Chapter 25 - Just Sitting Around And Hanging Out This Afternoon

Mike's POV

I can't shake the uneasy feeling that i've had these last few days.

There's always a feeling of anxiousness and dread when a deployment is looming ahead that's mixed with a surging energy that comes with the knowledge that you're about to finally put all of your training and hard work into action.

When it's your best friend waiting for the call it becomes a little more nerve wracking. Both Amber and I would always prefer that when we get told to leave, that we would go together. But that's unrealistic, so often times one of us has to stay behind and guard the line.

The waiting... the waiting can be brutal. The countdown clock always ticks a little louder and faster when you're waiting for the call.

It's a little nerve wracking having to just sit and wait. Never actually knowing exactly when you'll be told that you'll be leaving.

But that's a skill that you learn how to master quickly. The hurry up and wait.

We have the waiting routine down pat. It mainly just consists of Amber and I spending an insane amount of quality time doing everything from working out, playing tag or any other childish thing that comes to mind, watching movies, and just about anything that takes our fancy at that moment. It doesn't matter what it is that we do, the main thing is that we make sure to carve out some time to do it together.

The added bonus this go around is the Cullen Family has now been added into our ritual.

In between our brother and sister time different members of the Cullen family have joined in on our fun. The morning after Amber and Rosalie's big date the Cullen brothers joined Amber and I on our morning run.

In between our meetings and work going on at the schoolhouse Esme and her daughter's brought us some baked cookies to munch on.

Thankfully I was able to switch with a fellow sere instructor and I managed to get a few hours off so that I'm able to get off Wednesday afternoon and evening since Amber and I have been invited over to the Cullen family's house for games, shenanigans and dinner.

It'll probably be the last time that Amber and I see eachother before she gets deployed.

Hopefully I'll be able to take some time off to see her right before she had to board the plane.

Emmett's POV

There's a tension in the house that seems to ease a bit as soon as we hear Mike's truck coming up the road.

I look over at my other best friend. Rose has been distressed ever since Amber's announcement.

The whole family has been pretty worried, because it seems like this deployment is different than all of the other ones that Amber has taken since she came into our lives.

I can't help but be concerned as I walk out of the house and onto the porch as I watch Amber and Mike having what seems to be an argument in the cab of the truck. It's hard to make out their muffled voices. In no time the rest of the family makes their way out onto the porch. After a minute or so after they parked they both get out of the truck, both slamming their doors as their words finally reach our ears.

Amber yells "I can't believe you!"

"Me?! You're the delusional one!" Mike shouts back

"At least I didn't try and kill you." Amber accuses

We all tense up at the implication that Mike tried to kill Amber. Thankfully Jasper was quick enough to grab Rosalie's arm as her inner beast tried to take over and protect and seek revenge for her mate.

"They aren't truly mad at eachother. It's very confusing. They're amused more than anything." Jasper says trying to calm not only Rose down but the rest of the family.

Mike stops and grabs Amber so that they're both facing each other as he shouts "I DIDN'T TRY AND KILL YOU! "

"Say that to my taste buds asshole!" Amber defiantly says.

Mike yells exasperatedly "You never give strawberry a chance!"

By now the whole family is confused.

"That's because its awful!" Amber shouts back

"Well you didnt have to drink it, ya know!" Mike tries to defend himself.

Their fight seems to be dying down as Amber half heartedly shouts back "How could I not...you put it in my cup...the one I was using, you jerk!"

"It was the only cup available." Mike states with a shrug.

"Well at least you had a reason." Amber says with a shrug of her own.

Amber starts to make her way towards us, but quickly turns back to Mike and points her finger at him as she says "And don't think I forgot about my lemonade...yeah go ahead and laugh, but you owe me a cup of lemonade."

Amber and Mike start to friendly push and shove each other as they make their way up the stairs.

I couldn't help but ask Mike "Did you really pour out Amber's lemonade and replace it with something else?"

Mike looks very smug with himself as he says "Yes I did. Amber and I have a difference of opinion about strawberry cool aid."

"It's not a difference of opinion. It's that I'm right about strawberry cool aid tasting like shit and Mike is wrong." Amber says matter-of-factly after she gives Rose a hello kiss.

After we all have a laugh at the siblings antics, and they both nearly shove each other off the porch, we all make our way inside of the house.

As everyone settles into the living room I notice that Amber and Rosalie are missing, but thanks to my vampire senses I know that they have made a detour and are giving each other a 'proper hello' in private.

If anyone notices the new couple making their way back into the room a few minutes later no one says anything.

I can't help but smile to myself at their obvious happiness.

After everything that they both have been through I'm beyond thrilled that they both finally made their way to each other.

A quick discreet glance a Jasper I can't help but notice how relaxed he has become since Amber became such a fixture in our lives.

I know without having to look around that I will see similar looks from the rest of the family.

If I had Jasper's ability I would also be able to feel the serenity that having not only Amber but Mike with us.

Esme's POV

I'm can't help but laugh to myself when I hear the groaning from the family in the living room as Bella claims another victory in Bingo.

After dinner we have been playing a variety of games ranging from different kinds of board games, card games, and even video games.

Thanks to my vampire memory I'll be able to always hold on to the sight that greets me as I walk back into the family room carrying in another platter full of snacks.

Not only is my family smiling and having a great time, but they are all together.

We have always put an emphasis on quality family bonding time, but it wasn't until Amber came along and bringing Mike along and into our lives that our quality time has come to life in a way that it was seeming to lack before.

The two of them have a closeness that I don't think any of us has seen or felt in a long time.

After everything that the both of them have been through it's not surprising that they have come to depend on each other.

As I settle myself beside my husband I can't help but count my blessings especially when I can feel the love surrounding us.

Rosalie's POV

Even with the upcoming departure of my mate I can't help but be happy and content in this moment.

Throughout the night Mike and Amber have been regaling us all with stories of their shenanigans over the years.

From filling a commanding officer's office full of loose toilet paper rolls all the way to trying to ride sheep like a horse that they found randomly on the Irish countryside.

I snuggle deeper into Amber's arms as I let my siblings argue over what they want to play next.

Amber seems to be on the same page as she seems to be more than content to bury her face into my neck as she gives it a few teasing kisses as we both let everyone else squabble and bicker back and forth.

Finally there's an agreement to play rummy.

After a few more hours Mike regretfully announces that he has to leave.

It saddens me as I watch my love walk her brother to his truck as the weight of what might be their final goodbye before Amber deploys looms over their heads.

Amber's POV

There's only a few seconds of awkwardness after we shut the door before we're joking and acting like our normal selves.

Which mainly consists of trash talking about who lost the most games tonight.

In no time we're next to Mike's truck with our hands inside of our jean's pockets as we toe our boots in the dirt for a couple of seconds as we gather our thoughts.

It's me that breaks the silence first by saying, "I know, I wish we were going together too."

"That's only because you want me to keep you out of trouble." Mike lovingly scoffs at me.

"I'll just have to blame Smith." I say matter of factly.

Mike confusingly asks "Who's Smith?"

I shrug my shoulders as I say "I don't know either, but while everyone is trying to figure it out I can get an alibi."

It takes us a few minutes for us to get our laughing under control.

After we gather ourselves Mike and I pull each other into a bone crushing hug as we exchange I love you's and I'll miss you's.

When the hug is over we pull each other in close by the back of the head and neck as we touch foreheads.

Just like the Hawaiian traditional Māori greeting. I don't think either one of us really remembers how it started, but it has become our tradition in times when we feel a need to remind ourselves that we will always have each other and that no matter where we have to go, we're carrying the other with us.

It helps to anchor ourselves during all the chaos. It was something that we both needed especially after Clay's death.

Right as we break apart Mike says "If you can't be safe"

"Be deadly" I say with conviction.

We give each other another solid hug and before I know it Mike's on his way back to his place.

I know that he should be able to get some time off to say goodbye at the base's airport, but just in case we always make sure to say goodbye before hand.

I stare after his truck long after his tail lights disappear.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see the whole Cullen family watching from the huge window and I can't help but smile to myself as I think about all the new reasons to come home.