A\N: So I brainstormed a lot of ideas for the day of Antonio's deployment and the year in-between it and what I wanted to happen and this chapter slowly became a mash-up of different parts of all of my ideas rolled into one. After finishing it I did try to rearrange some of the parts and add somethings in to make it flow a little better but I do apologize if its still a little hard to understand.
Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, NBC, Global or Fort Lejune or any other Marie Corps bases.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: None
In a Year
Fort Lejune- Early May
Hugging her mother's side Gabriela looked around the base at all of the other people saying goodbye to there loved ones. There were parents saying goodbye to their children and even some kids younger then she was saying goodbye their parents. In front of her Antonio was just barely holding in his tears as he said goodbye to a sobbing Laura. Finally breaking apart from their long kiss Antonio gave her a hug and then looked at Gabby.
"Come her kiddo," He knelt down and held out his arms.
"Don't die!" She sobbed into his uniform as he lifted her up, "And re-remember to write."
"I will; I packed a lot of paper and pens. You make sure you keep up those grades and tell me all about school in your letters.
"I have the address on my bulletin board."
"Good."
"Antonio?"
"Yeah?"
"Our all of these-these people going to be in your unit?"
"They're all going to be staying at the basecamp I'm going to be at at; but they won't all be in my unit; there are a lot of units."
"Well try and keep them safe. They have families too."
Antonio smiled down at his little sister, "That's very thoughtful of you thinking of other people; I'm very proud of you."
Gabby hugged him tightly, "I love you."
"I love you too;" He set her back on the ground, "I need to say good-bye to Mom now."
"No!" She sobbed, "I don't want you to go!"
Antonio gently removed her hands that were wrapped around his legs, "I promise I'll come back."
Gabriela blinked as she looked up at him, "You-you can't promise that."
"No you're right I can't; but I can sure try to come back home. Now go stand with Laura."
Gabby nodded her head and walked back to stand with Laura.
"Mom," Antonio approached his mother and hugged her, "I love you so much;"
"I love you too," Esmerelda somehow managed to keep in her sobs long enough to talk to her son, "You're doing a brave thing Antonio your father would be so proud."
Antonio looked at her, tears in his eyes, "That really means a lot Mom."
Esmeralda hugged him one last time before his commanding officer told all the men and woman that they had to board the plane.
"Bye," Antonio blew a kiss to Gabby, Laura and his mother before taking his trunk and swinging his two duffel bags over his shoulders and joining everyone else in the line-up to board the plane.
"WAIT!" Gabriela yelled as she suddenly remembered something, "Antonio I forgot to give you something!"
Hearing his name Antonio turned and watched his sister run towards him carrying a present, "Don't' open it until you can without getting into trouble." She handed him the wrapped scrapbook.
"Thanks kid," Antonio quickly hugged her and tucked the present underneath his arms before turning around again and walking towards the plane.
Marine Base- Two Days Later
After finally arriving to base camp late the previous day Antonio as rushed right into the think of things. He had morning drills and presentation and was still getting used to everything. After breakfast though his unit was given an hour off before afternoon drills. He walked to his tent and sat on his cot and opened the present Gabriela had given to him.
Opening the package he discovered a beautiful scrapbook with pictures from when he was a baby all the way up to one week previous. Along with the pictures were quotes or speech bubbles and he laughed as he remembered some of the moments in the pictures. After putting the album safely in his trunk he got a pen and paper and began writing a letter to Gabriela.
Dear Gabby,
Thank you so much for making me the scrapbook I really appreciate it; it was very thoughtful of you; probably the best present I have ever gotten. I am going to wear the pages thin looking at in in the next year.
Antonio
Chicago-Four Months Later (Early August)
Gabriela sat in her room swinging her feet from the side of her bed. It was her eleventh birthday and all of her friends had just after her birthday party. She had gotten everything she had asked for and more but she was still having a horrible day. She missed her brother and nothing anybody could say could make her feel better.
"Hey, Gabs," Laura knocked on the door of the room, "Can I come in? I have something for you."
Gabby pulled her legs up to her chin and re-positioning herself on her bed, "Sure."
To Gabby's surprise Laura walked into the room carrying what looked like a heavy box, "Mind if I set this down?"
"No, no," Gabby's curiosity peaked and she wondered what was in the package.
"Now," Sat on the edge of the bed, "I know this hasn't been the best birthday for you and I'm not trying to make things easier or harder or…." She shook her head, trying to get her thoughts in order. "Antonio sent this for you but he made me promise not to give it to you until eight."
Without saying a word Gabby got don onto the floor and opened the package inside she found a letter on-top of a hand-made box, the note said "Read me First" so she did:
Dear Gabby,
Happy eleventh birthday kiddo; I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you; but seeing as I can't I thought I'd do the next best thing. You see Gabby the base here is located near a village and some of the guys with family's stared going over to play with the kids on days off. One day I tagged along with my buddies and I met this girl she's ten years old and she can speak some English. She's pretty cool and funny and we talk a lot; I convinced her Mom to let me teach her some English and reading and writing. When I told her it was your birthday she got all excited and told me all the things I should get for you; So I took her shopping at the local village and she picked out a bunch of local things for you, I bought her something's but she said she couldn't let me buy her anything. I know this is asking a lot Gabby but if there are any clothes that don't fit you or books you don't want anymore, maybe things you could buy; if you could ship them to me that would be amazing. As for clothes size she's probably around your size so things that would fit you would probably fit her as well.
Love you,
Antonio
Gabby put the note down and carefully took out the box and opened it; inside were beautiful handmade dolls and a small comb and a beautiful necklace. "Antonio met a girl in a village she's my age; she picked all this stuff out for me," Gabby fingered the items.
"They're beautiful," Laura admired the items.
"Yeah they are," She carefully picked up the box and put it on one of her highest shelves, "I want to keep it forever."
"Oh," She picked up the letter and handed it to Laura, "Thanks for waiting to give it to me. I really did make my birthday better; it was the best gift I could have gotten."
Marine Base- Three and a half months later (Mid November)
"Geesh Dawson!" His buddies huffed as they helped carry the boxes that just arrived back to their tent. "Did your family ship themselves here?"
"No, no my sister just sent some things," He used his foot to open the tent door and put his box down
His three buddies did the same to there's and then they began opening them.
Gabby had gotten her friends and family to all send some things, either gently used or new and the boxes all had an assortment of things in them. Clothes for kids of all ages, all kinds of books, lots of toys and games and some beauty and health products.
"And your sisters eleven? She did all of this herself?" One of Antonio's friends asked, "She must be some eleven year old."
"Yeah she is; she's the best."
Fort Lejune- Seven months later
Gabby watched the Marines un-load from the five parked buses and tried to find Antonio and when she saw him she took off running.
"ANTONIO!" She shouted tears streaming down her face as she jumped into his arms; almost causing him to loose his balance.
"Gabby," He hugged her tightly, "It's so good to see you. I missed you," He said kissing the top of her head.
"I missed you too."
"Hey Gab's," He whispered in her ear as their mother and Laura approached them, "Can I say hi to Mom and Laura?" He looked at the tight grip his younger sister had on him.
"Okay," She released the grip and stepped back allowing him to kiss and hug Laura and then hug her mother.
"So Antonio," Gabby walked beside him as they headed towards the cars, "I have so much to tell you! Just wait until you hear-"
"Uh Gabby," Laura interrupted, "Remember Antonio and I are staying here in a hotel tonight. He needs to be debriefed tomorrow."
"Yeah I remember," She sighed miserably, "But you're coming back tomorrow right? And we can talk after school?"
"Your brother's been gone for a year Gabby; there's a lot of people that want to see him."
"I'm on the top of that list!" She argued, "I should be first."
Laura was about to speak when Antonio stepped in, "Hey Gabs; He put his hands on her shoulders, "Tell you what; I'll spend the night here with Laura because that's already planned out but how would you like a special tour of the base?"
"But Antonio what about dinner? How long will the tour take?" Laura questioned.
"I'll make it up to you babe" He kissed her on the lips, "I promise. So what do you say Gabby. Wanna see everything?"
"Yes please."
"Good then come on," He took her hand, "I'll have her back here before four okay Mom?"
"Okay Antonio."
TBC
A\N: So what did you think? Did Laura have a right to be upset at Gabby? Will Gabby continue to be attached to her brother?
