Chapter Fifteen

Two days

Rafael

Miguel is helping Stella get her harness on and she’s making it ten times harder with her hands all over him. He steps back to try again and she runs her hands down his arms. “I’m done.” He steps away from her. “Waters, you thought this was a good idea, you can get the harness on her.”

Stella looks at me and I shake my head no. “Three feet between us is the rule. I’m never that close.” I turn back to Cassidy. “You’re all set, mi vida.”

Stella pouts and drops the harness drawing everyone’s attention. “All these men and I can’t get close to one. If you’d show me the look, I wouldn’t have to keep trying.”

“Putting your hands all over us isn’t getting the look you want. Be good and listen, so you don’t get my Agent killed out there.” I’m done taking her shit today. Her hands on my belt buckle had me tripping and on my ass trying to get away from her. “Waters, control her or she’s not leaving the plane.”

“You can’t do that, you’re not the Commander here!” Myrna yells and I roll my eyes.

The instructor isn’t letting her go without the gear on right. If it were up to me, she wouldn’t be going period. The instructor seems to be intimidated. He’s not saying a word.

Waters is nodding. “He’s right. We’re not even off the ground and she’s not cooperating to get the harness on. What happens when the door is open? She’s accosted both Commanders and won’t listen to her partner.”

I take Cassidy to the bench and explain what’s going to happen. She understands and is excited. I tune out the yelling and test the tank weight on her, so she knows what to expect. It’s small and strapped to her front so she has a clear view as if she’s jumping alone.

“I got this.” She’s cute .

“You do, mi amor. You’re going to do great.” I kiss her head glad she was paying attention while the instructor was talking. Taking the tank off I pull my chute on and check everything one more time. Cassidy sits by Donna who hasn’t said a word. She holds Donna’s hand and looks around.

Waters has the harness on Stella, but she’s not smiling. She’s explaining what the instructor said again. Carlson is standing beside her not looking so confident. Shit.

I catch Miguel’s eye. “We’ll need to watch that, hermano.”

“She’s fucking crazy. I’m taking the three-foot rule with her too.” He’s disgusted and I can’t blame him. She had hands on me way to close to my dick.

Cassidy smiles, but it’s not reaching her eyes. “If she doesn’t jump it’s her own fault. She should have paid attention in the class.”

I nod at my smart girl. This isn’t a joke. We jump all the time, but civilians are a wild card. We need to be prepared for the wild cards.

Perez sits by Donna taking her other hand. He’s jumped a few times but never with a partner. Swanson is aware and will keep an eye on them. Petit is with Myrna and seems happy with that. The biggest concern here is Stella. The four-foot bane of my existence.

The captain calls for us to ready and we sit by our partners. The instructor still hasn’t said a word. I wonder if it’s because we brought our own gear. I’m glad he’s not talking. Stella is quiet and holding Myrna’s hand. When the doors open they scream surprised with the rush of air. I nod and Cassidy puts the mask on while I hook up her tank. We all clip the carabiners to our partners. Perez and Donna get shoved out and right after Swanson jumps giving us a thumbs up. Myrna and Petit go and I hear her screaming then laughing. Cassidy’s eyes are smiling at me. Stella is clipped to Carlson and looks scared to death. I’m hoping she stays on the plane. Miguel jumps without a word. Myrna is talking and we can hear her going on about how fast they’re falling. Shit. Stella makes a face and Carlson jumps. Her screaming doesn’t stop. Carlson is telling her to calm down. Waters jumps. Hopefully to calm Stella.

I get Cassidy to the door. “Listen to my voice, mi vida. Your mom and Donna love it. You will too.”

“Come on, GI Joe! Jump already!” she yells making me laugh. “Oh, my God, my heart is beating so fast. I love it!” I thought she was nervous. “Stella, look at the world!” She’s amazed. I remember my first jump feeling just like that. Like the world was waiting for me to arrive. Right now, we're in free fall and she’s happy. I spin us around so she can see.

“Commander!” Waters yells.

I turn us and see Waters moving away from Stella. “Cassidy, we’re going to dive and hold onto Carlson. Try to calm Stella.”

“Yes. I got it.”

We move fast pitched right for them. “Carlson, relax I’m going to grab your harness.”

“Roger, Commander. She’s kicking and pushed Waters away flipping us.” He’s calm and without stress in his voice.

I pull his harness and he flips with Stella’s shriek making us all wince. Jesus. “Calm down, Stella. Carlson will get you home safe.”

Cassidy talks softly to her and she stops with the shrieking. Stella starts talking about getting pushed out of the plane, then she calms and I give Carlson a nod. Putting my arms out we lift up and to the side of them. Stella’s laughing and going on about falling to her death and Cassidy laughs. The woman drives me fucking nuts, but she’s cute.

Chutes start opening and I watch Carlson with her. She shrieks her harness is too tight then laughs, that’s a good sign.

“Mi vida, are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Hold your breath, baby.” My arms go around hers glad she remembered to cross them and I pull. We’re jerked up feeling the harness tighten then float. I let her go, so she feels like she’s doing this on her own .

“It’s surreal just floating like this.” I hear the awe in her voice and smile.

Too many jumps with battle plans made this enjoyable, but not awe inspiring. Today, I get that back hearing it in her voice. I look a little closer at the fields, trees, roads and houses. It’s amazing. Turning us, I follow Carlson to the open field. “Keep your feet up.”

She nods as I pull the lines forward. “I remember, knees bent.”

Pulling hard we’re down and the harness tightens again trying to pull me back. Leaning forward I hold on to her until the harness loosens. “Perfect, mi vida!”

She tries to move, but there’s no play for her to go anywhere.

“Hold up. It’s easier to unbuckle your harness.”

“Can we do it again?” She’s not even unstrapped from me and ready to go again.

I love her. “I’ll take you without the entourage another day.” I get the last of her unclipped and she steps forward turning so she can take the mask off. The tank is hanging from her harness against my hip.

“Okay. I loved it, but it was way too short. Thank you for taking me.” As soon as the mask is off, she’s kissing me.

I’ll take her again.

* * *

Cassidy

I’m still so full of life and love for everything when we pull in. What an amazing day. I can’t say I had ever thought about jumping out of a plane, but it was an experience I’ll never forget. Rafael told me about jumping and most of his were in the dark. That must be amazing too. The class took a few minutes, but we waited around for the plane. It doesn’t seem like it, but it’s late afternoon when we get to the fire station.

“Jesus,” he says pulling me out of my head.

“What’s wrong?” I don’t see anything different.

“My mother and sister are here.” He doesn’t sound thrilled with them being here early. They aren’t due for two days. We have a whole dinner planned.

“I guess early is better than not at all.” I don’t know what else to say.

He gives me a look like I’m crazy. “Remember you said that, Bella.” As he gets out, I hear him mumble, “I’m going to.” How bad can she be?

He opens my door and my mom’s voice floats in. Oh shit. I was hoping to meet Mrs. Saber without everyone around. Miguel starts talking so fast I don’t catch all his words. He’s not happy is all I can follow.

Stella yells to wait for her and I look up at Rafael. I mouth ‘sorry’ and he smiles.It’s all good. We just jumped out of a plane and lived. I pull him away from everyone still talking and we climb the stairs. “I can’t wait to go again,” I tell him.

“Me too, mi vida. I’ll make an appointment for just us.”

He’s the best! I’m smiling when I walk into the living room. A small woman is in the kitchen and there are boxes everywhere. She starts talking in Spanish and I’m lost again. I can handle Rafael’s Spanish, but when they’re excited or pissed, I have no idea what they’re saying. His mother is excited. I put my happy face on and watch. She’s dark-haired and almost as short as Stella. Her smile and coffee-colored eyes are exactly the same color as Rafael and Miguel’s.

Miguel walks in and his mom talks faster hugging Rafael, holding my cheeks to kiss me on the lips then hugging Miguel. I’m not sure if she has taken a breath yet and watch for that. My mother and Stella come in with Tabby and Summer.

Ford comes in with another box. “You need an elevator, Rafael.”

His mother says something about the box and Ford moves. I guess he understands better than me. No one else has said a word and his mother is still talking. I look at Rafael.

He shrugs. “We let her get it all out. It’s not worth answering or interrupting at this point,” he says softly .

Stella laughs and touches Mrs. Sabers’ hand. She stops talking and smiles. “Stella.” They hug and everyone starts moving and talking.

“What’s with all the boxes?” I ask hoping they aren’t moving in.

“She’s fucking crazy,” Miguel says from behind us. I laugh thinking she’ll fit right in.

Rafael is pulling me to the kitchen, “Télia.”

A pretty woman steps out from the side of the cabinets and smiles. She has the same dimple as Rafael and Miguel. She’s their girl form with dark hair and light brown eyes too. “I was waiting until she stopped, mi hermanos. It’s good to see you together.” She walks forward and I love her. She’s smiling with her eyes lighting up. “Cassidy, Rafael didn’t tell me how beautiful you are. Please understand, crazy doesn’t run in the family.”

I laugh giving her a hug. “It’s good to meet you and thank you. You’re more beautiful than your pictures, Télia.” She kisses my cheek and hugs Miguel then Rafael. Their mom is still talking out there.

Donna steps around the boxes and smiles at me. I raise my eyebrows then introduce her to Télia.

“Are you moving in?” Donna asks. Since it was my thought too, I look at Télia.

Her hands move as she talks, “My mother is crazy. Some are serving-ware for the wedding, some are wedding presents, some are just junk that she collected for Rafael. She thinks he’ll make something from the junk.” She makes a face letting us know what she thinks about the junk.

Rafael and Miguel start opening boxes like it’s Christmas. We all just watch as they move from one to another. Mrs. Saber is talking in Spanish again pointing for them.

I look at Donna. “I need coffee for this.” She nods and I take Télia’s arm pulling her to the island with us.

“Where’s Dallas?” I ask pouring the water into the coffee maker.

She looks at Télia. “My boyfriend. He had to go to the office. He’ll come back for me or get me a ride home. With all these people here I can get a ride now.”

I give her a look. “You are not going anywhere. Stella, my mom, Mrs. Saber then Rafael and Miguel on a treasure hunt. You don’t get to leave.”

Télia laughs. “Stay, I don’t get to meet many sane people.”

Tabby and Summer come in smiling. “The Commanders are on a new mission,” Summer says like we missed it.

“What happened with Stella? I saw you flying away then flip in the air. It was cool, but I thought you were going to fall.”

She shakes her head. “She was kicking and screaming like a wild animal. She’s crazy. When I got to them, she pushed me away and flipped Grant. I flipped trying to get above them again, but you were right there.”

I can never tell the twins apart. It was Grant. He didn’t come back here. He must have had enough of Stella for today. “I didn’t do anything. Rafael got them straight, but it didn’t look like he did much.”

She’s smiling so it mustn’t have been bad. “Grant would have been fine, but Stella needed to calm down. I think he was just waiting her out. It was a nice day for a jump, but I wouldn’t go with Stella again.”

Donna laughs. Télia is watching with her eyes lit up and dimple showing. She looks just like her brothers.

“Rafael is going to bring me again, without the entourage he said. I can’t wait. Have you ever jumped out of a plane, Télia?”

“Once. Miguel and Rafael took me when I turned twenty-one. It was nice, but once was enough.”

Donna gets excited and starts talking to her about being afraid of heights. I look at Summer and Tabby and shrug then get up and pour a cup of coffee for everyone putting cream and sugar on the island. We’re having a good time until my mom shoos us out of the kitchen.

“Let’s go out back.” I put our cups on the dumbwaiter and send it down then follow Donna to the pole. We slide down and wait for Télia at the stairs. She’s not going for the pole. The men playing a video game don’t even acknowledge us being there. We sit in the back and Télia asks about the dumbwaiter. “Why didn’t Ford use it instead of carrying the boxes up one at a time?”

I look at Donna and smile. “Are you attached to anyone?” Summer asks her.

“No.”

We laugh while Summer explains about boys pulling your hair and showing you how strong they are.

* * *

Rafael

My mother finds the best shit. Miguel is trying to steal an old wooden carousel. “I can refinish that for my daughter, hermano. Leave it.”

He looks shocked. My mother yells at him about her granddaughter needing the music to sleep. I smile taking it out of his hands.

“Cassidy is pregnant? You let her jump pregnant?” He’s pissed and I love him for trying to protect her.

“Not yet but she will be.”

He snatches the carousel. “It will look awesome in my new house.”

House? “When did you buy a house?”

“Not yet, but I will. I put in an offer on the diner down the road.” He’s buying a house.

I’m relieved and proud, but not enough to give up the carousel. “Baby trumps decoration on a possible house.” I snatch it back.

Perez laughs. “Cassidy was offered the DA job. The baby is a possible too. ”

Miguel tries to snatch it again, but I step back fast giving Perez a look. “She didn’t take it. She has a plan with babies and time for us.”

My mother nods her approval. Miguel pulls the next box knowing he won’t win this one. We get to the last boxes and find stuff from my dad’s little workshop. It’s all in perfect condition. We worked on some of this stuff. “Did you know she had this?”

He looks in his box but doesn’t touch anything in it. “No, hermano.” His voice is low.

I take the wooden utensil holder out. “Would this work in your diner?” It’s beautiful light and dark striped with a glass-like shine to it. I remember using steel wool and buffing it before I put on the last coat.

“You made that with Dad.” He looks at me with glassy eyes.

“Yeah, all the more reason for you to have it. From us to you, Miguel. I want to see it when I visit.” I think about that and like the idea of something me and my dad worked on in Miguel’s first home.

He reaches into his box and pulls out a fishing pole he made for his wall. It was waiting for the clips on the back so he could hang it. My dad wanted him to pull them from an old picture frame. “For your boy’s room, hermano. I’ll finish it for him.”

I look down swallowing and pull the rest of the memories out of the box. We trade stuff back and forth and are laughing when Cassidy and Télia come in. I didn’t notice Perez leaving. I’m glad he let us have this time to get through the boxes. I tell them about the pieces and how we fixed what was broken then refinished them. Cassidy has tears in her eyes. She understands about a father’s gifts being found. Lecompte had a whole box for her.

We eat talking and laugh about the crazy stuff my dad found and how he replaced furniture in our house from the trash he found. My mother laughs, but it used to drive her crazy. Stella and Myrna are funny and easy, talking about Cassidy’s dad and Stella’s late husband. It feels good to have such a normal dinner with them.

Cassidy squeezes my hand. When I look at her, she’s shining those eyes at me.

“Mi sol, I think you’re a witch. They’re all acting normal tonight.”

She smiles. “Your mom wants to jump out of a plane with them.”

“Oh, fuck,” Miguel says with me.