The next morning, Conner woke Kat up bright and early as per usual. She groaned as she rolled out of bed and stumbled down the hall into the nursery. She had never really been a morning person but whenever she laid eyes on her little boy, it was all worth it, "Hey little man. You're one month old today," she said happily lifting him into her arms. Conner started looking around the room and Kat knew he was looking for Chris. Kat couldn't help but tear up a little as Conner looked around the room, "You looking for Daddy Bubba? Daddy will be home before you know it." Kat sat down in the rocking chair to feed Conner and whispered once again, "Daddy will be home before you know it." But at this point she didn't know if she was trying to convince Conner or herself. ******************************************************************************
Tim and Holly walked into the Hump Bar for lunch hand in hand for the first time in six months. Holly smiled when she spotted Hector and Gloria at one of the booths. Holly waved and Hector smiled and high fived and hugged Tim, "Welcome home Truman."
"Thanks Cruz," said Tim gratefully.
"It's good to see you Tim," said Gloria embracing him.
"Same Gloria," said Tim, "It's good to be home."
"So how was your first night back?" asked Hector as he sat back down next to Gloria and the Trumans sat across from them.
"Well, uh," Tim started, "It was fine."
"Oh we bet," chuckled Gloria.
"So how are wedding plans going?" asked Holly quickly changing the subject.
Gloria sighed, "They're going. Honey, don't you have something to ask Tim?" she asked nudging Hector.
"Ask him what?" asked Hector.
"About a certain job at the wedding," said Gloria.
"Oh yeah," he said, "Truman, will you be my Best Man?"
Tim hesitated for a few moments before he answered, "Of course, I'd be glad to do so. I'm assuming the Mrs. here is…"
"Yes," confirmed Gloria chuckling lightly.
"Okay," said Tim, "I guess we have a lot of planning to do then. Have you set a date yet?"
"October 17th," said Hector.
"Yeah we only have a few more months," said Holly.
"We'll get it all done though. Right guys?" said Tim.
Hector and Gloria looked at each other and Gloria grabbed Hector's hand, "Absolutely," she said. ******************************************************************************
Michael entered the house around noon, looking for Claudia Joy, "Honey! There wasn't much to do at the office, so I'm home early."
Claudia Joy emerged from upstairs and smiled when she saw her husband, "Hi sweetheart," she said kissing him, "Are things improving at work?"
"Well now that Frank is back from D.C. and Nicole has been cleared for full active duty, we're not missing as many officers, so that's a plus," Michael said, "Hence, why I could come home early today."
"Well then, General," smirked Claudia Joy rubbing Michael's chest, "You know that Emmalin went out with friends. And she won't be home for a few more hours."
Michael grinned from ear to ear, "Well then Mrs. Holden, why don't we go take a little nap then?"
Claudia Joy smiled, "I think that sounds great General." She squealed as Michael picked her up bridal style and kissed her.
"It's Michael to you," he said.
"You haven't done this in a while," chuckled Claudia Joy leaning against his chest.
"Hm. I think the last time may have been my last deployment," he smiled laying her on the bed. He crawled in next to her and started kissing her passionately. Claudia Joy easily deepened the kiss, "I love you so much," Michael whispered to her.
"If you love me that much, then show me," said Claudia Joy.
"Gladly," said Michael. A Few Hours Later…
Claudia Joy laid her head against Michael's chest, listening to her husband's heartbeat. Claudia Joy always found the sound soothing. Michael kissed the top of her head, "Did I show you how much I love you well?"
Claudia Joy chuckled and kissed him, "You performed well General as always."
Michael smiled and the two kissed again. Claudia Joy deepened the kiss and the next round was about to begin when the couple heard the front door open, "Mom! Dad!" shouted Emmalin.
"Crap," said Claudia Joy quickly rolling over and jumping out of bed, dressing as fast as she could, "I'll be down in a minute sweetheart!" she shouted. Claudia Joy shook Michael, "Hurry up and get dressed."
"Okay," he chuckled, "Relax. This is how we became parents."
Claudia Joy glared at him lightly and then headed downstairs and found Emmalin in the kitchen, "Hey honey, how was you're the movie you went to see with Jennifer?"
"It was fine," said Emmalin, "How was your afternoon?"
"Uneventful," lied Claudia Joy as Michael emerged from upstairs.
"Hey Dad, you're home early," said Emmalin embracing him.
"Yeah we didn't have much to do at the office today, so I got to come home," said Michael.
"Cool," said Emmalin, "Well I actually have stuff to do, so I'll be down later for dinner." Emmalin disappeared upstairs. Claudia Joy smiled at Michael as he wrapped his arm around her.
The couple looked at each other and laughed quietly before Michael kissed Claudia Joy and said, "That was a close one." ******************************************************************************
Joan rolled over and answered the phone waking her from her peaceful sleep, "Burton," she answered.
"Colonel, we have an emergency. I need to speak with you down at the Barracks as soon as possible," said the voice on the other end.
"I'm on it," said Joan throwing back the covers and springing out of bed. Only when she opened the closet and did not see her uniforms did she realized where she was, "Very funny Captain," Joan sarcastically said to Nicole, "How's life back at Fort Marshall?"
"Business as usual mam," said Nicole, "Nicholas leaned how to crawl and yesterday he discovered the TV remote. Charlie and I have had to baby proof the house climb over safety gates for about a month now."
Joan chuckled, remembering vaguely when Sara Elizabeth had learned to crawl. Of course, she had been deployed only a few days later, but at least she had been home for that part, "Just wait until he learns to walk. You'll be wishing he was only crawling."
"Oh believe me, that's what Colonel Richardson says," said Nicole, "Well I'm hoping we can get together soon. Nicholas notices you guys aren't around anymore."
"I'll be down for the Holden 4th of July party. See you then?" asked Joan.
Absolutely mam!" said Nicole.
"Well tell Charlie and the troops I said hello," said Joan.
"Will do mam," said Nicole.