Love's Promise

Chapter 1-2

Charise and Zachery’s wedding was scheduled for one week before Christmas. Charise explained to Zachery that school would be out for two weeks for Christmas, so they could have two weeks for a honeymoon, and she would not have to get a sub to teach her fitness class at the school. It also gave them time to make sure their house was ready for them to move into.

Charise and Zachery had made a trip to the military hospital to visit with Dawson Staloc, the Seal Zachery helped to rescue.

“Hi,” said Zachery as he and Charise entered the hospital room of Dawson Staloc.

“Hello,” greeted Dawson with a big grin as he saw who was there.

“How are you doing?” asked Zachery?”

“I’m very thankful to be alive. I understand I owe my rescue to you, Lieutenant,” said Dawson. Zachery looked surprised. Dawson, seeing Zachery’s look of surprise, smiled. “Pollack and Fortanos came by to see me. They overheard some guys in the office complaining about your pulling strings when they were there to get their orders. They were glad you had told the ones in charge to give them all of the information instead of sending them in half-prepared.”

“I was just looking out for my Seal Team,” said Zachery. “This is my fiancée.” Zachery pulled Charise forward close to his side.

“Congratulations, Sir,” said Dawson. “It’s nice to meet you, Ma’am.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dawson. I’m glad your rescuers managed to find you and get you home,” said Charise.

“So am I, Ma’am,” said Dawson.

“Where are you going when you get out of the hospital?” asked Zachery.

“I don’t know,” said Dawson. “My mom died last year, and my dad and I don’t get along. I’ll figure something out,” said Dawson with a shrug.

Zachery looked at Charise, and she smiled and nodded.

“I’m building an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool. If you want a job, look me up at Fitness Central in Sharpville. I can use a good swimming instructor,” said Zachery. “Who better to teach swimming than a Navy Seal?”

Dawson smiled at Zachery. “I will see you as soon as they let me out of here,” he said.

“Good,” said Zachery. “Take care and follow the doctor’s orders, and we will see you soon.”

Zachery and Dawson saluted each other, and Charise smiled as she and Zachery left.

They left behind a Seal with new hope for the future.

“Won’t he still be a Seal?” asked Charise when they were on their way to the car.

“He will always be a Seal, but he will be an inactive one, for now. After being tortured, his body has to be retrained, and he has to rebuild his stamina. He can not go out on a mission until he is in top shape. He would put the whole team in danger. Being at the swimming pool will be good for him. Swimming is one of the best ways to build stamina and retrain your body,” explained Zachery.

“I see,” said Charise. “Won’t the commanders think you are interfering, again?”

“Probably,” agreed Zachery with a grin. “I have to take what pleasure I can.”

Charise smiled at him and hugged his arm.