Marine Baby

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

As we drive through the small town of Troy I notice nothing has really changed. No big shopping centers no McDonald’s on every corner, just the same old small town. I make the turn to where my dad lives and pull up to the curb. I look out the window to see the house I grew up in. Same white Victorian house, same wrap around porch, same brown door, nothing has changed. The grass is cut and the landscape is pristine, just like dad likes it.  We get out of the car and make our way to the door.

I look at the door for a few seconds debating if I really want to do this, do I really want to see my old man? Before I know what is happening I see my hand knocking. My dad opens the door with a shocked expression on his face. I take these brief few moments to look over him. He looks the same, doesn’t seem to age at all, standing just over six feet with broad shoulders and a square jaw. I get my black hair and blue eyes from him. He has the biggest smile on his face I think I have ever seen.

“Hi daddy” Is all I can get out before I am swept away into his muscled arms. I love this man, he was always my rock and I am so sorry for not staying in contact with him when I ran to the Marines. I will have to thank my CO for sending me here and forcing me to come.

“Is that really you, Jules? My baby girl, your back? And whose this man with you?” My dad always looking for the answers.

“First this is Ryan. Ryan my dad.”

 Ryan gave my dad a slight nod of the head and held out his hand. :It’s an honor to meet your sir.” Ryan ever the gentleman.

“And second, no I am not staying. I had a leave for a little while and thought I would come and check up on you and make sure everything was ok.”

Dad just stood there hugging me with this big smile on his face. I don’t think I have ever seen him smile this much. It was nice to see he missed me. “I missed you dad” I said as a stray tear slid down my cheek. I haven’t cried in three years but seeing my dad and I feel like a little girl again.

Ryan takes me out of my dad’s embrace to put me in his. He wiped my tear away with his thumb and gave me a small smile. “Everything’s alright Jules. I promise. Don’t cry, please. I don’t like it when you cry. It breaks my heart.” I give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He really is too good for me. While I hug Ry dad clears his throat.

“So are you dating?” My dad ever so uncomfortable asks. “No sir, she is my best friend and close to my little sister as one can get. I protect her when it is needed and if she asks for it.” Ry said standing tall and looking at my dad with all seriousness.

My dad finally invites us into the house and I get to look around what used to be my home. Nothing has changed, the same furniture, big black leather couches, the TV is different, it’s a huge 80” plasma. Oh Ry is going to love it here. We walk in to the kitchen where everything is the same not one single change from the granite countertops to the monkey cookie jar. Nothing has changed. It is comforting and at the same time makes me feel at ease. Shouldn’t something have changed? I mean it feels like a museum, of course it is only dad in this big house. My mom would have loved it I am sure but she died when I was a toddler. I can’t remember her but dad has photos up everywhere so I always knew who she was. I look up to Ry as he takes the whole place in. He smiles when he stops to look a little closer to some photos of me as a kid. He is such a sap.

“So Jules. How have you been? Were you deployed? Tell me what is going on in your life.” Dad sits down at the dining room table waiting for me to start. But where do I start?

“Well, I have been deployed twice and I will be leaving again in three months. I have been to Afghanistan and Iraq. Both in the heart of the fight. I have Ryan to help watch my back.” I state while smiling at Ryan. “I am stationed in North Carolina. I have one more year left to serve but am thinking of making it a career. I am not sure though. I love the Marines and I am proud to serve as one. My year will be up when I come home from deployment. I don’t have much of a social life but I go out with my friends, mainly Ry. My commanding officer forced me to come here because he knows I miss you but am a stubborn woman who would never come on her own unless pushed.” As I say this last part I have a huge smile on my face just thinking of my CO and what a good man he is.

My dad just sat there listening not interrupting with a sad smile on his face. I know what he is thinking, Why couldn’t I call or keep in touch in any form, but I just couldn’t. I just needed to cut all ties from here. I hope he understood but looking at his face just shows how much I hurt him.

“Dad Ryan can stay here right or would you feel more comfortable with us going to the lodge? I know we kind of fell into your lap.”

“You aren’t going anywhere. I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you go. And I would like for Ryan to stay here so I can get to know him better, especially because he is such a big part of your life.”

“Thanks dad.” “Thanks sir”

“Jules show Ryan to the guest room and then you get settled in to. I will make dinner and we can have a relaxing evening. What do you think.”

“Sounds great dad. Thanks.”

I grab Ryan’s hand and our bags and head up the stairs to the rooms. I open the door for Ryan’s room and walk in. “Here is your bed, there is your closet, and your own bathroom. The bed is a king and should be big enough for your big body,” I laugh. He grabs me by the waist and throws me and him onto the bed. We both are laughing while I am trying to get away. I know what comes next… tickling. And I HATE to be tickled.

“Mercy Ryan” I say to make him stop. “Fine but your no fun Jules” Ryan pouts.

“Go shower and get clean so we can eat. I am starving.” I tell him. “You are always hungry Jules”

I leave Ryan to go to my room. When I open the door I am 17 again. Nothing has moved. When I left I left without a trace and I didn’t leave anything out of place. My bed is made just the way I always do with my stuffed monkey sitting in the middle of all the pillows. A small smile makes its way to face when I see that. I got it when I was three, my dad won it a fair. I turn all around and notice it is all the same. I walk into the bathroom and start the shower. A nice hot shower is just wait I need after the plane ride and long drive. I take everything off and step in… so nice and hot, I think its burning my skin. When I am finally done washing and relaxing. I turn the water off and find my towel to wrap around myself. I look into the mirror that is currently all steamy and wipe my hand over the cool surface. I look at the woman I am and smile. I quickly dry and dress. I leave my hair done because I don’t have to wear my BDUs right now.

As I walk down the stairs I hear my dad and Ryan talking. I am glad they are getting along. As I turn the corner I stop dead in my tracks. He is here. My ex Justin. Standing in the dining room talking with Ryan and my dad. Why didn’t I sense him? Why didn’t I hear his voice? Ryan looked up just then and smiled. He slowly walked to me and put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him.

“Hey Jules”

“Ryan, what are you doing?” I whispered. His smirk told me everything. He knew who that was and he was messing with him.

Ryan bent down to my ear and whispered “what do you think he is thinking now?” I giggled but stopped when I heard a low growl. What was that? Very strange. I guess I should say hi to him. Be polite. Be polite. Be polite. I will just keep chanting this to myself so I don’t ruin my good mood.

“Hey Justin” I look over at him and my heart beat speeds up. He is still a Greek god.  O my goodness, he is as tall as Ryan but he has light brown hair, square jaw, and the most intriguing green eyes. They see through to my soul I think. I watch as his biceps flex and his face is hard and angry. Why is he angry? What is going through his mind? His fists are clenched and he is taking long deep breathes. That must be helping because as he looks up to my eyes he visually calms down. Weird.

“Hey Julia. How are you?” He seems to say it through clenched teeth. I am starting to lose my temper because I don’t know what his problem is. I don’t even know who invited him. Ryan noticed his body posture and positions me a little behind him and closer, if that’s possible. And there it is again, another growl. What the heck. My dad and his excellent timing comes out of the kitchen just then, good job dad.

“Dinner is ready if you guys want to sit down at the table”

“What. Justin is staying for dinner?” I asked. Why? Why? Why? I am screaming it in my head, while Justin stands there and smirks.