Go Baby Grow

Chapter 17 – Wait Until You Hear This

Saturday, May 1st

Glossary for this chapter:

Detailers – the Firsties (aka "Seniors") and 3rd year (aka "Juniors") who train the Plebes. They're known for being strict, yelling in their Plebes faces, pushing and also encouraging their Plebes through Plebe Summer. Based on discussion boards, former students consistently say that Plebe Summer and the Detailers have softened since they were Plebes.

Firsties – these are the incoming seniors at the Academy. Under the supervision of Naval Officers, they plan and run Plebe Summer.

Rates – students are expected to memorize certain lists and data, often under pressure and in a short amount of time. This helps train them for the pressures and urgency that arises in Navy life. Detailers can be ruthless about rates and quiz their plebes constantly or can be reasonable (or anywhere in between). Plebes who are challenged by the volume of memorization and those who come to the Academy knowing the rates are assigned additional rates. Those who already know their rates are expected to help those who don't.

Validation/Validate – Academy students are able to take tests to waive some classes. In some cases, AP tests can waive a class as well. Students with many validations are called "High Validators." They end up with a lighter schedule and take some classes with students who are Youngsters (US version of a sophomore, 2nd year students).

As they drove toward the Lake House, Ryder couldn't decide if he'd rather tell Amelia or Nolan first. He had no doubt that Maggie would tell Amelia anyway, so he saw no harm in breaking the news. As they approached the gate, he and Julie saw Nolan, Lissa, Amelia, Owen and all the kids in the front yard.

Amelia stood up and clapped her hands when she saw Ryder. She was happy to have the whole family present. Running up to the passenger side of the SUV, Amelia opened the door as soon as the car stopped and hugged Julie. "Hi, Julie!" she celebrated with a wide smile.

Reciprocating the embrace, Julie greeted, "Hi, Dr. Shepherd. I hope I'm not interrupting a family get together."

"You are family, Julie. I'm thrilled you're here," Amelia enthusiastically assured her.

Ryder came around the SUV and put his hand on Amelia's shoulder. "Hi, Mama Bear."

"Baby Bear," Amelia exclaimed as she kissed his cheek multiple times. "Dad, Nolan, Lissa and I were just talking about the possibility of a trip before you leave for the Academy."

"That'd be cool," Ryder smiled as he scratched the back of his head.

"Take that sensation in, Ryder. Soon you won't have any hair," Nolan teased from a lawn chair.

"Is Ryder sick? Does he have cancer? A boy in my class had cancer and the medicine made his hair fall out," Ria asked her oldest brother, shocked at the possibility.

"No," Nolan smiled. "When Ryder goes to college, they'll shave off all the hair on his head."

"You kept your hair when you went to college," Anna commented.

"I didn't attend the Naval Academy," Nolan clarified. "Ryder's joining the Navy and going to college."

"Will he get to wear sailor clothes? Or a hat?" Lucas asked.

"Yes, I will," Ryder shared as he threw Lucas over his shoulder. With Lucas' stomach on his broad shoulder and his chest against Ryder's back, Ryder leaned toward Nolan and whispered, "I really need to talk to you, man."

"What's wrong?" Nolan inquired with concern.

"Oh, nothing. What I have to share is hilarious," Ryder responded as he motioned his head toward the house.

Nolan, holding Elizabeth in his arms, stood up and followed Ryder inside.

A few minutes later, Julie noticed Ryder and Nolan were missing. She closed her eyes slowly and excused herself from the conversation she was having with Lissa. "Pardon me," she droned. "I need to go censor Wonder Boy."

"Can I come?" Lissa questioned with hope, eager for adult interaction.

"Sure," Julie smiled. She took Emma from Lissa's arms and the two women proceeded into the house.

Unable to contain his excitement, Ryder had already announced the punchline to his brother. Once the shock was out in the open, Ryder began to provide the play by play. Even though the two brothers had only been a few minutes ahead of the women, the guys were sitting in the Lake House Living Room in hysterics.

"You couldn't help yourself, could you?" Julie grumbled with a warning tone of voice that quickly turned into stifled laughter.

Ryder smiled and reasoned, "JJ, it's hilarious. It's just Nolan. I tell my brother everything."

"You do?" Nolan deadpanned as he burst out with more laughter, destroying Ryder's flimsy excuse.

"Ass," Ryder accused his brother as he threw a throw pillow at him and guffawed simultaneously.

With an audible sigh, Julie suggested, "If you're going to tell the story, at least start over so Lissa can hear it."

With a grin, Ryder rewound and announced, "JJ and I walked in on Aunt Maggie and the Captain half dressed in the kitchen. She had on one of his t-shirts that was juuuuussssttt baaaarrrrely long enough and he was wearing boxers and sporting an enormous post-sex grin. Oh, and Aunt Maggie's hand was full of his ass."

Nolan howled, even though he'd heard it all before. With her head shaking back and forth, Lissa groaned, "Oh, I feel so sorry for them. How embarrassing."

"Right?" Julie responded, relieved to have a comrade who agreed with her.

Continuing to weave his tale, Ryder had Nolan nearly in tears. Meanwhile, Lissa and Julie began their own conversation about how embarrassed Adam and Maggie must have been.

"Liss… Lissa," Ryder interrupted. "If you aren't going to listen to the whole story, at least listen to this part."

Providing her best teacher look, Lissa regarded Ryder seriously and waited.

"Ok," Ryder resumed. "Now remember, it's a little past 10 am at this point…Captain sends JJ a text and asks to meet for lunch at noon!"

"Fantastically played," Nolan roared as he clapped his hands together.

"I don't get it," Lissa announced with confusion.

"He wanted to meet in two hours, Blondie," Nolan repeated before laughing.

"So?" Lissa shrugged.

"Lissy… think about it. The guy has a half-dressed hottie in his house and knows his kid is gone. He didn't ask JJ to meet him in 15 minutes, like most guys would if they were all embarrassed and panicked about what happened. The guy had time to go back to bed," Nolan sorted out.

"Because he was tired?" Lissa tried to understand with a shake of her head.

"Oh, Blondie, I love you," Ryder exclaimed as he put his hands on Lissa's cheeks and then hugged her as he burst out laughing.

"Larissa…" Nolan attempted to further clarify. "Adam didn't rush to meet JJ because he wanted to stay at the house for more sex."

"Oh, geesh," Lissa exclaimed with an eye roll. "Nolan James Tremblay Hunt, your mind is in the gutter."

"Dude, she pulled out the full name action," Ryder howled as he taunted his older brother.

Lissa stepped up and began to take the baby out of Nolan's arms. Instead of easing that transition, Nolan tightened his grip. He leaned down and wrapped his free arm around Lissa as he whispered in her ear, "Let's go home and do things that'd make Ryder laugh if he walked in on us."

Loosening her mood, Lissa giggled. She raised one shoulder and leaned her ear toward it with a slight nod.

"Ry," Nolan urged as he handed the baby to his brother. "Can you take the baby?"

"Sure," Ryder agreed with hesitation as he looked down at the baby and back up at Nolan. "What's going on?"

Thinking quickly, Lissa spouted, "We need to run home and get the food we were supposed to bring over. Mommy brain… I totally forgot about it."

"Mom asked you to bring something? That's not like her," Ryder furrowed his brow.

"We offered… you know, they're so good to us. It was the least we could do," Nolan explained.

Holding hands, he and Lissa hurried out the front door. As they breezed by the rest of the family, Nolan called out, "Hey, you guys, watch Molly for a bit. We'll be right back."

"Umm…sure," Owen responded. He glanced at Amelia and wondered, "What's with them?"

"I stopped asking questions long ago," Amelia commented.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

Ryder, still unable to keep a straight face, declined the lunch invitation issued through Julie. He promised to meet her at the park that evening for their workout with the Captain. While Ryder didn't yearn to be yelled at by Adam as he worked out, he also found it motivating. Adam was able to push Ryder to his limits.

Driving to the restaurant, Julie tried to rehearse the conversation. Since she didn't know what Adam planned to say or not say, she struggled to lay out her end of the conversation. She drove up and found a parking place, spotting Adam walking toward the restaurant.

After taking a deep breath, Julie hopped out of her car and locked the door. "Hey, Dad," she offered as she turned to see her father approaching.

"Where's Ryder?" Adam stared with the ends of his lips barely pointing upward. He was dressed in his khaki service uniform, looking as if he'd returned to normal after his adventures in civilian land.

"Home. He'll see us tonight for our workout," Julie explained.

"Great," Adam grinned as he extended his arm for his daughter. Julie wrapped her hand around his bent lower arm as they walked inside together.

"Captain Caldwell, how nice to see you," the hostess offered when her regular customer entered.

"Good morning, Brigitte," he nodded. "This is my daughter, Julie."

"Wonderful to meet you, Julie," Brigitte gushed. "Let me show you to a table. We have one waiting for you by the window, Captain."

"You're good to me," Adam smirked what Julie suspected was a forced, professional expression.

"Starting out with coffee this morning?" Brigitte inquired.

"I'll have coffee. Julie?" Adam responded.

"Water would be great," Julie smiled.

Both reviewed the menu and fairly quickly made a selection. After the waitress, who also recognized Adam, took their order, Adam looked down at the table and then up at his daughter. He exhaled through his mouth and jumped into the topic at hand. With an uncomfortable chuckle, he stated with embarrassment, "I'm sorry about this morning."

"It's no big deal, Dad," Julie attempted to assure him.

"No, no… it wasn't appropriate. I shouldn't have been downstairs half-dressed with a woman at my side," Adam insisted.

Julie, horrified to be having this conversation with her father, tried again to downplay the event. "Dad, you obviously had a great time on your date. You're a grown man."

He continued to squirm and Julie became entertained about being in the position where Adam felt guilty for a transgression. Their roles had been reversed. "Nonetheless," Adam emphasized. "If I had to do it over again, I would have made different choices. I wouldn't have been downstairs with Dr. Pierce like that."

"Do you like her?" Julie pressed.

"She's… captivating, funny, very intelligent," Adam grinned. "We had a great time together."

"That's bordering on TMI, Dad," Julie quipped. The Ryder-esque words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Julia…" Adam cleared his throat as his cell phone sounded a text tone. "Excuse me," he apologized as he gazed at the phone and grinned. He typed back a response and returned his phone to his chest pocket.

"The Base?" Julie ventured, actually suspecting it was Maggie. Texts from the Base rarely made Adam grin.

"Dr. Pierce. We're… uh… I'm joining her Monday night at a medical association banquet," Adam stated plainly as if he were teaching a math formula.

"Nice," Julie smirked. Rather than feeling more comfortable about what had happened, as Adam intended, both Julie and Adam became increasingly awkward.

When their food arrived, they had a reason to avoid conversation. Except for asking about each other's meal, the two nibbled, gazed out the window, and met each other's eyes awkwardly.

Adam finished his meal first and the waitress immediately cleared his plate and refilled his coffee. "I know all of the Academy paperwork is your responsibility, but I want to check in with you. Are your forms being completed? Is your file for I-Day organized?"

"Actually, it feels overwhelming. I think most of it is gathered together, but I'd be grateful if you'd take a look. I know Ryder could use some help, too," Julie responded.

"Let's plan to sit down and make that happen. Why don't you talk to Dr. Shepherd and schedule a good time to do that," Adam grinned. "I saw that they're expecting you to come having memorized some of the rates this year. When Sam enrolled, they learned those the first day."

"Really?" Julie replied with curiosity.

"Every year brings little changes. The Firsties have some latitude about structure. It's good for them to make their own decisions and create a plan – excellent experience before they graduate next Spring," Adam shared. "Have you worked on those rates?"

"No, Sir," Julie admitted openly. "I figured I'd wrap up school, graduate, and still have a month to work on that."

"True," Adam nodded. "And your schoolwork is in fine shape?"

"It is," she confirmed. "I have AP tests every day this week, so I worked ahead on homework."

"Every day? Wow. It'll be a challenging week," Adam commented. "Tell me the schedule."

Julie pulled a small datebook out of her purse and reported, "Monday afternoon is Intro to Psych – I have to get a 4 or 5, Tuesday afternoon is Spanish 3-4 and I need a 4, Wednesday morning is English Lit – requires a 5, Wednesday afternoon is Macro-Economics – 4, Thursday is Calc AB and BC – both need 4s, and Friday is Micro-Econ which needs a 4 or better."

"At least one test a day. I'm proud of you, Julie," Adam smiled. "Which exams were you able to count last year? I've forgotten."

She flipped to another part of her calendar and recited, "Statistics, Spanish 1-2, Biology, US History, World History, and US Government. All 5s except for Statistics."

Adam whistled softly and smiled. "You inherited your mother's brilliance, Itzy. If you pass all those and don't have to take them at the Academy, don't tell your brother."

"Why?" Julie laughed.

"He was at least a point away on all of his AP tests except Biology. When he tried to validate at the Academy, he didn't score high enough to validate anything. Instead, he ended up in advanced classes for nearly everything. I think his fury may have been what made him tough enough to become a SEAL," Adam chuckled. He reviewed the lists Julie had shared and investigated, "What about Chemistry and Physics?"

"I highly doubt I'll be able to validate Physics, but I'll try. The Academy doesn't take AP at all for Physics or Chemistry," Julie explained. "I don't know why, but that's the deal."

"Does Ryder have heavy loads for the AP tests too?" Adam inquired.

"Similar. He's taking some of the same tests that I'm taking this year and some of the tests I took last year. Last year was the same way. He decided to take the AP Chemistry test even though the Academy won't accept it – he thinks it will help him for the validation exam," Julie detailed.

"You two have brilliant young minds. The Navy is lucky to have you both," Adam smiled proudly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

The impromptu picnic wound down mid-afternoon. After cleaning up the yard and kitchen, Owen and Amelia sat on the sofa cuddling and gazing at the lake.

"Can I get a ride to the mall?" Olivia asked as she came bounding down the stairs.

"At 5pm?" Owen responded in disbelief.

"Yeah," Olivia shrugged. She stopped between the window and the sofa, looking at her parents expectantly. Dressed in a pink sequined dress, Olivia wore zebra-striped flats and sported a checkered red and black flannel shirt tied around her waist.

"No," Owen declared as he bored his eyes into hers.

"Why not?!" she argued. "It's Saturday night."

"We're eating dinner in an hour," Owen reminded her. "6pm dinner time, in the dining room, every night."

"I'll eat at the mall," Olivia persisted. She checked her phone and typed out a text before throwing the phone back in the oversized black purse with a Batman logo on it.

"No," Owen repeated.

"Ryder?" Olivia called out as she headed up the stairs.

"What?" he replied from his bedroom.

"Can I come in?" Olivia begged.

"Whatever. I'm studying, Red. Make it quick," Ryder warned.

She closed the door after entering his room and Ryder scoffed at her outfit. He held his tongue and instead inquired, "What?"

"Can you take me to the mall? Please, please, please?" she pleaded.

Ryder glanced at the clock, "Shit. Get out. I need to change clothes."

"Will you take me to the mall if I move to the hallway?" she whined.

"Yeah, sure. I need to meet JJ and her dad at the park for our workout. Are you ready to go now – like no, 'Wait I have to go to the bathroom,' or 'Just one more thing'?" Ryder pressed.

"Promise," she made the sign of the cross over her heart.

"Wait for me. Lemme change. Scoot," Ryder demanded. He changed in record time and stepped into the hallway, "Let's go."

He ran down the stairs with Olivia following behind him and called out to his parents, "Working out with JJ and the Captain. Eating dinner at their house and taking the SUV."

"Bye," Amelia responded. Neither she nor Owen turned to notice that Olivia headed to the garage too.

"Where at the mall should I stop?" Ryder asked as they waited for the signal to change.

"By Nordstrom," Olivia stated plainly.

Ryder chuckled, "Will they let you walk through their store looking like that?"

"They'll even let Navy guys in. Nordstrom is so tolerant," Olivia quipped.

Ryder smiled and affirmed his sister, "I've taught you well, Padwan." He stopped in front of Nordstom and checked, "Do you need a ride home too? I'll be going by here in a few hours."

"I don't think so. Can I call you if I do?" Olivia wondered aloud.

"If I'm already home, I'm not driving back over here. If I'm still at Julie's, I'll pick you up," he shared. He watched her walk into the store, chuckling to himself as she bopped along with a spring in her step.

Olivia stopped midway through the store and pulled out her cell phone. She sent a text to Amelia that read, Ryder gave me a ride to the mall. Won't be home for dinner. XXOO. After walking through the store, Olivia spotted Gwen and ran into her arms with enthusiasm.

"Hi, Livs," Gwen gushed as she hugged her girlfriend and pulled back for a kiss.

Olivia beamed and brushed a stray hair out of Gwen's face, "You look adorable today. I love the skirt."

"Me too – just bought it," Gwen shared. "Goodwill. $3.00!"

"Not fair," Olivia shook her head. "You have all the luck." Olivia's phone sounded with the tone she used for Owen. "Crud," she groaned as she searched for her phone.

"What?" Gwen asked.

"I told my mom I was here. Now my dad is texting me," she sighed. Pulling the phone out of her purse, Olivia checked the screen. On my way to pick you up. Where shall we meet? "Oh come on," Olivia groaned. "Now he's all pissed and says he's on his way to pick me up."

"Come sit down while you work this out," Gwen encouraged. They found a bench and sat next to each other as Owen and Olivia had text wars.

I'll be home later, Dad. No need to come get me.

Non-negotiable, Olivia. I told you no and you left anyway.

It's no big deal. I'll be home by 9, ok?!

You'll come home with me NOW. Which entrance?

How are you driving and texting? Isn't that against the law?

Voice recognition. Running away is also against the law.

Very funny.

Not kidding.

"Gwen, he's not budging," Olivia complained.

"Then go home. We'll see each other at school on Monday. It's not worth getting in trouble," she advised.

Which entrance Olivia Elise?

The one in front of Nordstom. BTW you are mean.

Here. Where are you?

Olivia leaned over and kissed Gwen, "You want to walk out there with me?"

"I'll walk until the door. I don't want to meet your parents when they're ticked off," Gwen giggled.

"Good point," Olivia agreed. The two chatted as they walked through the store.

"Call me later if you can," Gwen pled with sad eyes.

"If I'm alive and if I have a phone," Olivia emphasized.

Pouring on the charm and acting adorable, Olivia hopped into the truck and greeted Owen warmly, "Hi Daddy."

"Don't 'Hi Daddy' me, Olivia Hunt," Owen growled. "You left after we told you specifically to stay home."

"Noooo," she emphasized. "I thought you were saying you weren't going to take me, not that I couldn't go."

Owen pursed his lips and exhaled, "We'll discuss this after dinner."

"I want to discuss it now. It's just a misunderstanding, Dad," Olivia attempted.

"Olivia, I clearly told you no," Owe argued.

Simultaneously raising her voice and crying, Olivia poured on the dramatics, "You. Did. Not. I asked for a ride and you said no because it was only an hour until dinner. You didn't say I couldn't go. You just said no. Now you're acting like you said things you didn't say and you're all mad at me. I came out when you came to the mall, didn't I? I'm not some horrible kid, Dad. If you didn't want me to go to the mall, you should have been more specific."

Owen ignored her until they pulled up to the house. He parked the truck on the side of the driveway, and Olivia jumped out and slammed her door. Stomping through the garage, she flung open the door to the house and walked quickly through the kitchen and into the Living Room.

"Grab a plate, Livs. Everything is on the kitchen island tonight," Amelia instructed from the Dining Room.

"I'm not eating!" Olivia yelled as she ran up the stairs.

"What's wrong with her?" Lucas wondered aloud.

"She left without permission, so Daddy picked her up and brought her home. Getting in trouble isn't fun," Amelia explained.

"What's gonna happen to her?" Anna inquired.

Owen brought his plate to the table and lowered his chin as he looked at Anna, "You don't need to worry about that Anna. That's between your mom, Olivia and me."

Victoria jumped up from her seat and approached Owen.

"You aren't excused, young lady," Owen snapped.

Wrapping her arms around Owen, Ria observed, "You look like you need a hug, Daddy. I'm not leaving the table. I'm going right back to my seat."

He reciprocated by putting one arm around his daughter and kissing her forehead. "Thanks, Ree."

"By the way," Olivia called down from upstairs, "Leave me alone the rest of the night. I hate you both! You're the meanest parents ever!" She returned to her room and slammed her door, not having learned from her older siblings' experiences that slamming doors led to no doors.

"Eat first, door later," Amelia sounded firmly as Owen began to stand. He sat back down and shook his head. Amelia mouthed, Breathe deep.