Chapter 11-A May to Remember
Summary After a rough April, the crews come together for a needed milestone celebration.
KMG 365
Saturday, May 10th, was the first time the former Station 51 A shift men could get together in a few months. Much to the relief of the men, today's gathering was for a celebration and not work. The county had been extra special crazy since the weather had turned nicer and had kept them busy.
At the Gage household, the day began early. Johnny was up just after the sun. He quietly made his way into the kitchen and started coffee. Then he headed for the bathroom and a quick shower. By the time he was done, Lauren was beginning to stir.
Johnny walked out of the bathroom wearing a pair of gym shorts and no t-shirt. "Good morning, my love," Johnny said as he shook his hair.
Lauren giggled. "Good morning baby, did you sleep well?"
"Yes, did you?"
"I did. Thanks to you."
"Good. Why don't you get a shower real quick while I make us some breakfast?"
"Can I make a request?" Lauren asked as she climbed from bed and walked into Johnny's arms.
"Of course," Johnny kissed her.
"Can it be something not too heavy?"
"You bet. What if I make some French toast?"
"That would be perfect. Do we have any bacon?"
"You bet."
"You're amazing, honey." The couple kissed each other passionately before they split up.
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Johnny headed for the kitchen. He was whistling happy tunes throughout the house. As soon as the chef for the morning reached the kitchen, he turned the radio on and got to work. The batter for the main course consisted of eggs, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon, a combination he knew Lauren loved.
After he whipped up the batter, he found the bread and pulled together the frying pans. The pans were warmed as he sang along with the radio; one was for the bacon and the other for the toast. Lauren watched her performance from the doorway for a few minutes.
Johnny laid the last piece of bread in the pan and turned to face his fiancée. It was a thought that always made him smile. "Sweetie, you look amazing." Lauren was wearing one of Johnny's shirts.
Lauren giggled as they kissed. "Thank you. I didn't want to make a mess out of my clothes for the ceremony while we eat."
"I know the feeling."
"You don't mind me asking you to wear your dress uniform today, do you?"
"Not at all honey, I know you've always liked that outfit."
"That I have." Lauren sniffed the air as she flipped the bacon. "It smells amazing in here."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The couple worked together to finish breakfast, including some much-needed coffee. They sang along to the radio while the meal hit the table. The music faded into the background as they made small talk during breakfast.
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Johnny noticed a significant change in his girl's mood and attitude as they wrapped up the meal. The once vibrant smile that had lit up the room was slowly fading to a dull, forlorn, sad look. Although he could see she was fighting the waves of emotions as if she did not want him to see them.
Johnny stood and quietly walked over to her. He gently picked her up out of her seat and held her close to his chest. "What's going on, sweetheart? I see you struggling."
The warmth of his embrace made the young woman crack painfully. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to put your day down."
"It's okay, baby. What's going on?"
"As we were talking….I….I….started thinking…." Lauren's voice cracked. Her voice was full of emotion as she continued. "O…of them. I…it…hit me…that this is the first major event they've missed besides our engagement. I know they had a beautiful view of that."
Johnny started rubbing her back. "Oh honey, I knew this was going to hit you today, my love. Let the pain go. I completely understand. They're going to be with you today just like they always are."
The tears started rolling out of Lauren's eyes. "It's just not even fair. I know papa Hank, and everybody Is going to be there, and I completely understand, but…."
"We can't and never will replace them."
"xactly." Lauren choked out. She finally gave in and let all of her tears go as Johnny held her close. He looked up and silently offered a prayer to the spirits for his girl's comfort on such a special day. Johnny rubbed Lauren's back for the next few minutes until she calmed down.
"S…sorry," Lauren mumbled into Johnny's shoulder.
"For what, honey? You needed to get that off your chest." Johnny looked at the clock. It was almost 0900. "Would you like to spend a few minutes with Papa Hank and Kim before we have to be at the school?"
"Would you mind?" Lauren asked, still snuggled into his shoulder.
"Not at all." Johnny carried Lauren out to the couch in the living room. "Let me call him now."
"Once I talk to him, I'll get my stuff together for later."
"Okay."
Lauren laid against Johnny's chest while he dialed the familiar number.
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The phone rang three times before Hank's smooth voice filled Johnny's ear. "Good morning, Stanley residence."
"Good morning Chief," Johnny said with a smile.
Hank's smile reached his voice as he spoke. "Good morning Johnny, how is our graduate this morning?"
Johnny sobered up. "She is the reason I am calling you. Things hit her this morning HARD. She could use some time with Papa Hank before the ceremony."
Hank sobered. "I was afraid that was going to happen. You guys can come over any time. We'll leave from here."
"Thank you. We'll be over in just a little bit."
"See you soon."
The duo hung up as Lauren looked up. Johnny answered the unasked question, "He said we can come over anytime."
"Thank you, honey."
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
Lauren stood and kissed Johnny before she got up and gathered her stuff. While he was waiting, Johnny got up and quickly did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. By the time he was done, she was done and waiting by the door, where Johnny's uniform bag and duffel bag had been waiting since the night before.
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The couple kissed one more time as they left. Each carried their outfits for the day. The clothes were hung up in the back of the rover before they climbed into the front seat. The ride to Hank's saw them holding hands and watching the road. Even though the weather was excellent, the traffic was light.
Thanks to the traffic and a few side roads, Johnny arrived at Hank's forty-five minutes after they hung up the phone. Both were out of the vehicle almost as soon as Johnny parked it. They grabbed their clothes and headed for the house.
Hank had been watching for them and met them at the door.
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Johnny and Hank shook hands as they exchanged greetings.
Hank smiled, "Good morning guys, come on in."
Hank held the door for the couple. As they stepped inside, Johnny took the hangers from Lauren.
Lauren's voice was softer than usual. "Good morning, papa."
Hank opened his arms. "Good morning, Lauren, come here." Lauren walked into Hank's arms. She was immediately swallowed into a bear hug.
Johnny walked away to give the duo time. He walked into the living room where Jamie met him. She smiled. "I take it, she walked into his arms."
"She did." Johnny held up the clothes. "Where can I put these for a little while?"
"You can leave them over the chair."
Johnny laid the clothes out.
The next hour saw Johnny spend time with Jamie as well as Kim and baby Jessica. Jeremy was out of town on a business trip and unable to make the ceremony. After she finally calmed down, Lauren went into Kim's room to get ready. Hank and Johnny took that as their cue to get their requested dress uniforms on as soon as she did. The rest of the guys would wear civilian dress clothes, but Lauren had asked her two special guys to wear their dress uniforms. Even though neither man was exactly comfortable in the uniform, they agreed to keep her happy.
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Jamie and Lauren whistled and grinned as the two men walked into the living room. Jamie grinned, "My, my, you boys clean up nicely."
Hank and Johnny blushed lightly as they kissed their ladies. They broke apart as Kim grabbed her camera. "I know Jenny is going to get lots of pictures, but I want to get one of the four of you."
The group lined up for a few pictures before they got their stuff together. Johnny and Hank made sure they had their hats. Hank was the last one out of the house as he locked up. The group piled into Kim's van to save vehicles. Hank was driving with Jamie next to him.
The mood in the vehicle was light during the trip. The traffic started light and increased as they got closer to the school. Reflexively, Hank and Johnny stiffened slightly with the increase. While the ladies noticed the change, nobody said anything because they were used to it.
As Hank drove around the parking lot, he finally recognized a few cars. Mike, Roy, and Marco were parked together about fifteen rows back from the school. Jenny was the designated spot holder. Hank smiled as he waved at the teen and turned to pull into the spot. Jenny jumped back and waited with her brother and parents by their vehicle.
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The van emptied after Hank shut off the engine. He grinned at Jenny. "Thank you for saving us a spot, Jenny."
"You're welcome, Uncle Hank."
Greetings, hugs, and hand shakes were exchanged throughout the group.
Lauren grinned as she looked at the group. "I feel like somebody special with this group surrounding me."
Johnny grinned. "Good because you are exceptional, sweetheart."
Jenny and Chris playfully made a face at the sweetness, which made the group laugh.
Hank wore an ear-to-ear grin as he said. "Alright, you twits, let's go before we are late."
"Yes, dad," Hank's former crew said at the same time.
The remark earned a groan and a laugh. Lauren walked like a proud peacock surrounded by Hank and Johnny. The rest of the group filled in next to the two men in uniform.
The excited woman stopped just outside of the area that was reserved for the graduates. "Sweetie?"
Johnny kissed her as he gently adjusted her gown and slipped her cap on her head. "You look perfect, honey."
"Thank you."
After a few hugs, including a long calming one from Hank, Lauren finally relaxed. One more kiss with Johnny sent her into the gathering with a calm, confident smile.
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Hank kissed Jamie as the couple wiped a few stray tears away. "I feel the same way I did when we just dropped Kim or Rosie off," Jamie said as she wiped her eyes.
Kim smiled as Jessica reached out for her grandmother. "That's because she is your third daughter, mom."
Jamie chuckled as she took the baby. "This is very true."
The group followed the rest of the crowd into the seating area for the outdoor ceremony. Once they were settled in, Jenny used the downtime to focus her camera and get it settled for the ceremony. Johnny was glad she had her camera because he knew his emotions would prevent steady pictures.
Twenty minutes after Lauren joined her fellow graduates, Mike noticed the color guard from the ROTC program lining up. He tapped Hank on the shoulder and said, "Hank, ROTC is getting ready."
Hank nodded, "Thanks, Mike."
"You're welcome."
Hank and Johnny readjusted their hats and waited for the coming commands.
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Minutes later, the school President stepped to the microphone and said. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, family members, and honored guests. My name is Doctor Brady; at this time, I ask you to stand for the entry of our faculty and graduates. Then I ask you to remain standing for the presentation of the colors by our school ROTC color guard."
As one, the large crowd got to their feet. Seconds later, the traditional graduation music started as the faculty and graduates entered. Loud cheers from the crowd greeted them. Once the last graduate was in place, the President stepped up to the microphone again. "Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to remain to stand and request all those not in uniform remove their caps for the presentation of colors."
Hats throughout the crowd were suddenly on chests. Among Lauren's support crew, the men snapped to attention. Hank and Johnny presented crisp salutes and slowed their breathing. The rest of the group had their hand on their hearts. Eyes slowly followed the ROTC color guard as they passed the group, although no one moved during the presentation. The group finally relaxed after the colors were posted, and the guard retreated.
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After the crew found their seats again, Jenny picked up her camera. The teenager was thrilled to have the chance to take an unlimited amount of pictures. The ceremony moved along smoothly, with the opening speeches leading into student awards. Johnny led a loud cheer for Lauren when she was announced as a member of the Dean's List.
After the awards, the presentation of degrees started. Every graduate was greeted warmly. The noise level increased by quite a bit when Lauren's name was announced. She beamed brightly as she shook hands. Jenny had moved up to get a perfect shot. Lauren was beaming when she noticed Johnny signing 'I love you' before she sat down.
As Johnny watched his girl cross the stage, tears of joy rolled down his face. Roy laid a calming hand across his neck. The emotional man calmed down as Lauren sat down. As he wiped his eyes, he noticed Hank, Jamie, and Kim doing the same thing.
Johnny leaned over to Hank and whispered. "Our girl did it."
Hank smiled as he wiped away unshed tears of joy. "Thank you for staying by her side through the last couple of years."
"There's nowhere else I want to be."
The duo broke apart and watched the rest of the ceremony. It ended as Jessica started fussing. The young baby was done sitting still, and everyone around her couldn't agree more.
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Roy snuck out before the recession to retrieve the flowers Johnny had bought the night before and kept them at his house for a surprise. He returned and reached Johnny just before the recession began. There was a feeling of excitement in the air as the crowd waited to reunite with their graduate.
As soon as they were released, Lauren made a beeline for her group. She spotted them and yelled out, "Johnny!"
The scream met Johnny's ears. He turned and saw his girl sprinting for him. As he stopped in his tracks, the others surrounded him. Lauren was in his arms seconds later. The couple kissed as he picked her up. The feeling of his arms broke the excited woman.
"They have the best seats in the house," Johnny whispered as he held her close. The crew moved to surround the duo so no one could see.
"I…I love you."
"I love you too, Sweetheart."
The duo hugged for a few more minutes before Johnny set her down. After the rest of the group hugged her before they headed for their cars. It was time to get back to Hank's for some fun after getting into comfortable clothes.