Sergeant Major Sampson only numbly shakes his head yes. Chuckling at his battle-hardened friend Ron retrieves his laptop bringing open his account shows it to the Sergeant Major. Ron’s friend eyes go wide at seeing the total on his account. The Sergeant major stutters, “That, that, that’s more money than the unit has to spend all year.”
Chuckling Ron says, “That’s my account, and Reese’s account is slightly larger, and she loves to rub it in my face.”
Sergeant Major Sampson seems to come out of his shock at that. Laughing for a moment he says, “That sounds just like her.”
Ron continues, “What she doesn’t realize is I bought some land right next to the rest of us and our house will be just off MC’s property. I have already talked to her and she is going to allow the driveway to our home be extended from her driveway. The house will get started shortly after the weather improves. Probably about March or April, Daniel is going over floor plans with her. She is thinking it will be sometime next year before we have a house built. I’m really looking forward to surprising her.”
The two friends catch up, and I enjoy hearing some of the stories the Sergeant tells. Sam is setting in my lap and the events of the day have begun to wear on her, she falls asleep with her head against my chest and I allowed her to sleep. When Sam tries moving to make herself more comfortable, I simply lie back and allow her to stretch out on my chest. Ron and the Sergeant Major chuckle quietly at seeing Sam. Ron says, “She loves to sleep on her Daddy’s chest. JJ has spoiled her.”
The Sergeant Major chuckles, “Captain Sheridan, her first Dad would allow her do that too. JJ is just continuing what was already started.” I only smile not wanting to wake Sam from her nap. I gently massage her back to keep her asleep.
In a soft voice Ron says, “JJ is a damn good Dad, he seems to know exactly when Sam will wake up from a bad dream. On New Year’s Eve he got there just as she woke up, Kathryn was bragging on him. She has the security footage of the event saved. She was showing it to her father and brothers and Reese pulled me in to watch it.”
I had better have her stop doing that. I do not want my brother-in-laws to feel bad if they cannot do that too. I do not want Kathryn to be prideful on things I have no idea how they work, or why. Maybe Sam’s Angel Mommy or Daddy let me know. I am sure that is an idea that may not get a lot of credence, but makes more sense to me than anything else.
I did not even realize how tired I was, until Sam, shifting as she got up woke me. A couple hours had passed and I look around the large living room. Ron is nowhere in sight, and from the sounds coming from behind one of the doors I think the Coach and Helen are taking the opportunity to get closer.
Sam figures out where the bathroom is, and she disappears in a bedroom for a few minutes. I am setting up on the couch stretching as Sam returns. Seeing the darkening skies, I am near a panic because I have not gotten the security guards yet.
Sam giggles at seeing my face, setting back down in my lap she says, “Don’t worry about it Daddy, Uncle Marshall took care of the security guards. Uncle Ron told the Sergeant Major about what we are afraid of tonight. Right after you fell asleep, I woke up and listen to them make plans. Everything is going to be all right Daddy.”
The main door opens and Ron steps in, at seeing me awake he says, “I’ll have to remember that I can get away with that too.” He chuckles a moment before he continues, “You are out like a light almost as soon as Sam was asleep on your chest. You better call Kathryn back, I told her you had Sam I’m your chest and the both of you were asleep.”
Ron is right I can since her impatience and her need to speak to me. I can feel the distance between the two of us, but our bond is stronger now and we are still connected. Calling Kathryn, she picks up before the first ring and I smile as she says, “Hello sleepyhead.”
With a chuckle I say, “It was Sam’s fault, she knock me down in the comfortable couch, and then she held me down until I fell asleep.”
Sam still in my lap differs, “Daddy, that’s not true.”
Giggling Kathryn says, “JJ don’t blame your daughter for you falling asleep, I know you didn’t get much last night so you probably really needed it. Just so you don’t blame yourself Crystal did that for me too.”
I look around the room, and Ron has gone into the kitchen that is part of this large sweet. I tell Kathryn, “You know I still can feel you. I guess our bond has gotten stronger. I knew how bad you needed me to call you, and that you were impatient.”
Kathryn giggles, “I was just wondering how long you were going to sleep, Reese got me up half an hour ago to tell me about their precautions for tonight.”
Sam from my lap says, “I just told Daddy he doesn’t have anything to worry about Mommy.”
I move the phone closer to Sam and Kathryn says, “I know everything is going to go fine Sam, but you to stay on your toes just in case. Now what are your grandma and grandpa up to?”
Sam giggles and says, “They are in their bedroom, making funny noises.”
Kathryn giggles for a few moments finally she says, “I hope you found some bikes, because Reese said the Post Exchange usually keeps a large quantity on hand.”
Chuckling I say, “Sam and I have completed our secondary mission.”
I take pictures of the bike setting near the large window that shows a half-gray sky as clouds move in. I send the photographs to Kathryn’s phone. Kathryn has Cindy and Crystal with her as soon as the photos pop up the two girls squeal in happiness. I can feel Kathryn’s joy, and the pain from the high-pitched squeal the girls gave her.
Chuckling from our shared joy I say, “From their reaction I think Sam did pretty good, she picked out the bikes.”
Kathryn holds the phone to Crystal’s ear. Crystal is excited as she says, “I get the smaller blue one right? It is just like Sam’s yellow one, just like Sam told me. I do like blue, Daddy. Thank you Daddy, thank you Sam.”
That makes the trip worth it, the fact that my girls are so happy with their bikes. Having my girls being happy is what I live for. Kathryn passes the phone to Cindy, and she is just as excited as Crystal. In a very happy voice she says, “Aunt Kathryn said you were going to get us bikes in Texas because there wasn’t any around here. Thank you Uncle JJ. Kara said you would get them. Tell Sam thank you too.”
Sam says, “You’re welcome Cindy.”
I say, “I wish I could’ve gave it to you sooner. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
Cindy giggles then says, “You didn’t disappoint me Uncle JJ. I knew it would take some time, and Aunt Kathryn explained about not having any here. Aunt Kathryn and you are the first two people in my life who ever worried about me. I love you Uncle JJ.”
Kathryn coming back on the phone says, “You have two very happy young girls that really want to give you hugs and kisses for their bikes. You better make sure you’re here tomorrow to get them.”
Smiling I say, “I’m really looking forward to getting home. Even though I still feel you with me, I would much rather be in your arms.”
Kathryn sighs then says, “I know my love, give me a call once everything is okay.”
“I promise I will.”
Sam from my lap says, “Mommy I’ll make sure Daddy does.”
Kathryn says, “I love you, talk to you later. Goodbye.”
Sam replies, “Love you Mommy, goodbye.”
Smiling I say, “Love you more, I’ll talk to you later goodbye.” I hang up, knowing Kathryn is doing the same. We have just a little while, and I asked Sam she has the dress her Mom wants her to wear.
Sam says brightly, “It’s in the same suit bag as your suit Daddy.”
Looking at my beautiful Princess I say, “Sam, go get ready, I’ll take a shower after you finish.”
I am very thankful and grateful that Kathryn and my Mother were looking out for me, I was so worried this morning I nearly forgot our luggage. The two keep me grounded, I have not been this nervous since our wedding and Kathryn knows it. This almost feels like the last time I went up for my certification on my last black belt. I nervously walk over to the kitchen, maybe talking with Ron and Marshall will help.
Ron hands me a brisket sandwich, “Eat this, they’ll be food there but probably not until an hour or so after the presentations. That would be a good three hours from now. We can get away with giving Sam a snack, but you on the other hand have to be tougher than that. You really do not understand what this concerns. Sam’s parents were Rangers, normally would something like this happens we tried to get the child placed with another Ranger family. There are more than a few Rangers that really wanted Sam. You really impressed Reese and I, the Sergeant Major seen that Sam belongs with you too. They may be a challenge or two tonight. You cannot back down from them. They got this stupid machine there that measures how hard you can punch, expect at least a couple guys challenging you to see who can hit it the hardest.”
Marshall chuckles remember how many two by fours that I can break. He says, “JJ I hope you’re not out of practice too much. But I do remember you can break what was it five two by fours.”
Looking at Marshall I say, “It was four, in that demonstration I put on. My sensei had me break six as part of my challenge for my last belt.”
Ron chuckles, “Oh, this is going to be good. That stupid machine list how hard you hit it, so far no one has maxed it out. It lists, everything from a touch to a killing blow, so far no one is got past knockout.”
Catching his point I say, “So if I hit that thing hard enough, I won’t have to have a fist fight.”
Chuckling Ron says, “If you hit hard enough, no one will bother you.”
Sam squeals, “Daddy help!” That sends me running, through the bedroom door and jump across the bed into the bathroom, my socks slide on the bathroom floor, and I catch myself on the sink. Sam is in the shower and she hollers again.
Opening the shower door, Sam completely covered in soapsuds from her shampoo. Sam complains, “I got soap in my eyes.” There are chuckles from the bathroom doorway; Ron and Marshall stand there having followed. I am at a loss at what to do.
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