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McRose - the writing team of highplainswoman and janlaw
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Date Posted: 06:53:22 04/29/07 Sun
In reply to:
McRose
's message, "Doppelgänger" on 19:52:35 04/06/07 Fri
Doppelgänger Chapter Eleven
Boardwalk overlooking beach
La Jolla, CA
Monday, 11 June 2007/1630 (4:30 pm)
“Wow!” Annabeth stood at the edge of the long flight of steps down to the beach. “It’s so-o-o-o big!”
Vic could only smile a little—having served in the Navy for a certain period of time, he had gotten used to at least seeing the ocean and being aboard ship from time to time. He’d forgotten what it was like to see the ocean up close for the first time. Sunday afternoon, the wind had really picked up at Ferry Landing, so they’d quickly headed to the base at 32nd St. to get Annabeth’s rental car pass and her visitor’s badge. “We can go down – go in the water if you want.”
Annabeth blushed a little and glanced at the handsome young man at her side. “This was supposed to be a business trip, Vic! I didn’t pack a bathing suit – I’m wearing shorts.”
He shrugged. “So just put your feet in the water.” Admiring her bright red toenails, he teased “we’ll see if the red comes off your toes – c’mon, you know you want to!”
Annabeth pulled the edges of her windbreaker closer to her. The wind was stirring and the air was a little cooler than she’d anticipated; it’d been so warm when they left the JLSO after the trial concluded.
“’Kay.” She started down the steps. “Come on, let’s go!”
She was astounded by the beach. Her eyes were wide with wonder and Vik found it hard to remember she was a hard-nosed prosecutor. He leaned over to ask in a low voice, “You’ve never been this close, have you?”
His nearness startled her and she turned her head to find herself gazing into stunning blue eyes. She shook her head. “No. First time—“she turned her head to gaze back out at the horizon. “Look at those waves! Wow!” As they got closer to the water’s edge, her nose wrinkled. “It ---smells.”
At that, he laughed out loud. “Of course it smells!! What do you think the ocean is full of, anyway??” He grinned. She whirled back to look at him. “You know how to take the romance out of a situation, don’t you?”
He grinned. “Sorry.” Then he got pseudo-serious once again. “Actually, it’s too bad you didn’t get to see the ocean sooner. With that hair and its color, you’d make a perfect ‘beach ‘bunn.’”
She sputtered indignantly, and then an idea came swooping out of nowhere—and she bent down and grabbed a handful of sand. He saw the movement of her hand and started backing away. “Oh, no—you don’t.” Then he whirled and started racing down the water’s edge. She chased after him with a handful of sand she swore was going down his shirt as revenge for that sexist—although nice—comment. Within three or four running steps, however, she forgot about her mission and found herself feeling exhilarated and exuberant for the first time since Jack had died. All of a sudden, it was enough to be alive and to feel the wind at her back and to smell the ocean and to feel the cool water over her feet. She was so caught up in the emotion of it all, she didn’t pay attention to the fact Vic had stopped and turned to face her—and she ran smack dab in front of him, with the end result, she bumped into him, falling down, and causing him to stumble back a couple of steps before landing on his butt, all but knocking over a tall figure. The tall figure whirled around, and, in doing so, stumbled over Vic’s legs, nearly falling himself.
Annabeth, on hands and knees, was astounded at the speed with which the tall man whirled so that his back landed instead, causing Vic to yell out in pain. But it was what the third party was holding that caught her attention—it was a baby – a little girl -- apparently on an “outing to the beach” and she was starting to cry in a very loud voice since her father—Annabeth figured it had to be the father—had inadvertently squeezed the child as he fell in an effort to keep her safe.
“What the hell___” were the first words from the mouth of the third innocent party in this incident, then when the baby started crying, his attention turned to the child he was holding. Annabeth was tremendously touched by the way the man’s voice turned low and soft as he tried to comfort and console the child. “Ssshhhh, princess. Daddy’s got you.” He gently rocked the crying child and continued in a soothing voice.
Annabeth was so completely taken up by the drama unfolding before her, she didn’t notice immediately when another woman, wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat with a long white man’s shirt over an emerald green bikini, came up to them. She heard the father say,
“I don’t think she’s hurt, Mac. This idiot. . .” and as the man handed the child over and turned to see just who had caused this mishap, Annabeth, while noting that the girl had immediately calmed down in the arms of her mother—at least that’s who Annabeth assumed she was—was startled to realize she knew these people – it was Captain Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie; and Vic’s posture, which had been rather comedic to begin with—she had been tempted to giggle, changed into something even funnier—he had snapped to attention, at least as much as it was possible while sitting on wet, cold sand.
“Lieutenant!” and then Annabeth discovered she became the object of the scrutiny of those unusual blue-green eyes – exactly the same eyes as her boss, she was reminded. Starting to move so she could get up—she discovered the Captain had put out his hand in an offer to help her. She gratefully accepted.
“Annabeth, Vic, guess we all had the same idea this afternoon.”
She stood up, brushing the sand off her shorts and blushed just a bit. She tried to apologize. “Captain, I’m so sorry – I’m afraid this was my fault. . .”
He stood straight up after she let go of his hand and she began to fidget under his gaze. Then he turned his attention to Vic, who was still sitting “at attention” on the ground. She followed his gaze and she couldn’t help it—she giggled. Mac also started to laugh. Annabeth could have sworn she saw the Captain’s mouth twitch as if trying not to laugh himself. Instead he put down his hand to help the younger man up. “Relax, Lieutenant. We’re not in uniform and. . .”
Vic accepted Harm’s help and pulled himself up in a hurried fashion. “I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t watching. . .”
That was too much for Annabeth’s innate sense of honesty. “No, Vic.” She turned to the taller man. “I’m sorry—it really was my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going and I just flat out ran into Vic.” Then her attention turned to the child. “Is she alright?”
Mac was cuddling her daughter and murmuring to her, rocking her. She nodded. “Mahara isn’t hurt—she’s fine. She was more startled than anything.” Her mouth curled up into a very nice and warm smile. “If we don’t hold her or hold onto her, she’d be in the ocean in a flash!”
“Her name’s unusual – a family name?”
“Mackenzie O’Hara Rabb. Mac’s Uncle Matt O’Hara was responsible for us meeting,” Harm explained and Annabeth could see his and Mac’s eyes meeting in remembrance of …something …maybe a private joke?
Annabeth leaned forward. “May I?” she asked, not quite touching the emerald green hoodie wrapped around the little girl. Mac nodded—and then pulled the hood back, holding it to shield the child’s face from the sun, and Annabeth leaned in for a closer look. “Oh-h-h-h-h, she’s beautiful!! I have one at home—Hailey will be two in a few weeks.” A sharp pang of homesickness shot through her and she felt a teardrop forming. “I miss her—and I’ve only been gone a few days!”
Mac studied her for a bit and then asked, “Would you like to hold her?” Carefully, the two women made the exchange and Annabeth’s face lit up with a smile. “Oh-h-h-h, aren’t you a pretty one!” Just then, Mahara opened her eyes and Annabeth’s breath stopped. She glanced at Harm and then down at the pretty little girl, now studying her carefully with those fabulous eyes. “She’s got your eyes, Captain!” She cuddled the baby up close. “Such beautiful eyes! Uhhh…just like Jimmy’s, too…” Mahara started fussing “go – go” and Annabeth reluctantly handed her back to her mother.
“How old is she?”
The Captain cleared his throat. “Just over a year. Is the lieutenant here being a good host, Annabeth?”
“Oh, yes.” She turned to the ocean. “I’ve never seen the ocean before this week—it’s just beautiful. I’ve never seen so much water. . .”
The Captain and his wife exchanged amused glances—and it seemed to Annabeth there was a complete conversation taking place and she wasn’t hearing a word. A pang of what she now knew as grief shot through her—this was similar to what she and Jack had shared—a once-in-a-lifetime love. They’d always been able to talk without words.
“My guess is you’ve never experienced southern California hospitality, either, then, Annabeth.” Mac said, tucking the jacket back in as the wind picked up. “Why don’t you and the lieutenant join us for a cookout at our place tomorrow evening, say around 1800? You said you’re staying until Wednesday?”
Annabeth was confused until Vic whispered, “That’s 6:00 p.m.” Her face cleared itself of confusion and she smiled. “I’d love to. I couldn’t get a flight at the government rate for tomorrow. ” She glanced in a shy way towards Vic, who nodded in agreement.
Annabeth leaned forward to touch the tiny, delicate soft hand that was waving at her. “I would love to get to know this little one better, too.”
The Captain nodded his head. “Then it’s settled. We’ll see you around 1800, then, Lieutenant.”
“Yes sir” came the prompt and enthusiastic answer.
“You have our address, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Watching Harm and Mac continue up the beach Annabeth noticed the Captain’s arm going around his wife’s waist and his head bent over as if to make sure their daughter was truly okay. She turned to Vic.
“Well, that was certainly unexpected.”
He was rubbing his rear. There was a rueful tone to his voice. “Yeah, it was.” He grimaced. “It’s not a smart idea to literally bump into your present and former commanding officers like that, generally.”
She studied him carefully. “I’m not so sure you’re okay—let’s go catch a drink or something and sit for a few minutes.” She grabbed his elbow and they started to make their way inland, up the beach towards the concession stand.
***************
“Would you mind if we went back to Ferry Landing? Or anyplace, if you know somewhere closer – I have to get a t-shirt or something for Hailey, and maybe some salt water taffy for the office.”
“Sure.” Vic tried to sneak a look at her hand – he didn’t remember seeing a ring – maybe she was divorced. “Umm... don’t you want a shirt for your husband, too?” He couldn’t believe a woman this nice would be divorced.
“No…no shirt…he’s …he’s dead.” Annabeth stared out at the ocean. “We always talked about taking Hailey to Disneyland, someday, when she’s older. Then ….then there weren’t any more ‘somedays’ left.”
Vic wisely decided against any platitudes and tried for a lighter note. “My XO – that’s the second in command – he has a picture in his office – the Captain and his daughter. CDR Roberts’ her godfather, that’s why he has the picture – anyway, they’re both wearing mouse ears. Mickey and Minnie are on either side of them, hugging them. You’ll have to come back and go there someday.”
“Yeah.” Annabeth straightened. Softly, “someday.”
End Chapter Eleven
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