Part V- "Covert Operation"

Over the next few weeks, Cayden kept extremely busy. Cayden was focused on football, and keeping his grades up, as well as working on his college applications. He remembered everything that Miguel taught him about football as well as in his classes, and the results showed. His GPA quickly soared. He also managed to talk with Miguel once a week over Skype.

One day, he was talking with Miguel on Skype, getting him caught up.

"So, what's it like in San Diego?"

"It's awesome. Maybe for Spring Break we'll come up here."

"I'd like that. So, how's training going?"

"Going good. There's a lot to know about recruiting. Gotta make sure anybody I interview has what it takes."

"I bet. Can't have just anybody walk in and join the Marines."

Miguel nodded as he saw Tommy and Kat walk up. "Hey, I've gotta talk to your mom and dad for a while. You keep doing good and we'll catch you soon."

As soon as Cayden was gone and Tommy and Kat sat down, Miguel smiled.

"Sounds like he's doing good."

Kat smiled. "And it's mainly thanks to you."

Tommy nodded. "So, how's it going over there?"

"Great. We're actually a couple weeks ahead of schedule. A couple of buddies and I got to go visit an aircraft carrier yesterday."

"That must have been exciting."

"Hey, the reason I wanted to talk to you guys alone is because I wanted to pull off a little surprise for Cayden."

Tommy leaned in. "Go ahead."

"The last home football game is in a few weeks, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm going to be finished here just a few days before then. So I booked a flight back for the day before then."

The three talked about the plan and worked out all the details, and before long, it was time for Miguel to go.

Kat smiled and fought back tears. "He is going to be so surprised!"

Over the next couple weeks, Miguel managed to watch the rest of the games with his fellow soldiers. The next day, the two would talk about his performance.

Finally, the the big day came. Jason and Wes waited at the airport for Miguel. Finally he appeared in his dress uniform.

"Hey guys!"

Wes shook his hand. "Good to see you, Miguel. Man, you look sharp."

"Thanks. Man I can't wait to see the look on Cayden's face!"

Jason smiled. "He's gonna be excited." then he noticed the patch on Miguel's arm. "Wait, did you get promoted?"

Miguel nodded. "That was part of the deal for being a recruiter."

Jason smiled. "Well, let's go."

That afternoon, Tommy and Kat met in the stadium staff lounge. The announcer was talking with them and the other senior parents, making sure he was pronouncing their names right. Suddenly, Wes and Jason came in. "Hey, Tommy! Here's the surprise you asked for!" They saw Miguel and rushed into his arms. Then they went over how the announcer was going to announce the surprise for Cayden.

A few hours later, it was time for the big event, the final home game against Stone Canyon. After the two teams had taken the field, the seniors were being introduced to the crowd, along with their families. In the tunnel, Cayden stood with Tommy and Kat, wondering why they were being called last. Finally the announcer spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, last but not least, your star quarterback, number 15, Cayden Oliver. Cayden is accompanied by his parents, Dr. Thomas and Katherine Oliver."

Cayden smiled and waved. Man, I wish Miguel could see this.

Then the announcer continued.

"Cayden, we have an extra surprise for you." Cayden looked at his parents, who were both smiling wide. Tommy took his son's helmet. Suddenly, the anthem from Top Gun started to play.

"No way..." Cayden whispered and looked towards the tunnel, where smoke was starting and a gold light was shining.

The announcer smiled and continued. "Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and welcome to the field, all the way from Camp Pendleton in San Diego, the special guest of the Angel Grove High School football team, Staff Sergeant Miguel Ortega!"

Miguel ran out of the tunnel towards the center of the field in his dress uniform as the crowd roared. Cayden looked at his dad, who nodded.

Cayden rushed forward and the two met in a tight embrace center field. The roar from the crowd got louder. The two grabbed each other's heads, smiling wide, their entire moment was played on the stadium's screen. Kat fought back tears as the two boys finally stood next to them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for our national anthem, being accompanied by the F-18 Eagle Squadron, being led by Lieutenant Taylor Earhart."

Soon after, the band played the national anthem with Miguel saluting. The crowd roared as four F-18's flew over the stadium. In the lead F-18 was Taylor, the yellow wild force ranger.

Kat and Tommy hugged both their boys. As they headed back towards the bleachers, the head coach stopped them. "Excuse me, Miguel, but I would be honored if you would be our guest on the sidelines for the game."

Miguel accepted the invitation with pleasure. For the first half, the lead kept going back and forth. Suddenly, just when it looked like the other team was going to score the tying touchdown, one of the Angel Grove linebackers did a flying leap and caught it in midair, then darted down the field for a touchdown just as time ran out.

During halftime, Miguel and Cayden were allowed a few minutes together in the locker room. Cayden looked at his bro.

"How did you guys pull that off?"

"Well, your dad pulled some strings and got me into an accelerated training program. Besides, I wasn't going to miss your last home game."

"I'm glad you're back. Now we can spend some more time together."

"Well, we're both going to have our own stuff to do, but I am going to make plenty of time for us."

The coach came up to them. "Excuse me, Sergeant, but it's almost time for us to go back onto the field." one of the other seniors came forward with an American flag. "And we were hoping you would lead us out."

Miguel smiled and took the flag. "It would be my pleasure."

Soon after, the team headed to the tunnel. Miguel held the flag next to him. The field assistant waited until the cue came over her headset and then nodded to Miguel. Miguel rushed the field carrying the flag ahead of the team. As soon as he got to center field he waved it and then handed it to one of the field assistants on the sidelines.

Miguel then joined the team on the sidelines where he witnessed his little bro's team solidly defeat Stone Canyon, 68-56. After the game, Miguel and Cayden's family met in the end zone where Cayden couldn't stop smiling.

"Man, I'm so glad you made it."

Miguel smiled back. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."