“Hmmm. I think I’ll withdraw the question.” Will stepped back and planted a smile toward them.
“How long are you in town?”
“I’m about out. I had some follow-up treatment down at the center.”
“Everything okay?” Jen asked.
“Sure. Just some lingering issues from our mission, nothing of concern. They say I might even be able to fly again someday. Of course my time as a fighter pilot is officially through. The Air Force will probably keep me around in a nice desk job. I don’t know if I can handle that for another ten years.”
“You gonna stay on then?”
“I am. I hear you made captain. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Of course she still outranks me, even as a civilian.” Kyle looked down at his wife and caressed the side of her face.
A knock on the half-closed door let it swing open slightly and another head popped into the room.
“I heard there was a party going on.” Ruth flashed a huge smile as she walked in extending her arms. “Let me see him. Gimme gimme!”
“I’ve got to get a big hug first.” Kyle spread his arms and gave his second massive bear hug of the day. He’d never felt so much joy.
A moment later the phone next to Jan’s bed sprung to life.
“Damn that’s loud,” she exclaimed. “Scare the heck out of me. Who do you suppose that is?”
“Oh,” Ruth said meekly with a smile. “I might have spilled the beans to someone else.”
“Hello?”
“Jen, how are you?”
“Frank! Oh Frank, thank you so much for calling. I guess you were let in on our due date.”
“I sort of had a little help in that, yes.”
“Here, let me put you on speaker.” She reached over and punched the orange button before letting the handset come to rest on the cradle. “Can you hear me?”
“Every word,” Frank replied. “So, did I miss the big event?”
“You couldn’t have timed it any better,” Ruth nearly shouted.
“Is everyone there? Will too?”
“I’m here too, Frank. Where are you?”
“I can’t stay on the phone long, I’m about to board a plane.”
“A plane? Hell, I still have nightmares about those things,” Ruth exclaimed. “You won’t catch me on a plane unless ordered, and even then I might protest.”
“Ruth, I was just certified as a pilot last week. Got my license and everything.” Frank’s booming laugh could be heard across the room.
“A pilot? You’ve got to be kidding!” Will laughed.
“Nope. I kind of got the bug. It’s actually been a life-long dream of mine.”
“Where you heading?” Kyle asked.
“Funny you should ask. I’m heading back to Russia.”
“What for?” The look on Jen’s face was nothing but surprise.
“Special assignment. I’ll be the liaison to the American Ambassador for military operations. I’m getting ready to board now. I just wanted to call and say congratulations to you both.”
“We couldn’t be happier, Frank. Best of luck.”
“Thanks guys. Gotta go.”
The line went dead and Jen punched the speaker button again to silence the buzz.
“Well, who’d a thought that would ever happen?” Will said.
“I guess the gang really was all here.”
“With a new member added to the group,” Jen replied. “And Kyle, there’s one more person you need to wrap those massive arms around,” Jen said. “You haven’t held your son yet.”
The room paused as Kyle turned and stared at his family. He raised his arms and they began to tremble. In all the situations he’d ever found himself in, he had never been so nervous. Ruth placed her right hand on his shoulder and her left hand atop his.
“Go hold your son, Captain.”
A note from the Author
Thank you for reading ‘The Bear’. I hope you enjoyed it and consider leaving a review to help others find it. I also invite you to peek in on my website at robertthomasbooks.com
This is my first book outside of the fantasy genre in which I usually write. If you have a love of fantasy, check out these books, all available through Amazon.
The Dream Valley book one of The Crystal Point Legacy trilogy
Silent Watcher book two of The Crystal Point Legacy
Death of Kings book three of The Crystal Point Legacy