SEALed Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

KNOX

“ T omorrow, we have the rehearsal dinner and then Saturday is the big day,” Vickie was saying. “I feel like this week has gone by so fast.”

“I’m glad we have the entire days to ourselves,” Knox answered. “Although I’m not sure shopping would have been on the top of my list.”

Vickie laughed. “Thanks for amusing me. I saw a couple of cute boutiques in town and thought I might find this year’s ornament. Although Grams and I went bare bones on the Christmas decorating this year, knowing we were coming here, I still put up a tree. Every year I find an ornament that represents the year, and I haven’t found one this year.”

Knox's phone buzzed in his pocket as he and Vickie strolled hand-in-hand through the snowy streets of the ski resort town headed to another overpriced store. The cheerful glow of Christmas lights reflected off the fresh powder blanketing the ground.

“I should take this,” Knox said apologetically, recognizing his commander's number. “It'll just be a minute.”

Vickie nodded and wandered over to a nearby shop window as Knox stepped away to answer the call.

“This is Knox,” Knox answered crisply.

“Knox, it's Colonel Hartley. I've got an opportunity I want to discuss with you,” came the gruff voice on the other end.

Knox listened intently as the colonel laid out the details of a leadership position at a forward operating base in Iraq. His mind raced, weighing being in the field against the implications for his personal life.

“It's a six-month deployment, possibly longer,” Colonel Hartley was saying. “I know you just got off convalescent leave and we PCSed you to Virginia, but you're the best man for the job. Rumor has it, you weren’t too thrilled about instructing at Little River. What do you think?”

“Iraq?” He asked, clarifying what he’d heard.

“The area is heating up again. There’s been some issues on the border with Syria and we need our best men out there.”

Knox's gaze drifted to Vickie, who was now admiring an elaborate ice sculpture display. His chest tightened as he considered the strain a long separation would put on their newly rekindled relationship.

“I appreciate the offer, sir,” Knox replied carefully. “It's certainly an honor to be considered. Would it be alright if I took some time to think it over?”

“Of course. But I'll need an answer by the end of next week. It’s a way to get back into the field instead of retiring out to pasture. Don't let it pass you by.”

As Knox ended the call, he noticed Vickie watching him with a worried expression. Had she overheard? He plastered on a smile and rejoined her by the window.

“Everything okay?” Vickie asked, her brow furrowed.

“Yeah, just some work stuff,” Knox replied, trying to keep his tone light. “Nothing to worry about right now. Hey, what do you say we grab some coffee?” He nodded to a coffee cart set up on the sidewalk. They ordered their drinks and after receiving them, started down the street once more, stopping every few minutes to look at a display or pop into a store.

But as they continued down the quaint main street, Knox could feel the tension radiating from Vickie. She was unnaturally quiet, lost in thought. “Alright babe, spill. What’s on your mind.”

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I heard you mention Iraq? Are you deploying again?”

Knox's heart sank. He hadn't wanted to burden her with this, but now the cat was out of the bag.

“It's just a possibility right now,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Nothing's decided.”

“How long would you be gone? Do you know?”

“Most of the time when SEALs deploy, we don’t know the exact time frame. He mentioned six months, maybe longer. It’s not orders, but an offer. The ball is in my court.”

Vickie nodded, but her eyes were distant. “Six months is a long time,” she murmured.

Knox felt a pang of guilt mixed with his own apprehension. They had only just found their way back to each other. Could their relationship survive another lengthy separation so soon?

As they walked in tense silence, Knox's mind whirled with conflicting emotions. The career opportunity was incredible, but was it worth risking what he and Vickie had rebuilt? He glanced at her troubled face and wished he had a clear answer. Was she not the woman he thought she was? Would she leave him?

Knox took a deep breath, steeling himself. He couldn't bear to see the worry in Vickie's eyes, not when they were supposed to be enjoying their day. With a gentle tug on her hand, he led her towards a small gazebo adorned with twinkling lights.

“Let's not think about that right now,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We have the entire day to enjoy ourselves.”

Vickie's lips curved into a small smile, but her eyes still held a hint of concern. “You're right. We have today all to ourselves without anyone to boss us around or waive an itinerary at us.”

After sending their newly bought goodies back to the lodge with one of Vickie’s many siblings, they joined the group gathered at the edge of the trail. It’d been Vickie’s idea to try the snowshoeing, after Knox reassured her that his knee was doing just fine. He let her know how his physical therapist encouraged walking and exercise. Although, he left out the fact that snow and ice were probably not at the top of her list of approved exercises.

The crisp mountain air was refreshing as he and Vickie waited with the group. Their breath formed little clouds in the frosty air, and the snow crunched beneath their feet.

“Alright, folks!” The chipper guide clapped her gloved hands together. “Let's pair up and hit the trails!”

Knox turned to Vickie, offering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. “Ready, partner?”

Vickie nodded, her own smile tinged with uncertainty. They strapped on their snowshoes and set off, following the guide's lead into the winter wonderland.

As they trudged through the pristine snow, Knox's mind whirled with thoughts of Iraq. He was intimately familiar with Erbil. He’d been deployed there before, a few times. Northern Iraq wasn’t his favorite location, but at least, he knew it well. He preferred that over somewhere he’d never been before.

The crunch of snow and Vickie's steady breathing beside him faded into the background as he remembered the beginning days of the Iraqi war. Operation Iraqi Freedom. He remembered the grenade exploding at the end of the alley. It was a green on blue attack. Iraqi soldiers, trained by the coalition forces turned on them. Craig was hit, bleeding out. He propped him up against a wall, put a makeshift tourniquet on his leg. He called for the Corpsman and turned with his rifle in hand…

“You're awfully quiet,” Vickie said, breaking the silence. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Knox shook his head, forcing a chuckle. He wouldn’t put his memories on her. The weight was too much to carry. Couldn’t ask her to help. “Just admiring the scenery. It's beautiful out here, isn't it?”

Vickie hummed in agreement, but Knox could feel her gaze lingering on him. He knew she didn’t believe him. The tension between them was as palpable as the cold air on their skin.

They continued on, the silence growing heavier with each step. Finally, as they reached a quiet clearing away from the group, Vickie stopped abruptly.

“Knox,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I know you aren’t being completely honest with me. Does this have to do with Iraq? Did you make your decision?”

Knox's heart sank. He turned to face her, seeing the worry etched across her features.

“Vic, I?—”

“Are you afraid to tell me?” she interrupted, her eyes glistening. “Sure, the thought of you going overseas, of us being apart...”

Knox reached for her hand; his chest tight. “I haven’t made up my mind. I thought we could talk about it, together.”

“Listen,” Vickie said softly. “I'm terrified of being left behind, of trying to make this work long-distance. We've only just found each other again, Knox. But I would never put my desires over the need of our country or your career. If you need to go, I’ll wait for you. I’ll make it work. Last week, I thought you were a two-timing player who cheated on your girlfriend with me. Now, I know better. I’ve spent this week watching you with your family. I see how you treat your mother and aunts, and the women in my family. You are respectful and kind. Our chemistry is off the charts but more than that, I like you. I like spending time with you. You make me laugh and I feel safe when you are near. So, while the idea of you going off somewhere dangerous scares me, it’s not because I’m worried about us, our relationship. It scares me because I’m afraid you will get shot again or worst, that you might not make it home.”

Knox squeezed Vickie's hand, his heart aching at the vulnerability in her eyes. He took a deep breath, the crisp mountain air filling his lungs. “Vic, I need you to know something,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “My feelings for you are real. What we have, it's not something I'm willing to give up easily. Whether here or overseas, I will fight for us, for you.” He pulled her closer, their snowshoes crunching in the fresh powder. “An overseas deployment would be challenging this early in our relationship. I won't pretend it wouldn't be.”

Vickie's eyes searched his face, hope and fear battling in her expression. Knox continued, “I promise you; I'll consider everything before I make a decision. Your happiness, our relationship - they're major factors in this.” He brushed a snowflake from her cheek, his touch lingering. “Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Okay?”

Vickie nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. She leaned into his touch, then straightened, a determined look crossing her face. “You know what?” she said, her tone lightening. “Let's not let this consume the rest of the time we have together. We're here, in this winter wonderland, surrounded by holiday cheer. Why don't we focus on enjoying it?”

Knox felt a weight lift from his shoulders. “You're right,” he agreed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Let’s focus on us, right here, right now.”

Vickie's face lit up; her smile as bright as the twinkling lights adorning the nearby chalets. “Really? You mean it?”

“One hundred percent,” Knox affirmed, pulling her close. “I've spent too much of my life worrying about the future. It's time I learned to live in the present, especially when the present includes you.”

Vickie playfully poked his chest. “Well, in that case, what do you say we hit the ice rink when we get back? It is new and I’ve never gone ice-skating outside.”

Knox raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Are you sure you want to risk your toes? I'm not exactly graceful on ice.”

“Oh, come on,” Vickie laughed, tugging him towards the resort's main square. “I'll protect you from yourself.”

As they approached the outdoor rink, the festive atmosphere enveloped them. Strings of colorful lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow on the ice. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, the scrape of skates, and the gentle strains of “White Christmas” playing from speakers.

Knox wobbled as he stepped onto the ice, gripping Vickie's arm for support. “Remind me again why I agreed to this?”

“Because you adore me,” Vickie teased, effortlessly gliding backward while holding both his hands. “Now, come on. One foot in front of the other.”

As they made their way around the rink, hand in hand, Knox found himself relaxing, his worries about the future melting away like snowflakes on warm skin. He focused on the present moment - the crisp winter air, the warmth of Vickie's hands in his, the joy of simply being together.

“You know,” Knox said, his breath visible in the chilly air, “I never thought I'd enjoy the cold this much.”

Vickie laughed; her cheeks rosy from the temperature. “Is that your way of saying you're enjoying my company?”

Knox pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her waist. “Maybe. Or maybe I've just gone soft.”

“There’s absolutely nothing soft about you,” Vickie teased. “I know, I’ve seen every inch of your incredibly rock-solid body.”

He couldn’t help himself; he leaned in and kissed her. There was just something about this girl that made him forget about everything else in the world but them.

That night, Knox and Vickie found themselves curled up on the couch in front of one of the lodge’s fireplaces. The crackling flames cast dancing shadows on the walls as they sipped hot cocoa.

“I can't believe it's almost over,” Vickie murmured, nestling closer to Knox. She reached up, tracing the strong line of his jaw with her fingertips. “You know,” she said softly, “I never thought I'd get a second chance with you or that I would even want to give you one, but here we are.”

He tightened his arm around her. “The week might be ending, but we're just getting started, Vic.”

Vickie shifted closer, her body fitting perfectly against his. “Promise me something?”

“Anything,” Knox replied without hesitation.

“No matter what happens, we'll always be honest with each other. No holding back, even when it's hard.”

Knox nodded solemnly. “I promise. You deserve nothing less. The last thing I want is another miscommunication between us.”

Their eyes locked, the intensity of the moment building between them. Knox's gaze dropped to Vickie's lips.

“Vic,” he whispered, leaning in closer.

“Yes?” she breathed.

Instead of answering, Knox closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Vickie melted into him, her arms winding around his neck as she returned the kiss with equal fervor.

As they kissed, Knox's doubts and fears about the future faded away. In that moment, he knew with absolute certainty that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Vickie was exactly who he thought she was. A strong, independent woman was just fine on her own but even better with a partner who understood her.