Chapter 12: departure
"General I wish you luck on your trip back to the states." I said icily. I would never be forgiving him from last night. He nodded, saluting me. I saluted back grimly and he walked off. I turned to see Flam saying by to Windrie.
"it won't be the same without ya man. No more pranks on Colonel Flowers." Flam sighed.
"Goh, Goh…where did your mother and I go wrong?" Windrie asked with a sigh.
"I don't know. Hey I'll miss ya around man." Flam said.
"yeah I know. I'll talk to ya later Goh. Look after the family for me." Windrie smiled, ruffling Freeze's hair violently and playfully.
"hey!"
"hay is for horses." Windrie laughed.
"straw is cheaper and grass is free." Flood smiled. Windrie laughed again.
"what a good kid. You were the only child your mother really loved." Windrie smiled. "see ya kid. And kid." He said, punching the two on the arm softly. "keep up the good work for the colonel."
"we will." They said one after another, then glared at each other.
"good. Now I have to go-huh?" he looked down and sighed, kneeling down when he saw Shin.
"Don't leave daddy." Shin said, sniffing. Hayate's eyes widened and he coughed, ruffling Shin's hair as he stood up.
"I'm sorry but I'm not your daddy kid-"
"he knows you're not his dad. Just like he knows I'm not his mom. That's just what he calls you." I said, kneeling down and giving Shin a hug before standing back up.
"well still I'm not…well anyways bye kid you're a real help." Hayate smiled.
"well…bye sergeant…" I said slowly, holding out my hand to him. He nodded slowly, shaking my hand.
"bye colonel. Take care of yourself. You need any help you call me okay?" he said.
"yes of course…" I said, forcing a smile as he turned and walked up the stairs to the ship.
"momma? What are you doing? You didn't kiss daddy goodbye?" Shin asked, his eyes sparkling.
"what? Shin he is not your father." I said calmly.
"I know that…momma didn't even give Hay a hug?" Shin whined. I bit my lip and looked towards the ship. I walked towards the ship and then ran to catch it before it left.
"Hayate!" I yelled, jumping from the dock onto the edge not bothering to take the stairs. The general stared in disbelief as I jumped on Hayate giving him a hug.
"whoa! Didn't expect that!" he said, catching his balance and lightly hugging me back for a second. I let go and pulled my jacket down with a cough.
"well. I'll see you soldier…Hayate. General." I nodded in the general's direction as I walked calmly back down the stairs. Shin ran to me and grabbed my legs. I bent down and picked him up, waving as the ship set off and slowly disappeared around the trees.
"it's going to be so boring without that jack up." Bulb admitted.
"yeah like totally…" Flam sighed.
"I think dada will come back." Shin said.
"what? He can't the general will not allow it." Flood said to Shin.
"well that kid has a point. I mean if he wants to come back he will someway or another." Flam smiled.
"yeah you're right." Bulb said.
"well don't just stand around! We're a military base soldiers! Back to work." I instructed, everyone went off to sit around acting like they were working.
"she's back." Freeze said with a small laugh, following Flood back to the communications building.
"yep. As bad as ever." Flam joked, punching me on the arm lightly.
"you bet. Except I won't be sooo bad." I smiled, punching him back. He laughed slightly and sarcastically grabbed his arm.
"ow the pain!"
"yeah I know. I said not as bad." I said, walking back towards my office with Bulb and Flam behind me. I put Shin down so he could walk and he held onto the pocket of my pants.
"so what's your first order ma'am?" I heard Bulb ask from behind me.
"Hm…relax. Go for a swim for all I care. Oh if you're going to take Shin." I said.
"gotcha! Come on buddy!" Flam picked him up, twirling him around and then him and Bulb ran for the shore, taking their shirts off. I sighed. It was going to be better from now on…I hope. Shin was laughing, I could hear it as I got into my office still.
"yep it would be better…Flood! Freeze!" I called. The two appeared from the other room and looked at me confused.
"yes ma'am?"
"take the day off. Go swim. Bulb and Flam and Shin are already down there." I smiled, grabbing a wine bottle and popping off the top. I drank some and then set it down on the desk as they left. I propped my feet up and leaned back in my chair.
