The sunrise peaks through the curtains, slowly illuminating the room. The yellow, pink, red, and orange sky make the room light up and dance with color. Waking up, James could see the woman next to him was still sleeping. Her dark hair lay in a tangled mess on her pillow, her breathing slow and rhythmic. He moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her and whispering in her ear, "Good morning Mrs. Kazansky," then planting a kiss on her neck.
"Good morning Mr. Kazansky." The tired voice said in response, feeling James' grip on her tighten.
"How'd you sleep?"
"Good, you?"
"I know you had a nightmare, Lane."
Emi turned to face her husband, speechless. "I heard you Lane. Babe I thought you said they were getting better."
"They are- this was the first one in a year. James, I promise, it's getting better." Emi responded, smiling.
Their brief silence was interrupted by the sound of their door opening, followed by the sound of a child giggling as they climbed onto the bed.
"Hey little man!" James said, grabbing the child.
"Hi Daddy, hi Mommy." The child responded.
"Hey Tommy," Emi responded, sitting up and planting a kiss on her son's head.
"Can we go see grandpa today?"
"Of course T. Go check on your sister and Mommy and I will be out soon."
After hearing the door close, James pulled his wife in, "It's okay," while looking at her leg.
---
"She might need to get it amputated- there's now an infection- a bad one."
"No-" Hangman said, "You have to save her leg. I don't care what you do to save it, but you are not cutting her leg off."
---
Emi looked at her husband, "I know. Besides, I'm cleared to fly now. As soon as I'm off maternity leave- I'm going back up in that jet and flying circles around you."
James chuckled, pulling Emi in. He missed her sass, her determination, and her attitude. That had been gone for too long. Emi took her time to heal from this accident, as James, Bradley, Nat, and her parents were at her side every step of the way. Doctors thought it would be an issue for her to walk- but she proved them wrong, walking perfectly normally 9 months after being released from the hospital, just in time for her and James' wedding. The pipe has destroyed major arteries and veins, also implanting itself in Tibia. If Emiliana was anything, it was determined. Whatever she put her mind to, she would do it. During her recovery, she would constantly make comments as to how this accident wouldn't stop her from being the youngest and first female Admiral of the Pacific Fleet, that it was a minor inconvenience. Emi and James got dressed, grabbed and dressed their kids, and got in the car.
---
Every Sunday at 9, the four would go to the cemetery, then meet Bradley and Nat for breakfast at 10:30. This morning, the cemetary was extra quiet. It had been rough on James losing his dad to throat cancer, especially that close to almost losing Emi and their son, Tom. "No better way to find out you're gonna be parents than almost losing one, huh?" the two would joke.
Ice had a beautiful grave, under a willow tree, his favourite tree, overlooking the ocean. Emi always gave James space alone at his dad's grave, walking around with the kids, taking them to see Uncle Nick and Aunt Carole, looking at all the flowers, etc. Tom had gained speed against his mom and would sometimes run away from her over to James, reaching his father at his grandfather's grave, always greeting it by saying, "Morning Grandpa!" and giving his headstone a kiss, before walking over to James and being lifted into his arms.
After a while, Emi and their daughter, Willow, made their way over to Ice's grave, Emi always saying, "Morning Admir- I mean Tom." She knew he hated it when she called him Admiral. The four would sit nearby Ice's grave, letting Tom draw pictures for his grandpa, and today, Willow took her first steps.
At 10, the four would stand up, each saying their goodbyes, Tom giving the headstone a hug and another kiss, and would head back to the car, Emi still walking with a slight limp.
---
Breakfast was to be as expected- Tom and Nick would play with their toys, Bradley and James would usually talk about sports, and Nat and Emi sit there sometimes, watching their families.
"Guess who took her first steps today?" Emi said, meeting the Bradshaw's at the table.
"No way!" Bradley said, picking Willow up and spinning her around, "Our little pilot walks?! It's only a matter of time before she starts flying like her momma huh?" planting a kiss on his niece's head, making her giggle.
"Wow, today really is the day for good news huh?" Nat said, drinking her water.
"Nat, you told me you two had news? Oh my God, are you?"
"What gave it away?" Bradley said, hanging his head in defeat.
"Nat always gets a mimosa at breakfast." James replied, putting a hand on Bradley's shoulder, "Congrats man."
"Congrats Nat." Emi said, bringing her friend in for a hug.
---
Everyone was at their cars, saying their goodbyes, when all four adults got a text:
Cyclone: Good morning everyone, something has come up. We need you all to report back to Top Gun.
"Good thing you're cleared to fly again, Lane." James said, getting in the car.
"I'll call my mom and tell her she's gotta watch the kiddos. See you at base, Footloose and Nat." Emi said, following her husband.
---
"You ready? You're first time flying since your accident."
"Oh I was born ready. It's gonna take a lot more than a near-death experience to get me to stop flying. Also, isn't it weird every time I'm with you I almost die?"
"Not every time," James laughed, pulling into the base parking lot, "but it happens. You know what that means?"
"We're too dangerous together." Emi said, walking into the base's front doors, "bring on the 5th generation Russian fighters, or whatever the hell thinks it can stop me."
YOU ARE READING
Under My Skin
DobrodružnéBeing Maverick's daughter has always been a challenge, especially when it comes to Iceman's son. Lt. Emiliana "Rebel" Mitchell has always had a problem with Lt. James "Hangman" Kazansky ever since they were young. But when both are called back to To...
