Yes some of this story does include aspects of Brooke Shields' experiences with PPD though I am not going to make it a huge compnant of the story. I just wanted to make a clarifications to where some of the elements of Kat's life came from in the story.

Claudia Joy heard a knock at the door and put down the paperwork she was working on to answer it. She was a tad shocked to see Kat on the other side, in civilian clothes at that, "Colonel Young, what a pleasant surprise."

"Same Mrs. Holden. Um, am I interrupting you because I can come back at a better time," said Kat.

"No, you're not interrupting anything, but I must ask, shouldn't you be at work?" asked Claudia Joy.

"Chris convinced me to take off today, but I also took off mainly to talk to someone and process my thoughts," said Kat as she sat down on the living room couch next to Claudia Joy.

"Whoa, thoughts about what?" asked Claudia Joy.

"About this," said Kat pulling an object out of her purse, the same object that had been in the bag from the PX.

Claudia Joy took it from Kat and was shocked to find out what was on it. One little word that had shown up twice in her life, and one little word that changed any woman's life, "Wow," said Claudia Joy.

"Yeah," chuckled Kat nervously.

"You're pregnant?" asked Claudia Joy handing the test back to Kat.

"Apparently," said Kat.

"Wow uh, congratulations I guess," said Claudia Joy, "I didn't know you and Colonel Richardson were trying."

"We weren't," said Kat, "Believe me, this was far from panned and totally unexpected."

"Well how's Colonel Richardson taking it?" asked Claudia Joy.

"He's thrilled," said Kat, "And I mean I am too it's just…"

"You're scared," said Claudia Joy taking Kat's hand.

"I mean, I didn't think this could happen," said Kat, "Steve and I tried for a year to get pregnant and then we had to turn to fertility treatments. I had a miscarriage and then I got pregnant with Jordan. I had so many complications with her I even had to have a C-section. I had Postpartum Depression afterwards. Then I finally felt like me again after a few months. We tried IVF again to have another baby and then I miscarried again. And then Steve died."

"Mm," Claudia Joy said, "I'm guessing Colonel Richardson know about your past."

"Yes everything," said Kat, "And we never even talked about kids. We never even bothered to use birth control. I didn't think I could get pregnant naturally without going through fertility treatments."

"Well…" said Claudia Joy, not quite sure what to say next, "I'm guessing you're going forward with the pregnancy."

Kat looked up at her and said, "I'm not killing my child if that's what you're asking."

"Just checking," said Claudia joy, "I figured the answer was no."

"I know," said Kat.

"What did Jordan say?" asked Claudia Joy.

"We haven't told her yet," admitted Kat, "The only people that know besides Chris and I are you and you're husband. We just want to make sure everything's okay and that I won't miscarry."

"Of course," said Claudia Joy.

"And I mean then there's the wedding and Tonya's baby shower…." rambled Kat, "Oh no, what will Major Hanson and Tonya think? It's there first baby and I'm about to go in and steal all of their celebration."

"Kat I don't think Blake and Tonya will be mad at you for announcing a pregnancy, especially like you said, it wasn't planned," said Claudia Joy, "And as for the wedding, that's next week so I would urge you and Chris to try to get any checkups or sonograms done this week just to make sure everything's going smoothly, but try to take things one step at a time."

Kat nodded wiping the tears from her eyes and her hand drifted to her abdomen, "I can't believe it took your husband and Chris to figure it out. I should've thought of it earlier."

"Hey given your past, I don't think it would've been the first thing to cross my mind either," said Claudia Joy.

Joan knocked on the door to Michael's office, "General Holden?"

Michael looked up from his papers and said, "Colonel Burton," he stood and they saluted, "What brings you by today?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the Army War College sir," said Joan sitting across from Michael, "I really appreciate the offer sir, and trust me, there I would love nothing more than to bale to gain a star and serve at the highest level of the Army. But my family comes first, and I'm afraid I have to decline the offer."

Michael nodded, "Okay, do you have another plan?"

"I'm going to retire sir," said Joan.

Michael looked a little surprised, "Well I do admit Colonel, that statement is a little surprising. I really thought you would be able to make it."

"I know sir, but I have to make this decision for the sake of my family and the sake of my marriage," said Joan.

The two soldiers stood and saluted once again, "Thank you for you honesty Colonel."

Everyone stood and waited for everyone at the bus stop. Everyone except Frank and Kevin were returning home today. The soldiers slowly exited the busses one by one. Holly was more than excited when Tim stepped off the bus. She ran to him as fast as she could, "I missed you so, so much!"

"I missed you too hon," he said, though he didn't sound very sincere, "Cruz!" he shouted when he saw Hector step off the bus. Hector walked over to Tim and Holly and Tim said, "Holly this is Hector Cruz, my best friend."

"Nice to meet you Hector," said Holly.

"It's nice to meet you too Holly," said Hector, "You know Tim always talked about you. in fact, he never shut up about you."

Tim glared at Hector as Gloria came over to the tree of them, "Hello everyone, nice to see you Hector."

"You too Gloria," said Hector.

"Oh Gloria, this is my husband Tim," said Holly.

"Yeah I figured," she said shaking Tim's hand.

"Well you two love birds go," said Hector.

"You sure?" asked Tim.

"Go!" emphasized Hector and the Trumans left, "Well Lieutenant Clarke should be off the bus in a minute."

"I didn't come to see him. I came to see you," said Gloria.

"Really?" asked Hector.

"Yeah," she said, "Do you need a ride home?"

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm sure," she said.

"Okay let me get my bags," said Hector.

Jackie had already reunited with Patrick the moment he stepped off the bus, "Hi Patrick," she said.

"Hey Mom," he said embracing her, "Dad says hi and that he loves you."

Jackie nodded, "Well now that you're home, maybe we could have nice dinner out tonight."

"Well…" said Patrick starting to decline until he saw Gloria walking away with Hector, "Dinner tonight sounds great Mom."

The Halls also had reunited: Maggie was excited to have her husband back, Caroline was ecstatic to have her father home and everyone would be able to attend Chris and Kat's wedding as well as Tonya's baby shower within the next week and a half.