Another Father's Advice
Chapter 15
True to the Navy's word, Mike got the call to deploy on Friday. It came early in the morning and it took him a minute to register that his cellphone was even ringing and then detangling himself from around Madeline. She groaned at him and he kissed her shoulder before answering the phone.
"Mike, we meet at the air field in two hours. We are hooking up with the James in Cuba and then the fight is on." Tom's voice came through the phone.
"I'll be there." Mike answered before disconnecting.
"How long?" Madeline asked.
"I have to be at the airfield in two hours." Mike told her. He started to get out of bed, but she pulled him back down.
"Just ten minutes. We can accomplish a lot in ten minutes; please?" Madeline begged.
"Since you asked so nicely, I guess I can oblige you." Mike said as he began kissing her again. Things were becoming very intense when Elizabeth started crying.
"She didn't wake up through the night and she's probably hungry but is it wrong of me to consider letting her cry? Exercise those lungs?" Madeline asked.
"Probably not but then Hannah will get up with her and then barge in." Mike stated as he helped her adjust her nightgown.
"Sweet girl." Madeline said as they both sit up.
"She is." Mike said.
"Alright; go take your shower and shave. I'll get the kids and get you a hot breakfast before you go." Madeline insisted.
"You are the best. I love you." Mike said as he headed into the bathroom.
"I love you too." Madeline hollered as she walked out of the bedroom. Mike quickly showered, shaved and put his uniform on. He was not looking forward to leaving. How would Hannah handle it? He hadn't spent enough time with Joey? How big would Elizabeth be when he got back? What about Madeline?
He walked down the stairs where Madeline was instructing Hannah on flipping pancakes, all while nursing Elizabeth. Joey was setting the table and Mike finished helping him. The mood was a little downcast, but Madeline was trying to keep things upbeat.
Mike enjoyed the breakfast with his wife and kids even if the mood was dark. He was absolutely dreading kissing them goodbye. While Madeline and Hannah cleaned everything up, he made sure his legal paperwork was where Madeline could find it, had signed checks until new checks come in with her name on them. He had updated his will and spoke with the security people in the gated community to make sure his family was safe.
Madeline added some cigars and cookies that she had baked to his go-bag and it was time for the good-byes. Hannah and Joey both seemed to understand what was going on. He gave Elizabeth a kiss and then bent down next to Joey.
"Hopefully, I will be back in a couple weeks, buddy. I can help coach your ball team." Mike told him as he pulled the little boy in for a hug. He could tell it surprised him, but the little boy cuddled close and Mike kissed his cheek. "I love you, Joey." Mike told him. He noticed the look Joey gave Madeline and the way she nodded at him.
"I love you too, Daddy." Joey told him with a smile. Mike kissed him again. It was an overwhelming emotion for Mike. It made him really miss Lucas and Kait. What he wouldn't give to hug them one more time or tell them he loved them one more time. He was starting to tear up when Joey pushed away and pushed him towards Hannah. He immediately pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
"Its okay, Daddy. I understand. Just come back." Hannah said into his chest.
"I promise, sweet pea. I love you." Mike told her.
"I love you too. I'll help Madeline with everything." Hannah told him.
"I know you will." Mike said as he gave her another kiss on the forehead. She pulled away and offered to take Elizabeth, but Mike stopped her to give Elizabeth a kiss before Madeline handed her over.
"They will be okay. Everything will be alright." Madeline told him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I know. God, I am going to miss you. You are incredible. I love you." Mike said as he kissed Madeline.
"I love you too and I'll miss you too." Madeline told him as she squeezed his arms. She had tears forming in her eyes and he kissed her forehead again. He was already running late and needed to go. "Its okay, Mike. We understand. Just come back, that's all that we ask." Madeline said.
"Yes, ma'am. Joey, watch out for your mom and sisters. Hannah, I know you will help. Madeline, all the financial stuff is sorted out for you. My pay is auto deposited, and I left some signed checks on the desk. They will get you by until the new ones come in. There is plenty of money to get whatever you need." Mike explained.
"I will handle it. Take care of yourself and come home safe." Madeline insisted. Mike bent over and grabbed his bag. He heard Tom honk from outside and knew it was time. He remembered leaving his house six years before. It was the early morning hours and the scenario was virtually the same, just with different people; with the exception of Hannah. It was almost like déjà vu.
"Alright, I do have to go but I will be back. I love you all so much." Mike told them before walking into the entryway. Just like six years before; he didn't look back. It would hurt too badly.
Mike walked to Tom's truck and slung his bag in the back but grabbed the bag of cookies out first. He jumped in the passenger seat and handed Tom a cookie.
"Madeline and Hannah baked them yesterday. They're good." Mike assured him.
"Good, glad it wasn't you. I trust Madeline and Hannah…and I trust you; just not your cooking." Tom teased as he bit into the cookie. Mike could tell he liked the taste. The rest of the ride to the airfield was quiet as they munched on the cookies.
There was no media fanfare and they slipped quietly into the plane. There was a quietness on the plane and all that were on board; knew that they might not be alive the next week. The fighting would be intense, and Mike knew he shouldn't have promised that he would be returning home. It was not a sound decision, but he would be honoring it.
I am putting my own spin on Season 5; but I will be skipping forward and not telling so much about the battle…instead, it will be what is going on at home. I love reading the reviews.