October 27, 2026
Master Sergeant Frank "Frankie" Woods and Lieutenant Commander David Mason
"Yeah, my sister and brother are helping her out, I think. Besides, I haven't seen them in years. I think it'll do us all some good." A young, yet middle-aged man with light green eyes said as he walked down the hallway with his fellow comrade at his side. He told him that he would accompany him to the exit before leaving for the airport and were now discussing the reason behind his sudden decision of taking a leave.
The barely older man beside him was an inch taller than him and had dark, hazel eyes and ink black hair. He had strong, chiseled features and light traces of facial hair growing around his jaw and chin. Glancing over at his friend, he gave him a half-hearted grin. "Whatever you say, man. You gonna see the old man while you're at it? He's been asking about ya." He inquired as they casually strolled along the barracks.
The younger of the two looked down at the cold, metal floor beneath him, absentmindedly studying its pattern and the many scratches and scuffs it had gained over the years. "Thinking about it, yeah. Haven't seen him in forever, though. Never been this kind of nervous to even think about seeing him. It's stupid!" He replied hesitantly as though there were other ears listening in on him, though he and his friend were the only ones there at the moment.
The other chuckled and clapped a hand on the back of his friend's shoulder. "Trust me, he'd kill to see all you guys. That's all he ever talks about anymore since the Menendez thing last year. I don't think he's gonna be upset that you came to visit him. You're right, though, that is a stupid thought."
"That's easy for you to say, Dave. You're the one that actually visits him! Not even his own flesh-and-blood can make the trip but you and you're not even flesh-and-blood! Well, biologically, I mean." The younger protested as he shook off his friend's, David's, hand from his shoulder.
David just cocked a brow at the younger and sighed. "Well, now you get the chance to redeem yourself!" He said simply with a joking tone dripping off the simplicity and no other words coming to mind.
The younger just chuckled at his best friend's words and shook his head. They were nearing the exit and it was soon for the both of them to part ways for almost a month. He honestly thought it was going to be weird leaving the base he had practically thought of as home for years now. Yet, he hadn't seen his real family in years, as well.
From his sister's returning phone call, he knew he had to be there. She informed him of their mother's current medical conditions and how her heart has been playing games with the medical staff. Jessica was terrified about the situation and seemed so frantic on the phone. It just seemed so well-timed that his decision to visit them was right around the time that he could be scheduled for leave. He hadn't seen his siblings or nieces and nephews in so long; he was sure that they were probably all adults by now. No longer the little toddlers that he had thrown over his shoulders when they were all younger. He thought of his oldest niece and Melanie's oldest, Melody. She had been in their home life for a short time before her father and mother split their family right down the middle. The last time he had seen her she was not even school age, yet. If he remembered right, she had been four years old. Considering his calculations were right, she'd have to be thirty or nearly thirty by now. It seemed so unreal that he had been gone that long, though.
"Alright, Frankie, tell that sister of yours that I said 'hey' and take care of yourself down there." David finally said, snapping him from his reminiscence. He lifted an arm from his side and offered him a balled fist with a crooked grin. It was a ritual they had started when they were young teenagers and continued to do so from time to time. He and Frankie even managed to absentmindedly "fist-bump" each other when they were out in the field, dodging bullets, when their teams would be separated.
The younger man, Frankie, grinned and returned his offer by bumping his own balled fist against his. "Hey, tell Harper that if he touches any of my shit again I will murder him this time, for real!" Frankie warned with a grin teasing at his lips.
David chuckled. "Alright, but no promises your stuff will still be there by the time you get back!"
Without another word, Frankie turned from him and made his way towards his transportation that would take him to the airport not too far away from where their base was stationed at that moment.
He took that time to run his hand through his thick, growing dark hair. He was still wondering if this was a good idea. He'd have plenty of time to think about what the past weeks were going to hold for him and he yearned to see his family, but there was almost a nervousness that he hadn't felt in the longest time. He actually hated the way he felt; they were his family, his own brothers and sisters, yet he acted as though he were meeting strangers.
What about his mother? He just knew that Jessica would, without a doubt, at least try to make him see his mother. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with his mother, he just felt that all of this would make everything worse for both him and his siblings and their mother herself. The last thing he wanted was to make things worse for her. Ever since he was small, he was told he had a striking resemblance with his father. What if she thought he was his father? Would she panic with excitement? Jessica had told him over the phone that her heart was playing tricks on her again; would his return hurt her? He couldn't have that. There's no way he could risk his mother's health like that.
He sighed as he considered his options. He wanted to see all his family before he'd be back here again. After realizing how old his oldest niece would be, he wondered how many new family members had been added to their family since then. He knew some of them, about Melanie's kids and Jessica's boys. He had never been able to really meet them face-to-face, but every time he called Jessica she'd give them their share of speaking time. He loved hearing from them. It always reminded him of those rare nights when his own father had been able to call or send a letter, much to Jesselynn's amusement. He still had no idea how his mother had been able to control her "army" of children, as many called them.
Frankie then thought about his father. He remembered the hours and days when he'd do nothing but argue with him about his wish of joining the army, just like his father and uncle had. He always thought his father was being unreasonable and maybe even hypocritical about him refusing his blessing on this decision. It wasn't until he grew older that he understood why his father hadn't wanted him to join. There was a lot of things he'd never be able to remove from his memory and all that he had done he would never be able to redo. He had lost many friends and long-time colleagues during his years. Now, he could understand why his father hadn't wanted that for him or any of his sons. Of course, Frankie was the only one he had to worry about with that decision.
His mother always used to say that Frankie was the only one of their children that turned out to be an exact copy, looks and all, of his father. Perhaps that was why he and his sister, Jessica, did nothing but fight every time they played together. She loved to be in charge of their games, while Frankie always wanted to bend the rules each time they played it. He couldn't count the many fights his mother would step in and break up. Sometimes, he and Jessica were the still the same way. Now, he was even more excited, yet nervous, to see her.
"I'm telling you, Mel, I'm getting really worried about Mom. We haven't gone to visit her in a while so she can rest. I've been told that's she been losing memories again. What's she already told us and what I told her about Sierra's practically gone from her memory. She's forgotten the first time she met Dad, but still knows that she was married to him and loves him. I'm, honestly, really scared, Melanie. What if she forgets everything? What if she forgets us? I don't want to lose Mom." Jessica explained in a frantic whisper as she glanced over and saw Roy snoring on the couch alongside her.
Melanie sighed through the other end of the phone before answering her. "Jess, you need to calm down before you have your own heart attack. Mom's a tough woman, she's been through a lot in her life, and I know she won't let this take over her memory completely. Not in one swipe, at least. Besides, Dad said she wasn't allowed to forget us, remember?" There was a soft chuckle at the end of her statement as she remembered her father's words to their mother when they both realized her memory loss wasn't just old age.
Jessica grinned at the memory and took a deep breath, forcing herself to obey her sister's command and calm down. "I know, I just feel…useless. The only thing I'm probably doing to her right now is making things worse for her. What if she stresses because of Michael and me? I don't want to add onto her problems, but I don't just want to leave her there in that room until she takes her last breath. It'd be cruel to do that, especially since she never just left us in our rooms when we were sick. She even put up with my whining, Mel, my whining. I was the "whiner" of the family when I got sick and I don't think I would've had the patience to put up with me. She did and even did it with a smile, well, at least a forced one. After all that, how could I just sit by and do nothing to help her."
"Yeah, you were so pathetic when you got sick. Dad made it worse when he'd joke around about taking you out back and shooting you like they do with horses with broken legs. I think Mom had to explain to you for an hour that Walter's old rifle wasn't for that reason to get you to stop crying! I think if she can survive that, she can survive anything." Melanie replied with a giggle. She remembered her little sister bawling for what felt like forever while Martha "thanked" their father for keeping the girl up even longer and making her crankier.
Jess grinned and arched a brow at her sister, though she knew she wouldn't see it. "Tell me again why I call you for advice?" She teased with fake annoyance.
Melanie's laughter filled the silence between them for a moment before her voice broke through again. "Because I am an awesome big sister and you love me."
"Ehh, maybe." Jessica teased.
There was a moment of silence between them as they chuckled under their breath and tried to think of what to say next to each other. It always ended up like this, once Melanie had given her sisterly advice to Jessica, there was the momentary reminiscence and the annual playful teasing. Now, it was around the time that they were start discussing about certain events that were going on in their lives.
"So, how're the grandkids? Still as rotten as the last time I saw them?" Jessica asked; it was rare for her to start the family-catch-up conversation.
"If possible, even more rotten. Noah's got his first loose tooth and Melody is on the verge of super-gluing his tooth to his gums. She doesn't like the fact that he's not a baby anymore and that she really is getting old just like the rest of us. Krista and Jeremy are almost finished on their new house, just have to get the furniture and paint the kids' rooms. Vikki and Jax have already volunteered to paint their own rooms. I think Jeremy's still trying to find a good enough excuse as to why they can't volunteer this time around and help when they always encourage it at other times. I'll alert you when he finally does. Oh, I almost forgot. I think Jamie has her first crush." Melanie proudly stated when she thought about her own army of grandchildren and children, biological and in-laws.
"Oh, really? How's John coping with that? That's his baby, after all." Jessica asked with a smile.
"Simple, banging his head against the wall all night. I think he's nearly made a hole in the wall. Actually, he's been pretty calm about it. Though, Melody told me that every time Jamie tries to convince the both of them into her wearing heels to school to impress that boy, Hayden, I think it is, John's cup 'somehow' turns into a pile of crumbled and broken plastic." Melanie explained with a grin as she quoted her oldest daughter's story to her sister.
Jessica laughed as she imagined her nephew-in-law crushing a cup with his bare hands when he heard his oldest daughter talk so much about impressing boys. She remembered feeling that way when her own children had their first crushes. It crushed her, basically.
"I'm sure he'll learn to get used to it, eventually. Well, we can only hope, at least." Jessica finally replied as she scooted across the couch she was perched on and messed with her exhausted husband who had fallen asleep beside her while watching the news on television. He was always so amusing while he was in a deep sleep, as he was now.
As she listened to her sister explain her ideas about rearranging her home, she heard a light knock on the door that interrupted her poking and prodding session with Roy who just squirmed from her touch. She said her good-byes with Melanie and sighed as she pushed herself off the sofa. She was slowly realizing her age more and more every day; it took her a try or two to actually pull herself from the soft cushions and she stood with a groan.
Jessica yawned as she made it across the house towards her front door. She couldn't believe how late it was –about 11:30 at night— and even more surprised that there was someone visiting her. She was tempted to just turn around and head straight to her bedroom where her soft, somewhat-luxurious bed called out her name dreamily, but she figured it may or may not be important. Wouldn't kill to get into some gossip outside her family drama, now would it?
She took in another deep breath as she pushed her wild, frizzy hair away from her face and faced the door. She didn't even bother to try and peek at who was paying her a visit like she normally did. She guessed that it was just exhaustion throwing her off her regular routine.
She expected to see a neighbor or nearby friend at her door, perhaps still expressing their condolences about the anniversary of her sons' passing's, but the familiar face was one she would have never expected. In one quick motion, all the exhaustion, annoyance, and her lingering thoughts were whisked away when she craned her neck to look at her guest in the eye.
A large smile stretched and contorted her face as she was overcome with shock. "Frankie!" She nearly screamed when she saw her younger brother's face return her smile.
I know, it's been FOREVER since I've updated. First of all, I am very sorry for being pulled away from this story. If it means anything, it has been on my mind during the break, but I guess not enough to really sit down and write out a chapter like I should have been doing. I have been working on an old, original story that I'm writing on FictionPress and it has consumed me for months, which is actually the longest time I've been consumed with that story. It was very new to me :P
Anyway, I'll quit stalling and boring y'all. Also, I know this story is seeming very slow and I will apologize if I am boring anybody out there. I merely doing so many "family" chapters and such because I am trying to get some basic character development before I get to the good stuff, well, at least I hope it'll be good :) I will be doing the campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops and most likely will follow that with the story of Black Ops II. I haven't figured everything out for the second story though, but I am trying. I guess I still have plenty of time.
So, look forward to that because Black Ops campaign missions will soon be coming! Thank you all so much for still reading my junk, you really have no idea how much it means to me! So, yeah, sorry this one was a little short and sorry for the wait! I hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful day or evening! :3