Page 4 of Forever Fallen

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Six Months Later…

Ryan readthe email and actually cracked a slight smile on his serious face. Not only was Alpo’s wife threatening to set them up with ‘love matches’ – but Glory was now pregnant. Thumper and Valkyrie’s wives were all pregnant and due to deliver within weeks of each other. Romeo wanted to be with his brother in Alaska for their first child and Armadillo’s own wife was due a month later… effectively shutting down and limiting any instructor flights from Flyboys for a while.

Alpo couldn’t do it alone.

A desperate plea had gone out to the team via email… and Ryan realized this might be the change of scenery he needed.

“Hot Cakes? Handsy? Caboose? Are you going to help?” Ryan asked bluntly. “Did you get the same email I did from the guys?”

“I just got back from leave and don’t have anything for a few months.”

“I’ve got a week.”

“I’ve got a week, too.”

“Am I the only one who doesn’t use his vacation time?” Ryan glared at the other men. “Where exactly are you going on your time off?”

“Home,” all three men said in unison, surprised at the question.

Ryan rubbed his forehead in aggravation.

His mother had died a year ago – and while they weren’t too close? He no longer had a place to go, and the base was home now. All the remainder of his stuff was in a tiny storage locker north of Fort Worth, located in Azle, Texas, where he grew up.

“Fine,” Ryan uttered. “I’ll burn through my leave – and then you two zoomies can take the following two weeks. That will at least help them out for almost six weeks.”

“Sounds good.”

“You sure about that, Reaper?”

“Yeah… they’ve always had my back and it’s time to repay the favor,” Ryan said evenly, realizing it was true.

When he had to fly home to empty the house, put it on the market, and arrange for storage… Valkyrie had gone to the commander with his request – which was originally denied by Reilly.

There was no love lost between him and Colonel Reilly because he went over the man’s head… more than once.

* * *

Alpo,

I’ve got a month of leave accrued and could use a break. Why don’t I help -out at Flyboys? Just let me know the date and I’ll head that way…

Reaper

* * *

Reaper– you are a godsend!

Can you fly out Tuesday or Wednesday? I know it’s short notice, but my sister, Thumper’s wife, went into labor early and I’m actually sending this from the waiting area at the hospital.

Thumper is a nervous wreck…

So am I.

Alpo

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