"I've got an idea!" Linda Reagan stated as she ate breakfast with her family. "Your Daddy has a day off from work, so why don't we go to the zoo?"

"Yay!!" Her two sons clapped and cheered.

"That is, if it's okay with Daddy." Linda, Jack, and Sean looked at Danny, all three bottom lips sticking out.

"We can go. It'll be fun."

Cheers, claps, and 'thank you, Daddy's were heard from his family.

Linda turned around when she heard a small scream of laughter. She smiled seeing her husband pretending to throw their four year old son to the alligators. Then her heart broke, knowing he'd be away from his family for four years.

"But Daddy!!" Jack complained, "Mommy needs me to take care of Sean!"

Danny hoisted his young son onto his shoulders, "then I'll just have to feed the alligator to you." He walked towards his wife who was holding their other son.

"People don't eat al'gators, Daddy!"

"Oh, but they do. What do you think hotdogs are made of?"

"Gross!!"

Linda smiled widely, "What's your Daddy telling you this time?"

"He says al'gators make hotdogs."

"Danny!" She scolded as he took her hand in his. He wasn't totally lying- hotdogs were made of animal parts.

"What?"

"Daddy, can we see monkeys?!" Jack wondered excitedly.

"I'm game if Sean and Mama are."

"M-keys! M-keys!" The two year old chanted.

"Let's see the monkeys. I could use a good laugh."

Danny and Linda walked into the monkey exhibit, their sons very excited. "Stay close to each other." Danny warned as Jack grabbed Sean's hand. The parents would be right behind them, of course, but safety was still in numbers.

Linda linked her arm with Danny's, resting her head on his shoulder. "Do you have to go?"

"Baby, we've been over this." He snaked his arm around her.

"I know that. I'm just... I'm really gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you, too. And Jack and Sean and everyone. But I have to go."

"Halfway across the world to fight in some forsaken country."

"Linda..." Danny sighed, as if they had had this conversation multiple times before.

"I know. I'm just... worried, that's all."

"I'll be fine, I promise."

"You said that last time, and you came back with the worst post traumatic stress I have ever seen."

"Would you just trust me?"

"I trust you completely, it's just..." Linda sighed, looking at their sons. "I'm not at terms with it yet."

Danny gave her shoulder a little squeeze, then kissed her temple. "I love you."

"I love you more."

"Love you most." He kissed her lips lovingly.

Linda smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder and watched their sons. "They're growing up so fast."

"I know."

"I don't like it one bit."

Danny chuckled and squeezed his wife again.

"Daddy!" Jack and Sean came running up to their parents, "Mama, can we eat?"

"Sure." Linda picked up Sean and Danny hoisted Jack back onto his shoulders.

"Let's eat some alligator," Danny grabbed Linda's hand and grinned as Jack and Sean made gagging sounds.

Linda was definitely going to miss her husband, but she knew her family would support her through and through.