Author's note: Same as before, and sorry if the story doesn't meet your expectations. I also am just guessing the religious affiliations of the main characters. For good measure, new characters are introduced.

Rugrats Midlife: Reunion

Chapter Two: Life After All These Years

"How's life? Got you worn down?" he asked.

"Fine, and like hell you're right," I replied as I munched on the sandwich. "Got hectic recently, and past traumas caught up."

"So how's the workload? Enjoying your job?" he asked me.

The words were hard to say, but hell, I'm used to hardship. "Chuck, a week ago, I wrote a letter to the Navy Department, the commandant, and my superior officer asking them to relieve me of my position-a resignation letter. I stated there that my emotions were getting into my work, and...and...and I wanted my men to see me as a role model, and I didn't want them to see me as holding on to my position, stuff like that." In short, moral and morale reasons, if you get my drift.

Charles looked at me with a blank expression, but his glass-shielded eyes were filled with disbelief. "You know, I could empathize with you, but you are a promising man! What were you thinking? With help from a psychologist you can settle your insecurities. So how did the top brass respond?"

"With something I never expected. Refused my resignation due to the things you just said and the fact I couldn't communicate myself well in writing. As consolation though, General Patterson put me in reserve, semi-retirement of sorts." Chuckie just raised his eyebrow.

"Semi-retirement? You now work part-time, hunh? So what did they do?"

"I had to give up my weapons and gear, save for my Barretta, Kabar knife and Kevlar vest, though I still own them. Have to report once a month, reduced pay, that type of crap. Still get to keep my uniforms and dog tags, though. I'm considering entering security consultancy-I've been in charge of security in more than one embassy or carrier." After a minute of silence, I found the curiosity to ask, "Say, Chuck, when was the last time we met each other?"

He answered, "Daddy's funeral. Remember your speech? Mom told me that her farewell speech was nothing compared to yours."

"Yor father's funeral?" I asked, startled. "That, my friend, was six years ago-long time had passed since then! What has time been doing to us-all of us, that is-since then?" I swear I didn't recall what had happened to the rest of us as we went our separate ways. I certainly know Dylan had gotten hold of Pickles Technologies after Dad retired, and he was able to get the company to Forbes' Top 500 ("Best thing that happened since I married Didi, got the two, and saw Tom get two presidential citations," Dad remarked), but at least Dil wasn't married either. Chuckie was, to Madeleine, or Madie as we called her, the high school student council president and now an accountant at MergeCorp, Aunt Charlotte's old firm. My overseas service had made me lose track of what the hell happened to the rest of the gang.

Chuckie was all smiles though. "I'm still Executive Vice-President of Eaglecom, as I don't feel I'm ready for the post of top enchilada yet. I've recommended three of my best subordinates for the job. Joe's dead from a stroke, Freddy's retired, and Mac's the current CEO. Got myself termed 'kingmaker' for that. Still, life's fine for me-I've my teenage crush for my wife, a son, Charles IV, a daughter-to-be..."

Daughter-to-be? "When?" I asked. "And what's the name?"

"This fall, I believe, and we're naming her Melinda, after my biological mother." He paused for a while, and then got talking again.

"Kimi's in San Francisco working as a technology consultant, freelance. Spends half of the year there or in Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, and the rest here, taking care of Mom. Still single, and I hear her latest love plan flopped big-time. I feel sorry for her. Say, maybe she could help you with your consultancy problems."

"Yeah, but I do believe San Fran's far from here, and Kimi has a busy schedule with her work. Don't wanna add up."

"Oh, that's fine with her, not to worry. Well, as for them DeVilles, Lillian's married to Alfredo Cruz, now has two kids. Went to work for Finster Holdings after moving back from the West Coast. Now COO of the company-Uncle Edmund's CEO. Remember him? The guy who helped Dad set up the second branch of the cafe in San Antonio, third year? Rose to become President of the company after Dad retired. We owe it to him for expansion."

Alfredo Cruz? I remembered him. "That Cruz character served with me in Guam, and now is head of a security firm in LA. Yep, I know him. Was a Gunnery Sergeant in the corps. How 'bout Philip?"

"Never heard from him until about three years ago. Lil said he was incommunicado since he entered the seminary. We didn't know where he was since then until the time Kimi went to Las Vegas for the annual technology fair. Lo and behold, she saw Phil dressed in a black suit and pants, with a white collar!"

I couldn't believe it. FATHER Philip DeVille? Well, you'll say someone with hydrophobia joined the Marines, but that wasn't the point.

"He's a priest?" was the only thing I could say between laughs.

"Not just a priest-he's a Jesuit priest," emphasized Charles, grinning as well. "Ordained months before Dad passed away, then sent to work in Alaska for Tertianship. Took final vows in the order 4 years ago. Also works in Loyola College in LA as Biology teacher, 2nd year high." Now that's not a surprise. But I still couldn't keep the thought of a Father Philip DeVille, SJ, off my head. Yep, I was still laughing. Fortunately I was neither eating nor drinking, and so was Chuck.

Still struggling to contain his giggling, Chuckie nevertheless changed the subject. "Susie's a pediatrician now, and is married to Malcolm Jones, lawyer. Has a child." One more person to know. Cousin Angelica.

Chuckie cleared his throat, the laughter potentially erupting anytime soon-hell, he's unpredictable! "I knew she was up to something when she started that 'Ask Angelica' column in the school paper years back. That bitch's America's most syndicated lifestyle columnist! I read her in the Times-Mail every Tuesday, but only for amusement. Damn, anything can happen nowadays. Have you read her columns?"

"No," I told him, "I don't read the lifestyle section." But then, the boys at MCB do, which explains the sneers and smiling faces every Tuesday morning at the mess hall. Must be wondering if I'm related to her, which unfortunately I am. "I hear, though, that most of the time, though, she works as Senior Veep at MergeCorp. COO." Long silence followed.

Chuckie then looked at his watch. "Hmmm, two-fifteen. I'm free for the day, and I have to check on Mom. Took the taxi here." I certainly knew what was coming, so I immediately offered my car.

"Come on, you don't have to, Pickles," Chuck said. "I want to keep things simple..." Simple? Oh yeah: Chuckie once told me he was considering selling his palatial residence in favor of a smaller house for a family of four. That was at my mother's funeral eight years ago. I had to interrupt: "None of that B.S., Finster, besides, what are friends for? Just consider this a repayment: I'll drive, you point out the address. I'm not familiar with this town anymore."

"Anything for you, then, Thomas. Here," he said as he gave me the card that had his former address. "Good luck to wherever you're going afterwards," he added. "Let's go!"

What exactly awaits him at the Finster residence as he tries to adjust to civilian life? Will he get the chance to meet the gang again? Find out on Chapter Three: Planning the Party, coming soon!

P.S. Not satisfied? Feel I'm wrong about facts? Send bouquets or brickbats to .