Two Weeks Later…
All of the wives were gathered at Denise's house to celebrate the troops coming home. The troops had one more combat mission but they would be returning in two days, much to everyone's delight.
"To their homecoming!" everyone toasted with their wine and for Tonya and Holly ginger ale.
"So do you guys have any plans for when your husbands get home?" asked Denise.
"I've got a few things in mind," said Maggie.
"Like what?" asked Latasha.
"Well I'd stay away from those thin walls if I were you Latasha," said Maggie.
The girls laughed and Denise said, "Okay so we know how Maggie and Eddie are celebrating. How about you Holly?"
Holly smirked and said, "Um, I'm having what she's having."
Everyone laughed again, "Well listen to that our little girl's all grown up," said Latasha.
"Well just remember Holly it's Tim's first deployment," said Denise.
"What does that mean?" asked Holly.
"It means he's been away for a long time and there may be an adjustment period. He might not be in the mood right away," said Denise.
"He may want to eat everything in the fridge," said Maggie.
"Or he may want to sleep for twenty hours straight," chimed in Latasha.
"Or go at it every time you're alone," said Jackie casually.
"Jackie," said Denise.
"What?" she asked innocently, "I'm just saying anything's possible," she smirked and sipped her wine.
"Are you speaking from experience honey?" asked Latasha.
Jackie pretended to zip her lips and said, "I'm not saying."
"Well all I'm saying is be flexible," said Denise. the rest of the girls almost lost it and Denise picked up on the interpretation, "I didn't mean it like that!"
"If you become too flexible Holly, you might end up like Tonya over there," said Charlie.
"Or me," said Jackie.
"So it was experience!" shouted Latasha.
Denise smirked and Jackie obtained a look of panic, "Denise don't you dare!"
"Come on Denise, we want to know," said Claudia Joy.
"Kevin came home from deployment one time and they couldn't keep their hands of each other. And nine months later, they had Sophie," chuckled Denise.
"Blabber mouth," said Jackie.
Nicholas started crying breaking the laughter that had once again started, "I think he needs changed," said Nicole attempting to sooth the screaming baby in her arms.
"There's a changing table in Molly's room," said Denise.
Nicole nodded and grabbed his diaper bag and said, "Thank you Mrs. Sherwood."
Denise nodded and everyone heard a knock at the door. Denise went to answer it, "Hey Denise," said Gloria.
"Hey Gloria, come in, we were just talking," said Denise.
"Hey everyone," said Gloria.
"Hey Gloria," everyone else answered.
Nicole entered the room again, "Hi Gloria," she smiled, "Long time, no see."
"Same Captain," Gloria said, "Hey there little guy," she said to the baby.
"Say 'Hi Aunt Gloria'," Charlie said making Nicholas wave, "He's not much into talking yet."
Gloria observed Nicholas more. He looked exactly like Hector in his baby pictures, "You two are so great with him," she said.
"Thank you for convincing Penny for us," said Nicole.
"We couldn't be happier," said Charlie.
"Just think that will be you before you know it," said Claudia Joy to Tonya.
"Yeah but not soon enough," said Tonya, "Trust me Charlie, you did NOT miss out on anything with not going through a pregnancy."
"Late pregnancy symptoms kicking in?" asked Latasha.
"Affirmative," said Tonya.
"Oh come on we still haven't talked about the good stuff yet!" said Denise. Tonya raised her eyebrows, "A baby shower."
"Have you been planning one behind my back?" asked Tonya.
"No," said everyone in the room.
"Yes," said Charlie honestly.
Tonya shook her head and said, "When?"
"We were hoping after the troops got home, we could have a little something for you and Blake," said Denise.
"And Roxy and Pamela want to fly in too," said Claudia Joy.
"Well as long as it works for Blake and I, I'd say go for it," said Tonya.
Nicholas started fussing again and Nicole looked up at everyone, "I think it's someone's naptime."
"Go," said Denise, "Most of us know how fussy a tired baby can get."
Nicole and Charlie stood to leave and bid their farewells, "Glad to see you're feeling better Captain," said Holly.
"Thank you Holly," said Nicole and followed her wife to the car.
Kat stared at her computer though she was pretty sure she hadn't written more than two sentences of the briefing report. She had an atrocious headache and was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open. Chris had insisted she stay home since he felt that she was fighting off the flu, but in typical Katherine fashion, had gone to work the whole week anyhow.
Michael knocked on the door to Kat's office, "Colonel Young?"
Kat stood up to answer the door but then immediately felt dizzy and sat back down again, "Come in," she called.
Michael entered her office and asked, "Do you have the briefing reports for me?"
"Um," Kat stuttered and looked at the two sentences on her computer screen.
"I take it that's a negative," said Michael.
"I'm sorry sir. I promise I'll have them to you before the end of the business day," said Kat looking back towards her screen.
Michael nodded and turned to leave the office, only to turn back around, "Are you alright Colonel?"
"Just haven't been feeling great this week that's all," said Kat not bothering to look up from her screen, "Chris thinks I've been fighting off the flu or something like that."
"Okay well take it easy," said Michael and left again.
It had been a tense few weeks for Roland and Joan. They really hadn't spoken much about Army War College or about the position at Hopkins. Joan decided to bring it up one night that way all decisions could be settled once and for all, "Roland we haven't talked much since you've come home."
"There isn't that much to talk about," he said.
"There's plenty to talk about," said Joan looking up from the book she was reading.
"No there isn't," said Roland turning around to face her, "It was settled Joan. You were going to reitre."
"Roland, I had no idea this offer was going to come up…"
"You never do," said Roland, "You're always set to retire and then the Army dangles something in front of you to keep you in."
"That's not true…"
"It is true," said Roland, "You take that offer, this marriage is over."
"We're almost home, but we're not in the safe zone yet," Patrick lectured his platoon, "The journey out of here is risky and you all need to listen to everything Sergeant Hall and I say. Our goal is to get everyone out of here alive and back home safe and sound. Affirmative?"
"Yes sir," the platoon replied. The troops slowly made their way out of Firebase Reno when there were several explosions around them.
"Take cover!" shouted Eddie and everyone followed orders. Shots were fired left and right until one of the enemies hit Quincy in the shoulder.
"Montclair down!" shouted Patrick rushing to Quincy's aid only to have his ear severely injured.
Tim saw one of the enemies go after Hector and he rushed over and took him down. He strangled him as hard as he could until the other man went limp on the ground. It wasn't until a few moments later did Tim realize he had killed him.
Kat arrived home later that evening, thankful to finally be able to relax. Chris had already left work and he planned on spending the evening at Kat's house so he was already there when she arrived home, "Hey babe?" he said and kissed her.
"Hi," she smiled softly.
"Still feeling crappy huh?" he asked.
Kat chuckled lightly, "Yeah, but I'm sure it'll go away in a few more days. How was your day?"
"Okay, I guess," he said, "General Holden came to see me today?"
"About what?" asked Kat relieved to finally lie down.
"About you," said Chris.
"What? Why?" she asked.
"He's noticed you haven't been yourself lately. And I agree with him," said Chris handing her a bag from the PX, "Just a thought babe."
Kat watched her fiancée head upstairs for God knows what and she looked into the bag, the thought only hitting her when she saw what was inside, "No it can't be. It's impossible."