Missy said, “Yeah,Lieutenant Colonel Horvath holds these for all his officers to promote camaraderie and morale, provide some socializing, strengthen bonds, recognize achievements and reinforce military traditions. He likes having all his senior and junior officers interact. Since our unit is now on his base, he wants us to be included as well. It’s one of the few instances when his people actually get to see us since we keep to ourselves so much.”
“Well, you’re a military officer now, Missy, so you need to participate in such events. Your training at the academy did include plenty of pomp, circumstance and ceremony stuff like that, right?”
“It did and I will carry out my responsibility with appropriate etiquette and decorum. Major Grimes tells me the lieutenant colonel was quite impressed with me when I was introduced to him three weeks ago. He claims he’s sensing a higher level of respect for our team ever since then.”
Mike said, “Well, you do have a way of charming and influencing people.” Wanting to now discuss their upcoming wedding, he asked, “Are you still planning to teleport home to be with me Monday night? We didn’t get to be together during the full moon celebration due to what happened to you in Beijing.”
“Oh, yes, I’m really looking forward to that. With the Summer Solstice on Tuesday, you know how horny I’ll be so don’t plan on getting much sleep that night.”
Mike chuckled and said, “Oh, I doubt I’ll sleep at all on Monday night. We’ll drive down to the Thayer Hotel on Tuesday but stay in separate rooms when we get there.” Both couples had decided to honor the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride on the night before the wedding. Hence, Missy would stay in one room with Tracy while Mike stayed in a different room with John.
“Have you talked to my brother?” asked Missy. “Does he think Tracy has everything under control?”
“Oh, yes. She’s had some help from Sam. You know how organized Sam always is. John says those two have been entertaining him and Trevor with all the extraneous things they’ve managed to think of. This event will be an extravaganza like no other.”
“Great! I knew Tracy would get it done. My mom and Heather are feeling a little bad they’re not more involved butwith this being a dual military wedding, Tracy and I wanted to avoid any family interference. Mom got to do Heather’s wedding so she’s not as upset as I know Tracy’s mom probably is. Even so, we know our way will result in the least amount of hurt feelings.”
“Yeah, you guys decided on no bridesmaids or bridegrooms for the same reason.”
“How are things looking for our trip to New Zealand?” asked Missy.
“That too is all under control. Wes and Chris are really excited about flying us there and our reservations are all set. They want to bring Coop and Char if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course they do and of course I’m okay with that.” Missy knew the guys were ready to propose but waiting for the right time. This would be a perfect opportunity for that. With a different thought in mind, she began saying, “I know they collected money from all our friends for this to be a gift to us, all expenses paid …”
Mike interrupted quickly to say, “Don’t worry. I made them deposit all that into our honeymoon account and everything is being paid for from that. Since your friend Mark manages all your money, that account has no limit.” Missy had asked Mark to create their honeymoon account to cover all costs.
“He has done wonders with what I inherited when I first took over as Alpha for my New England Werewolf Pack. No matter how much I manage to spend on things, my portfolio has still grown considerably.”
“Well, he has parlayed that a great deal, especially after getting your mob buddies to invest their legitimate business profits into his Mathews Management Company. Those three Roseanne Fund communities are drawing investments from lots of others as well.”
“Yes, I have to say, helping all the women who are benefiting from those communities really makes me happy. The fact there is so much success from that is very nice. Rather than being taken advantage of, they’re now protected and thriving.”
“Well, like I said earlier, you do have a way of charming and influencing people,” said Mike. “Sal D’Amato and Ben Marchitto will be at our wedding. So will Bruno Halloran and Billy Rosario. John tells me they really enjoyed sitting with Robert Ulrey and his FBI buddies at your graduation so Tracy will have them all sitting together again like that at the banquet. She’s inviting her mob buddies Vinny Corallo and Hands Harper which ought to make things at that table very interesting.” Like Sal, Vinny headed one of the New York criminal organizations and had recently started investing with the Mathews Management Company.
“Great! But, speaking of banquets, I need to get ready for the one tonight. Mel and Ruby are waiting outside my room for me to invite them in. They think I need help with hair and makeup. Thanks to all my Russian celebrity mistress experience, I’ve become an expert at that now but since it makes them happy, I’ll let them help.”
“Okay, Missy, have fun. You know how much I love you. I plan to show you how much Monday night. Take care!”
“Love you more, Mike!” Missy hung up and then opened her door and welcomed Mel and Ruby inside.
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When Missy and Major Grimes entered the Air Force venue, they were both wearing their Dress Blue uniforms and their green berets. Rather than ribbons, they wore miniature medals. They each removed their beret and tucked it against their side as they made their way into where the banquet was being held.
Major Grimes was clean shaven since he’d no longer considered the beard he’d worn for years to be necessary once he’d been promoted to major. Missy had her hair up in a sophisticated style and with only minimal makeup she managed to look gorgeous.
There was a short receiving line as Lieutenant Colonel Horvath had invited Colonel Prusik to be a special guest whom he wanted to introduce to everyone. The colonel commanded the Air Base Wing over at Incirlik Air Base.
When Missy and Major Grimes were presented to Colonel Prusik, the colonel was not surprised to see them. He had been briefed about that top secret Special Forces unit now operating from Izmir and about the second lieutenant now serving as its executive officer. After being introduced to them both, he looked directly at Missy and said, “Colonel Horvath tells me you recently graduated from West Point. He also explained you’ve been assigned to your Special Forces unit for the past three years, concurrent with your assignment at the academy. I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.”
Major Grimes said, “Sir, the lieutenant was part of an Army special study.”
“Oh, Colonel Horvath explained all that. Women in combat. Obviously she performed rather well in order to earn all those medals she’s wearing.” Looking into Missy’s eyes, he asked, “Will you be joining us at our table tonight? I really would like to hear more about your unique situation.”
Missy smiled and glanced over at Lieutenant Colonel Horvath. Then she looked back and said, “Major Grimes and I are happy to sit wherever the Air Force wants us.”
The lieutenant colonel said, “Relax, lieutenant. Assuming my aide arranged the seating plan per my instructions, you both are at the head table tonight. Colonel Prusik and I talked about you earlier and I promised him I’d arrange for that.”
