Author's Note: I don't own Grease or Grease 2 nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and few characters which are my own.
Summary Post Grease 2. Another take on Michael and Stephanie lives after graduation.
Chapter 8
Catterick Camp, Catterick, North Yorkshire Untied Kingdom.
Early March 1963
After twenty six weeks basic training was over. Today was our passing out ceremony. I'd paid for the train tickets for Nan, Pop and Steph to make the trip North to Yorkshire for today.
I had written my mum's parents, I wasn't entirely sure they or my younger siblings would make the trip up to Yorkshire for the passing out ceremony. I would just have to wait and see if they showed up.
Myself and the rest of the lads where getting ready for the passing out ceremony. Making sure our dress uniforms where immaculate.
Corporal Lennox and Owens gave us a once over before we formed up in our sections for parade.
"Danny come on the ceremony will start soon" Sandy Zuko nee Olsen tried to hurry her husband along who was lagging behind
"I'm coming" Danny answered making his way through the mass of people making their way up into the stands.
Danny, Sandy, Christopher and Sandy Parents Jack and Edna had made the trip over to England for Michael's passing out ceremony. Michael and her grandparents on their mother's side of the family had made the trip up from London to Yorkshire with Michael's siblings.
Sandy was surprised to see her older cousin Arthur there as well with his wife. Audrey Sandy recalled her mum saying her name was. In passing once.
They soon found their seats in the grandstands
After months of doing drills. We could do this in our sleep. We marched in time with regimental band as we marched passed our love ones in the stands. I was slightly surprised when I saw Sandy, Danny, Christopher and Sandy's parents in the stands.
It seemed my other grandparents had made the trip up along with my siblings. Arthur surprisingly was here with Audrey.
"Halt. By left. Left turn" We turned standing at attention.
"General Salute. Order Arms. Present Arms" We stood to attention our SLR Rifles in front of us.
One by one we where inspected and spoken to by the Regimental Commander.
"Sir may I introduce Private Carrington. He's joining the infantry"
"Good Morning Private Carrington how are you" The Regimental Commander asked.
"Very well Sir" I answered.
"Good luck to you son in the infantry"
"Thank you sir" I replied
"Very well done" He moved to the lad standing beside me.
After the inspection we where dismissed to see our friends and family whom had come to the passing out ceremony.
"Michael" I was ambushed by my youngest siblings twins Eric and Martin. Addie and Beth came to hug me next followed by James. Arthur hung back with Audrey.
"Look at you. So handsome in that uniform just like your father" Nan hugged me tightly.
"Congratulations lad" Pop shook my hand firmly before hugging me.
"Oh Michael we're so proud of you" Aunt Edna cried as she hugged me.
"Thanks Aunt Enda. Not just for taking me in last year but being here today" I thanked both her and Uncle Jack.
"Well little cousin look at you. A solider of her majesty Army, a husband and going to be dad in a few months."Sandy pulled me into a hug next.
"Thank you for coming"
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world. Oh Frenchy said to say hello to you."Sandy answered.
"The boys send their love" Danny said after shaking my hand.
"How's the garage going"
"Business is good" Danny went on to explain.
"Congratulations Michael" Arthur stiffly shook my hand.
"Thanks" I replied. Arthur and I would never be close like brothers should be. Nothing was going to change that.
After the passing out ceremony was finished. I said my farewell to my fellow graduates and friends I had made during basic training.
My family either headed back to London by train or car. I made sure I had everything and did a quick check over my motorcycle before the long ride south to London.
I had a week's leave before I would know which regiment I was being posted to.
East Ham, London Middlesex Untied Kingdome.
Early March 1963
Nan and Pop's house was just about bursting at the seems. Sandy, Danny, Christopher, Aunt Edna and Uncle Jack where staying with us.
My mums parents had invited us all over for dinner one night. During my weeks leave I had. We where getting ready to go. Aunt Edna, Uncle Jack, Sandy, Danny and Christopher where taking the rental car they had.
While I was driving Steph, Nan and Pop in the Austin.
Pop, Danny, Uncle Jack and I where the only ones ready. We where waiting for the girls to get ready before we left for dinner.
There was a knock on the front door.
"I'll get it" I got to my feet heading to the front door.
"Telegram here for a Michael Carrington" The telegram deliver boy asked
"I'm Michael Carrington" I say taking the telegram, I paid him a tip before shutting the door.
"Who was the Mike" Danny asked I came back into the living room with the telegram in hand.
"Telegram for me."I answered opening the telegram.
‛PRIVATE CARRINGTON YOUR ORDERS STOP. YOU ARE TO REPORT TO THE PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN REGIMENT OF YORKSHIRE STOP. IN WUPPERTAL WEST GERMANY BY THE 20TH OF MARCH STOP. REGARDS CAPTAIN HAROLD A. ANDERSON STOP.'
The telegram read.
"What did the telegram say lad" Pop asked.
"My orders. I'm being posted to West Germany with the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in Wuppertal by the 20th of this month" I answered.
Kensington, London Middlesex United Kingdom.
Early March 1963
My other grandparents had prepared a five course meal by the look of it. Everyone was in attendance including Arthur and Audrey.
You could cut the tension around the table with a knife. Conversation where stiff. Everyone was barely talking. You would think we where at a funeral not a family dinner.
"So Jakob what are doing with yourself these days" My grandmother turned her attention to Uncle Jack.
"I'm a lawyer. I'm with a law firm in San Francisco. I was almost finished law school at Sydney University when I enlisted when the war broke out in 39. After Enda and I went back to Sydney after the war.
I finished my degree got a job at a good law firm in Sydney and went from there" Uncle Jack father Jakob Olsen senior had busted his back working on the Sydney Wharves for years so Uncle Jack and his siblings could have a chance at a better life.
"Do you know which Regiment you are being posted to Michael"
"The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire in Wuppertal West Germany" I answered.
"James have you given any thought what you'll do after school"
"I was thinking of enlisting like Mike. Air force, Navy or the Army. I anit really decided which way to go yet" James surprisingly answered.
"What about University. Getting a secondary education is a bad thing" Arthur suddenly cut in.
"Sitting behind a desk. Isn't really my thing Arthur" James answered.
Rydell California
Mid March 1963
Maureen Rebchuck was checking the mail like every day. Harold was on day shift that day. Paulette was working at the Rydell Bank as a teller. Delores was at school, well Maureen sure hoped her youngest daughter and child was at school like she was supposed to be.
Maureen doubted that Delouse was at school. No doubt was she was skipping school. A letter addressed to Paulette caught Maureen attention. The postmark was London England. From a Mrs S Carrington. Stephanie it had to be that the letter was from.
It had been the talk of Rydell for weeks afterwards after word got out. Old Miss Perfect Harriett Zinone had let the cat out of the bag about Stephanie being pregnant out of wedlock.
God you think they where living in the 1920s they way she carrying on. If Paulette ended up the same way. Maureen and Harold wouldn't kick her out like Jacob and Harriet had done to Stephanie.
Thought Harold might go after Johnny with his shotgun if he got Paulette in that condition with at least marrying her first.
Maureen set aside the letter till Paulette got home from work later that day. Delores arrived home first. Young David Jaworski brought her home on the back of his motorcycle.
"Hey Ma" Delores greeted her as she came inside.
"Mrs Rebchuck" David politely said.
"David how's College" David was study to become an engineering at the San Francisco State University.
"It's going well Mrs Rebchuck" He answered.
"How's your parents. Your still working for your father part time"
"My folks are good. And I am still working for my dad part time while I'm at college" David father Frank owned the local butcher shop.
Paulette arrived home a few hours later. Johnny had brought her home like he did everyday.
"Hello Jonathan Paulette" Maureen greeted her eldest daughter and boyfriend.
"Hey Mrs R"
"Hey Ma" Paulette kissed on the cheek.
"Oh Paulette a letter came from you. It's from Stephanie" Maureen handed Paulette the letter that had come in the mail that day.
Dear Paulette.
I'm sorry I haven't written. That has been lax on my part. I suppose you and girls know by now that Michael and I got married. It was a small but beautiful wedding. I would have loved to have you all there for the wedding.
Michael is back from his basic training. We'll be leaving for Germany soon. As that is where he has been posted. I'll enclose our new address once we're settled in Germany.
Give my love to girls even Sharon. Michael and I both wondered if you and Johnny would be interested in being godparents once the baby is born.
Steph
"How's Steph and Shakespeare."Johnny asked as Paulette finished reading the letter.
"Good. Their going to Germany soon. That's where Michael's been posted. They wanted to know if we wanted to be the God parents once the baby is born"Paulette answered Johnny.
Heathrow, London Middlesex United Kingdom.
Late March 1963
It was another tearful goodbye. Aunt Edna, Uncle Jack, Sandy, Danny and little Christopher where staying in London for a few more days before flying back to California.
Steph and I had a two hour flight to Berlin, then four hours on a train to Wuppertal. I was due to report to barracks on Monday at seven in the morning.
"Send us a wire once your settled lad" Pop gave me a bone crushing hug.
"I will Pop" I hugged him back.
"Don't be a stranger cousin. Keep in touch"
"I will. I'll let you know once we're settled in Wuppertal" I hugged Sandy back.
Our goodbyes where interrupted when the call for our flight was now boarding. After checking in at the gate we gave one last wave to or loved ones before boarding our flight to Berlin.