Family Deployment

Being away from Texas wasn't that bad so far. Brianna was starting to meet some kids around their neighborhood and both girls were enjoying being so close to nana and papa. The older girl video chatted with her friends in San Antonio often.

There was an advantage to having Rick's parents so close by.

Date night for the dads.

They could go out and enjoy themselves knowing their girls were doing the same.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you," Drew said to his husband while they lay in bed after date night.

"Twice today, I think," Rick said, kissing him.

"You've given up so much for me."

"And need I remind you everything you've done for me?" Like making sure I lived when I wanted to die, Rick thought. "That's what marriage is about."

For him not picking up and moving with his husband was never an option, he knew it would be the same for their oldest daughter despite the new people and surroundings. Brianna and Cori, just like him wanted to be with Drew.

Olivia wanted to know when she and her granddaughters would going to have their first sleep over at their dad's childhood home. Bri was going to stay there tonight but Cori didn't want to be away from her dads. She wasn't ready for that, even if she and her sister would sleep their dad's old room.

"That's okay, sweetie," Rick told her. "You don't have to go."

"Nana doesn't mind, darling," Olivia said. "How about you and me go to the park tomorrow?"

Without Cori there, grandparents and granddaughter would watch scary movies. Ones that Bri's dads couldn't believe she already saw. Neither dad thought Cori would want to sleep away from home that soon. There was so much change in such a short time in her life. She was coping with everything well considering. Patience was key and both men were patient people.

Rick's childhood bedroom hadn't changed much. All of his athletic trophies and awards were there. So was his photo from when he finished basic training.

Where he met daddy.

Olivia told her granddaughter she always knew her son was gay and from the way Rick talked about Drew she just knew that her son was in love. Even if it took her years to meet Drew, while both were still in the closet and Drew was one his "army buddies."

"I'm happy they don't have to hide anymore," the woman said.

Brianna was, too.