Chapter 1: Hold my hand, everything will be okay
Chapter Text
Lieutenant Commander Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw (better known as Rooster) has done a lot in his 37 years on earth. Made a lot of friends. Made a few enemies. Burnt many bridges and built a few backup. He’s loved a few women, made love to a lot more than a few and was even in a brief fling with his best friend's now husband when they were in flight school. He’s tried almost everything once.
The point is he knows what he wants, he’s set in his ways. He’s at the point in his life where he longs to find his better half. He wants to take care of someone in every way. Have babies with her. Grow old with her. He can picture his dream girl in his head already, their life together, a love as wonderful as his parents’ love. He even bought a four-bedroom house near Mav and Penny’s with the hazard pay money he got for being shot down and having to escape enemy territory a few years back.
The house had been mostly empty since he bought it. The main bedroom, kitchen and tv room were the only rooms he used daily, he had a small gym in the basement and a piano in the living room, but that was it on the main floors.. One of the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs was used when Amelia was still a kid and he had to watch her overnight. But his kind-of-sister was at college now, so the one furnished guest room was back to collecting dust.
He wanted to find his love, then fill the home together. So, the place had been empty for four years. The problem he had was his dream girl in his mind looked suspiciously like his best friend’s baby sister.
He’d met Daniela Trace only once in person. Phoenix’s parents’ funeral in 2020 was family only due to Covid, so the first chance he me Daniela in person was at Phoenix and Hangman’s wedding. Bradley has seen pictures and heard stories about her since he met Nat in the academy. His bestie was so enamored with her sister who was a surprise baby that was born when Nat was 9. Dani only started becoming the woman of his dreams when he saw her in person for the first time. It was like being in G Lock seeing her. Hard to perform your Man of Honor duties when you’re fantasizing about bending the maid of honor over and fucking her brains out.
Natasha’s baby sister wasn’t a baby anymore. She was a woman with many curves it made Roosters head spin with lust. But it was her laugh and smile that made his heart start to flutter. Halo had to smack him back to reality so he could give his speech as Daniela’s laughter during hers had completely hypnotized him. Then Dani sang at the reception and Rooster was completely in love.
It had been months since the wedding and he’s still going insane over her. So, when Nat called him up for help, since she and Hangman were both at sea on separate aircraft carriers, he jumped in.
Daniela had graduated with an early childhood education degree in during the pandemic and had been living with roommates while working at a grocery store. She had been looking for a job in her field, but that part hadn’t worked out for her just yet. She did have some luck as a teacher's aid but that didn’t pay much so she kept her other job. The problem now was her, to quote Hangman’s texts, ‘piece of shit boyfriend and his whore sister’ kicked her out last week, and she’d been living in a motel. Nat had just found out and was asking Rooster to help. He was the only one she trusted in the states. Daniela was in Chicago currently, the Trace sisters’ hometown.
He was buying his dream girl a plane ticket before he even got off the phone with Nat, texted Hangman his own colorful thoughts on the situation, and before he knew it was calling Dani the number Nat had sent.
He’d take care of her. All he wanted to do was take care of someone, and not come home to this empty house. He would take cold showers and control his baser urges as long as she was his to protect. She didn’t need a creepy older man lusting after her, especially now. She needed someone to look out for her, she needed her big sister’s best friend.
Tasha knew.
A few weeks ago, Dani came home after school let out to find two duffels of her things outside her apartment and the locks changed. Daniela, never one to argue or rage had simply taken her things and walked to a nearby motel. She was thankful she had saved what was left of her half of her parent’s estate after she paid what she owed UofM. It wasn’t much but it would keep her off the streets for a few months. Nat and the damned tracking device she had on Dani’s phone had seen that Dani was at a motel a lot and called, thinking Daniela had become a hooker. The truth had Nat raging, and Jake calling after she hung up with Nat cursing out Ryan and Julie.
When her phone rang, she thought it was her sister or brother-in-law again, and picked it up without looking. “It’s ok. I’m safe.”
“That’s not what I heard.” A beautiful voice said on the line. It was familiar. It belonged to the man that stared in her fantasies for months.
“Bradley?” she said confused.
“It’s me, sweetheart. I bought you a plane ticket. You leave at 10 tomorrow morning. I’ll meet you at the airport. I’m going to look after you for a bit. Until you figure out what’s next for you. “
“That’s too much. I can take care of myself.” She said embarrassed at the charity.
“You shouldn’t have to. I have the space and a few weeks left before my next deployment.”
Dani sat up in bed looking around the dingy motel room and thinking…Nat always spoke fondly of the times she spent in San Diego. She’d like a chance to see something outside of the Midwest… and living with Bradley? The offer was very tempting.
Bradley filled the silence while she was still in thought, “Sweetheart, is there something that you want to stay in Chicago for? Or would you rather figure out your next step at my place in an all-expenses-paid vacation?”
A vacation? She hadn’t had once since before her parents died…“There’s nothing for me here, school ends in a week. I thought I had a friend but…”
“I know, she and her piece of shit brother kicked you out without explanation. Its bullshit. There’s schools here in San Diego if you want to do a job search here, or you can apply to places in Miami and I can fly you out there before I ship out. I think I have a spare to Pheonix and Hangman’s place around here somewhere Your sister doesn’t want you to be alone.”
Dani chuckled to herself, of course, he was only doing this because of his friendship with Natasha, how could she possibly think he was offering for her “Ok…”
“Good girl. I’ll meet you at the airport here. Should I send a car to pick you up? Or are you near a train- line? Nat gave me your info. Your ticket should be in your inbox about now.” Bradley said hurriedly, he was either excited to have a house guest or really wanted to get her off the phone.
“I can get to the airport,” Dani told him, praying to God that he didn’t make a habit of calling her good girl or sweetheart, it would be difficult not to develop inappropriate feelings for him if he kept it up.
“Great. I will see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything. Text me when you leave your motel and when you get to the airport.” He asked.
“I will. Thank you.” Dani said dazed.
“My pleasure sweetheart.” He said before hanging up.
Dani looked at her phone in disbelief and opened her email app to find a plane ticket. Holy shit. This was really happening.
Why did he buy her a first-class ticket?
ME, 6:50 AM Central: leaving motel
Bradley, 9:00 AM Central: sorry I didn’t respond right away sweetheart.
Bradley, 9:02 AM Central: thankfully we’ll be on the same timezone soon.
Bradley, 9:06 AM Central: are you are the gate?
ME, 9:07 AM Central: yes. Got a nap in while I wait. TSA went quicker than expected.
Bradley, 9:10 AM Central: got your bags checked okay? Was two enough?
ME, 9:10 AM Central: perfect thanks. Most of my stuff is at Tasha’s, I just have two duffels and my purse.
Bradley, 9:10 AM Central: I’m just finishing up the guest room now.
Bradley, 9:11 AM Central: I’ll be waiting for you at the gate.
Getting off the plane and seeing his kind eyes looking for her broke her. The past few weeks finally catching up. She began to cry and ran into his arms before he spotted her.
She was safe.
She wasn’t alone.
Someone cared.
“Hey, sweetheart it’s okay. You’re okay.” He said shock wearing off and hugged her back.
“It’s been a long couple of weeks Bradley,” Dani mumbled into his chest.
“I bet. As much as I hate to break a hug up, we should go get your bags. Maybe you can tell me all about what you haven’t told Nat on the drive home?” He said pressing a kiss on the top of her head before breaking the hug but grabbed her hand.
Dani nodded and he smiled brightly at her before leading her through the airport to baggage claim. Holding her hand, the whole time. He only let go when she pointed out her bags, quickly taking her hand again once he was carrying both bags in his right, holding her hand with his left.
“This it?” He asks confused.
Dani nodded. “I sent most of my personal items to Tasha’s place when our parents died. I only have a week or so of clothes.”
Bradley shrugged. “I’ll add clothes to the list of things I need to get you before I leave.” He said before leading her out of the airport and to the parking lot, opening the door to a blue bronco and helping her in before putting her purse and bags in the back.
When he hopped in and started the car, he grabbed her hand again. “Now, tell me what actually happened.”
So she did. Dani word vomited out the whole ordeal, even the stuff that she would never tell Natasha and Jake.
How at the beginning of the year, Ryan would get her alone when Julie left the apartment. He’d told her she was beautiful. That he was lucky they were dating. How she felt like, even though he never asked that she was lucky someone was paying attention to her. How he’d been pressuring her for sex since the beginning and she refused, the situation never feeling right. He refused to take her on dates, to let Julie know. She felt dirty. Like a secret. To get him to stop pressuring for sex she did use her mouth and hands on him a few times. But it felt wrong. She felt cheated, why were her only sexual experiences with someone that made her feel dirty.
She finally broke one day and told him she was done. He said a bunch of terrible things about her, and Julie took Ryan’s side saying that Dani was nothing but a fat whore. They kicked her out the morning after everything came to light. She hadn’t heard from them since.
When she was done, they pulled into a garage, she was still bawling and Bradley quickly got out of the car and went over to her side, opening the door. In a blink she was in his arms again.
“I’m sorry you went through that, sweetheart. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way.” He said, rubbing her back while she sobbed.
After he showed Daniela to her room he ran back downstairs to one get lunch together and two freak the fuck out.
Fuck fuck fuckety fuck. Bradley thought as he called Hangman. Hoping to God he wasn’t on duty. This was not a conversation to have with Nat. Nope this was a conversation for overprotective assholes that we’re goners over the Trace sisters.
“Bradshaw, as I live and breathe.” Hangman drawled.
“Seresin, whatever happens we have to keep Nat and one another away from Chicago.” Rooster said getting to the point.
“How bad?” Hangman said flatly.
“Fucking bad. Like dishonorable discharge and life in prison might be worth it bad.” Rooster said honestly, running his free hand through his hair.
“But then there’d be no one to watch over Ella.” His friend said, sounding like he was saying it through his teeth. Hangman was an ass, but he was an ass that was protective over his loved ones. His two sisters were off with families of their own, but he was still protective of them and overly involved in their lives, and the moment he married Natasha, Danila became his sister too.
“Bingo.” Bradley sighed.
“Are you going to tell me?” Hangman said after a few deep breaths.
“No. She told me in private.”
“Asshole. Then why are you calling me?”
“I’m just pissed and wanted to talk to another person that would be my level of pissed.”
“Been there Chicken”
Bradley snorted before his frenemy broke the silence “Now since you called. Keep it in your pants while my youngest sister is emotionally a wreck, ok? If she wants to roll around in your coop after she forgets what’s-his-dick that’s her business but if I find out, you took advantage of her so help me god the fight we got in when we broke up will look like a tea party.”
How did this asshole know he had a thing for Dani? “Fuck you Bagman.” Was all he could say.
“Been there Bradford, couldn’t pay me to go there again. We’re both to sexually dominant to work in a relationship and your besties with the love of my life.” Hangman said with a laugh.
Bradley rolled his eyes, his fling with Jake was very short lived, everything was a competition or a fistfight. There wasn’t any love between them just lust that eventually ran its course.. They were only really friends because of the mission a few years back that had them on the same team. Same mission that had Nat starting to tolerate Bagman and cemented that the two of them would have to be civil enough with each other for Natasha’s sake.
Now that they were feeling protective over Daniela, for different reasons, and he had to be honest with Hangman. “I’m not going to take advantage dude. I’m taking care of her.”
“So you got her a job interview at the base preschool with no thoughts of getting your dick wet?” Hangman shot back.
Bradley nearly threw the phone. He’d just set that up that before Dani’s plane came in. “No. I did it because there’s an opening, and Mav knows the guy in charge of vetting applicants and helped me out. How the fuck do you know that?”
“That chaos demon you call a godfather has a big mouth.” Jake drawled lazily, “Look after her, but don’t you dare make a move. I don’t care about what feelings you have for her. Even Nix can see your heart eyes for Dani, but we all know she does not need another controlling asshole crowding her.”
“I’m nothing lake that piece of shit!”
“Yea, I know that Brad-Brad, but let the girl breathe. If she wants, you she’ll let you know.” Then Bradley could hear the grin form on Hangman’s face. “If she’s anything like her big sister you won’t miss the message. Did I tell you about how Nix and I got together?”
“Shut up!” Rooster said, “You know hearing Nat’s side of it was traumatic enough. Locker talk with Coyote for gods sake.”
Hangman laughed into the phone and Bradley hung up on the ass.
“Bradley?” He heard from the doorway to the kitchen and turned around quickly to find Dani in a tank top and sleep shots, hair in a towel. “I’m going to pass on lunch if that’s okay? I need a nap.”
“Sure, thing sweetheart.” He said with a smile. “I got sidetracked talking to Hangman anyway.
“You didn’t tell him, right?” she said looking at him pleadingly with those big doe eyes.
“Course not mans a gossipy schoolgirl. The whole Navy would know what a piece of shit Ryan is within the hour.”
Dani giggled and Rooster felt his heart seize. “Thanks again for having me here Bradley.”
“Don’t mention it, sweetheart,” Bradly said with a wink, “No go get your nap in. I’ll wake you for dinner, that is if Nat doesn’t wake you up when she gets off duty.”
“I’m turning my phone off so she doesn’t. She’ll be blowing your phone up as soon as she can’t see where my tracker is.” Dani sighed before turning,
“I’ll fend off Nat for a few hours.” Rooster said trying (and failing) to not watch her ass as she walked away.
It’s official. Shorts were his enemy now.
“My hero.” She called over her shoulder.
Bradley Bradshaw was so fucked.
Chapter 2: But don't you let go of my hand
Notes:
lmk your thoughts on where this is going? constructive criticism is helpful! i'm on tumblr louisahalewrites if you like that better. If people are liking this, I'll try to update it more often. Really nervous about writing in this fandom, first time i've written something set in the real world you know? Every other fandom I've dipped my toe in had supernatural components to it, or I added supernatural components. Trying to keep this as grounded in reality as possible.
If you haven't been able to tell, this work is unbeataed, and i'm a horrible speller. lol. sorry if it takes you out of the story, i tried my best,
Hope to have the next part up before Monday!
Chapter Text
When Bradley came to wake her up, he shook her gently and told her that he’d ordered in and gave her ten minutes to get downstairs. Tasha was on the phone and had given him a deadline to see Dani.
Dani laughed and hopped out of the comfortable queen bed that she’d napped in for the past few hours. She was certain that this was all a weird dream, and she would wake up any minute in her dingy motel room. Dani changed into jeans and a clean T-shirt and put her hair up before she made her way down the stairs to hear her sister's voice yell through the house.
“Two minutes Roo. If I don’t see my sister alive and well soon…”
“Nat, the poor girl was exhausted. Looks like she hasn’t slept right in weeks. Calm down. It’s me. You know I wouldn’t hurt her.” Bradley shot back at Tasha while Dani made her way through the house back to the hall that separated the kitchen and the tv room. She found Bradley lounging on a sofa Face Timing an irate aviator.
“I know. But she was hurting, and I didn’t know, and I’m still freaked.” Nat yelled in reply.
Dani rolled her eyes as she entered the room “Natasha Monica Trace, calm down!” Dani said.
“Daniela Maria Trace you have no grounds to full name me young lady after all the secrets you have kept from me and are now making my best friend keep from me,” Tasha growled.
Bradley grinned over his shoulder when she first spoke and patted the sofa next to him. “Thank God you’re here sweetheart. She’s chomping at the bit.”
Dani made her way around the sofa to sit next to him. Leaning close so Nat could see them both in the frame (and for no other reason). “Hi, Tasha.” She smiled at her big sister.
“Hi, Ella. I’m glad you’re alright.” Tasha sighed and smiled back
“Me too. Thank you for interfering and calling Bradley.” Dani said honestly. She was a lot happier today than she was yesterday, even if so many things were up in the air.
“I’ll always interfere.” Natasha laughed, “So, Jake and I won’t be in the states until around the new year. Do you think you’ll be okay to stay at Roosters place for a bit? I know he’s got a cruise coming up, but he says he’ll introduce you to Mav and Penny and they’ll be able to check in on you.”
Dani nodded, she didn’t like the idea of being alone in Miami, it would be worse than being alone in Chicago to her. At least here she had people her sister trusted that could help her out if she got in a bind. “I think I need the change of scenery anyway.”
“Good. Now I sent Roo some money to help you get Cali clothes tomorrow. And he says he’s working on finding you a car because I don’t want you driving that death trap he calls a car. Did he tell you about the job on base?” Tasha said barreling on.
Dani looked at Bradley confused.
Bradley rolled his eyes and glared at Tasha. “No, I did not. I just found out before she landed Nat. God.” Bradley said before turning to her. “The school on base needs a pre-k teacher. It’s okay pay and in your field. The interview is set for Friday if you want it.”
Dani looked at him stunned. A car? A job interview? A safe place to live? Her sister buying a guilt wardrobe? This was all a ton of change for 24 hours. “Today’s Wednesday.” Was all she could say.
“Yep, we got a big day ahead of us tomorrow,” Bradley said before handing Dani the phone as the doorbell rang. “Be back in a sec.”
Natasha kept speaking as he left, “I told him your favorite. Anyway, let him look after you before he leaves, and please check in with Mav and Penny when you’re alone ok? Don’t get all uncomfortable with him looking out for you, honestly taking care of people is his thing and he’s been alone for a bit. Plus, I’m paying for clothes and shoes. Have fun. Relax.” Natasha then lowered her voice to a whisper. “And find yourself. Ella, I know you both have a crush on one another but- “
Dani dropped the phone at that he what?
“Yes, he’s got a big crush but he’s ready to settle down. I don’t think you’re there right now. You need some time. Between the pandemic, Mama and Papa's death, and now this… you need to focus on yourself. Let yourself heal a bit before you act on the information I just gave you. I love you both and I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
Dani stared dazed at the phone. She knew Tasha was right. The past few years have been trauma after trauma and living in constant survival mode. Even if she believed Tasha when she said Bradley had a crush (which a large part of her doubted) she wasn’t ready to act on it. She needed to heal, grieve, and learn who she was.
“Ok. I hear you, hermana. Love you bunches.”
“Love you bunches more, hermanita,” Natasha said before hanging up.
Then Dani heard Bradley in the kitchen she turned around and saw him setting pizza boxes down on the island. And then set plates and glasses in front of two of the seats on the island.
“Hope this is ok, I don’t have a dining room table or a kitchen table. And I hate eating in front of the tv.” He said with a shy grin.
“It’s perfect.” Dani smiled back, getting up to join him.
Bradley was prepared to spend the next day following Daniella around the mall. They started in one of the department stores, grabbing a few things for her bedroom, closet, and bathroom (the guest room only had the bare minimum). He tried to corral her toward the women’s clothing section but after one look at the section, she shook her head and scrunched her nose. After they checked out at the department store (and fought her on who pays- he won, of course, the cashier lady was on his side) she purchased some fragrance, bath bombs (the jacuzzi upstairs was almost as good as his was) and lotion at another store, and then she studied the map of the mall intently for a while.
Thinking this outing was about to go belly up, he was about to say something when she made a noise that was half giggle, half sigh of relief and dragged him in the direction she wanted. “Of course, there’s a Torrid out here! How dumb am I!” she muttered to herself.
Bradley simply held onto her bags and hand and let himself be dragged through the mall with a grin on his face. He was glad that she didn’t seem to mind how tactile he was and was even now reaching for him after their hands were separated for a bit. Seemed like Dani was a lonely touched starved person too.
Her whole demeanor changed when they entered the store instead of warily looking at the clothing racks, she bounced from place to place. His hand was soon abandoned as she flew back and forth from rack to rack occasionally handing him something she wanted to purchase.
One of the workers in the store took pity on him after a few minutes and offered to keep Dani’s things behind the register until it was time to check out and directed him towards the dressing rooms where there was a seat or two if he wanted. He had to walk past the lingerie section to get there but he made it without picturing Dani in any of it. So gold star for Rooster today.
Dani was currently talking to the worker who recused Rooster from being a pack mule about swimsuits. She knew her size range here for most things, but she hadn’t had a swimsuit since she was a kid. She got excited when she saw the lap pool in his yard this morning, and he had to remind her that the Pacific Ocean was close by and the beaches were great places to spend your days, she would need quite a few swimsuits.
He shot back a few texts to Mav, who had found a newish Ford sedan for sale he looked at and thought was in great working order, saying to tell the owner he’d buy it. Then looked up places nearby going over the mental list in his head of shit he needed to get set up for Dani before he left. They could hit the phone store after they finished here, he saw hers was busted up and at least six years old, he already got Tasha’s blessing to put Dani on his plan. Probably needed to go to a Target or something and get her more bath stuff things she only got perfumes and lotions at the last place. He’d get the car tomorrow. He had to go to the bank so she’d have money for groceries and gas while he was gone, he knew that the job likely wouldn’t start until fall if she got it. They needed to print her resume off for tomorrow, so he had to grab printer ink and good paper, probably could get that at Target. He thought buying her a computer would be a little much especially if hers was relatively new. But he did need to get a key made for her and teach her how to operate the security system this weekend. If he got that list done by this weekend, that gave him a week to set her up with anything he’d missed and get her settled into life here before he shipped out for the summer.
His cruise would be short, but he’d have to be dark for all of it, so that sucked. Nix and Hangy were both on ships docked around Europe just in case shit got worse with Russia. Rooster didn’t know what his carrier would be doing but he knew they were going to be in the Pacific. He had a feeling because since Mav was able to glean that they’d be dark the whole time they would be keeping an eye on the North Koreans or the Chinese.
Dani walked past him with a smile and went to a change room with a few swimsuits, so Rooster took the time he was there to friend her on the few socials he was on. Figuring it wasn’t creepy now that they’d met and were cuddling on the sofa after dinner last night watching Star Trek. And wasn’t that fun to learn that not only did she love music as much as he did, but she was also a Trekkie too?
She was so damn perfect.
Their upbringing was different, he was raised by a single mom who worked as a waitress to get by, refusing to use his father’s death benefits to support them, instead investing it for his use as an adult. Most of the time they either lived with Mav and Aunt Charlie, wherever they were in the world. If not with them, in an apartment near them. That was his family, Mom, Aunt Charlie, and Mav. They were his whole world until a drunk driver took his aunt’s life and a few years later cancer took his mom.
Dani and Nat were raised by two doctors. Nathan Daniel Trace was a navy man but left the service a few years after Vietnam ended and went to college, later meeting Monica Maria Marshall in medical school. Monica became an OBGYN and Nathan became a pediatrician. They were both devout Catholics and raised their daughters as such. Like his family, neither of the Trace parents had any relatives, so it was just the four of them until working through the pandemic took both the doctors Trace, first Nathan, then Monica.
“Bradley?” someone said shaking him, “Are you okay?”
He looked up to find Daniela looking concerned at him. “Am I spending too much? Nat told me how much she sent you, I promise I’m nowhere near that!”
“No sweetheart, sorry. I was just thinking about my upcoming deployment.” Rooster said smiling up at her, “Got a briefing tomorrow while you are in your interview.”
“Oh, I understand.” Daniela nodded, “I’m ready to check out.”
Rooster stood, making move to grab the things in her hand until he noticed black lace in the pile and stopped. Looks like she moved on from swimsuits while he was lost in thought. “Nevermind, you can carry those.” He laughed, feeling himself blush.
Dani would not look at him, and they made their way to the register. He looked in disapproval at the pile, this was not the whole wardrobe Nat demanded, but it was a start, so he decided not to say anything.
They paid and left the store, unable to hold hands because of the bags they were both carrying, and he led her to the phone store.
“Bradley, why are we here?” she asked as he went up to a free store associate.
“Hi, I’d like to add my girl to my phone plan. If I give you my information now, can you start the process while I run our bags to my car?” He asked the balding man.
“Sure sir, let me pull up your account.” He said, then after Rooster gave his information he asked, “What phone would you like?”
“The same one I have is good. She can pick the color.” Rooster said. The guy nodded and Rooster kissed Dani on the forehead, apparently, he missed holding her hand so much he needed to kiss her? What a creep! “Be right back sweetheart.” He said taking the bags that Dani held from her. “He can copy the data you have on your phone to the new one, you won't lose anything.” He told her before he left, knowing she probably had a lot of pictures of her parents on her phone and wouldn’t want to lose them.
The whole way to the car he berated himself. That was the second time he kissed her on the forehead in two days! No wonder Hangman felt the need to threaten him, he was being completely creepy!
Daniela sighed as she changed over the laundry. Today had been a long day. After the mall, they went to Target so she could get any toiletries and anything else she needed. They came home two hours ago with a bronco full of stuff. Bradley had helped her to put away the non-clothing items and showed her the laundry room on the main floor so she could get her clothes and linens cleaned while he ran to the grocery store.
It was overwhelming but nice. He even helped her connect her computer to his printer and bought nice resume paper so she could print her resume for the interview tomorrow while he was gone. Between how affectionate he was and how often he pulled out his card to buy her stuff today she was past protesting his actions. Tasha had warned her that taking care of people was Bradley’s thing. She just didn’t think that it would make him so happy doing this stuff or that he’d be so intense in doing so.
“Anyone home?”
Dani stilled, that wasn’t Bradley’s voice. Were they being robbed?
“His cars not here Mav.” A female said.
“Daniela? We're not dangerous!” another female said, louder, “We just wanted to meet you before I went to open the bar.”
Dani poked her head out of the laundry room to see three people entering the house from the back patio. “Hi?”
A blonde girl giggled and launched herself at her in a hug. “I’m Amelia. Rooster’s kind-of sister.”
Dani hugged back. So, the entire family was crazy affectionate… “Dani.” She said with a grin as an older woman and a dark-haired man joined the hug. “I take it you brought the famous Mav and Penny with you?”
The man broke the hug first, “Here that Pen? I’m famous!”
The two women broke the hug and rolled their eyes at Maverik. “Call him Pete,” Penny told her with a grin.
She’d never seen a grown man pout before this moment, but now she could say she could.
“Do you need help with anything?” Amelia said looking in the laundry room. Dani was washing the clothes she brought with her too, as she’d been washing her clothes in the motel bathtub for the past week when clean things ran out.
“No, I’m okay.” Dani said, “I put away the stuff I have clean already and just started the next load.”
“Don’t you just love the set-up up there? It's so cute!” Amelia said. “I picked it out a few years ago.”
Dani smiled, the room had a white distressed bed frame, nightstand, and tall dresser, and not much else when she got there, all the linens and blankets were shades of blue. The room, attached bath, and closet were the only places in the house that were not painted white or grey, but a light teal. It was very beachy and relaxing. She took that theme and ran with it when she bought things today. “It’s nice. I like it so far.”
“Good.” Amelia said, “I haven’t used the place in a bit, I’m glad someone is enjoying it.”
“We came to by to introduce ourselves. Rooster already sent us your new number so we can check in on you.” Penny said, “I figured you’d want to put faces with our names before we texted you.”
Dani smiled. Bradley had already programmed their numbers in her new phone after he updated hers on his phone and notified Tasha and Jake of the number change. “I appreciate it.”
“You’re Phoenix’s family. Makes you our family too.” Pete said with a smile.
And she believed him. All three of them looked so genuine she believed they cared about her. The fact that she wouldn’t be alone after Bradley left was relieving, even if she was still dreading being alone in this big house.
“Thank you.” Dani smiled.
“You should come to my birthday party on Tuesday night. It’s just at Mom’s bar but it will be my first legal drink so I’m excited! Will be a great way to kick off summer break.” Amelia said with a grin. “Few of my friends will be there, and there will be a lot of hot guys since, you know…navy bar.”
Penny and Pete both plugged their ears when Amelia said the words ‘legal drink’ and was ‘lalala’-ing. Dani laughed and told Amelia she’d try †o come. It would be nice to meet some people, and Amelia was only a few years younger than her, so she might make friends with her and her friends.
Amelia then pulled her mom away, saying that it was time to go. Penny waved goodbye to her and told her she’d text or call soon. Pete hugged her once more and told her he’d see her tomorrow, with a gleam in his eye.
She didn’t have time to think over that much, as soon as Bradley was home and she helped him with the groceries, and they made dinner together. It was a simple chicken dish, but nice squabbing with someone over seasoning and sides. Then eating together debating their favorite Star Trek captain and then haggling over who had to do the dishes was nice, it felt comfortable.
Then he let her know that he went to his bank before the grocery store and gave her a card that linked to his account in case, she needed to buy gas or groceries, or anything for the house while he was gone. She threw it at him, a bit insulted. Then he explained he his upcoming mission was going to be no contact, and he wanted her to have resources in case she needed money or help. He hugged her tightly and begged her to keep it just in case. She relented but insisted on doing the dishes. He busied himself changing over her next load of laundry and putting away the newly dry load while she washed the dishes. She agreed, she did all her undergarments, swimwear, nightwear, and work clothes already. All that was left were spare linens, t-shirts, jeans, and shorts.
After clean-up, the last loads of laundry, and watching a few episodes of Discovery (Bradley had not known that there were more series on Paramount, so they started watching together last night), she went up to her room to shower and get ready for bed. While she was drying her hair with her new hair dryer, she realized that the day had been so packed, she hadn’t had time to worry about her surprise job interview in the morning.
She found out she wasn’t all that worried, assured that Bradley wouldn’t set something up for her if there was a possibility of not getting it.
Rooster was pissed off after the briefing. This cruise wasn’t a standard one at all and would last longer than the end of summer as they said. He and the team he was leading could get killed during the series of missions Command wanted them to perform. Simpson thought that telling Rooster a promotion was in his future if they succeeded only made him angrier. He wanted his people to come home alive, he didn’t give a damn about moving up the ranks.
Luckily all he was expected to do today was attend the mission briefing. He’d meet with his team next week and fly a few practice formations, like that would help anything. He just couldn’t believe he spent what could be one of his last mornings alive hearing how drones would be too expensive to replace and pilots were the best solution for what needed to be done. He’d rather have spent it with Daniela.
When he dropped her off at the school on base, he didn’t want to let her out of the car. She was wearing a tight pencil skirt and a bright pink blouse, with a pair of heels that made the whole outfit look sexier, he congratulated himself on the purchase even if Daniela had chosen. His point was she looked good enough to eat and he didn’t want any other asshole getting any ideas. If she was his woman, he’d take her over his knee for looking that good for other people. Remind the little brat who she belonged to
It’s this type of thinking that’s going to get your ass beat by Mav and Hangy. He thought to himself. She wasn’t his girl. She was her own woman. She had no interest in a man twelve years older than her all up in her business. She already looked overwhelmed at how he acted now, she’d probably be terrified if she saw how intense he was with his partners. If she thought he was a touchy-feely, overwhelming, over-spender now…
His thoughts short-circuited when he saw her smiling and talking to some lieutenant outside the school. Smiling up at him like he had her undivided attention. Squeezing the steering wheel so tight he might break it. His mom and Aunt Charlie would be so disappointed in what a creepy possessive asshole he was. He couldn’t say how his dad would feel about it, but he knew Mav would give him sad eyes.
Rooster was going to let Hangman punch him next time he saw him- if he saw him again- he was right. Daniela didn’t need his attentions right now with all she had been through. Nat had been right to colorfully threaten him too. He needed to stop projecting his feelings for Daniela onto her. She was his bestie's baby sister and needed some help, she had no interest in his ancient ass.
Daniela said goodbye to her new friend and skipped toward the bronco. He was comforted at the fact she smiled wider at seeing him. “I was offered the job!” She squealed happily, hoping in the car, “And, they have this summer program position starting in three weeks if I wanted to teach the two to five-year-olds! It's so great! I have to do some psych testing, and orientation and get my badge next week, but Captain Archer says that since my background check was clean and my resume and transcripts are great he doesn't see the eval holding me back.”
Rooster felt his sour mood brighten as she talked. This woman was magic, had to be. What was he even mad about anyway? “that’s fantastic sweetheart! I’m so happy for you.”
“How did your meeting go?” She said as he pulled away.
Oh, that’s what he was originally upset about. “Not great. Longer cruise than I thought, and a little too dangerous and classified for my liking.” He said and then took a deep breath.
She reached for one for his right hand, which was just a balled-up fist next to him. “I’m sorry Bradley.”
Damnit she was too goddamn perfect. She didn’t question what that meant, she just knew if he was angry about it, it was serious and offered comfort. Likely knowing if he could tell her more, he would. “It’s alright sweetheart. I’ll cheer up soon.”
“What do we have planned for this afternoon?” She asked.
“Well, I, am going to buy a car for my best girl.” He said, “While you take a little joyride in my godfather's plane. Then I figured we can go to the beach?”
“I’m sorry what?”
“We’re going to the beach?” He said, holding back a laugh.
“No, before that.”
“I’m buying you a car?” he said biting his lip.
“Bradley. The plane part.” She said with a little whine.
“Mav likes to take people up. He says it’s a crime you haven’t been up in one, and you're related to so many pilots.” Rooster said squeezing her hand. “It’s perfectly safe. He took me up for the first time when I was four. Amy and Penny fly with him all the time. I’ll be there too, the guy who has the car is meeting us at Mav’s hanger. If you like flying with him, I can take you up after?” He said hopefully.
“Okay, I guess he’s right. It is a crime that I haven’t been in what Tasha calls a real plane.” She said with a sigh squeezing his hand. “Can we change though?”
“That’s the plan, I don’t want to be in my service kakis all day.”
Daniela’s musical laugh filled the car and she turned on the radio, starting to sing along with the music.
Rooster felt his worries melt away listening to her voice.
Chapter 3: If you decide to, I'll ride in this life with you
Summary:
short time jump and communication happens.
FYI: I'm naming jake's sisters Tara Beth and Mary Beth.
Notes:
this is a bit shorter than planned bc Rooster is giving me lip about having to leave Dani. smh.
Hope to have the next one up this week! lmk your thoughts!
Chapter Text
The days started to fly by quickly for Rooster after that afternoon at the airfield. And soon it was Wednesday, and he was a week away from shipping out on a mission more suicidal and top secret than the mission he’d reconciled with Mav on. Only this time he was the one leading the team. Rooster had led teams before, but not for something like this. His people were good, and their practice formations of each of the missions they’d fly went well today, so that was a good sign.
Dani was all settled in now. Dani was proficient with the security system and knew how to look at the footage. She loved her car. She had keys to all the doors to the house and to his gun safe if she felt threatened (and he verified that she knew how to use his gun with an evening outing at a range Sunday). She was comfortable with Mav and Penny and had made fast friends with Amelia and her pals. She sang with him at The Hard Deck last night at Amy’s party, and that was a memory he’d cherish fondly while he was gone. Her things were all unpacked and she was even calling their place home, so that was nice. Yesterday her evals finished and she would receive her badge today. In the times he wasn’t with her, Rooster had double-checked that all the bills were on autopay and set up someone to take care of the lawn and pool while he was gone so she didn’t have to worry about it. There wasn’t much left she needed his help for.
One afternoon in the plane with Mav and Rooster and Dani was hooked, asking when they could go up again. So, this past weekend, their mornings were spent in the air, then running an errand or two. Afternoons were spent at the beach. Saturday evening was spent at the movies and Sunday the gun range.
Friday’s flight started a bit dicey. It broke his heart when they initially got to the airfield and she looked sadly at the plane, whispering to him she was too fat to fly in it. It took a while to assure her that the plane would fly with her in it no matter if the pilot was him or Mav. It was their job to take these things into account, he had a degree in physics that helped him take these things into account. He then assured her he’d never invite her to an activity if he thought her size would exclude her.
By the time she and Mav were landing she was smiling wide and pleading for him to take her up next, and he wasn’t about to deny Daniela anything she wanted. Mav drove her car to their house that night afternoon, asking Rooster to lock up his hangar when they were done (Penny had dropped him off out here in preparation for Dani’s new ride and would drive Mav home). Rooster and Dani spent a good hour in the air before she decided she wanted to go swim in the ocean. There were quite a few cold showers for him this weekend, after seeing her in a swimsuit so many times. A few of them damned things he really wanted to take off with his teeth. But Rooster made do with his imagination and hand at night and enjoyed having fun with Dani. Friday afternoon was magic, and they had recreated that magic all weekend.
Monday brought his leave ending officially and him having to go to base and prep for deployment, so Dani was getting around without him during the day. Monday and Tuesday he’d arrived home to a home-cooked meal. It was nice talking to someone about his day and hearing about theirs. Then spending the evening with that person, Monday it was a night swim in their pool then an episode of Discovery, and Tuesday it was Amelia’s party.
But tonight, when he walked into the house, it was quiet. Dani’s car was there, but she wasn’t anywhere on the main floor. It was fine, he was about an hour and a half early anyways but the quiet was unnerving. Alarm bells went off in his head, and he dropped his gear by his bedroom door and quickly went up the stairs. When he got to the second floor, he heard the soft sobs coming from her room.
He let himself in, finding her in the fetal position in flannel PJ pants and a long sleeve shirt that looked like one he wore when they were cuddled up the other night pretending it was pj’s (when really, he never wore shirts to bed). She hadn’t even noticed he’d entered. “Sweetheart? What happened?” He asked making his way to sit near her on the bed.
“Oh, Bradley. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize what time it was.” She sputtered sitting up, wiping her tears. It was for sure his shirt, the little thief. “I’ll make dinner in a few.” She said standing up.
“Not worried about that sweetheart. Tell me what’s wrong?” He said, pulling her back to the bed to sit next to him, wrapping his arms around her.
“My new insurance doesn’t kick in until I start, and I figured I had a few things to check out that I don’t really want to run the chance the navy will find out about. I scheduled it last week after I came out here…can you believe I’ve only been here a week?” She rambled.
“Best week ever Dani. Now, what did you need to check out that has you crying?” He said, not letting her change the subject.
“I went to get some STI checks run. I know I only did oral with Ryan, but I know some things can be transmitted that way and I found out after they kicked me out that he was with other girls…a lot of them. I don’t think I told you that part. It’s been a month or so since I did anything, so I figured that was long enough to get checked out. I did that early this afternoon after I got my badge… It was just a lot emotionally… The lady looked at me like I was stupid, and wasn’t very nice…” She cried.
Rooster held back his rage. He probably should put money aside for bail money because if Dani got anything from that piece of garbage, he was taking a trip to Chicago to have a little chat with Ryan. “Sweet girl, I would have gone with you if you needed moral support. The person at the clinic likely didn’t intend anything mean, she’s probably seen a lot of very sick people in very bad situations. You know I looked up the stats on this once? The chance of getting an infection orally from a penis isn’t high, but there’s still a chance. I’m glad you were being proactive about your health.”
Dani leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his torso, burying her face in his chest. “I know the chances are low, and thankfully I didn’t do it much. I just figured with how rotten things have been these past few years, that I should check.”
“It’s good thinking.” He said, wrapping his other arm around her. “Want me to just hold you for a bit?”
“If you don’t mind?” She hummed.
Rooster lay down on Dani’s pillows and dragged her down with him, they shuffled around a bit, and she ended up snuggling into his right side and he with his arms around her. It took a minute, but he soon found a way to hold her that was comfortable for him, and where he wasn’t touching her too intimately. “So, I noticed you added a shirt to your wardrobe that looks suspiciously like one of my shirts.”
Dani giggled. “Sorry. It was on top of your hamper and not in your hamper. Still smelled like you and I wanted to feel safe…it helped a bit.”
Well, that was f heartwarming, “Take my clothes anytime sweetheart. They look great on you.”
She giggled again and nuzzled her nose into his chest more. Then fell into silence again and he rested his eyes, enjoying the moment.
He was about to doze when she spoke softly. “Brad?”
That nearly stopped his heart. She never called him anything but Bradley. He was glad she started with Brad because if she used his callsign, he might get the kind of excited he didn’t want to get right now. “Yep?”
“Why did you have to look up those stats?” She asked.
“When I broke it off with Hangman, I got freaked out about that stuff. We didn’t really use protection. My Aunt Charlie said that the best way to fight fear of something was to do research so I researched. I had to wait until him I went to a new port to get tested, everyone there knew I haven’t been around anyone but him, and this was before Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed so I had to be careful.” He explained.
“You and Jake used to date?” she asked.
He was thankful she didn’t tense up, knowing she was raised Catholic and that she might have some hang-ups about bisexuality. Just because Nat didn’t care, doesn’t mean Dani felt the same. “Date is a strong word for it, but yeah we were involved for most of flight school.”
“You still have feelings for him? Or for Tasha?” she asked.
“No on both counts. Not the kind you’re implying.” Rooster laughed. “Why does everyone think Nat and I were more than one bad date and a ‘I think we’re better off friends’ conversation.”
“Because it’s rare for men and women to be friends without complications.” She said.
“We’re friends’ sweetheart, aren’t we?” He asked.
Dani sat up; tears dry now and her face serious. “Yes. But unless I’m reading things wrong, we both feel very complicated about each other.” She told him.
Rooster pinched himself and sat up too. Was this real?
After spending all weekend with Bradley, even she could see that Tasha was right. Bradley had a crush on her, and it seemed was hiding a few hard-ons for the past few days. Daniela was dizzy at the fact but hadn’t initiated more than the hand-holding, hugs, and cuddles that became their daily norm.
She was scared to act. He was leaving on a dangerous mission in a week. On one hand, she didn’t want to leave things unsaid. On the other hand, it would not do to start something that might distract him while he was in danger. Plus, Tasha was right, Dani had some grieving and soul searching to do before she settled down and Bradley was ready to settle.
But then, she just blurted it out. And he was staring at her with a shocked look on his face and had been silent since she last spoke. She saw him pinch himself at least three times since she opened her mouth but no response to quell the anxiety building in her.
“Oh, I guess not.” Dani sighed, suddenly very embarrassed. She backed away from him. She was still on the bed, she wasn’t going to run from him, she just needed some distance from the cause of her current hurt. She really thought he’d have some reaction for her, that he’d confirm some way that she wasn’t in this mess of feelings alone.
He struck as soon as she shifted away, jumped up from the side of the bed he was on, and ran around the bed. When he was next to her, his hands were on her hips in a second, lifting her up slightly and shifting her around. When she was sitting facing him, he knelt on the carpet in front of her staring into her eyes. She felt she was drowning in those hazel orbs until his voice pulled her out. “You have feelings for me?”
“Yes. I’ve had a crush on you since we met Brad. It’s only gotten worse since I got here.” She said, taking his hands off her hips and holding them as they rested in her lap.
“And the age difference? It doesn’t creep you out?” He said slowly.
Was he insane? “Absolutely not. The only hang-ups I have, have to do with me not being good enough for you.”
He looked more shocked at this than he was about the possibility of her having feelings for him. “You are an angel on earth Daniela if anything I’m not good enough for you. What could you possibly think is wrong with you?”
“I’m plus size virgin Bradley. Even if you could get past those things, you are ready to settle down, I…I have some work to do on myself first.” She said.
“Sweet girl, I like everything about you, including your body. Don’t you understand how hot you are? I get it some people have other preferences, and some people were probably dicks to you about your size. It’s your body that drew me in, then your laugh, then your voice, then getting to know you this past week. As for you being a virgin? I’m possessive as hell sweetheart, if you were mine and I was your only…I’d be over the moon about it.” He said, staring into her eyes.
“And what about me not being ready for anything serious? I probably shouldn’t be in any kind of relationship at all…” She asked, joy and hope filling her at his words, happy tears falling.
One of his hands left hers and he wiped the tears away as they fell while answering her. “Sweetheart we don’t have to rush into this, just knowing you have feelings for me too…that’s everything to me. I know I’m intense, especially in a relationship so I’ll take my cues from you. We’ll carry on like we have been until you decide if you want us to just be friends or want us to explore something more. We have all the time in the world.”
“You leave in a week!” She said suddenly frantic again, remembering their impending separation, “That’s not enough time for me to decide if we should be friends or lovers! And it’s not fair to you if you ship out without an answer.”
“Calm down sweetheart, all that matters to me is I get to come home to you.” He said with a smile, “maybe you have an answer for me when I get back, maybe not. But I’m okay with that because you’ll be here. I care about you Dani, and I will care about you even if I come home and you are still undecided.”
How was this man real? He was so perfect and understanding… “Okay. So, we’ll continue like we have been until I sort my head out.”
“No, it will be better.” He said smiling, “We will know we both are crushing hard on the other.”
Dani smiled back at him and threw her arms around him. They were chest to chest, nestled in each other’s neck. Usually when they hugged the best she got was her head resting below his pecs, and that was in tiptoes or heels. This was nice being able to look in his eyes when they pulled away.
“You feeling better?” he asked.
“About us?” She asked confused, because duh, she was absolutely feeling better about her feelings for him.
“No, about earlier…”
That’s right, the clinic. She had to go there because of Ryan. It seemed like a lifetime ago like it didn’t matter because she could have something good with Rooster. But it was only a few weeks ago that Ryan was the most intimate she got with a guy. She’d had two boyfriends before (actual boyfriends that took her out and made out with her) and then the whole ordeal happened with Ryan yet still the truest intimacy she had with a man in her entire life had been this past week with Bradley.
He could be the guy she’d been waiting for all these years. She knew young that waiting for marriage might not happen and Tasha had always advised her to wait for at least someone special, for someone she loved. Tasha always regretted her first time and had told Dani the whole story of a backseat encounter at sixteen that was ten seconds of pain and no pleasure and over in a blink, when Dani herself was fifteen. Bradley was a guy who had the time to figure out sex, and even if he hadn’t, he wasn’t so cocky that he wouldn’t ask her what she needed. He wouldn’t finish in ten seconds and be done with her for good. And even if they didn’t end up together, she didn’t think she would ever regret any time she had with him.
“I’m fine.” She said with a smile. “Just have to wait for the results.”
“Okay.” He smiled back, kissing her forehead. “I can go start dinner. Why don’t you wash up?”
“I will.” She grinned, looking over to the clock on her nightstand. “I have to do my daily check-in in ten though, so I won’t be down for a bit. Why are you home early?”
“Finished all my paperwork for the mission yesterday. After we were done with our practicing I showered and came right home.” He said with a grin, “Here I thought they had stopped requiring you to check in…”
“Nope, still at the same time every day.” She sighed, “They just dropped the requirement of me having to call them both each day. I had to talk to Tasha yesterday and today I check in with Jakey.”
He laughed, kissing her again. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you when big brother Hangman is done interrogating you.” He then stood, smiled widely, and left the room.
Dani took a deep breath then went to the bathroom to wash her face a bit and thought. She had to decide about a possible relationship with Bradley, who better to talk to about it than Jake, someone who she had found was one of his exes? A person who she was planning to call tonight already…
She dialed him early. Tonight's call wouldn’t be an interrogation of her after all…
“Daniela Maria, a whole five minutes early?” he said in greeting.
“Are you complaining?” she said rolling her eyes at his drawl.
“No, I’m suspicious.”
“Okay, so I do have a reason to want to talk to you besides the regular check-in…” she said with a sigh, “Jake, I have feelings for Bradley.”
“Duh Ella.” Her brother-in-law said.
“And I’m thinking about asking to explore a relationship with him…”
“Ok, if you want my opinion, I think you are not ready for a relationship, but that’s not my call.”
“Not asking for your opinion, I just thought since you were in a relationship with him you can give me some insight?”
He was silent for a solid minute. “Relationship? That’s a generous way to say hate fucking.” He sniped.
“Why didn’t you work?” Dani asked, undeterred.
“Shit. I really don’t want to be the one who explains what it means when someone is sexually dominant, You’re my little sister. Can’t you talk to Nix about this? Or I can give you Mary and Tara’s numbers? They got around before they married, and I wish I didn’t know that…”
Dani ignored Jake’s whining, “He’s a Dom? Like whips and dungeons?” she said warily.
“No.” she let out an internal sigh of relief at Jake's response but remained silent.
He huffed and continued to explain, “I guess he’s just dominant leaning? He likes to run the show in the bedroom, rarely gives up control, wants his partner to be good for him, is possessive as hell, and takes care of his partner in every way. That buying people shit and taking care of people thing? Worse when he’s in love with someone. Thank the Almighty he never loved me. His kinks are not my thing, I punched him in the dick when he called me a good boy, fucking pervert.” Jake finished.
“Oh. Okay.” Dani said. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Yeah,” He said, “Look, Ella. Just look before you leap with Rooster okay?”
“I know.” She sighed. “I love you, big brother.”
“I love you too little sister. Give the Chicken hell.” He said before disconnecting.
Dani started at her phone for a bit longer. It was an illuminating conversation, and despite Jake’s whining, she didn’t think she’d have to call his sisters or her own to talk about it. She might have all the information she needed until she was ready to talk to Bradley about this.
Despite her inexperience, she did know some things. She had an internet connection and a curious nature, and there was a whole world of not only porn (which she often found off-putting) but fanfiction. She learned a lot from the explicit side of her favorite fandoms. She learned what her icks were and she learned what things she might be interested in trying one day. The first time Bradley called her a good girl, she got excited but didn’t dare hope… she wanted to try things, and she knew she was a submissive person, but she also knew she wasn’t into pain and didn’t have any interest in being belittled, degraded, or completely controlled in all aspects of life. It didn’t sound like those were what Bradley was into, so she was relieved.
She had been worried that she had found the perfect guy in all areas but would have to compromise and make herself uncomfortable to make him happy. It would be like her relationship with Ryan at that point, only Bradley wouldn’t know she was compromising until she got fed up as she only could bring herself to set a boundary if she was dying inside emotionally.
She realized she was probably going to tell him she wanted to try a relationship with him someday, it was just a matter of when. Dani didn’t want to hurt herself or Bradley with her emotional baggage from the past few years. She had to at least start seeing a therapist before she started anything with Bradley. The first thing she had to work on after her grief for Mama and Papa was setting boundaries and learning how to speak up.
Dani resolved to work on herself while he was gone and work hard. She was going to stick with the plan she and Bradley made for now: continuing as they had been until she decided what she wanted them to be. She’d start looking for a therapist tomorrow, she still had her marketplace insurance plan until she started her job on base, and she knew what insurance she would be on because Tasha was on it. She’d just look for a provider that would take both insurance carriers and use the money she had been using for housing to pay for whatever insurance plans didn’t cover.
With her game plan set, she made her way downstairs to help Bradley with dinner and hear about his day.
It was exciting to know that they cared for each other, and she wanted to get to know him as much as possible before his duty to thier contry snatched him away.
Chapter 4: Pull me close, wrap me in your aching arms
Summary:
Ummmm sort of SMUT alert? they get spicy together.
The last section of this chapter is where explicit things start to happen.
I will mark it E so you can skip it if it's not your thing. I'm on the ace spectrum so I get it if some things make you uncomfortable.
TWs for this chapter: non-con kissing (not with Rooster), Drunk Dani being horny, naked male clothed female, the beginnings of oral sex (female receiving)...and I think that's it for now. lmk if I missed something
Notes:
so Rooster won, he was supposed to go bye-bye in this chapter but he got more time with Dani than I had planned so...these two have run havoc on my outline these past two chapters. now this is def, not a slow burn and I need to find another plotline for some angst.
Hopefully, I get another chapter out this weekend, but these two idiots might ruin my plans again so who knows?!?
Also when Dani alludes to Rooster getting his callsign, i got the idea from a tumblr post. Once I find it again I'll reblog it on my writing blog!
I love them, your honor!
if anyone else loves them or has anything they want to share comments are welcome, as are Tumblr asks if you want to be anonymous. I'm louisahalewrites.
Chapter Text
Rooster woke in a cold sweat to Daniela’s voice calling for him, begging him to wake up.
Shit, not night terrors again.
The accident in training today must have triggered something. Luckily everyone was okay, the duo was able to eject on time and only had to stay in the infirmary for observation, but it rattled him, rattled his whole team. It was too similar to the accident that killed his dad. Also, the accident was not a good sign on one of their run-throughs.
He took long deep breaths and noticed his surroundings. It was still Thursday night, maybe early Friday by this point. He and Dani had spent the evening playing Mario Kart, followed by cuddling up and talking. He had unloaded all the feelings the accident dredged up one her and she let him talk and cry it out. He was still holding her, and she looked terrified
“Bradley are you ok?” She asked once he got his bearings.
“Bad dream…I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He asked, looking her over.
“I’m fine, you were just screaming and holding me tighter. Did the accident today trigger it?” She said concerned, her beautiful brown eyes shining with her worry.
“Yeah” he sighed before picking up his phone and checking the time. Only midnight. “It wasn’t as bad as it usually is… but I haven’t had them in a while…”
“I understand,” Dani said breaking away from him and standing up. “Come on, let’s get you ready for bed.”
Rooster shook his head, he could still hear the screams, feel the fear the night terror brought and was fighting hard not to shake... “I…I don’t think I can sleep.”
“Then we will cuddle in your bed.” Dani shrugged, “I’m not going to leave you alone while you are hurting Brad.” She smiled, “Come on.” Dani was already in pjs, and he found that she mostly wore little shorts and a tank to bed. She usually changed into her pjs after they cleaned up dinner if they weren’t going out. She said she liked to be comfy in her own home. Rooster was still in his signature outfit (when not in uniform) of jeans, a tank, and a Hawaiian shirt.
He stood and followed her to his room, trying to reconcile the residual fear from his nightmare and shitty day with the fact that Dani was entering his room for the first time and offered to sleep in his bed, so he didn’t have to be alone after his nightmare. She practically skipped to the double doors revealing his plain grey and white room. Entering his room there was a little entryway, you could either go right to the room that was empty (his room was designed to be a double master suite) he’d thought of using it as an office but had opted to use one of the spare rooms upstairs, so it stood empty. To the left was his bedroom, the California king bed and night tables were really the only furniture he had. Both rooms had a large walk-in closet, that was attached to the spacious bathroom. And the windows had a view of the backyard, with doors that went from each bedroom to the back deck. It was a big space for just him, but he hoped one day to share it with Dani, or if she chose not to choose him, someone he cared for just as much as he cared for Dani.
Rooster followed her to his room and grinned at the sight of her climbing into his massive bed. He moved around a lot when he was sleeping at home, he liked to have room between all his times sleeping on a little bunk on aircraft carriers. “Get comfy and come cuddle.” She commanded.
Rooster, usually not one to take orders outside of work, was eager to follow Daniela’s. It was nice, someone looking out for him when he needed it. The only people who ever cared to look out for him were dead or had their own lives. Daniela seemed to want to put her name on the short list off people who cared what his mental state was. Rooster quickly took off his shirt, hesitating to take off his jeans. She’d seen him in swimsuits, and they had even cuddled in the backyard after their swim the other night, stargazing but being in his boxers with her in his bed was different.
“You sleep in your underwear, don’t you?” Dani said as she cuddled into the side of the bed that had the bare nightstand, under his covers. “It’s okay Bradley, I know you won’t try anything until I let you know I’m ready.”
Rooster grinned, this woman was going to be the death of him, and he would die happily. He stripped off his jeans and made his way to his side of the bed. After making sure his phone was charging and his alarm clock was set, he joined Dani under the covers, keeping a bit of distance from her.
Daniela huffed and scooted over to his side of the bed, “Big spoon or little spoon Bradley?”
Rooster turned on his side. “I’m always the big spoon, even when I’m upset.” He said. She laughed and turned over, and he automatically wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. She stilled for a second then relaxed and both hands went to hold his around her stomach and she started caressing.
“Do you want to talk? Or do you want me to sing to you?” She said softly.
“Sing? I love your voice.” He said closing his eyes.
Rooster had a smile on his face as Dani sang her favorite Fleetwood Mac song. The one she went to when she needed comfort, they were her favorite band because they were her late father’s favorites. Landslide was to Dani as Great Balls of Fire was to Rooster. It was more than the song itself, singing it brought back the safety of their childhood and helped them remember their fathers better. It made him happy that she was using it to soothe him tonight.
Rooster fell back asleep quickly to the sound of Dani’s voice and the warmth of her in his arms.
He didn’t have another nightmare that night.
Daniela woke when Bradley’s alarm went off. The man in question was grumbling and pulling her tighter to him, burying his face in her hair. She stilled very aware of what the hardness buried against her ass was and that both his hands wound up cupping her breasts. Damn his hands were large and so was the bulge...
She carefully removed his hands from her breasts and scooted away. Bradley grumbled and grabbed a pillow snuggling into it. She knew that he was not a morning person, having lived with him for a week and seeing him grumbling and running into things until his morning coffee kicked in, she knew that he was worse when he was younger and his behavior in the morning had something to do with how he got his callsign. Dani knew that he would not move from bed until his fourth or fifth snooze went off.
She giggled and got out of bed, shaking her head at the grown man that was grumbling like a toddler, cursing the sun streaming through the curtains and whining that Daniela should come back. “I’m going to get breakfast and coffee ready.” She told him.
Dani quickly left the main bedroom suite, leaning herself against the wall and sighing, before looking down at herself. She needed to change before she made breakfast, waking up like that did things to her lady parts and she was not ready to explore sexual intimacy with him. She didn’t hold how they woke against him, she kind of liked it. Or really liked it based on how damp she was…
After taking a few deep breaths and changing upstairs, she made breakfast and brewed coffee. The smell of the coffee drew Bradley out of the bedroom. He poured himself a cup and sat at the island just as she was plating up their omelets.
“Thank you.” He grumbled, after a large drink of coffee. “For last night and this morning.”
“No more bad dreams?” She said, sitting down next to him.
“No, you’re my good luck charm.”
Dani grinned drinking her own coffee and picking at her own omelet, kicking herself for what she was about to say, “If you need it, I can crash with you again tonight…just if you thought it would help.”
He stilled and looked at her dazed. “Yeah?”
Dani nodded.
“I’d love that.”
“I did promise Amelia, Raquel, and Yvonne that I would meet with them tonight at The Hard Deck…” She reminded him.
“Yeah, I’m treating my squad and their partners for drinks tonight, I’ll be your designated driver.” He was still grumbly but at least a bit more alert now.
“Sounds like a plan.” Dani smiled.
Rooster laughed as one of his team, Panther, finished kicking his ass in pool and handed her the sixty bucks he just lost. She reminded him of Nat a lot, not just because of her being the only female pilot on his team, but because of her drive to win at everything.
“Who’s next?” she grinned, taking her beer from her husband Ray after pocketing the cash. Ray was holding her drink for her as he talked Stark his wife Ana, and Patch’s wife Cindy.
“I’m in.” Loop, the youngest on his team said, giving up on darts with Lemon and Patch, taking two twenties’ out of his wallet and handing them to the pilot and WSO.
Fallguy, Loop’s WSO laughed from where he was dancing with Lemon’s wife Giselle. “You’re already down a hundred kid, Pan will take whatever is left.”
Mason, Loop’s husband, shook his head, “I think it’s time to stop gambling babe.” He said exiting his conversation with Tom, Fallguy’s husband, to take his spouse's wallet away from him.
“Aw, I was just getting started.” Panther sighed.
“You’ve been hustling pool all night babe.” Ray told her, “We have enough to send little Ray to college on tonight alone.”
Rooster snorted, their kid was two, and Panther did not make that much.
Panther turned to Ana, “You still want to take the kids to the water park tomorrow?” she asked.
Ana nodded, “The girls would love it.” She said looking at her phone, “We should leave soon if we want to get some rest, its nearly midnight. We only have the babysitter ‘til one.”
Panther huffed and turned to Ray, “We only booked ‘til midnight, we gotta run.”
Stark, Panther, Ana and Ray said their goodbyes. The couples had carpooled, and Ana was the designated driver. Lemon, Patch and their wives left soon after, with Cindy as their driver.
“Boss, isn’t that your girl?” Loop said pointing to the other side of the bar. Dani had introduced herself to everyone early in the evening and then excused herself when Amelia and her friends dragged her away. Looks like Amelia and her friends had all found someone to leave with and Dani was sitting alone at the bar, talking to a guy who was rubbing her back.
Rooster was very jealous at the sight. “Not really.”
“He’s so fucking head over heels for her,” Fallguy stage whispered to his husband as they set up the pool table. “All he fucking talks about is Daniela this and Daniela that. It’s so cute…Loop want to play couples? May the best pair of husbands win? Don’t worry we won't bet.” Fallguy grinned.
“You’re on” Mason said before looking to Rooster, “She doesn’t really look comfortable with the attention…what do you all think?”
The guys all turned to take a second look at Dani, “Nope. I’d say you’re well within your rights to break that up Boss.”
Rooster said his goodbyes to the men and made his way over to Dani. “…Honestly, I have a ride and I’ll be fine, just had a few too many shots. Thank you for your number and for keeping me company. It was nice running into you again.”
She was too damn nice. “Dani? You ready to go sweetheart?”
The guy turned around and looked at Rooster. He looked like the lieutenant that was chatting Dani up last week. “Is this your much older brother?” the guy glared.
“Bradley!” Dani said lighting up when she turned to see him, jumping off the barstool. “The girls left to hook up with some guys they met, but I’m so drunk walking all the way to where you were seemed like a lot.” She said burying herself in his chest and wrapping her arms around him, ignoring the guy’s statement.
Rooster took his cues from her and ignored the confused guy at the bar, steering Dani to the car. The journey was a struggle as it seemed Daniela was a handsy drunk and wanted to cuddle and touch way more than she did while she was sober. When he finally got her to the car, he kept having to bat her hand away from his lap as Drunk Dani was determined to give him a hand job.
This woman was going to kill him.
Eventually, she tired out and fell asleep in her seat, snoring softly. If she was anything like her sister, once she passed out she was out until she sobered up. And her sleeping through him parking in the garage, carrying her in the house, and tucking her in his bed was a good indicator she would sleep until she was sober.
Thank God for that.
Rooster made his way to the bathroom to clean up and take care of the hard-on in his pants.
He was so fucked.
***Rated E***
Dani woke up in the middle of the night sober and regretful, Bradley holding her tight in the same manner he’d had the last time she woke up in his bed. Flashes of her night went through her mind, and she felt sick to her stomach.
She had made out with Hank, a guy she made small talk with last week.
Hank and his friends had joined their group and his friends went off with Yvonne, Raquel, and Amelia. Hank had led her out the back of the bar and had her pinned up against the dumpster kissing her, hands roving all over her body. Eventually, the wrongness of the situation hit her…she deserved more than being mauled outside against a dumpster and she stopped him…then ran to the bathroom throwing up all her alcohol, making her way to the bar to get a water and wait for Bradley.
Hank had followed her, and they talked, he apologized to her and gave her his number if she ever wanted to go on a date with him. He promised to treat her like she deserved. She was polite, engaged in small talk and let him caress her back, pretending he was Bradley. But he wasn’t, thankfully the man she wanted showed up soon after she finished her water.
When she was with Bradley again, she felt so guilty, she wanted to touch him, make him feel good, and silently apologize to him for something that she objectively didn’t need to apologize for.
Dani left the bed as silently as she could and made her way to Bradley’s bathroom, using the mouthwash to clean what remained of the feeling of vomit and Hank and using the water closet. She then cleaned herself up, took off her dress, wanting to burn it, and stood there in her pink lace bra and panties fighting tears.
She knew she was a sloppy drunk, Julie and Ryan would laugh at her and film all the stupid shit she did. Dani had promised herself only a few drinks with her new friends, but she got carried away, wanting to forget that they were one day closer to Bradley leaving her. She was terrified of him dying, knowing that this mission was another crazy suicide mission, and it was possible that not all the pilots she met tonight would return home to their spouses. And the accident yesterday when Lemon and Patch nearly died did not help the situation. She wanted him to return to her, she wanted to figure herself out so she could build something with him.
“Dani?” he said standing in the bathroom doorway looking confused at her state of undress and her staring at the mirror.
Dani turned around to look at him as he tried not to look at her.
“I want you.” She said, putting her arms around herself to unhook her bra. “I’m not drunk anymore. I know I have a lot of work to do on me, and you’re leaving soon. I don’t want us to lose what little time we have because I’m an emotional wreck.” She finished letting her bra fall to the floor.
His posture changed, no longer half asleep and fully alert, eyes caressing every curve of her body. “Daniela, I am fine with waiting. You need time.”
“I have an appointment with my new therapist next week.” She said slowly crossing the room, “I’m not going to heal from everything in these past few years magically, that’s going to take time. I know I’ll choose you no matter how long I wait. I want to start being your girl now Bradley.”
The next thing she knew he’d grabbed her, had her pinned against the bathroom wall, suspended in air so they were eye to eye. She wrapped her legs around him so her core ground against his cock, hard in his jeans. Dani was nearly naked, and he was still in his jeans and tank, which made her more turned on. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
He growled into the kiss, deepening their contact his tongue aggressively exploring her mouth in a way that made her dizzy. His hands slid up her side and made their way to her breasts beginning to kneed them.
They spent minutes like that, hours maybe, she didn’t know. All she knew is that when he broke the kiss she whimpered. “Bradley.” She whined.
He threw her over his shoulder and walked them to the bedroom, tossing her on the bed soon kneeling on top of her. his mouth was soon sucking and biting her right nipple, while one hand pinched the other and his other hand cupped her feeling her soaked panties.
“Is that all for me sweet girl?” he said softly, switching to her left breast.
“Yes, Bradley.” She gasped as he ground his palm against her core.
“Really, nothing left over from that lieutenant?” he said withdrawing his hands and mouth. She whimpered at the loss. “What did you let him do sweetheart?”
“I felt nothing for him.” She pleaded. “We just made out in the back of the bar.”
“So, you don’t want to be treated cheaply but you make out with a stranger behind a bar?” He said icily, “Then you suddenly decide you want me instead?”
“No Bradley-“she said sitting up but she stopped talking at his glare.
“Sweetheart, I want to treat you like the Queen you are. If you want someone to treat you like a whore, that’s not me.” He said, pulling away from her “And if you want to be mine, I don’t share.”
She chased him, sitting on his lap. “I want to be yours. I don’t know what that means completely but I know that I’m yours. I may be broken and may change as I get myself together but I can’t see a me that doesn’t want to love you.”
He rested their foreheads together, they just stared into each other’s eyes. “I’m certain that I would love any version of you.” He said finally, “Why don’t you lay down sweetheart? We need to have a big talk tomorrow but the least I can do is make you feel good. Do you want that? Do you want me to make you feel good?”
She didn’t know what that entailed but got the message they weren’t having sex tonight. “Yes, please Bradley.” She said getting off his lap and laying on her side of the bed.
His hand cupped her mound again. “I’m a lucky man. This pretty little cunt all wet for me…” he sighed, fingers caressing the lace.
If Dani’s brain wasn’t dizzy before it was now. “Please Bradley.”
“Please what sweet girl?” he said as his hand drew back and two fingers traced her slit through the panties.
“Please more.” She gasped, “You can take my panties off, please make me feel good. Please don’t stop touching me.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, he ripped the panties from her body and was kneeling between her slightly open legs, lowering his head and hands on her thighs, pushing them further apart.
When his tongue started exploring her cunt as thoroughly as it had her mouth Dani lost all train of thought.
Chapter 5: You don't need to show me again
Summary:
Spoilers: Dani moves into Rooster's bedroom and Bradley and Dani (Brani?) kick the story rating up to Explicit for the duration of this chapter.
Notes:
This chapter is rated E for Explicit. it's about 90% filth.
We're back to the Mature rating in my next update.
Chapter Text
This chapter is rated E for Explicit.
Rooster woke with the sun to a gasp from Dani who was turned to face him, a large gap between them. He opened his eyes to find Dani staring at his morning wood.
“I knew you were bigger than I’ve seen but…” she whispered.
He tried to fight the pride at being bigger than that creep Ryan, but he didn’t feel much better than the ass after eating her out last night. No matter how sure and sober she was when he found her in the bathroom, he should have better control of himself. Now here she was naked and staring at him in lust and wonder.
“Can I touch you? Please? You made me feel so wonderful last night, I want you to feel good too.”
She was fucking killing him. “You can touch me anytime sweetheart.” He said
Her hands were on him in seconds stroking and caressing his cock and balls with a confidence he didn’t expect while her filthy mouth asked if he liked this move, or that in between little kisses and licks on his pecs. She got him off embarrassingly fast, mostly onto her hands and stomach, but then she went in with her mouth and cleaned him off before laying back down and licking his come from her hands with little kitten licks looking him dead in the eye.
Rooster groaned. Pulling her to him and kissing her senseless.
She whimpered when he broke the kiss. “You’re better at waking me than coffee sweetheart.”
Daniela laughed. “A high compliment from you Bradley.”
“We have some talking to do. How about we get cleaned up and changed? I have a feeling we’re not going to talk much naked and in bed…”
“Okay.” Dani sighed, pecking him on the lips and getting up picking the clothes he discarded after she passed out last night and stealing them. “Since someone ripped my underwear last night I’m stealing these.”
“I’m not sorry. They were in my way. I’ll buy you more…” He said, watching as she walked from his room in his tank and boxers.
Rooster groaned and got up. He changed the sheets, discarded the soiled ones in the laundry room, and took a cold shower to get his head on straight. After getting dressed, and hearing the taps upstairs turn off, he started the wash of his soiled sheets and sorted his and Dani’s soiled clothes into their respective hampers. After all that was done, he went to the kitchen to see about breakfast.
“You don’t have to make anything.” Came her voice from behind him as he stared at the fridge. “I’m fine with cereal this morning.”
Rooster turned around to see her in a white crop top and a pink knee-length skirt. An outfit he was certain was supposed to torture him as he could see through the top that she was not wearing a bra. Yeah, he didn’t feel like cooking and the only thing he was interested in eating right now was her delicious pussy so cereal it was.
Dani made her way over to him to get the cereal out and he smacked her ass as she passed him, her letting out a squeak of surprise as she grabbed the box of her favorite “I’ll get the rest sweetheart you sit.”
She grumbled all the way to the island and sat down with her box, he handed her a bowl and spoon and then got the milk out. He poured himself a bowl and brought it and the milk with him as he sat down. He could do this, a causal relationship conversation over breakfast. This was fine.
He shouldn’t have been worried about how to start it; the Trace sisters weren’t shy. Dani might be the more introverted and less confrontational one, but she spoke her mind when she felt safe to do so. “So, Jake said you were sort of a Dom.”
He nearly spits his spoonful out at that, “It’s not a wrong label.” He told her,
“From what I’ve seen if anything you’re more of a soft Dom with Sugar Daddy tendencies…I don’t know if you’re a Daddy Dom. I just know I’m not interested in pain; I’m not interested in degradation or being belittled or infantized. I don’t want every aspect of my life controlled. I know I am a submissive person despite my blunt nature with you, I’m only like this because I feel safe with you, and I feel like you would never make me feel bad about myself.” She said this all while pushing her cereal around in the bowl, not eating it or looking at him at all.
Rooster took a second to process all that information. “I’m only interested in building you up and taking care of you. I’d never belittle you or demean you.”
“I think we’re on the same page so far,” Dani said, finally taking a bite of her cereal to look over at him. “I haven’t been waiting for marriage to have sex. I’ve been waiting for someone I love or someone I feel safe with. I’ve only truly known you for a week, but I’ve known of you for years through Tasha. And this week has been the best week ever, it feels like I’ve known you for years. If this keeps going well, I can see you being the person I marry, I can see us making a family here. I know it's soon, but I feel like I’m falling for you.”
“I know I’m in love with you.” Roster said grabbing her hand. “I’m intense. I’m possessive. I might shower you with too many gifts. I might get insanely jealous. Or get a bit too controlling in the bedroom. But if I go too far, let me know?”
“I can do that!” She said with a smile. “So, are we together?”
“You betcha sweetheart.” Rooster said leaning over to kiss her.
“Are you going to take me to bed then?” She asked.
“Sweetheart, we have tons to do today! We have to move your stuff into our room. Then we have to go shopping so we can make it feel like our room, I want you to put your mark in the space. While we’re at the furniture store, I want to look at a table to put in breakfast nook over there so I can look you in the eye over a meal…” he rambled excitedly.
Dani looked at him with an exasperated smile. “I was warned about this.” She giggled, “Fine I’ll move into the master suite with you, but I refuse to spend all weekend shopping. Not when we have so little time before you leave me. And you promised you would take me flying today.”
Rooster grinned at her and got up, “You finish breakfast! I’ll get started.” He said, kissing her again before jogging through the house and up to the now guest room to start to grab her things.
Daniela was exhausted. All her things were now in Bradley’s room, or rather their room. They had some organizing to do still but her room upstairs was now officially a spare room and the blue-hued décor she bought was spread around the greys of the main suite.
After an hour or two of moving her things in, they went to a furniture store where they’d ordered matching desks, some armchairs a few bookcases, and a small sofa so they turn the second room in the suite into a shared office and lounge. They also picked out a kitchen table for the breakfast nook. Dani chose a few rugs, artwork, accent pillows, and throw blankets that would help tie the things Bradley had in their room in grey with the décor she had bought when she arrived here.
Shopping with Bradley was overwhelming, it was like he was in a manic frenzy. If she even looked at something for more than three seconds, he wanted to buy it for her. Silently she was cursing Carole Bradshaw for investing her husband’s death benefits in Apple, Google, and whatever other tech companies. If Bradley had less money it would be less overwhelming, thankfully it was over quickly, and Bradley was efficient. They scheduled a delivery for Monday morning, and then they were on their way to Mav’s hanger to barrow the plane for an hour.
After flying, they went out on their first official date, even though they had gone many places before holding hands and hugging this was the first time they were official. It was nice, with her exes she felt like a secret with ‘hangouts’ at dorm rooms and the like. Bradley looked proud that she was his and it felt right.
When they got home, she started to get her closet organized while Bradley was taking down the folding table office he had upstairs and bringing his stuff to their room. Her closet was a dream set up and she wanted her clothes sorted at least before bed. When she was done, she stared at the black lace body suit she bought on a whim last week. It was a bra and thong combo that buckled in the back, with see-through lace connecting the bra and panties into one outfit.
Daniela was going to have sex with the man she maybe loved. Part of her was screaming that she was going too fast, but the majority of her remembered Mama telling her the connection was the only thing that mattered. She spent more time with Bradley in the last week or so than she had with any of her exes combined. He was a good man, he was the right man.
She couldn’t wait to have his talented tongue on her again, couldn’t wait to feel the tickle of his mustache on her clit. Couldn’t wait to explore his body and have hers explored more by him. She couldn’t wait to know what it was like to have his intimidating cock inside her.
Dani quickly put on the lingerie and left her closet. Both closets and the bathroom had doors to each bedroom of their suite, so she walked out the door to their soon-to-be office to find that Bradley set up his folding table and chair desk and was taping out on the floor where the furniture would go, she almost laughed at the situation but just gently called his name to get his attention.
“Holy- sweetheart.” He said when he saw her, dropping his roll of tape. “Goddamn, you look stunning.” He then crossed the room and pinned her against the wall before bending down to kiss her.
Dani pushed him away to say, “Rooster, I want you to fuck me. please, I’ve been waiting all day.” The use of his callsign made him freeze before he kissed her passionately once more.
“Are you sure Daniela?” His eyes locked onto hers, shining bright.
“Yes. Please. I want you.” She said taking one of his hands and placing it on her wet core.
Bradley tsked and cupped her cunt, rubbing hard. “Kitten, is this all for me? So wet and willing already? I’ve barely touched you.”
“Please Rooster.” She said, “I only want you.”
His eyes were dark now, and his voice was more commanding “Go get that vibrator you thought you were hiding in your underwear drawer and get on our bed. I want you naked using that toy on your clit when I am done here. Now.” He said pulling away and returning to his task.
Daniela was slightly mortified he had seen her little bullet vibrator but excited to do what he asked. She went back to her closet, took off the lingerie, and grabbed the little pink toy from the middle drawer. Taking a deep breath, she walked to their bedroom and settled herself in the middle of the bed, on top of the covers, and spread her legs wide before turning on the toy and placing it on her clit.
She had closed her eyes and was playing with her nipples, getting so lost in the pleasure that she didn’t see him come in. He was naked from the waist up and climbing on the bed, settling himself between her spread legs. Daniela felt exposed like this, pleasuring herself spread wide. While he watched her, she stopped the toy and was closing her legs when he stopped her.
“Sweetheart, if you want me, I want you to come a lot before I fuck you. The more relaxed you are the more pleasurable it will be for you.” He said, as a pointer finger slipped into her and out slowly. “Keep that toy going on your pretty clit Kitten. Let’s get you all wet and messy. Doesn’t that sound good?”
“Yes.” Daniela gasped, as his finger left her and he leaned over her.
“You don’t stop making your pussy flood, and I’ll worship the rest of your body. I won’t touch your wet little hole again until you make yourself come at least once.” He said and he began kissing and sucking every inch of her body, avoiding the one area she wanted him the most.
Her neck, chest, stomach, thighs, and calves were well explored. Every time he went near one of the parts she wasn’t so proud of she’d freeze and pull away the toy. But he continued, lapping her belly rolls, her jiggly thighs, her larger arms, and every other part of her body she wasn’t a fan of just as passionately as he was kissing and sucking on the rest of her. He didn’t miss a beat but would take her hand that held the vibrator and tap it gently in a reminder as he continued. And she would once how good he was making her feel overrode her insecurities. By the time she was coming down from her second orgasm, she felt like he knew her body better than she did.
He kissed her deeply then, their tounges dancing with each other as he took the toy from her and turned it off. When he broke the kiss he smiled down at her. “I’m going to eat your delicious pussy again sweetheart. Can I use my fingers on you too?”
Daniela nodded.
“I’m going to need words, Daniela.” He said patiently.
Dani didn’t know how the hell he expected her to form words, but after a few deep breaths, she was able to say. “Yes, you can use your fingers on me until you think I’m ready for your cock.”
Bradley kissed her forehead, then her nose, and continued his way down her body with little kisses. Dani was high from her orgasms and felt giddy with the way he was making her feel by just kissing her all over.
When his tongue met her clit she nearly cried from the pleasure, as she had used the vibrator on it for two whole orgasms. She felt embarrassingly wet but was glad because it meant that one of Bradley’s fingers was sucked into her heat without any resistance.
He spent so long fucking her with one finger, then adding another and scissoring them while he lapped at her clit and her slit. She felt herself building to her third orgasm as he added a third finger and stopped licking. The pace quickened then, and though she felt the stretch and slight resistance, it wasn’t painful.
She came twice at him fucking her with three fingers.
When he finally gave her a chance to catch her breath, he left the bed to undress the rest of the way, when she thought to look at him, she saw him spreading the wetness from her pussy in his hard cock. He then joined her again, settling himself between her legs. “Are you sure you want to do this Kitten?”
This damn man, “Yes Rooster, please fuck me.” She nearly cried, if she didn’t feel him inside her soon, she was going to kill him.
He groaned at her use of his callsign and positioned himself with just the tip in her entrance. “Stop me if you change your mind at any time sweet girl.” He said slowly inching himself in.
Her cunt spread easily for him, it burned and stretched, and it wasn’t the most comfortable feeling, but it wasn’t painful like she thought it would be. It felt like hours as he slid himself in, and the slowness was agonizing, but it allowed her to get used to the sensation. Once she felt his balls meet her skin, she knew he was fully seated inside her.
Instinctively she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in closer, and sighed at the last little stretch she felt. “Oh Bradley.” She moaned out.
“I know sweetheart, feels good for me too.” He said bringing his lips to hers as she got used to him.
She smiled into the kiss. This man was wonderful. She knew she was half in love with him before she asked him to fuck her but, the care and respect he had shown for her so far was amazing.
It was then it occurred to her that he wasn’t wearing a condom, and she gasped, pulling away from his kiss. “Bradley, you didn’t wear a condom…I don’t want to give you something.”
“I’m sorry, Kitten, I got so caught up. I’m not worried about getting anything from you like we said the odds are low that you got something, and I’m clean. As for pregnancy, I can pull out.” He said looking into her eyes.
Shit. Was it insane that she wasn’t concerned about pregnancy? Dani knew that Bradley was her Mr. Right in every way she could think of, it was just their timing that sucked. She didn’t mind having a boatload of kids with him one day. “You don’t have to pull out. Fill me up Rooster.”
He groaned again, but still did not move.
Oh, he was waiting for her to say she was ready. “You can move.”
And he did. It started slowly: all the way out and then all the way in again. It was agonizing but she was thankful for it. As the stretch was still a bit uncomfortable. But after the third thrust, it felt good. “Faster. Please” She said, moaning.
“Shit. Sweetheart, you are so goddamn tight. I’m not going to last long.” He groaned as his pace quickened.
“Cum in me Rooster.” She moaned, knowing that she wasn’t likely going to come again before he did, but finding she didn’t care. She wanted to see him loose himself again. “Please, fill up my cunt Lieutenant Commander. I need it.”
He stilled after she said his rank, nearly collapsing on her, and she could feel his seed filling her. She internally giggled to herself, proud that she clocked that he had a bit of a rank kink.
Daniela held him, stroking his back as his body shook until she felt him soften inside her.
Bradley pulled himself off and out of her, grabbing the vibrator and settling himself between her legs again. It took mere seconds for her to come again. When she came down from her fifth orgasm she glared at the man watching the cum seep out of her hungrily, thankfully the damned vibrator was discarded once more, she was exhausted.
“Bradley?”
“Yes, my love?” he said tearing his eyes away from her pussy.
Her heart skipped a beat at the newest of his new endearments for her because she knew he meant it.
He had said this morning that he was in love with her, despite knowing that she wasn’t all the way there yet, there was just still a little part of her brain that said a man as perfect as him could never love a needy fat chick like her.
“Can we use that insanely big bathtub?” she said. If she thought the one upstairs was perfect because she fit into it comfortably and still had tons of room, the one in their bathroom was absolutely heaven-sent. It could probably fit them both and another adult and still be roomy. “Someone got me all sticky…”
“Sure, thing sweetheart.” He said after a laugh, “I’ll get it started.”
Chapter 6: I heard from the heavens that clouds have been grey
Summary:
Brani makes questionable decisions as a couple and then Rooster deploys.
Notes:
so didn't plan on much of anything that happens in this chapter to happen except Bradley deploying, which was supposed to happen two chapters ago.
I feel like this story has gone so far away from my outline it's bad at this point? I'm not begging for reviews, i hate that but if someone can let me know that I'm not the only one that likes these two idiots or what they think I can do to make this good again I would appreciate it.
Chapter Text
Rooster entered Penny’s house trying not to pout, because he was supposed to be a grown man. But this was a difficult task as Sunday dinner was his worst enemy since Daniela’s sleep shorts.
It was a tradition that had gone on as long as he could remember, only stopped when he wasn’t talking to Mav. His mom started the tradition when she married his dad and moved to Virginia with him. Sunday evenings were for a family meal. He and Mav reinstated the tradition when Mav was gently urged to retire, and Rooster was reassigned to the west coast. Penny and Amy loved the tradition and soon joined in; Dani had joined them for the first-time last week after their date at the gun range.
It was bitter-sweet having these new women around the table for Sunday dinner, and while the loss of Mom and Aunt Charlie still stung, he knew they would both love Penny, Amy and Dani just as much as he and Mav did.
Typically, Sunday dinner was the best time of the week, but after spending all night and most of the day making love to Daniela, the last place he wanted to be was in Penny’s dining room surrounded by loved ones. Especially since Amy was the one to let them in.
“Well don’t you two look ravishing.” The little shit said with a grin. By the gleam in her eye, it was hard to not think she was Mav’s kid.
Penny made a show of sniffing the air. “You two reek of sex. Didn’t have the decency to shower?” That’s why Mav and Penny worked so well together. They both were chaos incarnate in different ways.
Dani blushed and giggled, as he pulled out her chair and she sat down. “We haven’t had intercourse in hours ladies. We had so much to straighten up in our room before the furniture comes tomorrow!”
Penny and Amy cackled before drawing Dani into a conversation about their plans for his squad going away party this week, apparently only needing a few sentences to get used to his and Dani’s relationship status. Rooster made his way to the backyard to find his godfather flipping steaks and grilled veggies humming to the radio.
“Need help?” Rooster asked
Mav waived him off, clacking some tongs at him. “Stay away from my grill kid.” He said before looking at him. “You’re glowing Bradley. I’m glad you two got together. I was thinking a fall wedding would be beautiful!”
Rooster scowled at his godfather. “Shutup.”
“Kid, I’ve seen two other Bradshaw men around their soulmates. Your Grandpa John and Grandma Esther were adorable to the end. I was privileged to witness your dad not know your mom one second and her be his entire world the next. It has been my greatest honor to watch you slowly lose your mind over Daniela since Phoenix and Hangman’s wedding.” Mav said matter-of-factly and he started putting food onto serving trays. “Nothing to be embarrassed about I’m happy for you. Carry this stuff in, steaks will be done in a minute.”\
Rooster grinned, doing as his godfather asked.
His mom’s parents died when she was a kid, but Bradley had vague memories and a few pictures of Grandpa Johnny and Granny Essie. They were faint like the ones he had of his dad but memorable. Granny died not long after his dad did, and Grandpa followed a few months later. But Rooster did remember them and their love.
“Nicky! Why did you let my grandson grow up so fast!”
“Kids tend to do that Momma. I don’t like it either.”
Bradley looked up at the older couple kneeling down to look at him. Usually, he’d bury himself in Mommy or Daddy’s legs but he remembered these people from the last time they were in Virginia for Sunday dinner. “Member me? I’m Bradley Bradshaw!”
Grandpa started rolling around the floor laughing at his name and Bradley giggled too. He loved that Grandpa always got a kick out of his name.
Granny sighed, like always. “Oh, I do wish you had won the bet Carole. John tried his damnedest to name Nicky Bradley.”
“I had Pete and Nick gaining up on me.” Mommy said.
“It’s the best name ever.” Grandpa said, catching his breath. “What do Bradshaw’s like more than their women, the navy and music Brad?”
“Obnoxious facial hair?” Uncle Pete said
“Terrible fashion choices?” Mommy and Granny said.
Bradley, his Daddy, and Grandpa glared at their family.
“Having fun.” Bradley said jumping onto Grandpa who was still on the floor.
“That’s right kid. We love to have a good laugh.” Grandpa said cuddling him close whispering, “Your grandmother is as crazy as your uncle Pete, no wonder why she adores him so much. Woman is a menace. But she is my universe.”
Mommy, Granny and Uncle Pete had left and it was just the Bradshaw men now, Daddy joining them on the floor.
“Once we find our soulmate, the whole universe shifts.” Daddy said, “I know you think love is gross now, but one day you’re going to meet a person that is your perfect match.”
“Don’t bore the poor kid Nicky.” Grandpa scoffed, “We’ll have plenty of time to talk about how lucky the members of our family have been through the generations as he grows up.”
The memories of that last Sunday dinner with his dad and his grandparents always hurt, but this time he felt proud. The people he loved may be gone, but he could honor them by enjoying the precious time he had with the ones still alive.
Dad and Grandpa, two men that he barely knew but also knew in his soul he was a carbon copy of, would be proud of the man he is. They may have beaten his ass for the way he treated Mav when he was bitter about being set back, but they would still be proud. They would love Dani simply because she was his soulmate.
Granny would have been proud of him if he turned out to be a criminal. His Granny Essie loved anything if it was interesting. She only loved being a navy wife because of the adventure of new places each time Grandpa was reassigned. Granny would love Penny and Amy’s personalities because she adored Mav. She would love Dani too and be planning adventures to take her new granddaughter on.
Auntie Charlie, the woman who nurtured his love of flight more than his godfather had, would be proud of his accomplishments and that he had found someone to share his life with. She would also be happy that Mav found Penny and Amy. She wouldn’t have wanted Mav to stay alone as long as he had. She would have bonded with Dani over teaching, as it was his aunt’s favorite part of her job.
Mom would be disappointed in his career path and the way he treated his godfather, but she would still love him to bits and be proud. He knew deep down that Mav only pulled his papers because of favor to his mom. It’s the only reason he would do such a thing. But it had been easier to be bitter with Mav since he was the one alive. Mom would love Dani just as much as he loved her but would probably beg him to retire before he married or started a family with her. He had to admit, it was something worth considering after this next deployment.
Iceman, well he never really gave Rooster his opinion on anything. He would always just say ‘what do you need kid’ and just be there whenever Mav couldn’t be. Which reminded Rooster, he needed to call Sarah to see if she or her extended family needed anything. The Kaminsky family had always been extended family to his, but he hadn’t stopped by nearly enough since Ice died.
Rooster spent the rest of the night teasing his surrogate sister, chatting with his uncle, rolling his eyes at Penny’s comments, and holding hands between bites with the love of his life.
And maybe he was crazy, but he could have sworn he felt the family he had lost with them too.
Monday rolled around too quickly for Daniela’s liking. She and Bradley made love after his alarm went off and she made him breakfast as he got ready for work. Her job didn’t start until next week so her days had been open for settling in the city and their house. After Bradley left she got ready for the day herself and tidied up their bedroom for the furniture delivery people.
The truck arrived at ten on the dot and she directed them to the spare room where Bradley had written on the tape where each piece would go. After they set the breakfast nook table up, they got to work in the spare room.
At ten-thirty an older blonde woman sauntered into the house, checked on the guys, and turned to Dani who was enjoying her coffee in their new breakfast nook. “Hello, my name is Lydia. Your fiancé booked a consult for today.”
Daniela sighed; she knew Bradley was whispering something to the salesperson while she was picking out things for their room. “I’m Dani. What was the consult for?”
The woman grinned at her. “Mr. Bradhsaw has asked for my firm to help design the rest of the home. Your suite is really the only place that looks lived in. The entertainment room and kitchen only need a few finishing touches. He already left his preferences; I would just like to take a walk around with you and get the feel of what you like and make a plan.”
Dani nodded looking around the white chef’s kitchen. “I like the kitchen, but I love color too. And the entertainment room only has that big black sofa and the tv…I know it’s silly, but I like the idea of this area having pops of yellow?” Dani said gesturing to the built-in bench, table, and two chairs around the small square table of the breakfast nook. Then gestured to the bare wet bar across from it. “Could we maybe make that into a coffee and tea station? Bradley loves his coffee.”
Lydia hummed and made notes before looking around the kitchen “The light in this room could certainly handle pops of yellow throughout the space. Shall we go to the next room?”
Dani nodded and followed the woman who was writing furiously on her notepad first to the tv room, then outside to talk about seating around the patio and the pool, then back into the house looking at the bare dining room (she envisioned Sunday dinners here when Bradley came back), the formal living room with just a piano, the study that she and Bradley did not know what to do with, the tiny powder room off the laundry room, the mudroom off the garage that was a mess of shoes, down to the finished basement to see Bradley’s gym equipment and tons of surprises, then upstairs to the see the now mostly empty second floor.
Lydia made notes the whole way and gave her ideas of the future uses of the spaces.
The study, since it had doors would become a music room as it was large enough for the piano, a stereo, the record player, the record collection in the basement, and Dani could still buy an acoustic guitar for herself. The living room would be a place for gathering. They would take all Bradley’s photos of his family and hang them about the home, and she would get the ones of her family that she had digitally printed so both their families would be around their space.
The basement was getting organized, and they were adding an elliptical for her, they had uncovered that there was a bedroom and bath suite down there that would be a better guest suite, so they would move the guest suite from upstairs to downstairs.
The mudroom would get organization and color. The rest of the floor would be getting little touches and the backyard would be finished.
The home would be ready for Sunday dinner company by the time Bradley returned. They were cooling it on the colors, keeping them light throughout the house, but most of the home would be getting a coat of paint other than grey. They decided to leave the second floor alone for now aside from cleaning up and repainting.
Lydia simply had a relationship with the furniture store and didn’t actually work for them as she had her own design firm. Dani warmed up when she found that Lydia wasn’t interested in upselling them and was actually suggesting going to antique stores and clearance warehouses to source things. Dani felt good that the woman didn’t just want to spend Bradley’s money but wanted them to enjoy their home.
When Bradley came home the guys had long left and Dani and Lydia were sitting at the island finalizing plans. “How did it go?” he asked, after throwing his bag down by the garage door.
Lydia scribbled more and smiled. “I think we have a great plan. I’d be happy to meet you at my office tomorrow so you can both approve the final designs before I get started.”
Bradley nodded and shook her hand. “I have tomorrow off because we deploy in a few days. We could stop by any time in the afternoon.”
Lydia nodded. “My team and I will have the contract and designs ready by three tomorrow.” Lydia said, “Lovely spending the day with you Daniela! I’m excited to help you to start your life together fresh.” Lydia said, gathering her things and making to live. “I will see you both tomorrow!”
After she walked Lydia out, Dani made her way back to the kitchen. “A designer Brad?”
“I didn’t want make this house a home until I found the woman I love!” He said with a bright grin.
“Fiancé?” Dani said with a huff.
“Well, Mav got me thinking last night. If you’ll have me, I want to marry you.” He said fishing a ring box out of his pocket, “I have my parents' and grandparents' sets, but my mom always said not to recycle rings. This is our story not a continuation of theirs. So, this is temporary. When you decide you’re ready I’ll get you one of your own, but for now…this is my Aunt Charlie’s engagement ring. Mav has the band still, he’s just letting us barrow the ring.”
Dani stared at the shiny blue stone on a delicate silver setting in disbelief. This whole thing was moving fast but part of her didn’t care. “I don’t need a placeholder ring. I’ll be your fiancé, Bradley. I love you.”
She could practically hear her sister and brother-in-law threatening her from across the world. But she knew she loved Bradley, it was like Mama and Papa always said, when you find your person you know. Her parents eloped after three days of knowing one another, resulting in them both getting shunned by their families. Bradley’s parents made it a whole week before getting engaged, his grandparents held the record for waiting a month.
It seemed that when people in their families fell, they fell fast and hard.
Bradley whooped and placed Charlie’s ring away. “Well, change of plans for date night then. We’ll stop by a jeweler and pick out rings for us both before our reservation at eight.”
“You’ll wear a ring too?”
“Hell, yes sweetheart.” He said with a grin.
“Do you want to skip dinner, and run to the courthouse before they close instead?” She asked.
Bradley picked her up and carried her to the bronco at that, Dani giggled the whole way.
They made it to the courthouse just in time to sign a license and get a copy before they closed up and went right to the nearest jeweler to get matching bands and Dani a sapphire ring darker in color than Charlie’s and surrounded by little diamonds.
After that, they canceled their reservation and met Mav, Penny and Amy at a burger joint near Penny’s bar for dinner to give Charlie’s ring back and break the news.
They didn’t seem surprised at all. in fact, Mav gave them all a shit-eating grin while the Benjamin women handed him fifty bucks each. “When you break the news to Phoenix and Hangman, tell them they each owe me a hundred”
Oh, no. She had forgotten about Tasha.
Daniela Bradshaw was very dead.
They called Nat and her husband as a team.
Hangman first, who was not amused and gave Rooster a look like he was about to come through the computer and kill him until Dani assured him that this was what she wanted. Then said technically she was the one that suggested eloping. When he was finally sure Rooster hadn’t pressured her into marrying him, he said ‘I get it now, you’re both insane’ before hanging up on them.
Nat was another story.
“YOU GOT MARRIED! DANIELA TRACE ARE YOU INSANE?” Nat screamed.
“Actually, I’m going by Bradshaw now…” Daniela said.
What followed was a string of Spanish that was way above Rooster’s beginners’ classes. Daniela sighed and looked at him confused. Their maternal grandmother was a first-generation Mexican American, but after she married she rarely spoke the language. Dani and Nat’s mom could hold a conversation in Spanish with effort, but she rarely used it. Nat only spoke so well because she had been in classes since middle school, trying to preserve something from that side of the family. Dani was less fluent than he was. She had confided that she felt like a disappointment not being able to speak Spanish. Rooster had countered that she was just as much Irish, Italian, and Russian and she didn’t feel bad about not being able to speak any of those languages.
After a few minutes, Nat returned to English. “Okay. I may have lost my temper there for a minute.” She said.
Rooster held back a snort, not well apparently because Dani nudged him. “I’m sorry it’s a surprise Tasha. But it’s just like Mama and Papa always said. Once I started to know him, I started to fall for him. I feel like I fall more every day. Yes. It might be shitty timing but…life is too short to wait for the right time to be with the person you love.”
Rooster kissed his wife (holy shit she married him, he’s a lucky man) on the forehead. “She’s it for me Nat. I’ll love her forever.”
Nat glared through the screen. “I get it. Falling for Jake was the easy part, telling myself that I shouldn’t love him for a decade was the hard part.” Rooster wanted to gag; Nat loved Jake that long? It wasn’t just since the special detachment? “Don’t look like that Roo. I never told you Jake and I dated for a bit after you and I did, and I never told you I had always been in love with him.”
“Well, I’m quite literally your brother now. How can I be a good brother when I broke the bro code as your bestie?” Rooster said pulling out his phone and pulling up the site to Nat’s favorite places to shop.
“Is he buying me clothes?” Nat sighed.
Dani peaked onto his phone. “Not just clothes. There’s some kitchen and bath stuff in the carts now too… Do you have a list of stuff you want to buy your loved ones ready to go at a moment’s notice?”
“Yes?” Bradley said confused. “My love languages are giving gifts and physical touch? You know this sweetheart.”
Dani kissed his cheek. “I know Brad.”
“What are hers Roo?”
“Words of affirmation and physical touch? Are you really testing me Natasha?” He said, glaring at the computer screen at his grinning bestie and deleting a few items from a cartt for her shit-eating grin.
Dani giggled. “Are you mad Tasha?”
“I could never stay mad at either of you…I’m just afraid of one of you hurting the other.” She sighed. “But we can’t waste life worrying about something that might not happen. As long as you two are happy, I’m happy.”
“I love you.” Dani said with a grin.
“Love you too hermanita. Love you too Rooster.” Nat said before hanging up, likely to call her husband and complain about them.
Rooster finalized his shopping cart and set the delivery for Nat’s place in Florida. They had a neighbor taking care of their mail so it wouldn’t be taken by porch pirates.
Dani put the computer away and looked around their office. “I think I might go to their place in Florida now that you found their key. I want to display some of the things I have stored there. Looking through your things in the basement made me realize neither of us have really settled.”
Rooster went to the website for the airline that he flew Dani out here on and arranged the flight. “How does depart Thursday and return on Saturday sound?”
“Bradley! I can buy my own flight!”
Rooster gave her what he was sure was a brilliant smile. “You can, but you don’t have to. And I want to!”
“My parents were doctors. My inheritance wasn’t anything to sneeze at.” She grumbled adorably, “But I was warned about this, and I don’t mind being spoiled a bit.” She said looking at her ring. They both had simple silver bands with the others name engraved inside of it, and he insisted she get the engagement ring of her dreams. She deserved whatever her heart desired because she was everything he ever wanted in a woman and more.
“That’s good to hear.” He said grinning at her, “What can I do to spoil you now Mrs. Bradshaw?”
Dani giggled and smiled brightly back at him. “I was thinking we should consummate our marriage Mr. Bradshaw.”
The woman had been damn near insatiable since they started making love and he was one thousand percent on board with it. “That can be arranged Mrs. Bradshaw.”
When Daniela woke the next morning, she wanted to cry. This was her last full day with Bradley (her husband) before he deployed tomorrow.
They spent the first few hours cuddling up on the sofa watching Star Trek and holding each other tight. Then they got ready for the day and finished setting up the office. By then Penny, Amy, and Mav arrived with the extra tables and chairs for the yard to begin to set up for Rooster’s team going away party. While their family handled the setup and ran to get food and drinks from the places they had pre-ordered from, she and Bradley set off.
First, they went to Bradley’s lawyers’ office. Her name was Francesca and she partnered with a financial planner (her wife Willa). The duo was going to handle Dani’s name change, putting Dani on all Bradley’s accounts and updating his will and power of attorney to include her. Dani didn’t like any of it, but knew it was necessary. Fran would also help them go through all the red tape of changing things for her and Bradley with the Navy. A lot of it they would have to do themselves but as a lot of her clients were military or military adjacent, she knew what was needed to get things started. Dani then asked if they would be willing to handle the legalities and planning for Dani’s own finances and legalities left over from her parent's estate.
After that was taken care of, Bradley gave her a rundown of the people that would be helping take care of the house and yard. The cleaners would still come every other week as they typically did. The people doing the yard work and taking care of the pool were scheduled. He double-checked that she knew the combination of his gun safe and his valuables safe and reminded her to put all her documents and heirlooms in the valuables safe she hand in the floor of her closet. It was an overwhelming amount of information but as she knew much of it already it wasn’t so bad.
They got to Lydia’s office in the early afternoon. Lydia walked through the design room by room and explained how she was going to do the work and her month timeline. They both signed off on the plans and were on their way soon after scheduling the work to begin in two weeks when Lydia’s current project ended.
They arrived home at five, to find Brad’s squad and their extended families had arrived. There were kids floating in their pool and people eating and drinking. They spent the next few hours mingling and saying goodbye to their team. As night began to fall and the kids started to doze, everyone pitched in to clean up before departing.
Mav was the last person to leave, he hugged them both and gave them a sad smile. “See you bright and early kids. Love you.”
“Love you too Mav.” Bradley said.
Dani jumped into the man’s arms again. She had a feeling she was going to be leaning on him a lot while Bradley was gone, “Goodnight Pete.”
Leaving for a deployment had never sucked this bad before.
This time he had the partners of the pilots under his command looking at him with pleading eyes.
This time he had family in Mav, Pen and Amy squeezing the life out of him.
This time he had a wife crying her eyes out watching him walk away from her.
He didn’t regret marrying Daniela, he loved her too much. But he would forever regret it if he left her a widow after only spending a full day as a married couple.
Their timing really sucked.
This cruise would be made longer by the no communication mandate. No phone calls, emails, text, or video chats to make the time pass by. To make things worse, Cyclone informed him that the higher-ups hoped this cruise to last six months as opposed to the three it was originally. They wanted as much intel as they could get, without detection. The places they were gathering intel on were not enemies but potential future problems.
Rooster settled into his bunk and then reported to the briefing room where the CIA geniuses behind this operation would talk to him and the ships command in more detail about the next few months of their lives.
The only way he’d survive this was to only think of Daniela in his bunk. There he could afford to be a man that missed his wife. Outside of there he was a Lieutenant Commander responsible for the mission's success and getting his pilots home safe.
Chapter 7: So cry tonight
Summary:
Chapter TW: implied child abuse, referenced child neglect
Notes:
ok...so I think i figured out a plot for the next bit of this story? this chapter is mostly set up, so bear with me. Bradley will be back in the next chapter and he will be having a lot of EMOTIONS.
thank you to Retlawnossnahoj for your encouragement. I still feel a little insecure about this story but I'm more determined not to give up now!
Chapter Text
Daniela had developed a routine over the past few months.
On weekdays she worked at the summer program and got to know the little ones, some of which she’d be responsible for during the regular school year. While the remodel was going on, Pete stayed at the house during the day and gave her updates on how it was going, and Lydia would call her every day to chat about the progress made. Daniela really loved how her and Bradley’s house finally felt like a home with all the work done.
On Tuesday evenings she had her therapy appointments, which were tough but helped with her grief. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays were spent with her new friend Paulina and her five-year-old son Luka. Paulina was a teacher for the second graders but had taken Daniela under her wing quickly when she found out their husbands were on the same ship.
Friday nights and Saturdays were reserved for hanging out with Amelia, Raquel, and Yvonne. Amelia had taken to calling her sister, which warmed Dani’s heart that she had more family. Amelia’s friends were great too. Fridays were spent at a dance club or bar that wasn’t The Hard Deck. Daniela hadn’t been back since the night she made out with Hank and decided she wanted to be Bradley’s, it didn’t feel right to be there without him, especially since Amy said that Hank was still asking where Dani had gone to. Saturdays were for relaxing at the beach with the girls, swimming, playing various beach games, and just lying in the sun chatting. Since it was mid-august now, yesterday was her last day with her younger friends as they were now on their way back for their last undergrad year at USC.
Sundays were always her recharge days. She would sit at her desk and work on lesson plans, make sure all the bills were paid, double check the communications from Fran and Will that she had glanced at during the week, got her laundry done, and tided up the little messes she made during the past week. Just because cleaners came every other Monday, didn’t mean she should be a slob. Sunday evenings were for Sunday dinner, which was still at Penny’s place, as Dani felt weird hosting when Bradley wasn’t home. Especially since after last week, it would be just Dani, Penny and Pete.
Her STD check came back negative at the beginning of July so disease was not a concern. Her period had come a few weeks ago. She was always irregular so that was a bit concerning for a bit, mostly because if she became pregnant she wanted to share the moment she found out with her husband.
She had felt so so alone without her husband, even with all the people in her life. All she could think about was how worried she was for her husband’s safety. She checked in with the other partners in Bradley’s squad, just to see if they needed anything. She knew as the CO of their unit’s wife it was her unofficial job to make sure they were okay as they could be. They were good support. She wouldn’t say they were friends like Paulina and Amelia, but they were comfortable confidantes like Raquel and Yvonne and could be friends down the line.
Life was good for her, a complete difference then what it was at the beginning of summer. Even Tasha and Jake had said how happy she made the move to San Diego.
Daniela was just about to jump in the shower and begin to get ready for Sunday dinner when her phone chimed alerting her to activity on one of the security cameras just before the doorbell rang. She made her way to her phone, still on her desk, and pulled up the app.
“Hello?” she told the man and woman at the door.
“Hello, my name is Detective Russo and this is Detective Lee.” The female said into her doorbell camera. Daniela could see her partner looking in the window from one of the other cameras covering the front door. There were many cameras that covered every area around the house. Bradley and Pete had ensured there were no blind spots. There were alarms on every door and window too and only the security code could disable the alarms. They were currently all active as usual for her as she was home alone.
“How may I help you detectives?” she asked, examining the badge the woman was holding up.
“We are looking for a Bradley Bradshaw. His military and public records indicate this is his address.” Detective Lee said.
“He is currently deployed.” She told them, “Which you would be aware of if you were given access to look at his military record.”
“Yes, are aware. But as his wife, we would like to speak to you in his place.” Detective Russo said again, “We are speaking to Daniela Bradshaw, formerly Daniela Trace?"
Dani was worried but the text from Pete (who had alerts to their security system installed while Bradley was gone) told him to let them in and that he was calling Fran on his way over. She sighed in relief that Pete was coming as she was scared. What could the cops possibly want with Bradley?
She went to the front door and let the first guest aside from Amy, Penny, and Pete into her home since the design. The foyer (as Lydia had called it) was a slate grey color that carried up the stairs to the second floor. The décor in the space was minimal and in white, while photos of her and Bradley and their families and friends livened up the walls up the stairs and between the openings to each room the foyer had sightline to.
The music room door was closed but the space was done in navy walls and black furniture, decorated with album art, and with shelves full of records, CDs, cassettes, various music players and books of sheet music the white piano, her new guitar and the sectional that was in the family room were what populated that space. The family room was a continuation of the foyer's color scheme as it was fully open to it. The greys were lighter and the whites were creamier but the decor accents were a kaleidoscope of reds and oranges. The kitchen and breakfast nook were of course in yellow accents.
The other room that had sightline from the foyer was the formal living room which was done in a muted grey-green with white furniture and emerald accents (she and Lydia were bolder in color when it came to throw pillows or other accents in a room). Most of the paint colors in her home were grey-toned versions. Bradley didn’t mind color, but she knew they would entertain every now and then and tried to be strategic in where she opted to go with Lydia's more intense design ideas. There were places with loud or eccentric colors in the home where the paint or wallpaper were bold, but they were mostly areas that were private or could be closed off when they had company.
Dani followed her company into the formal living room. They sat on one of the large sofas, she sat opposite them on the other. There were two large armchairs on the side of each sofa, making a large square in the living room and a large emerald ottoman was in the center of the furniture.
“How can I help you, detectives?” She asked as she sat.
“Mrs. Bradshaw, there was an accident three weeks ago. A woman was driving home from a bar drunk and flipped her car. She died leaving behind three-year-old daughters and the woman’s parents are unsuitable to take care of the children. We were hoping that you and Mr. Bradsahw would like to take custody of his children after the department of children's services approves of course.” Detetective Russo said.
Daniela stared at the women in shock. Bradley had children that he never mentioned? It did not sound like her husband to have children and not be in their lives but maybe it was because she jumped into marriage so soon?
Detective Lee pulled out a picture of two little girls who were huddled together on a bench. They were dirty, tiny for their age and height, and looked so scared. Unfortunately, Daniela had seen children like this before in her short time as a teacher's aide in Chicago. These children had been neglected by the people who were supposed to care about them, and Dani would want to help them even if they both didn’t have her husband's eyes and hair.
She began to cry while holding the picture. Bradley couldn’t have known…he’d never let this happen to his family.
It was then Pete and Penny burst in the front door, with Fran not so far behind. “They say Bradley is a father?” she explained to them, handing Pete the picture.
“When we saw the birth certificate we did a search and got a court order from the navy to compare DNA.” Detective Lee explained. “It is a match.”
Dani started to cry again at that and Penny rocked her while she did the detectives explained the situation to the newcomers after introductions and relationships were established.
Pete sat down on an armchair and looked to the sofa where Dani sat, Fran and Penny on either side of her. “Bradley was out here by the end of 2018 and was all broken up when the girl he’d been seeing while we were training for a mission didn’t want anything to do with him once he was permanently assigned here in February 2019. Said she call the cops if he came near her.”
That explained it. If this were one of Bradley’s exes that told him he was creepy when he got too touchy or possessive he would have stayed away, especially with a threat like that. Dani started to dry her tears after that explanation. Her husband hadn’t hidden this from her, and he was out there in there world, unavailable while his children needed him. She had to be strong and take care of these girls.
“Does the name Candice Nardoni ring a bell Captain Mitchell? Introduced herself as Candy?” Detective Russo asked.
“Bradley only ever knew her by the name Candy…” Pete still only looking at her, Penny and Fran. “Bradley would want full custody.”
Fran nodded and began tapping away on her phone. “After I verify the DNA results I will file a motion with family court. With Daniela’s consent.”
“Of course, I consent,” Dani said
“I can petition for both you and Bradley to get custody. Are their surnames Bradshaw?” She directed the detectives.
“No.” Detetice Lee responded.
“I’ll change their surnames too. Daniela do you want your name on their new birth certificate?” She asked standing.
“Yes. They’re his children so they’re my children too.” Dani said fiercely.
“Okay.” Fran nodded, “I’ll have to bring outside help in on this, I do not know enough about the family court system to see this through but I’ll get started on what I can this evening and retain help tomorrow.”
“Call Tara Beth Henderson in LA. She’s my brother in laws sister and specializes in family law cases.” Dani said to Fran before looking at the detectives. “Where are they?”
“At children’s hospital,” Russo said.
“I thought the accident was three weeks ago?” Penny asked.
“It was. The children’s grandparents left the girls with a neighbor and left town shortly after their daughter's funeral. The neighbor noticed the children were neglected and called us. They are malnourished and have some…injuries that need healing still.” Lee informed. “They will be in the hospital for a few weeks at least.”
“I want to see them.” She said, balling her hands into fists. “And do what you can to prosecute the fuckers that hurt my babies.”
“We can supervise a visit today. But any further visits will have to be approved and supervised by child services.” Russo said.
Dani ran outside and hopped in the back of Pete’s car. The detectives and Pete followed slower and Peny emerged last with Dani’s purse and phone. Penny locked up the house and set the alarm and they were all on their way to see her babies within ten minutes.
Pete Mitchell had not seen anyone take to parenthood as fast as Daniela had. The shy but sassy girl he met a few months ago morphed into a mama bear the second she found out Rooster had two kids. Not even Goose and Carole had been that naturally protective, they were scared shitless until they held Bradley for the first time then suddenly if Pete walked to fast around the kid he was banned from the house.
His friends were grandparents now.
His godson was a father.
Maverick was getting old.
Dani had introduced him as GrandMav to the girls on their first visit, and he tried not to glare at Penny for her snort but was soon vindicated when Dani introduced her as Grandma Penny. Explaining that he was the kid's Daddy’s second Dad, so that made him and Penny Grandparents. The girls liked calling them Mav and Penny, regardless. They did not like the terms Grandma and Grandpa at all.
By their third visit to the hospital, the girls were asking if Dani was their Mommy since she was married to their Daddy. Apparently, they never called their mother anything but Candy, so they did not have the same aversion to the word Mommy as they did to grandma and grandpa. Dani cried and said she would be proud to be their mommy if they wanted her to be, so she had been Mommy ever since.
It had been a whole three weeks since that first day, and now they were finally able to take the girls home. Jake’s sister Tara and Bradley’s lawyer Fran had made it so that the girls were legally Dani’s and Bradley’s and had gotten the girls new names sorted (Candy hadn’t bothered giving the girls middle names). When they hadn’t been at the hospital, Penny, Dani and Pete had been doing their very best impressions of Rooster and buying everything the little girls would need. Dani hired Lydia to design the girls’ room and a playroom and the woman came to visit the hospital asking the girls about their favorite things. Tara had managed to seize baby pictures and such from their grandparent's home so Dani could hang photos of the girls she got portraits done of them.
The girls and Dani giggled all the way up the stairs, each twin holding one of Dani’s hands. They’d been laughing more and more as they got to know their new family and realized they’d never have to return to their old family.
“Ellie look!” Nikki screamed when they reached the top of the stairs.
“Horsey!” Ellie giggled.
Maverik and Penny made it to the top of the stairs and watched the girls look around their playroom. Paulina and her son Luka were on the sofa in the middle of the space smiling at the girls as they took in the playroom.
There was a large 'hallway' that was sold as a bonus space to Rooster but had always been just a large empty room with doors to all the upstairs bedrooms surrounding it. Now it was the same slate gray as the entryway and stairway but filled with a wide range of children’s toys and activities. Ellie had zoned in on the rocking horse and Nikki was looking at the dollhouse with interest, but there were many other things in the large space, quite a few of them educational as the girls had a teacher for a mom.
The girls were soon drawn away when they saw Dani open the door to the old guest room. She had organized their closet and made the bathroom safe and accessible for them to use but had also made their room special.
Most of the walls were a soft grey except the one directly across from the door which was half hot pink and half lime green with polka dots of the opposite color (the pink side had green polka dots). On that wall were two tiny grey tufted beds that Penny assured him the girls would have two good years in before growing out of them. Pete doubted this, the girls were verified to have Bradshaw DNA and were now being cared for properly…he gave it a year. The beds were against the wall and had bedding in a less intense shade than the wall. Both girl's full names were painted above the headboards: Nicole Charlene above the green bed and Noelle Caroline above the pink one. Next to each bed was a tiny two-drawer nightstand with a teddy bear in the girls favorite color waiting and a tiny grey lamp (that was actually a nightlight and not a lamp). The window was covered with watermelon curtains but looked out over the backyard. On Nikki’s side of the room, in between the doors to the bathroom and the closet, there was a small bookshelf. On Ellie’s side, there was a few little cushions inside a little grey tent with a pink and green canopy, and a few more stuffed animals were inside the canopy.
Nikki was now dancing on the large circular watermelon rug between the beds with Luka. Ellie had crawled into the tent and was snuggled up with a bunny.
“Do you girls like your room and playroom?” Dani asked.
“Yes Mommy!” They chorused.
“Mommy is happy you like it!” Dani said.
“Come on girls.” Penny said, “Want to go explore the rest of your home?”
The girls skipped out of the room and followed Penny as she gave the tour. Luka followed them, Mav sensed some protective energy coming from the kid in regard to the girls and approved of it. The kids needed a village of people looking out for them.
Pete soon found his arms full of Daniela.
“You’re doing good kid.” He said, squeezing tight.
“He should be here.” She mumbled into the hug.
“I tried my best to get word to him, but they aren’t sending messages through at all.” Mav told her. “He would be here in a heartbeat. He would want to meet them and would never want you parenting alone.”
“I know. It’s just I hate him somedays lately.” She sighed. “This has been hard to go through without him. You all have been amazing though. I can’t thank you enough.”
“We’re family Dani.” Pete said squeezing his sort of daughter-in-law. “No thanks needed.”
“Exactly Dani-dearest. Friends and family are the only way any of us get through Navy life with our sanity.” She grinned winking at Pete, “Well, Mav’s lost his, but I don’t think that was the Navy’s fault.”
Mav snorted and rolled his eyes. He only met Paulina and her son this week when Dani brought them to the hospital to meet the girls, but he already sort of liked her. “Pipe down Morelli or I’ll have your hubby swabbing the flight deck.”
Paulina rolled her eyes and Dani giggled pulling away from the hug. “Be nice Mav.”
“I’m making dinner,” Paulina said grabbing Dani and Paulina’s hands. “Mav you’re my sous chef. Dani, be a dear and make sure Luka stays away from the pool, he’s not the greatest swimmer.”
“I had a special cover installed when we found out about the girls.” Mav said as the strong curvy woman pulled him and Dani down the stairs.
“Fantastic!” the catapult officer's wife said not missing a beat, “Still should keep an eye on him though. Morelli men have been known to cause mischief.”
“I thought they were known for their romantic hearts?” Dani said.
“That too of course, but Luka is a baby still,” Paulina said finally letting go of their hands and making her way toward the kitchen like she was on a mission.
Dani looked up at him fond smile on her face, but Mav noted the tears in her eyes still. “He’ll be home before you know it kid.”
She nodded, but she didn’t respond. Just went to go find Penny and the kids on their tour. Mav sighed and silently prayed to his friends.
Goose, Carole, bring the kid back safely? His wife and kids need him.
Kakeurillon on Chapter 1 Tue 20 Sep 2022 11:40PM UTC
Comment Actions
LouisaHale on Chapter 1 Fri 23 Sep 2022 02:25AM UTC
Comment Actions
Retlawnossnahoj on Chapter 6 Wed 19 Oct 2022 10:51AM UTC
Comment Actions
LouisaHale on Chapter 6 Wed 19 Oct 2022 01:01PM UTC
Comment Actions