Free A Special Ops Christmas by Kristen James Page B

one hundred percent, they would work
through it.
    We had a job to do. They weren’t out for Sunday lunch
here; they were Navy SEALS. Vivianne should realize the physical and mental
intensity he dealt with daily. As far as Daniels, well, he didn’t feel he
should share his personal crisis with his friend while on a mission because any
distraction could endanger the team. But what might his silence cost?
     “I thought I could fix it!” Suddenly, Aiden’s mind filled
with her eyes, how they looked as she watched him leave at the airport on his
last trip home. Before, Vivianne had always put on her brave face for the last
few minutes. She would stand strong and nod, clearly trying not to send her
worries with him. But the last time home, she’d folded her arms across herself,
and her big hazel eyes were teeming with tears. She was literally holding
herself together. He looked back twice, and the second time he mouthed, “I love
you.” It was all he could give her right then.
    Things had been tough, even desperate, that last trip home.
She’d begged him not to go on his next mission. She wanted a husband who was
around all the time, or at least more often. She wanted to start a family. He
wanted those things too, but he had made a commitment to his country and his
team.
    “I need some air.” He abruptly pushed up off the bed and
rushed past Daniels.
    “O’Riley!” Daniels yelled after him. Aiden kept going, right
out the door, as Daniels’ words followed him. “We’re not giving up on
this.”
    He didn’t want to give up. But he’d messed up. Big time. Now
he was losing his marriage. Vivianne. The best thing that had ever happened to
him.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Vivianne had hardly slept but didn’t allow herself to get up
and check her email. She had written to Aiden last night so that he would get
the message when it was morning in Afghanistan. They were on opposite sides of
the planet, living opposite lives, and going in opposite directions like two
bats out of hell.
    Here it was almost Christmas, and she was alone again. Aiden
and the rest of SEAL Team Seven were supposed to be flying back home early next
year, and then they would be stuck in decompression.
    How was that helpful, especially compared to being home with
family? Okay, she knew decompression was beneficial, but it was hard for her to
understand. Even though she was aware she was being selfish and irrational, she
couldn’t seem to help it. Her hormones were off the chart, and she knew she’d
been fighting mild depression for a while. The holidays were hitting her hard.
    She finally rose and made her way to the living room. A
modest tree sat in the dark corner, just a soft shadow with its lights
twinkling. In years past, she’d always turned on the Christmas lights in the
early morning. They had a different kind of magic at that time, brightening the
dawn as the world was gradually awakening.
    She’d woken up this morning and reached for him. Even
through their arguing and the two-way hurt, she needed Aiden and missed his
physical presence. She had actually rolled to his side of the bed before
remembering that he was on a mission. Normally, she wasn’t like that, but she
missed him worse this time— probably due to her condition. There was also her
vivid dream… He was there, gently waking her up by trailing his fingers up her
back and kissing her curve of her shoulder and neck. The sensations were so
real she thought she smelled him. For a few glorious seconds she let herself
think he’d somehow come home early and was actually in her bed with her.
    It was seven o’clock, and after she’d boiled water to make
her favorite lemon ginger tea, she sat down in front of the laptop and turned
it on. Her head pounded. Her stomach rolled and threatened to throw her tea
back up. She set the steaming cup aside, wanting the comfort, but knowing she
couldn’t handle eating or drinking right now.
    She used to be tougher, but Aiden had spoiled