This is Prompt No. 26-Angel

"Mitchie, would you please hold still?"

Mitchie rolled her eyes. People seemed to be asking that of her a lot. "Sorry," she mumbled, and then couldn't refrain from rolling her eyes again. She seemed to be saying that a lot as well. Once again, she knew that it was her fault for not staying still. She could feel the horse shifting beneath her each time she jiggled in anticipation.

Shane used the hand that wasn't holding the reins to rub her arm lightly. "I know you're excited," he said in her ear so that she could hear him, "but we're almost there, so just hold on."

And hold on she did. She began calculating each landmark and how far away from the base it was. She felt her heart rate speed up as they passed the old Confederate campsite and thunder through the woods. A low hanging branch cut her across the cheek, but Mitchie didn't care. She lifted one hand to wipe the blood away and then focused again on the barely perceptible trail the two horses were following.

It was only a matter of minutes before the old house appeared in Mitchie's vision. Had it ever looked so homey? Mitchie doubted it. Her squirming continued once again, but Shane didn't say anything. He was just as eager to get home as Mitchie was, probably more so since he had never seen the little girl that waited for him stories below the ground.

"You go on ahead," Caitlyn told Shane and Mitchie as the two couples dismounted. "She's in her crib in our room. Jason's been watching her."

Mitchie knew that the casual invitation was really more than that. Caitlyn was giving the family time to get acquainted. "Thanks, Caity," she whispered and then whirled toward the front entrance, Shane not far behind.

"Mitchie?" Caitlyn called.

Mitchie turned around, trying not to sound impatient. "Yes?"

Caitlyn smirked. "Told you that Shania'd never forget you."

Mitchie remembered their conversation before she had left, unsure as to whether or not she would come back, and she smiled and nodded. "You're the best, Caity," she told her friend.

"I know," Caitlyn replied with a laugh as Mitchie and Shane disappeared into the dilapidated house.

"How long do you think we should give them?" Nate asked as he leaned casually against the hitching post.

Caitlyn turned to him and smiled. "I'd say a few hours at least."


Mitchie and Shane were never quite sure after that day who ran faster down the halls of the base, weaving in and out of the people, to get to Nate and Caitlyn's apartments. They took a moment to compose themselves outside, not wanting to scare their daughter by bursting through the doors, and then, hand in hand, they entered the apartments.

As they stepped inside, Mitchie was hit with the familiarity of the place, the intense sense of "being" that she felt. It even smelled the same as she had remembered. Everything was placed in the exact same way as it had been when she had left, and Mitchie felt herself relax. She was home!

"You okay?" Shane asked, concerned, as he watched Mitchie stop in the middle of the apartment.

She turned, trying to keep back the tears, as she nodded and said softly, "We're home."

Shane gathered her close for a moment and nodded. "Yes," he whispered in her ear. "We're home, and we're safe."

Mitchie was the first one to pull away from the embrace. "Come," she said, holding out her hand to her husband. "There's someone you should meet."

Shane took her hand and let her lead him into Nate and Caitlyn's bedroom. It took only a moment to locate the crib, placed close to the fire so that the baby wouldn't get cold, but also far enough away that there was no chance of the cradle catching fire. The two parents crept over to the crib and found their daughter, swathed in warm fleece and bundled against the August chill, sleeping soundly.

"Oh!" Shane exclaimed softly as his eyes rested on his child for the first time. He stared at her, amazed and transfixed. He looked up at Mitchie. "Can I?" he asked.

Mitchie smiled and nodded eagerly. "She'll have plenty of time to sleep later," she informed him.

Ever so gently, Shane put his hands into the cradle and picked his sleeping daughter up. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and Mitchie sat next to him, and they watched as Shania's eyes opened. Her thick little lashes fluttered first, and then her chocolate brown eyes were revealed to her parents. She didn't cry, but instead glanced from one adult to the other. Though both parents knew that it was impossible for her to recognize them as her parents, they each entertained the notion as they watched her carefully.

Shania didn't squirm, she just lifted her tiny fists, waving one in each parent's direction as her little mouth opened into a toothless smile. A little cry issued from her lips, but was not repeated once Shane held her close.

"She's perfect," he whispered to Mitchie, glancing at her over Shania's little head.

Mitchie nodded. "She is," she agreed.

Shane glance roved over Shania's face and he said, "She looks so much like both of us."

The absolute wonder in his voice caused Mitchie to smile and she nodded in agreement again. "She does," was all she said as she glanced back down at the daughter she hadn't seen in five months.

Shane held Shania slightly closer, careful not to hurt her. "My little angel," he crooned to the baby. One arm circled around Mitchie, pulling her to his side as well. He kissed her forehead, and then her lips, whispering, "Both my angels here with me."

Mitchie happily snuggled closer. "Finally," was all she said.

A/N: Wow! 70 chapters!!! (Just a little excited!) Thank you all so much for reviewing and nominating. Once again, you're amazing!