“You better not break her heart or you’ll have me to answer to,” her mother states, her eyes flashing with the fierceness of a mother bear.
I’m charmed by her mother’s protective nature. “Mrs. Cox, I can assure you that when Candy is ready to move on, I will let her go with a full heart. I’m sincere when I say I want what is best for her.”
Her mother glances over at her husband in surprise.
“Do you mind if we talk privately?” her father asks.
“By all means. If it would make things easier for you, I’d be happy to leave.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
After they shut the door to the guest room, Candy shakes her head at me. “I don’t know whether to hug you or to be mad at you.”
“Why?” I ask, feeling things have gone exceedingly well so far.
“I don’t like hearing you tell them that you will let me go when the time comes. But…my heart burst with happiness when you declared your love for me in front of my parents.”
“I’ll admit the conversation hasn’t gone the way I envisioned. I was expecting accusations or, at the very least, an undercurrent of hostility from your parents.”
“I didn’t. You are an incredible man, and they can see that.”
“What I see is your parents’ love and support for you, my pet.”
Taking my hand, she squeezes it tightly. “It’s normal for parents to love their children unconditionally.”
I shake my head, my personal experience having been the opposite. However, I am inspired by the love and understanding Candy’s parents have shown her.
When Mr. and Mrs. Cox step out of the back bedroom a short time later, I note the serious expressions on their faces. I’m not surprised they still have concerns.
“Nothing is off limits,” I assure them as they sit down.
“I have a personal question,” her mother begins.
“Ask away.”
She touches the side of her cheek. “How did…?”
Although the question is not unexpected, it’s a topic I do not care to talk about, so I keep my answer brief. “A grenade exploded near my head.”
“You’re lucky to be alive,” she states.
“I lost too many men on that day to consider myself lucky, but you’re right. It’s a miracle I survived.”
She looks at my face, trying to hide her discomfort. “I don’t know how you cope after losing an eye and being so severely disfigured.”
Candy stares at her in shock. “Mom.”
I’m not easily offended and answer, gesturing to my face, “This is nothing. What’s impossible to live with are the number of men I lost. It’s because of them that I face each day, Mrs. Cox. I live to honor their sacrifice.” I’m overwhelmed by grief and have to look away before she notices the tear in my eye.
It never gets easier—never.
“Charles, I’m going to be blunt with you, and I expect an honest answer,” her father states.
“Of course.”
“Are you the reason my daughter quit college?”
“No. In fact, I plan to assist her in getting that marketing degree she’s been working toward. Candy is far too intelligent to waste her talents serving food to diners.”
“We’re agreed on that.”
“Charles, I can’t let you do that,” Candy protests, unaware of my plans since this is the first time I have spoken of them.
I chuckle, telling her, “Yes, you can. I socked away college money for my little brother, but he never used it. That money still sits in that savings account, benefiting no one.”
“But you should buy something nice for yourself,” she insists.
“A college education is what it was set aside for, and it’s the best use for the money. It’s not even a question for me.”
“Wait a sec…” her father says. “You have a little brother? His name wouldn’t happen to be Jacob?”
“It is.” I look at him strangely, unnerved that he should know my brother’s name.
“I’m finally starting to put the pieces together. I told C your name sounds familiar, so let me ask—you wouldn’t happen to be Charles Walker, the big track star turned war hero of Riley High?”
Candy’s eyes light up. “Oh, my goodness, Dad! I passed his picture in the display case every day going to lunch. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize the resemblance until now.”
I look at Candy in disbelief. “Are you telling me you graduated from the same high school I did?”
“Not only C, but myself, as well,” her father informs me.
I shake my head, stunned by the revelation.
“The principal highly respected you, and he often said you were the finest graduate to come out of Riley High. He held you up as a prime example of the extraordinary power resolve can have in the face of adversity.”
“But, why me? I was nothing special.”
“You’re being too modest. Principal Hall shared how his brother met you at the bus station just as you were leaving for boot camp. Your determination and love of country left quite an impression on him.”
“Officer Hall…” I see the face of the security officer in my mind as clearly if he is standing in front of me right now. “He gave me a meal the night before I left and stayed to see me off the next morning when I headed out.” I am moved by the memory and share, “He’ll never know what his compassion meant to me.”
“Well, now that I know who you are, I need to shake your hand again.” Her father stands up and holds his hand out to me. “It is an honor to meet you in person, Captain Charles Walker.”
Candy joins him, her eyes sparkling with pride. “I bet you didn’t know you’re an inspiration to future alumni.”
A chill of providence washes over me as I look at her. It is strange to think we haunted the halls of Riley High at different points in time. I can imagine Candy walking into class as I walk out, both of us passing each other, but unaware of each other’s presence—thirty-six years separating us.
Her father asks, “Have you ever considered going back to speak at the high school, Mr. Walker? I’m sure you would be well received.”
“To be brutally frank, the town holds bad memories for me. I vowed never to go back.” I shudder just thinking about it. Not only is my father still there, but so is my ex-fiancé.
“That’s a shame,” Candy tells me. “I would love to be there when you speak at our old high school. Maybe it’s time you return.”
I fold my arms, shaking my head. “No.”
“How can you dismiss the idea so quickly?” her mother cries. “I’m sure your mother waits every day for your return.”
“Trust me, Mrs. Cox, it would not end well.”
“Charles, we always wondered why you never returned home. Surely, your family rallied around you in support after your injuries,” her father says.
I feel a tight constriction in my chest as I recall the day my brother came with my mother to visit me at the veteran’s hospital. That long-anticipated reunion became a greater source of pain for me…
“With all due respect, I’d rather not talk about my family.”
Candy looks upset, so I explain to them, “People like to imagine discharged soldiers coming home to hometown parades and the loving arms of family and friends. It didn’t happen that way for me and the many wounded servicemen I know. We came home to isolation and had to fight against the depression that followed. Not only were we scarred by the wounds we suffered in war but, on our return, we had to face the lack of understanding and support from those around us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” her mother says, her eyes filled with compassion.
I’ve buried the pain long ago and refuse to dig it back up. Changing the direction of the conversation, I look down at Candy and smile. “It’s good to know at least one good thing came out of that town.”
She blushes a pretty shade of pink.
“I still think you should go back, Charles,” her father says.
“We can make sure you get the hero’s welcome you deserve.”
I laugh sarcastically at the thought. After all these years, my return would only stir up bad feelings for everyone concerned. I tell him with all sincerity, “It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.”
Her mom takes both my hands in hers, and I notice her hands no longer tremble. “Mr. Walker, I want you to know that I have no objections to you dating my daughter.”
It’s almost humorous—getting permission to date at my age. Especially from someone sixteen years my junior. But, there it is…
“Thank you, Mrs. Cox.”
She surprises me by tentatively wrapping her arms around me in a hug. I’m shocked, but I dutifully return it.
These parents of Candy’s are extraordinary people, much like their daughter.
Candy smiles as she watches me hug her mother, looking as if she knew all along that this is how it would play out. “I think it’s high time we sat down to dinner, because this girl is starving!”
I choose to sit next to her father and am immediately bombarded with questions about Christmas movies. “Which one is your favorite of all time?”
I understand, based on what Candy has shared with me, that Christmas is a big deal for their family. However, I haven’t celebrated the holiday since leaving the military, so I have to think about it, answering with the first one that comes to mind. “I’d say How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“The original or the Jim Carrey version?”
“I wasn’t aware there was more than one version,” I admit. “The cartoon came out when I was eight, so I naturally equate it with the holiday.”
“It’ll be interesting to see what you think of the newer version,” her mother gushes. “We’ll have to watch the original first, and then let you compare.”
“Why would they redo a thirty-minute cartoon?” I ask, perplexed.
“The new one is a full-length movie, and it’s hilarious,” Candy assures me.
Her mother’s eyes sparkle with excitement when she asks, “Oh, Charles, please tell me you’ve seen Elf!”
I’m totally out of my element here, and I glance in Candy’s direction. The smile on her lips puts me at ease. Although the idea of Christmas died for me long ago, if it makes her happy and gives her parents a way to include me, who am I to resist?
“Do you have any favorite Christmas songs? We could put them on during dinner,” her mother suggests.
I honestly haven’t listened to one since I was a child. However, I distinctly remember what Candy was singing when we passed by each other in our cars. “I’ve always been partial to the song ‘White Christmas’.”
“Oh, my goodness, that’s my favorite song of all time!” Candy squeals. “Do you like the movie, too?”
“There’s a movie?”
Candy giggles.
“I’d have assumed you’ve seen it since it came out in 1954,” her mother tells me.
“Hmm…that’s a little before my time.”
How old does she think I am? I wonder with amusement.
“As you can tell, Charles, our family really gets into Christmas,” her father tells me before asking. “Do you feel it’s something you can embrace?”
I wrap an arm around Candy’s shoulder. “If this is something Candy enjoys, it’s something I want to join her in.”
Her father’s heavy gaze rests on my arm around his daughter for a moment, and I realize I may have been too forward.
Just as I’m ready to remove my arm, he smiles. “A fine answer. I feel the same way about Katherine.” He glances at his wife tenderly.
It appears I’ve been accepted by her parents—at least, initially. I hope never to break the trust they’ve placed in me concerning their daughter.
Her Acceptance
Candy
It’s amazing how quickly my father’s opinion of Captain changes once he makes the connection to Riley High. It’s as if he sees Captain in a whole new light, even though he is the same man.
It means everything to me, because Dad now sees him the way I do.
Even my mother is beginning to see beyond his scars.
I have to stifle my laugh watching Captain, a no-nonsense man, decorating a gingerbread house with the precision of an engineer. My mother is relentless with him, making Captain join in every activity she has planned.
She’s become like the Domme of Christmas or something.
Captain understands he is being tested and, to his credit, he not only endures it, but also excels in meeting her expectations without compromising his serious and sometimes stoic nature.
Being used to my father’s naturally charismatic personality, Captain’s stoic temperament takes a little getting used to for my mother. However, I find her over-the-top enthusiasm and his solemn disposition make for a unique dynamic that actually works.
Truly, having my parents treat Captain like part of our family has been the best Christmas gift I could have asked for and I’m actually sad when it’s time for them to go.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave,” I whimper as my mom bends down to pick up her suitcase. Captain deftly sweeps in and takes it for her. “Allow me.”
She smiles at him in gratitude, and then tells me, “Honestly, Cleo, I could celebrate Christmas all year long with you.”
“You know I feel the same way,” I agree enthusiastically. “Maybe we should plan for a short Christmas midway through the year.”
My Mom turns to Captain. “What do you think, Charles?”
“I’d be willing, as long as there is plenty of Jack Daniels in the house…” He sees my mother’s shocked expression and quickly adds, “For the hot chocolate, of course.”
My dad chuckles, clapping him on the back. “I’ll make sure to have a jug of it on hand.”
Captain insists on driving my parents to the airport so the two of us can see them off.
“This was good,” he tells me as we watch them make their way through security.
“It was the best,” I agree. Wrapping my arm around his muscular arm, I rest my head against it. I haven’t forgotten his promise to collar me. Temporary or not, I long to feel his collar around my neck.
“I have a special present for you, Captain,” I mention. “I wanted to save it for when we were alone. Do you mind heading back to my place?”
“Not at all.”
I have butterflies in my stomach on the ride back, wondering if he will like my unusual gift. It will either be utterly perfect or perfectly inappropriate.
When we enter my apartment, I ask him to sit on the couch while I fetch his gift. I return to him holding a small box in my hands. Rather than sit beside him, I choose to kneel at his feet.
“First, I would like to thank you for being so kind and accommodating to my parents. I know the whole Christmas thing isn’t your style, but you made my mother happy and that always makes my father happy.”
He chuckles. “Although I’ll admit your mother can be overwhelming at times, her acceptance of me, along with your father’s, was genuinely touching. I enjoyed my time with them.”
“When my mom mentioned Christmas partway through the year and specifically asked you to join us, I have to be honest. I was floored.”
He smirks. “Ah…well, I suppose I shouldn’t have made that comment about needing Jack if that was the case.”
“Oh, no. It was perfect. My dad totally appreciated it. Even he can’t keep up with all of my mom’s activities. You were a real trouper.”
“The fact that your parents trust me with their daughter is more than I have a right to ask. Humoring your mother is the least I can do.”
I look down at the box in my hands, finally brave enough to present it to him. Holding it up to Captain, I smile nervously. “When I saw this, I felt it was meant for you. I hope you like it.”
He takes the box from me. “No reason to be so anxious, pet. I’m sure I will like it.” Captain slowly unwraps my gift and lifts the lid of the box, staring silently at
the contents.
My heart races when he finally picks it up and states in a gruff voice, “An eye patch…”
“I like the sleek style. It fits your personality. Plus, it’s made from premium leather with a strip on the inside made of breathable material. I was told it makes it more comfortable for long-term wear.”
He studies it carefully, looking at it from all angles, feeling the edges of it with the pad of his thumb. Finally, he looks at me. “This is the last gift I would have expected from you.”
“You don’t like it,” I say, wanting to get that out of the way so he doesn’t have to pretend.
“Initially, I was put off, but only because I’ve worn this eye patch for years. It’s become a part of me. This…” He looks at my gift again. “…this is like putting on a new appendage.”
“I never thought of it that way. I’m sor—”
Captain puts his hand up to stop me. “Just because it isn’t something I considered replacing, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate your gift. Maybe it’s time for a change.”
I lick my lips nervously. “Would you let me put it on so you can see how it looks?”
He nods, handing me the eye patch.
My heart races as he reaches behind his head, untying his old patch and setting it down on the coffee table. I look up at him. His eye socket is sunken in, the upper and lower eyelids having melded together during the healing process. I know it isn’t easy for him to expose himself to me like this.
And it makes me love him all the more…
I stand up and move in close, kissing Captain on the lips. “I love you.” Gently placing the new patch over his eye socket, I tell him, “Adjust it until it feels comfortable and I’ll secure it in the back.”
Once he’s satisfied with the fit, I reach around and tie it in place, drawing back to take a good look at him. The glossy, black leather eyepatch has stitching on the edges that gives it a sophisticated look. I can’t help swooning as I stare at him. “Oh, Captain, you look so handsome.”
“Do I?” he says, sounding amused.
I nod. “It suits you, but how does it feel?”
He moves his head around and makes different faces to get a feel for it. “It’ll take some getting used to, but it actually seems a better fit than mine.”