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-Chapter 9!-

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It had been 2 months now since Andy started training and Robert had stayed in Germany to finish his last year out from the Marines. He was happy that he got to serve his country proud for 6 years and in two different countries. While he wasn't super happy to be leaving he was more than ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.

It had reached the day where it was time for him to pack up his suitcases and hang up his uniform in his suite bag and leave to go home. He did his final rounds and said his proper goodbyes to his team and his higher ups and made his way over to the airport. He sat in the taxi and looked out on the place he got to call home for 2 years, the place where he met some good people of whom he promised to stay in touch with and the place that changed him into being a better person as a whole.

He knew the plane ride over to Montana would be pretty lengthy and even though he hated long flights he was happy to be going back to his home state to pick up his stuff and move to a new state where he would be with the people he loved and the place where new memories would be created for him. As he grabbed his two suitcases from the trunk and made his way in the airport to security and checkin he took in one last look over of being in Germany. He checked in his bags and he went over to his gate and bought some snacks and sat by the window waiting for boarding.

It was midday for him now which meant about early afternoon for Andy and he decided to quickly FaceTime her to tell her everything and to also check in on her. He knew he would stay in Montana for a day and he would then drive over to Seattle and move into the house he purchased. He decided to keep that part a surprise from Andy due to the fact he had something special planned for when he saw her.

Shortly after he ended the call the overhead announcement came on for boarding and he got up and went into the plane. After two plane rides and many hours later he arrived in the state of Montana and for once in the past 6 years of leaving he finally felt at home. He grabbed his bags and quickly headed to the exit and immediately felt the crisp breeze that flowed through the air. He got into another taxi that took him over to Lucas house in which he had been given a key for. After the short 15 minute ride he let himself inside the small house and took a seat on the couch.

Montana was where he grew up and made friends and even had his first relationships. This state held a lot of memories for him and he was grateful that he could come back even if it's for one night to savor the memories one last time for a while. Before he left to the Marines he packed up everything and left them here in Lucas house and sold the home where he lived with his parents. He couldn't hold on to it anymore and he knew that it was time to let it go.

He quickly grabbed his car keys that were placed on the rack and he opened up the truck to his car and began packing the boxes he had into it. He knew he didn't have a lot of time before he planned to leave so he figured he should start now. Lucas had already made his home in Seattle and he kept the house here in Montana for the sake of Robert to get his things safely and leave. Seattle was where he received his job placement and he loved working as Fire Chief there.

After Robert packed the boxes into his car he decided to go into the house and take a nice hot shower and then go straight to sleep.

Andy has already finished training a couple weeks prior to Robert finishing up overseas and she was happy. She graduated with all the necessities needed to become a firefighter and she was proud to enter the ceremony dressed in her pressed attire looking at her dad who had the biggest smile on his face stating that he was proud of his daughter and he was more than ready to see her succeed.

The crew from Pruitts team all ended up retiring and he handpicked a new team that exceeded his expectations in all levels of skills and training and he chose them to be the next firefighters to take over Station 19. Those seven members were the perfect fit to be the right blend of both family and friends.

The first day on the job was a success. They of course had a few watchers overlooking them but they handled all 7 calls perfectly and it proved Pruitts statement right. He moved up in position to become their captain and even though he was aging he couldn't give up on his team and he most certainly couldn't give up on the station just yet.

Andy spent her days either working long shifts, exercising, or hanging out with Vic and Maya. They all formed a connection the minute they were put together and they just blossomed out into being good friends. They both knew Andy was in a relationship but they most certainly didn't know who and Andy wanted to wait for the right moment to show them.

"So you've been extra happy today" Maya stated sitting on the couch. "Well when your boyfriend is now in the United States and like really close by I have no other reason to not be excited" she stated sipping her chilled wine. "Are you seeing him tonight?" Vic questioned. "I actually don't know when,I would assume he has some surprise planned because that's totally him" she remarked.

Truth is Andy really wished that she could see him tonight but she knew that it was not going to happen. She longed for the urge to touch him again and to be next to him and lay in each others warmth whispering sweet nothings and laughing at random jokes. Video calls weren't enough for her even though she didn't admit them to Robert but she was grateful nevertheless. She just hoped that after he settled in he would ask her to meet up somewhere.

"Andy are you ok?" Vic asked, noticing how she was twirling the ring around on her finger. "Ya I'm fine it's just been months without him and I hate long distance" she responded taking another sip of her wine. Without warning both Maya and Vic crashed into her with hugs and tickles which caused a burst of laughter from Andy.

"Go and call your hot lover. We'll wait for you right here when you're done" Maya stated, smiling at her. Andy then gave them both a hug and went into her room and closed the door. She figured that they would maybe eavesdrop so she decided to sit in her closet and make the phone call.

"Hi baby," she said smiling through the computer screen. "Are you ok?" he asked, still adjusting to her voice due to being woken up. "I'm sorry for waking you um we could talk later" she said nervously. "No it's fine sweetheart you look like you want to talk for a little so we'll talk" he responded. Andy was filled with smiles after hearing that and she began asking him questions and talking about his trip over.

They soon ended the call and Andy went back out into her living room where her friends had evidently made popcorn and had started a movie. She decided to join in and they sat together on the couch with a throw blanket draped over their legs focused on the action movie in front of them.

"Better now?" Maya asked. "Much better I'll supposedly see him in two days" she responded smiling. "I'm happy for you Andy" Maya responded placing her hand against her knee. "Thank you two for being my best friends and oh you two still won't see him just yet not until we clear some things" she quickly added which caused both Maya and Vic to groan in disapproval.

Andy still had yet to tell her dad about Robert but she was planning on it now that he would be back. She had already told Ryan from before and he was just as excited to meet him in person. She had already thought of a plan of how she was going to tell him even though she knew in the back of her head he wouldn't be happy.

Robert had awoken from his sleep and he quickly brushed his teeth and showered and changed his clothes. He quickly put his suitcases into his car and locked up the house and began his drive. He drove straight for 4 hours and then he decided to stop at a small bakery in which he got a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal. He ate his breakfast and got back on the road. He then drove another 6 hours straight and was kept entertained by the radio and also talking to both Lucas and Andy.

After a total of 12 hours driving he arrived in Seattle and was now parked in front of his new house in his new neighborhood. He had finalized all documents online and signed everything that needed to be signed. His realtor had quickly pulled in next to him and he signed off on his last paperwork and he gave him the keys to enter.

It was an empty space but it looked just like it did online and he was happy with what he chose. He brought in all the boxes from his car and sat them in the living room. He decided to call Lucas to tell him he arrived safely and that he could come over when he finished working.

Robert quickly went out to the grocery store and he bought all of the necessary groceries he needed and he also ended up in a furniture store where he purchased a few items for his house and a couple of decorations.

He had already planned everything out from ahead of time. He had completed firefighter training back in Montana but decided to put it off and go into the Marines. He was now stationed at a station in which he was put to train new recruits and also be a higher lieutenant. He was excited to jump into this new career and he was thankful for everything. His first shift was tomorrow morning and after he finished that he would go and see Andy.

Robert made it back home and he packed away everything as best as he could due to the lack of furniture. He then made a quick dish of pasta and sat against the wooden floor and completed some things on his laptop. Seattle was now his new home and he was excited for the new life ahead of him.

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-THE END!-

-I hope you guys enjoyed reading! Thank you for all the sweet comments. I appreciate them so much!-

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