After Throttle got the stuff I asked for, he headed back on the road to California. This time he took his time getting back there. He didn't want to get into an accident. He also planned to fill up his tank on the way, too. Maybe even get a little snack while filling up his gas tank. He kept some cash in his wallet if he didn't have his card on him.

He was about to the halfway point when he decided to fill up and call me to see how I'm doing.

"Hello?"

"Hey beautiful."

"Hey handsome. Where you at?"

"I think I'm at the Nevada/California border, but I'm not sure."

"Damn. You left Chicago like what, 2 hrs. ago?"

"About that, yeah. I should be there in about an hour or so."

"You get everything I needed, including those shoes for yourself?"

"I left the shoes by mistake. Sorry."

"Don't be. We can always get you a brand new pair in Anaheim."

"Do you really plan to see your friends again on our way back through?"

"Yeah. You also wanted to learn to ice skate, right?"

Throttle rolled his eyes. He totally forgot about that.

"I know you forgot about it. We've been busy with everything else."

"I did pick up something for you before I left Chicago, though. I'm not telling you what it is until I get there."

"Damn it. Just be careful, ok."

"I will, beautiful. See ya when I get there." Then he hung up. He got back on his bike and got on the open road.
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An hour or so later, Throttle pulled up to the motel. He shut off the bike and saw me standing in the doorway wrapped in nothing but a towel. I had just gotten out of the shower and was still wet.

He walked over to me, tail swishing back and forth, and picked me up. He gave me a big hug. After he set me back down on my feet, he planted the most passionate kiss ever on me. I was shocked. He even left a shocked look on my face after ending the kiss. He looked at me and smiled, knowing that that was the look he wanted from me.

While I stood there in shock, he got things out of the saddle bags to bring into the room, including the engagement ring he got.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

After bringing everything in, shutting the door and then putting the things away, he asked me to sit down on the bed.

"What's going on, babe? I do something wrong? Did you decide to get back with your ex?"

"You did nothing wrong, babe. I would never go back to her, even if my life depended on it. What I have to say is very important. I just want you to listen to what I have to say. Ok?"

"Of course."

"Since we started dating last week, we have moved quickly in our new relationship. I wouldn't change it for nothing. You've made my life whole since I laid my eyes on you. I knew you were the one I was looking for. You're everything I've ever wanted in a woman. Strength, beauty, intelligence. I love how you fight. You're everything Carbine isn't. And that's what I love about you. You put everyone else's well being before your own. What I'm trying to say is, Michelle Montana, will you make me the happiest mouse alive and be my wife?" Then he pulled out a little red box and opened it. Inside it was a diamond ring. He took it out, then took a hold of my left hand and slid the ring on my hand.

I looked at the ring, then at him. He noticed that I had tears streaming down my face. He reached up and wiped the tears from my face with his hand and smiled at me. I smiled through the tears. I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered into his ear. "Yes."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me. He was so happy that I said yes.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Chicago. Last Chance Garage. The CB was making sounds like someone was trying to get a hold of the owner. Modo walked over to it and picked up the mic.

"You got Modo Maverick on the horn."

"Good to hear a familiar voice."

"Carbine ma'am, is that you?"

"Sure is. I'm requesting to land behind the garage."

"Request granted. Modo out."

Shortly after he got off the CB with Carbine, she landed her ship. He let Charley know that Carbine is coming for a visit.

"It'll be nice to see her again. Don't tell her that Throttle has a new girlfriend. I don't know if she's gotten over him yet. Do you know if she brought Rimfire with her?"

"I didn't ask. I hope so. I love having him here every weekend. He really enjoys the different fishing holes I take him to."

"That's good. Your nephew has a good head on his shoulders. You should be proud of him, Modo."

"I'm very proud of him, Charley. He's the last of my family as far as I know. I don't know if the rest of my family is missing or dead. I need to keep a close eye on him whenever possible."

"He's not a kid anymore, Modo, but he is a good fighter." Carbine had just walked in.

"I know that, Carbine ma'am. I do worry about him. Did he come with you, by chance?"

"Not this time. Stoker is putting him through some rigorous training but he plans to come next weekend. He's been looking forward to the fishing trip to Lake Superior."

Modo smiled. "I did promise to take him there. He loves the different places I take him."

"He told me about the Lake Michigan trip from last weekend. I didn't believe it when he told me about the 7 lb. Sturgeon he caught until he showed me the picture."

"They both ate half of it and I have the other half in my freezer still."

Carbine looked around and noticed that Vinnie and Throttle weren't there.

"Where's Vinnie and Throttle?"

"Vinnie is in the hospital with food poisoning an Throttle is in California with a friend of mine. She's on a month long vacation and she asked Throttle to go with her. Let me go call him. Give me a few."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Best Western Motel in Redwood City, California. My cell went off while we were in bed watching TV. I looked at it. The caller ID said Last Chance Garage. I answered it.

"Hey Charley. What's up?"

"Hey Mike. Is Throttle there with you?"

"Yeah, hold on." Then I handed my cell over to Throttle.

"Charley wants to talk to you." He took the phone.

"Hey Charley."

"Carbine is here at the garage. Do you feel like talking with her?"

Throttle looked at me. I saw that look on his face and in his eyes. It's a depressed look.

"Give me a min. Charley." Throttle took the phone away from his ear.

"Babe, we're going to have to cut this vacation short. My ex is at the garage."

"What is she doing there?"

"No clue. I promise to take you on another vacation in about 3 months."

I smiled. "Ok babe. Let me get dressed then I'll go the motel office and see if we can reserve this room for 3 months from now."

Throttle nodded then got back on the phone with Charley. "We'll be heading out soon. Tell Carbine I'll talk with her when we get there."

"Ok Throttle. We'll see you soon." Then he hung up.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I got back just as he finished getting dressed. "We have the room reserved for 3 months from now."

"Cool. I hope she's not here for me. I told her I was done with her. Like I said earlier, you're everything Carbine is not. She's all about her career first and I was second. I was tired of competing with her damn career."

"Military women are like that. I was like that at one time. Once I retired from the Marines, I moved to Chicago to help out Charley. Then I met you and knew you were the man, er, mouse for me. I love you so much, Throttle and I can't wait to be your wife."

"Would you mind if we waited until Vinnie is out of the hospital? I would like him to be there for our wedding."

"Of course, baby. I want Vinnie there, too. Vinnie has no idea that he's going to be dumped for someone else."

"Is Charley dating someone else?"

"Yep. At least I hope they're together now."

"Her and Modo?"

I nodded my head. "Well I'll be. He told me he had a thing for Charley."

"I told her she'd be better off with someone like Modo. He treats her with the respect she deserves. Helps around the garage without being asked."

"That's Modo alright. I hope they are together. Come on, we gotta get going. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can spend more time with you at our place."

"What if Carbine tries to take you back?"

Throttle looked at me, then took my left hand with the engagement ring on it. "See this ring? This ring symbolizes my love and devotion for you and you only. Nothing will change how I feel about you, Michelle. Nothing. I understand your concern, I do, but I'm done with her. My love for her fizzled out a year after we crashed here on Earth."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

We got back to Chicago in about 4 hrs. We stopped by my place and dropped things off then headed to the garage to deal with Carbine. I could tell Throttle wasn't looking forward to that at all.

"Do you realize she's what I would have been if I had stayed in the military? I would have been more concerned about my career than anything else. I'm glad I retied when I did."

"Would you go back if they called you back?"

"Nope. I did my 20 yrs. and retired. I'm done with the military."

"I'm glad to hear that. I know you can fight well, but I don't want you leaving me for any reason."

"What about the trips to Anaheim every winter?"

"Only if I can go with ya."

"Deal."

We had just pulled up to the garage after finishing our conversation about my trips to California during the winter.

We noticed the garage was quiet. I took my helmet off and called out to Charley.

"We're in the back office, Mike."

We walked into the back office and saw Modo, Charley and Carbine sitting at a table just talking.

"Hey Modo. Hey Charley."

"Hey Mike. Sorry about ruining your vacation."

"Don't worry about it. We'll finish it at a later time. Want me to come in tomorrow for work?"

"Nope. You're still on vacation even if its here in Chicago."

"Why aren't you on vacation, Charley? God knows you need one."

"I take mine next week. I'm shutting the garage down while on vacation. That means you are not to come in and work. Got it?"

I stood at attention and saluted. "Yes ma'am."

Charley laughed. "Smartass."

I looked at Carbine. "Who are you?"

"Michelle, this is General Carbine. My ex. Carbine, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Michelle Montana."

All 3 of them looked at each other then at us. "Fiancé?"

"Talk about stereo."

"When that happen?"

"Earlier this afternoon, when he got back to the motel. We plan to wait until Vinnie is out of the hospital to have the wedding."

Modo got up and came over to me. He gave me a hug. "Congrats Michelle." Then he looked at Throttle and also gave him a hug. "About damn time, bro."

Carbine didn't look happy that Throttle is going to marry a Human instead of a Martian mouse. I noticed the look on Carbine's face. It was one of disgust.

"What is your problem? You should be happy for him? For us."

"I'll be happy when I take him back to Mars and watch him squirm when I get him in front of Stoker."

I went wide-eyed at what she just said. I looked at Throttle. He saw the look I had on my face and wasn't happy. He could tell under that shocked look was fear. Fear that he may never come back to me.

I had to get some air. If she took him back to Mars, I would never see Throttle again. I think that was her plan from the start.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

While I was out for a walk, Throttle caught up with me on foot. He stopped me and turned me around to face him.

"Babe, I'm sorry. I had no idea she was going to do this. Honest." Then he saw tears forming in my eyes.

"Aw babe. Don't cry, please."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried more. This is not how I wanted to tell him the news. I stopped crying long enough to whisper into his ear the news I had for him.

"What? Are you sure?"

I wiped the tears from my eyes and looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm very sure. I took 2 tests and both said I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father."

"Now I have a damn good reason to stay here. I'm not going to let you raise our child alone. Carbine and Stoker can go jump off a bridge and die. I'm not leaving."

"And if she makes you? I'm scared, Throttle. This is my first child."

"I'm scared too. This is my first child, too." Then he held me close to his body. He couldn't believe he was going to be a father.

"How about we walk back to the garage?"

"We're just a block from our place. We might as well head there instead."

"Sounds good to me. In the morning, you need to make an appt. to see a Dr. I want this baby to be healthy."

"Me too."

"When I saw you walk out like that, I got pissed, but not at you. I was pissed at Carbine for what she said. If Modo hadn't stopped me from nearly tearing into Carbine, she would have been dead."

"She should be dead. I wanted to tear into her, too. I don't think Modo could have stopped me."

"But you did the right thing. You walked away from a fight. A fight that would have been pointless and could get you banned from the garage and lose your friendship with Charley."

"True, but killing Carbine wouldn't be pointless. Not in my book, anyway."

"Michelle Montana! I'm surprised at you."

"What? I'm allowed to say what's on my mind."

"I know that, but you should never want someone dead."

"Says the guy who just said that his ex and Stoker can go jump off a bridge and die."

"Point made."

We had just walked up the stairs to our place and I unlocked the door. We walked in and I took my shoes off. Throttle took his boots off and closed the door. He was glad to be home.