Sometime later, Michel and the rest of soldiers slowly walked back outside to where everyone else was sitting, all having grim looks on their faces, "Michael what's going on?" asked Claudia Joy.
"I told everyone to tell their spouses later tonight," he said, "everyone will be leaving soon and then I'll tell you."
"We're not naïve Dad," said Emmalin, "You're deploying aren't you?"
"I'm not Kiddo. I have to stay here and handle things at Fort Marshall," said Michael.
"But Dad, and Patrick, and everyone else…" said Sophie hugging Jackie as they both started to cry. Michael looked down as the gang slowly let the news sink into their minds.
"But Mom, you promised we could go to Disney World this summer!" said David.
"I know, but I can't help unforeseen circumstances like this," said Joan to her son as she cradled Sara Elizabeth.
"So much for a vacation with the kids," said Roxy to Trevor.
"Hey the sooner I leave, the sooner I come home," said Trevor.
"Oh Frank, you'll miss our anniversary. Again," said Denise.
"You will too Hector," said Gloria.
Frank and Hector took their wives' hands as they tried to hold back tears, "I know. We both know," said Hector.
Melody sat there silent for a few minutes before running into the house. "I'll go talk to her," said Joyce following her.
"Niki, you can't be deploying!" said Charlie on the verge of a breakdown.
"I'm so sorry honey. I never in a million years expected this to come up," said Nicole.
"But you don't understand!" shouted Charlie.
"Dammit Charlie, of course I understand!" shouted Nicole in sadness, "I know damn well that I might not be here for the birth of our babies!" The various families looked over at the expecting couple, their hearts breaking for them. A lot of the soldiers knew what it was like to miss the birth of a child: Michael had missed Amanda, frank had missed both Jeremy and Molly, Kevin had missed Sophie, and even Chase had missed Lucas. And now, Nicole might have to miss their twins.
Michael stepped forward and said, "I don't mean to be the party killer I think it would be in everyone's best interest if we just all went home and have time to cool off."
Everyone else agreed and slowly made their way back to their cars. Nicole and Charlie got into their car and slowly made their way back to their house. As soon as they arrived home, Nicole immediately went upstairs, "Niki! Please Niki, please talk to me baby!"
Nicole ignored Charlie as she made her way into the now stripped guest bedroom, what was the beginning of the nursery. They were going to work on the nursery with the help of the Burtons that Saturday, after the couple found out what they were having. Now they would be spending their Saturday saying goodbye to each other for Lord knows how long, possibly forever.
"Nicole?" Nicole stiffened at the sound of her name, "It might not be the best idea for you to be in here."
"Why? It's just an empty room," responded Nicole curtly.
Charlie glared at the back of Nicole's head, "It's their room and you know it."
That was all Nicole needed to hear to break down. She collapsed to the floor as the tears escaped. Charlie's heart broke for her when she saw Nicole. Charlie made her way over to Nicole, crouched down next to her, and wrapped her arms around her.
"Oh Charlie, it's all my fault," sobbed Nicole.
"Nicole Melissa Galassini! You could've never seen this coming. This is not, I repeat NOT, your fault," said Charlie kissing her temple.
"But I didn't want to have to carry the baby, or in our case babies. If I was, then they couldn't deploy me and we both would be here for our babies' birth," said Nicole.
"Niki, you shouldn't have to do anything you don't want to do," said Charlie, "You said from the moment we started dating you didn't want to be the one to go through the pregnancy."
"When we started dating, I also didn't think we would be married or that I would be getting deployed when our children were born," she said.
"I know," said Charlie, "I'm upset too. I mean, whose hand am I going to squeeze the life out of now?" she chuckled.
Nicole laughed lightly at that line, "You know you can always joke even in the worst of situations? And one of the other wives I suppose."
"I guess you're right. And it's how I make myself feel better I guess," said Charlie.
Nicole cupped Charlie's cheek and looked into her eyes, "Don't worry. It's one of the many reasons why I love you."
"And a reason you can't stand me sometimes," said Charlie.
Nicole sighed and nodded. She looked down at Charlie's bump and said, "We need to name them before I deploy."
Charlie looked down herself, "You know. I do like the Nicole and Charlotte idea but maybe not as their first names."
"Well I deploy in two days, so we have to days to come up with first names then don't we?" asked Nicole standing up and helping Charlie stand up with her.
"I guess we do," said Charlie.
"Well what do you say babe? Are you up to the challenge?" asked Nicole.
"Name book is in our room," said Charlie. The couple spent the rest of the night arguing over names and whether or not they liked or disliked certain ones.
When they had decided on two they liked Nicole spoke up again, "We also need to decide on godparents."
Charlie thought about it for a few seconds, "Well I was thinking…"
"Dr. and Colonel Burton," answered Nicole.
"How'd you know?" asked Charlie.
"Because great minds think alike," said Nicole kissing Charlie.
"Well when you find the right partner they do," said Charlie kissing her again, "Love you baby."
"I love you too," said Nicole and then kissed Charlie's abdomen, "And I love you Hannah Nicole and Alyssa Charlotte Galassini-Mayfield."
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