A Special Ops Christmas Read Online Free PDF

off on
making any decisions, but… maybe he had taken a preemptive strike.
    She was surprised at the length of the email, which almost
made her laugh—Aiden was usually straight to the point. She would have at least
smiled, but her nerves were pricking all over, and her stomach knotted up even
more. Then she let her eyes focus on the words.
     
    Vivianne, it was so good to hear your voice. I don’t
think you know this, but it’s you that holds me together. You are my center. I
do my job and I come back you, and that’s when I feel like the real me.
     
    She continued reading through blurry eyes. He had signed it All
my love, Aiden.
    He was obviously making a sincere attempt to communicate his
feelings from the heart, to win her over again. Loving him had never been a
problem. That man could take her breath away by flashing the O’Riley smile.
She’d always been so proud to be with a man like him, someone so strong and yet
loving.
     
    I will commit to nurturing our union, including keeping
the lines of communication open.
     
    Her own confusion made it hard for the words to sink in. She
had to fight through layers of hurt and… guilt. She had hidden more than her
pregnancy from her husband, and it would be impossible to go forward until she
unburdened this secret.
    “Morning, Viv!” Her co-worker, Sheila, hustled by, dressed
as one of Santa’s elves over her nursing uniform. “Ready for the rush? Are you
feeling better?” Sheila had a cheery, sing-song voice.
    Vivianne couldn’t help but smile. “A little better, thanks.
It was just a stomach thing.” People had noticed she’d taken a few days off and
came in later now, but thankfully no had put two and two together so far. It
wouldn’t take long, however, in a doctor’s office. “Hey, Sheila, could you
cover me for a few minutes? I need to take care of something.”
    “Of course, no problem.” Sheila smiled and patted Vivianne’s
shoulder before walking away, singing slightly off key to Frosty the Snowman playing softly in the background.
    After several minutes of blankly staring at her computer
screen, one clear thought rose amid all Vivianne’s confusion. She read Aiden’s
words once again, then she clicked “reply” and began typing.
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    She stared at his I.D. for a few seconds too long, making
Aiden nervous. He simply smiled at her when she looked up, and then she waved
him through security. One hurdle cleared. Now he was in ATL and would soon fly
across the US and to Vivianne.
    He wasn’t happy about the five hour layover in Atlanta,
simply because he wanted to see Vivianne now and not five hours later. He ate a
quick burger, enjoying the fast food and the air of civilian normalcy all
around him. People were wishing each other Merry Christmas and talking about
who they would soon visit.
    His cell rang while he was slowly chewing his last bite. Did
they catch him already? That seemed doubtful. It could be important so he
answered, his chest tight. “O’Riley.”
    “We got you a quicker flight,” Daniels said. “Unless you
want to sit around there for a few hours.”
    “No, not at all, but how did you do it?”
    Daniels was quiet for a second. “Well, apparently some
people have the power to move around take off times. And it’s better to keep
you moving, just in case. That other flight was scheduled in case we needed
it.”
    Aiden got his new flight information and hustled across the
airport to catch the new plane. Once he was on his final flight to California,
this started to feel real. This flight was shorter and he couldn’t sleep. The
time went by painfully slow and then suddenly too fast, as he realized they
were nearing their destination.
    “All passengers return to your seats and prepare for
landing. It has been my pleasure to be your pilot today. Have a very Merry
Christmas.” 
    Viv, I’m coming home. Before Aiden knew it, the plane
was touching down in a smooth landing. He hoped it’d be a good