The Widow and The CEO.

Prologue 4 – The Consequences.

Prologue 4 – The Consequences.

Clay sat on the giant Globemaster aircraft, his new wife beside him, as they returned to England, after a quick stop off in Cyprus. Ruth had agreed to the marriage, indicating to her now husband, that she trusted him. Even the Padre had fallen for the romantic story Danny had concocted on Clay’s behalf. He bought it, hook, line and sinker. So it was, in a small tent that doubled as a place of worship, in the hot desert sands, Staff Sergeant Clay Miller married Ruth, the 18-year-old girl, and was bringing her home.

As the large aircraft began its descent into RAF Brize Norton, Clay sighed. He knew his mother Naomi would be waiting for him, desperate to see her only remaining son, probably with tears stinging her eyes, as she remembered the time his brother James was brought back in a coffin, the Union flag draped over it, along with four of his mates. Clay shook his head, to clear the memory, placing it into a box in his mind. He was due to move up to Catterick in three weeks, living on base with his bride, and his mother, a transfer from Salisbury. Such was the life of a military man, never in the same place for long. Ruth stiffened beside him, as the wheels of the aircraft hit the tarmac, the engines roared out their protest as the breaks were applied, to halt the giant beast of an aeroplane.

“It is okay,” he smiled at her, it was only her second flight, the first into Cyprus, where the poor girl had sat, white as a sheet, terrified out of her wits. Clay was not sure if it was the flight that had scared her as much as the life she was now heading toward.

Naomi Miller stood with the other families watching the giant grey plane as it came into view. She was desperate to see her son, return once more, to know what was happening in his life. Naomi’s life had been one of heartache. Not only had she lost her son James, but also her husband. Although truth be told, the latter was not much of a loss to her. The man had been a raging alcoholic, taking money from anyone and anywhere he could in order to feed his addiction. He died when his liver failed, leaving Naomi and her sons swimming in debt, and not all of it by legitimate sources.

Naomi had heard rumours amongst the wives and girlfriends at the base, that her son Clay had married the girl she had sent care packages to every month, even when he had returned from his last tour of that land. But, until she saw him with her own eyes, his bride by his side, Naomi refused to believe the gossip. The soldiers disembarked the aircraft, their bergens on their backs, as Naomi studied each one, looking for Clay. Her eyes closed momentarily as she saw his familiar figure walking down the steps. A girl by his side, her long black dress floating in the breeze, her hajib firmly in place. Naomi sighed. Did she mind that her son had married the girl? Absolutely not, the only thing that hurt her heart was he had never told her. But the girl, Ruth, was her daughter now, and Naomi vowed to love her as her own, then stepped forwards, as each family member hugged their loved ones.

“Mum,” Clay said, wrapping her up in his arms, before taking a step back.

“Mum, this is Ruth, my wife. Ruth, this is my mother Naomi,” Clay introduced them, knowing he would need to give his mother a full explanation of his actions.

Naomi smiled at the girl, then reached out and held her.

Ruth felt a wave of emotion wash over her, as she felt the warm, motherly embrace of Naomi. Tears began to fall onto her cheeks, she missed her own mother, and she shivered slightly, as a cold breeze washed over her. She felt small droplets of rain falling from the sky. Ruth looked up at what she found to be a strange phenomenon, as everyone around them lifted things to cover their heads, and ran towards the large building. Ruth did not move, rain to her was the ultimate blessing, having lived in the parched desert, where water was a scarce commodity. Rather than run, Ruth tilted her face to the heavens, letting the water soak her skin, believing it a sign of happier times ahead.

Clay watched on, understanding his new wife’s need to bask in the rain, as most English people basked in the sun when it made a scarce appearance. Naomi looked at her son, a quizzical look on her face.

“They don’t get much rain where she is from, if any,” Clay explained.

Naomi smiled, then linked her arm with her new daughter, and looked up to the heavens with her, as Clay stood back, and watched them, knowing that his mother would love his wife, with everything that she had within her. For the first time, since saying I do, Clay felt a peace descend on him, and he knew at that moment, he could not regret the decision he had made, because he had given Ruth her freedom, and his mother a daughter she could love and cherish.

Five years later.

Ruth sat, concentrating on completing the last assignment. Clay had enrolled her in a community college almost as soon as they had reached Catterick Garrison, and after two years of getting caught up on the English syllabus, she had passed all her exams with flying colours. She had started her business degree three years ago at Teesside University, in Middlesborough, not far from the garrison she now called home. Clay had rented a house for them, which was an easy commute for him, to the base, and for Ruth to travel to university. Naomi had moved with them, and Ruth loved her mother-in-law with all her heart. Naomi had been her biggest supporter; she celebrated each educational milestone Ruth had achieved. There had been some discussion about immigration with the authorities, who were hesitant to believe their so-called 'love' story, and Ruth had wanted to work, to pay her way, knowing the financial struggles that Clay and Naomi had inherited. But Clay and Naomi would hear none of it, plus, she had to wait for the government's permission to earn her way in this world. However, studies were approved. She could never repay the kindness of both her husband and Naomi. Clay had given up so much for her. He could never take a wife, nor did he have a girlfriend. Their marriage had love, but it was more the love of a brother and sister, but increasingly Ruth had felt her love for him change. He had protected her and her dignity for five years. Ruth’s love had grown for Clay; however, her husband never saw her as anything more than a little sister. They each had their own rooms, apart from when the authorities would come and check on their ‘marriage’, when Ruth would need to show that she shared it with Clay. All in all, they were a happy and close family.

Ruth moved a strand of her long black curly hair behind her ear, as she concentrated on her work. She had ditched the hajib long ago. She had never liked wearing them in the first place. She smiled at the memory of her mother, chastising her often when she ‘forgot’ to wear it. As she typed the final words of her dissertation, Ruth sat back in her chair, and let out a small sigh of relief. That was it, she was finished, and all she had to do now was wait for her results to come in and confirm her bachelor’s degree. She hoped she would get the first, or the 2:1, so that she could continue on and do her masters. If she achieved that, then her time of waiting to be gainfully employed would be over, and she could enter the world of work, and pay back her husband and Naomi for their kindness to her over the years. The love she held in her heart for them both was strong, they had saved her life, and she could never truly pay back the debt of gratitude she had for them.

After sending her work to the lecturer, Ruth logged off her computer, excited to return home, to let Clay and Naomi know she had finished her course. She hummed happily to herself as she walked down the corridors of the university and headed to the old small mini Cooper Clay had given her, after she passed her driving test, the first time, three years prior, it was a blessing, as where she came from, women were not allowed to learn to drive. Turning on the radio, she sang along to the hits that topped the charts. Jaxon Masters's song, ‘Unique Love’ was playing, the rock ballad enjoying its fourth week in the top spot. Ruth sang along with the song, as she drove back to her home.

Pulling up on the driveway, she walked into the small house they called home, which was a mansion compared to her tiny village of Moab. The smell of chili-con-carne, and boiling rice, her favourite meal, greeted her, as she placed her keys on the small passage windowsill.

“You are home!” Naomi walked out of the kitchen; her smile wide.

“Yes, I have finished my degree, and sent it off,” Ruth smiled.

Naomi grinned at her daughter-in-law. The girl was beautiful, with black hair that shone, her big brown eyes glistening. She had a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts, which looked radiant on her face.

“Just the results to wait for,” Ruth nervously said.

“You will Ace it, just like you did in your entrance exams,” Naomi praised Ruth, her belief in her never wavering.

“Clay is home in an hour,” Naomi smiled.

Naomi had often hoped that the love between Clay and Ruth would change from that of siblings to that of a husband and wife. She had wondered if one, or both of them had found their feelings changing over the years, but, if they had, neither of them had acted upon it.

“I will wash my hands, and begin to set the table,” Ruth smiled, then went about helping Naomi.

Clay sat in the briefing room, listening to the mission that he was asked to be a part of.

The last of the UK troops were leaving Afghanistan, and there had been a special dispensation to allow those who had helped them to return to England. His team’s job was to head back out to Helmand, and help bring back those whose lives were in danger, and get them out of the country. He would set out tomorrow, as they needed to move in and move out as quickly as possible. He would go to the outposts, and collect the translators in a chopper, get them to safety, so that they could be brought back, a thank you for their work. As the briefing finished, he made his way to the Quartermaster, to gather his issued equipment, before heading home, dreading giving his mother and Ruth the news.

As he walked through the door of their home, he smelt Ruth’s favourite dish and gave a small smile. Over the years he had loved his wife, but he could never bring himself to step over the line with her. However, after this mission, he was determined that he would show Ruth just how much she meant to him, and make their marriage ‘real’.

Naomi walked out of the kitchen, laughing with Ruth about something, then halted as she saw Clay’s face.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I am heading out tomorrow. I have to help gather some people and bring them back to England,” Clay answered, his face a stoic mask.

“Where are you going to?” Naomi demanded to know.

“Helmand,” Clay sighed.

Ruth froze, her husband was going back. A wave of fear washed over her, as she turned to him with tears in her eyes. She did not want him to go, fear he would be lost to her, filled her soul. She never had time to tell him that her feelings for him had changed. She closed her eyes as if to block out the world, and a single tear fell on her cheek.

“Hey, I will be okay, it is an easy job. In and out,” Clay attempted to reassure his wife.

Ruth nodded her head, but no matter what, she could not shake the sense of foreboding that was eating at her soul.

That night, Ruth and Clay lay together in their bed, finally speaking the truth about how their sibling love had matured and changed. That night, Clay Miller held his wife in his arms, as his lips finally connected with hers. That night, he made Ruth his wife, in every sense of the word. He reached over and placed a soft kiss on her lips, as she sat up in bed, watching him grab his bergen and pull it over his shoulders.

“I will be back, Ruth, I love you,” Clay smiled at her.

“Stay safe, I love you too,” Ruth said, as she bit back the tears that threatened to engulf her.

Clay sat in the back of the Chinook helicopter, as they landed in the desert sands. A group of translators and those who had helped them in the war stood, waiting for transportation. Danny and s**t-break, beside him. They jumped down, and began to count the names, looking at the ID of those they were taking from this place. He bundled them and their meager belongings onto the chopper, looking out into the distance, seeing a tell-tale cloud of sand heading their way at speed.

“Danny, s**t-break, you guys go in the first chopper,” Clay shouted, as both men instantly obeyed the order, and jumped on the helicopter. Clay watched, as they took off, heading away from the approaching storm.

With the last of those he was rescuing, safely in the chopper, Clay walked over to the main door, seeing the swirling cloud of sand approaching them at a rate of knots. Closing the door, he shouted through his headphones to the pilot.

“Sandstorm,” Clay said, strapping himself into the chopper.

“We need to move quickly,” the pilot said, seeing the swirl of sand as it picked up speed. Once they were airborne, they would bank left, heading away from the desert storm, leaving it behind them.

The helicopter rose from the ground. As the pilot dipped the nose to gain speed to outrun the storm, the winds blew harder, engulfing them. The engines spluttered as the sand invaded every part of the motors, the rotary blades halting, sending them hurtling to the ground.

Danny sat looking out of the window at the second chopper in the distance. He gasped as the helicopter fell out of the sky, replaced by a small mushroom cloud as it exploded on impact. His heart skipped a beat, his stomach clenching as he looked out of the window, at the c*****e beneath, knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that not one person would have survived.

Ruth sat with Naomi, as the women sobbed together, united in grief, at the loss of Clay. The officer who had delivered the news spoke of how well Clay was thought of, and respected by all who served with them. It did little to lessen their loss, as they clung together, heartbreak strengthened their bond. Neither of them knew how they would survive his death. They were a twosome now, and Ruth made an internal vow to Clay that she would honour him, and never leave her Mother-in-law, she would help her, and be by her side, such was the strength of her love for Naomi and her deceased hero.