This isn't the last chapter, but it came to mind as I was going to sleep last night. I think of it as a continuation of Chapter 9. I'll work on finishing up in the next couple of days.
Chapter 10
The two senior men on Team One finished a punishing work out, showered and walked into the conference room to debrief with their team. The others were already seated around the table. The room filled with a fragrant aroma that had their stomachs growling immediately.
"What's this? Did you bring lunch?" Ed went to rummage in the box sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. Jules quickly approached him and playfully slapped his hands from the box.
"That's not for now. It's to bring home for Sophie. She had a house full all day and night yesterday. When we cooked for Wordy and Shelley, we made dinner for you guys too. I told her it was coming so if you eat it on the way home, she'll know." Jules and Sam blocked Ed's access to the box.
Greg called from the table, "Children, let's get this done so we can all get out of here. Jules and Sam, I'm not sure when you had time for that culinary genius over there, but I know it will be well appreciated in the Wordsworth and Lane houses. Speaking of acts of kindness, Spike and Raf, I heard you two were busy this morning as well. None of this should surprise us, but Ed and I are both proud to serve with you all on this team. You set the bar at a new level for teamwork and family every day."
Sam cleared his throat, "I think I can speak for all of us when I tell you we've learned from the best."
Jules continued, "Do you know the daybed that was set up in my living room after I was shot? Wordy did that so I wouldn't have to climb the stairs when I was first home from the hospital. The first days I was home and Sam was back to work, when no one supposedly knew about us, Shelley came over every day while the bigger girls were in school so I wouldn't be by myself. Sophie cooked us enough food that I didn't have to cook or grocery shop for a month."
There was barely a pause and Spike jumped in, "When my dad died, Sophie catered that reception. I tried to pay her afterwards and got a tongue lashing you wouldn't believe. Wordy carted boxes upon boxes from the house to get us ready for sale. Everyone pitched in with clean-up, repair and painting. My fridge is covered with pictures from the girls."
Raf finished for the group, "Wordy left me a user guide for handling Team One. He didn't know me, we all know what he was dealing with at that time and he took the time to make sure that I knew enough to not put my foot in my mouth those first days and to remind me to check for pepper spray before I put on my gear." He looked at Ed and Greg. "The two of you were exhausted last night. It was a long, hard day for all of us. Who sent us home and stayed with Wordy and Shelley?"
There were nods around the table from the four younger members of the team. Ed looked at Greg and quietly said the word they were all thinking, "Family." There was a few seconds of silence and then Greg opened the notes from the call and began the debrief.