***
“What?” Jackson asked from beside him.
“I am bored.”
Jackson burst into laughter. “Aren’t we all? What brought on that conclusion?”
“I just realized I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they find these two. I’ll probably have to gag myself to stop myself from giving us away, Jack. ‘Cause I know I’m going to laugh hard.”
“Dude, if you get us busted, I swear I’ll tell them I’m a missionary and you’ve captured me as your sex slave.” Jackson gave a mock growl, drawing laughter from Ty.
“Yeah right. As if they’ll believe you.” Ty chuckled, standing up. “We better hide now Jack. It’s going to be a long night.”
“Damn, I hate the waiting bit of this job.” Jackson muttered as he rose to follow Ty.
And even as they climbed up the massive tree to lie in wait, Ty found his mind drifting home. He knew the Arrowheads back home had found their damaged craft by then. But he also knew that they had hope that he and his men were okay. Another team would have been dispatched already if they weren’t positive that they were okay and working. It was so frustrating that they couldn’t get in touch and report on their progress. They could only do that after they’d taken out the evil group. Because then, they could use their systems to call for help and get out of that forest. They’d been away for over a month already and Ty knew their families would be sick with worry.
A groan tore out of Ty’s throat when his thoughts went to Tanesha as they always did. He could imagine how she was feeling at that moment, not knowing what had happened to him. Ty knew that by then, the authorities had already informed her of what had happened. He’d left those instructions because he didn’t want her to go through what she had the last time he’d had to go MIA. If only he had a telepathic power to reach out to her and let her know he was alive and well, he would in a heartbeat.
He needed to talk to her so bad. See her, touch her, kiss her…he just needed her. He was missing her so badly it was eating him alive. Was she pregnant as he felt in his bones she was? Somehow Ty had a strong feeling he’d planted his seed inside her. That was why he’d asked Chris to give her the MasterCard to use whenever she needed money. Ty rubbed his face as he recalled the call he’d made on his way home from the wedding grounds, to get his stuff.
He’d surprised Jackson, who had turned to look at him as if he’d lost his mind. He’d called his lawyer and asked him to drop everything he was doing and meet him at home with a new clause to be added in his will. The new clause stated that everything he owned, except what he’d already set aside for his parents and siblings, was to go to Tanesha and her unborn child, should he not return from the mission. If on the other hand, she wasn’t pregnant, she still got a chunk of his wealth. Yes, he was that crazy about her.
“Dude…” Jackson had gasped. “You can’t possibly know whether she’s preg…”
“She is.” Ty had breathed, staring out at the scenery. “I just know. A father always knows.”
“It’s rather a mother who always knows, you fool. Don’t you think this is rather too much?”
“No, it’s not Jackson.” Ty had said quietly. “My mother did the same for me before I was even born.”
“Yeah, but she knew you were there. After all, you were inside her stomach. But this…”
“I know my child is in that stomach, Jack. Even if the mother doesn’t know it yet. And I need to know they will be okay if I’m gone.”
Jackson had gone quiet for a moment. Then with a sigh, he’d turned to look at Ty. “Much respect man.” Jackson had said, giving Ty a fist bump. “How about I get to give her a congratulatory kiss if it turns out she’s really pregnant?” He’d asked with a grin.”
“Now I see you don’t value your teeth.” Ty had given a mock growl.
**
“Dude, what’s funny?” Jackson called out from his perch on the tree. “You’re laughing.”
“You are, dipshit.” Ty laughed.
“What did I do?”
“You want to kiss my pregnant girl.” Ty’s amused laughter drew a chuckle from Jackson.
“You’re thinking about her.” It wasn’t a question.
“I miss her so much, Jack.” Ty breathed.
“Can I ask you something, Ty?” Jackson asked quietly.
“Shoot.”
“How…how do you know you’re in love with someone?” He asked.
Ty went quiet, trying to come up with the simplest and shortest way to express how he felt to his friend. “You know you’re in love when you don’t want to fall asleep because reality is totally better than your dreams.”
Jackson went so quiet Ty thought for a moment he hadn’t heard him. “Fuck.” Jackson finally muttered. “That’s some powerful shit.”
“Yes. Once you feel it, it’s like no other thing in the world.” Ty breathed.
“Well, those asshole financiers had better show up quickly so we can go back home to Miss Universe…and the baby.”
“Believe me now?” Ty couldn’t mask the smile in his voice.
“Who am I to challenge my Lieutenant Commander? A father always knows, right?” Jackson said dryly making Ty laugh.
“Fuck off asshole.”
But even as Ty laughed with his friend, he said a prayer for both Tanesha and their baby to be safe. That was how sure Lt. Cdr. Tyler Tyron Wesley was about his baby.