Okay for the purposes of this story, I'm making Blake 28, Tonya 24, and Emmalin 20. Enjoy!
"College girl is home!" shouted Michael as he opened the door for Emmalin. They both started to take her plethora of bags and suitcases inside, though it wasn't long before Claudia Joy was embracing her daughter.
"I missed you sweetheart," she said.
"I missed you too Mom," said Emmalin, "How have things been here at Fort Marshall."
"Everything is as it should be pretty much. Other than the fact that Chris deploys today," said Claudia Joy.
"Wow. How are Kat and Jordan doing?" asked Emmalin.
"She seems to be alright I mean no worse than you and I are with him," said Claudia Joy gesturing towards her husband.
"Well that's good," said Emmalin.
"So how was your semester Kiddo?" asked Michael.
"It was pretty good. I mean, classes were hard. Philosophy was a little tough because it was different way of thinking, but other than that, it went well overall," said Emmalin, "I think I made the right decision."
"So you got any plans other than doing nothing?" asked Claudia Joy.
"Yes, I'm meeting Blake and Tonya a little later and I get to see Julia again," said Emmalin happily, "They actually said to call when I got home to see if we could leave right away or if it was Julia's naptime."
"Well go, we don't want to keep you," said Michael and Emmalin disappeared upstairs. He turned to Claudia Joy and said, "I can't believe she just finished her sophomore year."
"We still have a few more years," said Claudia Joy.
"I know. But she grew up so fast."
Holly stood excitedly at the airport waiting for Tim's flight to arrive. When she saw him, she couldn't help but run towards him. When she reached him they both wrapped their arms around each other and kissed hard, "I missed you hon."
"I missed you too," she said with tears in her eyes, "How are you feeling?"
Tim sighed, "I mean I still have the occasional nightmare, but it is a lot better than when I first started." The couple drove home where Holly had made sure to prepare Tim's favorite food: a simple bacon cheeseburger.
After dinner, Holly sauntered around the table and whispered, "I'll be right back."
Tim watched his wife wonder into their bedroom, having no idea what the reason was. After a few minutes Tim called out to make sure she was okay, "Holly?" he called out walking into the bedroom. And found his wife in just about the sexiest nightgown he had ever seen.
"Welcome home soldier," she smirked.
It was a few more moments before Tim was able to speak, "Really? Now? In the middle of the afternoon?"
"You don't want to?" asked Holly.
"Oh no I want to," said Tim undressing like it was a timed drill, "God that looks good on you," he groaned.
"And you look as handsome as ever," she said as they kissed passionately, showing each other how much they loved each other.
Chris and Kat stood together at the airfield saying their final goodbyes. Jordan had bid farewell to her step-father earlier that day since she had an event at the Citadel at the time of the departure. Kat held Connor in her arms with his 'Future Airman' onesie. Kat found it a little ironic that she had gotten Jordan the same one only it had been pink with 'Future Airwoman' on it and now Jordan was joining the Army.
Chris leaned in and kissed Kat, "Look after yourself. Contact me if you start to feel out of sorts in any way."
Kat nodded, "I know you've enlisted General Holden, Claudia Joy, and Jordan to look out for me," she chuckled.
"Well then I guess I wasn't doing it secretly," said Chris.
Kat smiled again looking into his brown eyes. She still could remember the first time they had told each other 'I love you.'
The couple had been at the local sports bar in Charleston watching the Eagles/Cowboys game. Normally, Kat never rooted her boyfriend's team but since Giants fans normally hated the Eagles more, she was doing so for one night. When the game was over, they both decided to go back to Chris' house. On their way back to the car, Chris said, "I think that'll be the first and last time combined you root for the Cowboys."
"No, I will anytime they play Philly," said Kat kissing him. The couple pulled apart and Chris started at her, "What?"
"I love you Katherine," he said.
"Is that because I rooted for the Cowboys?" she joked.
"No, it's because…I love you Katherine," he said.
Kat stood there silent for a few minutes before she kissed him and whispered, "I love you too Christopher."
"I love you Katherine," Chris told her once again.
Kat took a deep breath and said, "I love you too."
Connor began to fuss a little bit and Chris bent down and kissed his forehead, "I love you too little man." He continued to stroke his hair and said, "I'm really going to miss you buddy." Kat started to cry as she watched their husband interact with their son, "Hey it's okay honey," he said embracing Kat making sure not to crush the infant in their arms.
"Please don't leave me," said Kat.
"Hey, I'll be home before you know it," said Chris. They both knew he might not keep that promise but they both had to be positive. They soldiers and airmen were called to order, "Daddy's got to go. Behave for Mommy buddy." He kissed Kat once more before joining the other airmen as Kat watched him board the plane.
Nicole knocked on the door to what was now Cassie's room, "Hey Cassie?"
"Yeah?" she answered.
Nicole opened the door and sat down on the bed next to Cassie, "How have you been?"
"Fine I guess," said Cassie, "I mean you and Charlie have been really good to me for letting me stay here."
Nicole nodded, "Listen, Charlie and I had a discussion last night about you staying here…"
"Oh no, not you too," said Cassie.
"What do you mean? We're letting you stay here until school starts next fall," said Nicole, "I just have to call your parents. They must be worried sick about you."
"Don't bother," said Cassie.
"Cassie, I'm not your legal guardian, they have to know," said Nicole.
Cassie swallowed thickly and nodded, "Niki, can I ask you a question?"
"Go on," said Nicole.
"What was it like for you when you came out to Aunt Lorraine?"
Nicole sat there in silence for a few moments, pondering at how to answer her cousin, "I mean, Mom wasn't thrilled at first, but I think she slowly accepted the fact over time. I just had to let her process things and allow her to come to terms with it on her own."
Cassie nodded, "Do you think she could talk to Mom and Dad?"
"Niki! I'm home!" shouted Charlie from downstairs.
"We're upstairs," said Nicole.
Charlie joined the cousins upstairs, "Hi honey," she said kissing Nicole, "How are you Cassie?"
Cassie smiled, "I'm fine thank you. Listen, would both think it's okay if I introduced you to Kelly?"
"Of course, but who's Kelly?" asked Nicole.
"You can do this Cassie. After all, they went through all the same things you're going through," she thought. Cassie slowly took a deep breath before saying, "My girlfriend."
Emmalin knocked on the door to the Hanson house waiting for someone to answer. Blake answered the door a few moments later, "Nice to see you Em," he said giving her a quick embrace.
"You too," she said, "So where is the little cutie pie."
"They're both upstairs. They'll be down in a few moments," said Blake.
Tonya came down the stairs with Julia in her arms, "Julia, say 'Hi' to Auntie Emmalin," she cooed.
"Hey there little one," said Emmalin to Julia, "She's getting so big. It seems like you just had her yesterday," said Emmalin.
"I know, you're growing up so fast, aren't you Pumpkin?" asked Tonya to Julia.
"Where did all of you ladies want to go?" asked Blake, "My treat both of you."
"You don't have to do that Blake, I'm not your wife," chuckled Emmalin.
"Anywhere expect Five Guys and Chick-Fil-A," said Tonya. Emmalin burrowed her brow confusingly, "Peanut oil."
"Right," said Emmalin, "There's a Hardees down the street isn't there?"
Blake nodded, "Yeah we went there all the time when Tonya was pregnant. She always seemed to have a craving for their apple turnovers. And if it wasn't that, it was cookies and cream milkshakes from Chick-Fil-A," he smirked.
"Do me a favor, throw a pillow at him," said Tonya, "I think I married the most annoying man on the planet," she said as they all headed towards the Hanson SUV and Tonya put Julia in her car seat.
"I don't think you are because Mom says she is," laughed Emmalin, "Or I might be dating him."
"Oh yeah, how's it going with you and Zach?" asked Tonya curiously.
Emmalin shrugged her shoulders, "Fine, I mean he's about 20 minutes from post so not terribly far."
"Hm. Well maybe we could go on a double date sometime," said Tonya as everyone arrived at the Hardees.
"Yes, but maybe just at our house or yours, he's not that much of a people person," Emmalin admitted, "Besides you guys have Julia to take care of and I know babies shouldn't be out on a regular basis."
"That's only during cold and flu season," said Blake.
"He can come over for dinner sometime next week. Just dinner and then maybe we can watch a movie. We'll make it casual," said Tonya, "And then we won't have to worry about getting a babysitter," she nodded to Blake. Blake went to order the food while the girls picked a table.
"I don't know how you do it Tonya," admitted Emmalin.
"What do you mean?" asked Tonya.
"I mean you're only twenty-four and Blake is twenty-eight. How does it feel to be married so young? I can't imagine being married already," said Emmalin.
Tonya sighed, "Well we didn't plan on marrying for a few more years. I mean we were living together but not anywhere near thinking of marriage. And then, um, I found out I was pregnant with her," said Tonya gesturing towards a now sleeping Julia.
"Yeah I'll admit when you called and told me you were expecting, I was surprised," said Emmalin.
"Yeah, I mean we were using birth control, I guess there was a broken condom or something," said Tonya lightly, "But the point is, if you somehow get married young, it's not the end of your life. It's just with someone you love by your side."
Emmalin thought about it and debated about asking Tonya something before she spoke, "Do you miss him? Jeremy?"
Tonya sighed and nodded sadly, "Yes, very much so. He was my first love. And I'm grateful for every day that I spent with him. But I don't know, I guess it was God or the universe's way of saying it wasn't meant to be. And I wouldn't give up my life with Blake and Julia for anything."
"Ladies," said Blake putting the tray down on the table, sliding into the booth next to Tonya, "So what are we talking about?"
"Nothing much just relationship stuff," admitted Emmalin.
"Well I don't know how good I'd be on that other than maybe bedroom advice," he joked.
"Oh Blake," groaned Tonya, her face turning red embarrassed. Blake shrugged innocently.
"We're not that far in the relationship yet," Emmalin clarified suddenly amused by it all.
"Well then you won't have to worry about one of these either," smiled Tonya rubbing Julia's head.
Emmalin smiled, "No I think I can get my baby fill with yours. And Connor. And the fact that I'm studying to be a social worker." After lunch, Blake drove everyone back to the Hanson house. Emmalin headed towards her car, "Call me if you need help with the baby."
"Okay," Tonya said cradling a now screaming Julia, "Someone's hungry."
Emmalin got into her car and said, "I'll leave you two alone then."