AN: I'm so glad you all enjoyed the last chapter! Thank you so much for your reviews!
"Welcome home Sam." Jules claimed his lips as hers.
Husband and wife then allowed all the months of pent up passion to finally be released. Sam's homecoming was memorable for both of them and for the first time in months Sam slept peacefully for he was finally in the arms of his beautiful wife.
Chapter 4 – Daddy!
Sam tucked a stray lock of hair behind his wife's ear as he gazed lovingly at her. He would never get over how beautiful Jules was in her sleep. The worries and cares of the day would just melt away and she was most gorgeous in those moments. He glanced at the clock once again, four in the morning. He figured there was no point trying to adjust to Toronto time as he would be leaving soon enough so instead of trying to go back to sleep he slipped quietly out of bed and pulled on a soft pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He planted a gentle kiss on his wife's forehead before slipping quietly out of their room.
As Sam quietly closed the bedroom door behind him he already knew where he was heading. He went to the next bedroom down the hall and ever so gently opened the door. Sam stood in the doorway for several minutes just gazing at the beautiful little girl fast asleep in her bed. She had grown so much since he had seen her last.
"She's gorgeous." Matt whispered as he stood next to his friend. "You going to go in there?"
"No." Sam answered after a long moment of silence. "I don't want to wake her."
"She'll be screaming your name soon enough." Matt smiled as he squeezed his best friend's shoulder. "Suzie says she gets up about six thirty every morning so it won't be long now."
"Do you think Jules has the ingredients?" Sam grinned as a gentle smile played across his lips.
"Only one way to find out?" Matt smiled too. He knew what his friend was up to and that the girls would love it.
Sam stood for several more minutes as he just watched his beautiful baby girl sleeping. Finally, though, he carefully closed her bedroom door and headed down the hall to the kitchen with Matt by his side. Matt got the coffee pot started as Sam opened the door to the pantry.
"Hey, looks like she is all stocked up on what we need." Sam smiled from ear to ear.
"So what are you waiting for?" Matt asked as he pulled out to large coffee mugs.
"Coffee." Sam answered as he lightly punched Matt in the arm.
"Coming right up!"
Sam laughed as he started to pull out the ingredients. His smile grew when he opened the fridge and found even more things he could add to the menu for breakfast.
Jules stretched and yawned. She rolled to snuggle closer to Sam but his side of the bed was empty and cold. Jules bolted upright as she suddenly feared that she had been dreaming, or that he had left her in the middle of the night again. It wouldn't be the first time after all. Her fears were soon eased though when she smelled breakfast coming from the kitchen.
Smiling Jules stood and drew her robe around her. As she meandered down the hall to the kitchen she pulled her hair into a ponytail.
"Good morning handsome." Jules came up behind Sam and wrapped her arms around his waist as he stood at the stove with a flour covered apron on.
"Morning beautiful." Sam turned around and wrapped his arms around Jules, pulling her close before planting a gentle kiss on her lips. "We just brewed a fresh pot of coffee for you ladies."
"Here you go Jules." Matt smiled as he placed a steaming hot cup of coffee on the counter next to the stove.
"Thank you Matt." Jules gave Sam one last kiss before he turned back to the stove.
Jules grabbed the hot mug and walked around the island. As she perched on a barstool she watched her husband work in the kitchen. It was five minutes later that Suzie joined them. As she sat next to her at the island with her own cup of coffee their eyes met.
"So, how long do you think it will be before Sadie wakes up?" Matt asked with a smirk as he set plates on the counter.
"DADDY!" Sadie's squeals could be heard above everything else.
Sam drew in a deep breath as he quickly passed off the cooking utensils to Matt as the name 'Daddy' was called over and over. He wiped his hands on his apron as a blur careened around the corner. Sam bent and caught his little girl in his arms and drew her to him.
"Sadie. My dear, sweet Sadie!" Sam twirled her in circles as he held her close.
"Daddy! You're home!" Sadie cried as she wrapped her arms tightly around Sam. She never wanted to let go of her Daddy ever again!
Jules wiped away the tears that were streaming down her face. She had known as soon as she smelled the banana pancakes and bacon that her daughter would know Daddy was home. It was the whole reason Jules was always careful to make sure she had all the ingredients on hand. She never knew when Sam would be home and he always made banana pancakes for Sadie when he was. It was their special breakfast.
"I missed you Daddy!" Sadie was crying a river of tears in her daddy's arms.
"Oh Sadie. My dear, sweet, beautiful baby girl! Daddy missed you so much!" Sam whispered softly as he stroked her hair.
There was not a dry eye in the kitchen as the rest of the adults watched. The pure emotion coming from Sam and Sadie was priceless and no one wanted to interrupt the father and daughter reunion.
Sadie remained wrapped in her daddy's arms for a very long time. It was only a rumbly tummy that reminded her that her daddy had made her banana pancakes.
"Daddy, when can we eat?" Sadie finally asked as she remained snuggled up against him.
Sam smiled. "Whenever you're ready princess." He answered as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
Sadie finally pulled back from Sam enough to look around.
"Uncle Matt!" Sadie squealed once again as she wiggled out of Sam's arms and into Matt's.
Matt laughed as he picked up Sadie and gave her a big hug. "Hey there Sadie Bug."
"You brought Daddy home?!" Sadie half asked.
"No, your Daddy brought me home." Matt teased as he winked at Sam. "You know, I think that there are some extra special banana pancakes with your name on them." He whispered loudly to the amusement of the rest of the adults.
Matt carried Sadie to the table and put her in one of the chairs. The women helped Matt and Sam move the food to the table.
Jules watched with a huge grin on her face as she watched Sam give Sadie her breakfast. Sam had made pancakes in the shapes of a smiley face, a crown, and a heart. Jules couldn't help but laugh when Sadie asked for chocolate milk and Sam put what looked like half a bottle of chocolate syrup in Sadie's milk. Her daughter was going to be super hyped up on sugar by the end of the day. It would be a small price to pay for the look of pure joy on Sadie's face though as she spent time with her daddy.
Jules and Suzie cleaned up from their breakfast while Matt and Sam took Sadie to the living room to play. It didn't take long for the dishes to be forgotten as both women watched the men in their lives play with sweet little Sadie. The poor little girl was trapped between the two men as they tickled her relentlessly. Her squeals of laughter brought joy to her momma's heart. Sadie loved her daddy so very much and simply never got enough time with him.
For the millionth time Jules couldn't help the sadness that crept in. If it weren't for that stupid man that was out to hurt Sam through them they would be able to be a family more often. Sure, Sam would still be deployed at times, but he would get to see his baby girl more often. If Sam's unit could just catch this man then the Braddock family could go out in public. They wouldn't have to have protection detail, no matter how subtle it was. Jules longed for the day when they could be a normal family once again.
"Mommy! Help me!" Sadie squealed as Sam held her tightly while Matt tickled her. "Mommy, Mommy!"
Jules laughed at the sight before her. Those two men could be such children sometimes.
"Go on, I've got this." Suzie nudged Jules. "I'll finish cleaning up."
"Thanks." Jules offered her friend a small smile before heading to the living room to 'rescue' her daughter.
When Jules went to Sadie's rescue Matt excused himself and went to the kitchen.
"How is my beautiful fiancé this morning?" Matt asked as he snaked his arms around her waist.
"I'm doing wonderful since you're here." Suzie answered as she gave him a gentle kiss.
"You know I've missed you right?"
"I know. But Sam and the unit need you right now. I know you will be home for longer when you can. It's enough that you get to be here right now." Suzie wrapped her arms around Matt's waist as she lay her head on his chest. "How long do you get to stay?"
"We leave Sunday night." Matt answered as he kissed her hair.
"Not long then."
"Sadly no." Matt's attention was drawn for a moment to where Sam was being tickle assaulted by his wife and daughter. He hadn't seen a smile like that on Sam's face in a very long time.
"Are you guys getting any closer?" Suzie asked. She knew that Matt would be aware who she was talking about.
"We've had a couple few leads recently but nothing that's panned out so far." Matt sighed. "We're not giving up until we get him though."
"She worries about him a lot."
"He worries about her more."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. I worry about you too you know." Suzie looked up at Matt and their eyes met.
"I worry about you too." Matt tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm so glad you were put on the Braddock detail. I don't know how I would ever have met you if you weren't assigned as protection detail for one Sadie Braddock."
"It's definitely been an adventure." Suzie smiled. "But they're family now, just like you are. There is nowhere else I would rather be."
"Come on, let's get this mess cleaned up. Then you and I can go lock ourselves in your room for a while." Matt grinned at her suggestively.
"Then you better get rinsing soldier!"
"General, I have a sitrep from Team Alpha."
"Enter Corporal Smith."
As the young corporal entered his office General Braddock refilled his coffee before sitting down behind his desk.
"Proceed."
"Sir, Lieutenant Gussman reports that the mission was a success. They sustained only minor injuries and retrieved some valuable intel."
Corporal Smith passed an open folder to the General as he continued.
"They have reason to believe that they know where the Jack of Hearts is at the moment." Smith smiled.
"Mohammed Nader?" General Braddock clarified.
"Yes sir. According to this intel he is in Egypt on vacation with his wife. He is scheduled to be there for another two days." Smith explained. "They have his travel itinerary."
"Who do we have available?" Braddock asked as he scanned the file.
"Sir, Teams Alpha, Bravo, and Delta are all on mission. Team Echo is still down due to injuries. Team Charlie is currently on R&R until Monday morning at 0900." Smith answered as he consulted his notes.
General Braddock sighed deeply. Harrison was not going to be happy.
"Get me Lieutenant Harrison on the line." Braddock ordered as he looked over the file once again.
"Yes sir." Corporal Smith rose to do as ordered. He knew the General didn't want to have to recall Team Charlie, but they were they only ones available and they were the best JTF2 Unit there was.
"Harrison." Lieutenant Liam Harrison answered his encrypted phone. He had a feeling his unit was about to be recalled and he had sorely wanted to ignore the call. But you don't ignore a call on an encrypted phone.
"Lieutenant Harrison, please hold for General Braddock."
Liam closed his eyes and let out a barely audible sigh. Yep, he wasn't going to like this one bit.
"Harrison?" General Braddock's voice came over the line.
"Yes sir?"
"I am very sorry to do this to you but I need you to recall your unit. We have intel on the location of the Jack of Hearts and I want your unit to intercept him and see what intel you can gather from him." General Braddock explained.
"Sir? Did you say the Jack of Hearts?" Liam clarified.
"Yes. He gets us just three steps away from the Ace of Hearts, and I want that man!" The General exclaimed.
"Yes sir. I'll recall my unit immediately. Can transportation be arranged for Braddock and Taylor?"
"Yes, get them to Borden and I will take care of the rest. Once they hit the ground your unit will be moving out." Braddock took a deep breath. "I'll have your gear pulled and ready for you."
"Yes sir." Liam stood and got his list of encrypted phone numbers for his unit. He would start with Braddock and Taylor as they were the farthest away.
"And Liam…"
"Yes sir?" It wasn't often the General called him by his first name.
"You get that SOB, then you get the Ace. Do you understand me?"
"Sir, that's what we've been working towards for the last few years. We'll get him sir!"
At that the General hung up and Liam quickly found the number for Matt Taylor's encrypted cell. Matt could tell Sam.
Sam, Jules, Suzie, and Matt were all gathered around the kitchen island enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee. It had been a great day so far. Starting with breakfast Sadie had Sam going nonstop all day. They had a tickle fight, a NERF war, read books, watched movies, and more. Sam simply smiled at the sight of his baby girl passed out on the couch. She was exhausted but she was happy. The smile on her face was proof of that.
Matt was so happy they had gotten a long weekend off, and that miraculously Jules had three days off while they were there. Her normal rotation off landed perfectly with their unexpected leave and Matt was so happy for Sam. He didn't know what his friend would have done if Jules had had to work. Wait, yes he did. Sam would have spent the day with his baby girl just like he was right now. Having Jules home just made it even more special for his best friend though.
If Matt were being honest he was pretty pleased with his weekend so far too. He never got to spend enough time with Suzie. They had been engaged going on a year and a half now and still had no idea on when they would get to marry. If Matt had enough warning he would have tied the know this weekend. But, sadly, they just never knew when they would get to come home to Toronto.
Matt was pulled out of his thoughts as his phone rang. It was the encrypted phone they were given before they left. His eyes met Sam's as he answered.
"Tombstone."
"Tombstone, do you remember that deck of cards we had that was missing a few cards?" Harrison asked.
"Yeah Pops, what about that deck of cards?" Matt asked, he stated it in such a way that Sam would know what was being talked about without him putting the phone on speaker.
Sam stood, instantly alert at what Matt was saying.
"Well, I recently found it. Guess what. I found the Jack of hearts that was missing too." Harrison explained in their code. "Only thing is I have to travel to get it and I need you boys to go with me. A car is coming to get you within the hour. Be ready."
"Cool, we'd love to go on a road trip with you. I'll let Sergeant Badass know and we'll be ready." Matt answered.
Once Matt hung up he turned to Sam.
"They found Nader."
"When do we leave?" Sam asked, already mentally preparing himself to say goodbye to his girls once again.
"Harrison sent a car. It should be here within the hour." Matt answered.
"You guys are leaving so soon?" Suzie asked, trying not to let her sadness show.
"Sorry baby but yeah. We found someone we've been looking for for quite a while now. We need to go now or we may not get him." Matt answered as he pulled his fiancé into a tight hug.
"Sam." Jules whispered his name as she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
"Sorry baby. But if we get this guy we will be one step closer to taking out the threat." Sam wrapped his arms tightly around Jules.
"I understand. It's just Sadie is going to be devastated." Jules answered as she squeezed her eyes shut tight, trying to keep the tears at bay until after Sam left.
"I know. I wish I could stay longer. I really do!"
"It's okay. Duty calls." Jules took a deep breath and stepped back. "You go pack. I'll wake Sadie so that you can say goodbye."
"I love you Julianna Braddock!" Sam planted a gentle kiss on her lips before following Matt down the hall to pack.
Twenty minutes later Sam was holding a sobbing Sadie in his arms.
"Daddy is sorry that he has to go baby girl. I wish I could stay here with you and mommy!" Sam was fighting desperately to keep the tears from spilling down his cheeks. He needed to be strong for his girls.
"You're going to get the bad guys. Right Daddy?" Sadie asked as she turned her tear stained face towards her father.
"Yes Princess. Daddy is going to go get the bad guys." Sam answered as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Then you can come home?" Sadie asked innocently.
"I hope so baby girl. I really hope so!"
"I love you Daddy!" Sadie squeezed her daddy really tight one last time.
"I love you too Princess!"
"You take care of my husband Matthew Taylor!" Jules ordered.
"Yes ma'am. I'll do my best!" Matt responded as he gave her a quick hug.
"Jules." Sam whispered as he pulled her to him one last time.
"Sam." Jules whispered back.
"I love you…"
"…To the moon and back." Jules kissed him one last time. "Come home to me Braddock!"
"Yes ma'am."
With that Sam and Matt grabbed their bags and headed to the waiting car out front. As they travelled back to Afghanistan to meet their Unit both hoped that this would be the break that they had been looking for. The break that would allow Sam, Jules, and Sadie Braddock to live a more normal life, finally together.
AN: I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. I can't wait to read your reviews!
