Read GOTU - A Robin Marlette Novel Online
Authors: Mike McNeff
Later, Karen talked to Robin in their quarters. Robin finished telling Karen about the CIA's plan. “It's not like we have a lot of choices. I know all of this has been tough on you and the kids, and moving to a whole new part of the country won't make things any easier.”
“We are a tough family, Robin Marlette. Will you be gone all of the time again like when you worked narcotics?”
“That may be a good side to this. I will be away from you when we are on CIA missions, but I won't be doing that all of the time. I will be a businessman in Seattle. When I travel for this business, I can take you and the kids with me.”
“That sounds like it might be fun.”
“Overall, honey, I should be with you a whole lot more than before.”
“That's all I ever wanted, Rob.”
“Believe it or not, Karen, that's what I want too.” Robin kissed his wife.
An hour later, Robin worked on plans for the team when Karen came into the room.
“Honey, you need to talk to Cathy.”
“What's up?”
“She just came back from the hospital. She and Andy are having trouble. Cathy is very upset.”
“What is the trouble?”
“I think she should tell you.” Robin went upstairs to the unit where Cathy and Laurie were staying. He knocked, and Laurie opened the door.
“Hi honey, how are you doing?”
“I'm doing fine, Dad, but Cathy sure isn't. She's in her room.” Robin walked over to the door and knocked.
“Cathy, it's Dad. Can I come in?” Cathy didn't respond. Then after a short time, she opened the door.
“Want to talk?”
Cathy sat on her bed and started crying.
“What's up, Cathy?”
Cathy slowly looked up to her father. “Andy says I should go away and leave him. He says his face is horrible and he doesn't want to be with me anymore. He wants me to find someone else.” Cathy fell on her bed, sobbing.
“Did you tell your mom about this?”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel about it?”
Cathy shot upright, giving her father a fierce look. “I love Andy with all my heart. I want to be his wife. I love him for his heart, not his face!”
“Well, are you a Marlette or a mouse?”
“What do you mean?” Cathy asked with a quizzical look.
“Are you going to give up, or are you going to take matters into your own hands?”
“I love Andy. I'll do what it takes! I just don't know what to do. Will you help me, Dad?”
“I'll take care of the technicalities. Let's go see Mom.”
Robin and Cathy went downstairs and Robin called to Karen. “Honey, are you here?”
Karen came out of the bedroom and put her arm around Cathy. “Have you decided what you're going to do?”
“Dad says I should act like a Marlette and take control of the situation.”
Karen glanced over at Robin. “That would be your dad. What do
you
want to do?”
“I love Andy and I want to be his wife.”
“Any idea when you want to do this?”
“I wanted to marry Andy two days after our first date.” Cathy began to cry, and buried her face in Karen's shoulder.
“Oh, my dear first-born child, you are so much like your father.” Karen gently pushed Cathy from her shoulder and looked lovingly at her. “I know that no matter what Andy says, he loves you with all of this heart. Let's you and I go see Uncle Ernie and Aunt Sally.” Karen turned to Robin. “Colonel, will you please handle the technicalities while we go see the Jacksons and get ready for a hospital wedding?”
Robin saluted Karen. “Can do, General!”
Robin called Andy's doctor and told him of the situation. The doctor knew about the argument between Andy and Cathy. He told Robin Andy had sunk into a deep depression and he would be happy to take care of the blood tests. Cathy had received a complete physical at Walter Reed after the rescue, so the hospital records contained both her and Andy's blood analysis. That made the marriage license easy.
Three days later, both families were flown to Walter Reed and met the Walter Reed Chaplain.
As they were walking to Andy's room, Ernie stopped her. “Cathy, are you sure you want to do this? Andy is going to be going through a rough time. Even when he is through reconstructive surgery, he is not going to look the same.” Ernie's last words were strained with a tight throat, and tears welled in his eyes.
Cathy's eyes shot fire. “I know exactly what I am doing, Uncle Ernie. I love Andy, I want to be his wife, and that's it!”
“Cathy, we love you”
“Ernie,” Robin interjected. “If you don't want my shy and retiring daughter to kick your dumb balls into your throat, I suggest you shut up and let's get on with the wedding.”
Sally Jackson grabbed her husband's arm and with an exasperated look pulled him to Andy's door.
Robin looked at his daughter. “You're on, kid. Make him believe.”
Cathy kissed her father, hugged her mother, took a deep breath, and walked into the room. She wore a simple white dress with white daisies hand-picked by Karen in her hair. She held a small bouquet of other flowers. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with a fierce passion. Andy appeared confused and dazzled by her beauty.
“Andrew Jackson, do you love me?” Andy did not answer right away. Eventually, he spoke, trying to make his jaw work.
“Yessh.” He turned his face away.
“Andy, look at me.” Andy turned his head back. “I love you with all my heart. I want to be with you forever. I don't give a damn what your face looks like. I only care what your heart and soul look like. I want to be your wife and I want to be your wife now. Are you ready?”
Andy nodded his head. Cathy smiled and kissed his cheek. She turned to the door with a shining smile. “We're ready!”
“I don't know how I can top that!” the Chaplain said as he walked through the door.
Robin and Karen held hands. They looked at each other and then at their daughter. Love and fierce pride swelled in Robin. He put his hand around Karen's waist, and she pressed his arm close to her as tears made their way down her cheeks. Still, Robin chuckled to himself and sent a silent message to Andy:
God help you, Andrew Jackson
.
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