Page 39 of Silent Dust
24 - BEAR
A week ago,Bear had been miles away in Basra, chasing shadows and dodging bullets. Now he was standing outside the hospital, every fiber of him was tense—part relief, part nerves he couldn’t quite shake. Flora was finally coming home. The days that led up to her discharge had been a whirlwind of logistics and emotions, all centered around getting their family back on solid ground.
While they waited for Flora to be released, Bear had taken the opportunity to talk with Hank and Hawk about what his future might look like if he decided to leave the military. The conversations had been eye-opening, filled with possibilities that he had never fully considered before.
Hank leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. “You know, Bear, I’d love to have you help build a chapter of the Brotherhood Protectors here in Virginia. We started the Brotherhood back in Montana, near the Crazy Mountains, but expanding it means bringing that mission to new communities. It’s a chance to take everything you’ve learned and apply it in a new way. You can help veterans transition back to civilian life, provide support, and make a real difference.”
Bear had felt a spark of excitement at the idea. The Brotherhood Protectors had a mission that resonated with him deeply, and the thought of being able to create something meaningful while still serving others was incredibly appealing. “That sounds like an incredible opportunity, Hank. I’ll need to talk it over with Flora, but I appreciate you even considering me for it.”
“Take your time,” Hank had replied, his tone encouraging. “You’ve got a lot on your plate right now, but when you’re ready, we can start laying the groundwork together. You’d be perfect for it.”
Now, with Flora finally able to come home, Bear felt a rush of gratitude for the support he had received from his friends. He worked alongside Hawk and Lindsey, coordinating the details of their return. The first challenge had been ensuring Flora’s discharge was smooth and that she would have everything she needed once they got home. With Dog’s help, he spent hours talking to the medical staff, discussing medications, follow-up appointments, and any special care Flora might require. He wanted to make sure she was set up for a smooth recovery, and he wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
Once Flora received the green light to leave the hospital, the next challenge was wrangling the kids and all their belongings. Hawk and Lindsey had kindly taken in the children while Flora was away, and now it was time to gather them and their things. As they packed up toys, clothes, and the countless items kids tend to accumulate, Bear felt a blend of gratitude and urgency.
“Don’t forget the stuffed animals!” Amelia shouted, her eyes wide as she pointed to a pile of plush toys on the couch.
“Got it!” Bear replied with a smile, tossing them into a bag. The cheerful chaos of the moment reminded him of the simple joys of family life, and he soaked it in.
Lindsey and Hawk moved efficiently between their house and Bear’s, carrying boxes and bags filled with the kids’ belongings. “We’ve got the art supplies and the extra clothes!” Lindsey called out, balancing a stack of colorful drawings in her arms.
She paused on the doorstep, setting down a bag. Then, with a small chuckle, she added, “You know, I’m kind of looking forward to the quiet… I just didn’t realize how much I’d miss all the racket.” Her voice carried a mixture of amusement and a soft note of longing.
Hawk, who’d just come up behind her, rubbed her shoulder gently and then looped his arm around her. Wryly, he sighed, “Yeah, I hear you. I already miss those little demons—tripping over their own feet, causing chaos wherever they go. Honestly, I think I’ll need a vacation from the silence.” His tone was warm, but there was that unmistakable hint of missing the chaos, too.
Behind them, Bear grinned and called out, “Damn, I’m pretty sure just about everything the kids own has made its way over to your house, Hawk.” He chuckled, feeling that little weight lift—teamwork made even the biggest messes feel manageable, and having good friends around? It made all the difference.
He paused for a moment, a genuine smile softening his face. “Honestly, you guys have been incredible—stopping your lives for weeks to look after my little chaos agents. You deserve a nice, long break and plenty of quiet. Don’t let me forget to remind you of that when the silence actually hits.” He let out a low, appreciative laugh, knowing deep down how much they’d all earned these moments of peace—and how grateful he was for their loyalty and support.
Bear had spentthe better part of the day preparing for Flora’s return, coordinating with the hospital, arranging transportation,and making sure the house was ready for her arrival. He’d cleared a space in the living room for her to rest comfortably during the day, setting up pillows and blankets just the way she liked. The medical supplies were organized and within easy reach, and he’d double-checked the schedule for her medications and follow-up appointments.
Thanks to the military wives’ “meal train,” the fridge was stocked with homemade meals, fresh produce, and snacks—a thoughtful show of support that warmed Bear’s heart. He’d also made sure the kids were briefed and ready to help, knowing their presence would mean the world to Flora.
Now, as the hum of the engine faded and Bear pulled the car into the driveway, the house came into view bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon light. Inside the vehicle, Flora rested quietly, her face pale but peaceful, the weight of the hospital stay slowly lifting now that she was finally home. Bear glanced over at her, feeling a surge of gratitude for everyone who had rallied around them to make this moment possible.
As the car came to a stop in the driveway, Flora saw her home for the first time in three weeks, and immediately, her face lit up. The burst of color and the movement of decorations hit her like a beam of sunshine—her eyes twinkled with genuine excitement.
The yard was a vibrant display of balloons gently drifting in the breeze, some already floating downward, while others hung lazily in the air. Streamers caught in the wind fluttered lively, as if caught in a light breeze. Bright signs, crooked from the kids’ enthusiastic touch, proclaimed “Welcome Home!,” “Party Time!,” and “Mommy’s Better Now!” in big, uneven letters, proudly displayed in their homemade glory.
Flora’s smile widened, her cheeks flushing with happiness as she took in the scene—her family’s colorful tribute of love and celebration. She paused for a moment, simply soaking it all in,her eyes shimmering with tears of joy. This was her home—her life—and she was finally back to see it all.
“Oh Stephan!” was as far as she got before the tears started streaming down her face…”I’m home!”
Stephan opened her car door and leaned in gently, brushing his lips softly across her tears. “You’re home,” he whispered, his voice full of quiet relief. He kept his arms steady around her as they carefully maneuvered out of the car, making sure she found her footing. Waiting until she was ready, he matched her slow, tentative steps, guiding her patiently.
Stephan pushed open the front door, and immediately the chaos of the living room hit him—balloons bobbed against the ceiling, streamers hung from every corner, and colorful signs were taped haphazardly to the walls and windows. The kids had clearly gone all out, their excitement spilling over into a joyful mess.
“Mommy’s HOME!!!!” Amelia’s voice rang out, bright and full of hope as they stepped inside.
Bear smiled, watching Flora’s eyes widen at the sight. Despite the disorder, the love and welcome in the room were unmistakable—a perfect, imperfect celebration of her return.
Bear watched Flora’s face light up as she took in the familiar surroundings, her eyes glistening with emotion. With Flora finally back, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had successfully managed the logistics of her return, the kids, and the support from friends and family. Now, as they settled into their home, he was going to allow himself some time to pull the family back together.
But in the back of Bear’s mind, a storm of thoughts churned, darkening the bright moment. The reality of his situation loomed like a shadow, whispering doubts and fears. What would happen next? Should he retire? Take family leave? The thought of leaving his family again sent a chill down his spine. He hadalready faced the possibility of losing Flora once; the idea of being away from them again was unbearable.
As he looked around at his family, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever decisions lay ahead, he knew he would make them with Flora and the kids in mind. The possibility of building a new chapter with the Brotherhood Protectors lingered in his thoughts, a beacon of hope for a future where he could still serve while being present for those he loved. For now, though, he would focus on the moment at hand, on the warmth of their home and the love that surrounded them.
Later that night, after the kids had finally gone to sleep, Bear and Flora lay side by side in the quiet darkness of their bedroom. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast gentle shadows across the room as Bear spoke thoughtfully. “Maybe the whole team could move together—someplace in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You remember how we talked about retiring there? It could be a fresh start for us, and I could help build the Brotherhood chapter there. It would be good for the kids, too.”
