I Hope You Dance

Chapter 3

Things took a turn, good or bad I'm still not quite sure. A gala was being held in D.C., and I was required to be there as well as my father. Of course, I had to bring Aaron, much to my dismay. I had on a black strapless A-line dress, it couldn't be hemmed so I had to wear heels for once, making me a little taller than Aaron. "Remember we are here for me, so please, don't embarrass me Aaron." I said as we got out of the car to walk in, the cool spring Maryland air making me shiver slightly. "God, I'm not going to embarrass you. You're good at that yourself." I yanked his arm into mine, smiling widely. "Behave." I said lowly and he scoffed as we walked in, I looked around, finding my parents were not here yet. 

Suddenly I spotted two old friends of my fathers. "Captain Mitchell, Admiral Kazansky." I said and they smiled as we walked over. I held out my hand for them to shake but Admiral Kazansky pushed it away. "We've known you since you were little Caila, no need for formalities tonight." Admiral Kazansky said kissing my cheek before Captain Mitchell pulled me into a hug. "And please, it's Ice and Maverick." I nodded. "So, what call sign did they give you?" Mav asked as he took a sip of his whiskey. "Magnolia." He nodded. "Very fitting." Ice nodded. "As your grandmother always said, pretty as a Magnolia in bloom." I smiled at him.

"Oh and this is my husband, Aaron Wilder." Aaron shook their hands, "Pleasure." He said in distaste and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. "So Mr. Wilder, what do you do?" He smirked. "Well Ice, I-" "That's Admiral Kazansky to you son." I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. "Admiral. I practice criminal law." Ice raised his eyebrows and nodded. "And uh, who is it you work for?" I still had Aaron's arm as he immediately went into work mode, going on and on about his firm. I couldn't stand it, I can't stand to here anymore about his job. I had zoned out as people walked by and he just kept going on, I would rather crash my jet into a mountain side or burn in than listen to it anymore. 

That thought sent me reeling, I would rather be dead than listen to my own husband talk about his career. I glanced around and spotted a table full of alcohol, I turned back to find Mav and Ice both looking annoyed. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get a drink." I turned and Aaron pulled me back. "Get me a whiskey." It wasn't a question and I saw Maverick and Ice's eyes on me. I just turned and headed for the table, smirking as I saw someone very familiar approach the table. I walked over and grabbed a glass of champagne and slowly stood next to him. "Howdy stranger." I said as I took a sip of the bubbly drink. His head whipped around to me, fast enough to give him whiplash and he smiled widely. "Oh my god." He stared at me for a moment before pulling me into a tight hug. "Oh my god!" 

The joy I felt in Rooster's arms was something I hadn't felt since he left the restaurant, the same day I got married. "Oh my god, I missed you." I said into his neck as he squeezed me. He set me down and took my hand as I took a step back. "Damn, I just- I have no words. Words can't describe how beautiful you look." A blush crept into my cheeks at his words. "Thank you, and look at you in your dress whites. Looks like life has been treating you well." He flashed me a small smile, "Something is different about you." I pursed my lips. "So, how was Top gun?" I asked and he stared down at me for a moment, he knew I was trying to change the conversation. "It was awesome, I graduated first in class." I smiled at him. "I knew you would, you're an amazing pilot." He smiled at me. 

"So tell me, what have you been up to?" I shrugged. "A few shore duties. I did a special detachment in Guantanamo bay, then I was stationed in Greece for a few months. But I think my favorite was San Diego, I wasn't far from the beach and Phoenix wasn't far when she went to Top gun so I got to see her." He stared at me. "And your husband was all the way across the country, so you had freedom." I sighed. "Bradley, I'm so sorry about what he said to you the day you left. I was so angry when he told me-" "Caila, you don't have to apologize for him. You did nothing wrong." I sighed. "I just, I can't stand the way he acts sometimes." I said rubbing my hands down my face, until he grabbed my wrists. "Stop stressing about him, he seems to be busy anyway." I looked over and he was still talking to Maverick and Ice, who looked like they wanted to run the other way.