help decorate the cabin when they were eating dinner last night. It was a kind offer, and Haley was tempted to accept, if for no other reason than to continue their sudden rapprochement. But chances were that Margot would find something proper for a cottage at the shore, but unacceptable for the CO’s quarters on a warship. Haley did not want the risk of having to reject the suggestions and set their relationship back.
As the pipe to set the special sea detail came over the 1MC, Haley stood, grabbed her ball cap, brand new with a small “CO” embroidered with yellow thread above the back strap, and headed out toward the Bridge. The thought of Mercier’s reaction if she heard of Haley and Margot “girly-ing up” the cabin brought an amused smile. Fortunately, she could be sure Drake and Hopkins would convey via the Chiefs-Net that it was quite the reverse—a true SOB had taken command of Kauai.
