Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading "My Man, My Marine, My Lover!" and for giving such wonderful feedback on the story. Many of you were kind enough to leave comments and send messages asking for more to be added to the story. So much so, that I couldn't resist visiting "Brat" and Brian again. So here is "My Man, My Marine, My Lover! Part 2" as requested. I hope you enjoy it.
I send a special Thank You to my editor and many people's favorite Brit, "Flyboy!" Thank you so much for all of your feedback, assistance, and for your patience with me. I hope to have many more wonderful experiences working with you. Also, a big Thanks to "small_ town_ girl" for her kindness in reaching out a hand to a fellow writer and sharing her talents and resources so graciously! xo
Summary
: Brat (Andrea) and Brian have been friends and neighbors since they were young. As they grew up, they became best friends, though Brian is a few years older than Brat. As young adults, they finally have come to realize that they love each other.
Brat has known she loved Brian from the beginning. For her, it was love at first sight. It took Brian a little longer. Now, they have come together and realized their love, shared their love. After a night of passion and love making they need to face reality again. History repeats itself for the young lovers. Once again, Brat has told, and this time shown, Brian that she loves him and once again he has to leave her.
Our story picks up as Brian is deployed for parts unknown.
I hope you enjoy My Man, My Marine, My Lover! Part 2 It is dedicated to you, the readers who were so kind as to comment and ask for more! P.S. Extend a "Thank You" to a Service Person or a Vet if you have the opportunity. They sacrifice more than we will ever be able to comprehend when they serve their country and unfortunately, sometimes sacrifice more when they return!
Thank you, Apple
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It broke my heart watching Brian say good-bye to his Mom in the kitchen where the three of us spent so much time. I knew he was hurting, but the sadness and worry on her face literally caused me pain. I felt a physical pain in my heart and a burning sensation in my stomach as I watched her fight back tears. I loved this woman like a second Mom. She has always been there for me from day one. Now, her baby boy was being deployed and she was doing everything in her power not to hold onto him for dear life.
"Mom, don't be mad or upset. I want to say good-bye to you here. I don't want you coming down to the base with me. You know you will only get more upset and cry. I want to remember you here at home." He kisses her forehead, then both of her cheeks, and finally gives her a big hug and kiss.
"I love you. Never forget I love you." Brian whispers in her ear as he kisses her and turns to walk away.
His Mom just stood there and nodded. As soon as he turned, the tears started to flow. She knew she was safe to let them go now because she knew Brian wouldn't look back after kissing her good-bye. She knew he couldn't take the pain on her face or look at the sad anguish in her eyes. It was the same pain and sad eyes that he remembered seeing on her so often as a child. It was the same pain and sad eyes that she had as his father had to leave on deployment.
I stood in the doorway watching as two of the people I loved most in this world were hurting. One I had to leave for now, the other would be leaving me. The ache in my heart was overwhelming but I promised myself that I would not cry. There would be no tears and no look of pain on my face. Brian told me how he hated the idea of leaving me and seeing the same pain he saw on his Mom's face as a boy. I made a promise to myself then that I would never do that to him. I would never let him leave me thinking that he had caused me pain. I promised that I would send him off with a smile and all of my love and that's what I would do.
As he walked out of the kitchen, I was waiting for him just outside the doorway. He took my hand and we walked through the living room and out the front door without looking back. His Dad was standing by the jeep waiting for him. Brian tossed his bag in the back and then he turned to face his Dad.
"Stay smart son. Stay alert at all times. There are no friends there. You have your men and your platoon, everyone else is window dressing. Watch who you give your trust to and give it sparingly. Keep your helmet on and your head down, but keep your eyes open at all times." He was speaking Marine to Marine, but the look in his eyes and the just ever so slight vibration in his voice as he said the word 'son' was all father to son. "I'll see you before your unit leaves the base. I'll stay here and take care of your mother for now."
Then his Dad broke his stance and wrapped his arms around Brian and hugged him. He quietly said, "I love you and I couldn't be more proud. I hope you know that."
"I do Dad. I love you too. You're my hero and I have always been proud of you. My goal in life has always been to be like you and to make you proud." He hugged his Dad again.
I couldn't look at them anymore. I turned my back away until I heard Brian say "good-bye." Then I turned back. In all of the years I have known these two men, and been in their presence, this was the first time I heard them say they loved each other. I cognitively knew they did. I saw they loved each other, but I never heard them say it. My heart and soul were moved by their emotion, but I held back any sign of tears.
Brian took my hand and walked me around to the side of the jeep and helped me in. I was the only one going to the base with him. My parents had already said their good-byes. I could see them standing on the front porch as we pulled out of the driveway.
As we passed our house my Mom and Dad waved. My Mom blew him a kiss and Brian pretended to catch it and placed it on his heart. They hadn't done that in a while and it made me smile. Then he waved as we drove passed.
I let the silence surround him and calm him for a few minutes before I reached over and covered his hand with mine. His hand rested on the gear shift and mine just rested over his. It reminded me of how, when we made love, he placed his hand over my sex to comfort and protect me. To say, it's ok, it's all going to be ok. I have you and I won't let anything hurt you. I wanted to say all of that to him with the touch of my hand. A few seconds later when he looked at me and smiled knowingly, I knew he understood exactly what I meant by my gesture.
"Brian." I said quietly.
"Yeah Brat." I could see the smile overtake his beautiful face.
"I love you."
"Yeah. I know." He looked at me and winked.
"Andrea."
"Yes." I barely got it out.
"I love you too. Never forget that, I have loved you all my life and then some."
I could hear a little quiver in his voice. So, I tried to think fast on how I could break the tension before one or both of us lost it. So I fell back on humor and sarcasm. Two of my favorite forms of communication when all else fails.
"Yeah, well Marine, it took you long enough to get up the balls to tell me. Of course you're pulling that shit where you tell me you love me and then take off on me. Is that some kind of tactical training technique? If so, I want to know. I need to talk to our Dad's about changing it, because, basically it sucks!"
Without even looking over at him, I knew he was smiling. So, I just squeezed his hand and kept looking straight ahead. No sense in tempting fate and looking at him. I know he's handsome and sexy. I don't need to look to see that he loves me. I know that he is mine, My Man, My Marine and My Lover! More importantly is that he knows it now too.
As we got closer to the main gate, I pulled my I.D out of my purse and handed it to Brian. We pulled up to the guard and Brian handed him the identification and his duty sheet. The Marine at the gate nodded and waved us through. We were getting close. I was going to have to say good-bye soon and drive back to the house by myself. I said a silent prayer.
Dear God, please help us get through this. Please don't let me breakdown or cry. Please help to keep us both strong. Protect him, watch over him, and bring him back to me. Keep him safe and let no harm come to him or his men. Give them all the strength, wisdom, and courage that they will need. Protect him, protect them all and bring them home safe. Amen
We pulled into the designated drop off area and Brian parked at the far end of the parking area. We were about fifty yards away from the other cars on one side and parked next to a tree line on the passenger side. He wanted to ensure that we could have a little privacy. He got out of the jeep and came around to my side. As he took my hand to help me out, he handed me his keys to the jeep.
"Do you think you can handle a stick?" He asked. I had only learned how to drive his jeep over the last few weeks.
"Have I disappointed you or your stick with my handling?" I smiled and winked at him.
"No Brat, you surely have not disappointed me or my stick." He said laughing. "I only wish we had more time. There are so many more things I would have liked to teach, I mean to share with you." He was teasing me.
"After yesterday, I can only say, there are so many more things I would like to learn from you." I teased back.
I stepped forward until my body was up against his. There was definitely full frontal contact as I slid my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. I moved my hand along the back of his neck and stroked up the back of his head as I just looked into his eyes. I loved looking into his big brown eyes. They showed so much emotion when he allowed them to.
His head came down and he placed his forehead to mine. He still maintained eye contact as he started to talk to me. His hands were half around my waist and just ever so slightly touching the top of my ass. It was nothing that would appear to be inappropriate in public or on base, but I wished it were. Brian would never do anything like that, at least not without a lot of encouragement. The question was just how much encouragement would it take? I really didn't want to send my Marine off without loving him one more time.
