Micah made good use of his navigational apps and arrived in Virginia Beach in record time. He didn’t mind that Berit had spent the first hour of the trip on the phone rearranging her schedule so she could take off the next two days and possibly part of the following week.
He hated when a woman felt she had to fill every moment of silence with her yammering. Watching her work was interesting. She was firm and direct, yet pleasant and not demanding. She obviously had a close working relationship with her administrative assistant. There was respect and leadership. She was all business, not giving away one ounce of personal information.
Mak had been cryptic when he spoke with the young SEAL while waiting for Berit to pack, saying only that the situation was extremely personal. He obviously didn’t want to talk to a senior officer about his circumstances, and Micah didn’t want to press. He would give Berit’s son some space…for now.
The second hour of the trip, she hooked her phone up to her computer and worked.
Micah wasn’t sure if she was giving him the cold shoulder, or if this was just her way. She was very professionally oriented and had an extremely important job. After he thought about it a few minutes, that’s exactly what he would have done if on a long car ride with a friend.
As they drove through Norfolk, she put away her computer. A few miles from Dam Neck, Berit directed him through some side streets to Mak’s townhouse.
“Mak and two of his teammates rent the condo from a retired senior chief,” Berit informed him as they drove through a nicely maintained neighborhood of townhouses. Some had five in a regrouping, most contained four, but a few had only three. She directed him to a cul-de-sac with the smaller units.
“His is the unit in the middle. Pull into the driveway on the far right. Theirs is the condo on the end.” Berit’s precise directions, without embellishments, were easy-to-follow.
The sun had set over an hour ago, but the porch light was off and very few lights were on inside. As they exited the car, they looked across the top at each other. He could feel waves of worry emanating from her.
She hurried to the door and knocked. “His doorbell is broken,” she explained. Whipping out her phone, she texted him. “We made good time. Perhaps he wasn’t thinking we’d get here this soon.”
She stared at her phone as though it had every answer. After two long minutes, she knocked again.
“I’m hoping he would know better, but do they keep a hidden key out here?” Most of Micah’s men were hypervigilant about personal security.
“No. He wouldn’t do that.” She sent another text.
“Would you like me to open the door?” He offered, reaching into his pocket for his set of picks.
She glanced at the small leather case. “Do it.”
It had been a long time since Micah had picked a door lock, so it took him a few minutes, and three tries, to get the right tools. He then had to unlock the deadbolt as well as the door handle. When he cracked open the door, he sniffed, praying he wouldn’t smell the familiar stench of death.
Relief washed through him as he exhaled. Although it smelled like too many men in a confined space and the maid hadn’t visited in weeks, it didn’t reek of rotting bodies or an overabundance of blood.
As they stepped into the foyer, his heart dropped has his gaze swept over the living room. Mak lay stiffly on the main section of the huge L-shaped couch, his eyes closed, breathing steady, completely covered by a blanket up to his chin. Two men were stretched out in recliners on the other part of the black leather sofa. A fourth slouched in a chair, snoring.
Berit immediately ran to Mak and kneeled beside him. “Son, tell me where you’re hurt.” Her hands hovered over his body as though she didn’t know what to touch.
All the other men in the room startled awake. Micah stood near the door, trying to piece this situation together.
“Shh.” All the young men shushed at the same time.
Berit glared at the men. “Don’t you dare shush me. I’m here to take care of my son. If you don’t like it, leave.” Her voice was loud and commanding.
“Mom, please” Mak begged in a whisper, barely turning his head toward her.
“Mak, is there something wrong with your neck?” Her gaze ran the length of his body then back to meet his eyes. “Are you…are you paralyzed?” Her voice cracked on the last word.
Her son scowled. “Hell, no. And keep your voice down. We had a hell of a time getting her to sleep. We’ve been up for twenty-three hours straight.”
Berit stood. “If you’re okay, then why the hell did I have to travel three hours at the speed of light?” She punched her fists onto her hips. “What’s the big fucking emergency?” Her voice echoed in the room.
“Can you please be quiet!” Mak slowly lifted the blanket a few inches, exposing his bare chest.
As he dragged the blanket further away, he revealed a small baby in nothing but a diaper, curled on his chest.
“I can’t move,” Mak whispered. “Every time I do, she wakes up and cries.”
Berit opened her mouth, then closed it. She opened it again, then glanced around the room. “You found a baby?”
All eyes shot to Mak.
The man in the overstuffed chair grinned and sat up as though he was going to watch an interesting television show.
Micah rolled to the balls of his feet, ready for anything.
“No, Mom, we didn’t find her.” Mak glanced at each of his friends, pausing as though gathering agreement. “She was brought to us.”
He slowly covered the baby with the blanket, and while holding her in place, sat up. He held his mother’s gaze. “She’s my daughter.”
Berit fell to her knees.
Micah was by her side in three long strides. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Berit, you need to breathe.”
She stared at the tiny head on her son’s chest. Her hand moved as though of its own accord, until she stroked the baby’s fine hair.
“You’re telling me, this is my granddaughter?” Their gazes clashed.
“Who…where is her mother?” She held her breath.
“Annie.” He glanced down at the baby before returning his gaze to her. “She’s dead.”
“Did she—”
“No,” he snapped. “Cancer.” He sucked in a slow breath as though fortifying himself. “According to…it doesn’t matter…during her first ultrasound they discovered ovarian cancer. The doctors suggested she…”
He closed his eyes and kissed the baby’s head. “She decided to keep the baby, my baby, and take her chances with the cancer after Kenzi was born.”
Mak swallowed hard. “They couldn’t operate, or give her chemotherapy, or radiation, or anything to treat the cancer while she was pregnant.”
He sucked in a ragged breath. “Mom, I had no idea she was pregnant. I would have—”
Berit placed two fingers over her son’s lips. “Her cancer is not your fault.” She glanced at the bundle under the blankets. “The baby is.” She cocked her head to the side. “Are you sure it’s yours?”
“Yeah. When…her friend…brought me Kenzi, that’s her name—Mom, Annie named her after me, kinda. It’s spelled different, more girlish. Anyway, supposedly Annie never dated anyone else after I broke up with her. The timing is right.”
“She said a fuck of a lot more than that,” the blue-eyed man said.
“Shut the fuck up, Casper.” The second man on the floor stood.
Micah wasn’t going to let anybody get into a fight in front of Berit or anywhere near the baby, so he took an imperceptible step forward.
Mak exhaled on a huff. “I guess I really should get a paternity test.”
“We told him he should do that,” Casper claimed.
“Back off, Casper.” The man in the chair stood. “I’m going to bed. We’re in the tank at oh-six hundred and I need my beauty rest, since I didn’t get any last night. Mak, now that your mother has swooped to the rescue, please tell me you don’t need me anymore.” He walked over and gave Berit a kiss on the forehead. “Night, Mom Barker. Thanks for coming.” He grinned at her. “Trust me when I tell you, we appreciate it as much as Mak.”
“Good night, William.” She caught his hand. “Thanks for helping out.”
“Since I live here, I had a choice to either listen to that tiny thing scream or do whatever I could to calm her down.” He glanced toward the baby. “I’m just glad my sister was home. Nothing on fucking Google worked.”
Berit gave a short giggle while slowly shaking her head side to side. “I can’t believe you guys trusted Google over an experienced mother. Especially one with twins.”
Another of the men stood. “Mak, I’m heading home.” He yawned then hugged Berit as he passed. “Do you think you’ll be cooking while you’re here, Momma Barker? Because if the answer is yes, I’ll see you tomorrow for supper.”
“I’m sure I’ll be cooking supper tomorrow night, Lincoln. You’re more than welcome to join us.” She looked up at him. “Consider it a thank you for helping my son take care of my…” She smiled. “My granddaughter.”
Casper chuckled. “I’m not sure how much he helped. The Rock was shattered by a fifteen-pound baby in less than an hour. The man who is solid under fire broke into pieces when he couldn’t get Kenzi to stop crying.”
Hazel eyes flashed at Casper. “You didn’t do any better, dickwad.”
“Yeah, but I at least was thinking out-of-the-box.” The man with gray hair at his temples thumped his chest.
Micah smiled deep down. These were his SEALs, at least for another two weeks. None of them had left Mak’s side. Their never-quit attitude carried all the way through their civilian lives.
“Men, thank you for helping Mak.” Micah stood and looked each man in the eye. “I’m proud of you for staying with your friend and offering assistance. One of you mentioned that you have to be in the tank tomorrow morning. I suggest that you all get some sleep. Berit and I will deal with the situation.”
“Who the fu—” Casper started to ask, but was cut off.
“Captain Reid. Sir, yes, sir.” William practically came to attention.
Casper stared at Micah then stood straight. “Sir, I apologize.”
Micah waved him off. “It looks like it’s been a long and intense twenty-four hours for you men. We’ve got this.”
“Yes, sir.” Casper and William said in unison.
“I’m outta here,” Lincoln announced as he headed toward the door. “Do you need a ride in the morning? It’s Friday. My turn to drive.” He asked the room.
“You said it. It’s your turn to drive.” William turned toward the stairs. “I’m going to follow the captain’s orders and go to bed. Casper, I suggest you do the same.”
“Right behind you.” Silently he joined his housemate.
“Rock. Casper. Py.” Mak stood gracefully, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby. “Thanks so much for all your help. I’d be insane right now if it weren’t for you.”
Each man looked at the sleeping baby in his arms, and their faces softened.
“She’s beautiful when she’s asleep.” William, whose nickname Micah now knew was Py, gently touched her head.
“She is a cute little shit,” Casper commented.
“Glad she’s yours and not mine,” Lincoln, “Rock”, said as he gave Mak a squeeze on his shoulder, a common silent signal that meant I’ve got your back. “I’ll see you pin-dicks in the morning,” he said on his way out the door.
“Lincoln lives here in the neighborhood,” Berit quietly explained to Micah. “They’re all in the same squad.”
Micah rubbed her shoulder. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah.” She looked at her son and her granddaughter. “May I hold her?”
“If she wakes up, she’s all yours,” Mak warned.
She scoffed. “She’s not the first baby I’ve ever held. I changed your diapers for years. Too many years, in fact. I was worried that you were going to have to go to kindergarten in diapers.” Her small smile was distant. “You never slowed down long enough to use the bathroom.”
His gaze swept the room. “Thank God the guys are gone. I’d never hear the end of that one.” He carefully handed his mother the baby, properly supporting its head. He then shook out his arms as though they’d been held in the same position too long. “If you’ve got her, I’ve got to piss.”
Berit immediately started to rock in place. “This precious little bundle is safe with me.”
As though the baby was aware that someone new was handling her, she stirred. As she blinked her eyes open, Micah noticed that they were the same light blue mixed with gray as Berit’s.
“Are we waking up?” Berit cooed to the baby. “What do you need first? A new diaper? Or a bottle?”
The baby simply stared as though studying this new person.
“Let’s go check this diaper.” Berit looked around. “Micah, have you seen the changing pad anywhere?”
He quickly scanned all visible surfaces. “No.” His gaze fell upon a baby bag. “Let me check in here.” He pulled out baby butt wipes knowing she would need those. The bag was relatively empty. On the other hand, the kitchen table was a disarray of spilled formula, several bottles with the empty formula bag still inside, and a dishtowel spread out next to the sink. A roll of toilet paper sat next to a few stacked diapers.
Mak returned looking expectantly at his mother. “She’s awake.” His eyes went wide. “And she’s not crying. Mom, you’re a miracle worker.”
“She just woke up. I need to check her diaper. Where’s the changing pad?” Berit nuzzled the baby’s belly and a giggle erupted from the child.
“What’s it look like?” Mak’s gaze darted around the room.
“About eighteen by thirty-six inches. Vinyl-covered pad usually an inch thick. I already checked the diaper bag.” Micah indicated the pink satchel.
“Is that what that thing’s for?” Mak dashed into the bedroom on the main floor and returned carrying a long, deep drawer. “We thought it was a mattress pad.” He set the drawer on the floor and pulled out the pad.
“What the hell is that?” Berit glared at the drawer.
“Her bed,” Mak said as though his mother was an idiot.
“You put the baby in a drawer?” Astonishment covered her face.
“Yeah. Casper’s sister had a rabbit at college and kept it in a drawer. If it was good enough for a rabbit, it should be good enough for a baby at least for one night.”
Micah laughed. “That was thinking out-of-the-box.”
“Please, for the love of God, tell me that you never closed the drawer.” Berit’s threatening look would have cowered most other men.
“Fuck, no. What do you think I am?” Mak scowled at his mother. “I had her in the bed with me, but then I didn’t think that would work. If I fell asleep and rolled over on her…” He shook his head. “Then I surrounded her with pillows on the bed, but I was afraid if she rolled over she might smother. Casper came up with this idea. We used our beach towels to pad the sides so she didn’t get any little slivers.”
“Ingenious.” Micah smiled.
“How did you change her diapers?” Berit asked.
Mak beamed as he led her to the sink and took the baby from her. He laid her down on the dishtowel. “You hold her down, mom, while I unhook the diaper. This is at least a two-person job, sometimes three.” He looked over at Micah. “Captain, we may need your help.”
Micah’s shoulders bounced as he held in the laugh. He’d changed enough of Austin’s diapers to know that it only took one adult but was prepared to be entertained. “I’m here for you. Just let me know what you need me to do.”
Berit looked over her shoulder at him and raised an eyebrow.
Micah winked.
Mak released the tabs on each side then did a quick peek and a tiny sniff. His entire face pinched. “Oh, fuck. It’s going to be a bad one.” He opened the door under the sink and the stench of dirty diapers pushed Micah back a step.
“Whoa. When was the last time you emptied that, son?” Berit’s accusing face said everything.
“We were busy, Mom. She’s a handful. You wait.” Mak gingerly held the diaper by the corners and threw it into the garbage can. He then turned on the sink faucet and ran his wrist under the water a few times adjusting in between. “Perfect.” Turning his head to his mother, he yanked the vegetable scrubber out as far as it would go and held it like a gun.
“Okay, Mom, wipe as much of the poop off with the toilet paper and throw it into the can. Then you hold her over the sink, and I’ll rinse her off.”
Micah totally lost it. He started laughing.
“You will do no such thing. Put that damned thing away.” She looked over at Micah. “Captain Reid, do you think you can manage to hand me the wet wipes?”
She turned her attention back to her son. “Who the hell taught you to change a diaper that way?”
“That’s the problem, Mom. No one taught us. We were going to try to find a YouTube video to show us how, but we were afraid to be tagged as pedophiles since the cyber office monitors our search history and social media. We learned through trial and error.” He gestured to the nozzle still in his hand. “You’re gonna need this.”
“Oh, the torture you’ve endured with these men. Poor little baby.” Kenzi reached up to touch Berit’s face as she bent over the child. “Well, Nanna’s here now, to teach these boys how to properly handle a little girl.”
She popped out several wet wipes and spread the baby’s legs. “With the little girl, you have to be sure you get everything cleaned or she’ll end up with a vaginal or urinary infection. You always start from the front and wipe to the back. Be sure to get in all the cracks and crevices.” Berit demonstrated.
Micah watched intently. He’d never taken care of a baby girl. It was always good to learn new things. Little boys didn’t have to worry about infections as much, but damn, that wrinkly ball sack was fucking hard to clean sometimes. Mak should be glad he has a little girl. Micah learned the hard way that once a baby boy’s dick was exposed to the cold air, it shot off like a fountain.
“You’re supposed to use the diaper to wipe away as much as you can. I’ll show you how it’s done next time.” She glanced at the disgusting garbage. “I’ll also show you how to roll diapers so all the shit stays inside. In the meantime, get that bag out of here.”
Mak looked thankful for something to do, especially something that got him out of the line of fire of his mother.
As soon as he returned, Berit continued her instructions. “Hold onto both her ankles with one hand, lift up her little butt, and shove the diaper underneath. Let her legs down gently and separate them so you can pull the diaper through.” She continued to fasten the diaper securely.
With a big smile for the baby, she picked up the child. “You want to play for a few minutes or are you ready for a bottle?” The baby bounced in her arms and made little noises. “I think you want to play.” She turned to face her son. “Where are her toys?”
Mak had that deer-in-the-headlights look. “She didn’t come with any.”
“Okay.” Glancing around, she scowled. “I’ll entertain her while you clean this up. Those nipples need to be sterilized, the empty formula bags discarded, and the bottles washed.” She moved the baby to her hip and with her free hand picked up the can of formula and shook it. “Is there more?”
“No, Rock was going to make a run to the store and grab some beer and baby formula.” Mak shrugged. “I guess we all fell asleep when Kenzi did.”
“No problem, I’ll pick some up on my way to the hotel.” She looked around. “Where are her clothes?”
“They’re in the laundry.” He grimaced as he hand- washed the bottles in water so hot Micah could see the steam rising. “But I haven’t had time to run a load and there’s baby shit on them.”
Berit’s words finally hit Micah. Hotel. “You don’t stay here when visiting Mak?”
“No, this is a three-bedroom condo, and I’m too damn old to sleep on the couch. There are several hotels less than a mile away.” She started putting things into the diaper bag. “Makensey, are you in the pool tomorrow, too?”
“No. Medical hasn’t released me completely yet.” Mak added, “But I have to go in. They’ll put me on a bike or some other kind of cardio while everyone else is swimming.”
“I’m taking baby Kenzi and going to a hotel. I’ll stop and pick up formula and a few other things she needs.” Berit grabbed the clean bottles and placed them in the diaper bag.
“No,” Micah protested. “There is no reason for you to go to a hotel. I have a three-bedroom condo and it’s just me.”
“But, I can’t—” she started to protest.
He cut her off. “Yes, you can, and you will. I have a very nice guestroom that nobody ever stays in unless Austin is here for a few days. Target is on the way and it’s open twenty-four hours. We’ll stop there and get anything the two of you need to make it through the night.”
Micah turned to Mak. “I’ll talk to Commander Hubbard in the morning and explain the situation. I want you to figure out how to get an emergency paternity test. We need to get this little girl into the system and designated as a military dependent. Once you’ve got that handled, stop by the base daycare and get her registered.”
“Where’s her car seat?” Berit asked.
“I was going to pick one up this weekend.” Mak had the decency to look sheepish. “We’d planned on doing all the major shopping on Saturday.”
“We can get one at Target.” Micah glanced at the baby. “You’ll have to hold her until we can get there.”
“I’ve got her.” Berit had found two baby blankets and pulled the throw from the back of the couch, bundling up Kenzi.
“I’m going to go start the car and get it warmed up.” He looked between mother and son. “I’ll wait for you there.”
Micah didn’t know how long it would take for Berit to say goodbye to her son, but he waited inside the car that got warmer every minute.
He liked the idea of having Berit at his home. Caring for an infant who probably awoke every four hours was not what he had in mind when the picture of her standing in her bedroom in nothing but a bra and panties refused to leave his brain. He wanted to taste her everywhere. Kiss every square inch of her body. Slide into her moist heat and take them both to a much-needed ecstasy. Then do it all again.
Light flashed as the front door opened. Micah jumped out of the car and ran to the passenger side, opening the door and closing it quickly when Berit and the baby slid onto the seat, preserving as much heat as possible.
When he closed his door and reached for the gearshift, Berit put her hand over his.
“Thank you. For everything tonight. No, today.” Berit closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she held his gaze. “I never expected this.” She nodded toward the baby. “It’s too much for you to put us both up for the night.”
He rolled his hand over and intertwined their fingers. “If I didn’t want you in my home, I wouldn’t have invited you.” He gave her the grin that any other time would have guaranteed him a bed partner for the night. “Besides, I’ve already seen you nearly naked. I’m hoping for a repeat…and maybe more.”