Chapter 2: Giving the News

~EDITED~

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I would really, really love to have more though! Anyways here is the new chapter.

Disclaimer- I don't own A&A, the Army, or anything you may recognize.

Ally's POV

I arrived at the DHS twenty minutes away from our apartment, where I work, five minutes late and my terrible boss hounded me for it. What's five minutes?! Then, at lunch someone took MY lunch so I went to the food court in the building and the person spilt my whole lunch all over my new white blouse. I was trying so hard to stay positive today because of the great news we got this morning but it was turning out to be more difficult than I imagined. I stormed out of the food court and back to my office and broke down in tears.

I called Mackenzie sobbing. She was confused to say the least but she was willing to leave work for me.

I told my boss that Alana had a doctor appointment that I needed to get to and left without another word. These were the times that I wish Austin was home, I was breaking. The kids were still at daycare for another two hours so I had 2 hours of Mackenzie to myself.

"What is the matter with you honey? You have been acting really crazy these last few days." Mackenzie said to me after handing me a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

"I guess I have been really on edge about the guys coming home you know. I am afraid how the girls will take it, how I will take it. I can't help but wonder if Austin will even still be attracted to me. I mean a lot of things can change over the course of 2 years and what will happen after everything is settled. We will get our own place but what happens if Matt or Austin get moved to a different base, we will lose you guys and I don't think me or Alana could handle that." I said pouring my heart out to the understanding woman in front of me.

"Honey, we can tell the girls today. We have shown them pictures and told the girls stories about how amazing their dads are and they love them so much. As for you, honey Austin loves you so much. I could sense how much he didn't want to leave when he got on that plane to Iraq, there is no way that he doesn't love you speck less than he did when he left. If anything he loves you ten times more." Mack told me after giving me a giant hug. "I have to go get the girls from daycare so you clean up and get their snack. I'll be right back." And Mackenzie was out the door.

I walked into the master bathroom that Alana and I shared. I dried my tears and re-applied the little makeup that I wear and put my hair up into a quick bun that sat on top of my head. I went and changed into my pajamas even though it was only four o'clock.

I proceeded to go to the kitchen and got out the things I needed to make chicken pot pie. I started chopping the carrots and thawed out the peas. I cut the chicken and put it into the mix of veggies. Then I rolled the pre-made pie crust onto the pan and wrapped everything together and threw it into the oven. The girls had got home when I was rolling out the dough so I sent them to play.

I walked into the room where Alana and Maddie were coloring. "Hey girls. How was daycare? Anything good happen?" I asked. In return I got giggles and Maddie said, "No Auntie Ally just another day at daycare." Our two year olds were pretty smart. They get it from their moms.

"Can you girls come into the living room? We have something to tell you." I told the girls and they followed happily. Mack and I sat in the armchairs on either side of the couch were the girls were.

"So babies. You know how we tell you awesome stories about your daddies. About how they are super heroes fighting bad people far away." Mackenzie said which earned screams and cheers from the girls.

"Well in 6 days, they are coming home. You finally get to meet them." I said. They looked at each other and they started screaming. I could tell they were so happy. Alana's blonde curls bounced on her shoulders as she and Maddie jumped up and down together.

Tears pricked my eyes, threatening to spill over at the sight of them so happy. I cannot believe my husband is coming home.

Austin's POV (Ha weren't expecting this, were ya?!)

I arrived back at my compound after a long day of combat and I was beat to say the least. I wanted to eat and go to bed. I was caked in dirt but it's safe to say that I haven't been clean in at least four months. I walk out of the room where the bunks were when Matthew, my best friend and 'partner in crime', comes barreling down the hall towards me. He is breathless and this freaks me out, Matthew is never breathless or speechless.

"DUDE! BIG NEWS!" He yelled at me.

"What is it?" I asked confused. Was there edible food in the cafeteria? If that was the case I needed to bolt before it's gone!

"We are going home in 5 days." He said. I was shocked. I stayed still for at least 5 minutes but soon I broke out in the largest smile humanly possible. I started laughing and gave Matthew a bone crushing hug.

"Were going home!" I yelled. Now we just have to live for five more days.

I cannot wait to see Ally. I can't wait to see our little girl, Alana. I feel so bad for leaving her for the first two years of her life. I missed everything, her first smile, laugh, crawl, word, and step. Everything. I am such a bad father, not to mention husband. At least Ally has Mackenzie to help her. We all moved in together so when we got deployed the ladies would have each other to depend on. I haven't talked to Ally in over six months because there is really no way of communicating. I have pictures from Alana's first birthday though. She looks so much like me, she has piercing blue eyes and platinum blonde curls. I think it will darken out like Ally's hair in the future though. Alana's face looks almost identical to Ally's and I think she is the perfect blend of us both.

Mack and Ally are both as beautiful as ever from the pictures that I receive and Madison (Maddie) is such a pretty young girl, I love her like my own.

All of our salaries combined are enough to get us by with four people at home but I think our money will be spread thinner when we get home. We will get by though, we have to.

"Hey man, do they ladies know?" I ask. He nods signaling that they know. I mentally curse the people who told. I wanted to have one of those special reunions where we surprise everyone. Oh well. Maybe we still can.

Matt and I can show up at the house before anyone else and surprise them. That's what we'll do. I can tell that Matt is excited to see Mackenzie again, there's a sparkle in his eyes that glints ten times brighter when we talk about her. I wonder if I do the same thing….

A/N: So there was that chapter! Pretty please with sugar on top review. Do it for Austin and Matthew, to bring them home safely. If you review 'safe' they will be brought home safely. If you review 'hurt' or don't have 'safe' anywhere in the review, it will vote for 'hurt'.

Anyways, until next time young grasshoppers.

Savanah