Gone

44.

Winter break came to an end with Stone's promotion being pushed back till early January and instead of May returning home for school Amoura and her father convinced Layla to let May study abroad for her last year of middle school. After May told her mother about how Sara makes her feel about school Layla reluctantly agreed, in the condition she went home each holiday till school ends.

Amoura and May were at the airport waiting for their mother to arrive since Stone's promotion was finally upon them.

"You alright there May?" Amoura asks amused as May yawns once more and begins dazing off in the airports' uncomfortable chairs.

"You know when mom said early I thought she meant like ten or even eight AM. Not four in the morning, I don't know how you all are awake," Coon and Row look at her amused as May tries to find a comfortable position.

"You wake up at six for training," Williams points out.

"That's two hours from now! Two hours of sleep, it makes a difference Williams," May mutters annoyed.

They have all taken a liking to May and have baptized her under the name the Pebble for mini Stone didn't appeal to them.

"Years of practice." Williams replies.

"You're not going to get promoted early in the morning right?" May sits up to look at Amoura and she nods no.

"No, it'll be in the evening. You can sleep in till then, you know if mom allows it." The intercom announces their mothers' planes arrival and they all head to the security line to wait for her to appear.

"Mom!" May runs over to her first. Layla hugs May and laughs and asks her how she's been as they walk up to Stone.

"I can't believe I haven't seen you since December," May rolls her eyes as Layla pinches May's cheeks before turning to Stone.

"Its only been a few weeks mom," May mutters.

"And you oh can't believe my first born is becoming a Commander tomorrow!" Layla hugs Amoura.

"I had to grow up sometime," Amoura leads them to the luggage pick up and Layla finds her and Williams and Coon can grab it for her.

"I bought some of your nicer dresses for you to try on," Layla fixes Mays hair as she rests her arm around Mays' shoulder.

"Oh Amoura already took me shopping and we found a pretty gray dress. Even you will like it." Layla narrows her eyes in suspicion.

"Uhm. So Amoura where is Clive McAllister?" Layla asked suspiciously.

"Deployed," Amoura doesn't skip a beat.

"When does he get back?" Amoura sighs, she's not one to lie to her mother.

"Tonight." Amoura forces the smile away.

"So is he going to join us for dinner?" Layla asks casually.

"I doubt it, he won't arrive till later tonight," Stone mutters.

"Amoura?" Layla questions.

"Yes, mother?" Stone replies as she turns to look at her mother.

"Nothing. Yet anyways," Amoura nods and they get into the taxi, as the guys put the luggage in the trunk.

"I've met him mom, he's really nice and he really like Amoura. They make a nice couple, he's always kissing her cheek and is affectionate, " Layla looks at May and asks for more details.

Long after everyone goes to sleep Amoura makes her way downstairs and sits outside on the porch steps to drinks wine and smoke.

It was a fresh night out and Amoura was restless, she was into her second cigarette when she hears the door open.