(Standard disclaimers apply, please read and review.)
By the end of the weekly staff meeting, we were about to be dismissed, when the Admiral brought up a small matter that has been bugging me all week.
The twins birthday party, that was only two days away.
"It has been over two months now since the Colonel and Commander have been missing, and while the recovery team has made progress in finding them, it doesn't seem likely that they will be home in time for the twins birthday party. So it looks like the show will have to go on without them. Any ideas?"
"Sir, before Harm and Mac left, they told me where they hid the twins presents, incase they weren't going to be here for their birthday party." I said, still not believing that my two closest friends haven't been found yet
"Well that helps. Any other ideas?"
"Sir, I know Harm and Mac would want them to have a party, even though they aren't hear to give it. I think it would be a good idea, if we threw them a party at their house," Harriet said placing her hands on her large belly.
Any day now she would be giving birth and she was so worried about throwing a birthday party for the twins. The woman is incredible, I thought smiling.
"Good idea Lieutenant, if you think you can handle it, I'd like to put you in charge of the party." The Admiral said, somehow already knowing the answer.
"I would be happy to sir," she said.
"Good, you can hand out assignments, and say we'll give the party...Saturday at three?"
"Yes sir," she said making notes on her legal pad.
***************************
And sure enough by two thirty on Saturday, the party really seemed to be taking shape.
The Admiral and Meredith had just arrived with the birthday cake, Tiner and Jen were setting out the paper plates and drinks, and although Webb still hadn't shown, he promised to be here. Most of the twins friends were running around in the yard, but somehow the party seemed incomplete. And we all knew why.
Troy was up in bed with a bad cold, and Matt simply wasn't in the partying mood. He preferred to stay inside, playing with a toy plane that Harm gave him.
When I saw bud pull into the driveway, I helped him unload the ice cream, and take it to the backyard.
"Have all the kids arrived?"
"Yeah," I tell him as we make our way inside. "The Admiral says that he is suppose to be getting an update on the search for search for Harm and Mac sometime today from Colonel Samuels."
"Did her say when?"
"He just said sometime this afternoon."
Bud sighed and leaned on the counter but didn't say anything. Just then the two birthday boys walked in.
"Time for Cake?" Bobby asked walking up to Bud.
"Not yet buddy, but almost."
"Mommy and Daddy?" Shawn asked looking at the door.
Bud and I shared a look before I finally answered.
"Mommy and Daddy are still lost guys, but you know what? I know that are thinking about you guys, and they'll be home real soon."
The twins seemed satisfied with that, and went back outside.
"Are you sure that was the right thing to say?" Bud asked quietly.
"I didn't know what to say Bud. Every time they ask, I just don't know what to say."
Just then Webb arrived with two largely wrapped packages.
"What are those sir" Bud asks taking one and setting it on the counter.
"I got the twins banks," Webb said setting the other package on the counter.
"They're kinda heavy for piggy banks," Bud said with an amused smirk on his face.
"Well sterling silver banks are," he said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Starting a savings account for the boys?" I ask truly interested.
"Well kids can never be to young to learn the value of money," he says defensively.
I walk over to one of the banks and give it a shake not really surprised to hear something.
"Helping them out I see" I said not really surprised.
I laughed, knowing that it was the first good laugh I've had in awhile.
*************
By four thirty the party was winding down with all of the kids going home. The twins seemed satisfied with their birthday presents, and were now playing with their new toys.
We were all in the process of cleaning up, when a yell from Harriet got our attention.
"Lieutenant are you going into labor," the Admiral asked rushing to her side.
"I think so sir. Sr, where is Bud?" she almost wails.
"I sent him to the store," I explain grabbing her free hand. "Troy needed more medicine."
"Harriet how far apart are the contractions?"
"About four minutes sir," she said practicing her breathing.
"Okay, Tiner call Bud on his cell and have him us at the hospital. Turner you and Coates call ahead and tell the hospital we're on our way. Meredith, Harriet and I will be right behind you. Lieutenant Singer, can you and Tiner stay here with the boys?"
"Yes sir," she said but instantly regretted it.
"Good, then lets go," the Admiral said and with Meredith's help helped Harriet out to his car.
The twins looked at each other after everyone left, knowing that they were in troubble with Lieutenant Singer in charge.
"Uh oh," they said in unison, but their remark went unheard, as Lieutenant singer started barking orders to Tiner.
TBC...