As luck would have it, the plane in which Brigadier General Ralph Wellington was traveling had to land in Germany because of some mechanical problem. Though they were not allowed to leave the aircraft, even the civilians were not allowed to descend. The steward promised that the repairs would be done in less than an hour, and they would complete their trip to Kuwait after that. The plan was that the warriors would alight in Kuwait and then divide into two groups, one going to Kandahar and the other going to Bagram. Both were American air bases in Afghanistan.
After being divided, they would have to take another flight from Kuwait. If they were fortunate, they would get the flight within a day, or it could take up to a week. Three years ago, people had thought that the War on Global Terror would lessen, but that was not the case. War was hell. Being redeployed over and over was fucking torture, Ralph thought.
For the better part of a quarter-hour, they had been hovering over Frankfurt, Boston, Diego, and Swatrzkoff. All the German cities were catching up on sleep. Sleeping was what he should do, Ralph thought. Because once he reached Kandahar, it would be in short supply. But sleep evaded him. As soon as he tried closing his eyes, all he could think about was Adira and the time spent with her and Raven.
He pulled out his phone, pressing the screen to find the pictures his buddies had taken of him, Adira and Raven together. A dozen more of them were present in the picture app. Ralph kept on scrolling and viewing each of them. Raven looked so small and dainty in his arms. He swiped another picture. In that picture, he was holding Raven, and Adira was leaning against him, her eyes closed. The look on her face was so trusting and peaceful at that moment. As if she knew that Ralph would not let anything happen to them. Thinking about that brought a smile to his face.
His heart tapped out a weird rhythm. It was pleasant but was not exactly welcome either. Ralph did not have time for attachments. But somehow, this woman and her child had managed to sneak inside his life and had put their marks on his soul. He didn't know why, but he felt that he had known Adira for ages, and she was his mate. He wanted to see her happy.
Adira's face flashed in front of his eyes. He loved-- the way her cheeks curved, her dimples, her slightly crooked smile, and how damn warm her eyes were. She was a child within a woman. How much he desired to see her happy, Ralph thought. If he could have had his way, he would never have allowed her to go to her guardians. At that moment, it was coincidence or fate, as if Adira came to know that he was thinking about her, she texted him. Her message appeared on the screen.
Adira: Did you mean what you said to me?
Ralph: I meant everything.
Adira: I am serious. I cannot stay with my guardians.
Concern ran through Ralph. Why did he have to be in the wrong place when someone needed him, he thought? How much he desired to be with her at that moment. He wanted to keep her and Raven safe. He did not want any harm to befall his mate.
Adira: They want me to leave Raven with them. I am scared, Ralph.
Son of a bitch. What the hell was wrong with her guardians? Had they gone crazy? Ralph wondered. He tried calling her, but the call wouldn't go through. So he continued messaging.
Ralph: Go to 'Wellington's Castle.' My family will take care of you.
Adira: What if they don't believe you sent me there? Or what if you are wrong, and they do not help a stranger?
Ralph's thumb hovered on the screen. He started typing again.
Ralph: You are not a stranger to me. How about that? Shall I text Violet to let her know you are coming?
Adira: You don't know how much that means to me. If I can ever repay you, I will.
Ralph: You don't owe me anything, except an occasional email, to let me know how you and Raven are doing while I am gone.
Adira: You got it. Send it to me, and I swear I will keep you updated.
Ralph: Thanks.
The pilot started speaking on the public address system. The plane would be flying, so they were asked to fasten their seat belts.
Ralph: I have to go. We are finally moving again.
Adira: Be safe. Come home so that I can thank you in person.
Just then, images of Adira kissing him, his hands caressing her face, all those images bombarded his mind. He was deeply aroused but told himself that he should not think much about that message. Adira probably did not mean anything, except maybe she wanted to thank him with a hug or a note. Besides, she was concentrating on Raven right now, he thought.
He then swiped at the last picture he had seen previously. In that picture, Adira and Ralph were smiling while Raven was lying on a blanket between them. If the pictures had not been taken in the U.S Lounge, they could easily be mistaken for a family photo.
Ralph then had half a mind about whether he should delete the photographs. But then he changed his mind and decided to keep all of them.
He thought on the war front, the pictures would remind him of going back home safely.
Then, at the last moment, Ralph texted his sister, Violet.
I am sending two special people to you. Make Adira and Raven feel welcome. No time to explain right now. I will call as soon as I can.
********
Adira was unable to sleep. She was too worried about her Aunt's offer to help her out. To make matters worse, she could not locate an Uber, much less a taxi in that tiny town. Agitation was flowing through her veins. She started pacing the room, glancing at Raven every so often, as if she expected her to suddenly disappear. In tension, she had even bitten her nails. She then realized her folly, as her ragged nails would hurt her daughter, she thought. She then scrubbed her nails against her jeans, hoping that would help, while she kept on planning her escape.