A SPECIAL SURPRISE

A Special Surprise

Jane Daffron & Barbara Paul

The Observation Nose of the Seaview was dark save for its night-lights and the reflections that shone on the walls surrounding the great transparent portals. Admiral Harriman Nelson sat alone in his 'front porch' staring out into the darkness of the water as his great boat glided gracefully through the depths of the South Pacific Ocean. They were now on the last leg of a mapping survey, recording geological changes around the rim of the Pacific Plate referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It had been an especially long cruise this time around, his first long one in the several months since the incident with the ‘Gray Ghost’ underwater mines. There had been others, short one or two weeks at a time…but this one had been six weeks in length and it was beginning to take its’ toll on everyone. Sighing just a bit, he looked back down at the paperwork and his open log book. Shortly they would be heading for Santa Barbara, their home port, and some very eagerly anticipated shore leave. Over the course of the past few hours, he had tried continually to concentrate on the latest results in the report before him but his mind kept wandering aimlessly.

He swung around and got up from his chair. Walking over to the credenza, he poured himself another cup of coffee…more out of habit than necessity. As he sipped the strong brew, he stood in front of the expansive view ports.

Damn! I’m tired. I can’t concentrate. I’ve got to get this paperwork done but I can’t focus.

Taking another sip of coffee, he looked down at his watch. 2345.

24 hours. I’ve been up now for 24 hours. I’m surprised that Jamie’s not up here after my ass. I’m supposed to take it easy…but there’s too much paperwork to be done here. Why the hell can’t I just sit down here and do this?

He looked back through the partially closed crash doors that separated the Nose area from the main Control Room. Delta Watch was on duty now, and that meant Lt. Bobby O’Brien had the watch. Peering in through the partition, he watched in silent admiration as his crew went about their duties. He could feel the quiet hum of Seaview’s powerful engines as she glided effortlessly through the depths. Finally, he sat the cup down on the table and returned to his seat, determined to get through the final reports so that he could head back to his cabin and rest.

But he found he was unable to keep properly focused and his thoughts kept drifting back to the events of several months before…to the downed USS Monterey and to the explosion that nearly killed him. Maybe Jamie was right. Maybe it was time for him to reassess his life. He certainly wasn’t getting any younger. The rough and tumble world he’d been so used to was getting rougher than he’d ever imagined. Maybe it was time to leave certain things to the younger generation. He’d certainly seen more than his share of death-defying situations.

I’m getting too old for some of this shit. I almost bought it this time.

Sighing just a bit, he tried again to turn his attention to the reports laid out in front of him. He was trying so hard to concentrate on what he was doing that he didn't notice O'Brien come up with a clipboard.

"Sir?" he asked softly.

Nelson almost didn't hear him until O'Brien called out his name. He glanced up in surprise.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I thought you'd like to know that this came in for you a few moments ago." The second officer handed him a small piece of paper containing a message.

He glanced at it and smiled, then refolded it, setting it aside. "Thanks."

O'Brien turned to go to the credenza for a cup of coffee. Glancing back over his shoulder, he asked, "Want some, sir? It's about out and if you're going to be up here long, I can have the Galley bring up a fresh pot."

"Yeah, go ahead. Something tells me I'm going to be here for awhile," he replied and went back to his paperwork.

But ten minutes later, he found himself coming back to one returning idea. That by tomorrow evening, he would be locked in the warm embrace of his wife's arms, enjoying the pleasures and comforts he now sorely missed.

I never thought I’d ever admit that I actually miss being home. Or that I’d miss having her aboard. Now I really understand what some of the men go through.

Officially, ‘she’ was Karen Davis Nelson. Professionally, Captain Karen Davis, USNR, mission specialist, SSRN Seaview. Brought aboard to develop and head Seaview’s Deep Water Dive team. And then, the unexpected happened. Over time, he fell in love with her and she with him. Neither wanted nor expected it, but it seemed as if they had had no other alternative but to relent to it. She wasn’t on board this trip - duties concerning further development of the team and its equipment kept her back at the Institute. Not that she’d wanted to stay…he’d had to insist to her that he was fine…and it wasn’t until Will Jamison had assured her of his condition that she conceded that she was actually needed at the NIMR and in various meetings, instead of on board the boat.

Nelson was actually ready for this particular shore leave. He had always had a tendency to put such things off before, generally working through them, but ever since his marriage, this aspect of his life had changed. In fact, he had grown quite used to them and for some strange, inexplicable reason, now found himself actually looking forward to them. Both he and Karen had been working extremely hard over the past few months at their own individual projects. This time apart had made both of them edgy so the decision was made that they’d reserve a room at a Bed & Breakfast inn they had come to enjoy up in the Napa Valley. As soon as Seaview docked and all secured, he’d fly up to meet her. She had to be up on the northern section of California anyway, meeting with the manufacturer of the diving helmets for the Team’s specialized suits, so they’d agreed to meet at the Prescott Inn. Unbeknownst to her, he had also secretly arranged something very special for her with the manager, John Prescott, an old friend of his.

Several months before, Karen had shown him a side of herself that he had never known existed. A highly erotic side. There had been a slight 'disagreement' between them and when he had had to fly to Washington, D.C. for an emergency budget meeting at the Pentagon, she had slipped an envelope containing a letter and a sheath of papers into his luggage. It had contained a thinly disguised apology as well as a 'fantasy' that she had written the very first week they had seriously started to see each other. That evening, Karen ‘unexpectedly’ showed up at his hotel room and the remainder of the weekend was one that Harriman Nelson would not soon forget. Looking back now, he finally realized that there were many facets of his wife that he didn't know, but looked forward to discovering.

Smiling to himself, he had to admit that her expose had indeed surprised, and, most definitely, delighted him that weekend. And amazingly enough, he’d found that he’d kept that letter and its contents with him, even aboard the boat. Somehow, he felt it kept her near to him and it never ceased to amaze him that she had so many interesting sides. The very fact that she’d written something such as that about him, with such erotic description, and it still excited him beyond his own imagination.

I never in my life imagined that Karen was capable of such description. Damn! Just reading it…

He felt his face flush with slight embarrassment as he remembered the sexual fantasy his wife had described on paper and it brought about a slight rise in anticipation of events to come. And yet, as he sat looking out the great ‘glass’ ports, he realized that at no time during the last four years, had he really told her how he felt about her and about the effect she had had on his life. Yes, they had finally married but he had never really told her.

How do I tell you, Karen, how much you really mean to me? You know I have a hard time expressing myself sometimes…

Rubbing his temple and then running his hand through his hair, he knew he had to tell her. But how?

That's the problem. I've tried so many times. Even before that dive. I didn't want you to make that dive. Why in God's name didn't I just come right out and tell you then? Lee warned me…told me I needed to tell you how I felt. He told me you were in love with me. I should have commanded you not to make that dive.

She had gone through so much for him and he for her. Remembering the feelings of helplessness he had had as he had to stand outside the decompression chamber and watch her, hurt, helpless, and unconscious, after the accident, unable to go to her, hold her hand and tell her how he felt, how deeply in love he was with her…he finally took a piece of paper and started to write.

His thoughts were interrupted moments later by one of the crewmen silently bringing in another pot of coffee and placing it on the credenza. Wordlessly, he nodded his head in acknowledgement and then returned to the paper in front of him. An hour or so later, after some very serious soul searching and numerous revisions, he sat back in near exhaustion. Looking down, he couldn't believe that he'd actually finally bared his soul to her. Oh, he'd shared a lot of himself with her over the past few years… he'd found he'd had to. After all, she had insisted there be no secrets between them, wanting an open and honest relationship. However, this…this was much different and it hadn’t been easy for him. He picked the letter up and read it over a multitude of times, making sure every thing…every word…was right. Knowing how she had opened up to him in her letter, he felt it was time for him to be open with her but he still found it very difficult to express his feelings, even here. He'd never told anyone about his deepest inner feelings and fears, not even his sister, Edith. These were things he'd always kept to himself…feeling that if they were shared, they'd make him, or even others, vulnerable. Still, this was his wife…his life's partner. Somehow, though, it still didn't make it any easier but he felt he needed to tell her.

I hope this tells you, Karen. I hope…Hell! I don't know what I expect out of this. She knows I love her. Looking down at the simple gold ring that now graced his left hand, a slight smile appeared. I do love her. I just wish I could really tell her.

Back in Santa Barbara, at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research, a redesign of the radios and other systems in the dive suits to withstand severe impacts had kept Karen Davis Nelson quite busy. After the failures of some key systems during the Gray Ghost operation, she wanted to make sure it didn't occur again. Not having communications at those depths under those conditions could possibly prove deadly to her team. She herself had been through an incident where lost communications had almost cost her and her teammate their lives. So, this was something she wasn't ready to accept at this time, no matter who it involved. And like her husband, Karen could become very channeled and almost obsessive where her work was involved. The fact that this last incident had involved the life of her husband made it even more imperative that all the equipment worked perfectly. The fear and thoughts of having possibly lost him out there had scared her soundly. She wasn't prepared to lose him now…or ever. This was simply not an option in her book. So, instead of joining the boat on this latest assignment, she stayed behind to work with her research and development team on the redesign. Then the meeting with the designers of the helmets came up and she’d had to fly up to Oakland. And since he’d asked her to meet at the Inn anyway, the trip north had taken on an extra meaning.

She arrived just shortly after sunset that evening and decided to get things ready for his arrival. After receiving a key to their suite from the manager, she wearily put the key in the lock and turned it. Opening the door, what she found inside wasn't what she had planned at all. Slowly walking inside, she found the room lit with hundreds of candles…the reflections of which bathed the room in a soft warm glow. She paused and looked around the room. There was a lit fireplace and a oriental rug on the floor before it. The furniture had a deepened Old English appearance to it. The lace curtains had been pulled closed, and an exquisite meal of pheasant under glass, caviar, an assortment of vegetables, and a large trifle bowl of strawberries with chocolate sauce and whipped cream was waiting. There were two glasses of high quality cut crystal filled to the brim with Champagne waiting for the evening cocktail. The remaining portion of a bottle of Dom Perigon was placed on ice in a silver ice bucket sitting on a stand next to the table. A small crystal vase containing a single red rose stood quiet sentinel beside her plate, which contained a folded paper with her name on it. As she sat down in the chair in front of her plate, she carefully picked up the paper and opened it. Recognizing the handwriting as that of Harry's, she began to read…

Karen,

This trip has been too long and hard this time around - I guess I really do need to start heeding Jamie’s advice a bit more often, especially after the incident in the Marshalls. Maybe I do need to pace myself a bit more.

There’s just been so much happening here. He’s been after me to rest. In some ways, you’d think I was married to him, not you. He actually threatened me. ME! There are times I think Will Jamison actually believes that he’s the one who make decisions around here.

I've been up now for the last 24 hours, trying to get all the paperwork done before we dock, but I'm having a hard time of it…all I can do is think of you…and holding you in my arms. Maybe I’m getting a bit sentimental in my old age, but as I sit here in the Nose, staring out at the blackness of the ocean before me, I find my mind drifting to you. I keep wondering...what is it that she sees in this old, weathered body that I see reflected in the window before me? I’m so much older then she is and not the most handsome man around. So…why me?

I was recently thinking back to when I first saw you. And believe it or not…I do remember that brief encounter in the hall outside the SecNav’s office that day. I actually remember thinking to myself that you were a very attractive woman…and there was something in your eyes that caught me. Then, when I saw you again at the airfield, I felt something stir deep inside me. I really think It was a feeling I had tried to forget because I wasn’t ready to confront it yet. Frankly, I really believe I was afraid of the possible outcome, so I simply shut it out... I refused to acknowledge to myself that I was attracted to you…but as the time passed and we got to know each other better, I started to get that feeling back again, and each time it became stronger, more compelling and teased me to ‘Push the Envelope’ as you would put it. Yet something held me back. I know now that it was that ever constant companion I had come to know so well over the years...a thing called fear. I was afraid I’d let myself fall in love with you and then lose you like I had lost Katherine. And quite frankly, I didn’t think I could go through that again. It would have killed me inside. So many questions kept haunting my thoughts. What would I do if you and Caitlin were ever put in jeopardy because of me? How would I handle it? Would I react the same way as before? I guess I didn’t want to think about things like this so, once again, I retreated to the safety of the past and put those feelings in check. I tried to keep my professional and personal lives separate.

Well, as we both know...that didn’t work, did it?

Somewhere, however, between the time you first arrived at the Institute and now, you’ve done something to me I can’t fully explain. I still can’t believe that, at this stage of my life, I’ve been given such a gift. You don’t know how hard it was for me that day…taking that 1^st step to ask you for dinner. As much as I wanted to before that...I’d held everything in check. But there was always this little voice urging me to take the chance. I think you know that one part of that ‘voice’ was Caitlin’s. I do owe her a great debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay. Had she not kept after me, I don’t know if I’d have found the courage necessary to chart the course that brings us here now. Your daughter, my dear Karen, is one formidable foe. In a way, I pity the man she finally marries, for he’ll never really know that he’s been ‘under fire’ until it’s too late.

I’ve tried over the past year or so to figure out what it is about you that has so totally taken charge of my life like this. Is it that look in your eyes as they catch the morning sun when you first wake? Is it your smile that greets me every morning when you kiss me as you get up…and is there whenever things don’t go exactly as planned? Or is it that strange sense of humor of yours that constantly keeps me guessing and on my toes, such as your insistence that the Academy will never beat VT and that I have to purchase season tickets to a college I never attended? (tho I do have to admit that getting you to the Academy wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be). I simply don’t know. I have to admit…I never figured I’d fall in love with someone that has such a wonderful, quirky way of looking at life. Maybe it’s all these things and the way you know just when and how to put me at ease when I’m tense, upset or angry. You know, I never can stay mad at you for long…you won’t let me, to begin with. You have this strange habit of making me forget why I was ever angry, particularly at you.

There’s so much I’ve wanted to say to you but I’ve never had the courage or the ability to do so. You don’t know how much it means to me to just have you close. To just sit in the evenings on the beach or on the deck at our home and just hold you in my arms. Nothing more. I’ve actually stood inside at the patio door and watched you standing at the railing on the deck…and wondered why in hell it took me so long to finally realize that I loved you.

Do you remember the night a few weeks ago, when you came home and I was standing out on the deck? That day had been pretty bad – I’d had to referee several ego battles and to tell you the truth, I was just plain tired. You didn’t say a word – just put your arms around me and stood there. I think we must have stood there for 5 to 10 minutes before you ever said a word. But you know, just the fact that you were there was what felt so good.

Then when I feel your desires, I can only hope I’m fulfilling your needs.

Sitting here, I thought of you and what I would do when I see you again. I somehow envisioned seeing you in a room full of blazing candles, sitting at a table, a wonderful meal before us, a glass of Champagne in your hand…somewhat similar in fact to the first night of our honeymoon. You looked so enticing that night…I have to admit, you completely surprised me that evening. You know, you’re always so attentive to my needs and somehow, I often feel I don’t give you near the attention and the love you need or desire. You deserve it…and so much more. Maybe, in some small way, I can make up for this night.

You know I’ve never been very good at expressing my personal feelings to anyone…even Edith. Somewhere I’ve heard it said that men often have a hard time expressing exactly how they feel…if so, then I guess I’m like most men. That’s why this letter is very hard for me to write. It makes me feel vulnerable. And you know by now that I don’t handle being vulnerable very well. I just hope that what I lack in words will be more than made up for in actions. I want tonight to be something very special for you, Karen. It’s my hope that this slightly ‘Old Fashioned’ man you married can make it in your ‘modern’ world and make your dreams, and fantasies, come true the way you’ve made mine. So….

Harriman

The note ended there. She gently refolded it and placed it back on the table, the letter now slightly stained with the tears that had silently flowed as she had read it. It had touched her heart in a way no one would, or could, ever understand. Karen Nelson knew what it had taken for him to write this. As he had stated, he often had a hard time expressing himself verbally with her. That part of the letter was true, yet she also knew in her own heart by his actions both toward her, and with her, how he truly felt. Harriman Nelson was more of a man of deeds rather than words. And those 'deeds' spoke more about him than anyone would ever know. She knew that from the very moment he asked her to marry him…and from the moment she said 'yes'. They were two very strong willed people, yet for some reason, they seemed to compliment each other in strength and disposition. She had often told him that he kept her ‘grounded’, in touch with true reality and that was never more true than now.

She couldn't help but feel herself wishing he were there right then even though she knew he’d be there soon enough. All she wanted was for him to take her into his arms and have him love her. Picking up the letter again, she unfolded it and reread it. Those people who knew her well knew that she was a true romantic. What he had just done in this letter was something she would truly cherish for the rest of her life.

The tears continued to flow as she whispered aloud, “Why do you do this to me, Harry? You really know how to get into my heart, don't you? “

Suddenly, she felt a pair of hands come from behind and close over her eyes. She knew those hands so very well and as she touched the arms, she felt the leather sleeves of his flight jacket and a whiff of his aftershave caught in her nostrils. Nelson moved around to face her and then knelt down on one knee before her. Taking her tear stained face gently in his hands, he claimed her mouth with a deep and passionate kiss. Slowly, he broke away and looked deep into her eyes as his fingers entwined in the curls of her hair.

"Now, I think I’ve heard an old saying about ‘turnabout being fair play?" he gently told her, slightly teasing her as he stood, pulling her up with him and taking her in his arms for another long and enthusiastic kiss. He brought his hands to her shoulders and slowly began to kiss her cheeks, nose, forehead and then her neck. "I've missed you," he whispered in her ear and then added, "My bunk’s been just a tad bit lonely."

"And I missed you, Harriman," she murmured as she felt his lips brush her neck. "And this is perfect. It's so beautiful. Thank you so very much." Her resolve was starting to melt as his breath felt like searing coals on her skin.

"I meant every word," came the muffled reply, his hands gently undoing the zipper of her dress. His lips claimed hers as he then slipped her dress from her shoulders. She stood before him clad in little more than her undergarments and those also soon dropped quietly to the floor. “Course I had a little help in setting up the arrangements. John and Maggie saw to that.”

Removing his hat and tossing it backward onto the chair behind her, she then began to slowly undo his tie. It dropped to the floor as she removed his leather flight jacket, letting it slip down his arms to the floor as well. Her lips met his and she kissed him softly as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it over his shoulders and sliding it down around his waist. Gently pulling his cotton T-shirt free from his pants, she grasped the ends and slid it up over his head. His chest felt so warm and safe as she then pulled him close to her in a passionate embrace.

"How did I get so lucky to find someone like you? What is it that you see in me?" he asked her in a hushed voice as he took the palm of her hand and kissed it ever so gently.

Karen looked deeply into those steel blue eyes and barely touched her lips to his. As her arms slowly found themselves around his neck, she replied, "That's not such a hard question, Harry. I love you. It's as simple as that. What you've just done is the most beautiful thing I've ever known. You'll never know what this means to me." She traced a line around his lips as they captured her fingers. "We were both lucky to find each other… and…you're right," she smiled and said, "We do have Caitlin to thank."

She continued to undress him as she unbuckled his belt, undid the button at the waistline of his trousers, then unzipped them. As he stepped out of them, he kicked off his shoes into the pile and they left their clothes in a heap on the floor when he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the antique filled bedroom. Lowering her gently onto the bed, he then joined her as he continued to kiss her passionately. As he broke their heated embrace, he began to gently massage her, starting first at her forehead and temples, working the lines of worry and tension from her face and then moving to her neck and shoulders.

"You feel tense," he quietly remarked as he began to knead the stiffness from her muscles. "Is there a reason?"

Smiling seductively up at him, she slyly answered, "Too tense…from too long a time away from you. You’ve spoiled me, Admiral Nelson, to certain, ah, necessities in life."

"Well, then…hmmmmm, I guess I'll need to take care of that then, I see," was his lustful reply as he continued to massage her and felt her start to relax under his touch. Slowly, he moved to her chest and carefully caressed her breasts. His hands and fingers lightly fondled them as his lips teased the small knobs on each. Then carefully but firmly, he began to move further down, rubbing and working the muscles, until he reached her thighs. His thumbs then massaged the inner muscles of her groin and his fingers worked the outside of her legs. Her soft sighs of contentment pleased him.

"I want to make love to you," he whispered as he continued to kiss her stomach. His hands worked their way down her legs, massaging each part of them until he reached her feet. He then began to rub each one to ease the tension in them. Remembering her reaction from the day of their wedding when he had massaged them after she had complained, Harry smiled to himself as he watched her contented reaction to his motions.

She gazed at him through half opened eyes. He was sitting at the end of the bed massaging her feet, just as he had the evening they were married. "You do, do you?" was her reply, a bit of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

His voice. that wonderful resonant, sexy voice. low but husky with lust, replied, "Yes, I do."

She held out her hand to him, smiled, and nodded her affirmation. As he took it, he bent over and kissed her fingers. He then began to slowly move back up, kissing her skin ever so softly as he inched closer and closer to his ultimate goal. His fingers expertly caressed her thighs, massaging them lightly to ease the tightness. Her body was responding to his touch as a low throaty moan of pleasure escaped from her lips. Over the period of the past couple of years, he had learned exactly what would excite her. She started to reach for him…to reciprocate the pleasure…but he refused her, instead gently pushing her hands aside.

"No, Karen, tonight is your night," came the reply. His fingers continued kneading and massaging until they reached her pubic mound and he then slowly spread her legs apart. Maneuvering himself between them, he continued until he found that hidden secret place that he knew would bring her intense pleasure. His lips lightly kissed that most sensitive spot and he felt a slight shiver of anticipation in her body. It pleased him to know that she felt the sensuous pleasure he was attempting to give her. His tongue began to play ever so softly with that magic button of hers while his fingers explored the surrounding area. As he spread the small lobes of flesh aside, his tongue gently sought out the core of her very essence. Finding it, he began to bring her closer and closer to an intensity that she hadn't known in a while. Her low moans of obvious pleasure added to his own feeling of arousal. When he felt she was just at the brink of her climax, he broke off and slowly began to enter her.

"Tonight I'll take you to a place you never knew existed," he murmured as he slipped silently inside her hot moistness.

She felt warm and inviting. He entered slowly at first, stopping momentarily at its entrance before proceeding on. Just the tip entered her at first and then retreated to enter again, only this time to probe deeper with each successive stroke. He was trying very hard to contain himself, not wanting his own gratification until she had reached her peak of pleasure and satisfaction. His momentum slowly increased and he leaned down to claim her waiting mouth.

Their bodies moved together in unison as if acting out some primeval dance. Then, suddenly, as if in suspended time, he watched as she suddenly arched her back in response and felt her wash over him as she reached her peak. Over and over, her contractions held him…caressed him…until he finally tensed, then shuttered, as he exploded within her. His eyes never left hers as he escaped into his own world of intense fulfillment. Their rhythm slowed and he took her into his arms, enveloping her, holding her in quiet contentment.

For what seemed an eternity, the only sounds they heard was that of their own breathing and each other's heartbeats. They were simply content to lie in each other's arms, their union unbroken, savoring what had just passed between them. Shortly, he placed his hand under her chin and raised her face up toward him. He bent down slightly and her lips met his in a breath of a kiss as he softly told her, "I love you, Karen."

She gazed back into the eyes of the man who had captured her heart. "And I love you too, Harriman…more than anything in this world."

His finger traced a soft line around her lips and then he lightly kissed the tip of her nose. A slight grin appeared as he quietly but firmly stated, "As you so aptly put it, Captain…there are some things that are better physically demonstrated rather than verbally explained. And I'm about to provide you with 'demonstrations' that you won't soon forget."

The dinner went untouched that night…not even the champagne was consumed. The candles burned long into the night and deep into the following morning. They never heard the maid's knock on their door nor did they even care. Harriman Nelson had in fact provided his wife with a night she would not soon forget…both in word…and in deed.