CHAPTER 8 Summer break Part 1.
*One Last Ride*
Its the Beginning of May where Phoenix has Just been Promoted to Lt. Commander and will be Rooster’s Second in Command of Dagger Squadron as Mav was also promoted and he no longer flies but he’s still in charge of operations on the ground.
Its Friday Morning with Phoenix and Bob Together in their F-18 for the last time as Nix goes to a single seater since she has been promoted and bob starts his duties as a support Officer for the Daggers structural integrity.
Phoenix and Bob get a bit emotional about having to split up from flying together.
This all Begins as they are doing their preflight check of the bird before they get airborne.
Phoenix: Talk to me Bob, How’s the starboard Wing look?
Bob: Good to go Ma’am. Everything looks as good as the day we first flew her.
Phoenix: You don’t have to call me Ma’am when we are all alone.
Bob: Force of Habit Nix besides, been calling you Ma’am since we met.
Phoenix: And yet you and I get downright nasty when it comes to the last Oreo.
Bob: I just enjoy our play fights that’s all.
You challenge me in the best ways Natasha. I like how you dare me to be sassy and wild.
Bob Goes to hug her tightly and kiss her forehead.
Phoenix Gives him a warm chuckle as she keeps him held into her with a smile and happy eyes.
Phoenix: And you always give me what I want even if it goes against your ethos.
Gotta say though, You have definitely lightened up.
Bob: And I don’t see a problem with it frankly.
Phoenix: Now if Only I could get you to drink with me more often and call me dirty names.
Bob smiles.
Bob: You may get your wish if you don’t lay off the hot wax with no warning.
Phoenix says nothing as she rubs his back gently still holding him.
Bob: Gonna miss this old girl, Natasha.
Phoenix: Yea, Our second bird together and our first mission. We were so damn good together that day and for the missions that followed.
You went up there with me time and again even with you being single parent.
We Had some close calls but you always jumped to get back up with me.
Bob: And I would keep going with you if I had the chance.
I am happy to have you as my last Pilot. Nobody else ever treated me so well.
My Love, I was wondering if we could really have a wild flight together?
Maybe we touch the tree tops or hit some tight turns?
Phoenix: I thought You would never ask!
Buckle up Bob your booster seat extra snug, Im going to fly it like we stole it!
The two get airborne and fly against Hangman, and Coyote with Rooster where they get into a series of intense Dogfights but Rooster and Phoenix Win the Majority along With Phoenix and Bob enjoying their last flight together.
As they land and get out, The two dance gently hand in hand as Nix plays time of my life from dirty dancing.
But All the Other Daggers make their way around the couple with smiles.
Bob notices the crowd making their way to wish them well and on Phoenix being promoted and flying a single seater now along With Bob starting his new job on the ground.
He gently wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her flight helmet and smiles at her.
Bob: Thank you Natasha for the best flights of my career, your professionalism and team work on duty and your friendship and unconditional love to me and my kids off duty.
I am going to miss working with the finest Woman I have ever known but I wish to be your forever man more here on the ground.
Phoenix is speechless for a moment but she smiles at him with bright eyes.
She is used to the ones before him who all lacked authenticity but not Bob, This man is truly different. She knows him well enough by now that Bob’s mature nature, kind manners, respectful attitude, and his devotion to their relationship and his children have her convinced that she would consider marriage again.
She buries herself into his chest and rakes his back gently with her nails as he shudders.
Phoenix: I think those kind words warranted your secret spot.
Bob: Thank you. When we meet each other with our acts of service, my heart is full.
Phoenix: Its not going to be the same without you. Thank you Robert Floyd for giving me your best, working with me, supporting me, and having my back up there.
But just like you, I plan to be with you here on the ground for the long term…. So long as you just keep being the good man that you are.
I do love you Sir. We rarely fight and when we do, its never for long and we return to our gentle ways. Its never been this way for me.
Phoenix gently steps away from Bob but she aggressively take his head by his helmet into her hands and looks him in the eyes with her glinty fire. Its very similar to the Sun in the sky on their first Dagger mission when they shared a emotional moment and deep respect for each other.
Phoenix: Don’t ever leave me. You and the kids have made me so happy and give my life a purpose outside of work. I am being vulnerable and admitting you are no longer a want but a need.
Bob gives her his kind and reassuring eyes with trembling lips as he moves his hands to her face.
Bob: I am speechless, but I agree.
May I?
Phoenix Jumps into Bobs arms with a grin and wraps her legs around his waist as she kisses him wildly.
Hangman: Sheesh! I figured you would both be over all this lovey-dovey stuff by now.
Rooster: Its much worse at home.
Nix breaks off to give Roo the stink eye.
Phoenix: You can move out anytime ya know.
The daggers lightly chuckle as they embrace the unlikely couple with well wishes and hand shakes.
After Mav secures them, They all make their way to BobNix and Roosters beach house for a cook out and to set up Shelley and Calvin’s rooms for the summer.
Hangman and Rooster are buzzed as they talk trash while trying to put together Cal’s Fighter jet bed.
Bob and Payback are setting up shelves and shoe rack for Shelley’s walk-in closet while Fan Boy held the level for them while Mav and Penny were grilling out, the rest of them did odd jobs to make the kids rooms feel more personal.
Once Dinner is Served, Bob Leads the group in a prayer before dinner but also addresses his Family of Avaiators and thanks them for helping out.
Phoenix and Bob Get up early to fly to Nix’s parents.
*** Road Trip***
Phoenix and Bob are back at her home as they pack some bags for a long trip and get to the Garage.
Phoenix: What car should we take?
Bob: Something fun! What about the Jeep?
Phoenix: Maybe… Or we do it in style with Mercedes.
Bob: I do like the sound of that but let’s keep walking?
They keep going through the massive garage until Bob sees the Old Studebaker, Astin Martin, ’65 Mustang, but they both look at each other with a smirk as they see the 1970 blue Plymouth Road Runner.
Bob: OH MAN! This is my dream car! Talk about an American Classic!
Nat, Can I at least take it out for a spin?
Phoenix smiles warmly as she comes to his side while hugging him.
Phoenix: I learned to drive stick in this old beast. Great memories for sure but I think I have room to make some more with you as well.
Bob kisses Nix aggressively then he runs to the car and pops the hood to geek out.
Bob: 400 Plus Horsepower under the hood, and… look at all the upgrades!
Phoenix: Well, Maybe when we don’t have the kids we can take a long trip in her together but I’m kind of thinking we take one of Dad’s Sleeper trucks.
Bob: Sleeper? You mean it looks plane jane but has some upgrades underneath?
Phonienx grins at him widely while pointing out to an early 2000’s black Chevy Suburban.
Phoenix: We call this old girl the “Murderburban”. 900 horsepower, 4x4 rear locking differentials, sun roof, seats 7 comfortably but the seats fold down for sleeping in the back if you want…or other things.
She gives him her signature sassy look.
Bob is behind the wheel and opening up on the throttle with wild eyes and a smile as nix is in his side listening to “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen and singing along.
They continue to sing along to some oldies and have a ton of laughs but as the sun starts to set, they get quite and as Bob Stops for gas and puts a hand on the door handle, he looks down to see Nix with her eyes glowing wildly with a soft smile but she doesn’t say anything.
Bob: Natasha, I have never seen you like this before and its so….. Enchanting.
He plays with her hair gently.
Bob: I can’t believe how you continue to surprise me with how beautiful you are.
Talk to me Nix.
Phoenix: I’m in love with you Robert Ryan.
Bob: as am I Natasha Jade. Tell me what you wish for?
Phoenix: A hotel with a pool and a place to dance.
Bob: Yes dear. Let me fill up and we will get going?
*** A Pilot and her Wizzo***
Phoenix And Bob checked in to their suite after finding a nice hotel but although they were tired from driving, they got a second wind after Bob bumped Nix’s phone which started to play the song “Low” by Flo Rida while immediately smiling and dancing close
They might have been tired but they feed off of each others rhythm and they can’t stop.
They mouth the chorus in jest and laugh.
Nix is going for it hard as always but Bob has to match it and he always delivers which baffles Nix since he is normally reserved and what she considers an upstanding Christian man of high moral character but when she needs his wicked ways, All she’s gotta do is drop it down.
The song ends but its a random playlist that starts playing Kung Fu Fighting and it gets aggressive as they start grappling each other for their version of fun.
Nix screams as Bob tosses her on the bed and jumps on top of her and locks her into hold and she cant break out of it…. She doesn’t even want to as Bob Leans in to kiss her.
But then he lets go of his hold and Nix goes for his back with her nails and rakes him hard as he shudders and groans.
Phoenix: We are still play fighting… And I didn’t Tap.
Bob pulls away slowly and opens his eyes but Nix sees the pain on his face and his eyes tearing up but he’s breathing heavily.
Phoenix: Was I too rough that time?
Bob shoots her that look which tells her he can hang.
Bob: I am yours. Do what you wish and I will take it.
Phoenix goes for his sides this time and rakes him again as she sees him trying to brace for her scrapes.
He still moans while closing his eyes but his arms are shaking.
She stops with the aggression and pulls his head into her chest gently while running and through his hair.
Phoenix: Is this too much? Am I abusing you? You never fight it. And I love the way you can take my worst.
Bob looks at her with gentle eyes.
Bob: Dopamine hit. I know you will never truly hurt me. Besides, you haven’t bitten it off yet.
She laughs at his sense of humor.
Phoenix: Never! But maybe that earned you some Oreos.
They keep holding each other until the next song that plays is “Boom boom shake shake Drop” they get back to their feet and continue grinding.
They pause the playlist to order room service but they’re still in the mood to keep dancing and the next song is “temperature” By Sean Paul.
Both of them are fired up at each others energy.
The room service arrives but the attendant has a dumb look on his face as Nix pays for the food while Bob is dancing on her from behind and grabbing her hips aggressively.
Once they are alone again, Nix goes right back to dancing dirty on him.
Phoenix: How about we eat after this one.
Bob: Sounds good.. Im Hungry all right!
Phoenix: Better leave room for dessert.
They smirk but just as the song ends, they hear another one of their all-time favorites by Pitbull “Bojangles Remix” and they lose it going harder on each other.
Clothing items go flying through air at random points of the song and they are breathing very hard but loving every moment of it.
By the end of the song they are in their underwear with dirty smirks but Nix makes sure to turn her phone off completely this time then she grabs the whip cream from the room service tray and gives him a sultry smile.
Phoenix: Dessert first…Then dinner.
Bob gives her a playful grin.
Bob: Poor me.
**** One hour Later****
Phoenix and Bob are giggling at each other while eating the now cold pasta, but it was worth it.
Bob: Ya know, Sometimes I think that our conduct off duty is unbecoming of Naval Officers.
Phoenix Snorts with a full mouth of pasta and it goes flying out of her mouth on Bob.
They chuckle.
Bob: You always swallow for me. Why stop now?
Phoenix gives him huge eyes of shock even if she thought it was funny.
Phoenix: ROBERT RYAN!
She smacks him playfully.
They finish their dinner while continuously giggling and making fun of each other but the two are very happy in this moment and their eyes say it all.
Phoenix: Hey, I kind of want to go for a swim.
Bob: I would be down but the pool is closed.
Phoenix: What?!
Bob: Yea… it closed 10 minutes ago.
Phoneix: Damnit!!
Bob: Well…. Would you like me to change the rules?
Phoenix gives him an “Oh really?” face.
Phoenix: And how are you going to do that?
Bob: I might have to embrace my old ways… Please don’t think any less of me.
C’mon, I need a distraction… just don’t show the night manager too much?
Phoenix: You better deliver after this!
Phoenix gets down to the main lobby and since its a weekday and as luck would have it, no one else is at the hotel except the manager and the entire place is vacant.
Nix is surprised to see the night manager passed out at his desk but she can see the security camera monitors and watches with excitement as Bob is Picking a lock to the server room while hiding his face under his hoodie.
She now sees him in the server room, he grabs a USB cable and some of his electronics from his laptop bag and starts to hack the system.
Nix is surprised but impressed with his anarchist ways.
Bob leaves the server room and comes out to the lobby quietly while holding a key card in his hand with a wild smirk.
She quietly walks up to him and they get back in the main hall way while trying to be quite.
Phoenix: What the hell were you thinking?!
Bob: Well, When a guy is the presence of the absolute hottest Italian/Mexican woman he’s ever seen, he will go to great lengths to impress her.
Phoenix I will be impressed if it worked.
Bob Nods with a smile but they get to the pool door and he opens it with the key card.
Phoenix gives him an open mouth with a blank stare.
Phoenix: Huh!
Bob: how about we get our swimsuits and go for a dip?
Phoenix takes his hand and they start running to their hotel room.
Phoenix: How did you learn how to do all of that spy shit!!?
Bob chuckles
Bob: Well, remember when I said I was a wayward young boy once?
And then there’s my dad who was In DEVGRU who might have taught me how to infiltrate and since I am a tech geek, of course I know how to hack computers.
I’m kind of cool despite being unassuming.
Phoenix:KINDA!?
They get changed over and go to the pool where they enjoy their time together but start to wind down they don’t say much but they hold each other close.
Bob is behind her softly kissing the back of her neck with his hands on her hips.
Phoenix: Bob, nobody has ever made me feel this way. You can be a kind and sweet gentleman that I feel so loved by and cared for but then you can meet my sassiness on the dance floor and the bedroom, but you also are full of surprises like tonight.
You and the kids mean everything to me now.
You made me believe in love and God again.
You make me believe I could have kids of my own someday.
I cant lose you.
What does marriage mean to you Robert?
Bob hugs her tightly from behind as he softly speaks in her ear.
Bob: It means the greatest earthly commitment to one another but also before God.
It is sacred and never just a box to check.
It hurts, its difficult, its anger, disappointment, sadness, and misery…. But only if you let it.
The ring is heavy but the love is a high that no fighter jet ride or drug can match.
I did it once and am ready to do it again but for me, it is a commitment for life barring cheating or abuse but if it is you and I together…. Those are not even a possibility.
Phoenix: Then I just might marry you someday.
Bob: Yes Maa’m…. Just know that I love and respect you?
She whisper’s as she buries her head into his chest.
Phoenix: I know… God do I know.
Bob Wakes up first at the hotel and carefully gets out of bed so Nix can sleep a little more but as he grabs some stationary to write her a love letter and writes a few sentences, but he can’t take his eyes off her.
She is facing him with what looks like gentle smile but her eyes are closed and she does look like she’s still sleeping.
He is all smiles himself while thinking about the past few days together with their dancing last night, the pool, and their intimacy together.
He considers all they have been through in 8 months but he cant wait for their next adventure together.
He goes to the bottom of his backpack and opens his box of family photos to reminisce about his past marriage with finding some wedding pictures of a very young Bob and Carrie smashing their wedding cake into each others face as a joke, their honeymoon photos, and Baby pictures of Shelley with the three together.
Bob will always love Carrie, but Natasha makes him feel the same way even if their personalities and physical features were different.
He never had an attraction to another Redhead after his wife passed…Or anybody else until He saw Nix again but maybe that was just because he remembered her from Annapolis.
But after their crash and the way her eyes cut right through him as she ran to take care of him, he was shaken to his core by her loyalty and the way she carefully worked on his leg.
He could feel her small hands comforting him while not caring about his blood on them.
He remembers trying to return in kind to her side while ignoring her chest but being very careful not to expose more than was necessary.
That moment was emotionally exhausting for them both yet they earned each others trust with their acts of service.
Bob says out loud but softly.
Bob: I cant believe how much I love you. I hope you know that I am all in.
Phoenix: I know. Now are going to read me that love letter or are you going to snuggle me instead?
Bob was shocked to know she was in fact awake but he sees her eyes still closed with a huge smile and opens them at Bob and his heart still skips a beat.
Bob: I got distracted with the note so how about snuggles?
Phoenix: Just don’t hog all the covers OK?
Bob: For real? You’re the one that does that.
Phoenix: Shut up and kiss my face loser.
They spend the next hour cuddling but Bob moves his hand to Nix’s side to see the small scar from the bird strike as he puts his hand on it.
Phoenix: Is it ugly to you?
Bob: Hell no its not. I just thought about that day is all.
Phoenix: Hmmm… Bob uses a mild swearword… do I wash his mouth out with soap or do I spank him?
She touches his calf with the scar gently.
Bob: Thank you for that day Nix, I was lost, scared, and horrified I couldn’t get to you but you were brave and determined to get to me.
Phoenix: We are a team, sometimes I need help and sometimes you need help…
But I was just concerned that my Wizzo might die a virgin because I literally thought you were one.
Bob: Well, I just don’t advertise that is all.
Phoenix: An Officer and a Gentleman. But you can really bring it if the time is right.
Bob: Well… We should probably get back on the road so we can make it by tomorrow morning.
Phoenix: I got the wheel first Bobby Baby.
*Last few miles*
Phoenix and Bob have about two more hours to go before they get to Cheryl and Wes’s.
They speak about trying to get stationed at Norfolk so they could be closer to the kids or If Bob wants to leave the service now that he has his degree.
Phoenix: We got a an exit coming up for bathrooms and snacks, you doing OK?
Bob: I could use some more Oreos actually.
Phoenix: You are such a fat kid Robbie. You burned through 3 sleeves since last night! How do stay so skinny?
Bob: Its only because of you. I used to be so busy with life and worrying about supporting my kids financially.
But you jumped right in and help one with homework while I help the other during video chats.
We take turns Reading to Cal one night while the Other helps Shell with her dance practice.
And Then, With how you and your parents randomly help me pay their bills when it gets tough….(Bob has tears in his eyes and is a bit choked up) That’s how I stay skinny, because we find time to dance after work, or train for that marathon, our rolls on the mats with Jujitsu and Judo.
You and your family are so good to me and mine Nat. Please know that I am so happy to have you as a part of my life.
Bob holds Nixs hand a bit tighter but smiles at her with his deep blue eyes full of energy and one of the happiest smiles shes grown to crave; But there’s only two men who have this smile and while one is sitting next to her and has checked all of boxes, The other is his son who is the only person that she cannot act tough with.
That boys facial features melt her down at the speed of light yet Calvin never uses it to get his way. He is very kind and thoughtful to her with his snuggles, the dandelion bouquets and how he trys to match her with every dance move, and her early morning Yoga routines which sees him fall over a lot but he never quits.
Phoenix: Its more than mutual Robert Ryan. And while you alone are hell of a great man of character, Shelley and I get along pretty well with our fashion sense and dance.
Of course we but heads a bit in terms of fighting over your attention ( She lightly giggles because she totally admits that they both are a bit possessive of Bob but it never gets out of hand.) But I just love her so much!
And don’t even get me started on the boy!
Phoenix finds a parking space at the gas station as she shuts off the trucks and they get out o hold each other tightly through tears of happiness.
Phoenix: Bob, are you going to get out next year when you have the chance?
Bob: I want to stay in now I want to stay with you Nix. But I need to know if the four of us can live together in relative harmony.
Phoenix: We will find a way. But lets grab those snacks geta move on.. we are so close to seeing the kids!