The Secret.

The Grand Finale.

Everyone's mouth dropped.

"What do you mean, you're being deployed?" asked Saige.

"Just exactly that."

The parents start to feel like they are intruding, so they politely excuse themselves and head home. Things just started to get better for Saige and Alex, how could this be happening?

"When are you supposed to just leave?"

"The day after Emma's birthday."

Saige's eyes widen and her jaw drops. She is feeling so many mixed emotions. On one hand, she's happy that Alex gets to have this opportunity. However, on the other hand, she feels anger, betrayal, heartbreak, and burning rage.

"There has to be a way to get out of this!" Saige insisted. "I mean, this isn't what you signed up for!"

"Honey, what did you think was going to happen when I enrolled in the ROTC program?"

"I don't know, to be honest. I thought it was just like another elective."

"It doesn't work like that."

"Oh, no? So you are just supposed to walk out on your soon to be wife and daughter? The day after she celebrates her first birthday?"

Alex sits on the couch with his head in his hands and his hands in his lap. 

"What do you want me to say, Saige? Because, I am totally at a loss for words here."

"Tell them no! Tell them you have too much to lose!"

"You don't think I tried that? I did! They don't want to hear that! You sign a contract and when they need you, you go. There is no escaping it. I didn't think it would be this soon. I mean damn, I just completed boot camp! I didn't think I would be going active this soon!"

"Is this why you want to rush the wedding? Are you trying to tell me something? Trying to make up for something, Alex?"

"No. If we are married, you get all of my benefits. They'll send most of my paycheck to you, you and Emma will have full health, dental, and vision benefits. And, to make the pot even sweeter, they are letting me dip into my savings bonds before they mature, that way I can buy a house for you and Emma. A house for me to come home to."

Saige joins him on the couch and lays her head on his shoulder. She knows this is the best choice for their family, but she can't help but to be a little selfish in this case. This is the man she is going to marry, this is the man she is going to spend the rest of her life with, this is the father of her child! How could they just take him from her? As much as she wants to, she knows she can't be mad. Boy, does that bother her, too. All she wants to do is throw a tantrum, like a little baby, until she gets what she wants. That's not going to work though. She shakes her head and sits there in silences, still pressed against him.

"Are you mad at me?" curiously asked Alex.

"No. I just don't want you to go."

"I know." he says as he lays a kiss on the top of her head. He begins to stroke her hair and run it in between his fingers. He doesn't want to go just as much as Saige doesn't want him to go.

"You and Emma are my world, Saige. I can't have you two living a shitty life."

"You know I appreciate it too." 

"I know, just try not to be too mad at me. I might not come back!" 

"Oh my God, STOP!" 

He playfully pushes her. She pushes back and they laugh for a while. The baby begins to cry so, Saige goes to get her.