Thoughts about last night's episode:
I knew Paul's dad was almost broke! He comes across like a man who doesn't manage his millions well.
Jordan absolutely could have handled Shannon's situation much better. I hope she helps the girl out!
Jordan still carries a torch for TC, she certainly seems jealous of Amira.
And lastly, (sorry I have to rant about this one) but who else wanted to kick Drew in the nuts last night for the "surprise" he dropped on poor Rick? I mean, chances are he's doing this out of the shock of seeing Xavier Arnold again and reliving the death of his buddy. Maybe he wants to do something that Xavier lied about doing to honor his fallen friend.
BUT does he not remember that THIS DAUGHTER PANICS WHEN HE IS LATE GETTING HOME?
What's 61 days of being without him going to do to already fragile physical health?
And something like this isn't a subject you would keep from your spouse! What the hell is he thinking? Not of his family that's for sure!
But I hope they can work through it! They are such an adorable couple! There is still two more episodes to find out, hopefully Drew snaps out of it and decides not to go. His mother is still in his house so perhaps she will talk (or shake) sense into him. A new baby would be so sweet, too. I love Rick's idea!
Anyway back to fanfiction land where Drew has more sense…
Chapter Twelve
"I heard you changed your mind on ranger school," T.C. said.
"Yeah. I know you put in a good word for me but with the girls in the picture-" Drew tried to explain, he felt he owed it to the fellow soldier.
"Hey man," T.C. interrupted his friend. "I get it. Your 61 days in hell would be hundred times worse not being able to talk to your girls."
That was true. The separation would be so hard on Brianna, and she would absolutely worry about her dad. That would take a toll on health she couldn't afford. He and Rick could likely handle the separation but children changed the situation. Could Rick hold things down at home? Most definitely. But the separation for Drew and Brianna would be close to unbearable. Avery wouldn't remember her other dad after 61 days apart. Coming home to a five-month-old who adored him two months prior who now didn't recognize him and probably be scared of him would break Drew's heart.
"Thanks. Bri heard me and Rick talking about it, she thought I decided to go. She completely panicked." In fact it took most of the evening for Drew to calm Brianna down.
The teenager realized that if Drew was deployed again, it was beyond anyone's control, he would have to go. She didn't like the idea but she understood it. But that was not happening anytime soon. Ranger school was a choice. The couple decided it was an option in a few years when Brianna was grown and Avery was older. That is, if they didn't have any other child in the house by then.
A third child wasn't a far-fetched idea. It would be nice for Avery to have sibling close to her age. The two had talked about adopting another teenager or pre-teen but Brianna told them she would concerned how that teen would treat Avery. She had met many other teens who didn't like having babies or younger kids in the house because they were forced to share their new family from the start. Nina told them this was true somewhat and could cause discord in the family even if an adoption didn't occur. She advised them to focus on adopting younger children or babies given their family dynamic. She also said Brianna had experienced bullying because her disease from other foster kids her age she lived with before at times and another teenager might cause the girl to feel ill-at-ease in her own home even if she knew her parents would protect her.
Private adoption was a better option for the couple if Drew and Rick didn't want to go through the waiting and uncertainty they went through with Brianna's adoption.
"Or you could consider switching to delivering babies full-time and see what happens," she joked to Drew.
Both men laughed.
"Nah, I think how I met Avery was a once in the lifetime event," Drew said. If it happened again he would probably faint.
"Not that we would if he walked through the door with another newborn again, Maybe when this one gets a bit older," Rick said, looking at little Avery resting in his arms.
Neither parent or sister had a preference whether that child was a boy or girl. The couple was more experienced and comfortable with girls at this point, sure. But if they were meant to have a son then so be it.