Here we go! That's my season 7 suite.
Always with Claudia Joy and Michael of course, but how are they going to manage their future?
To find out, only one solution: read this new story, "Life goes on".
I write 20 chapters in french, so I will published them in english as and when.
Good read to you and do not hesitate to tell me what you really think.
Chapter 2 arrive soon.
See you soon.
Claudia was at her desk working when Michael came home from the ceremony. He had a pale face. He let his wife work and went up to change. He then went to his own office to read the newspaper. As two hours passed, he noticed that he was reading the first paragraph of the front page of the newspaper in a loop. He leaned against his seat. Then we knocked on the door. Michael got up to go open. Claudia was absorbed by the hearing that was taking place the following week, she had to have an impeccable record and prepared her argument with great care. She had not even heard a knock. Michael opened the door and was more than surprised to see Kat Young in front of him.
M: Colonel? But ...
K: I'm sorry to disturb you but ... I came to see Claudia Joy.
Michael glanced at Claudia's desk. He sighed.
M: She works and I do not think it's a good idea.
K: Listen I'm sorry for what happened, but I'm even more sorry about Claudia's reaction and what's going on between you.
Michael wanted to avoid his answer, which he did.
M: I learned this morning that I am deployed tomorrow for a two-week mission to Iraq.
K: What?
M: You'll understand that I can not leave that cold between me and Claudia while I'm leaving. I can not stand going mad with her, even if ...
K: Even if what?
Michael understood at that moment that he felt a lot of anger towards Claudia. He loved her passionately, but in recent weeks it had been complicated, Claudia had not realized the situation and what had happened between him and Kat Young had not helped things. He did not understand how his wife had been so cut off from the army, and in a way from himself.
M: Even if I think that everything will not be settled in one evening ...
K: Exactly, let me talk to him, what will it change?
M: I'm afraid that given what she felt, that she shines even more.
Colonel Young sighed, looking at Michael tenderly. Even though she knew that their problem did not come from her at first, everything was getting worse by her fault. She entered the Holden house and headed for Claudia's office.
M: Colonel no, this ...
Michael closed the door with a big apprehension of the next few minutes. He heard Kat Young start the conversation with Claudia. He arrived to explain to Claudia what was happening.
K: Claudia Joy, I'm sorry about ...
C: Colonel Young ... what are you doing at home?
M: Claudia, honey, I'm sorry, we were talking outside and ...
C: Leave Michael, I'll take care of it.
Michael thought that everything was over, that Claudia was going to ask him to leave, that she was going to accuse him of this scheme and everything was going to get worse. He was wrong.
K: I had to come and talk to you. I know you have some concerns right now, but I also know that what has happened lately has made all this worse.
C: Michael, do you explain to me how a colleague is aware of personal and private worries?
Michael felt a hint of accusation in his wife's voice.
M: You confide in Denise, Roland, when something is wrong. I confide in colleagues and trusted friends ...
Claudia did not retort, she could not blame Michael for confiding as she does with her friends. The colonel took the opportunity to resume the conversation.
K: That's why I wanted to apologize. I wanted to come talk to you the other day but ...
C: Let's say I did not have the particular desire to talk to the woman that my husband to kiss.
K: With all due respect, the general did nothing wrong. I talked to Ms. Sherwood about it, hoping that-
C: I know what you said to Denise actually. What I would like to know is why?
Claudia's eyes passed from Michael to the Colonel with some questioning.
K: I ... I think your husband is sincerely for nothing.
C: Listen, we'll settle that between us. I do not think you are the best person who can afford to come and talk about this here. I'll ...
K: Yet it's the truth.
Claudia was beginning to suspect that Michael had arranged this little interview for them to meet up as before. She looked at her husband, looking disappointed.
M: Claudia, I have not stopped telling you. I know you had an important seminar the next day and you had something else to think about but we should have listened and discussed clearly.
C: Do not put it back on the carpet please, you know very well that ...
Kat Young cut her off.
K: I'm not here to help your husband or to apologize to you. Just know that after the death of my husband, I never found anyone to share my life with. I had made myself this idea. But when I arrived here, I began to feel what I had felt for a long time for a man.
Claudia felt a certain betrayal. That another woman could even feel a weak feeling for Michael disturbed her. They had never been mistaken despite what they had been able to endure one and the other, despite the long separations, the shouting. She remembered a conversation with Michael where he told her that the only person who had the right to love him, to prove him, to tell him, was herself. He was a man of his word. Claudia began to see in another way what she had seen that night.
K: And no, I did not choose that it be your husband. It could have fallen on anyone. The other night we were working when it happened. We needed to work on a file and I was going to leave when you arrived at the Headquarters.
Claudia looked away, remembering the scene.
K: I am the one who kissed your husband. He quickly saw that you were there and I understood it quickly by feeling the strength and anger with which he put me in my place.
Claudia looked back at Michael. Denise was right. Never a woman who loves another's husband would apologize and tell the truth if she really wanted to put the doubt in a couple and cause separation. Claudia realized that she had behaved inappropriately. She also realized that her way of seeing things and reacting had changed since she had returned to work. She did not realize she had neglected Michael. She would understand it later. She looked at the Colonel again when she spoke again.
K: Right after we had a discussion with the general and know that it is impossible for him not to live near you.
C: I know ...
She answered with such sincerity that Michael realized that Claudia had thought about it and that a discussion would undoubtedly be possible with her.
K: Well, I ... I'll let you work. See you soon.
M: I'm going with you.
Michael wanted to avoid the look of his wife. Kat Young turned back and stepped out of the doorway without Claudia having time to answer. Michael went outside too.
K: You have a wonderful wife Michael ...
M: I know ...
K: A lot of people would have had a bad behavior towards me and what I could do to their couple. I hope my words will have the desired impact and that you can discuss.
M: Whatever the result, I have to do it because I could not leave with this cold between us. I thank you all the same.
K: So I hope everything will be settled quickly.
Michael nodded. Kat Young left leaving Michael alone in his reflection. For her part Claudia remained speechless. Denise was right. She put her head in her hands. She looked down at her computer. Michael thought his wife would come talk to him immediately. But in the face of Claudia's silence, he was disappointed and thought that she had just returned to work. He went upstairs preparing his bag for the next day. He picked up the file he was storing in a dresser drawer. He sighed, as every time Claudia had to read it again. Michael held his will in his hands. He had an electroshock. No matter why Claudia did not talk to him, he needed to make a difference. Once his bag was near and tidied up in a corner, he sat down on the seat that was in a corner of the room, facing the door. He put the file on the little table next to it and took his head in his hands. This situation was complicated and he had never experienced such a thing. He wondered how it was possible to live this kind of thing after 24 years of life together, so many happiness and misfortunes experienced. He knew that a military family was not a family like the others, a certain strength emanated from these families. Few were willing to accept that the spouse leave as often, have such a risky job and be transferred to a lifetime as often. Claudia had accepted him and held this family and their lives with an iron hand. It was impossible to imagine that everything would stop now, the eve of yet another deployment. Suddenly he saw Claudia in the cable of the door. He got up and wanted to explain himself.
M: Honey ...
C: It's not worth explaining yourself. I think I owe you an apology.
Michael was taken aback.
M: Claudia, I can not take any more of this.
C: I know ... everything is complicated for me too, know it. Do not think it's easy to feel how I feel about the man I've been in for 24 years. For anyway, I love you Michael. Just now, it's a difficult time and I have not managed everything. And so that makes me question.
Michael took his wife in his arms. He kissed her in the neck, inhaled her perfume, and kissed her on the cheek. He pulled away from her and looked straight into her eyes.
M: I love you, so much.
Then he put his lips on hers and kissed him with a lot of tenderness. Everyone felt tremendous relief. They then took each other's arms and squeezed each other. Claudia was shaken with a sob. Michael tightened his embrace.
C: I'm sorry Michael, I ... I did not know how to come talk to you or what to say to you. But I should have done it and we could have avoided those days impossible to live.
M: Tell me ...
They broke away and Claudia wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She then stared at her husband.
C: I should have listened to you before going to seminary. I should have trusted you as I always did and know from the start that you were there for nothing. But I was taken by my files, the trials to come.
M: I can not blame you for reacting as you did ...
C: Denise opened my eyes but Colonel Young too ... I felt what you must have felt when I announced to you that Chandler had kissed me almost three years ago. You reacted rather violently but you came to talk to me quickly.
M: I obviously thought about it. You were hurt and you felt betrayed, because that's what I felt when you told me about it.
Claudia nodded.
C: But my reaction has been beyond the bounds of reasonableness to the situation. Forgive me.
M: I'm sorry for what happened, even if it's not me who provoked it. I'm sorry for hurting you anyway.
They took each other in their arms. Michael realized that even though Claudia had understood the point, she did not see that she had been too busy with her job, and that everything had started from there.
M: I'm so relieved.
C: Me too. I know the climate is a little tense at the moment between us but everything will be better soon.
M: Okay.
Michael did not dare to light the fire by telling him that she was working too much, that she was still missing, that she was missing. Even though he still felt that anger in him, he put it aside. The next day he went on a mission and wanted his departure to go at best. Claudia noticed her bag of loan. She understood quickly.
C: Michael are you leaving?
M: I think we'll know faster than we think if everything will be better or not. Honey, I'm deployed tomorrow.
Claudia was shocked.
M: I'm leaving for two weeks in Iraq with three other three-star generals.
C: But ... why?
M: On an observation mission during which it is necessary to verify if the mission on the ground is respected by the army of the United States in general. Each division has a particular mission when it arrives on the ground, but the army has one and the same mission in the end. We must see where we are and if everything is respected. I join Kevin on the field.
C: You ... will you be on the ground?
M: Yes. I will be before all in the base camps, see where everyone is and then go check on the field actions and results. The Pentagon wants a complete and detailed report on the progress of this mission set up several years ago.
The shock of the announcement passed, Claudia was surprised to find that no she no longer had this heavy anxiety to Michael. Of course she was now worried about him, but that fear that had not left him for several years was no longer there.
C: Did you leave only two weeks?
M: Yes, only two weeks. It's really not long, knowing that right now it's a division other than Fort Marshall that's on the ground and is being repatriated little by little, so I do not have to be there long.
C: Okay.
Claudia put a hand on Michael's cheek. She smiled at him.
C: Everything will be fine, I'm sure.
M: I know.
C: Still, I'm just asking you to come back, safe and sound.
M: At your orders Master.
It snatched a laugh from both of them. Then their eyes locked and their lips were. They found themselves after these long weeks of solitude. They found their tenderness, their complicity, their attention full of sweetness, their love. They fell asleep in each other's arms, relieved to have been able to reconcile. The next morning, Michael was to welcome the two other generals who were doing the mission with him. He then made an appointment with Claudia on the tarmac of the base airport at 14h. He had also phoned his daughter to warn her. He had not planned to see her arrive in his office at lunchtime.
M: Emmalin?
E: Dad! I wanted to come see you before you left. I have always been there every time you leave.
M: When did you arrive?
E: I took the first plane after you phoned me. I arrived about an hour ago. I was to see Denise quickly and then I came here after.
M: Your mother is not aware in this case ...
E: No
M: Emmalin, you can not stay angry with your mother, it's not possible.
E: We're not mad dad, I'm just struggling to swallow what happened a few weeks ago.
M: I know, did you talk to her again?
E: No, we have not seen each other since his trip back, remember.
M: Emmalin, honey, do you realize that it'll be two months soon?
Michael did not understand the situation. He remembered the problems with Emmalin during his adolescence, especially after the departure of his older sister. Claudia had been her confidante, and had to manage the crises between her daughter and her father. Nobody could have imagined that a few years later, the opposite would take place.
E: I know. I do not even know how we got there. She told you about it?
M: You know we were cold lately.
E: Yes I know dad. Besides, how are you?
M: Better. Anyway you know I can not leave being angry with you or with your mother, so we had to put things flat yesterday.
E: And?
M: Everything is much better. Denise was able to open your eyes to your mother and Kat was talked to her too. Even if there are still things to talk about, everything is better.
E: For everything?
M: Not totally. I did not dare speak to him about his work.
E: You should have. You'll leave without talking to her and ...
M: Exactly, I think distance is my best ally this time.
E: Are you sure?
Michael took his daughter in his arms. He had clung more and more to Emmalin since entering university. She was his one and only daughter now and wanted to make the most of it before she finally fled to her adult life.
M: I'm leaving only two weeks. There will be no problem.
E: I know dad, but I hope you're right. That's why I wanted to see you.
M: And I'm delighted. Now, promise me that you will not leave tomorrow without talking to your mother.
E: Do not worry, I planned to go home after you left anyway.
M: Okay. When is the end of year party?
E: Next Saturday. We finish the exams Thursday. Then we put away the dormitories, Saturday will be our party, we finish tidying up on Sunday and Monday morning, we have the inspection. I return Monday afternoon, normally mom will pick me up.
M: You know with your mother we are really very proud of you. Knowing that you were admitted in fourth and final year thanks to your previous exams, we were so happy.
E: It's true that I do not have to worry about my exam results for the next few days, but I want to increase my total score in the end. This will allow me to have more choices of specialized schools following what I chose to do. And when you think of my beginnings, it was not the big success, and we were far from imagining where I will be now.
M: The most important thing was that you managed to lift your head out of the water, you kept moving forward and you did not let go. You were admitted in the second year just because you had really worked hard the last semester. But then you became one of the best of your promotion, not to mention that you are now in hiccups. You can be very proud of yourself.
E: Thanks dad. It's true that I'm happy. But without you and mom, I will not be here.
We knocked on Michael's door. He was expected to have lunch with the other two generals who had arrived at the base. He kissed his daughter and told him to come on the tarmac earlier. Emmalin then went to lunch with Denise as planned. Claudia, on the other hand, had worked all morning. She wanted to see Denise, but Jackie had gotten her out and offered to have lunch at her place. She did not send a message to Denise and she just said that she will go for a cup of tea in the afternoon with her best friend.
C: Thanks for your invitation Jackie.
J: Oh do not thank me. Kevin has lunch with Michael and the other generals this afternoon. When I saw you go out, I thought it would be nice to have lunch with a friend.
C: You are absolutely right.
J: So how does his Michael leave earlier?
C: Hmm ... he told me last night, just after he knew it.
J: You managed to talk to you?
C: Yes, we put some things flat. Let's say it's better.
J: Claudia, you were hurt. We understand that Michael did not agree with what happened, but despite the words of Denise ...
C: I know, I have to have a discussion with her too, to apologize.
J: Claudia, listen, I'm going to talk to you as a friend, I'll never tell you what to do because I do not have an order to give you an agreement? But when your friends tell you all the same thing, it's usually because they're right ... especially when your husband did not live very well.
Claudia does not see where Jackie is coming from. She came to Emmalin.
C: Everything is not really in order ... Emmalin wants me for a number of things and I can not blame her for that. Michael is leaving for a couple of weeks, she will not be home until the following weekend.
J: What does Michael think?
C: He is assigned of course. Five years ago, it was he who was cold with his daughter. He knows very well what one feels. Emmalin is a young woman now with her own way of seeing things and let's not forget that she is a Holden.
J: Of course it's more complicated to manage especially since it is far away.
C: Exactly. I'll see if Michael heard from him later. I would like to talk to him again before he leaves.
J: Claudia you know, I'll be you I'm not going to worry too much. We have a mother, and sooner or later Emmalin will come back to you and everything will return to order believe me.
C: So everything is better with Sophie?
J: Yes, we have discussed a lot and everything is going well. She has the same character as her father anyway so I expect everyone from him.
C: Emmalin is all his father too. She just inherited my eyes and hair.
Jackie and Claudia laughed.
C: She has the same temperament and character as her father. As much as I have always managed to manage Michael and his impulsiveness, moreover he has calmed down with the years. Emmalin is still young and it's more complicated for a girl. But she is still going to ripen and I know it will serve her well in life.
J: I'm sure of it.
C: She's the complete opposite of what her sister was. Michael kept saying that Amanda was all about me.
J: According to the photos that are at home, not his eyes.
Claudia smiles at this idea.
C: Yes, I remember when she was born, Michael was on a mission. I had it on the phone a few hours later and I told him that, according to my mother she looked like two drops of water, except for one thing, her eyes, which she had as blue as him. He was so moved.
Claudia looked away. Everything was so far away. Jackie changed her conversation because she felt that Claudia was not necessarily going very well after those cold days with Michael and all that time without seeing Emmalin. So remembering her eldest daughter was still so painful. She then asked her for news of her parents, and asked if she had any of Roland and Joan.
C: My parents are doing very well. It is also planned to go see them next month. After my trip, we could not see each other, so we are looking forward to this weekend.
J: Denise told me about your parents, she told me that they arrived here without warning and that they were about to divorce.
C: Oh my god ... this story made me crazy. But everything ended well. But everything is always very informative.
J: Absolutely. I do not get along well with my in-laws. They would have liked Kevin to marry a woman who has no connection with the army. Already that they never saw their son, they were afraid that the army alone governs our life. Despite the years that have passed, there has always been this cold between us.
C: It's a shame.
J: Yes I know, but we never took the time to really talk.
C: You make me think of my mother when she learned that we were getting married to Michael. She had a bad image of the army you see the kind of husband who leaves for years on mission, the woman who raises her children all alone, the very rigid side, finally you see what I mean. And she told me she would not come to my wedding. Michael was talked to him and told him sincerely things. Now, my mother loves her son-in-law. Even if we do not see each other very often.
J: That's good. And your in-laws?
C: I see them even less often than my parents. To tell you, I saw them once when Michael introduced me to them, a second time for our wedding, a third time for Amanda's first Christmas, and one last time at Amanda's funeral. Knowing that that day they did not even come to talk to us.
J: Why do not you see yourself so often?
C: Michael is the youngest of four siblings. His elder brother Patrick is a doctor, the second George is a lawyer and the third Peter is a police officer. They all live in the same state as their parent. When Michael chose the army, they were so proud. They had talked to everyone in the neighborhood. Only, with all of Michael's transfers, they discovered the less positive side of the military. They then got closer to their other three children and had news of Michael only by phone. I tried more than once to make them come but had complicated. But Michael was going to see them generally before each departure on a mission he was going back and forth in two days. But he never spoke to me about it. And since we are in Fort Marshall, he has never done it again. The last time he went to see them something happened, but Michael never told me anything. Whenever I try to talk about all this, Michael changes the subject.
J: You know I think it's a little bit the same with my in-laws. And then the army shapes us in a way that makes our entourage move away little by little.
C: Exactly. The army takes all the place.
J: Some people can not manage it. How is Roland doing?
It's very good. He is very happy with this new way of life. Joan had trouble acclimatizing but now everything is fine. We are so worried about the day of retirement.
J: Yes, but in the end, I think we quickly get used to his new life, without constraint, without order, without getting up at five o'clock to go jogging, without a weekend of work, no more no departure on mission .
C: Seen how you talk to me it makes you want to actually. Kevin already thought about it?
J: Once, after the hurricane. But the men needed him and this one-night discussion never came back on the table again.
C: Michael also thought about it, after Amanda's departure, and when the base was finally supposed to have been dissolved. But now he's aiming for a fourth star.
J: I remember once a shouting with Kevin. He asked me what proof of love I wanted, I told him to leave the army. He had almost done it.
C: Michael once told me that if one day everything went very badly between us, and if the only way to keep me with him was to leave the army, he would do it.
J: We see them hard like that, but basically every soldier has a great sensitivity in him.
Claudia nodded. After a good lunch with a friend, Claudia went to join Michael on the tarmac. When she arrived, she was affected to see her daughter near him. She did not know how to talk with Emmalin. Franck was there to accompany this departure, so Denise was there. She saw Claudia arrive and walked towards her.
D: Claudia ...
C: Hey Denise.
D: I understand that everything was better with Michael?
C: Yes, we could talk to each other last night but ... how come Emmalin is here?
D: Michael warned him of his departure, she arrived in the late morning by taking the first plane to Charleston. She asked me to pick her up. Claudia, you have to talk to her.
C: I know Denise, I know ...
Claudia had tears in her eyes. Her daughter had preferred to ask Denise rather than have her own mother pick her up at the airport.
D: She came home and had lunch with me at noon, she talked to me a lot. I also know that after Michael leaves, she will come to your place. She told me that she wanted to talk to you and make sure everything worked out. Because she does not want her father to be on a mission knowing his wife and daughter are cold.
C: I did not speak to Michael again. But following this story with Kat Young, I did not have the words to talk to her.
D: I know. Listen Claudia, Emmalin is here, it can only work out.
Claudia nodded and walked to her husband and daughter.
C: Emmalin? What are you doing here honey?
Claudia approached her, extending her arms. Emmalin simply kissed him and went to his father's side.
E: Hello mom. I came to say goodbye to dad.
C: You should have called me, I'll be ...
E: I managed not to worry.
Michael sighed and gave his daughter big eyes. According to him she could make an effort. He then saw that Claudia was really struggling with all this. He approached him by grabbing his waist and kissing her on the temple. He whispered in her ear.
M: Do not worry, it'll be fine.
Claudia nodded and rested her head against her husband's shoulder. This short moment was soon repealed by the arrival of the other two generals, General Suntman, General Ownfall.
M: General Suntman and General Ownfall, I introduce my wife, Claudia Joy and my daughter, Emmalin.
GS: Nice to meet you. You're lucky Holden.
It snatched a laugh from everyone.
Go: Hello. In any case, you have a very pretty base. Mrs. Holden, you must be proud of your husband.
C: I am indeed.
GS: We are honored to be able to serve this mission with him. You have a reputation that goes beyond South Carolina, know it.
M: Thank you General. I hope our flight conditions are optimal.
The pilot of the plane came to warn them that it was time to board.
GO: Mrs. Holden, Emmalin, glad to have met you, see you soon.
C: Thank you General, see you soon.
The latter turned to Franck and Denise who accompanied him a few meters before seeing General Suntman also arrive. They both went to the plane. Michael took a few seconds to say goodbye to his wife and daughter. He put his anger and the worries of last weeks of sides to forget about it, he would solve all that by returning.
M: Emmalin sweetie, good luck with the exams and wish you a good feast for next week, Michael sent him with a wink.
E: Papa ...
M: Remember what I told you earlier.
E: Do not worry, a promise is a promise.
M: Okay. Come on here.
He took his daughter in his arms, he kissed her on the cheek.
M: I love you.
E: Me too dad. A in three weeks.
Emmalin detached himself from his father and joined Denise and Franck, who was waiting farther. Michael then took Claudia in his arms.
M: Honey, I am really relieved that everything is back in order before I leave.
He pressed her against him.
M: I love you.
He pulled away from her and took his face in his hands.
C: Me too I love you Michael. Pay attention to you.
He came to lay his lips on Claudia's and kissed him with a lot of love and tenderness. After one last hug, and one last kiss, Michael disappeared on the plane. But Claudia knew he was coming back in two weeks, that was nothing compared to the long deployments that Michael could do. Denise came towards her.
D: Sa will go?
C: Yes, do not worry. It was a long time since Michael had been deployed. But we manage much better now.
D: That's good. Do you want to come and have tea at home?
C: I will spend the late afternoon with pleasure. Just the time to put away some files and Michael's office.
D: Okay, see you later.
They had arrived at the saw Emmalin with his suitcase.
E: Denise, I'm going home with mom.
D: Okay, my dear, how you want.
E: Thank you for this morning.
D: You're welcome, that's normal.
Emmalin gave Denise a kiss and she put her suitcase in the trunk of her mother's car before getting into the passenger seat at the front and closing the door. Claudia was surprised but glad that her daughter was coming back with her.
D: See you later.
C: Okay.
They kissed each other, then Denise returned with Franck and Claudia with Emmalin. In the car, Claudia tried to approach her daughter.
C: Did your flight go well?
E: Hmm hum, very good.
C: Daddy who warned you?
E: Yes, this morning at the first hour.
C: You know, you could have phoned me, I will have come to get you without any problem.
E: Um well ... I preferred to go to Denise this morning before going to see Dad in the office to have a discussion with him.
C: A discussion ... if you need to talk you know I'm here too.
E: Oh good? Well, it's new then ...
Claudia took this sentence like a slap in the face.
C: Emmalin I ...
Claudia sighed.
C: Let it go, I do not want to get angry with you, not now when your father is gone.
They arrived in front of the house.
E: Yeah, well, we'll have to talk to each other anyway!
Emmalin came out, slammed the door of the car and entered the house. Claudia took her daughter's suitcase and put it in the entrance. Emmalin, who had taken a yoghurt in the kitchen, picked her up and went upstairs. Claudia did not know how to take it. She had the impression of having become a perfect stranger in the eyes of her daughter. She knew, however, that it was impossible to discuss with her. She might see tonight. In the meantime, she put away Michael's desk. She sorted out the newspapers that he had left behind, put back the photos, updated his diary and put the papers in the corresponding folder. She liked Michael getting into a perfectly tidy office. She then attacked hers. She had a big pile of files that shewere piled up lately. She put away the files that had been processed in her briefcase, she could go file them in the archives at the office. She left those to be treated on her desk by storing the corresponding papers hanging here and there. As for the new ones who needed various documents, she put them in the drawers of the furniture that was against the wall. Once her desk was tidy, she sat down at her computer. She knew that Michael would only read this email the next day, but she liked to send him a message so that he could read it on his arrival. She knew it made him smile. She was typing this message when her daughter came down. She saw her mother on her computer and imagined she was still working. Even if she did not have very muchWanting to talk to her mother, she had perhaps thought that she would call him and take the first step to settle their cold.
E: Mom?
C:Oh Emmalin, how are you sweatheart?
E: I don't believe it ... you ... I'm home for the weekend, and you work ...
C: No Emmalin, I just sent ...
E: Of course ...
Emmalin did not let his mother finish her sentence and went up to his room, closing the door rather strongly. Claudia sighed. She decided to act. She went upstairs with her computer and knocked on her daughter's door. She entered without waiting for her daughter's permission. Claudia put her computer on the bed of her daughter, she leaned against the cable of the door. Emmalin looked at his mother and the computer. She put hers next to her and took his mother's on her lap. She then started reading an e-mail that was intended for her father.
" Honey,
I hope that you arrived well. It's been a long time now since you had not been deployed. In spite of all that has happened lately, the house is empty without you. Even if Emmalin is here.
Yes, she wanted to come home this weekend. I was really happy because maybe it will allow us to remove the cold that has settled between us.
You know, understanding my mistakes with you, I understood mine with her. I know, the past is the past but I wanted to tell you so that you spend a mission serene and without any stress.
Are you paying attention to yourself? Come back to me safe and sound.
I love you.
Claudia Joy. "
Emmalin looked up at his mother and frowned. Claudia then went back to her computer and decided to address her daughter with the same harshness in her words as Emmalin could have done to her. So that Emmalin would understand that even if her mother had made mistakes, she never had to talk to her that way, except at that moment.
C: I did not write an email for my work but an email to your father. And that's what I always did when we had a computer at home and the soldiers had a mission on it. This first mail received is very important for him because I like to reassure him and give him a balm to the heart as soon as he arrives on a mission. So now, either you continue to make your head mule, and we continue to talk as badly as now throughout the weekend. Either stop being as stubborn as your father and maybe we can discuss before you leave.
Claudia left even before her daughter had time to say a word. She sat down at her desk and sent the email to Michael. She turned off her computer. She was about to get up from her chair when she heard her daughter arrive in the living room.
E: Mom ...
C: Yes?
Claudia looked up at her daughter who was coming.
E: I ... I'm sorry for reacting like that. I know I have no excuses, but I'm a little angry with you right now.
C: I think I understood it given the harshness of the words in your letter ... But why?
Claudia got up from her chair and moved closer to her daughter. Simply, Emmalin raised the tone of the voice without allowing time for a possible explanation between them.
E: You ask me why? No, but in fact, you did not even realize! Leave it alone?
Emmalin was going back to the floor, but Claudia caught him by the arm. She spoke to her with a certain gentleness.
C: Emmalin, her is enough now. Stop reacting so violently every time I talk to you. This is not how we will manage to remove the cold that is between us. So stop.
Emmalin sighed. Her mother made her sit on the couch and Claudia went to his side.
C: I know that I reacted badly to your father after what happened with Colonel Young, but we discussed yesterday and everything is back to normal. Now I understand that you wanted me ...
E: It's clear that yes ...
C: Then I would like to apologize to you. I would have had to call you more often, call you with Skype, give you news via messages more often. I was so taken by my job that I blame myself for not having taken more time for you.
Emmalin understood that her mother had never noticed her actions and the consequences of what she had done as a choice lately.
E: Mom, I did not care about your calls or your messages! You say that you were taken by your work, but you do not even react!
She got up from the couch, and faced her mother.
E: Do you realize that we have not seen each other for two months? Did you notice that you preferred to go to meetings, seminars that were strictly for nothing instead of coming to see me? Do you realize that you have nothing to do with me?
C: Emmalin, how can you say that honey?
E: But mother opens her eyes, damn it! Your job has completely cornered you, you completely left father, without even noticing. And you did the same with me.
C: Emmalin, I know that I have been working a lot lately. But ...
Claudia thought back to Michael's words, and found that they were the same as his daughter's. And if Emmalin was right? If she had left Michael aside?
E: In the space of a few weeks, you spent more time at work than at home.
Claudia put her head in her hands.
E: Mom, do you understand what I'm trying to say to you? Dad tried thousands of times you never wanted to listen to him, at least hear him.
C: Honey, I ... you just opened my eyes ...
E: And?
C: I do not know how I got there. I just notice that your father left and I could not even talk to him about it.
E: He told me he would talk to you about it when he came back. And me ?
C: Honey, you were in college, what happened between your father and I saddened you but everything is back in order now, or at least everything will be in order.
Emmalin sighed. She sat down opposite her mother and stared straight into her eyes.
E: Mom, when you went to Washington with Dad, you preferred to go to lunch with some people, rather than come spend the day with me and come see me play hockey. I remind you anyway that you had gone a year on a journey without being seen. But no, you preferred to accept a role of jury of I do not know what.
C: Emmalin I ...
E: No, wait, I'm not finished. Two weeks later, I told Dad I was coming on the weekend. I was looking forward to it because I could not wait to spend it with you two. I arrive home and Dad tells me that you had a last minute seminar organized and that you did not want to let your colleague go alone. Whereas we had not seen each other for almost two months. So excuse me for being a little angry.
Claudia had just understood what her daughter was really blaming for. She also understood what Michael had endured.
C: Emmalin I ... I'm so sorry.
E: Dad loves to come to see me or spend time with me, but what saddened him most was to see that his wife, in this case the mother of his daughter, did not want to spend time with us.
C: I put my work first and I apologize. I just understood what your father has endured too ...
E: Dad tried to talk to you about it a few times though.
Claudia looked at her daughter questioningly.
E: He did not ask you once if you thought there would be a place for him in the middle of it all? He even told me that he had pointed out to you that he had this impression that some distance had been made between you. But you did not understand either.
Claudia sighed. She did not understand how she could have come so far. She remembered her arrival at Fort Marshall, her dedication to others, her strong links with Denise, Roland, Pamela, Roxy and then Jackie, all her events together, Michael's departures and return, and all that she could do on the base. How could she change so much? She let a few tears run down her cheeks. Emmalin saw his mother in her thoughts.
E: Mom?
Claudia did not answer. Emmalin went to sit next to her mother and put a hand on her shoulder.
E: Mom ...
Claudia looked up. Emmalin saw the moist eyes of his mother. She realized that her mother had realized all that had happened and she was terribly angry. She saw then that she had to reconcile with her mother, and that everything returned to order.
C: I'm so sorry Emmalin ...
E: I know. With dad we were really scared that everything ended badly. And you know, I really missed you.
Claudia then smiles at her daughter. She took her in his arms.
C: Oh you too, you missed me a lot. I am so sorry for all that. I love you so much if you knew.
E: Me too I love you mom.
They stood out, Claudia caressed the cheek of his daughter and kissed her before taking her in his arms.
E: Everything will be fine now.
C: I know. I'm just worried.
E: What's going on?
Emmalin detached himself from his mother. She took his hands between his.
C: Your father left without really being able to talk to each other.
E: Yes, but you said the essential. You love yourself, that's all that counts. And then you sent him this email.
C: That's right you're right. But I'm just scared that ...
E: No mom, dad's coming back in two weeks and you'll have plenty of time to talk to him, explain to him. For the moment we will enjoy our weekend. You'll start by having tea with Denise and make up for lost time with her. And you will go to work this week organizing yourself differently and telling yourself that you can not do everything in a day.
C: I wonder who you want your organization ...
E: I hold my dad character, but my need to help and reassure, I have it from you. When to my organization, I think it's Dad's military spirit, mix with your perfectionism.
They both laughed. Claudia had found her daughter and Emmalin could count on his mother again. At the end of the afternoon Emmalin started packing her things in her room. Indeed, she was definitely returning for the summer in a week and had started repatriating things at home. Claudia went to Denise's home. She had the impression that it had been an eternity since the last time they shared tea. Denise was as pleased as she was to see her again.
D: As in the good old days.
C: And yes ... to one thing, some people are missing.
D: Hmm ... what nostalgia when you think about it. I miss it sometimes.
C: To me also, it helped me to find my spirits since I always came back to you when there was a problem.
D: Claudia, did you talk to Emmalin?
C: Yes, we talked a lot. We are no longer cold if you want to know. I can say that my daughter find her mom.
D: Super! Everything is back in order then.
C: Somehow. I realized that Michael was probably expecting other explanations as well. But we have to wait for him to come back for that.
D: The main thing is that you have reconciled before leaving. It mattered a lot to him.
C: I know.
Claudia sighed a big blow.
C: I am still reassured of the outcome of this whole period not really positive.
D: I understand you. But you who are so attentive, how is it that you did not hear what you were told?
C: I was busy with my work. I needed to get away from the army for a while, except that I went overboard and did not really see where the problem was. As Emmalin pointed out to me, Michael tried several times to make me understand things.
D: I noticed that your trip changed you. I think Michael is a little saddened to see you deny the army at this point.
C: Denise I can never deny the army, I'm married to a soldier. The army is part of our lives, we live with, we can not deny it.
D: Michael had the impression that you were fed up, and that you wanted to leave.
C: Starting from the army? It's impossible ... Leaving the army would mean leaving Michael, divorcing. It is just unthinkable that it happens.
D: So reassure him when he comes back. That's part of the explanation he expects.
C: Okay. I am relieved that everything ends well.
D: Finally, what happened with Kat Young made it all happen and find you.
C: That's right. I really reacted violently there too. I was too much on the alert with the job. As Emmalin told me, I have to change my organization and my schedule especially.
D: We'll say thank you to Emmalin too then.
C: Yes, but thanks to you. To you, to Jackie ... And I also wanted to apologize.
D: But what of?
C: To leave you alone. Even if I'm no longer in the support group, I will not have let go completely. I think I will keep a day to continue helping you with group events.
D: I'll be delighted Claudia, really!
C: I think I actually need it.
They talked until late at night. Claudia returned quickly to prepare dinner. She found that her daughter had prepared everything and that a meal tray was near with a DVD in the drive. Emmalin had organized a DVD evening between mother and daughter. Claudia was pleased with this initiative. They spent a beautiful evening which allowed to tie up their links completely. Claudia spent the entire weekend with her daughter. When Emmalin left on Sunday night, she found the house particularly empty. His computer rang, Michael had just answered his email.
"Claudia, sweatheart,
What a joy to discover your message by connecting me after my arrival. Everything is going well, I found my marks and I have my first meeting in a few hours.
Emmalin had told me that she wanted to be reconciled with you, I hope you could discuss and settle all that. But I'm sure yes.
The main thing for me was that we were able to talk to each other and I left feeling calm.
Do not reply to this email, I could not read them for several days. I'll call you in three days, I'll have a moment to do it.
I think of you, and do not worry everything will be fine.
I kiss you. I love you.
Michael. "
Claudia was relieved to read it. She was reassured. The next morning she organized herself differently for work. Indeed, she made the decision to go to work in the office in the morning, and work at home in the afternoon. In this way, she could regain stability with Michael by adapting to his schedule and being present when he returns in the evening. In the same way, she would make it Friday to go to the support group, to go back to her friends and help them. It was not because she was the wife of the three-star general that she had to put aside the other military women. She thought of asking her afternoon the following Monday to pick up Emmalin at the university that was coming back for the summer holidays. For his part, Michael had busy days and was at the center of the action. He found that everything he had missed, despite the dangerousness of his job. On Wednesday as agreed, he telephoned Claudia.
C: General Holden's residence?
M: I never understood why you said that each time while when I'm on a mission I'm not at home ...
C: Michael!
M: How are you honey?
C: Very well. And figure that I must say that since in any case if a senior officer calls home is probably not to keep me company on the phone.
Michael laughed at this sentence from his wife.
M: I do not have a lot of time. How is Emmalin?
C: Sa va, she left Sunday night and returns next Monday.
M: Could you chat?
C: Yes, it was not a small affair since you know like me who your daughter holds her character ...
M: I do not see what you're talking about.
C: You see me amazed honey!
M: Have you resolved the cold between you?
C: Yes, Emmalin opened my eyes and she also understood on her side.
M: Claudia, I'm so happy to hear you say that. I am really relieved. All that really pained me.
C: I know. I also wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for everything really. I can not wait for you to come back so that I can really tell you everything I have on my heart.
M: Me too. I know everything was done hastily by my departure, but the main thing is that we are both well now. I left serene and although I think a lot about you, nothing can dispel me.
C: Okay. Are you paying attention to yourself anyway?
M: I promise you. Listen, I'll have to leave you. I will not be able to reach you for a few days. I have meetings all day tomorrow and from Friday we go on the field, and join the various strategic points were the troops. I'll get back to you next week, and I can tell you exactly what time I'm coming back.
It's very good. I love you sweatheart.
M: I love you too honey. See you soon.
They hung up happy, simply. Claudia ended her week a lot less stressed and she spent the weekend near her friends, as before. She found that she had missed everything and that it made a lot of sense to see something other than an office, law codes and lawyers she saw all week. She thought that finally she had found a balance. She wanted to be in a week, so share it with Michael.
On Thursday night she heard from Emmalin, her exams went well. Emmalin was happy with her and thought she had succeeded. The latter would have its results by mail in two weeks. Claudia told her how proud she was of her and she gave him news of his father. She then wished a good weekend to her daughter for her birthday and gave her an appointment Monday afternoon as planned. Indeed, Claudia would go get Emmalin to bring her back for the summer holidays.
On Monday morning, she worked at the office before returning home for lunch. Indeed, as expected, she had to go and get Emmalin at the university.
She ate lunch quickly, prepared some things for the trip, and things to nibble for her daughter. They would be back late in the evening.
Claudia left her house to take the car and leave. She saw Jackie with Denise and Franck arrived to her. She thought Denise had just had lunch at Jackie's house and had to go out at the same time.
C: Denise? Jackie? What are you doing here ? Hello Kevin.
F: Hello Claudia.
J: Claudia, where are you going?
C: I'm going to get Emmalin at university. She returns for the holidays. Do you need anything ? Because I will only come back ...
She saw the crumbling mine of her friends.
C: ... late in the evening. What is going on ?
F: There was a problem in Iraq during Michael's mission.
C : What ? What problem ?
Claudia panicked. She heard the beginning of Franck's answer, she was shocked. She sat on the steps of the steps. A new test awaited Claudia and Emmalin.
