The next morning, we woke up to a knock on the door. Throttle got up and put his shorts on then walked into the other room to see who knocked on our door.

He looked through the peep hole and saw Charley and Carbine. He groaned and called out to me.

"Charley and my ex are here, Michelle."

"Let them in, babe."

I had just walked out with a robe on and tied. My hair looked like crap, but I didn't care. I went into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

Throttle had let the girls in then shut the door. He gestured towards the kitchen.

Throttle walked into the kitchen and grabbed 4 cups from the cupboard for the coffee. He set them on the counter then wrapped his arms around my waist. "Why don't you sit down and I'll take care of this. Where's the decaf coffee, babe?"

"I think its in the cupboard above your head."

He looked and there it was.

Charley looked shocked. "Since when did you start drinking decaf coffee, Mike?"

"Since I found out I was pregnant."

"Congrats, Mike. I can't wait to tell Modo the good news."

"Thanks Charley. I'm sure Modo is going to be happy about it. Throttle and I are scared, though. Its our first child together. We wanna do everything right to ensure this baby is healthy."

"Just let me know if you ever need a ride to the Dr. You shouldn't be riding on the bike now that you're pregnant. You're going to need a vehicle. I think I have an SUV sitting in the back that I can fix up for you 2."

"Thanks Charley. We appreciate it."

"Yeah, thanks Charley-girl." Then he poured 3 cups of regular coffee. He passed those to the girls and himself then started another pot of coffee for me.

Since I told him I was pregnant, he's been helping me with a lot of things. He folded and put the clothes away from the trip. He even told me last night before we went to bed that he was going to make a Dr. appt. for me.

"After the cup of coffee, I have to take you back to Mars, Throttle. I understand that you 2 are expecting your first child, but regulations are what they are. Even if I could let this slide, Stoker will have my head."

"He won't be the only one." I had muttered that under my breath, unfortunately she heard it.

"Do you think I want to take him back to Mars since you 2 are starting a family? I would rather leave him here to take care of you. To do what a new father should be doing. I'm very sorry, Michelle. I don't even know if he'll be allowed to come back to Earth after."

"How do I get a hold of Stoker? Maybe if he hears why Throttle can't leave, maybe he'll reconsider."

"Not likely. Once Stoker puts his mind to something, his mind is set. He wants Throttle to come back to Mars but didn't say why. If I had to guess, its probably the same thing Rimfire is going through. Once he's done, Rimfire will be relocated here and take Throttle's place."

I got up from the kitchen table and headed to my room. I was devastated. I was going to lose him. Our baby is going to grow up with no father. How can someone like Stoker do that?

Both Throttle and Charley came into my room and sat down next to me. Throttle sat on my left and Charley sat on my right.

Throttle didn't like what was going to happen. That our baby is going to grow up without him. Charley knew this was going to crush me. Having to watch Throttle leave and never come back to his family. To get married like we wanted. Everything he's always wanted is going to go up in smoke unless someone convinces Stoker to let Throttle stay and be with his family.

Throttle put his hand on my left leg. I looked at him. I was in tears. He didn't blame me. He was on verge of tears himself.

"Babe, I…."

"Just do what you need to do, Throttle and hopefully you'll be able to come back."

"Promise me you'll keep me updated on your pregnancy. First sign of a problem, I'm on the next ship back here."

"I don't want you leaving at all, but I don't want you getting in trouble either. I don't know what to do, Throttle. I'm scared."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me closer to him.

"Mike, I'll help you with anything you need. I'll take you where you need to go, help with the baby after its born. You won't be alone in raising your child. I'll make sure of that."

I looked at Charley and smiled.

There was a knock on my bedroom door and Carbine walked in. "Throttle, its time."

Throttle sighed. Charley got up and ushered Carbine out of my bedroom. "We'll be downstairs waiting, Throttle."

He looked up at Charley and smiled. "Thanks Charley."

Throttle spent just a few more minutes with me before standing up. "I'm gonna leave my bike here with you for protection. She'll have explicit instructions to protect you at all costs. She knows Charley, Modo and Vinnie, so she won't fire on them. I'm gonna miss you and our baby, Michelle. We never discussed names, but if it's a girl, Raven. If it's a boy, Chet. I've always liked those names."

He saw me crying again as he walked out of my bedroom one last time. It broke his heart to see me crying and knowing that he is the cause of it. He walked back over to me and gave me one more passionate kiss before he left for good.

"I love you, Throttle. Please try to call so I know you're ok."

"I will. Don't ever take your ring off. If and when I come back, we will get married. I give you my word. I better go before Carbine comes back up to drag me downstairs."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The Last Chance Garage. Charley pulled up to the garage and all 3 of them got out. "I can't believe you left your bike with her."

"Why is that hard to believe, Carbine? Michelle needs protection and my bike will do just that."

"I'm very sorry to do this to you, Throttle. I know it hurts both of you."

"I appreciate the concern. I just hope I'll be able to come back."

"I hope you're able to come back, too. I feel bad for taking you away from your unborn child and fiancé. I'll find a way for you to come back while you're doing whatever it is Stoker wants you to do."

Throttle smiled. "Thanks Carbine. I know we didn't part on the best of terms but thank you for being a friend. With what I'm going through right now, I need all the friends I can get."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Charley went to the scoreboard to get Modo, then swing by my place to check on me since the ship left. She felt so bad for me but she also felt bad for Throttle cause he won't be here to see his child be born.

Modo was standing outside of the ballfield when Charley pulled up. He got in and noticed the sad look on Charley's face.

"What's wrong, Charley? Carbine left, didn't she?"

"Her and Throttle left about 10 mins. ago."

"Throttle? Why did he leave with her? He's not cheating on Michelle is he?"

"No. Stoker called him back to Mars for some kind of intense training. When Rimfire is done with the same training, he's being relocated here and taking over Throttle's position on the team."

"How's Michelle taking this?"

"Hard. She's pregnant with his child. Her baby is going to grow up without a father in its life. What makes Stoker think this is ok to do to a family?"

"Its not ok. People are going to think he's a deadbeat father and that's not Throttle at all. Did Carbine even apologize for what she was doing to his family?"

"Yes, she did. I told Mike that anything she needs, I'll be there to help her. Even help with the baby."

"We both will. That baby is going to need a male figure in its life. If Michelle allows me to, I'd like to be the baby's uncle."

"I'm sure she will."

They had just pulled up to the apartment complex where I live. I heard a vehicle pull up and looked out the window. It was Charley and Modo. I opened my window and heard Throttle's bike beep at me.

"I know they're here, girl. Thank you. Come on up and come on in, you 2."

They walked up to my door and walked in. Charley closed the door behind her. "How you holding up, Mike?"

"I won't lie Charley. Its going to be hard for a while. I don't know if I can do this alone, though. Throttle was going to make a Dr. appt. for me later today, but I…"

Modo walked up to me and gave me a hug. "We'll help you with anything you need, Michelle. I mean anything. When Charley can't come pick you up, I will. You won't be doing this alone."

"Thanks Modo. Everything Throttle and I had planned for is now up in smoke. Marriage, finishing my vacation in 3 months. All gone. I feel empty inside and it hurts. I don't know what I'm going to do without Throttle. He saved my life."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

3 months had gone by and Carbine was still trying to find a way for Throttle to go back to Earth and be with his fiancé and unborn child. It seemed that Stoker didn't care if Throttle was going to be a father or engaged.

Rimfire still gets to have his weekend visits but Throttle doesn't. Carbine couldn't see how that was fair. She made sure Throttle got the emails I had Charley send. Stoker did let Throttle Skype with me every night but it's not the same.

Today Carbine called Throttle into her office to talk with him about a plan she has to get him back to Earth. 'I hope this plan works.'

Throttle walked into Carbine's office and sat down. "Please tell me you found a way to get back to Earth? I can't take any more of Stoker. He allows me to Skype with Michelle for 15 mins. every night. I nearly cry after I get off the computer with her. This is breaking my heart, Carbine. I need to be with her."

"I know you do, Throttle. I had gotten 2 emails this morning from Charley. One is updating you on Michelle and the other is on Vinnie. The Dr. at Chicago Mercy General needs you to come in as soon as possible. He's taken a turn for the worse."

"Can I see the email about Vinnie."

"Sure." Then she pulled up the email about Vinnie. He came around the desk and read the email. He couldn't believe what he was reading.

"I have to go back, Carbine. I'm not going to leave him to die like that. Charley would never forgive me. Neither would Modo."

"I'll print this out and we'll take it to Stoker. I'm sorry things aren't going your way, Throttle. Stoker has been an ass about this whole thing. If I had been in charge of this training, you wouldn't be here right now."

Carbine printed out the email, then they headed for Stoker's office. They were both hoping this got Throttle out of training for good.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Stoker's office. Carbine knocked on the door. "Come on in, Carbine."

Both Carbine and Throttle walked into his office. "I wasn't expecting Throttle to be with you. What can I do for both of you?"

Carbine handed Stoker the email about Vinnie. As he read it, his ears drooped a bit. He looked up at Throttle and Carbine.

"If I had known that Vinnie was in the hospital, I wouldn't have had Carbine come get you. This email will get you back to Earth, Throttle. I was being insensitive about everything. You should be there for your family and friends above anything else. Take Rimfire with you. Tell him he can stay on Earth with you guys."

Throttle looked at Carbine and smiled. He was so happy to be going back to Earth. "Let's go tell Rimfire the good news."

They left Stoker's office and went in search of Rimfire to tell him the good news.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

All 3 mice were back on Earth by late that night. Carbine landed the ship behind the garage like last time. Carbine told Throttle to wait until it was time. Throttle nodded and stayed in the ship. Carbine and Rimfire walked into the garage and surprised Charley and Modo.

"Hey uncle Modo."

"Rimfire! But its not Friday. Why are you here?"

"He's been permanently relocated here on Earth. I also brought someone back. Is Michelle here?"

"No, but I can have Modo go get her." Then Charley looked at Modo.

"I'll go get her right now. Wanna come with me, nephew?"

"Sure. Throttle talked about her the whole way here."

After Modo grabbed the truck keys, they both left to get me.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

My place. My cell phone was ringing. I saw that it was the garage. I picked it up. "Hey Charley. What's up?"

"Modo and Rimfire are coming to pick you up. We have a surprise for you here at the garage."

"Ok Charley."

"I know its been hard these last few months since Throttle left, but you need something to cheer you up. What we have here might cheer you up."

I heard a honk from downstairs. I looked out the window and saw Modo and Rimfire standing outside of the truck.

"They just got here. I'll be there soon." Then I hung up. I left my place and went downstairs. I noticed that Throttle's bike had its weapons aimed at Rimfire. I patted the tank.

"Its ok, girl. Its just Rimfire and Modo." Then I walked up to them. I hugged Modo.

"Michelle, this is my nephew, Rimfire. Rimfire, this is Michelle. Throttle's fiancé."

I shook Rimfire's hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Rimfire. Modo talks a lot about you."

"Throttle talks about you, too. Even showed me a picture of you. He was right. You are beautiful. He's a lucky mouse to have someone like you in his life. He misses you greatly. I'm sorry he couldn't make it. He wanted to."

I smiled. "I know. I enjoy getting emails from him and Skyping with him every night. So, what's this surprise Charley has for me?"

"No clue. She didn't tell me. Shall we go find out?"

"Should I bring Throttle's bike?"

"Probably be best. She probably needs a tune up, anyway."

I nodded then walked over to the bike. "Follow us to the garage, girl. Time for a tune up." Then I patted the tank lovingly. The bike beeped at me. "I know girl. I miss him too."

I walked back over to the truck. "Mind sitting in the middle, Rimfire? I kinda need the room." I patted my stomach.

"No problem. Mind if I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you know what you're having?"

"It's a boy. I haven't told Throttle yet. I plan to tell him tonight on Skype."

"Congrats Michelle."

"Thanks Rimfire. Modo, can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"My child is going to need a male role model in its life and I was wondering if you would be uncle Modo to him?"

"I'd be honored, Michelle. Let's head back to the garage."

We all got in the truck and headed for the garage. Throttle's bike followed right behind the truck.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

We arrived at the garage in 10 mins. Carbine saw me get out of the truck, so she went to the back of the garage and told Throttle that I had just shown up. He was looking forward to holding me in his arms. He dreamed about this day for 3 months.

When I walked into the garage, I saw someone standing in the shadows. I couldn't tell who it was.

Carbine walked up to me and told me that someone is here to see me. That person walked out of the shadows. I nearly fainted when I saw who it was. I dropped to my knees in total shock. Throttle walked over to me and picked me up.

"Am…am I dreaming? Is it really you, babe?"

"You're not dreaming, beautiful. Its really me. I'm back for good."

I hugged him tightly and cried into his shoulder. I was so happy to have him back.

"Take her up to the loft, Throttle. You 2 need the time together. Its good to have you back."

"Thanks Charley. I am so glad to be back." Then he took me up the stairs to Charley's loft to spend some overdue time with me.