Emmalin arrived home on Friday night. Her father had told her that Claudia would not be here and Emmalin had wanted to postpone her visit to Charleston. But Michael had told him that his coming will do him good anyway. She had agreed to come. Michael had been looking for her at the airport. It was 8 pm when they entered their home.
E: Finally at home. You were right to make me come, I needed it.
M: You must always listen to your old father.
E: Count on it!
M: I thought ... since your mother is not there to watch what we will eventually eat this weekend ... we have a popcorn / TV party?
E: Oh yes, great idea.
Michael and Emmalin spent their evening watching a DVD. The next morning, at breakfast, Emmalin broached a rather delicate subject at the moment.
E: Well, tell me ... why is not mom here?
M: Your mother at a seminar and next weekend she will be in congress here in Charleston, so tell you that I will not see her anymore.
E: But wait, so she does not come to the charity event tonight, or to the ceremony tomorrow?
M: And no ...
E: Mom never missed such events!
M: I know.
Michael sighed.
E: Dad, what's up with mom?
M: She resumed work very soon after returning from travel. She made things happen in priority that did not necessarily have that place for her before. She started working harder and harder to succeed in her trials. She throws herself body and soul into her work ...
E: Okay, but there's a little a lot?
M: I'm tired of all this but in contradiction with this feeling, I'm so proud of her, of her journey. It has managed to win very complicated lawsuits lately against big companies that have not dropped anything either. She became one of South Carolina's best lawyers.
E: That's great dad, really. But is it all worth it? I mean maybe you'll be moved elsewhere.
M: I know Emmalin ...
E: I feel that you are so far from each other ...
M: And you're right, every day takes us a little further. But unfortunately every time I try to talk to him, everything is over in shouting.
E: Maybe you do not put the forms ... I know you and sometimes you're a little ... abrupt.
M: No, Em ', I promise you that I went really soft and easy every time. Even Denise to try.
E: And even from Denise, mom did not want to hear?
M: If she hears but does not understand.
E: So much as I've seen a lot of complicated situations related to your job, that's something I never thought I'd see. Mom has always been at your side to help you, help you, advise you. How could she have wanted to change so much?
M: That's the question I ask myself dearly. But for the moment I have no answer.
Emmalin did not understand either. Michael changed the conversation.
M: And you then the fac ...
E: Everything is hot! The coach named me on a lot of match, I'm too happy!
M: Oh that's great Em '! You keep me informed, I will try to come to see you day as much as possible!
E: Okay! What are you doing today?
M: Apart from the charity gala tonight, I have nothing planned.
E: Do we have a training session this morning?
M: Good idea. We find ourselves outside.
They then went to the stadium and the basketball court to play sports together. Michael wanted to make the most of his daughter so much he did not see her often. They had lunch together at noon. In the afternoon, Emmalin took the opportunity to meet some friends from high school and Michael read some reports he had brought with him. When she came home, she asked her father if he wanted her to go with him for the evening. He explained to her that given the boredom of this kind of party, he preferred that she go out with her friends. Michael left alone at this gala.
(At Denise's, a delay concerning the commemorative stone that was to be installed in the garden of meditation was not ready, but someone had to validate it in the morning the next day so that it could be asked before the ceremony. That afternoon, Denise was on call at the hospital, so Jackie volunteered to get everything back in order quickly.)
(At the Burton's, a nice surprise was waiting for them since Roland had just returned one day ahead of Baltimore, everyone was filled with joy, and they took the opportunity to play together after dinner to be together.) Joan then explained to Roland that maybe the children had to become again her priority because she had not seen them grow up, without wanting Joan spoke about retirement.)
(In the Hump, Gloria reassured Penny about her baby and the fact that she chose the right solution to get her adopted.) Penny left confident for her medical appointment the next day.)
When Michael arrived at the charity gala, it was not his surprise to see Kat Young present as well.
(During this evening, they talked about their past in the army or the Air Force, and contrary to what Michael had thought, he had a good evening where he had a chance to change his mind.) They had a last drink at the bar Before dessert, Michael told Kat Young that she drove her in. When she arrived in front of her house, the conversation started.)
K: Thank you Michael.
M: With pleasure, it will have avoided you to pay a taxi. Thank you for the evening, I was afraid to be bored since my wife could not be here tonight.
K: Hmm ... still a few worries?
M: Yes, but for now I'm facing. There are times when it is wiser to let time do its work.
K: I agree. Well I'm going to see what Jordan does, I see that the lights are still on.
M: I think my daughter is not back yet, she had to go out with friends.
K: What's her name?
M: Emmalin, she turned 20 this year.
K: Time goes by a speed!
M: His yes then ...
K: Do not you have other children?
Michael ticked this question. He did not know if he should talk to her about Amanda. He only knew Kat Young recently, was a colleague and maybe talking about his private life was not a good idea. However, considering the situation with Claudia, he needed to externalize some things he could not do with Emmalin. He spoke to her sincerely.
M: Amanda would have been 23 in October.
K: Oh Michael I'm sorry, I did not know, I did not want to ...
M: You could not know. She was 18 when she left. I still feel guilty some days, even if Claudia helped me stop doing it.
K: I feel guilty about my husband's death, and yet I will not have done anything. Let's say I should have joined him for two days because I had a permission. He begged me not to come for so little. I listened to him. And I can not help but tell myself that if I had been there, maybe we would not have been in the Pentagon's premises and maybe ... well, with some if we could redo the world.
M: Oh lord yes. A soldier from the base blew himself up in a bar outside the base. Amanda had just joined her mother in this bar at that time. Claudia was also in a coma. At that moment I was shot. But it was nothing compared to the period that followed. Claudia was so bad, I wanted to face for her but finally it was me who could not do it anymore. It completely destroyed us.
K: I can not imagine ...
M: But we managed to get up together. That's why with what's happening right now, I find it hard to tell myself that we could be so close to become so distant. Let's say that it happened to us once, being young, but we have always been very close.
K: I understand. Just by listening to you talk about her, a lot of love for her comes from your words. We do not need anything else to understand how much you care about her and vice versa. Everything went in order I am sure.
M: You're probably right.
K: I'm running, thank you again for taking me back. See you tomorrow at the ceremony.
M: Okay. Good night.
Michael read in Kat Young's eyes, a lot of compassion and kindness. He had found it beautiful in his black dress and with his loose hair. He thought she was a very beautiful woman, but without any ulterior motives. But for Kat Young, this look already hid feelings for Michael. She understood him during the evening. She had just met a wonderful man, but married. She could have wished for a separation with Claudia, to have the free way. But having a lot of tenderness for him, she wanted Michael to smile again and make arrangements with his wife. She did not suspect that these feelings would increase over time. On his way home, Michael found Emmalin nibbling something in the kitchen.
E: Hey! So this evening?
M: The luck was with me, Colonel Young was there, so I was not really alone and we kept company.
E: Who is Colonel Young?
M: She's Air Force and ...
E: She?
M: And yes, she is a pilot.
E: Ok ...
M: Emmalin is not going to imagine things. I accompanied her by gallantry only and in addition to her we spent our time talking about our career ...
E: No but do not worry, there are no worries. What time should we be tomorrow for the ceremony?
M: At 14h.
E: Great, I'll be able to sleep in the morning. And you know what time comes mom Sunday? Maybe I'll have the chance to see her before leaving ...
M: The seminar ends at 18h, the time to return, it is not there before 23h or even midnight I think.
E: Well, too bad. I go up to sleep I'm exhausted. Good night dad, see you tomorrow.
M: Ah tomorrow my big.
Emmalin kissed his father and went to bed. Michael did the same. He thought a lot before sleep, anxious to know where it would lead him.
(At Kat Young's place, she found her daughter folding her clothes.) Jordan noticed her mother's dreamy look, and she realized that something was happening with the general, but she did not suspect it. that Michael would not be able to do anything, so Jordan urged his mother to come closer to him and try to go further, and Kat told him that Michael was married and that his mission was more important anyway. yet that his mother would not go against his feelings.)
(The next morning, at the Hump, Holly arrived with a letter for Gloria, this letter was from Patrick where he tells Gloria that Hector is in his section and that for this reason it is better not to correspond anymore. badly and throws the letter in the trash.)
(Exactly, in Afghanistan, Tim is reading a letter from Holly, so he wonders how to do it once back, since Gloria is Holly's best friend and Hector is his best friend. responds then that it will simply not be necessary to make evening or meal with four.)
(In Fort Marshall, Roland visits Denise, explains that his job in Baltimore is a full-time job and that the job has been offered to him, and he is happy to tell him that Joan is ready to consider this idea. They promised to visit each other anyway, but Denise blamed it, because after Pamela, Roxy, it would be Roland's turn to leave, and with Claudia who was deserting the base, there would be nothing left but Jackie and Gloria. of course, and Latasha and Maggie and Holly, but it was not the same, their tribe of five was worthless now.)
(On the ground, Franck learns that Patrick has trained a patrol without having received the order, he then goes on the spot to give them a soap and to warn them that it could have ended very badly, so Eddie and Patrick are relieved to Eddie will take the opportunity to call Maggie who explains that Caroline is at the center of young, and what the girl said, while the latter is with bad company and drinking beer. )
(At the hospital, while Denise is about to leave for the ceremony, Penny arrives at the block after being knocked over by a car, while Gloria tries to reach Penny, but Denise answers. explains the situation, Gloria arrives at the hospital and warns others about what's going on, and at the place of the ceremony, everyone worries about seeing neither of them Michael greets the people who came for the ceremony, including Kat Young and Jordan, who thanked him for his work for everyone on the base, and Michael disappears when Joan and Roland arrive, because Joan was selected for the Army. War College, which for her would be synonymous with perhaps a star by becoming General of the US was not in the plans of the explains to Roland that they will talk about it later. In the operating room, everything gets complicated and Gloria ends up warning the others Then Holly decides to join her. Jackie warns Michael that Denise is being held at the hospital. Michael is sorry about it so much Denise worked on this project. Jackie is therefore introducing the ceremony in the meantime. She thanks Michael for this project idea as well as for his work done on the base in partnership with the FRG for these families of which one of their soldier is missing. At the hospital, Penny is operated on to save her baby.
In the garden of recollection, Michael spoke in front of all the assembly including Emmalin who was there too. He thanked the families present, the work of Denise, Jackie and expressed all his respect for those soldiers who were still missing in action. He recalled that here would be a place that will allow them to be honored and to be able to come and think about them. He was warmly applauded, and thanked by everyone.
At the hospital, Penny's baby, a boy was saved. Unfortunately the young mother did not survive because of severe internal bleeding. Denise will introduce the baby to Gloria and Holly. At the end of the ceremony, all will join the girls in the hospital to support each other.)
(In the field, Franck learns that the base camps are going to be abandoned by the troops, their mission ends, the return home is near.)
Michael and Emmalin return from the ceremony in the late afternoon.
E: This place is just beautiful. Denise did an amazing job.
M: It's a shame she has not been here today.
E: I'm sure she will go very fast. It's a pity mom was not there. Maybe seeing what the FRG can do without it would have made it think.
M: Sa can not know Em '.
E: I know. Okay, I'll do my luggage.
M: I'm going to change and you tell me when you're ready.
E: Ok.
Emmalin quickly went up to his room to finish his suitcase so that his father took him to the airport. His plane was taking off in two hours. She would not come back here for long. She decided to write a letter to her mother in the hope that she thought about it. Then came the time to leave. Emmalin left the letter on his mother's bedside table. That way she was sure she would read it. Michael took his daughter. He thanked her for coming and told him he loved her. Goodbye was nostalgic. When he came back, Michael felt lonely.
(At the Halls, Maggie discovered that Caroline was not going to the youth center.) An altercation broke out between them, and Maggie punished her for leaving and explained to her that she no longer trusted her because Caroline had betrayed that trust. The girl was furious.)
(At the Burton's, a discussion ensued.) Joan tried to plead his case for the Army War College, but Roland did not hear it that way - he was tired of life only in terms of Joan and duty. his dreams, his dreams, and he remembered Pamela's words once that told him that he had chosen that path and that Joan's career would always be a priority, but this time it was too much. She did not get upset, let her talk but told her that she had to choose between her career and her marriage, and that if she agreed to go there, their wedding would be over. "Joan blamed it.
(Gloria wrote a letter to Hector to inform her of what had happened.) She told him about the baby and sent him a picture, Gloria was both sad and tender for the baby.
(Denise was finally able to free herself from the hospital.) The sun was setting when she reached the garden and she admired the plaque that had been laid that morning, fortunately Jackie had been there. "In memory of our missing, those who, without being there, will always be in our hearts.")
What was his surprise to see Claudia sitting on a bench.
D: Claudia?
Claudia came towards her with a smile. They took each other in their arms.
C: I just came back, the seminar ended earlier in the afternoon. And I wanted to come see the wonderful work you and Jackie had done.
D: Thank you.
C: This place is beautiful Denise, really!
D: Yes, it's a soothing place. Claudia, Emmalin was here today.
What is it ? Emmalin came this weekend? But I thought that since I was not there she would reject her coming.
D: I know that Michael needed to see his daughter.
C: I see. I'm a little sad for not being able to see her.
D: Claudia ... I think you've been a bit far ...
C: What do you mean by that?
D: Take back your work okay, make crazy days, okay. But work on the weekend and never be there when Michael is waiting for one thing, to spend time with you ... to miss the arrival of your daughter for a seminar or I'm sure you have learned nothing more than you already do not know ... do not you think that's all too much?
C: Emmalin and Michael talked to you?
D: No Claudia, no. But you are no longer on the base, you do not even interested in the support group, people talk.
C: Oh you know very well that with Michael we do not care about gossip.
D: I know, but you said that after this complicated trial everything would be better than the organization would change. I remind you that you wanted to work half of your time at home so you could enjoy Michael, your friends, and keep a foot in the group.
C: That's right. But I feel like living Denise again. I meet people who are outside the army and with whom I discuss something else about the army. I know that Michael has trouble understanding but everything will get better with time and I will be happy to come back to the group.
D: Did you talk to Michael about it?
C: What I know is that each time we fight. But as I told you, after getting used to all this, everything will be calmer and everything will become normal again. I told Michael, he just has to be patient.
D: Okay, if you say so, you must be right.
Claudia took Denise home and arrived relatively early at home. On returning home, the house was empty. Michael arrived half an hour later. He had just taken Emmalin to the airport.
M: Your weekend went well?
C: Hmm, I'm disappointed to have missed Emmalin.
M: Listen Claudia I'm not going to tell you that I understand, that I'm sorry for you ... Emmalin did not take the fact that you're not here this weekend. She wanted to push back to next weekend but you're not there either.
C: I'm in Charleston next weekend.
M: Yes for a congress that takes you all day since there is a dinner on Saturday night and a pot on Sunday. So if you want to complain, do not do it to me Claudia. You wanted to see your daughter? You canceled this congress, that's all. Now excuse me but I'm going to take a shower.
Claudia stayed in the entrance, not knowing what to do. Why was Michael so hard in his words? She mounted her things in the room, without seeing Emmalin's letter. She went down to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Michael arrived a few moments later and set the table.
C: Honey, why were you so tough earlier?
M: Listen honey, I'm saddened by all this. This is the first time you missed the charity gala for children at Charleston Hospital. I was there and the senator understood your absence, not me. I would have liked to have you with me at the Garden of Remembrance ceremony that Denise did with Jackie. Then there was Emmalin yes, but I would have liked it to be you who accompanies me as always.
C: Ok, honey, I understand. But you have to understand from your side that our life has not been there since I decided to work full time. Yes, before I was with you all the time, I directed our family life at the same time as my work near you for your career. Being president of the FRG I had a lot of things to manage and despite all my days were well filled. From your promotion to a three-star general, Jackie has been named FRG President, and Denise vice-president. Officially I have nothing to do on this basis. My role is played in Washington concerning you now. So yes I decided to rework, and yes it takes me time since the sacrifices you had to make yourself compared to the army, I make them about me in relation to my job as a lawyer. So now you have to deal with what's going on on your own, or get closer to Jackie if you need some things, or Denise, as you did for the garden project. And was fine. So yes, between the needs of my job, and the needs of your career, there are few weekend that I would spend at home. I accepted your schedule for 24 years honey, why can not you accept this change?
M: Claudia, I understand all that, really. But why so many seminars, so many meetings, so many congresses and as many hours of work? I had orders, you manage as you wish. Why not slow down a bit so you can be there in the evening, and what you do not do that day you do it the next day ... I know your customers are waiting for results. But will it change what to postpone your two or three phone appointments overnight?
C: Michael, you've always been very perfectionist in your work and luckily, because the soldiers depend on you, lives depend on you. I am also a perfectionist, you know it. And as part of a juvenile rape trial as I had recently where initially there was no evidence, just say a little parent's words, I had to fight for that family of the small wins this lawsuit. So I can not tell them that tonight I'm dropping them and that I'll see them the next day just because my husband is having a hard time accepting our new organization of life ...
M: Claudia no, that's not what I mean, I mean, can you spend a little less time for others to spend more together?
C: Honey, we live together ...
Michael gaped. He had no idea to try to make him understand.
M: You know what, I'm not hungry, I'll go for a walk before going to sleep. See you later.
C: Michael ...
Michael left to jog and walked through the streets of the base. Claudia did not understand why so much tension was between her and Michael. Michael did not understand how Claudia could not understand what she was doing wrong. As he had decided, he was once again giving the opportunity to change his mind. But he knew that once again everything would end in shrieking. When Michael returned, Claudia was in the shower. She went to bed next. Wanting to lift the quilt on her side before going to bed, she dropped Emmalin's letter to the floor, without seeing it. That might have made her understand her mistakes and maybe make her change. But she will not find it until she does a bit of cleaning.
