Page 10 of Believe in Me
“We bringed duckies!” Mike thought Cam told him this.
“Unca D sended more!” If he was right, then that was Cal.
“Uncle Danny sent you another duck?” Mike asked them.
“Fluffy ones!” they said together. Mike wasn’t sure how a rubber ducky was fluffy but agreed with them.
“Danny found stuffed ducks that look like the others,” Mooney clarified as he walked up. “Boys, do you need to use the potty?” Mike had a hard time controlling his chuckles as the big bad MP used the word potty but succeeded.
“Peas, Daddy.” The twins jumped out of Mike’s arms and started up the front steps.
“Hope you don’t mind, Mike. The boys are trying their hardest to not have accidents,” Mooney said as he walked by Mike, slapping him on the shoulder. “We’ll have a talk later.”
Mike stood up and turned to see Debbie grabbing a duffle from the van. He went and took the bag from her. “They’re still having accidents? Thought they were through with potty training?”
“A few here and there. Especially when we’re in the car for a long time. It’s hard being three,” Debbie answered as she handed him the bag. “Thanks. I’ll send Luny out for the other bag later.” Debbie put a hand on Mike’s cheek and tilted his head down a bit to place a kiss on his cheek. “You’re an idiot but didn’t deserve to be treated the way you were. She’s a stupid bitch,” Debbie finished, making Mike laugh.
“You are so perfect for Mooney. Love you, Debbie.”
§ § §
Mike hated standing in front of the unit. Standing at the front of his section, with his soldiers behind him? Not a problem. He just hated standing facing them, on display. Oh he was sure that he’d get used to being at the front when he pinned on his diamond in a year or two but yeah, right now it was completely out of his comfort zone.
He could see Mooney and Debbie each holding a twin out of the corner of his eye. The boys were going to help Mooney pin on his master sergeant rank. They’d been practicing all weekend. Cal had fun ripping the old rank off and laughed each time at the sound of the Velcro letting go. Cam was so cute as he tried to get the rank to stick on straight. His tongue poking out between his lips.
Captain Bradley and First Sergeant Flowers came out of the building and the unit snapped to attention.
“Soldiers, it’s my great privilege to promote Sergeant First Class Mullvaney to Master Sergeant today. He hasn’t been with our unit that long, but he’s become an invaluable source in the lab and in the field. The dedication he has shown, brings great credit to him, our unit, and the Army as a whole. Before I have the first sergeant publish the orders, I would like to welcome our special guests for today. Master Sergeant and Mrs. Raphael Luna and their two boys, Camden and Calvin. Master Sergeant Luna has been friends with Mullvaney since their early years in the Army. My understanding is they are part of a special group that has been there for each other through promotions, deployments, marriages and many PCSes. There’s no stronger a bond than those you serve with,” Captain Bradley said, motioning to Mooney to come forward. “First Sergeant, please publish the orders.”
As the orders were read, Mooney and Debbie walked over with the boys. Debbie held Cal so he could rip off Mike’s E-7 rank which he then hugged to his chest. Mooney shifted closer so Cam could put the E8 rank on the middle of Mike’s chest. Debbie moved back in front of Mike and removed his hat, replacing it with a new one with the master sergeant rank on the front, then she took Cam from Mooney. Mooney squared himself in front of Mike and drew back his right arm. He swung forward and just as he got to Mike’s chest to tag the new rank in place, Mooney pulled his punch and patted the rank.
“Daddy, hitting is bad!” Cam yelled, making the whole unit chuckle. Mike could see Debbie closing her eyes and shaking her head out of the corner of his eye.
“That’s right, young man. Hitting is bad. Your daddy is following a tradition that is a rite of passage. Years ago when the rank had a pin on the back, soldiers would punch the pin into the soldier being promoted so he would remember his new responsibilities. He’s not hurting your uncle just making sure that it’s in place,” First Sergeant Flowers told Cam. Both Mooney and Debbie nodded seemed Top had their approval in how he was explaining it to the boys.
“Unca Mike, you ‘kay?” Cal asked.
“I’m fine, little man,” Mike assured the boys.
“Form a line to congratulate Master Sergeant Mullvaney,” Top called out.
“Master Sergeant Luna, Mrs. Luna, boys, thank you for being here,” Captain Bradley said before shaking Mike’s hand.
“We gets cheeses now?” Cam asked.
“We’ll get you cheeses in a few minutes,” Debbie said before giving Mike a kiss on the cheek. “Well deserved.”
§ § §
Trish pushed the swinging door from the kitchen open with her hip as she carried a tray of fresh brownies out for the display case. A quick glance told her that the dining area was pretty full, and it looked like Mike had slipped in without her noticing. She hadn’t seen him since the incident at the bank and was a bit nervous.
There were two little boys pressed up against the front of the case, so Trish walked around the counter and squatted down next to them.
“What’s your favorite?” she asked. When they turned to face her, she realized the little boys were twins. They both had on button-down shirts, one was blue and the other green, and they had them tucked into cute little dress pants. How adorable.
“We like choco cookies,” they told her in sync.
“Cal and Cam, time to come sit down. Your cheeses aren’t too hot now,” Mike said as he walked up to Trish and the boys.
