August
20th, 2029; Jaylyn were quite proud still to say they were the proud
parent three daughters and two sons. Amira had soared up the ranks in the Corps
to Staff Sergeant quickly surpassing her father’s rank of Corporal with great
ease in the intervening four years since she joined up, six years after Jen got
her in. Amira had taken liberty to attend Jordan and Dylan’s fifth birthday
party along side of her mother. The usual guests were at the party, including the
good doctor herself. To say that birthdays weren’t a family affair was far from
the truth.
“Staff
Sergeant O’Neill.” Jethro said proudly as his goddaughter came into full view
in her uniform.
“Gunny.”
Amira said with a smile on her face.
“It’s
good to see you again, Amira; it’s been far too long.”
“It’s
been five months since my last visit, Uncle Jethro.”
“What
can I say you’re my favorite, Sarge.”
“Don’t
let Abby or the others hear you say that Gunny.” Amira teased.
“You’re
just like you’re grandfather, Amira.”
Jethro
walked Amira to the backyard where her mother and the rest of guests were.
Kelly was the big four –zero. Delilah, Emiliana, Arabella and Madison were
thirty. Amira was twenty-two. Aliyah, Juliet and Zoey were almost twelve. Kate,
Kassidy, Tali, Monique and Kyle Luca were ten at this point.
“Amira,
Amira!!!!!” precocious Jordan and Dylan
shouted when they noticed Amira walking over to the coolers with their uncle.
Just
as Jordan and Dylan had worship the ground that their uncle walked on, they
worshipped the ground that Amira walked on as well.
“Happy
Birthday boys.” Amira said as she hugged the boys.
The
birthday boys went off to play after that.
“What do you want to drink, Sarge?”
“Budweiser, you knew that already;
Uncle Jethro.”
“Yeah.” Jethro said as he grabbed a
beer for Amira and for himself.
Amira had started to wander over to
where her Aunt was standing with her mother and all the other women that were
at the party. Amira had wondered what the group had been talking about. Last minute she headed over to Kelly and the
quads.
“What
are they talking about?” Amira asked.
“What
do you think they are talking about?”
“If
that’s what they are talking about then I don’t see why my mom is a part of the
conversation.”
“Am,
it’s not like she’s been celibate her whole life; you’re kind of proof of
that.”
“I
got that, but why discuss that now and here. Whatever happened to the notion of
what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors?”
“Not
with those six, besides they are comparing notes and reliving their heyday.”
“Its
all they got since they are all moms.”
“Doesn’t mean they can’t, Amira.” Arabella
said.
“I
know but my mother hasn’t been with anyone since my dad and that was twenty-two
years ago.”
“So
it’s been thirty years since our parents had us and ten years since they had
the twins; doesn’t mean our parents don’t make sheet music together.” Madison
said quoting her godfather.
Amira
smiled as she realized that Madison had quoted Franks.
Probie always had her on his mind. She’s his
Achilles’ heel. They definitely make sweet sheet music.
Mike stood next
to his granddaughter as she conversed; he knew that Amira felt his presence.
Hoorah, Sarge, Hoorah.
“Thanks,
Grandpa.”
Before
Amira knew it, her grandfather wasn’t the only presence she felt.
“Dad???”
Amira questioned.
Amira, Amira; Staff Sergeant Amira O’Neill.
There are no words to describe how proud I am of you. Hoorah Sergeant.
Kate
and Kassidy ran over to where their Dad was standing.
“What
is it, girls?”
“Uncle
Mike with Mira’s daddy just like Aunt Kate and Aunt Paula were at our birthday.”
“Boss?”
Jethro said to the nothingness.
You did good, Probie. Keep my girls safe, all
of them.
“Semper Fi.” Amira
and Jethro said in unison to the nothingness.
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