Sorry for the long wait. Please read and review!
The next morning, Charlie awoke with a start when a foot or fist struck her kidney. She sat up and rubbed the spot to sooth it and said, "Hey Niki!" Charlie was slightly confused when she didn't get a response, "Niki?" But when Charlie rolled over to find an empty space next to her, she remembered where she was, "Our baby girls are kicking," said Charlie sadly.
Charlie slowly made her way out of bed and into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. After finally finding clothes that fit, she went out grocery shopping and then got ready to go to the Hump Bar with Roland and the girls. When she arrived, there was nobody there other than Gloria and Roxy, "Hey you two didn't we say noon for lunch?" asked Charlie glancing at her watch.
"Yeah, everyone must be just running late," said Roxy shrugging her shoulders.
"Okay then," said Charlie sitting down.
"Do you want some water?" asked Gloria.
"That would be nice yes," said Charlie just as Roland, Claudia Joy, Denise, and Jackie walked over to the table.
"Hey guys," said Roxy.
"Hey Rox," said Claudia Joy, "So how are the boys adjusting to the deployment."
Roxy sighed, "As best as they ever will I suppose."
"David and Sara Elizabeth are the same way," said Roland, "How about Sophie?" But Jackie continued to stare into space, "Jackie?"
"What?" she asked bringing herself back to reality.
"How's Sophie handling the deployment?" asked Roland.
"Well, she's always been closer to her father and brother than me, but she's been talking to Emmalin," said Jackie and Claudia Joy nodded in confirmation, "But I think she'll be okay."
Gloria brought over the water to Charlie, "Can I assume everyone else is getting their usual?"
"Um, no actually I think I'll just have some water too," said Jackie. Everyone else agreed to their usual.
"What's wrong Jackie?" asked Denise, "This isn't like you."
"Just have felt a little sick to my stomach ever since I found out about the deployment," she admitted honestly, "I mean Kevin's been over plenty of times but it doesn't make it any easier. And Patrick…" she trailed off as tears started to roll down her cheeks.
"Aw Jackie it's okay," said Claudia Joy hugging her, "It's never easy."
Denise took a deep breath, attempting to repress the bad memories flooding her mind, "It'll be okay Jackie."
Claudia Joy rubbed her best friend's arm soothingly, knowing Denise was thinking about Jeremy but not saying anything. After everyone finished lunch Jackie walked up to Charlie, "Hey Charlie, you overly busy?"
"Um no, I mean I was going to start shopping for baby clothes but that can wait until another time," she answered.
"That's okay if you're busy, I don't want to interrupt your plans with my own troubles," said Jackie.
"Jackie, if you really need to talk, we can talk," said Charlie, "My place or yours?"
"Yours," said Jackie, "Sophie's at home and I don't want her to know right now."
"Okay," said Charlie, "I'll meet you there."
Mayfield-Galassini…
Charlie waited in the car for Jackie who arrived a few minutes after her. They both entered the living room, "Have a seat. Do you want anything water, coffee, tea?" asked Charlie.
"Um water," said Jackie and then her stomach growled, "And crackers if you have any."
"Sure do," said Charlie getting her the desired items. She sat them down on the coffee table and then sat down next to Jackie on the couch, "So what's up?"
"First off I want to apologize about yesterday," said Jackie and Charlie gave her a confused look, "About Kevin and I staring at you and Nicole. We weren't making fun of you in any way."
"We didn't think you were," said Charlie as the twins started to move again. Charlie rubbed her abdomen to soothe them, "Calm down girls."
"Are they kicking?" asked Jackie.
"Yeah," said Charlie "Other than this morning it's the first day they're kicking. I wish Niki was here."
"I know," said Jackie, "I know. I wish Kevin was here too." Charlie nodded understandingly, "Anyway, the reason, you two happened to notice Kevin and I looking at you is because you and Nicole are the only other couple on post that know what we're going through right now…" rambled Jackie.
"What do you mean?" asked Charlie.
"…And this wasn't planned and I don't know how Patrick and Sophie are going to react and Kevin and I are older and what if there's something seriously wrong or what if something seriously goes wrong and…"
"JACKIE!" shouted Charlie getting the older woman's attention. Charlie handed her a tissue since Jackie was having a mental breakdown in front of her, "Calm down. What's going on?"
Jackie wiped the tears away and set her water down on the table. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before she whispered to Charlie, "Just like you, I'm expecting."