Eight months-that's how long their tour would be this time. Hector had been informed the morning after the wedding about it. It was March now, that meant in November they would get to go back home! They were excited, Hector figured out that Nightwave was really just a placeholder group until others arrived or had been trained. He was grateful for that, it meant they'd be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year-and they could spend it together as a married couple! Hector and Tallon actually planned on hosting one of the the two holidays at their apartment, it's not like it wasn't big enough with a little rearranging done. They weren't sure if they were going to be getting leave or not given how short the tour was. Drew would get to leave for the birth of his and Mandy's child in four months towards the middle of July. Hector already approved him being able to leave for two weeks and he'd be leaving the a few days before she was due, then he'd have some time to enjoy with her and his new child-which they'd be finding out the gender of in just a few hours when Mandy went to her sonogram appointment.
After Tallon and Hector got married and returned to the chow hall the night before, it was just a good time and so many pictures. A few people recorded the moment between them which was now on Hector's laptop, even the engagement too. Others had been taking videos throughout the day while they'd been planning it all, Hector would organize it at some point. They listened to music, danced a bit, ate a lot of food, and enjoyed the cake. It was chocolate, a huge square one made from eight smaller ones that were lined up and frosted together with slight decorations and written on it was: Congratulations Hector & Tallon Furysen! It was a great night for them-celebrating their love and marriage with all the people who had been with them since the start in Basic. Sure some weren't present but Hector and Tallon knew they were there in spirit-especially Cody, who Hector had felt with him all night. It was just one of those things where he knew Cody was beside him all night, being happy for him. It warmed Hector's heart to know he was there-he actually got a little emotional over it too. Tallon figured it out when Hector stepped outside for a bit with his head facing the sky.
Tallon held him close from behind and told him it was okay, but Hector never cried. He couldn't, he was just too happy. Around 7:30pm that night, they all returned to the barrack and continued the party there where Hector played more music from his laptop and guitar. Thank the Gods there had been no attacks, not that Hector would be in the best condition to fight since he still had that knife injury to the side. The night was perfect-Hector and Tallon shared the bottom bunk that night, it was tight fight but they managed for one night. It was their wedding night, why wouldn't they spend it side by side, it wasn't hurting anyone. Today started day three in Afghanistan for them, it was around 1:45pm as they were all sitting around waiting for Mandy to call Drew from the doctor's office for the sonogram. Hector set up his laptop and a small projector with a sheet on the wall so everyone could see at Drew's request. The Skype call sound rang through the A barrack as Drew scrambled off the bed and pressed the answer button.
=Hey baby girl= Drew smiled when it finally loaded up.
=Hi babe! Are you excited?= Mandy asked lightly with a wide smile.
=You know I am. Been waiting five months for this day when we find out if we're having a Layla or a Logan. You in the room yet?= Drew inquired happily.
=Yep. Lying down on the seat, waiting on the technician.= the door was heard opening as the camera moved slightly as it could be easy to see that either Danielle, Reina, or Carmen were holding the phone and had it pointed at Mandy lying on the seat, the sonogram screen in the shot too. Few words were exchanged as the technician sat down in her seat and got the machine on, Mandy shirt was lifted a bit-the gel was placed on then the Doppler moved it around until the baby came up on screen, very fidgety too. The normal things were done first, measuring, checking heartbeat and more. The barrack fell quiet when they heard the technician ask if they wanted to know the gender, =Yes we do please?= the technician nodded with a smile and began to move it around more trying to get a good angle.
=What are the name choices?= the woman asked gently.
=Layla for a girl, Logan for a boy...= Drew replied still watching closely.
=What are you hoping for?= the technician smiled.
=A little girl.= Mandy said with her eyes on the screen still.
=Well, Mandy and Drew-I'd like for you to meet Layla. Congratulations, you're having a girl.=
Drew smiled wide as did Mandy, the platoon began to cheer and congratulate him-he honestly looked like he was about to cry from the joy of the news that they were having a girl! "Gods, I'm so happy," Drew said as Hector put an arm around his shoulder and smiled.
"Congrats, Drew." Hector told him.
=You will be home for the birth, right babe?= Mandy asked.
=Up to the boss man over here.= Drew motioned to Hector-who now blinked. Didn't he already tell Drew he approved it after talking to Caleb?
=Is...he allowed to come home, Hector?= Mandy looked at the screen again, nervousness setting in.
=Of course he is. I approved it just this morning. I'm sending him home for two weeks, about four before you give birth that way you two can enjoy some time together with your baby.= Hector informed with a smile.
"You're...really giving me two weeks, Major Furysen?" Drew asked in shock. Yes, Hector used his new last name now. It's not like the soldiers could get it confused, Hector was a Major and Tallon a Second Lieutenant although-Hector planned on getting him a promotion to Captain very soon. Had to go through a few channels first.
"Duh, you deserve time with your family." Hector chuckled.
=Wait...Furysen? Are you talking to Hector or Tallon? I am so confused...= came Carmen's voice now. That's right, no one outside of the Ember Fire Battalion knew about the wedding last night.
=Hector and Tallon got married last night.= Darius stated as the room on the other side of the screen went silent. =And for the love of God, you tell no one about it. I don't need to die just yet because when my parents find out, I don't put it past them to hunt me down and kill me for being the one to marry them,=
=Wait, they got married...last night? How?! When did they get engaged?=Reina asked quickly.
=Well, Tallon proposed to him at 6:45 in the morning, then a remark on my part got them to decide to get married at 5:35pm that same night...by me because now I'm...an official licensed minister for the islands of the Archipelago.= Darius sighed.
=They got engaged and married on the same day? And this was last night. Yeah, you're right babe. Your parents are gonna kill you.= Carmen giggled a bit as Mandy fixed her shirt and got off the table and leaving with the other girls.
=They won't kill him. It was mine and Tallon's choice to do it, there was no point it holding it off. We know we're not gonna our minds, and the love will never fade or die. We mean too much to one another, always have and always will. They won't be happy about it but they'll get over it and besides, when we get home in November-we're just gonna do another ceremony with all you guys there too. They'll never know we got married before hand as long as none of you tell anyone.= Hector stated.
=We won't tell anyone, Hector. Congrats you two! Can't wait to see pictures or videos, and attend the...I guess, remarriage ceremony? We should go for now, going out for a late lunch.= Reina smiled.
=Love you, Drew!= Mandy called to him.
=Love you too, babe! Call me later.= Drew said and then the call ended as Hector disconnected everything and put it away. "God's...I can't believe we're having a girl..."
"Best believe it, bud because you are." Tallon smiled. The rest of that day was spent talking about random things, going to dinner, then eventually to sleep-it was a good day overall and Hector couldn't be happier to have things be so peaceful around him. Sure they were in a war zone but it wasn't so bad.
(Six Months Later)
They were now in September 2021, six months since arriving for their eight month tour. Only two months left to go before they could go back home. Mandy had her baby on time, Drew was already back and constantly talking about going home so he could hold his daughter again: little Layla Anderson. Drew's eyes, Mandy's hair and nose. Really cute baby from pictures they'd all seen. Hector and Tallon's marriage was official now, they got their marriage license in the mail back in May after processing. Hector also got a new social security card with the name reading Hector Furysen now. All the changes had been made within military files as well-he had his new name tags too. All they had to do was consummate it-but had to wait two more months for that. They didn't mind, it would make it all the more special to know they waited so long to have an unforgettable moment.
Right now, they were all just sitting around the barrack relaxing since they'd just finished lunch and had come off a twelve hour guard earlier that morning around 4am. They were tired but didn't want to sleep because it would throw them so off, staying up was the only option. Hector planned to catch a nap though, he was incredibly comfortable on his bed, eyes closed and almost asleep when Tallon laid beside him, an arm wrapped over his side. He pulled Hector against him and placed a kiss on his neck which made Hector shudder with excitement and the others in the room chuckled a bit.
"You're a rock on the battlefield but mud in his arms, Hector," Skylar snickered.
"What can I say, he knows my weak spots. And you," he faced Tallon, "Behave until we get home-then I'm all yours."
"But I don't want to wait...it's so far away..." Tallon pouted.
"Believe me, if we were allowed to do it-I would. But you know we can't baby. We'd get into a shit ton of trouble, not to mention the threat of an attack, and no privacy..." Hector whispered to him.
"I know, Love. I'd rather wait anyway when I can lock the apartment all day, all night and we don't leave the bedroom the entire time," Tallon purred against his neck making Hector's face heat up with an intense blush.
"So, safe to say when we get home, you two are gonna disappear for a few days?" Thaxter asked.
"Few days? Pfft, we'll be gone for a week," Tallon stated making Hector's blush worse. Fang flew over and landed on Hector's pillow. "Hey, Fang. Wing feeling better?"
Fang squeaked flapping it's wings, "Guess you should get home to your family now, huh?" Hector asked as he got out of Tallon's arms and went to the door, opening it. "Go on, I'm sure they miss you." Fang lifted off his shoulder and headed outside but stopped and hovered there a minute, looking between the outside and then back to Hector. Fang flew back inside and held onto Hector's ACU shirt and snuggled against him.
"I don't think he wants to leave you," Tallon smiled some. Hector looked down at the bat clinging to him.
"You...want to stay with me?" Hector asked, Fang nuzzled against him again, squeaking.
"It's because you took care of him. His family wasn't there for him when he was wounded and dying...you fed him, gave him water, and a place to heal. These nights get pretty cold, you kept him warm." Evan said.
"Well, if you want to stay with me then, okay." Hector smiled as Fang sat in his palms and licked his face-this made Hector laugh because it tickled. "H-hey, stop that. It tickles..."
"I didn't know you were tickelish, babe," Tallon blinked as he got off the bed now to near his husband.
"Very and don't you dare, last person who tried got kicked in the nuts..." Hector warned.
"Ow...who was that unfortunate soul?" Viktor asked.
"That'd be me. We were like, what, eight? One of the family gatherings, we started wrestling and I tickled his sides. Mother fucker has wicked strong legs...Good Gods..." Darius grumbled.
"I told you to stop in all fairness," Hector shrugged.
"I still worry if I'm gonna be able to have kids because of that. It hurt for like a week..." Darius sighed.
"Oh hush, you'll be fine." Hector rolled his eyes then laughed a bit, "Your face was fuckin' priceless,"
"Jerk. Yeah, felt great to be brought to the ground by little cousin. Well, brother now. But man, you were strong then, you really could've whipped any one of our asses back in high school hands down. But still, fucked up for you to laugh at my pain that you caused," Darius huffed. Hector seemed to stop a minute now, his eyes falling on his elder brother.
"You mean the same kind of fucked up that you and the others used to laugh at my pain that you caused me in high school?" Hector stated, Tallon already noticed the mood shift. Any time something from the past got brought up, Hector got mad or upset at the reminder, "I kicked you out of reaction to make you stop. You used to beat me up because it was fun, and then laugh about it." Hector remarked as he grabbed his gun which had been leaning against the bed, slipped it over his shoulder then headed outside.
"You guys really gotta stop bringing that stuff up. I know you didn't mean too, but it hurts him to remember it all. Just...try to be more careful with your words-like we've all be aware by Holgerson and Hector himself...it will always be there because it's part of his past," Tallon sighed softly then grabbed his gun and followed after him-he didn't go far. Hector was just outside staring up at the sky while smoking a cigarette, Fang was still on his shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yeah...just needed a minute. I just...hate how easily it comes back. That it only takes a few words to trigger the flashbacks from those times in my life," Hector sighed some. Tallon held him from behind, being careful of Fang though.
"I know. It'll always be like that though, your past is part of you and you suffered a lot of pain in yours. But it's not like that anymore-you're in a much better place than you were. And hey, you always got me." Tallon reminded gently.
Hector smiled a bit now and leaned against him, "Thanks baby. Like I said, I'm okay...just needed a minute." Hector told him, the two just stood there while Hector finished his cigarette, put out the butt, the tossed it in the garbage before they went back inside the barrack, behind them coming in as well was Caleb.
"Major Furysen?" Caleb asked, Hector turned to face him.
"What's up, Lieutenant Colonel?" Hector asked him with a smile.
"Meeting with the Brigade leader, and a few others. Your presence is being asked for so I came to get you," Caleb informed.
"Anything serious?" Hector asked as his face fell seeing how serious Caleb looked.
"You just need to come with me, Major." Caleb answered, his eyes meeting with Hector's-who gave a nod of firm understanding.
"I'll be back," Hector said as he kissed Tallon's cheek and then set Fang down on his bed. Hector left with Caleb. Why would he sound so serious, that's what the others wanted to know. And why did he need only Hector to have a meeting with the other higher ups? Tallon didn't like the way it felt but they guessed all they could do was wait to find out what happened.
(Five Hours Later)
The time was 7pm and Hector still hadn't come back, the others had already gone to dinner and were back in the barrack relaxing. Tallon was nervously waiting for Hector to walk through the door-whenever that would be. What meeting could possibly take this long? It had to have a lot of discussion or disagreements but all Tallon had was guesses on it. Finally, the door opened and Hector walked in looking livid and stressed out, Caleb was right behind him.
"Major Furysen, are you sure you understand what is going on?" Caleb asked, Hector whipped around angrily.
"FOR THE LAST MOTHER FUCKING TIME, YES! I swear to Odin if you ask me one more time or even hint towards asking, I will knock you the hell out. I know what is going on, I said it a million times in there. Stop asking and back off so I can get ready to do what I have to do." Hector yelled. Caleb nodded and backed up leaving the barrack. Caleb came to learn over the last six months that when Hector was pissed, you stayed clear.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Tallon asked softly, concern in his tone and eyes.
"Nothing...nothing, I'm fine..." Hector told him.
"That...wasn't nothing, Hector..." Thaxter added.
"Just drop it, okay. It's nothing that concerns any of you," Hector grabbed a towel, and his shower bag before heading into the bathroom. Not more than five minutes later within in the confusing silence of the room, they heard the shower turn on. No one understood what was going on or what the hell had just happened. Hector left five hours ago with Caleb for a meeting, he came back and basically reamed the Lieutenant Colonel a new asshole over something they had know idea about. And now Hector was saying it didn't concern any of them, did that mean it only concerned him? Tallon was worried, Hector never flew off the handle like without being triggered to.
"Should we...go talk to him?" Darius asked.
"No...leave him be. Let him calm down, obviously that meeting wasn't a good one and it involves Hector directly. He said to drop it, and you know that means he doesn't want to talk right now. We just have to hope he'll tell us what's going on when he gets out or calms down..." Tallon stated. He knew Hector well, and when he didn't want to talk about something for any reason, he said to drop it. Hector was mad right now but maybe after he calmed down-he'd tell them what the meeting was about.
Fifteen minutes passed as Hector came out in a new ACU, he didn't look any calmer-his eyes honestly looked pretty irritated and cold. Hector went right to his bed and laid down, after setting an alarm on his watch then he rolled onto his side with his eyes closed. "Good night," he stated. They stayed quiet for ten minutes and Hector was asleep, they only knew that because his face relaxed to a calmer look.
"It's been a long day, and we had that guard...maybe he's just really tired?" Thaxter suggested.
"I hope that's all it is. Keep it down and dim the lights so he can sleep," Tallon said. One of the guys turned the dial down and the lights dimmed slightly. Around 9pm, the rest of them climbed to the beds and went to sleep as well. Tallon watched Hector a while longer before he went to sleep as well.
(12am)
Hector's alarm went off as he got up and started getting his gear on. Vest, helmet, M16, and handgun. "Hector?" Tallon asked as Hector looked over at him quietly.
"What's up, the rest of us have to get ready too?" Ryan asked flipping on his flashlight.
"No." Hector responded firmly. "Your orders are to stay put. This one is just for me," he added as Tallon got off his bed now and put a hand on Hector's shoulder softly.
"Hey, what's going on. It's 12am and you're geared up for a battle. Why aren't we getting ready with you?" Tallon asked him.
"I can't tell you and that's an order from the the top of the military officers. All I can give you is that I'll be back as soon as I can." Hector told him calmly, he leaned and kissed Tallon deeply, "I love you, Tal. I gotta go," he said after pulling away from him slowly then leaving the barrack. Tallon walked to the door and saw Hector rush off and jump in the back of one of a small chopper-then that took off, heading out of the base. Everyone was just in the barrack, left incredibly confused as to why Hector would be leaving base in full gear, in a chopper built to only hold a small team of people. Tallon was just worried for his husband, but how could he not be with not knowing what was going on.
