Michael had just returned after his evening with Whitaker. Emmalin was waiting for him with his mother to talk to him about his problems at the university. The conversation turned out badly and Emmalin left in his room followed by Claudia. Michael went outside to get some fresh air. For her part, Claudia tried to calm her daughter. When Claudia arrived in the room, Emmalin asked him to leave.

E: Leave me mom, please ...
C: No honey, not after that. I take care of your father, he will accept the situation and everything will be solved.
E: I do not believe mom. He is very angry. I know him now and I know how he feels about the way he talks to me and looks at me.
C: He was not on his plate when he came home, I do not know why but it must have influenced his judgment. Listen to me, you know him, he is rarely understanding the first time.

Emmalin nodded.

C: What bothers me is that during this time you do not spend time together. You will leave and you will hardly have time to discuss and spend time between father and daughter.
E: I know. I dreaded my return mom and at the last moment I even wanted to cancel.
C: Sa would not have changed, if not worse.
E: I do not know, I'm completely lost.
C: You know, it was hard for me when you left. I had a hard time not having you with me every day here. I miss you so much you know. But it was even more complicated for your father. He went back to Afghanistan, you were at home, and he comes back to university. He has not seen you in a year. He is angry to have missed your return. You miss him a lot. And as he already told you, you have the same character so it makes sparks.

Emmalin looked down.

E: You missed me terribly there too.

She looked up at her mother.

E: It's not to be depressed that I went into sororities, student clubs, hockey. Unfortunately it was not the best thing to do since I am missing my year completely.

Claudia understood while the separation had been much more difficult for her, Emmalin and Michael, than expected. She took her daughter in her arms.

C: Sweatheart, you did not miss anything, everything is still possible. Why did not you call me? I remember you telling me that everything was fine ...
E: At the beginning yes, you know, it's all new, the parents are not there, we organize our day as we want ... but after a month, I started to find the long time ... j I cracked, often, but I did not want to bother you. Then there was the funeral of Jeremy. I saw that for you and so for dad, your bad memories came back to you and that consequently you thought a lot about Amanda. I too thought about it a lot. That's why I wanted to manage all alone.
C: Oh sweetie ...

Claudia hugged her daughter against her. This situation was very painful. Everything had to be solved before Emmalin left, otherwise Michael would blame himself and he would be whimsical for a long time.

C: I'll talk to your father okay? Try to sleep, it'll be better tomorrow.
E: Ok ...
C: I love you my heart.
E: Me too mom.

Claudia went back to her room. She heard the front door close, Michael climbed the stairs and entered the room.

(See episode for the scene between Michael and Claudia).

The next morning, Claudia was up early. Michael arrived in the kitchen to have breakfast.

M: Hello honey.

They kissed furtively.

M: Already standing?
C: Yes, I did not sleep very well, I do not like to see you angry with Emmalin.
M: I told you yesterday that I would talk to him, I will solve this situation.

Claudia felt that Michael was still angry.

C: Michael you have to talk to him and especially listen to him. She is not feeling well right now, and has been for a long time.
M: When we have been lying for two weeks, I can understand that she does not feel well.
C: It's not his Michael. She failed to manage the distance and lack of her parents ...

Michael stopped, he looked at Claudia questioningly.

C: And yes honey, we thought Emmalin was fine, but we were very often with her after Amanda left. And overnight, she no longer has her parents near her. She did it very badly.
M: Why did not she tell us anything? On the phone she said that everything was fine ...
C: Why? Because after the death of Jeremy, she understood that the period that followed was complicated for us, by our memories of Amanda, her departure, her funeral, absence, lack, pain ... she did not wanted to bore us ...

Michael did not understand too much, everything had mixed in his head, he had been too hard on his daughter.

M: I'm sorry to hear it ...
C: I think she was overwhelmed. She needs support and help to bounce back and be able to validate her year with the pride of both her parents.

Michel nodded.

M: But that does not prevent the fact that she lied to us about her notes, her suspension from the team ... she should have told us about it.
C: Michael!
M: I have to go to tonight.

He kissed Claudia on the cheek and then left. A few minutes later, Emmalin went down to the kitchen.

(See episode to see the scene between Claudia and Emmalin).

Claudia then receives a visit from Pamela.

(See episode to see the scene).

Claudia learns for the arrest of Michael, his almond. She is angry and for her Michael has crossed the line. As he comes home tired that night, Claudia puts things in focus with him. She was hard enough in her words, and she went up to their room. Michael was struck by Claudia's words. He realized, however, that he had gone too far. That his problems at work had made him uncomfortable with the whole family. He felt guilty about the situation with his daughter but also with Claudia. He knew it, she made a lot of effort when he returned from mission to leave him alone, to allow him to regain his habits, to find his place with his family. But if Claudia had spoken in this way it was because she had had enough. Michael went upstairs to chat with Emmalin.

(See episode to see the scene).

He then returned to the room to discuss with Claudia.

(See episode to see the scene).

The latter then tells her that she has not fallen in love with General Holden but of Michael James Holden, and that she is still in love with him. Michael understands that Claudia has always supported him and helped to be the best of himself. He felt relief and weight fly away. He then had a surge of tenderness towards Claudia.

He kissed her furtively. He stared at her for a moment. Claudia smiled back. He took her in his arms.

M: I love you so much honey.

Claudia tightened her grip.

C: Me too. But next time, trust me as you did before. We promised ourselves to say everything, to hide nothing. You know that if you're not good I'm here. I have always been there, it will never change.

She broke away from Michael. The latter looked at her with a look full of tenderness, of love, he sighed, Claudia was right.

C: I love you, and neither will it ever change.

Claudia kissed Michael with a lot of tenderness. She kissed him on the cheek, and she came down from the bed where she had gone. Michael stared at her for a few seconds, then went to take a shower. He felt guilty, however, and blamed himself for being so lunatic. Claudia was measuring her blood sugar when he returned to the room. He settled next to her, in his place in their bed. Claudia felt that Michael was looking at her. She closed her kit and turned to him, smiling.

C: It looks like a teenager watching her lover.
M: I am no longer a teenager but I admire, despite everything, the woman I love.
C: Charmeur ...

This word snatched a laugh from Michael. Claudia got under the sheets, Michael did the same, but he became serious again.

M: I apologize to you for what I've done to you these past few days, weeks.

Claudia looked up at once.

What is it ? No Michael, you know very well that ...
M: No, the excuse of the return mission does not hold. Yes after my return I was silent, I needed loneliness and you always respected that. But this time I have clearly gone too far. I spent my anger on you, on Emmalin and I blame myself.

Claudia sighed. She was relieved that Michael noticed all this, that he understood that with this kind of behavior he could have done more harm than good.

C: You're forgiven honey, I do not blame you, you know it.
M: Maybe, but even if everything went well when I came back, I was not respectful of you as you were with me. I started talking to you very abruptly about this night jump story when you were just waiting for one thing, to share your joy of being called to the bar with me, to spend a nice evening alone. I started thinking of myself only when you wanted to hear other words.
C: I put his on the account of mission's return honey.

Michael put his hand on Claudia's arm. He caressed her, without looking up at her, as if he was shy at the words he was about to say to his wife.

M: I know, but it was not an excuse. I am so proud of you, of your journey and see that all your efforts have been rewarded. You are a wonderful example for everyone.

Michael finally looked up at Claudia.

C: Thank you honey.

Claudia put a hand on her husband's cheek and they kissed tenderly.

M: I'm sorry I was so uncomfortable on the barbecue day. This drink with Whitaker was not as important as spending time with you and Emmalin. And I will not have this problem of almond, video with the police.
C: Michael, if we knew what the future was all about, would be easier for everyone.
M: I was hateful with Emmalin then. I do not forgive this behavior with her, with you.
C: Honey, that you notice forgive already everything.
M: I was angry at myself, with what happened on the ground, the article. I should have been the new Superintendent of West Point. Everything is my fault. But I should not have put my anger on you.
C: Ok stop. What has happened is past. You have to move forward. You said it, as long as you have your post as commander, you will command and you will continue to do this job as you have always done. You were born to be a leader of the Michael army and whatever you say, I know you will have a third star. Maybe not this year, or next year, but your passion, your motivation, your humanity, your understanding, your respect, will make you a great General Michael.
M: If only the pentagon could hear you.
C: Michael, I know you by heart and it's been almost 25 years since I watched you, I listen to you, I advise you, I spent with you your grades, congratulations. The army can not close all eyes just because you said your thoughts in an article. They do not want to hear it, to see it, you've had this problem in the open.
M: It will cost me a possible Claudia promotion.
C: No, it will make them think otherwise. And they will understand that you are right and all that will move the army forward. Have you always trusted me?
M: Oh yes, forever.
C: So continue.

Claudia winked at him. Michael let out a laugh. This woman always had the last word right in the conversations, he loved her with all her being. He was so proud of her.

M: I'm so lucky to have you. Thank you.
C: We are lucky to have each other. I am proud of what we have managed to build both, proud of our life despite the difficulties to cross, proud of us; but I am also more than proud of you.

Michael smiled at him.

C: That's why you do not have to worry about what's wrong with you anymore. I know this has been a difficult time for you, but you have to talk about it and you are stronger at solving problems than you are alone.

Michael sighed with happiness.

M: If you knew how much I love you.

They kissed to conceal this discussion. They lay down in each other's arms. Claudia put herself in Michael's arms, and he ran his hand under Claudia's pajamas, behind his back to feel the warmth of his skin under his fingers. Claudia knew that if he did that he needed to calm down. She crisscrossed her fingers with Michael's and clung to him. Once again they had managed to overcome a possible crisis, discussing it. Once again their love had exceeded all these negative feelings of these last days. They only got the positive one. They were only more welded yet. This will enable them to overcome new challenges ahead.