This is Prompt No. 96-Winter

Throughout the rest of autumn, Mitchie spent much of her time with Caitlyn and the rest of her family. She could often be found perched on a table in the lab, swinging her legs like a young girl. She would watch and listen patiently as Brown eagerly explained each and every part of his C.A.R. in full, unnecessary detail. If she wasn't there, she would be found curled up in one of Caitlyn's comfy chairs, with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, since she couldn't stand the taste of coffee during this period of her life.

She missed Shane terribly, but each morning, like Caitlyn had suggested, she would roll over onto Shane's side of the bed and she would remember the best times of her life during the time that Shane had brightened it. Many times, though she had tried not to, some tears would slip through her tight eyes and drip down to water the pillow.

"Come back to me," she would whisper each night in the hope that she might wake up the next morning and find Shane lying next to her, waiting for her to wake up so that he might kiss her and wish her good morning. But each morning, like she knew, the spot next to her was empty.

The months ticked by, and not even a letter from Shane came. Mitchie began to feel discouraged, but the general assured her that with his mission, he could not risk sending any messages. So, she waited, and she waited, comforted by the little life that grew inside her, reminding her every day about the young man she loved so much.

"I love you," she would whisper as her hands rested over her stomach lovingly. "I love both of you."

When she had joined the army, she had never realized that she would soon be married and starting a family of her own. Though it was quicker than normal, Mitchie realized with a large sense of satisfaction that it felt right. She felt loved, and she was able to love, opening her heart to people in a way that she had only been able to do with Mitchell and Anna. Now, she was able to shower the love and devotion she felt towards the many people here in the base that she considered to be her family.

The winter months began to slide by, and Mitchie noticed a change in the base. It became slightly colder, and she pulled out two extra blankets, making sure that she was well covered at night so that she and the baby wouldn't catch a cold. She would burrow down into the blankets, tugging them around her as though their warmth and closeness would push the fears in her head out.

Christmas drew near, and Mitchie couldn't help herself but be drawn into Caitlyn's frenzied planning. She smiled widely as she watched Nate, ever calm and controlled, roll his eyes in mock dismay at his wife's excitement. She would even giggle as she watched Jason gaze at the couple, making faces behind their backs for her amusement.

But though they did quite a bit in order to make Mitchie forget her troubles, she continued to worry about Shane. She completely missed the glances sent her way, the calculating stares, and the hidden smiles. All she could think about was how terrible Christmas would be without Shane by her side.

A/N: One of those filler chapters! Love 'em and hate 'em at the same time, but I promise that it's important to the story, so hang in there with me! Please review and tell me what you think! :D Reviews seriously make my day!