"T.J., Finn, come on! We have to leave in five minutes!" shouted Roxy cradling Wyatt in one arm and cleaning the kitchen with the other. Thankfully, Drew was content in his bassinet.
"Hey hon," said Trevor coming down the stairs and kissing her on the cheek, "Hey buddy. How's Daddy's little man?" he asked kissing Wyatt.
"Fussy, he won't stop crying," said Roxy, "You know for identical twins, you and your brother a complete opposites," she cooed at Wyatt.
The phone rang and Trevor went to pick up the phone, "Lieutenant Leblanc," he listened to the person on the other end and handed it to Roxy, "It's for you."
Roxy put down the rag in her hand and then sat Wyatt down in his bassinet, to which he immediately started crying, "Hello?" asked Roxy.
"Sounds pretty hectic up in Tacoma," said Pamela.
"Pamela!" said Roxy excitedly, "How are you?"
"Pretty good. Hey I have something to ask you," she said.
"Um, can I call you back in an hour or so? Wyatt has been crying nonstop today and I have to drive the boys to T.J.'s practice and Finn's insect thing," said Roxy, "T.J.! Finn! Downstairs now!"
"Sure, I'll talk to you a in a little bit," said Pamela.
The boys quickly came downstairs, knowing to not push their mother's buttons any further, "You both ready?" asked Roxy making sure not to drop Wyatt and Drew.
"Yes Mom," they said.
"Have a good day boys. See you later babe. Love you," said Trevor kissing Roxy.
"I love you too," said Roxy. When Roxy had dropped off the boys, she called Pamela back. When Pamela answered, Roxy asked, "Hey Pamela, what's up?"
"Well, I got a call from Claudia Joy the other day and she asked me to call you since she was busy with something. She's having this big summer party around the Fourth of July and she was wondering if we would be able to fly in for the celebration," said Pamela.
"Yes! That would be great. I mean, I'd have to talk to Trevor about it and we'd have to make sure it would be possible with four boys, but we'll definitely consider it," said Roxy happily. ******************************************************************************
Charlie walked in the door to hear her wife talking on the phone, "Yes Mom, Cassie's with Charlie and I. That was probably a smart move to have her drive here than clear to California," said Nicole, "Yes, Nicholas is fine. I'm fine, thanks for asking," said Nicole sarcastically, "Yes I also talked to Aunt Martha and Uncle Justin. That was a fun two hours," said Nicole, "Yeah come to Charleston and we can settle anything we have to settle together. I love you too. Bye," said Nicole.
"I take it Lorraine knows Cassie is here with us?" asked Charlie.
Nicole nodded, "Yes. Apparently Cassie originally called Mom but Mom said we were closer than California."
"So what happened?" asked Charlie sitting on the couch with Nicole, "And where's Cassie?"
"She's with Caroline Hall. Maggie felt Caroline could use a friend," said Nicole, "Anyway, she has been together with her girlfriend for a year now and her girlfriend's family knows about the two of them but our side did not. And since Mom took my coming out fairly okay, she thought it would be okay for her and it wasn't."
Charlie sighed sadly, feeling so sorry for Cassie. When Charlie had revealed her relationship with Nicole to her parents and sibling, it had gone pretty smoothly.
"Anyway she called Mom explaining the situation, and Mom told her we were closer. Mom's coming to help sort things out but in the meantime Cassie needs to stay with us." Charlie nodded, feeling so much empathy for Cassie, "I also have some more news."
"What's that?" asked Charlie taking Nicole's hand in hers.
"I went to my doctor today and I've been cleared for full active duty," said Nicole proudly.
"Honey that's fantastic!" said Charlie excitedly giving her a quick kiss, "So there are no limitations anymore?" Nicole shook her head. Charlie looked down and sighed, "Does that mean you'll be deploying anytime soon?"
Nicole sighed, "If that's what the Army wants."
Cassie opened the door a few moments later, "Hey," she said.
"Cassie," said Nicole standing up and walking over to Cassie, "Listen, I talked to your parents and I also called Mom."
Cassie started to cry a little and Nicole embraced her, "Is Aunt Lorraine coming soon?"
"Yes," Nicole said, "We'll help you get settled somewhere. We all just don't know where yet."
Cassie nodded, "Okay. When is she coming?"
"'Soon, in two days," answered Nicole.
Cassie wiped the tears off of her cheeks, "Thank you Niki." ******************************************************************************
Jackie put down the book she was reading when the phone rang. Jackie answered it, "General Clarke's residence."
"Mom, it's me," said Sophie.
"Hi Soph," said Jackie happily, "How's Europe?" Sophie was with Exeter on their summer trip to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.
"It's awesome! London was great and we'll be on our way to Berlin tomorrow and then Rome," Sophie excitedly.
Jackie smiled to herself as she listened to all of the sites Sophie had visited so far. She couldn't believe her babies had grown up so fast. She sometimes missed having babies in the house. Of course, Tonya and Kat brought Julia and Conner to the get togethers enough that Jackie got her baby fill.
"Oh Mom, I have to go but I'll try to call later. I love you," said Sophie.
"I love you too honey," said Jackie. ******************************************************************************
Zach and Emmalin walked up to the front door of the Hanson house hand in hand. Zach turned to Emmalin and said, "So Blake's a Major and an E.R. doctor correct?"
"Mmhm," Emmalin nodded, "And Tonya's a nurse. She was in the Army but her contract ended. She was getting her BSN but I don't know if she still is since they have a kid now."
Emmalin knocked on the door and waited a few moments before Tonya answered with Julia in her arms, "Hey Em," said Tonya giving her a quick embrace, "Sorry she won't let me put her down without screaming. You must be Zach," she said shaking his hand.
"Yes," he chuckled lightly, "You must be Tonya."
She smiled and nodded. Tonya moved aside to let the young couple into the house, "So where's Blake?" asked Emmalin.
"He went to the PX because we're out of diapers…" said Tonya thinking for a few moments, "And about 50 other things. He'll be back soon."
"Um, if you need us to come back at a better, more convenient time…" started Zach.
"No, it's fine," said Tonya, "She's just really colicky and loves to be held."
"Oh Lucy! I'm home!" shouted Blake coming into the house and then noticed they had company, "Oh Emmalin and you must be Zach," he said, "Sorry for the line I don't really call my wife Lucy."
"Didn't think you did. Nice to meet you Blake," said Zach.
"Same," said Blake setting the bags down, "Honey, I have more diapers and wipes. And milk. And bread. And eggs."
"Okay thank you," said Tonya setting Julia down in her bassinet and hesitating before slowly walking away, "Finally she's asleep."
"I guess it'll be a quieter movie then?" asked Emmalin.
"No I can guarantee you I'll have to nurse her and change her at least once," said Tonya.
"Don't worry, I clearly remember when my brother was born," said Zach. The two couples sat down on the couch and Blake put Grease into the DVD player and then snuggled next to Tonya. And despite Julia interrupting the movie twice to be fed and changed, and after a while Tonya eventually had to hold her, the four of them had a great time. ******************************************************************************
"Let's say 'Hi' to Daddy," Kat cooed at Conner waiting for Chris to answer the Skype call. Soon, Chris's face appeared on the screen, "Hi honey," said Kat happily relieved to see her husband's face, "Are you okay? Are you healthy? Are you hurt in any way?"
"Baby, I'm fine," said Chris, "Hey little man. Are you looking out for Mommy?"
"He notices you're gone," said Kat, "I think he sometimes cries wanting to be held by you until I hold him long enough and he realizes you're not here. Is everything okay over there?"
"Well, you know how it is," said Chris honestly, "I'd much rather be at home. Snuggling with you celebrating our little man's one month birthday tomorrow." Kat's heart sank when she realized it would be a month since Conner was born. Tears formed on her eyes, but she held them back, "Honey, I wanted to let you know something. The rest of the Air Force guys and I are going on a mission for the next week and we'll be out of contact."
"Where?" asked Kat.
"Flying over certain areas. Certain hostile areas," said Chris.
Kat nodded, knowing how dangerous mission could be, "Just please be careful," she said softly as the tears finally spilled loose.
Chris sighed, both of them knowing how planes could get shot down, "I love you sweetheart," said Chris.
"I love you too," said Kat, "Say 'Good night Daddy'," she said making Conner wave.
"Daddy loves you too buddy," said Chris.