Hello Everyone! You all get two chapters today because this one is kind of short. The next one is also incredibly long to make up for it!
That weekend, Zach and Emmalin arrived in Charleston. They both pulled up in front of the Holden house and Emmalin turned to Zach, "You okay?"
"Yeah," said Zach, "It's just been awhile since I saw your parents, that's all."
"Don't be nervous," said Emmalin, "Though Dad will probably play 50 questions with you." Emmalin used her key to open the door and the young couple entered, "Mom? Dad?"
Claudia Joy entered the foyer from the kitchen and hugged her daughter, "Hi honey. It's great to see you. Nice to see you again Zach."
"You too Mrs. Holden," said Zach.
Michael joined everyone from upstairs, "We missed you Kiddo," he said hugging Emmalin and kissing her on the temple, "And you're Zach." He remembered Zach now.
"Yes General Holden, sir," said Zach nervously.
"At ease Zach," said Michael.
"Well I have lunch on the table if you both are hungry. I have burgers and veggie burgers," said Claudia Joy.
"That would be great," said Zach.
"Just to be aware, he eats like you," Emmalin smirked to Michael.
"Well then I don't know if we can afford to feed both of us," said Michael.
The two couples sat down at the dining room table and Emmalin asked, "So what's new around Fort Marshall?"
"Well Joan's retiring, Frank's ankle is slowly getting better, Tim is getting the treatment he needs, Nicholas is getting spoiled by Charlie and Nicole," listed Claudia Joy and Emmalin chuckled at the last statement, "You know what's going on with the Hansons," she said and Emmalin nodded, "And someone else you know is having a baby."
"Really who?" asked Emmalin, "And not you correct?"
"No," Claudia Joy clarified.
"Well as announced at their wedding Colonel Richardson is also expecting," said Michael.
Emmalin's eyes widened in surprise, "Colonel Richardson? As in, Colonel Kat Young Richardson? As in, Jordan's Mom?"
"Affirmative," said Michael.
"Wow, uh, how are they taking?" asked Zach.
"They were shocked, that's for sure," said Claudia Joy, "But they're really excited too."
"How far along?" asked Emmalin.
"Thirteen weeks, I believe?" asked Claudia Joy looking at Michael for confirmation and he nodded, "Yeah, thirteen weeks."
"Wow, what's in the water here at Fort Marshall?" joked Zach, "Not that babies are bad things."
"Of course not," said Claudia Joy, "So I believe Emmalin mentioned you study marine biology at UNC?"
"That's correct," said Zach, "I hope to do population dynamics or something else with studying marine life."
"Have you ever declared your major Em?" asked Claudia Joy.
Emmalin sighed and nodded, "Human services. I hope to get a Master's in social work."
Michael and Claudia Joy absorbed the information before Michael spoke, "Well that sounds like a good plan Kiddo."
"Yeah?" asked Emmalin relieved. She was hoping she wasn't going to get scolded for not going into either military or law.
"Of course honey. You're great with kids," said Claudia Joy.
"From what I've seen she is," said Zach.
After lunch, Michael and Claudia Joy allowed Zach and Emmalin to go to the movies to enjoy some alone time. Claudia Joy looked at her husband, "I can't believe our little girl has grown up so fast."
Michael nodded and kissed Claudia Joy, "You did a good job Mom."
Claudia Joy laughed, "You did a good job too Dad." ******************************************************************************
Patrick and Gloria arrived at the restaurant to talk about their future. They had been quiet for most of the meal though before Patrick spoke, "Listen Gloria. I'm sure you're well aware that I still really like you, and I want to make things work. But we can't make things work if we don't both put in our own effort. So just be honest with me: do you want to start dating again?"
Gloria put her fork down and sighed, "Patrick I really like you too. It's just that with you and Hector I feel a little confused."
Patrick nodded and asked, "Well do you want to see each other again?" Gloria stayed silent before Patrick asked, "Are you still in love with Hector?"
Gloria didn't know what to say at that point. Did she still love Hector? Did she like Patrick better? Was she in love with either of them? All she knew is that she had to make a decision soon. She answered Patrick honestly, "I don't know." ******************************************************************************
Maggie and Latasha watched as Eddie, Caroline, Tanner, Deuce, Nyah, and Gabe played football. Deuce threw the football a little too far over to Quincy, "Hey Dad? Could you get that?" Quincy picked up the football and threw it to his son, "Thanks Dad!"
"It's killing him not being able to play," commented Latasha to Maggie.
"He will soon. You just have to give it a little more time," said Maggie.
"Well the Board of directors meets on Monday to discuss his injury so I guess we'll know where we stand," said Latasha. After getting shot in the shoulder, Quincy had gained a lot of movement back in his right arm but was still not necessarily combat ready.