Notes: Thanks to Mari and Sammy for the squeal-inducing feedback. You're the best, ladies!

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Hope you enjoy!

Transformation (A McRoll in the REAL World Story)

"Three, three, three, three," Angie counted as she passed out Uno cards around the deck table.

"Good job," Catherine encouraged from her seat across from the five-year-old who was concentrating hard. "Keep going."

Angie took a small pile of cards from the top of the larger deck and continued dealing them out. "Four, four, four, four."

Cammie, resting in her casa, sat up and a few moments later, Jenna appeared around the side of the house.

"Hi," she said, with a little wave as she came around the deck to the stairs.

"Hi, Aunt Jenna!" DJ said.

"We're playing Uno!" Angie told her. "You want to play?" She held up her small pile of cards. "I can give you some." She looked at her brother. "What's it called again, DJ?"

"Dealing," he told her, and Steve smiled at how DJ was always quick to help his sister.

"Well, I just came to drop off these containers," Jenna started, but changed tack when she saw the kids' faces fall slightly. She smiled. "But I could stay for one game."

"Yay!" both kids cheered.

"You can sit by me," Angie said, scooting closer to Steve.

"Why, thank you," Jenna said with a smile.

"Do you know how to play?" DJ asked.

Jenna grinned. "Are you forgetting how many kids I have?"

DJ giggled.

"I think Aunt Jenna has probably played more Uno than anyone," Steve observed.

"Certainly anyone at this table," Catherine agreed.

"All the kids liked it, but it was one of Dylan's favorites," Jenna told them.

Angie stopped in her dealing, head snapping up. "Dylan!"

"We got a letter from him!" DJ said excitedly.

Jenna beamed. "I know, your mom texted me."

"Did he write you, too?" Angie asked.

"He's sent me a couple of letters," Jenna said. She sighed. "I can hardly believe he's already halfway through."

Catherine nodded her understanding. "It feels like you were just leaving for I-Day."

Naval Academy, Induction Day, Class of 2026

"Thank you again for driving us in and letting us stay with you," Jenna said to the red-haired woman in the driver's seat as they waited in the line of vehicles being directed by midshipman and other academy staff.

"Of course!" Evelyn Mills said with a broad smile. "When Mom and Dad heard from Steve and Catherine that Dylan was accepted, I told them I wanted to host you. I remember how hectic and emotional it was when it was Hallie's turn. And we lived in town! One less thing for you to worry about coming all the way from Hawaii." She smiled in the rearview mirror at Dylan who was looking out the window as more of the Yard came into view. "You'll have to ask around and see if you had the longest trip here."

He turned his attention to her and smiled. "Unless there's someone from northern Alaska, I probably did."

Evelyn straightened as a midshipman waved her forward. She drove up slowly and Jenna lowered the window. They were directed to the right where they'd be able to drop off Dylan before proceeding to the designated parents' area.

Once the car stopped, Dylan was the first out, setting his backpack down on the ground. Evelyn pulled him into a quick hug, wanting to leave the bulk of the little time they had to Jenna.

"We'll see you in a couple of hours," she said. "Hallie told me to tell you to pay attention to everything. They're going to give you a lot of instructions and they expect you to follow them all."

He nodded. "Thanks."

She smiled. "And my advice is to enjoy it. You'll never have another day like this in your life."

He smiled back. "Thank you, Ms. Mills."

"Evelyn!" she insisted, then grinned. "Though I expect the next time I see you, you'll be calling me ma'am."

He chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."

She hugged him again, then turned him toward his mother who had tears in her eyes.

He shook his head, fighting a smile. "Already? You know I'm going to see you again in a couple hours, right?"

She pushed his shoulder. "Yes, and I'll be crying then, too," she said. "Probably more because you'll be in uniform." She held him at arm's length, as if trying to memorize every detail. "Come here," she said and pulled him into a hug. "I'm so proud of you. You know that, right?"

"I do," he said seriously, then cracked a smile. "And if I didn't, you've set a world record for telling me over the last month."

She grinned at him. "A world record? Well, consider that record shattered because I'm going to keep saying it. I'm so, so proud of you, Dylan. You set this as your goal, put your mind to it, and here you are. All your hard work has paid off."

"And now the real hard work begins," he said.

"That's probably true," she acknowledged. "But that doesn't make everything you've done up till now any less important or impressive."

He exhaled, touched by her words. "Thanks, Mom. For everything. For always believing in me and … and–"

She waved a hand, sniffing hard, and stopped him. "Nope, not yet. You'll really get me going. Save it for later, okay? I don't want to spend hours with the other parents with mascara running down my face."

He shook his head, chuckling, and hugged her again. "I'll see you soon."

"Yes, you will," she replied, squeezing him tight. "Midshipman Allen."

He couldn't help the broad smile that immediately appeared on his face. "Not yet."

"Next time I see you …" she said. She waved him toward the registration tables. "So go on."

He hugged her once more, picked up his backpack, and with a final smile, headed over to join the other plebes getting signed in.

As Jenna watched him go, a tissue appeared at her elbow. She sighed and took it gratefully, dabbing at her eyes.

"I'm fully stocked," Evelyn told her, patting her purse. "I went through four and a half packets on Hallie's I-Day."

"I think I'll probably tie you," Jenna said, her eyes back on Dylan. She watched as he gave his name to the midshipmen seated at the table. She sighed. "I feel like once he steps out of my sight, he'll be different."

"He will be," Evelyn said simply.

Jenna glanced over at her. "You're supposed to tell me he'll always be my baby boy."

Evelyn chuckled. "He will, but he'll also be different. He'll be in the Navy, and his life … and yours … will never be the same." She wrapped an arm around Jenna. "It'll be better."

Jenna leaned against her as Dylan glanced back, giving her a wave and smile before disappearing around the corner where directed. "I needed to hear that, thank you."

"I know how you're feeling," Evelyn said. "That's why I wanted to come with you two today. You're here to support Dylan, and I'm here to support you."

Jenna gave her a watery smile. "Then I've got much more than a guest room to thank you for."

Evelyn squeezed her shoulder. "We're family now. Proud parents of USNA students. Well, graduate in my case." She nodded around them. "And you're not alone. Let me show you."

They parked the car and made their way to the massive tents set up for the parents and families of the students. While there were refreshments available, more important were the tables of information including for the dozens of parent support groups around the country. Jenna's Proud Parent tote bag was filled by the time they made it around to all the tables.

"This is incredible," she said to Evelyn. "I never expected all this."

"I told you," Evelyn said. "Never alone. Reach out when you need it. Take advantage of the events and get-togethers. It really does help to talk with other parents."

"I believe it," Jenna said. They had found two seats in a shady spot under a tree near one of the tents. "You know somehow I didn't think I'd feel so different with Dylan. My daughter, Casey, left for college a couple of years ago in California so I thought I knew how I'd feel. It's not that it wasn't tough when Casey left, it was … but it was a different kind of tough to this."

Evelyn nodded. "That makes sense. Dylan's not only coming to college, but by now he's signed his commitment to serve at least five years active duty after he graduates."

Jenna nodded. "And he'll be so far away. We have some family in L.A. that Casey can rely on, but …" Her voice trailed off.

Evelyn smiled. "Well … I wasn't going to say anything yet, since it's not official, but …"

"But …?" Jenna asked curiously.

"I've applied to be a sponsor family and specifically requested Dylan. Captain Rollins has some contacts at the Academy so it's all but a done deal."

Jenna's mouth dropped open. "You … you did? When?"

"Right after our first video call," Evelyn replied with a smile. "I liked you both immediately, and … well, being a single mom, too, I thought I could offer you support while also being a home away from home for Dylan."

Jenna blinked back tears and leaned over to hug her. "That is so … that is amazing. Thank you so much. I can't even find the words. You've taken a huge worry off my mind. Just knowing he'll have someone close by …"

"Don't forget my parents," Evelyn reminded her. She grinned. "They were both pretty annoyed I beat them to the punch. But then they're already sponsoring another midshipman, so I told them they needed to let someone else have a chance."

"This is such a huge relief. To have someone I know and trust looking out for him. Someone who … who gets it … on multiple levels. Being a single mom, having a child at the Academy …"

Evelyn smiled. "Exactly."

"I really can't thank you enough."

Evelyn squeezed her arm. "I told you, we're family now." Her phone buzzed and she looked at the screen to read the incoming text. "Speaking of family, my parents are on their way. Mom says to save them a seat." Glancing at the time, she continued, "If we hurry, we can get good seats for the ceremony." She linked her arms with a still emotional Jenna. "Come on. This is the best part, I promise."

Twenty minutes later, they were shading their eyes against the sun as twelve hundred brand new midshipmen filed in to fill the rows of seats in front of the stage. Parents and guests were sitting and standing in a large semi-circle around them. Evelyn had told Jenna she'd take plenty of photos and videos so that Jenna could focus on the ceremony.

Jenna's eyes scanned the sea of white uniforms. She knew it would be almost impossible to pick out Dylan, particularly as his sandy blonde hair would now be shaved off, but she still tried. Just before the Commandant began his speech, her eyes widened and her breath caught.

He was seated at the end of a row about halfway from the front, back straight and eyes straight ahead. Even from a distance, she marveled at the transformation. Her baby boy.

She barely took in anything the Commandant said, she was completely transfixed watching her son. Before she knew it, the class of 2026 was being asked to stand and raise their right hands for the Oath of Office, administered by the Commandant of Midshipmen.

"Having been appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy, do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God? Acknowledge the oath by responding, 'I do.' "

In unison, the twelve hundred midshipmen answered with a resounding, "I do!"

Jenna shivered as goosebumps rose on her skin.

Evelyn leaned over and whispered. "I told you, best part."

Jenna smiled, her eyes still locked on Dylan even as they filled with proud tears. "You were right."

After the ceremony, the new midshipmen were dismissed briefly to reunite with their families. Dylan's smile rivaled his younger brother's when he finally spotted Jenna.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Come here!" She pulled him into a tight hug before leaning back. "Let me look at you." She reached up toward his buzz cut beneath his new cover but stopped short, instead letting her fingers drift down to the nameplate on his chest. Allen '26. "It's really real," she said.

"As real as it gets," Colonel Hal Mills agreed as he and his wife Deanna joined them along with Evelyn. The colonel reached out a hand to Dylan. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir," Dylan said, shaking it.

"We know you don't have long, we just wanted to congratulate you and wish you luck," Deanna said, giving him a quick hug.

"Thank you, and thank you for coming," Dylan replied.

"I'm sure you wish your whole big family from Hawaii was here, and I know they wish they were, too," she continued. "They're with you in spirit."

Dylan smiled at that and nodded.

"You've got our numbers," Evelyn said, stepping in for her own hug. "If you need anything, you don't hesitate to call." She winked. "Once they give you your phone back, of course."

He chuckled, reaching back to where his phone would normally be in his back pocket. "It does feel a little weird not having it." His expression softened. "Thanks again for letting us stay with you and everything. And … thank you for coming today." He glanced over at Jenna. "I'm really glad my mom had someone with her."

Evelyn smiled and hugged him again. "It was my pleasure."

Releasing him, she held up Jenna's phone that she still had from documenting the ceremony and they posed for several photos to commemorate the day.

When they knew there were only a few minutes left, the Mills trio moved away to let Dylan and Jenna say their goodbyes privately.

"Well," Jenna began, "how do you feel?"

Dylan took a moment to consider what he wanted to say. "Ready. I feel ready."

She sighed, smiling. "You certainly look it."

He smiled, glancing down at his uniform. "It feels right," he said.

She blinked back tears. "It looks right. I didn't know … I mean, I didn't think it would immediately. But … it does."

He glanced down, but only for a moment. "So, are you gonna let me say what I was going to say earlier now?" he asked.

"One sec," she said, digging in her purse for another tissue. "Okay, go."

He smiled, rolling his eyes, then his expression sobered. "Mom, I want you to know that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You've always supported me. Always loved me. But also … all the time growing up, you always showed us that it was important to have goals and to work hard to achieve them. And now here I am. You keep telling me that you're proud of me, but I'm proud of you, too. And I'm especially proud to be your son."

Jenna didn't even try to hold back her tears, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "You keep finding new ways to make me proud, Dylan." She smiled. "Midshipman Allen. And I know you always will."

They heard the call for the midshipmen to return to formation.

Jenna put her hands on his shoulders and then his cheeks. "I love you, honey."

He hugged her once more. "I love you, too, Mom."

With a nod to the Mills family, Dylan hurried to join his classmates, sending one last glance back toward his mother.

Evelyn took Jenna's arm, leading her to a better spot from which to watch the company march into Bancroft Hall which would be their home for the next four years. She and Deanna stood on either side of Jenna for support, with the colonel just behind them, as the rows marched by.

"My boy," Jenna whispered.

"Your midshipmen," Evelyn whispered back.

Jenna's smile grew even as her eyes once more filled with tears. "My midshipman."

"I broke Evelyn's record for tissues that day for sure," Jenna said, smiling at Steve, Catherine, DJ, and Angie.

"Did you check with my mom?" Catherine asked with a wry grin. "She might have given you all a run for your money."

Jenna laughed. "She did recommend stocking up, but I was glad Evelyn had brought plenty more. And she was so right about the parent support groups. There's already been a meeting of the Hawaii chapter. It was so wonderful to talk with the other parents."

Catherine smiled. "I'm sure."

"Halfway through," Steve said again. "You'll be back for Parents' Weekend before you know it."

"I can hardly wait," Jenna said. "If I thought he was transformed on I-Day, how will he be after Plebe Summer?"

"He'll have changed," Steve said honestly. "It's impossible not to." He smiled. "But he'll still be our Dylan."

Jenna sighed and smiled. "Thank goodness for that."

Angie looked between them. "So he'll still like Uno?" she asked hopefully.

Jenna put an arm around her shoulders, hugging her to her side. "He better," she said. "Because that's our Dylan."

Hope you enjoyed!

Note: Thanks to the Naval Academy for posting such helpful videos of Induction Day!

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