Alex smiled, he liked a woman who was sure of herself, “I know Jay, and he’s good people. Did his wife have that baby yet? That’s all he’s talked about.”
The woman laughed, and Alex’s smile widened. She had a beautiful laugh.
“Not yet but any day, or minute, now.” She said chuckling to herself. Alex could see she cared for her friend a great deal.
“I’m sorry, I seem to have forgotten my manners and Air Force training; I’m Alex Johansen,” He said, extending his hand for her to shake.
The woman looked down at his outstretched hand and took it in her own smaller one, shaking it with a grip his commander would be proud of. “I’m Bianca Mason.” She offered; a glint of something in her eyes that he didn’t quite catch before it was gone.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bianca. What do you do for a living?” Alex was quite enjoying her company and was disappointed when they had approached the parking lot and she stopped beside a white Nissan Maxima.
Bianca angled her head toward the car to indicate it was hers, “I’m a teacher’s assistant. I went back to school a few years ago for my teaching degree and I’m almost finished.”
Alex nodded, “Teaching is a noble profession.” He said, moving towards her as she unlocked the door and threw her purse in. He wasn’t sure why but he wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. He was afraid if she left he’d never see her again and that left him feeling slightly panicked.
With a shrug Bianca answered, “But not quite as noble as what you do.” She eyed his metals and pins and gave him an approving look.
Alex wanted to take her in his arms, the way she was looking at him made his cock throb with need and he took a slight step back so as not to embarrass himself by doing something stupid. Bianca frowned and he regretted his retreat, afraid he sent her the wrong signal. She stepped closer to her open car door and he feared she was about to leave.
“I know that we just met, but I was wondering if you’d like to go to dinner sometime.” Alex asked hastily, a second before she sat in the car.
Bianca nodded, “I’d like that,” The wide smile spreading across her face again. Alex released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Great!” He said, probably a little too enthusiastically. He was embarrassing himself. “How about we exchange numbers and I’ll call you this week?” He added, with slightly less enthusiasm.
Bianca agreed and stood after digging her phone from her purse. They exchanged numbers and she slid back into her car seat. Alex stepped back.
“I look forward to hearing from you, Staff Sergeant Johansen.” Bianca winked and closed her door.
Alex laughed as she pulled away, he couldn’t wait for their date.
****
Bianca smiled from ear to ear as she turned into her driveway. She couldn’t believe the gorgeous guy who had caught her eye was single and going to call her. Gathering her things, she climbed from the car, pushing the door closed with her hip. The sun had finally set and the air was chilly, but that’s not what gave her a shiver. Pure excitement coursed through her as she bounced into the house, greeting her cat, Monster, as she entered. He meowed and wound his way around her legs, stopping at his empty food dish.
“Oh calm down, I’ll feed you in a minute,” She said, reaching down to ruffle his creamy orange colored fur.
Monster let out a meow of protest as Bianca left the kitchen but she paid him no mind. She was on cloud nine at the prospect of a new relationship and she couldn’t wait to call Andrea to tell her all about it. Stripping her clothes to shower, Bianca pulled her phone from her purse and dialed the number from memory.
“Hello?” The voice who answered was not Andrea and sounded distressed.
“Jay? What’s wrong?” Bianca asked, her hand inches from the shower faucet. She straightened and moved back into her bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, her brows laced with concern.
“Bianca? I’m so glad you called. We were leaving the airfield and Andrea started having contractions. She said they have been off and on all day but she brushed it off as Braxton Hicks. We think the excitement from my homecoming may have sent her over the edge into real labor.” Jay’s voice was higher pitched than usual and he was talking incredibly fast.
“Ok, slow down and take a deep breath. I’ll meet you at the hospital.” Bianca tried to reassure him as she threw on a pair of leggings and a long sleeved sweater. Her shower would have to wait.
****
Fifteen minutes later, Bianca was hurrying down the halls of the maternity ward, her eyes scanning the room numbers as she went. Her best friend was having her first baby and Bianca was thrilled but also nervous and hoped Andrea was alright. After a few more feet, she spotted room 5B, the room Jay had told her over the phone, and knocked on the door.
“Come in!” She heard Andrea yell in a surprisingly calm and chipper voice.
Bianca pushed the door open slowly; apprehension fluttering in her belly, the birthing process was still a bit of an enigma to her. But even though it frightened her, she desperately wanted children. When she entered, Andrea was sitting up on the bed flipping through channels on the TV that was high on the wall opposite of the bed.
“Hey,” Bianca said with confusion. Where was all the screaming and
the pain?