Chapter 10

One sunny Saturday, Sara and Charlie were outside watering the flowers when a black government suv pulled up in front of the house. She took Charlie's hand and began walking towards the house trying to ignore the uniformed Air Force Officer getting out. She wasn't sure she was ready to hear what they had to say and had a million things running through her mind.

When the man stopped at the corner of the house, she started to walk towards him. When she looked up she still had not recognized the man in his Dress blue's and sun glasses as she was looking more to the ground trying not to cry. It was Charlie who broke from her hand and ran toward the man, "Daddy!" Sara realized it was Jack and he grabbed the both of them into the tightest hug he could and they collapsed to the ground while Jack cried openly. He was actually scaring Charlie a little because he had no idea what was happening other than daddy came home from work.

Sara finally stopped crying and got Jack under control enough to get them all inside. Jack filled her in on the basics of what had happened and told her he was able to escape and was met by some guys that had been sent to intercept him and return him to the nearest base. From there he was taken to the hospital and treated before being sent back to the US and then home. Jack had no idea who the men were or why they did what they did. Being in Special Ops for so many years he learned that sometimes you asked no questions and just roll with it if someone was trying to rescue you. Sara knew who it was, it was Mike's old friends from the Air Force whom he had sent but she said nothing.

That night Jack invited Charlie to sleep with them. He had missed his son to the point that he never wanted to be away from him. It was a very emotional night for both adults and they laid studying each other. Her hands were tracing the scars left on his body while they talked. When Jack mentioned that he wanted to surprise his mother in the morning Susan was shattered. She had forgotten that Jack wouldn't know about his mother.

He could tell her mannerism changed when he mentioned his mother. "What? What is it? She's ok isn't she?" Sara just stared into his eyes and took a deep breath. "Jack… honey. I ah, I don't know how to say this." She could tell he was getting angry. "Babe, your mom was killed a couple months ago in an accident." His face went blank before he jumped out of bed, "WHAT!? Oh my god! What about Mike?" Jack was distraught and pacing around, still in shock. "Last I knew Mike was fine. Jack, honey, Mike went off the deep end when your mom was killed, he actually witnessed the accident. He sold the farm about a month ago and left the money in an account for Charlie before leaving."

Jack sat back on the bed and put his palms to his eyes. She moved across the bed to hold him while his mind processed the information she just gave him. She was resting her chin on his shoulder from the back. "Actually, I know Mike took some of the money before he deposited the rest and I believe in my heart, Mike was the one who hired those men to help you escape."

Jack was still sitting and trying to process but thought that made sense. Until he thought back, "No, Mike WAS one of the men who helped me escape." Jack knew there was something familiar about one of them but with paint on their faces and their hats pulled low in the middle of the night, Jack had not recognized him. "Did he say where he was going?" Sara shook her head no.

In the morning, Sara's parents came to see Jack and it was a wonderful reunion for all of them. They enjoyed a wonderful cookout and everyone went swimming. Jack couldn't believe how much Charlie had grown and never let him out of his sight. That evening Sara's parents had offered to take Charlie for the night so Jack & Sara could spend time together without having to worry about having "the child" around as Sara's mother always said. Drove Sara crazy, he's not "a child", he's my son! Sara always thought to herself when her mother said it.

Jack was quick to say no. He simply wasn't ready to let Charlie out of his sight yet. When her parents left and they all said their goodbye's, Jack, Sara, and Charlie had gone into the house and sit in the living room. Charlie had fallen asleep on Jack's chest while he was laying on the couch with his head on Sara's lap. He felt so at ease being home with his family. Sara just ran her fingers through his hair and asked if he was ready to put Charlie to bed. He hadn't planned on it but when he put his head back to look at his wife, he could see the burning in her eyes. When her hand fell to his chest and started running her fingers under his collar and twirling his chest hair, he knew what she wanted.

He sat up and carried Charlie to his own bed and met Sara in theirs. She had already slipped into a satin nightshirt and was in bed when he came in. The thought of making love to his wife began hardening his manhood. He stripped off his shirt and dropped his jeans leaving just his underwear and climbed into bed. That night their love making had been slow and gentle before they fell asleep in each other's arms.

The following day while Jack and Charlie were outside swimming and Sara was hanging out the clothes, the mailman pulled up and walked an envelope to Sara. "Got one special for you Jack. I'll leave it here with your beautiful wife." Jack smiled and thanked him.

Sara looked at it and it had no return address and was in a plain white envelope. There was something about it that made her feel off. "Jack, honey, I think you should check this out." Jack made sure Charlie's swimmies were secure and he hopped up to sit on the dock ready to jump back in after his son if needed. Sara walked it down to him and he opened it. He found a plain white notepaper with writing which appeared to be from a man.

"Jack –

I hope this letter finds you home safe and recovered from your scars. You have a wonderful family which you deserve to be with. I hope you forgive me for any decisions I made after your mothers passing which you may not agree with, but I needed to be sure your wife and son were financially set for their future in the event we could not return you to them.

Jack, I was proud to call you my son and I hope I never did anything to offend you. I adored your mother, she was one hell of a woman and she loved you deeply. You are a wonderful man, father, husband, and fellow soldier. After living through the loss of your father, my fellow team mate, a brother, and having to watch you grow into a man without him, I couldn't sit back idol and let history repeat itself so I did make a decision to step in. Again, I hope I did nothing to offend you. Please know that although we may not let ourselves be known, myself and the rest of Patrick's team will continue to have your six (at least until we're in rocking chairs!).

Congratulations on your home coming son! I'll be in touch when I can. Hug that little Flyboy for me, I miss him like crazy.

Sincerely,

Mike"

Jack started nodding his head with a smile while Sara was waiting for him to tell her what it said. He looked out over the pond, "it's from Mike" and he handed it up to Sara. Sara didn't know what to say so she just sat next to Jack and the two held hands while watching Charlie bounce around in the water saluting his father everytime he looked at him. It was something Jack had just taught the boy so being 4 years old, he did it often.

Jack finally looked at Sara, "I think I should retire. I'm not sure I can do this to you and Charlie anymore." As much as Sara would love for Jack to retire, she knew it was in his blood. She knew he would never be happy working outside of the service. She squeezed him around his chest from the back and rested her head on his shoulder again. "You can't quit what makes you happy. Maybe there is something else you can do for them though."

Jack spend the next few days thinking and made some phone calls. When he was told about some things happening in Colorado at Peterson AFB involving the missile & space program he was interested. They told him it would more of a secure position for a family man so he accepted it.