Thomas McCawley met his son and daughter-in-law at the airbase.
When he saw them step off the transport, they both looked relaxed and happy. Going back to Hawaii had been good for them and he was glad to see the broad smiles on their faces as Evelyn waved at him. He waved back as they got to the gate and then he hugged her. "Hello daughter. It looks like the trip agreed with you."
She glanced at Rafe. "We had a wonderful time, Dad."
He took her by the arms and smiled. "You got some sun, I see."
She laughed. "It's a wonder any of us didn't burn to a cinder, we were out in the sun so much."
Thomas kissed her cheek before he let her go so he could hug his son. "How are Danny and Sandra?"
"They're fine sir. And the girls are growin' like weeds."
"Your mother and I would like to have had a chance to see them. Any chance they'll be comin' home for Christmas?" And before Rafe had a chance to answer, "or will you be back in Hawaii by then?"
It was Rafe's turn to glance at Evelyn. "I don't know Dad. I called my commander and he said there might be some word by the time we got back."
"We can stop in while we're here if you want."
He shook his head. "That's all right, it can wait. I want to get home and see the kids and mama."
"Well then, let's get goin'. Those kids have been pesterin' me all day about you two comin' home."
Danny and his sister Sarah were waiting on the porch as Thomas stopped the car in front of the house. Rafe barely had the car door open before the kids were there, excited to see their parents and wanting to know what they brought for them.
Rafe's mother came out holding the small hand of their youngest. "He's been asking all day about you."
After hugs and kisses for her two older children, Evelyn stepped up on the porch and picked up Joseph. "My goodness, you're getting too big to pick up." She said as the boy put his arms around her neck and hugged her.
Rafe took the other two by the hand as Thomas got the bags out of the trunk and they all headed into the house.
Sarah was just about ready to start supper. "Why don't you two go upstairs and unpack while I get started. If you want to lay down and rest for awhile, I'll keep the kids down here to help me."
There was some protest from the oldest McCawley children, which Rafe promptly put an end to. "Your mama and I have had a long trip and we'll tell you all about it after supper. What I'd like you to do now is help your grandmother, all right?"
They weren't very happy about it but they agreed. "Yes, sir." and they followed Sarah into the kitchen.
It always amazed Evelyn how he could do that. Ever since they were small, Rafe had a way of talking to his children so that he never raised his voice, but he let them know without any doubt that he meant business. She shook her head. "I wish they would mind me like that."
Thomas grinned at her. "He gets that from me. He was always a handful for his mama, but he learned early on that I meant what I meant and there was no use arguin' with me about it." And he kissed Evelyn on the cheek before he followed his grandchildren into the kitchen to help.
She shook her head again. "McCawley men." She commented before she picked up her suitcase and headed upstairs. When she got to their room, she opened the door and sighed, she was so glad to be back. She stepped into the room and put her suitcase down before she walked over to the window and started to raise the shade.
"Leave it down."
She hadn't heard him come in. "We've been gone a week, Rafe. The room should be aired out."
He put his suitcase down next to hers and closed the door. "We can air it out later. Right now, the kids are downstairs and before we have to start refereein' arguments between our two oldest, we have some time left just for us."
"Are you suggesting what I think you are?"
He grinned at her. "Evelyn McCawley, the way your mind works. That's actually not what I had in mind, but I wouldn't object."
She smiled. "What did you have in mind?"
"I thought we could take Mama's suggestion and lie down for awhile. What do you say?"
She sighed. "It's been a long day and I really like that idea."
They curled up together on the bed and Rafe put his arm around Evelyn as they closed their eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
They both slept so soundly that they didn't hear Sarah knock on the door to tell them supper was ready. She stood in the doorway watching her sleeping son and his wife for a moment and didn't have the heart to wake them. It had been a long day for them, she knew and wanted them to rest. She closed the door and went downstairs.
Thomas was hanging up the telephone when Sarah came down. "Are they comin'?"
She shook her head. "They're both sound asleep. I'll put something back for them so they can eat later."
"I just talked to Rafe's commander and it looks like the decision about goin' back to Hawaii is being taken out of his hands."
She put a hand on his arm. "What is it, Tom?"
"He couldn't tell me of course, but I think Rafe's bein' recalled to active duty. The fact is Sarah, whether we like it or not, we're at war again. Except this time it's not the Japs we have to worry about." He sighed. "It looks like our boy's goin' back to war."
Sarah sat down on the sofa and folded her hands in her lap with a sigh of her own. Thomas sat down next to her and took one of her hands in his. "I'm sorry honey. I know the last thing you want is for Rafe to be flyin' again, but he hasn't been himself since he came home. I do believe he misses the military more than he thought he would."
"Has he told you that?"
"He never had to. I see it in his face every time he gets off the telephone with Danny after he's told Rafe about the aircraft he's flyin'. Sarah Jane, our son has aviation fuel in his blood, we might as well face it."
Sarah looked at her husband. "I know Tom. I've known it ever since you took him up for the first time in your crop duster."
They sat quietly together holding hands. "Sarah, we thought we lost him once and the good Lord saw fit to bring him home alive. If Rafe flies combat again, I have to believe he'll come home again." And he kissed her cheek before he got up from the sofa. "We better feed those kids before there's a riot."
Sarah got up and followed her husband into the kitchen.
