Chapter 10: Going Back

Taylor woke up with a sigh and walked over to the other side of the room to the crib and picked up a crying Tristen. "What's wrong kid?" She asked. She sighed as she changed him, put him into some clothes, and sat down in a rocking chair and undid her blouse. She rocked slowly and just relaxed a bit. She looked up when there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She asked.

"Cole," he replied.

Taylor took a red blanket and covered Tristen's head so she wasn't "revealing" herself. "Come in," she answered. Cole came in with a smile.

"Hey, Tay, how are you doing this morning?" He asked.

"Alright, shouldn't you be heading down to the Humane Society?" She answered with another question.

"I'm on my way now. Alyssa's home, she's taking the day off today. She knows you like to take your jogs in the morning."

Taylor nodded. "Umm…Cole…if you don't mind? I sort of have to switch," she informed.

"Oh yeah," he answered.

Cole turned around. Taylor put the blanket back over Trsten's head. "Okay you can turn back around," she informed. Cole turned back around and nodded his head slowly.

"I'll see you later, Tay," he informed.

Taylor nodded and watched him leave. She pulled the blanket away and she did her blouse up again. She placed a towel over her shoulder and tried to burp Tristen before she got ready for her jog. After she and Tristen was all set, she went downstairs.

Alyssa was playing with Elizabeth when Taylor came downstairs with Tristen. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," Alyssa answered.

Taylor was all set for her jog and she handed Tristen to Alyssa. "Thanks for watching him again," Taylor told her.

"It's not a problem," Alyssa answered.

Alyssa held Tristen with a smile. "I'll be back in a little while," Taylor informed.

"Enjoy yourself," Alyssa answered.

Taylor nodded and left to go on her jog. Alyssa sighed and she looked down at Tristen. "Your mommy loves you, I know she does. She's just really missing your daddy," Alyssa told the baby. Tristen just made his normal baby sounds and grabbed at Alyssa's shirt. "Your daddy was a great man, Tristen. Very brave," Alyssa added. She stroked the baby's face with a sigh. "I bet one day you're going to be just like him, even though your mommy doesn't want that. She's afraid to lose you, but she won't show it," she explained. Elizabeth was sitting back listening to her mother.

"Mommy, where did Uncle Eric go?" She asked.

Alyssa looked over at her daughter with a sigh. "Uncle Eric is probably with your daddy's mommy and daddy up in heaven, sweetheart," she replied.

"Oh," was the young girl's only answer.

Alyssa watched as Elizabeth went off to play and she rocked Tristen back and forth in her arms.

Taylor was jogging down the street when she came pass the Air Force base. She stopped and went up to the fence. She bit her lip as she watched a jet take off. She missed it, she really did. "But everything changed when I got engaged," she mumbled. She looked down at her wedding ring before looking back up. She let out a sigh and turned to continue on with her jog.

"Yellow Eagle?" A voice called.

Taylor stopped after hearing that familiar voice. She looked up towards the gate to see one of her former team mates. "No one hasn't called me that in four years," she commented. She walked over and saluted to him. "Sergeant Hanson, are you taking care of my squadron like I ordered?" She asked.

"Yes, ma'am and it's lieutenant now," he replied.

Taylor stalled for a moment. "Well, congratulations on the promotion," she told him. She turned to get going again.

"Yellow Eagle," he called out.

Taylor stopped again and looked back. "I heard about Commander Myers, my condolences," he told her. Taylor nodded her head.

"Thank you," she answered.

"He was a great man, was an honor to meet him."

Taylor nodded her head slowly. "He was a great man," she answered. Henry grinned and took a step forward.

"Permission to speak freely ma'am?" He asked.
"Yes," she answered.

"I don't mean to get personal, but did you two have any kids?" He asked.

Taylor rubbed the back of her neck. "Yes, yes we did. I just gave birth to our son last month," she replied. Henry bit his tongue before he answered her.

"Once again, my condolences," he told her.

"Very much appreciated. Take care of yourself Lieutenant Hanson," she instructed.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered.

He watched as she jogged off and let out a sigh. "There goes the best pilot we ever had," he mumbled. He turned and continued on his way.

(Evans's Home)

Taylor came back and she saw that Alyssa was working in the kitchen. "Where's Tristen?" She asked.

"He's over in his baby swing napping," she replied.

Taylor walked over to the baby swing and picked Tristen up. "How was the jog?" Alyssa asked. Taylor nodded.

"It was productive," she replied.

Alyssa nodded and came out of the kitchen. "I jogged by the base today," Taylor informed.

"Really? Find anything interesting?" Alyssa asked.

"Yeah, I want to go back," Taylor replied.

Alyssa stopped fixing up the living room and looked at Taylor in disbelief.