Author's note
I apologize for the long time between updates, but I wanted to wrap up my other two stories, before focusing on this one.
Thank all of you for the reviews, followers and favorites. I am glad I can continue this story
I have not been in the military and all military regarding things in this story are purely based on research and my own imagination. I apologize if I got something wrong!
Enjoy and stay tuned, because there is more to come!
p.s: This story was inspired by another story from a different fandom: The Way We Were by MD14 (Rookie blue)
Sebastian's POV
"Bass….Bass" Miles shakes my shoulders and I groan.
"What?" I growl and carefully open my eyes. My head is hurting from last nights bender and the loud noises my best friend is making at the moment aren't really helping.
"You know what time it is?" He questions and I throw a brief glance at my wrist watch. My eyes grow big in shock and I throw the blanket off me and get up. Unfortunately my head doesn't agree with the quick movements and I have to sit back down.
"Shit…I didn't hear my alarm….I am going to be late!" I sigh and hang my head low. This is only the second time, I get to spend some time with my son since Charlie left me three months ago.
I just got state side yesterday and went out for a couple of beers with my colleagues. Unfortunately a couple of beers turned into shots and shots turned into me getting home at 0400 hours.
"Instead of drowning your sorrows every time you come home, maybe you should get your act together and fight for your wife and child, you idiot!" Miles says, loud enough for me to wince again. "And tell me again why you are staying at my place, when you have a big house?"
"I can't stay there, I told you!" I say as I get up and make my way to the bathroom. It has to be a quick shower, or I will be majorly late, to pick up my son.
Miles thankfully doesn't press the issue and leaves me be. The reason I don't want to stay at our house is, that I can't stand to be there. Everything there reminds me of Charlie and Alex and how much I fucked up. And I don't know how to make it right.
I took this job, so I could give her and Alex a good life, but had I known what this job would do to me and what it would cost me, I wouldn't have taken it.
With I sigh, I step into the shower, forcing myself not to think about that now.
Ten minutes late, I pull up in front of Charlie's house. I can see that Alex is already waiting for me on the front steps with a long face, which makes me feel even worse. As I walk up the path, Charlie comes out to meet me. "Hey… he thought you wouldn't make it!"
"I am here now aren't I?" I reply harshly. I am angry at her for leaving me and I am angry at myself that I allowed this to happen. I always promise myself I will be nice and civil when I see her, but that goes out the window as soon as I get within a few meters of her.
"Yeah…" she huffs out "Are you able to take him to school on Monday?"
"Yes" I answer shortly and then focus on my son. "Wow…you have gotten taller!"
Alex rolls his eyes and shoulders his bag. "Told you dad, but you didn't believe me!"
I smile at him and take the bag Charlie is handing me. "Have good weekend, honey" Charlie says and peppers Alex with kisses.
"Moooom…stop" Alex tries to bold but Charlie catches him. The scene that plays out right in front of me makes my heart hurt. I miss this.
"What? You are to cool for kisses from your mother?" She questions laughing, places another kiss on top of his head before she releases him. "Have fun!"
I nod at her and then walk Alex to my truck. I help him into the back, put his stuff into the trunk and then get into the driver's seat.
"What are we doing this weekend, Dad?" Alex questions the minute I get behind the wheel.
"I thought we could go camping. Uncle Miles is going to come too and we will have a boys weekend" I tell him and glance briefly into the rearview mirror.
"Sounds great, dad" He replies, but his face says he isn't thrilled about this.
"You don't like the idea?" I question.
"It is just… forget it" Alex says and looks out the window.
"Tell me…what did you had in mind?" I ask and turn around as I stop at a red light.
"There is a comic book and games convention on and all my friends are going" He tells me in a quiet voice as if he is afraid I would say no.
I would prefer to go camping and not spend the weekend in the city, where the smallest noises startle me, but I'd rather have him having a good time and me scared all weekend, than him having a bad time. After all I only get to see him a few days a month and I want him to be excited to see me, not dreading to spend time with me.
"Well then it is settled. I am sure we can convince Uncle Miles to go too" I tell him with a smile. The driver of the car behind me honks the horn and I am being transported to a different place in my mind.
"Hey Monroe?" Gunnery Sergeant Christopher 'Nutter' Nash questions as he pokes his head into the tent.
"Yeah?" I reply and look up from Charlie's letter.
"ETD five minutes" He informs me and I nod.
I grab my gear and get Max out of his cage. Max is a dog, trained to sniff out Bombs and landmines. This is only my second tour and we have done some great work together.
Half an hour later we arrive at our destination and all scramble out. We are 100 klicks west from Zarghun Shahr in a small village close to the Pakistani border. We have been coming here for the past couple of days to look for Landmines, so far we haven't found much. The people here are a bit wary of us, but yet friendly and the kids love our dogs.
We walk towards the edge of the village and start looking. A few kids are playing hide and seek outside, smiling and laughing, while the women watch over them. Suddenly two kids, about five years old decide to hide in a nearby field while the a older kid counts down. Max starts barking and I try to stop them from going in there, but it is too late.
One of the boys steps onto a landmine and it explodes, killing both boys instantly. My ears are ringing from the explosion and the village people start running towards the field…
A small hand touches my shoulder, bringing me out of my dark thoughts. "Dad it is green" Alex says and points towards the traffic light. I just nod, turn back around and just make the yellow light.
My heart is beating fast and I try to get my breathing under control, by taking deep breaths, but as that doesn't work, I quickly pull up on the side of the road and get out of the car. "Dad, are you okay?" My six year old son questions and looks out the window.
I am standing there next to my truck, with my hands resting on my thighs and my head hanging low to get myself under control again. "Yeah Buddy, I am okay." I pull back into an upright position and ruffle his hair. I get a weird look from people passing us, but I just glare at them. "But let's keep this between us okay? Don't want to worry Uncle Miles or your mom!"
"Okay" Alex says and then adds "Can we get some ice cream?"
"Yeah Bud, later" I say as I hop back into the car.
Loved it? Hated it?…leave a comment!