Hello, I was really into writing this story today so you guys get an extra long chapter with a surprise twist involving Kat. ;) The only character I own is Chris Richardson.
"An accident?" asked Claudia Joy.
"What happened?" asked Denise.
Charlie unsuccessfully tried to compose herself and said, "One of the Humvees veered off the road and flipped over three times. Niki hit her head is now unconscious. She's being flown to Germany now."
Claudia Joy knew that now that the Army had repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Charlie had every right to join Nicole in Germany. She figured she could talk to Michael later about it, "I can't make any promises Charlie, but I'll talk to Michael and see if he can get you to Germany soon."
"You don't have to do that Claudia Joy," said Charlie.
"Hey," said Denise grabbing the younger woman's hand, "I know if this happened to Frank, I would want to be in Germany right beside him."
Charlie nodded sadly and said, "Call me as soon as you have anything for me."
"Okay," said Claudia Joy.
Gloria smiled when Patrick pulled up in front of her house. She knew that once the divorce was finalized that she would have to move off post, maybe go back to New York again. He got out of the car and opened the door for her, "Good evening Gloria."
"Good evening Patrick. My, don't you look handsome this evening," she commented to him.
"Thank you, but let's not make the entire evening about me," he smirked. The twosome arrived at the restaurant and ordered their food. When the food arrived, Patrick started a conversation to learn more about Gloria, "So Gloria, I want to hear all about you."
"What about me?" she asked.
"Your whole story, how did you end up here, what you do, anything," said Patrick.
"Well my parents immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico," she said.
"So you're from Puerto Rico?" asked Patrick.
"No my parents are from Puerto Rico, I'm from the Bronx," said Gloria.
"Wow New York, my Dad is actually from Long Island," said Patrick.
"Really what does he do?" asked Gloria.
"He's Army like me. He graduated from West Point as well. He's in Afghanistan right now," said Patrick.
Gloria nodded understandingly, "Is your Mom worried about him?"
Patrick nodded and said, "Yeah, especially because he was injured for a long while. She is kind of a worry wart at times. She'd probably even worry about me dating to be honest."
"Well it's a good thing I don't know your Mom then isn't it?" asked Gloria oblivious to who Patrick was the son of on post.
"Yeah I guess it's a good thing," he said and paid for the meal, "I also know this great Indian place around here. I mean that could be our next date," said Patrick.
"Yeah what makes you think there's going to be a next date?" asked Gloria jokingly.
"Well do you want there to be a next date?" asked Patrick.
Gloria kissed him and said, "We're not finished this date yet. Do you want to come back to my place?"
Patrick picked up on the vibe and said, "Definitely."
Kat rolled over the next morning still in the arms of Colonel Christopher "Chris" Richardson, her boyfriend of two years. She hadn't really meant to stay the night, but with Jordan at the Citadel dorms most of the time, it suited her just as well. As per usual, a few too many glasses of wine led and a few talks about the merger led to "comfort." Kat's phone rang waking Chris in the process, "I thought you turned your phone off?" asked Chris.
"I thought it was on silent," said Kat. She looked down and noticed it was Jordan, "I have to take this it's my dear child," she said, "Hello?"
"Hey Mom," said Jordan a little apprehensively, "Where are you because you're not at home."
"I'm at Chris's house," said Kat slowly trying to pull on her clothes, "What do you need honey?"
"I was wondering, could you meet me at the Citadel library at noon today? I wanted to talk to you about something," said Jordan.
"Of course, I'll be home as soon as I shower, because quite frankly I could use one," said Kat.
"Ewe Mom, I know why you were at Chris's you didn't need to remind me," said Jordan a little grossed out.
Kat chuckled at her expense, "See you in a bit, I love you."
"Love you too Mom," said Jordan and hung up the phone.
Chris smirked at Kat and asked, "What?"
"Just the relationship you and Jordan have," said Chris, "Are you still going to be home in time for the game tonight?"
Kat smirked and said, "As long as you like watching your Cowboys get their butts kicked by the Giants," said Kat. How a Giants fan and a Cowboys fan could be in a romantic relationship for two years was beyond her, but hey, he was from Texas and she she did love the guy and his cute southern accent.
"In your dreams," he said, "Are you still doing plans with General Holden today." Kat sighed at the mention of his name and Chris spoke again, "Honey, do you think he'd be a little easier on you if he knew about your past."
"No," said Kat firmly, "I don't need pity and only you, Jordan, and my parents know about Steve. No one else needs to know about him in my life."
Chris rubbed her back soothingly and said, "Katherine." Kat stiffened a little at her full name, but she knew Chris either said it in one of two ways: he was either being serious or he wanted sex. And since the latter was already done…, "I know you don't like talking about your past. But Steve was your husband for twelve years and the father of your daughter. We lost a lot of Americans that day so you're not alone. I lost an Uncle in the Towers remember?"
Kat signed. She supposed one of the reason she had such a strong bond with Chris was because they had both loved someone who dies on that terrible day in American and world history, "I'll mention it. Eventually," said Kat, "Now if you'll excuse me, I want to be able to look presentable for this talk with my kid. I'll see you tonight?"
"In time for the first sack of Eli Manning," said Chris.
"Don't push it," said Kat kissing him, "And to think I love you."
"I love you too," said Chris, "Now go."
Claudia Joy came down and found Michael fully dressed and empty plates in the kitchen sink. She asked, "Where are you going so early?"
"I have a meeting at the Citadel with one of the cadets that I spoke to the other day. She wanted me to talk with her mother about switching from the Air Force to the Army," said Michael.
"It isn't that hard to change branches," said Claudia Joy pouring herself some coffee.
"Well apparently she comes from an Air Force family and she feels that her mother won't approve of her switching," said Michael looking at his watch, "I got to go. I'll be home before dinner. Love you."
"Love you too," she said kissing him, "Don't forget to look into flights for Charlie!" she called after him.
"Will do!" he shouted.
Michael walked into the library to find Jordan Young already waiting with her mother. But it couldn't be…, "Lord, give me strength," muttered Michael under his breath. Michael walked over to the two women and Jordan stood and saluted him, "Afternoon Jordan."
"Afternoon General," said Jordan, "My mother Colonel Young," she said pointing to Kat.
"Yeah we've met," said Michael, "You said you wanted to talk."
"Yes," said Jordan, "Mom, you know how I said I liked flying attack helicopters. Well the truth is, I didn't like it. I loved it."
"Yeah, so what are you saying?" asked Kat crossing her arms over her chest.
"Mom, I want to go Army when I graduate," said Jordan assertively.
"Jordan, can I speak to General Holden in private?" asked Kat.
"Well, general Holden isn't the reason…"
"Jordan Allison, that wasn't an option," said Kat.
"Yes mam, sir," she said and left.
"What the hell did you say to her at that talk?" asked Kat to Michael.
"Colonel, please realize that when I promised Jordan to speak to her mother, I had no idea it was you. I don't mean to meddle in a family matter," said Michael.
"I appreciate your help, but I will raise my daughter as I see fit," said Kat standing, "Now if you'll excuse me, Chris is expecting me at his house later."
"Your husband?" asked Michael confusingly. He never saw Kat wear a wedding ring.
"Boyfriend," Kat responded, "My first husband's dead."
Michael was shocked. He didn't know Kat was a widow, "Well I'm very sorry Colonel."
"Yeah it won't change the day in history though," said Kat.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Michael.
"Whatever you think you know about me, you don't okay? Steven Young, my husband, Jordan's father, is dead. And all the 'I'm sorry's' won't change 9/11 and it won't change the planes that crashed into the Pentagon and killed my husband."
Michael stopped short contemplating what to say next, "We did lose a lot of good Americans that day," he said.
"Yeah," said Kat sadly, "I guess we can put off the paperwork until tomorrow?"
"Sure," said Michael, "Have a good evening Colonel."
Charlie slowly entered Nicole's hospital room in Germany. She was till unconscious but stable at least. The doctors had determined there was some swelling around her brain that needed to go down but it could've been a lot worse, "At least she's still alive," though Charlie. She walked over to Nicole's bedside and sat down next to her and held her hand, "Hey honey, it's me. I know you can hear me, so don't pretend like you can't. General Holden and Claudia Joy got me on a flight out here to see you," Charlie kissed her hand as tears formed in her eyes, "You've got to live Niki. We have a baby on the way and he or she need both of her parents. And I wouldn't want life to have to go on without you. I love you," she said and kissed the top of her head.
A doctor walked into the room and saw Charlie, "Oh hello, I'm assuming you're Captain Galassini's next of kin?"
"Yes I'm Charlie Mayfield, her wife, how is she doing?"
"Well, it's not good news; she has a lot of bruising and swelling in her brain, obviously the coma, and she had a laceration on her forehead but we closed that with stiches. The most important issue right now is to make sure the swelling goes down," he said.
Charlie sighed sadly. First their initial feelings, then Don't Ask Don't Tell, then Niki was shot in the leg, then Lorraine Galassini, then same-sex marriage in South Carolina, then, not being able to get pregnant, then adopting a baby, and now this. They had overcome a lot of challenges before, "We'll get through this right Niki?"