"Hey Nicholas, guess what today is."
"Our mother's birthday?"
"You remembered, that and something else is happening."
"You're going to have a baby?"
"Why do you insist on me having a baby?"
"Sorry Ana, I just miss Michael."
"I know little brother, but he's in a better place now."
"Do you think I'll have any more."
"Any more of what?
"Kids.
"Someday."
Suddenly a voice barking orders came over the intercom.
"All officers report to the mess hall. I repeat, all officers report to the mess hall."
"Guess that's our cue."
"I guess you're right."
The siblings walk to the mess hall and find many other officers from around the base.
"Glad you could make it you two."
"The feeling's mutual Jean."
"Glad to hear it."
"So what is this about?"
"The boss wants to talk about a few things about the behaviour of the staff."
"Ah, I see."
"Here he comes now."
A grizzled man walks into the room with a folder that contained alot of paper. The grizzled man puts the folder on his desk before turning to the officers.
"we have had reports of sexual harrassment from several members of the on base staff."
There were a mixture of groans and sighs.
"I know none of you like this shit, but it has come up."
"who are they against?" asked a random officer.
"Nicholas, Jerald, Amy, and a few others."
"why does Nicholas have complaints against him?"
"yeah, he stays away from the girls."
"I don't know why either."
Suddenly a man runs into the room breathing heavily.
"Glad you could make it Derek."
"Sorry I'm late, Norbur had me doing inventory."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I heard someone made complaints against my twin brother."
"Yes, I shan't say any names, but we all know who it was."
"Sarah?"
"Y'all caught onto that quicker than a Jackrabbit running from a cougar."
"Well Sarah is a complainer."
"On that we can all agree."
"You know I'm right here you know."
"Yep, and we don't care."
"Derek is the one who keeps slapping my ass, and I know I put his name on the papers."
"So that's why there were copies with each of their names on it."
"Yes. However, I don't know why anyone would want to see Nicholas in trouble. He's my husband, he has no need or desire to stare at any other girls."
Everyone looked at Nicholas who nodded. The grizzled veteran spoke up asking Nicholas a question.
"You married her?"
"Y-Yeah."
"You married a piece of work."
"Hey!"
"It's true."
Sarah pouts and says, "no it's not."
"Anyway, there are several matters to attend to."
"I already calibrated the railguns 10 times today."
"And I already have our Christmas decorations up."
"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about...presents and the secret Santa."
"OOHHH." Everyone said.
"I've already put names in the cauldron. All of you just need to pick one out."
"Alright, seems easy enough."
"There is no limit to the amount your gift costs."
Everyone picks out a name with various groans and cheers.
"Now don't say who you've got. Just get them a gift."
Over the next few days, Nicholas wondered what he should get for his Secret Santa. It was the day before Christmas Eve when he knew what to get. He went to a gunsmith and engraved a pistol for his wife who was in fact his Secret Santa. On Christmas day, they gave each other their special presents. Nicholas and Sarah had the same idea for their gifts. They gave each other engraved pistols.
"Thanks babe."
"No problem Nicholas."
Sarah sits in Nicholas's lap and drapes her arms around his neck. She softly plants a kiss on Nicholas's lips.
"Alright, no PDA in my barracks you two."
"But sir, it's Christmas."
"Fine just no sex. I don't want to clean up after you."
"Don't worry, we won't. However, I have news for everyone."
Everyone in the room pays attention to Sarah. Amy is the first to speak.
"what is it?
"I am...pregnant."
The room was so quiet that you could hear everyone's breathing. Amy smiled and spoke excitedly.
"Yes! My baby sister is having another baby!"
Nicholas was frozen trying to register what his wife had said. When Sarah turned to him, she lightly smacked his cheek and asked him if he was okay. Nicholas came out of his daze and looked into Sarah's eyes.
"What?"
"We're having another baby."
"Wow..."
"Really?"
"I'm sorry if I'm not jumping in joy. I just thought I wouldn't be able to have another child."
"Why not?"
"The doc said so."
"Oh."
After a few hours, most of the base staff were sent home to their families. Nicholas walked to his parents' house with his wife. He found his family all gathered around the dinner table with dinner already made. They sat down at the table and held hands. Nicholas's father, Marcus, began to pray.
"We thank you lord for thy gifts. Bless this bounty that we have received. Bless this hosue and all those that live under our roof. Please protect us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, the Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Everyone else says amen and they start eating. One of Nicholas's sisters, Amelia, spoke up.
"So we going on that trip tomorrow?
"Mhm."
"Are we bringing Sarah and Emily?
"Sarah isn't coming with us, but Emily will."
"Why isn't Sarah coming with us?
"No I'm not, cause I have some important news to give you."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and listened intently.
"Nicholas and I are...having another baby.
Everyone relaxed, and Marcus was the first to speak.
"Another grandchild?
"Yes, though this time, I'm hoping for twins."
"This is great, if Michael were here, he'd be so happy."
"I agree with Mary."
Then Nicholas's mother, Kimberly, spoke up.
"We better eat before the food gets cold.
"Yes ma'am." Everyone said.
Once everyone was finished eating, they went into the living room and grabbed their presents. They opened the gifts and yell out "yes" and "awesome" when they see the actual gift. Later that night, Sarah and Nicholas find themselves in bed smiling.
"We need to figure what we're going to name the child or children Sarah."
"I know. We could name the girl Maya. Like you always wanted to, and for a boy, we could name him Connor."
"Perfect."
"Is trip going to be safe?
"It will be fine, if I get into any trouble, my sisters will help me."
"Just promise me, you'll come back safe, okay?
"You know I can't."
"Promise you'll come back to me. I can't lose you, not now. I don't want my child to live without his father."
"I'll try. If I don't make it back, just know that I was murdered. Either on the road or in an alleyway."
"I guess this is the best I'm going to get."
"Yep."
Sarah sighs. "okay."
"Hey Sarah?"
"Mhm?"
"I love you."
Sarah spoke as she yawned. "I love you too sweetheart."
The beautiful couple fell asleep holding onto each other in a loving and secure embrace.