Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2007 23:15:14 +0000 From: Jacob Latson Subject: Washington Academy32 Disclaimer: This story will describe the life of Robert David Mathews from his time as a teenager, through prep school, and into military service. If stories involving sex between consenting teenagers, including both straight sex and gay sex, offends you, go back to the Archives and pick a different story for your reading pleasure. There has been minimal research for this story therefore, names, places, dates are mostly fictitious and similarities to real life are coincidental. Some companies and organizations mentioned actually exist, but references to the activities, policies, programs and procedures are fictitious. I was not a SEAL and have limited knowledge of the force. I am writing this story from imagination and a little research, not from personal experience. My editor, Bill, is a dedicated friend. His improvements in my writing style are greatly appreciated. I really appreciate the emails from you about this story. I've tried to write a story that has a strong plot with characters that you can relate to. I may not be able to reply to all of your emails, but I want to thank all of you for encouraging me to keep posting new chapters. Readers, please note! This story describes sexual events that are unsafe in real life. Remember to practice safe sex if you are sexually active. Condoms should be used even if you know your sexual partner, but condoms do not provide 100% protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's). This story is fictional, so protect yourself and live a long and happy life! Washington Academy Chapter 32 - SEAL Missions and More! Robbie wanted to go back to Michigan to visit Jenny Kay and his aunt and uncle, but realized that a sailor's life is under the TOTAL control of the U. S. Navy. He packed his gear that included a custom fitted 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a highly modified Remington Model 700 7 mm Magnum sniper rifle, and two precision balanced Mark 3 knives. He had received his orders to report to Norfolk, Virginia where he would meet his teammates from the Eagle Team. During a short layover in Illinois, he thought back to the first day he started Boot Camp at the Great Lakes base. It had been over a year and a half since he had seen his aunt and uncle or Jennifer, and he wished that he could have been allowed to go home on leave. He decided to call the people that he loved, and Jenny Kay was first on his list. He dialed her cell phone number and hoped that she would answer. Jennifer was studying in the library when she felt her phone vibrating. She looked at the Caller ID and thought that it was a telephone solicitor, but something told her to answer the call. "Hello," she said. "Hi beautiful!" Robbie said. "ROBBIE!" Jennifer screamed, drawing the attention of everyone in the library. "WHERE ARE YOU? WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME?" "Before I answer your questions, I want to know that you aren't driving your car or doing something dangerous," Robbie said. "I just disrupted the entire library here at school," Jenny laughed. "I'm outside the library right now and in the hallway. Why haven't you come home to visit me?" "I love you!" Robbie said before answering Jenny's questions. "I'm shipping out of Norfolk, Virginia tomorrow morning, but I can't tell you where I'm going. I'm at Great Lakes right now, but I've only got 20 minutes before I have to get on the plane to Virginia. It's been so long since I saw you that I forgot how great you smell and how sweet your kisses are!" "Oh Robbie, I wish we could be together!" Jennifer sobbed. "I love and miss you so much! How long will you be gone?" "I honestly don't know, and even if I did, I couldn't tell you," Robbie admitted. "I'm a full member of the Eagle Team now, and my teammates are fantastic guys! I'm finally paying our country back for providing the best life in the world, and I'll write, send email or call you whenever I can." "Have you called your aunt and uncle?" Jennifer asked. "I called you first because you're the most important person in the world to me!" Robbie admitted. "I hope you understand how important it is to me to hear your voice." "I love you with all my heart!" Jenny said to her boyfriend. "Please be careful and come home to me as soon as you can!" Robbie and Jennifer talked for a few more minutes before she had to leave for class. Robbie then called the home of his aunt and uncle and waited for someone to answer the phone. He hoped that they were at home and his call wouldn't go to the answering machine. "Hello," Marie said. "Would you like to buy a vacuum cleaner?" Robbie teased. "We have a special on the new Hoover canister with all attachments for $200." "ROBBIE!" Marie screamed when she recognized the voice of her nephew. "DAVID, ROBBIE'S ON THE PHONE!" David Mathews heard his wife scream, and quickly turned on the speakerphone in his office. "ROBBIE, WHERE ARE YOU?" he asked. The happy couple listened to Robbie's description of where he was and where he was heading. They were happy to hear from him, but they wished that he could come home before shipping out. Their call was interrupted when another sailor told Robbie that their plane was leaving and he had to move fast or miss his flight. "I love you both and can't wait until I come home on leave," Robbie said before ending the call. "I'll write, send email or call you whenever I can." After the call ended, Marie faced her husband. "I know that you know where he's going!" she said. "Why can't you tell me and Jennifer? That girl is madly in love with him, and she and I need to know where he's going!" "You learned the SEAL rules a long time ago!" David replied. "Robbie's going into action, but I can't tell you where or when. Please don't hate me for doing my job!" "I could never hate you! I love you!" Marie replied. "It was long ago when I was faced with the same dilemma that Jennifer faces now, and I know how scared she is. I'll say a prayer for both of them that they're together again real soon." David knew that Robbie was headed for Kuwait, where he and his teammates would be totally immersed in the Middle East culture. They would be forced to speak only Arabic and to learn the cultural ways in preparation for missions in the most volatile part of the world, and he prayed for the safety of Robbie and the other SEALs. *********************************** Time passed, and it had been over three years since Robbie had been given leave long enough for him to travel to Michigan. He caught a flight into Great Lakes and then took a commercial flight into Detroit Metro Airport. He had big plans for his trip home, and was excited about seeing Jennifer and his aunt and uncle. The wound in his back had been treated and stitched up, but it was still difficult for him to carry his sea bag through the airport terminal and outside to hail a taxi. Sam Kilgore was dropping off his last passenger of the day when he saw the sailor standing outside the terminal. His brother was in the Navy and had failed during the BUD/S training at Coronado. Sam saw the Trident on the uniform of the tired sailor and wanted to do whatever he could to help him. He jumped out of his cab and offered a free ride anywhere in the State of Michigan to the Petty Officer 3rd Class standing before him. "We don't see many Navy SEALs around here," Sam said while introducing himself to Robbie. He was pleased with the firm grip and smile of the handsome sailor, and saw that Robbie was having trouble lifting his sea bag. "Let me get that for you!" He said. Robbie was concerned that he might break open some of the stitches in his back, so he graciously accepted the help from Sam. "Where were you hit?" Sam asked. He could tell that Robbie was tired, but the wince on the handsome face told him that there was more than exhaustion taking its toll. "I cut myself shaving," Robbie lied. He knew that he could never reveal where or how he was wounded. He had begged the doctors in Kuwait to let him go home on medical leave, and finally convinced them and his CO that he had been away from home too long. "Sorry for asking that," Sam said. "I know you can't tell me the truth, but I'm off duty now and I'll take you anywhere. It's my way of thanking you for serving our country!" Robbie explained the purpose of his visit home, and Sam quickly agreed to help him in any way possible. Sam was excited when he called the Anderson home and asked for Tom. "This is Sam Kilgore and I'd like to speak to Tom Anderson," Sam said when Carol Anderson answered the phone. "I'm sorry, but he's not available," Carol said. She wasn't going to reveal that Tom was at his office when she didn't know who was calling. "I'll try him at his office," Sam said. "I have the number, so I apologize for bothering you." Helen Prekoski answered the phone and was shocked when she heard Robbie's voice. "Hi Helen, it's me, Robbie Mathews!" Robbie said. "I hope that Poppa Tom is in the office, because I really need to come and see him!" 'ROBBIE!" Helen said, excited that the handsome man was calling. "Where are you?" "I'm at Metro Airport, and I need to see Poppa Tom to ask him a VERY important question," Robbie said. "I don't want to ask him the question over the phone, and I can be there in 20 minutes if he's gonna be around." "The old fool thinks he's pulling a fast one on Carol and me, but I know that he came to the office today to have an excuse to leave home to play golf with your uncle and two other degenerates!" Helen teased. "He's pretending that he's working, but I bet he's practicing his putting right now, and he's planning on leaving any minute now." "Can you keep him there without telling him that I'm home?" Robbie asked. "I want to surprise him!" "Does Jennifer know that you're in Michigan?" Helen asked. "No one knows that I'm home, and I hope you won't ruin the surprises when I show up," Robbie pleaded. "This is going to be a great day for me!" Helen said. "I love to know secrets, especially when it comes to 'affairs of the heart'! It's about time that you proposed to that girl! What took you so long?" "I guess one person knows my secret already!" Robbie exclaimed. "Please help me and don't blow my cover!" "Get your butt over here!" Helen said. "I know how to get Tom to stay here, but it will cost him a bunch of money!" When the call ended, Helen was so excited that she could hardly contain herself to act professionally with her boss, Tom Anderson. She knocked on the door to his office and didn't wait for him to tell her to go away. She caught him "red handed" with his putter in his hand and five golf balls on the carpet near the practice cup. "I told you that I didn't want to be disturbed!" Tom yelled at his favorite and most important employee. "You have an appointment in 20 minutes, so put away your putter and try to pretend that you're at work!" Helen teased. "I'M NOT TAKING ANY CLIENTS TODAY!" Tom said emphatically. "You know that I have an important meeting this afternoon, and I'm leaving here now!" "Don't bullshit me!" Helen said to her boss. "You got away from home so you wouldn't have to help Carol and Jenny get ready for the 4th of July party tonight, and your MEETING is a golf match with David Mathews, Charles Swanson and Abe Silverstein!" "That's none of your business!" Tom retorted. "I'm leaving now, and you can handle the visitor, whoever it is!" "I'll make a bet with you!" Helen replied. "I'll bet you a dinner for eight at the Detroit Yacht Club that when the visitor gets here, you'll welcome him into your office! All you have to do to win the bet is wait for 20 minutes!" "I'll take that bet!" Tom said. He had bet with Helen before and had never been the winner. He knew that dinner for eight at the Yacht Club would cost a small fortune, and he couldn't wait to collect on the bet. "I can taste the appetizers and French onion soup right now!" he said before putting away his putter and shuffling some papers on his desk. Helen walked out of Tom's office and chuckled, because she knew she had just won another bet with her boss. She anxiously waited for Robbie to appear in the office so she could spring the surprise on her friend and boss. When Robbie walked into the real estate office, he greeted Helen with a hug, but warned her that he had been wounded. Helen was shocked and concerned about Robbie's injuries, but knew enough not to ask him for any details. "I'm going to win another bet with Tom, and you and that beautiful girl will share in my success!" Helen promised. Tom was sitting behind his desk and was determined to win the bet with Helen. He loved her and knew that she was the glue that held the office together, but he was determined to win the bet. "Your visitor is here!" Helen said over the intercom. "Tell him to go away!" Tom shot back. "I'm finally going to win a bet with you!" "Before I send him packing, maybe I should describe him to you," Helen said calmly. "He's a handsome young man, about 6 feet tall, blonde hair, blue eyes and he's wearing a white uniform with the Navy SEAL Trident on it!" She didn't have to wait for a response when the door to Tom's office flew open. "ROBBIE!" Tom choked out. He fought back his tears of joy and hugged the handsome man who he hoped would someday be his son-in-law! "When did you get home? Where's Jenny?" "Easy Poppa Tom, I took a hit in the back," Robbie said during the hug. "I'll explain everything if you'll give me a few minutes of your time." Tom led Robbie into his office and glared at Helen. He knew that he had been set up by Helen, but didn't care now that Robbie was with him. When the brief meeting with Robbie ended, Tom ran out of the office and hugged his secretary and assistant. "This is the best day of my life!" He said to Helen. "I've got to get home to help get ready for the party tonight! I have tons of things to do!" "I took the liberty of calling Brookwood Country Club to tell the guy in the Pro Shop that you wouldn't be playing golf today," Helen said with a smile. "I also called David and threatened to tell Marie about these 'meetings' that you guys always seem to plan during times that you should be working. I told David that a 'special delivery' was coming to his house and that he'd BETTER BE THERE OR ELSE!" Robbie and Tom laughed at Helen. She always seemed to know what to do before anyone even asked her. "I'll be at the party tonight and can't wait for you to ask that beautiful girl to be your wife!" Helen said. "How did you know?" Tom asked. "There's only one reason for a handsome young man to visit the father of his girlfriend instead of going directly to her!" Helen said. "He asked for your blessing, and I can tell that you said 'YES' to him!" "I'll never bet with you again!" Tom promised. "I can taste the shrimp cocktail and the French onion soup right now!" Helen teased. "What night do you want me to make the reservations for? It'll be Robbie and Jennifer, you and Carol, David and Marie, and me and Jacob. Bring your American Express card, because I'm going to order everything on the menu!" Sam Kilgore was waiting outside the real estate office, and could tell by the look on Robbie's face that everything went as planned. He congratulated Robbie and led him to the cab for the last leg of their trip. When the taxi pulled up the long drive at 1730 Hitching Post Lane, Sam was awed by the size of the mansion. He had never imagined that Robbie came from a wealthy family by the way the handsome sailor had treated him, and was happy that he had brought Robbie home. He carried the sea bag up to the steps before shaking Robbie's hand and wishing him luck. He refused the money that Robbie offered, and left for home with a feeling of pride. Marie was in the kitchen preparing potato salad for the party at the Anderson home when she heard the doorbell ring. "David, can you get the door? You're acting strange! What's wrong? What happened to your 'important' meeting?" David grumbled and went to answer the door. When he opened the door he saw something that brought tears of joy to his eyes. "ROBBIE!" he screamed. "Where's Jennifer? Why did you ring the doorbell? Come inside!" Robbie squared away and faced his uncle. He motioned for his uncle to stay away, and snapped to attention. "Captain Mathews, Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Mathews is requesting permission to come aboard!" David's eyes were filled with tears when he snapped to attention and returned the salute from his nephew. It was the first time that he had seen Robbie wearing the Trident, and the pride in his heart was overflowing. "PERMISSION GRANTED!" He said. "Welcome aboard, sailor!" The formalities aside, David ran to Robbie and hugged him with tears flowing down his face. "Easy Captain Mathews, I got clipped," Robbie warned. "Oh my God, Robbie, how bad is it? How did it happen?" David asked. "We can talk about that later, but I think I need a hug from a beautiful lady that you married a couple years ago," Robbie teased. "Where is she?" "She's in the kitchen making her World Famous potato salad!" David answered. "Where's Jennifer? That girl calls here every day asking if we've heard from you. Why isn't she here?" "I'm gonna surprise her if you don't blow my cover!" Robbie replied. "Go see Marie, but don't scare her or she'll shit her pants when she sees you!" David said. "That Trident looks great on you! I'm so proud of you that I can't put it into words!" Marie was in the kitchen, and hollered to her husband, "David, who was at the door?" "It was a special delivery!" David replied. "I wish that you'd help me peel the potatoes!" she said to David. "You always make me do all of the work around here until the food hits the table!" "Can I help you?" Robbie asked. Marie was carrying a Pyrex bowl from the cupboard to the island in the center of her kitchen, and stopped dead in her tracks! Recognizing the voice, but refusing to believe that her nephew was home, she wheeled around and instantly dropped the glass bowl to the floor. The sound of shattering glass mixed with the screams of joy from Marie when she saw Robbie standing in her kitchen. "ROBBIE!" she screamed. "OH MY GOD, YOU'RE REALLY HERE! OH MY GOD!" Marie ignored the broken glass to run to hug Robbie. Tears of joy flowed down her face when she realized that her dream of having Robbie home had come true! "MARIE, BE CAREFUL! ROBBIE'S BEEN WOUNDED!" David said to his wife. Marie immediately became concerned and offered to help Robbie in any way possible. She still volunteered at a local hospital so she could stay current on her nursing skills, and asked Robbie a stream of questions before realizing that he couldn't or wouldn't answer honestly. "I'm sorry for being a stupid old lady," She said to Robbie. "Does Jennifer know that you're home? Where is she? She'll go crazy when she sees you! That Trident looks great on your uniform, but it looks like you haven't been near a washing machine in weeks! Let me wash it for you! We need to get ready to go to the Andersons for the big party!" Robbie laughed at the litany of questions, and only replied that he wanted to surprise Jenny Kay by showing up at the party. "Can we sit down and talk for a few minutes?" He asked. The happy family went into David's office so they could talk. Robbie was tired and wanted to take a shower, but he had some important things to say to the two people who had raised him. He asked his aunt and uncle to sit down, but he paced back and forth before saying, "When I was only six, I lost my birth parents and you took me in and raised me. My mother and father are gone, but you two have sacrificed your own lives to take care of me. I'm trying to put the right words together to ask you something. I'd like to call you Mom and Dad, instead of aunt and uncle. Would you please consider my request?" David and Marie broke down in tears, and immediately agreed to their new status with Robbie as their son. It was the ultimate reward for the time that they had raised the handsome boy into a man, and they were overcome with joy and emotion! "I need to take a shower and maybe a quick nap before I see my girlfriend," Robbie said. "Is that okay, Mom?" Marie hugged her son and promised to wash his uniform and get it ready for the special celebration. She didn't know about Robbie's real plans with Jennifer, but she was thrilled to have him home. She wanted to call everyone she knew to give them the great news that her son was home, but she resisted the temptation. She grabbed Robbie's sea bag and saw another uniform that needed to be washed and ironed, and went into action with love in her heart. "Can we talk for a few minutes?" David asked his son. "Sure, Dad," Robbie replied. He and David both loved the sound of "Dad" and went into the office to talk in private. "How did you get clipped?" David asked. "I know that your security clearance is higher than mine, so I have to assume that you're asking me because you expect an honest answer," Robbie began. Seeing his Dad nod his head, he decided to tell the truth. "I bet that you read in the newspapers or saw the news on TV that an American reporter and his Israeli guide were 'released' from captivity by the Palestinians," Robbie began. "They weren't released because of political negotiations; we went in and extracted them!" David nodded his head. He knew that a SEAL team had worked with the Israeli Special Forces to rescue the hostages, but didn't know that the Eagle Team was involved. "Jesus, you already know everything!" Robbie exclaimed. "Why am I telling you what you already know?" "I know the basics, but I didn't hear any details," David admitted. "Is that how you were wounded? How bad is your wound?" "The Israeli Special Forces are incredible!" Robbie continued. "They knew that Fatah had the prisoners and were demanding release of over 1,000 PLO prisoners in exchange for two civilians. They also knew where the hostages were being held, and we went after them! I was the 'Bird' and I took out 10 guards outside the building with my 7mm mag equipped with a silencer before we made the main assault. The Israelis were taking the same actions with a building about 5 clicks away, and we synchronized the attacks to surprise the 'rags'," Robbie said. "Sorry! It's hard to break some habits by referring to the Palestinians as anything but 'rag heads'! After the outside guards were smoked, we went in with Uzi's and wiped them out. The Uzi's are shorter and easier to use in close combat, and they're easier to reload than an AK 47 or an M 16." "How did you get clipped?" David asked again. "We had the Israeli guide and headed for the roof for extraction, when a rag nailed me in the back," Robbie replied. "The round went through my body armor and lodged in my right lung. I was on the extraction rope, climbing up to the chopper when I got hit, and Carl Jenkins caught me to keep me from falling down on the roof. My buddies in the chopper shredded the shooter, but I was lucky! Between the missions of my team and the Israelis, we racked up a body count of at least 50 shitheads, and got both hostages out without a scratch!" "It's a dirty business, and I never wanted this for you," David admitted. "I can pull a few strings and get you stationed back here in the States," he offered. "You wouldn't do that, and you know that I'd fight you if you tried," Robbie said. "I'm finally ready to make a major commitment in my life, and I want you to be part of it. Will you help me?" David was proud of his son, and quickly agreed to help Robbie with the major surprise planned for the evening. He and Robbie shared glasses of Scotch and a cigar before Robbie went to take his shower. In spite of traveling for over 30 hours on numerous military planes, Robbie felt refreshed and excited about seeing Jenny Kay. He had never been modest about undressing in front of his aunt and uncle, and handed his crumpled uniform to his Mom and asked her to change his bandage after he showered. Marie was in heaven! Washing and ironing Robbie's uniforms brought back memories of the times that she did the same for David when he was in the enlisted ranks. She hummed and fussed around the house until Robbie's bandages needed to be changed. She recognized the bullet wound and choked back her emotions. She knew that the bullet could have penetrated his chest and caused death, and she thanked God for sparing her son. When it was time to leave for the Anderson party, she insisted that Robbie take the extra uniform in case of an accident. Her clairvoyance was perfect! Jennifer was adding the final touches to a salad for the large gathering, and heard her father calling to her. "Jenny, we're going to start the Karaoke, so come and join us!" Tom said. "I'll just stay here and finish this salad," Jenny said with a sigh. "What's wrong, pumpkin?" Tom said, using the pet name that he called Jennifer when she was a small girl. "I'm so worried about Robbie!" Jennifer admitted. " No one's heard from him in weeks, and I'm afraid that something bad happened to him!" "Robbie's just fine!" Tom replied. "I know it!" "How can you be so sure?" Jennifer asked. "I've had this bad feeling for almost two weeks now, and I can't shake it!" Jennifer hugged her father and heard the music start playing. She was reduced to tears when she recognized a song that was special to her! It was 'Sweet Caroline' the same song that Robbie had sung to her and substituted her name in the lyrics. Tom hugged his daughter and felt tears of joy flowing down his face. He saw that Abe Silverstein had the video camera rolling, and he knew that his surprise was going to work! "Daddy, please make them stop!" Jennifer pleaded. "That's the song that Robbie sings to me, and I can't stand hearing it! Please! Make them stop!" "It's a beautiful song," Tom said to his daughter. "Listen to it!" Jennifer was sobbing on her father's shoulder when the male voice changed. The man singing the song when it started had a terrible voice, but now she heard the strong baritone voice that she suddenly recognized. She was confused, and stopped sobbing and said, "Daddy, that voice...It sounds like.....Is it him?" Tom pushed his daughter away from his shoulder and had tears of joy running down his face when he said, "Pumpkin, get ready for a shock!" He turned Jennifer around so she was facing the hallway that was filled with happy people. She was confused, until the happy people counted down "On Three..One...Two....Threeeeee! SURPRISE!!" The group parted and Robbie appeared around the corner, just as he was singing the line, "Oh sweet Jennifer, Good times never seem so good...." "ROBBIEEEEE!" Jennifer screamed when she realized that Robbie was really there in her parents' home. She continued screaming while she ran to jump into Robbie's arms to hug and kiss her boyfriend. The impact of the ecstatic reunion caused Robbie to crash against the wall and knock over a bookcase. He winced in pain, but hugged the girl that he loved and listened to her sobs of absolute joy. Jennifer was filled with a mixture of emotions. She hugged Robbie and professed her unending love and then pummeled his chest with her fists while demanding why he didn't call her to tell her that he was home. The spectators laughed at the happy couple and the way that Jennifer's emotions overflowed with love and anger at Robbie. Marie was crying tears of joy when she saw the back of Robbie's white uniform turn red. She knew that she had to take immediate action, and told David to get her medical bag out of their car. "Jenny, Robbie's bleeding!" Marie said. "I need to take care of him right now!" Jennifer looked at her hands and saw that they were covered in blood. She was devastated that she had caused Robbie's injury, and begged his forgiveness. "Let me help you!" She pleaded to Marie. Robbie was sore from being pushed against the wall and bookcase, but he didn't want to let go of Jennifer for any reason. He tried to convince Jenny Kay that he wasn't hurt, but he knew that some stitches had split apart. "Did I hurt you?" Jennifer asked Robbie. "I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" "I just popped a couple of stitches," Robbie replied. My Mom will fix me up real quick!" It was the first time that Jennifer had heard Robbie refer to Marie as his Mom, and she loved the sound and meaning that it contained. She insisted on going with Robbie and Marie into the bathroom to treat Robbie's problem. When she saw the incision used to remove the bullet, she became ill and fought to stay conscious. "How did that happen?" Jennifer asked Robbie. "I cut myself shaving," Robbie replied. "DON'T YOU DARE LIE TO ME!" Jennifer said to Robbie. "Jenny, he can't tell you the truth!" Marie answered. "We've talked about this before! SEALs go on dangerous missions, and this is what happens! Pour some hydrogen peroxide on the wound so I can see where the stitches pulled out." Jennifer watched Marie work on Robbie's back and she felt terrible that her exuberance had caused the stitches to pull out. She was shocked when Robbie refused a local anesthetic and calmly let Marie put in five new stitches without wincing or complaining. She saw another scar that hadn't been on Robbie's back when they were swimming before he headed for Boot Camp, and she was concerned. She knew that Robbie wouldn't tell her how he got the other scar, so she bit her tongue and kept quiet. "David, get that extra uniform out of the car!" Marie ordered her husband. "It's right here!" David replied. He had anticipated the need for the uniform and had brought it along with the medical bag. All of the guests at the Anderson home were concerned about Robbie's bleeding, and waited in the family room to find out if Robbie was going to be taken to the hospital. They all knew that SEAL missions were dangerous, but the reality of seeing Robbie's blood soaked uniform brought them to reality. They were all relieved when a smiling Robbie walked into the family room with a clean uniform on. Jennifer watched Marie soak the uniform in cold water to remove the blood before washing it in cold water and laundry detergent. It would be a lesson that she hoped that she would never have to use in the future. Things settled down and the large group headed for the buffet of grilled steaks, baked potatoes, a multitude of salads, and a vast array of high calorie desserts. Robbie and Jennifer were never separated until one of them had to use the bathroom. After dessert, the guests were drinking cocktails in the family room in anticipation of the fireworks that would start when it was dark. Robbie looked at Poppa Tom and saw his future father-in-law give him a nod. Abe Silverstein turned on the video camera again, when Robbie started talking. "Jenny Kay, you asked me when I got home today, and I didn't lie, but I didn't tell you the truth either," Robbie began. "Actually I was here in Novi just before noon, but I had an important meeting with your father." "You never told me that Robbie was in your office!" Carol said while hitting her husband on the arm. "Why did you go see my Dad instead of me?" Jennifer asked. Tears flowed down her face, and she wanted an answer! "I had something important to ask your Dad, so I went to his office just before noon," Robbie replied softly. "Because he gave me the answer that I dreamed about, I can now say something important to you." Jennifer was still confused. She couldn't believe that Robbie would visit her father instead of her, and she wanted to know why! "Hey, look, my shoe's untied!" Robbie said bending over while still holding Jennifer's hand. When he got down on one knee, Marie and Carol suddenly realized what was going to happen, and they fought back their tears of joy. "Jenny Kay, I fell in love with you the very first time we met at the Academy," Robbie began. "I don't deserve a great girl like you, but I know that you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with! Now I have an important question for you to answer! Jennifer Katherine Anderson, will you marry me?" Jennifer couldn't believe what she was hearing! Robbie had proposed marriage to her, and she sobbed her quick reply, "YES, I'LL MARRY YOU! YES! YES! YES!" "You asshole!" Carol said to her husband. "You knew about this and kept it a secret! You're sleeping in the garage for the rest of your life!" "Close your mouth and open your ears!" Tom said to his wife with tears of joy flowing down his face. "This is the best day of our lives, and I don't want to miss a second of it! I even gave up playing golf today to come home to get Abe and plan this surprise!" Realizing that he had slipped and told his wife about his golf plans, he added, "I shouldn't have said that! Can you forget that I said anything about golf?" "Now I know you're gonna live in the garage forever!" Carol replied. Robbie was hugging Jenny Kay, and looked over at his Dad. David immediately handed Robbie a small wrapped package, and then returned to stand with Marie, Tom and Carol. "You knew about this too?" Marie said to her husband. "Carol, make room in your garage for another man who keeps secrets from his wife!" "SEALs don't make a lot of money," Robbie began, "But I've saved every penny that I could and was really lucky in some poker games. I hope you like what I picked out for you with some help from my CO." Jennifer's hands were shaking so bad that she was afraid to touch the small package. She knew that it was an engagement ring, and couldn't even hold the precious gift. "It's bad luck if you drop it," Robbie said softly. "Open it for me!" Jennifer pleaded. Robbie opened the wrappings and lifted the small lid to reveal a one-carat diamond stone set in a combination of yellow gold and platinum. Dan Tobin, Robbie's CO, had called a friend in Amsterdam, the diamond capital of the world, and convinced his friend to sell Robbie the stone and setting at a drastically reduced price. Jennifer couldn't see the ring clearly, because her eyes were filled with tears of joy! She wiped her eyes in time to see Robbie slip the ring on her finger, and she was thrilled! Her dreams had come true, and she was ready to become Mrs. Robert Mathews! "I think we have two Moms that want to see your ring and give you a hug!" Robbie said to his fiancé`. He helped Jennifer stand up and led her to the women who wanted to celebrate the happy occasion. "Daddy, I'm gonna be married!" Jennifer said before hugging her father. "I know, Pumpkin!" Tom said while hugging his daughter. He pulled Robbie in for a family hug that included Carol and Jennifer. The same thing happened when Jennifer showed Marie her ring. "When's the wedding?" Connie Silverstein asked. "This weekend!" Jennifer replied quickly. "We can find a Justice of the Peace and get married before Robbie has to go back to the Navy! I'm not waiting any longer!" Robbie hugged Jennifer and whispered to her, "Do you see those two Moms over there? I can see the wheels turning in their minds, and they've already started planning our wedding. We've waited a long time to get here today, and I think you deserve a beautiful wedding with all of the fancy stuff that only women can think of. Let's do this right!" Jennifer saw the expressions on the faces of the concerned mothers, and quickly agreed to have a normal wedding. She asked if Robbie could get leave in December, and was pleased when he said he would convince the Navy to give him time for a wedding and honeymoon. Carol and Marie were relieved, and immediately returned to their rapid conversation about where to hold the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the reception. They were excited about planning the wedding, and immediately started writing things down. "Don't you dare make any plans without my input!" Jennifer warned the two happy women. "It's my wedding, and I want to make the decisions!" Marie and Carol quickly agreed, and continued discussing proposals. Jennifer would have her hands full trying to restrain the two happy women from turning her wedding into a coronation! Robbie and Jennifer walked outside to watch the fireworks, and discussed their plans for the wedding. Robbie didn't care about the details; he just wanted to be married to the most beautiful girl in the world! He was the happiest that he had ever been in his life, and couldn't wait to be married and have sex with his lover. Jacob_latson@ hotmail.com