A little bit of a jump in time. The Holdens have been in Fort Lewis for a while, Amanda is now two, and Michael and CJ have been married for about two years now. For the purpose of the story it's around August 1992 just after their second anniversary. Enjoy.

One year later…

Claudia Joy's POV…

We've finally arrived in Fort Lewis and have been here for a while but the fighting hasn't stopped. I'm still having trouble adjusting and I can tell Michael is too. And apparently screaming and yelling at each other is the way to relieve the stress in our heads. So much to the point that Amanda is often in tears and one or the other of us is on the couch. One morning I was in the kitchen feeding Amanda and thinking about everything. How is this going to work? Raising a daughter and the fighting? And living the army life? Did I make a mistake? Maybe I should just file for divorce now and take Amanda and go. But then I know Michael, and I know he would put up a custody battle over Amanda.

"Claudia Joy?" Speak of the devil.

"What?" I asked.

"Um you still have the FRG bake sale tomorrow right?" he asked.

"Yeah you're helping right?" I asked.

"Um no. I have to work," he responded.

"But tomorrow's Saturday."

"I know but there's still work to be done," he said.

"Honey I can't run a bake sale AND take care of Amanda alone," I said a little ticked off.

"Well don't you have the rest of the group to help you?" he asked.

"AMANDA DOESN'T LET ANYONE TAKE CARE OF HER OTHER THAN YOU AND ME REMEMBER!" I shouted.

"JEEZ CLAUDIA JOY I THOUGHT YOU'D BE OKAY FOR ONE DAY BUT I'LL CALL IN SICK IF I HAVE TO!"

"NO GO! I'LL BE FINE! I'LL MANAGE. IF AMANDA GETS FUSSY, I'LL HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE LOOK OVER THINGS!" I said.

"FINE!" he said and left slamming the door behind him.

Michael's POV…

I came home later that night. I heard the TV on in the family room. I walked in to find my wife watching 60 Minutes. She looked at me when she realized I was there but then immediately went back to the show.

"Baby, are we okay?" I asked.

"Yes," she said bitterly. Like she didn't really mean it.

"Are you sure?" I asked raising one eyebrow.

"Well it's just. It just seems like your daughter and I are coming second to your job," she sighed.

"Honey you know I can't help that."

"SO HELP ME IF YOU SAY IT'S THE ARMY!"

"FINE I WON'T SAY IT! AND YOU'RE ONLY PISSED BECAUSE YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT!"

Claudia Joy started to cry and said, "Michael I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Do what?" I asked apprehensively.

"I mean I don't know if I can. Live like this. Having to worry about you all the time. The fact that you can deploy on a moment's notice. The fact that I can be a single mother for God knows how long. The fact…"

"Baby, I'll always come home."

"You DON'T KNOW that!" she shouted, "What would happen if I had to eventually tell Amanda that her father was blown up halfway around the world! That Daddy's not coming home!"

"Claudia."

"She's only two Michael! She needs a Daddy!" she sobbed.

"I'll do my best to keep it that way," I said attempting to wrap my arms around her only to have her pull back.

"NO! I need someone to promise that they'll always be there for the kids! With no 'What ifs' involved," she said.

"DAMNIT CLAUDIA! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" I shouted.

"I'M SAYING I WANT A DIVORCE!"

Oh No! A divorce? Let me know what you guys think!