Blue Sapphire | Bob Floyd

Prologue

He was never a part of my plan. I was just supposed to go to Top Gun, graduate at the top of my class, and that's it. But no, I had to fall in love.

         It's not that I was against the idea of love, far from it. I just thought I would have more time. That I would already have a successful career on my own before it hit me. I guess they don't lie when they say that love shows up when you expect it the least.

Thank you, universe... I officially hate you

______

I missed the sun of California. It was hot, yes, but it also felt like home. Considering how much time my father passed at Top Gun in my youth, he and my mom established a permanent residency near San Diego. So, I was raised there. Unfortunately, I barely had time to come back since I graduated from the academy 3 years ago.

It was the first time in 7 years that I can stay here for more than a few days. And not just to visit my family, but because I achieved the impossible.

I, Maddie Simpson, am going to Top Gun.

I am not expected at Miramar until tomorrow morning, which means that I can have dinner this evening with my parents. It's been months since I have seen them, and I miss them. I know Top Gun will take most of my time for the following weeks, but I'm happy that I'll be able to see them a little bit more.

"My baby!" I barely have time to pay and thank the taxi driver for the ride that my mother pulls me out of the car and gives me one of her legendary hugs. "Mom, I am so happy to see you. I missed you so much" I tell her, my voice almost completely muffled by her chest. Every time I think that the hug is over, she pulls me back into her arms. "Mom, you can let go..."

         "Evelyn, honey, you can stop now. She is with us for the whole night" I hear my father say from behind us. A bit against her will, my mother finally let go of me, and I feel like a can breathe again. I love my mother, I really do. But sometimes, she can be a bit... too much. And she is way too strong for her age, it's dangerous for my ribs.

         I turn around, and without wasting a second, I run into my father's arms. This time, I am the one who doesn't want to let go.

I don't have a "favorite parent", but the relationship that I have with my father is special. He is the one who introduced me to the Navy, and he always supported me. My mother was a bit more reluctant about my wish to follow in my father's footsteps. She thought it was stressful enough for her to worry about her husband. Also stressing about her only child was too much for her. It took her time, but she eventually accepted my career path, and she always supported me and told me how proud she was.

My father, of course, always supported me too, but considering that he was already an officer when I joined the academy, he had to support me from afar.  It was the best thing to do. I didn't want people to think that I got into the Navy just because of him. I wanted to succeed on my own, and I did.

"Sweetheart, I love you too, but the same rule applies to you. You can let me go now" dad whispers in my ear. "Sorry... I just missed you a lot" I give him my biggest smile as I unlock my arms from around his chest.

"So, you just missed me, but you missed him a lot? Honey, if you are trying to be discreet about your favorite parent, try harder" I know that my mother is joking just from her tone. "Now let's go eat dinner. Your flight was behind schedule, so the diner is waiting on the table" she adds.

My father helps me get my baggages out of the taxi and puts them in his car since he is my ride to Miramar tomorrow morning. Quickly, we start to eat the, now almost cold, dinner that my mother had prepared.