You and Me, Kid

○ Chapter 09 ○

The next day Pete was sure to wake up early. Smiling down at the little girl beside him, it was as if everything about today hit him full force. Today's the day Lauren transfers custody of Autumn to me, he thought, dressing in his best suit. Turning to Autumn, he dressed her in a cute dress that Natasha had found, quickly picking her up and heading outside where Hondo, his old friend, was waiting. "You ready for today, Mav?" he asked. Pete huffed out a breath, shaking his head as he strapped Autumn in, getting into the car himself. "You'll be fine. Lauren already agreed, it'll be simple. All the judge needs to do is grant you guardianship of Autumn."

Upon arrival to the courthouse, Pete grew more nervous and anxious, ready for Lauren to turn around and say that she wanted Autumn back. If that were to happen he would be devastated, but knew he'd have to accept it. "Hello, Mav." Speak of the devil.

"How are you holding up?" He asked, shifting Autumn on his hip as she looked around. Lauren merely smiled a tight-lipped smile.

"I heard you're gonna be in South Carolina tomorrow." She was making small talk, but what else was there to talk about? Lauren just didn't feel comfortable around Autumn anymore. Heck, if she had stayed with her, maybe the little girl wouldn't be here right now. That's not to say she would kill her, it's more that she would have given her up to someone other than Pete. "That'll be good, for the both of you. I'm moving back to my parents house in a couple weeks, this place just brings too many memories back of him."

Pete understood what Lauren meant. Whenever he came to Top Gun, or to Miramar in general, he was just reminded of Goose, and now Rooster as well. "Pete Mitchell, Lauren Bradshaw, the judge is ready for you now." Nodding, they headed into the court room where Judge Rory was going to give his hearing. Before entering, Hondo gave the pilot's shoulder a squeeze as some sort of comfort before standing back, watching the man enter with Autumn still on his hip.

Hours later they exited the court. Pete now had full custody of baby Autumn, Lauren having no custody or say over the girl's life anymore. "Take good care of her, won't you?" Lauren asked as they walked out of the courthouse, Pete turning and smiling at the woman.

"Of course I will," he told her. They soon got to the bottom of the steps, Pete pulling her in for a gentle hug. "Text or call me whenever you want to see her, okay? It'll be good for her to at least get to know her mother at some point." Lauren nodded, though knew she would never be able to gather up the courage to face her daughter after just giving her away to someone else. Saying goodbye to each other, they went their separate ways with Pete heading back to Top Gun to finish packing to go to South Carolina the next day and Lauren going back to her and Bradley's house to begin packing to move back in with her parents.

When he got back to Top Gun and into his room, he was confused to see a box on his bed. Setting Autumn down on the bed, he gingerly opened the box before setting it aside, a sob making it's way out of his mouth upon seeing the handwriting. Rooster. Composing himself, he opened the box again and took out the letter addressed to him.

Dear Uncle Mav,

I had a feeling I wasn't gonna be coming back from this mission. If you're reading this, then it means I was right to give these to admiral Warlock. I don't know when he's gonna give these to you, but with this letter are ones for every milestone Autumn might make in her life, like when she starts and finishes elementary, middle, and high school.

I know my death might be hard on you, like you've failed my dad, but you didn't. My death would never have been your fault, Maverick, so don't you dare feel like it was. As I'm writing this, I kind of get why you pulled my papers all those years ago. You were right, I wasn't ready. Heck, I'm not ready for this mission, knowing the feeling I have. I just... I wanted to be able to say goodbye, especially to you since, ya know, you're my uncle.

Promise me one thing, Mav? Protect Autumn with your life. If she wants to become a pilot, let her. None of us can stop her, and although I might have asked you to pull her papers from applying to Top Gun, I would understand if she was mad at me for doing something like that. Autumn deserves a chance to spread her wings.

Another thing before I forget, could you possibly ask Autumn, when she's old enough obviously, whether she wants to take my name or your name? I just... I feel like the 'Bradshaw' name is cursed, ya know? I don't want her tied down to my dad's legacy or my legacy, so could you just ask her? Thanks, Maverick.

Anyway, I'll see you when I see you. Just don't do anything stupid like I know you'll do.

Love,

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

Pete cried silently, holding the letter in his shaking hands. I promise you, Bradley, I will protect her with my life, he thought as he held the girl, her tiny hands coming up to rest on her cheeks and moving them around his face, as if she were trying to wipe his tears away. Smiling sadly at the blonde, he held her closer, kissing the top of her head, glancing at the box of letters beside him before placing them in his bag, ready to take them to South Carolina with him. Like I said back at the funeral for your dad, kid. It's me and you.