Nov. 26, I will be out of commision for about a month, so there will be no chapters until I can use my right arm again. I will be picking it up again after the new year unless I'm given the "all clear" from my doctor. Please enjoy.

When we got back to the garage, Throttle carried me to the back office and talked about the procedure. I had noticed that Throttle had been very quiet the whole drive back to the garage. I didn't like when he's quiet like that.

"I don't like when you're quiet after being told something life altering. Please talk to me. What's wrong?"

He looked at me with this look that could either freeze water or melt ice. Depends on how you take it.

"I know we want this baby, but we may have to abort this one too."

"The hell I am! I went through with the last one cause it was conceived through rape, I'll be damned if I abort this one just so I can have this procedure."

Throttle was about to say something, but thought better of it when he saw how serious I was. He sighed when the phone rang. I had already walked out of the back office when the phone rang.

He answered it. "Last Chance Garage. Throttle speaking. How may I help you?"

"I'm looking for Michelle Thornboy. Is she available?"

"Who may I ask is calling?"

"My name is Mitch. I'm an old friend of hers."

"Give me a few to get her." Then he set the receiver down.

Throttle walked out of the back office and up to me.

"An old friend named Mitch is on the phone for you, babe. Who is he?"

"My commanding officer from the Marines. He gave me the Lambo."

"Oh ok. I'll finish this up for you while you're on the phone."

"Ok." Then I walked into the back office to take the call. I closed the door so I wouldn't be disturbed.
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Several hours later, I finally hung up the phone and just sat there in total shock. "How am I going to explain this to Throttle?"

I didn't even notice that I had walked 'til I got up and walked to the door. I don't think Throttle even noticed.

After I opened the door, I looked at him. He had a look of shock. I think it dawned on him that I had walked.

"You just now realized it too, huh?"

"Yeah. Maybe what they injected you with when you were raped had finally made its way out of your system. I'll call the Dr. and tell him the good news. Now you won't need the procedure."

"Then we have to talk."

"That call didn't sound like good news."

"You heard it?"

"I couldn't help but hear it. You were yelling over the phone."

"Just make the call to the Dr. I'll call your mom."
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Scottsville, California. Silverdawn had answered the phone after putting the boys down for a nap.

"Hello?"

"Hello Silverdawn. I'll be sending Throttle back to you and the boys."

"Are you 2 getting a divorce?"

"No, nothing like that. I'm being sent overseas for a while. Unfortunately, I don't have a say."

"Does Throttle know that you're sending him back here?"

"Not yet. We're going to sit down and talk after he gets off the phone."

"He's not going to be happy about it."

"I know. I'm not happy about having to send him back there."

"Just break it to him easy, sweetie."

"I plan to. Give the boys hugs and kisses for me. Tell them I miss them dearly."

"I will, sweetie. Bye."

Then I hung up the phone. Throttle had just gotten off the phone, too.
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Chicago. Last Chance Garage. Throttle turned around and saw the look on my face. He didn't like what he saw.

"Something tells me I should probably sit down for this."

"Yeah, you should. Now, I'm thinking the abortion could be a good idea."

"Why the sudden change?"

"Cause I have to be at the base at the end of the week. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice."

"What's that mean for our family?"

"You'll have to go back to California to take care of the boys."

"How long will you be gone?"

"No clue. I already talked to your mom about it."

"So, she knows that I'll be going back?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Throttle. I didn't want to go, but I wasn't given a choice. The General knows I'm pregnant, but still wants me to go."

"And what about when you get closer to your due date?"

"He said he'll deal with that when it comes time. I don't wanna go, Throttle. I'm supposed to be retired."

"I know you are, babe. You were stressed out during your last pregnancy. I don't want you getting stressed out again during this one."

"So, what did the Dr. say when you told him I can walk now?"

"He was shocked but glad you can walk now."

"That's good. I think I'm gonna just ignore my orders. I'm not going to take any unnecessary risk and end up miscarrying the baby. Let's just go back to California next week. I'll close up the garage for the winter."

"You know you're going to end up getting a court martial, don't you?"

"Court martialing a retired Marine is a bad thing. They only call me when they know I'm the only one who will take the dangerous assignments. This one happens to be really dangerous."

"Which is why you've decided not to take it, right?"

"I've decided not to take it cause I won't risk losing the baby this early in the pregnancy."

"Then you better call him and tell him that. I'm glad you're making the right choice."

"I am too." Then I took my cell phone out and called the general.
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An hour after I got off the phone with the General, I decided to go for a walk. I couldn't believe he still wanted me to go even after I told him that I wasn't going to take any unnecessary risks with my pregnancy. I was pissed. It was best that I wasn't there at the garage for as pissed as I was.

By the time I had finally cooled off, I had found myself at the ballfield. I looked up at it. "Been a long time since I was here. Maybe I'll do some batting practice."

I went in and headed for the locker rooms to see if the pitching machine was there. I couldn't think of anywhere else it could be.

While I was looking for it, my phone rang. I took it out of my pocket to see who was calling. It was Silverdawn.

"Hey mom. How are the boys?"

"They're doing great, sweetie. They've been asking when you and Throttle are going to be coming back. They miss you both very much."

"I won't be coming back. I tried to get the General to void my orders about an hour and a half ago. I told him that I refuse to take any unnecessary risks since I'm pregnant. He didn't care. He still wants me to report to the base by the end of the week. I haven't told Throttle yet, only cause I know he'll be pissed."

"Sounds like you're upset about it, too."

"Yeah, I am. I don't want the boys to grow up without me in their lives."

"I know you don't want that to happen, but there's nothing you can do but do as you're ordered to. Just know that Throttle and I will take good care of them."

"I know you will. I know Throttle will too."

"Maybe you better call him. He's probably wondering where you went."

"Yeah, you're right. I left through the back of the garage. I was not in the mood to talk to him at that moment. Thank you."

"For what, sweetie?"

"For listening. I think that's what I needed. Someone to just listen to me."

"You're quite welcome. Call your husband and let him know where you are. I'll give your boys a hug and kiss for you."

"Thank you." Then I hung up. I went looking for the garage number. Once I found it, I hit the number then waited for him to answer.
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Last Chance Garage. Throttle had just finished working on the bike when the phone rang. He stood up, wiped the grease off his hands then answered the phone.

"Last Chance Garage. Throttle speaking. How may I help you?"

"Hey babe."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the ballfield. Gonna do some batting practice to blow off some anger."

"Why did you leave after that call?"

"Cause I was pissed at the General."

"He still wants you to go, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he does. That's why I left. I didn't want to start throwing things. It was best that I had gone for a walk instead."

"Well, you could have at least called me."

"I know and I'm sorry. I got a call from your mom."

"What she want?"

"Wanted to know when we were coming back."

"You told her that you weren't going back, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did. But she assured me that you and her will take good care of the boys while I'm gone."

"Of course we will. You still have to leave at the end of the week?"

"Nope. I have to leave tonight. I'll get picked up from the base here in Chicago, then flown to the base in San Diego. Then take a C-130 overseas to wherever I'll be stationed."

I heard him growl over the phone. I knew he was royally pissed.

"Do you think I wanna leave? I'm just as pissed as you are."

"I know you don't wanna leave, but…"

"I don't have a choice in the matter. To them, being retired means being available whenever they want you to be."

"I thought they would have more compassion and let you stay here cause you are pregnant."

"Not likely. If I miscarry, then I'm going to be really pissed."

Before Throttle said anything else, I heard a beeping which indicated another call coming in.

"Hold on, babe. I have another call coming in." Then I switched to the incoming call. It was the General.

"Yes sir."

"I got your orders voided, Major. You shouldn't be taking any unnecessary risks, like you stated. I made a call to the Brigadier General and told him of your pregnancy. He agrees with you, so you don't have to leave. He would like you to train new recruits when they come in, though. That's all he would like you to do a couple times a year. I know how important it is for you to be with your family."

"Thank you, General. My husband is going to be so happy. I know my twins will be happy that I'll be going home to see them."

The General laughed a bit. "You're welcome, Major. Have a good day. I'll let you know when you need to be here to train the new recruits."

"Ok, General." Then I switched back to my call with Throttle.

"You won't believe this, but the General got my orders voided. He made a call to the higher ups and they agree that I shouldn't be taking any unnecessary risks while pregnant. I'm going home with you to see our boys!"

"That's great! I'm so happy!"

"I am too. I wanna go home and see them now."

"We can do that. I'll come get you, then we'll close up the garage for the winter."

"I can't wait to hug them. I've missed them so much."

"Me too. I'll be there shortly."

"Just be careful."

"I will." Then I hung up and decided to go up to the scoreboard. Batting practice can wait 'til the season starts. At least Spring Training, anyway.