Taking Flight: Arrival: Taking Flight, #3

By Donna Faye

Stella endured a terrible marriage and even worse mother. But she's stronger now. Her time in the Air Force has taught her strength, courage, fortitude, and her true worth. Despite all this, her demons refuse to let go, unlike the contents of her tummy at the most unfortunate time. But Gabe's love is steady and sure – even through physical altercations with her mother and sleazy ex.

Gabe survived having been blown up and the subsequent, unending surgeries only to have his world turned upside down by a spitfire woman who loves him through nightmares, blizzards, meeting each other's family, and panic attacks. Too bad just the thought of putting a ring on it would send her running scared.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Faye
• Release date: Nov 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386449379

Book preview

Chapter 1: As you were

– A command meaning disregard the order just given. It is also said to acknowledge that an order was given in error, particularly during drill.

Waiting in his truck, Gabe reminded himself, again, to invite Stella to join him for Christmas back home. His ma had been nagging him relentlessly to firm up their plans. In typical Brigid form, she was months ahead of everyone else. But the club was always busy during the holidays, so she shopped and planned extremely early each year. Shit, with twenty-four grandsons, she had to start with the clearances the day after Christmas.

His ma had invited Stella, but he needed to be clear that the invite wasn’t just from his mother. He wanted her by his side to celebrate Christmas with them. Despite having been together for the last three days, he’d forgotten to invite her when he’d had the chance. In his defense, the woman was the sexiest distraction he’d ever met.

Stella was taking forever to gather her shit. What the hell was taking so long? He called her cell, but she didn’t answer.

Weird. He got out of his truck and walked to the door, but the dorms were secure, so he had to wait for someone to let him inside the building. Eventually a resident let him through. He made his way to her room and pounded on her door.

It took a few minutes, but Stella’s door finally swung open. She stared at him but said nothing. He took in her pale face and concern crept over him. She looked positively faint. She was supposed to change so they could go out for dinner, but she was still in her sweats with her hair in the same messy bun, despite having been up there over a half hour.

Stella, what’s wrong? You look terrified. He grabbed her up into his arms. What happened, angel?

At that Stella broke down into sobs. This was not a dainty cry...it was full of tears and snot and probably a fair amount of drool, if the amount of moisture seeping through his T-shirt was any indicator.  She attempted to explain things to him, but he could only make out a few words between gasps and sobs. They included a litany of words like stupid and idiot, as well as the phrase knew better.

This was what they should’ve explained back in fifth grade when they’d separated the boys and girls for the big talk. Screw learning about puberty – they should’ve explained how a man could calm a hysterical woman. Flummoxed, he simply patted her back while she cried it out.

When she seemed calmer, he pulled back and contained his grimace at the sight of her red, puffy, snot-streaked face. Angel, I couldn’t understand what you said. What happened?

The wails started again, but this time he got the gist of it – she might be pregnant. He choked on the lump in his throat as his heart pounded in alarm.

He pulled her back to his chest and held her tight, before he began to silently berate himself. How had he had been so stupid? He’d never been so swept up that he’d forgotten to wrap it. Damn it, what if she was pregnant? Would she hate him for it?

Then a sort of excitement fluttered up from his chest. Holy shit! What if she was pregnant? It was terrifying, but also thrilling. Sure, his ma would kick his ass, and the timing was absolute shit.  But there was no one else he’d want to carry his baby.

When Stella looked back up at him, the action drew him out of his thoughts. Her sobs intensified as she said, Oh God, you hate me now, don’t you? I’m so sorry Gabe. I wasn’t thinking...everything was just so great...I didn’t stop to think about...

He needed to shut her up, and quick. She was all kinds of worked up, so he stopped her words with a kiss.

I don’t hate you, angel. This isn’t the end of the world. I mean, the timing sucks, but it’ll be okay.

You mean it? You don’t hate me? she asked with hope evident in her tone and plastered across her tearstained face.

He smiled. I was there too, Stella. I didn’t think to use anything, either. He shrugged. Besides, we both want a family, right? He smiled at her nod. We’ll love our kids whenever they come. When will we know for sure?

You’re something else, you know that? she replied.

Stella looked up at him with a look of complete adoration, and he felt an overwhelming urge to make sure she was pregnant. It was completely inappropriate considering how worked up she’d just been. But damn it if the thought of her belly swollen with his kid didn’t turn him on.

Stella must’ve noticed the change in his demeanor because she gave him a perplexed look. What?

He shook his head to clear his train of thought. Is it totally wrong that I like the thought of knocking you up? 

He knew he was pushing it. In the grand scheme of things they barely knew each other.

But this just felt right. With surprise written all over her face, he could see her struggle to accept his words.

He attempted to backtrack. I mean, I know you probably, uh... there’s an order to these things, and my ma will kill me if I don’t marry you first. But yeah, I want that with you.

Stella started crying again, and Gabe felt awful.

Shit! Please don’t cry, angel. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry again.

Stella giggled.

He really couldn’t make heads or tails of her mood swings, but the giggle definitely beat the alternative.

I’m not mad, you dummy! That was beautiful. Well, actually, it was completely awkward, but I got the point. And I love you so much.

She hugged him fiercely as he whispered, I love you too, against the top of her head.

Stella sent Audrey a text. She’d have to catch up with her later that week. She quickly changed clothes and finished packing. The two opted to do carry out – this time selecting soup and salad, with no beer just in case – and headed back to his house, where they hid from the world, snug on his sofa.

...

In the weeks that followed, Stella made a concerted effort to eat healthy foods and took her vitamins religiously. Dread and fear dissipated as anticipation and hope took root in her heart at the thought of carrying Gabe’s baby.

Her affection for the man grew exponentially with every sweet and thoughtful way he’d taken care of her. At some point he researched pregnancy, especially where exercise was concerned – making sure their usual routine was safe. She hadn’t even thought to check.

And he’d looked into everything, especially making sure sex was safe for their maybe-baby. Surely her heart would burst with love for the man, especially with the thought of him searching the Internet and grilling Rufio for advice.

His attentiveness spilled over into other areas as well – the simple little things made her feel cherished like never before. He’d already changed Betty Lou’s oil, but he also took her truck in to make sure she was ready for winter and kept the gas tank topped off. He’d sent her flowers for no reason and rubbed her feet in the evenings. A girl could get used to that.

...

Winter arrived with a vengeance, which normally would inspire Stella to hunker down under a warm blanket with a good book. But worry had her tied up in knots. It was Gabe’s turn to lead the class out at Coleville National Forest, one of the places his unit used for wilderness survival courses for aircrews, future trainers, and Special Forces.

Of course he’d been through worse, she knew this thanks to his tech school stories. The tales from his training had terrified her, but the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning and he was camping some seventy miles from base.

The dark skies and fierce winds weren’t exactly conducive to flying, so most of Fairchild was shutting down. Then there was the steady patter of snowflakes against the windows as Stella powered down her computer and packed up anything she could work on from her dorm, wishing she was headed for Gabe’s instead.

She prayed Rufio would have some answers as she tucked the phone’s headset between her ear and shoulder as she dialed SERE HQ.

SERE, came Rufio’s booming voice as he answered her call.

Hey Rufio. It’s Stella, she replied, no longer surprised by his brief answer and its contrast to her own necessary phone protocol. But then nobody called SERE expecting manners – after all, they ate bugs for a living. Everything is shutting down. Do you know when Gabe will be back?

A chuckle was his only reply.

What’s so funny? she asked.

You, he answered. He’ll be back at the end of the week, as planned.

But... she glanced out the window at the raging storm, but...there’s a freaking blizzard out there!

Yep. He had the nerve to pop the p, as he laughed at her.

But... her voice trailed off. How could they leave them out in the storm like that?

Stella, this is a perfect training opportunity. The whole point is for them to learn how to survive in the wild. Things don’t get wilder than this.

But...

Stella, your record’s skipping, he countered before she could collect her argument. Your man knows what he’s doing. They’ll be fine when we extract Friday. Get home to safety. Do you need anything?

She shook her head at the insanity. Her man was in the middle of nowhere during a flipping winter storm and he was worried she needed something?

I need you to get Gabe home safely, she answered aloud.

"And I will – Friday, he replied. His tone told her that his answer was final. Mac’s in his element out there. Don’t give it another thought. He’s trained his whole adult life for this kind of thing, especially the last couple years. Trust me. No...trust him."

She deflated.

You’re right. I mean, my brain knows... her voice trailed off.

He’s just fine. You’ll see in a few days.

Like a proverbial lightbulb over her head, a new idea outshone every other thought in her head.

Rufio, how will you extract them? Is there a bus or something?

Well we’re not exactly going to plow the blizzard out of a national park, he snickered. We’ll practice helicopter evacuation.

Sounds like a great photo op, she hinted.

He groaned.

You got room for one more on that bird? she pushed on. I mean it’d be a cover-worthy photo, and I could include SERE in my column.

No way. Mac would kill me, he countered.

She scoffed. Why? Is it unsafe?

He lowered his voice. Stella what about your little stowaway?

It’s perfectly safe to fly, besides, we don’t even know about that for sure, she replied. Plus, I know you’ll take good care of me. Please? Can I please come out?

She heard his sharp exhale and fought against the urge to give a girly squeal. He was going to cave.

Fine, he growled. But you better listen to everything I say.

Thank you, she all but shouted. I will. I promise.

You better. Mac will kill me.

Cross my heart, she replied.

He harrumphed then excused himself, saying he had an aircrew to drown.

She hung up the phone and chuckled – SERE was so weird, necessary but weird. Stella was still adjusting to the bits of information Gabe had shared with her about his career. They had to be extremely hard on their students, so they could Return with Honor. She understood the concept, but the execution was harsh – again, necessarily so, but leaving her man exposed to the elements during a blizzard made it difficult to fathom at times like this.

Since aircrews could go down anywhere on Earth, Rufio and Gabe, along with all their team of instructors worked hard to teach airmen to survive in