Claudia Joy walked in to Barracks house more to just say high to Michael than anything else but also to see if she could find out how Nicole was doing. Claudia Joy meandered into Michael's office and said, "Afternoon General."
Michael looked up from his paperwork and smiled, "Sorry I'm married," he said easily playing along.
Claudia Joy walked into his office and said, "I know. And your wife really wanted to see you right now."
Michael chuckled and kissed, "Okay what's the real reason you came here today?"
"Oh no reason," said Claudia Joy. Michael looked at her skeptically, "Okay maybe I was hoping to find out how Captain Galassini is doing?"
Michael sighed, "She's conscious but she doesn't remember who anyone is."
Claudia Joy nodded, "Okay, I just haven't heard anything from Charlie so I was starting to get worried that something had happened. I'll see you tonight?"
"You bet," said Michael and kissed her again.
Claudia Joy left the office and almost ran into Kat as she headed for the door, "Whoa there Colonel."
Kat looked up not even realizing she was walking into someone, "Mrs. Holden. I'm so sorry I should've looked where I was going."
"It's okay," said Claudia joy dusting herself off as she happened to glance down towards the floor. She noticed that there was a shiny piece of jewelry that Kat did not have beforehand, "Is that new?"
Kat looked down and smiled, "Yes, last night."
"Congratulations," said Claudia Joy, "And give Colonel Richardson all my best."
Kat nodded, "I will."
Gloria was finishing up her shift at the Hump Bar hoping to be able to write a letter to Patrick before the day was out. Things had been tense between her and Jackie since they had seen each other at the busses. She had no idea that Patrick was THAT Patrick. Patrick Clarke. And on top of that she had slept with the General's son. She could fully understand why Jackie was ignoring her for the most part. An opening door disrupted her thoughts and Jackie walked into the Hump Bar, "Speaking of Mama Bear," thought Gloria, "What can I get for you Jackie."
"Just a glass of wine," said Jackie. Gloria obtained the desired beverage and Jackie spoke again, "Listen, about the other day at the drop off…"
"We don't have to talk about it together. Ever," said Gloria.
"Got you," said Jackie. She didn't ever want to talk about her son's sex life and certainly didn't want to think one of the wives she mentored was dating him. And what if this relationship worked out? What if Gloria became her daughter- in-law? And the mother of her grandchildren? Though they were friends, there was still that enlisted/officer gap still existed as well as the fact that Gloria had busted Sophie drinking underage, "Oh stop it Jackie Clarke you're getting way ahead of yourself." Jackie paid for the wine and left Gloria a tip, "Have a nice day Gloria."
"You too," she called and Jackie left determined to talk to her son about the recent events.
Tonya descend the stairs where Blake was in the living room watching TV. They still had six days before her deployed so she was determined to make the most of it. And determined to finally get her worries off her shoulders before he left. She felt like she had butterflies in her stomach, but she also knew enough anatomy to feel that it was probably the baby's first movement. Tonya approached Blake and sat next to him on the couch. He didn't say anything but he wrapped his arm around her, resting his hand on her noticeable bump. He turned to her during the next commercial and said, "Is something wrong babe?"
Tonya wasn't sure where to start so she settled on, "Just a lot on my mind."
Blake narrowed his eyes. He could tell something was off, always had been able to tell with Tonya for some reason, "Okay like what?"
That was all it took for Tonya to finally break down sobbing into Blake's shoulder. He kissed the top of her head waiting for her to talk. She finally took a deep breath and said, "I'm just so worried about you. And about our future."
"What do you mean?" asked Blake, "It should only be for a month or two."
"Yeah and the last time it was only supposed to be two weeks!" shouted Tonya and Blake flinched back a little stunned. Tonya sighed, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you."
"I know," he said, "I know it's also the pregnancy."
Though the pregnancy hormones did make her feel like she was on an emotional roller coaster, for once that wasn't what was to blame, "No it's not that, I've just heard all that before."
Blake finally realized why Tonya was so worried. She had been through this conversation before, and her former fiancée had died in action, "Your former fiancée, um…"
"Jeremy. Jeremy Sherwood," Tonya answered.
"Wait a minute Sherwood? As in?" asked Blake.
"Yep, their son," said Tonya.
That's why Tonya was so close to them. Not because she worked at the hospital with Denise, but because she had been engaged to their son. They had all gotten through Jeremy's death together.
Tonya took Blake's hand and asked, "Can I take you somewhere?"
"Jordan?" asked Chris in a sing songy voice as he walked into the Kat's house.
"Do you have to talk like a girl?" asked Kat following him into the house.
Jordan approached from upstairs and said, "Hey Mom, Chris, what's up?"
"Would you please sit down, we have something we'd like to tell you," said Kat.
"Is this bad?" asked Jordan sitting down on the couch with the couple.
"What? No," said Kat. She smiled and grabbed Chris's hand, "Chris and I are engaged."
Jordan's eyes widened as she looked down at her mother's left hand, oblivious to the ring that now resided there until now, "Oh my God! Are you serious?!" she asked excitedly. Kat chuckled at her daughter's expense, "Aw Mom, it's beautiful. Chris has good taste in jewelry."
"Well she doesn't so one of us has to," smirked Chris and Kat smacked him playfully.
"And to think I just agreed to marry you," she said.
"So when's the wedding. Where will it be? Who's going to be there?" asked Jordan one question after another.
"Whoa there tiger," Kat stopped her daughter's 50 questions, "Most people don't even know we're engaged yet."
"Most? Who does know?" asked Chris.
Kat looked down sheepishly, "I um almost ran into Mrs. Holden today at the barracks, like literally, and she noticed the ring. She gives us her congratulations."
"Oh," Chris chuckled.
"Well I think this engagement calls for a celebration. How about pizza and ice cream, my treat," said Jordan.
"Honey, you don't have to do that. I know you don't have a lot of money," said Kat.
"Hence, the cheap meal offer," said Jordan, "Now the offer's up only once. Will you both accept it? Going once, going twice…"
"Okay, okay," said Kat standing up and stopping her daughter, "Just let the two of us change and we'll go."
"Oh, is the Mrs. speaking for the couple now?" Jordan asked Chris.
"In this case, you bet she is," said Chris following Kat.
"We'll be right down sweetheart," said Kat.
Jordan nodded and spread out on the couch overjoyed that her mother finally found someone again.
Blake stopped in front of the graveyard and turned to Tonya, "Are you ready for this?" he asked her.
Tonya sighed and nodded. She walked over to Jeremy's grave with Blake close behind her. The expectant parents stopped in front of the headstone, "Hey baby. It's me," said Tonya, "Jeremy this is Blake, he's my husband. He's also the father of my son or daughter. I know we never got the chance to have a life together but I promise you, I'll never forget about you. I love you."
Blake knelt down in front of the grave and said, "Um, hey Jeremy, I'm Blake. I know you and Tonya were engaged and I know you two were in love. I may never be able to replace you and I know that, but I promise I'll take good care of Tonya for you. And I promise to make sure your Mom and Dad are still involved in our lives and the baby's life. But it needs a guardian angel, so maybe you could do that?" Blake stood and said to Tonya, "I think we should find out the gender of the baby at your next ultrasound."
"What?" Tonya chuckled, "You said you wanted to wait."
"I know," said Blake, "But I'm tired of calling the baby it. I need to know whether it's a he or a she."
"Well that's a change," said Tonya, "But if that's what you want."
"I think we should also name him or her," said Blake.
Tonya smiled and hugged her husband, "Okay." The couple drove home and spent the rest of the afternoon researching names. Tonya wasn't 100% sure on Blake's suggestion for the boy name but he insisted on naming the boy in the person's memory and she finally succumbed. The two finally went to bed after a long day. Blake kissed Tonya's temple and said, "I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too," she said.
Blake kissed her growing belly and said, "And I love you Jeremy Thomas or Julia Elizabeth Hanson."