Robert Thomas - The Bear - Red Star Rising

Frank looked up, nearly in shock, his eyes awash in warmth. He mindlessly wiped his palm across the wheel, pulling back a bloodied hand. He stared ahead as the plane rolled atop the dark waves of the Baltic Sea, its flat surfaces the only thing keeping them afloat. He turned toward Will who had slumped unconscious against the controls. He had given everything he had to keep them alive. Frank coughed, sending a spurt of blood against the windshield. The sea rolled before him as they rocked back and forth, the dark waters broken only by the whitecaps pushed by the arctic winds. He blinked, his vision clouded. He watched in a fog as the blackness began to lighten and a circle of dark green seemed to appear from nowhere. Green foam splashed with white. And bubbles. Millions of bubbles began to soil the blackness. They churned and rode the waves like thunder from the heavens. The plane rocked as water surged over the wings, pushed by a leviathan as the dark shape broke the surface before him.

The sleek hull crested the waves rising in a quiet rush as water poured from the openings and the planes along the sail, forming a classic silhouette against the sky as it escaped the water’s grip. The plane began to bob uncontrollably. From his coffin, he watched the hatch pop open and fall back as dark figures in orange vests clambered out onto the deck. A raft thrown into the water was quickly joined by figures jumping into the roiling sea. In his state, he could not imagine why anyone would sacrifice themselves to the god of the waters. Major Francis Brown closed his eyes as the rumble of jet engines faded in his ears.

He knew, at least he thought he knew, what to expect. The bed in the hospital room would be covered with white linens, and plastic. Blood would be everywhere when the time came. He hoped he could stomach what was about to happen. He took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts aside. The snap of a glove brought him back to the present. It was time.

The rush of fluids gushing to the floor seemed as inconsequential as anything he had ever seen. He was focused solely on this singular event. He stood out of the way as the doctor leaned in to do his work.

“That’s it. That’s it. One more. Give me a towel.”

The next few seconds changed his life forever. He heard a delicate ‘smack’ and the first cries of a wailing infant echo within the delivery room.

“Captain Anthony, you have a son.”

The doctor turned and handed the child to the nurses where he was promptly weighed and measured before being wrapped in a clean white blanket. The screams of life faded as he was placed on his mother’s breast. Kyle looked up to his wife, and smiled. He was so proud of her. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

“Don’t,” she smiled. “I must look awful.” Jen Anthony looked down at her son as he took his first breaths. Though his eyes were closed, she caressed his face and watched his nose as it moved in and out. Kyle took a towel and wiped the glistening sweat from her face. Her brows were soaked and her hair matted from the effort, and she never looked so beautiful.

“Congratulations folks,” the doctor remarked as he stood and snapped off his latex gloves. “He’s a fine looking lad. Got all the parts and everything is in the right place.”

Kyle reached down to stroke his son and touch his skin for the first time. His hand nearly covered his son from top to bottom. He knew in his heart it would be a hand that delivered nothing but love to his child, a firm love, a giving love, a love that protected him from all the perils of the world. Because that’s what fathers do.

The room was cleared as the nurses went about their business and within ten minutes, the Anthony family was alone for the first time.

“He’s so beautiful.”

“He takes after his mother in that.”

“I hardly think so.” She reached down and stroked his cheek. “He’s so small.”

“I think that’ll change over time.”

They looked up and smiled at the unexpected voice.

“Will!”

“I was told it would be okay to step in and say hi.” Will Jenner tucked his cap under his arm and smiled as he let the door swing behind him. “I think congratulations are in order.” He extended his hand but as he stepped forward, Kyle leaned down and gave him the biggest bear hug he ever had.

“Don’t crush him, dear.” Jen lifted her free arm and waved with her hand. “Come give me a hug there, fly boy.”

“Always for you, Jen. Always.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “He’s so precious. Got a name for him?”

“That’s still under debate,” she replied.

“Hmmm. I think I’ll withdraw the question.” Will stepped back and planted a smile toward them.

“How long are you in town?”

“I’m about out. I had some follow-up treatment down at the center.”

“Everything okay?” Jen asked.

“Sure. Just some lingering issues from our mission, nothing of concern. They say I might even be able to fly again someday. Of course my time as a fighter pilot is officially through. The Air Force will probably keep me around in a nice desk job. I don’t know if I can handle that for another ten years.”

“You gonna stay on then?”

“I am. I hear you made captain. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Of course she still outranks me, even as a civilian.” Kyle looked down at his wife and caressed the side of her face.

A knock on the half-closed door let it swing open slightly and another head popped into the room.

“I heard there was a party going on.” Ruth flashed a huge smile as she walked in extending her arms. “Let me see him. Gimme gimme!”

“I’ve got to get a big hug first.” Kyle spread his arms and gave his second massive bear hug of the day. He’d never felt so much joy.

A moment later the phone next to Jan’s bed sprung to life.

“Damn that’s loud,” she exclaimed. “Scare the heck out of me. Who do you suppose that is?”

“Oh,” Ruth said meekly with a smile. “I might have spilled the beans to someone else.”

“Hello?”

“Jen, how are you?”

“Frank! Oh Frank, thank you so much for calling. I guess you were let in on our due date.”

“I sort of had a little help in that, yes.”

“Here, let me put you on speaker.” She reached over and punched the orange button before letting the handset come to rest on the cradle. “Can you hear me?”

“Every word,” Frank replied. “So, did I miss the big event?”

“You couldn’t have timed it any better,” Ruth nearly shouted.

“Is everyone there? Will too?”

“I’m here too, Frank. Where are you?”

“I can’t stay on the phone long, I’m about to board a plane.”

“A plane? Hell, I still have nightmares about those things,” Ruth exclaimed. “You won’t catch me on a plane unless ordered, and even then I might protest.”

“Ruth, I was just certified as a pilot last week. Got my license and everything.” Frank’s booming laugh could be heard across the room.

“A pilot? You’ve got to be kidding!” Will laughed.

“Nope. I kind of got the bug. It’s actually been a life-long dream of mine.”

“Where you heading?” Kyle asked.

“Funny you should ask. I’m heading back to Russia.”

“What for?” The look on Jen’s face was nothing but surprise.

“Special assignment. I’ll be the liaison to the American Ambassador for military operations. I’m getting ready to board now. I just wanted to call and say congratulations to you both.”

“We couldn’t be happier, Frank. Best of luck.”

“Thanks guys. Gotta go.”

The line went dead and Jen punched the speaker button again to silence the buzz.