I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

XXIX.

On Stevie's last day in Arizona, she would simply prepare to take a flight home to California since she did not have it in her to drive six hours back.

It wasn't a lot, but since she hadn't been feeling well and she knew she'd be by herself and her private planes were already rented for the tour, she figured she'd take advantage.

"I hope you have a safe tour, sweetheart," Barbara mentioned, hugging her daughter.

"Thank you, mom..." she smiled small.

"We love you so much, Stephanie," Jess added, giving her a squeeze before seeing both Christopher and Lori off as well.

After her parents, it was her children's turns.

"Have a good time, okay?" Jeffrey smiled. "I'll be working by the time you get back..."

"Okay, honey," she nodded, feeling unsettled by his comment. "Will you be here or leaving?"

"Well, I'm gonna drive back next week to check in and get my schedule. I should be on base by August... We have a lot more training to get through and then we'll have that period of time where we lose contact, just to prepare you..."

She winced just a little; the tears naturally wanting to fall when he talked about leaving for the sake of serving in the army.

Shannon walked over and she wrapped her arms around her mother easily, knowing well her brother's profession really put her off.

"I'm sure everything will be alright," Nicholas commented.

"As it is, I hate being away from all of you, now I just feel guilty I don't get to spend more time with you before you go," she mentioned, one of her arms around Nicholas while her hand held Shannon's.

"Mom, I don't want you to cry, okay? Because then I feel guilty and I know I'm doing the right thing by serving this country," he sighed. "You and dad always taught us that we needed to fight for the greater good in life and this is my way of doing it. I've always been athletic and I'm young... Personally, there's nothing better out there for me. Nicholas wants to be a doctor and was somehow smart enough to learn piano in order to help you with songwriting, Then there's Shannon, the mathlete and science nerd who makes a mean cocktail," he smirked. "Dad's a contractor... And look at you," he shrugged. "This is what's right for me, mom..."

"I know, baby, I know," she nodded, allowing her tears to fall freely. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're my baby and the idea of you possibly going to war..." she sighed. "I can't fathom it."

"I know, and neither can I... But if the time should ever come, you'll know I'm ready and I will come home," he assured, leaning forward to hug her.

She sighed.

Robert soon walked over and he rested his hand on his back, feeling sympathetic for his wife.

"I wish you would have let him get arrested back at Dodger Stadium, Rob..."

Jeffrey pulled back, laughing lightly as he faced his father.

"We wouldn't be going through this torture."

"No, but he'd be in deep shit if any kind of legal matters were pending on their end," he smirked. "It'd be worse."

"Tomayto-tomahto," she rolled her eyes.

"Everything will be fine, mama, we'll hold down the fort. Aside from the whole feeling of emotions and all, I was gonna say, I'd love to be there with you opening night, but we probably won't join you till later in the tour."

"Oh, don't worry about it, sweethearts. I wanna get on the road already so I can be back... I love touring, but it wears me out and I'm just not up for it these days."