Disclaimer: As in ch.1

AN: Two more chapters to go… I'm serious! My beta-reader had already finished editing it. Send me a lot of feedbacks, folks. I might just post it all tonight. *evil grin*

Trey finally broke the moment and pushed the wheelchair forward towards Jessie.

"I thought you never wanted to see me." His words come out harsher than he intended them to.

"Trey, I..." Jessie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You know me better than that, Trey. I missed you, Trey." Her soft voice melted Trey's initial anger.

He glanced down with a sigh, and then looked back up at her with a small smile. "Hey, come here."

She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and grabbing him tightly. They clung together in the middle of hospital yard, ignoring the personnel who passed by, obviously wondering why two differently-ranked military officers would be so blatant about disobeying protocol.

"I missed you, Trey! I miss you so much." Jessie sobbed in his arms.

"I missed you, too. I'm sorry I acted like a jerk earlier. God, I missed you, squirt."

"Watch it, Lieutenant! You are addressing a superior officer here." Jessie tried to lighten the scene, but she didn't pull herself out of his arms

"Everything is going to be ok, now, Jessie. I promise you that." Trey's voice was extremely serious.

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4th July 2039     

Roberts Residence

McLean, VA

It had been about half a year since Matt and Trey were rescued. Matthew was allowed to return to active duty with an immediate promotion to Captain, but he had to settle with desk job as a flight instructor. He grumbled about it for quite a while, but he'd always known the day would come when he couldn't fly combat mission anymore.

Trey, with some intense therapy and perhaps a miracle, had recovered feeling in his legs, and he could even move them, although they were still too weak to support his weight. He was given a full-honors retirement as a Captain and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his unselfish conduct the day he was captured and for his valor during his captivity.

Although he was still bound to a wheelchair, Trey's life had never been better. He had his friends and family to support him. And, most importantly, he had Grace by his side, giving him her unconditional support. She'd resigned from her position at the Embassy in London and had returned to States, where the two had become almost inseparable.

Fortunately for all concerned, Ryan was very accepting of Trey's presence. Trey was careful to make sure that, while he was always there for Ryan, he never tried to replace his father, and he made sure the boy knew it.

Everybody was gathered at Bud and Harriet's house to celebrate the 4th of July. With all the children running screaming through the house and yard, it seemed like a war-zone to many of the adults. The ladies were mostly in the kitchen, busily preparing lunch, while the men were either watching TV or playing with their grandchildren.

Trey, Matt and Albert chose to just hang around the front porch, sipping iced tea and playing chess.

"Checkmate!!" Matt yelled in triumph.

"I cannot believe you! You kick my six four times in a row!" Albert whined.

"Suck it up, Marine! You have to admit that I am better player than you are." Matt said cockily.

"Yeah, right. Like that's going to be happen." Albert pouted as he set up the new chess board while mumbling 'This time, I am going to kick your six.'

Trey, watching the friendly banter, chuckled slightly. Matt was actually really good at chess, having beaten Trey six times before moving on to Albert.

"Guys!"

Surprised, three heads snapped towards the road, only to see their friend John Keeter coming up the drive. He was in town, and Bud had decided to invite him.

"Hey, John! How are you?" Matt grinned, firmly shaking his hand.

"As good as I can be." He grinned back and turned to Trey. "Hi, buddy. How are you?" He asked as the two shared a hug.

"Never been better."

"Hi, Al"

"Hi." Albert replied distractedly, planning his move. "All right, Matt. Come on! I'm going to kick your six this time. Count on it."

"Bring it on, jarhead!"

A slightly confused John turned to Trey. "What's with those two?"

Trey laughed lightly. "Ignore them, John. Matt kicked Al's six four times and my little brother can't handle it."

"Watch who you call little, Trey!" Albert piped up, annoyed, but the two old friends just chuckled. Albert had always been the baby of the family, and it didn't look like that was going to change.

John and Trey relaxed, contentedly watching the fierce match and occasionally glancing at the children happily playing in the yard. All four became engrossed in the chess game as the game grew more and more competitive, so they didn't notice the three children running quickly towards them.

"I won! I won! Daddy, I won!"

Matt automatically glanced up, expecting to see one of his sons, but what he saw shocked him. However, no one was more surprised than Trey as Ryan leapt into his arms, still calling Trey 'Daddy.'

TBC…

AN: Spare sometime for feedbacks, guys! Thanks