A Soldier's Life

Chapter 2 - Favour for the Colonel

Y/n's POV:

It had been a long six months. Since I started in my new role here in LA, I've been training the latest recruits in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan. My role consists of me leading a collaborative unit of British, Canadian and US soldiers for the support of the Afghan Army. With the pressure to reduce troop numbers within Afghanistan, from all three nations, our work was of a high priority.

Being in the Army has been my dream since I was a little kid in foster care. At the age of 17 I achieved that dream by joining up. It was everything I had wanted, a career, a purpose, and a family. I was good at my job and loved every minute of it.

That all changed when Ava unexpectedly came into my life. Although unplanned, she is the best part of my life and my priorities changed. But now my career is clashing with giving my daughter the best life. Before she heads to kindergarten in the new school year, she is spending her days with my literal guardian angel, Sophie. I was so aware of the time away from my gorgeous girl, I felt like I was missing out on her life. Yes, we have the flexible working patterns being introduced next month, but that isn't going to help when I'm inevitably sent on a 6 month deployment.

But this job is the dream posting, long term with the opportunity for further employment without the risk of deployment. This was the best chance to ensure a stable future for Ava, who has become accustomed to the American lifestyle all too easily. But getting there was not going to be easy.

The only saving grace was my best friend, Sophie. She had moved to LA a year previous to us also making the move and had opened up her own coffee shop, which had become a huge success. As soon as she heard about this opportunity, I was receiving texts daily to tell me to take it so we could all be reunited. Though I knew she was more excited for Ava to be living closer rather than me. She was like a second Mum to Ava and had been a huge support to enable me to carry on with my career whilst being a single mum.

So here I am sat in my office finishing up the last training reports before taking a well earnt week off with the completion of the initial training period. But my mind kept drifting to the beautiful blonde I had literally bumped into in the park. Scarlett fricking Johansson! It was stupid to even for a minute get hung up on a 5-minute interaction with a celebrity who will have no doubt forgotten it already.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted with a sharp knock on my door. "Enter" I state. As the door opened my Colonel entered with a big grin on his face. "Y/l/n, I'm glad that I was able to catch you before you leave." I indicated to the chair opposite my desk for him to sit. "Sir, how can I help." Taking his seat, he crossed his legs picking up a picture of Ava from on my desk.

"How's the little monster doing? Feels like an age since Missy and I got the chance to run around after her." I chuckled at his comment. I had a great relationship with Col Jimmy Denton. We had served together on my last tour in Afghanistan when Ava was 2. His wife Missy had been a great help in supporting Sophie in taking care of Ava whilst we were away. I had a close bond with Col Denton and was glad when I heard that he had taken the role as company commander.

"She's doing great, excited for her birthday so she can finally start school. You should come over at some point next week. We've got plans to get in some quality mother/daughter time before I head back to work and I'm sure she'd love it if Uncle Jimmy interrupted that!" He laughed placing the photo back on my desk.

"I might just take you up on that Y/n/n." He hesitated looking around my office. "Sir, I'm sure you didn't just come in here to have small talk about my daughter and admire my office." I leant forward on my desk to gain his attention, noticing the shift in his demeanour.

"You're right. I have a favour to ask. I know today is your last day before you're off for the week, but we have a charitable dinner tomorrow for the Injured Soldier's Trust. One of my hosts has dropped out last minute and I need someone I can trust to schmooze the guests without getting too pissed."

"Sir, I have Ava and we have plans to spend the next 7 days together without work getting in the way. Besides, Sophie has already had her every day this week, I can't ask her to take Ava this weekend also."

I leant back into my chair and look up at my boss. Don't get me the wrong, these charity dinners are usually a blast and it would be great to have some time to let my hair down for once, but I can't break my promise for quality time with Ava before we even get there.

"I thought you might say that. So I've arranged for you to have 2 days extra leave the following week. I'll step in to do the training on the first two days to give you the time. I also spoke with Missy, she said she'd love to have Ava for the weekend. Since Harry left for college I think she's getting empty nest syndrome." He sat there with a grin on his face proud with his argument.

"Please Y/l/n. Every time we've done one of these events together, we get compliments about you from the guests saying how great you are. You'll also be the highest ranked host meaning you'll be assigned to the top table who have donated the most money." Like a poker player showing his winning hand, Denton stood up confident the decision was made.

"Fine, I'm in. Thanks for arranging the extra leave. I feel like I'm failing Ava at the moment. Sophie is more of a mother to her than I am." I sink my head into my hands ashamed to finally admit out loud how I was really feeling.

"Hey, Y/n, stop that. You're a great mum and Ava adores you. You are making the best of a difficult situation." He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder before giving it a firm pat, turning to leave my office. "Besides, I know how much Sophie adores Ava. Just before you were moving over, all she could talk about was being able to help out with her again. You need to give yourself a break ok." He spoke calmly and softly which helped me, for a moment, calm down.

"Right, Missy will pick Ava up at 1800 (6pm) and a car will be ready to get you at 1930. Oh and enjoy yourself Y/l/n." I can hear him chuckle as he walks off down the hall. I shake my head before cracking on with getting the last of the paperwork done so I can get back to me little princess.