South-Side Renascent || c.g.

"You Wanna Go WHERE?!"

Carl

The appointment with the Sergeant went really good. To top that, I had passed my practice ASVAB test, which Lip helped me study for. For the next three months, Ian was gonna help me get back in shape for what I was going to be doing.

I still needed to tell Cailee... before she started getting suspicious.

_

After my shift at work, I went straight home. I figured Cailee and Cody were asleep so I tiptoed upstairs. I opened our bedroom door slowly and saw Cailee asleep. I set my duffle down and peeked over at Cody, who was also asleep.

I smiled to myself and grabbed some sweats and a T-shirt to sleep in. I took a quick shower and got dressed.

When I came back into the room, I noticed that my duffle was slightly open. My eyes immediately darted up to Cailee, who was still in bed but had shifted into a different position.

"Cailee?" I whispered, getting no response. "I know you're awake."

She sighed and sat up in bed, folding her arms, "Why is your school uniform in your bag? It's usually hung up in the closet."

"I had to wear it somewhere," I said. Ugh, I couldn't lie to her... I had barely earned her trust back from the Carson situation.

"Had to wear it why? And where?" She scooted to the edge of the bed and stood in front of me.

"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" I asked. I knew it was probably gonna turn into somebody raising their voice, and I didn't want to wake the baby.

"No, Carl. We can't," she said, staring me down. I started to get fidgety. Cailee was the only person that intimidated me, and she was getting angry.

"Can we at least go downstairs?" I gestured toward Cody, "So we don't wake her."

"Fine," Cailee agreed. We left the room and she closed the door behind us. She folded her arms again as soon as we reached the living room. "So?"

"I wore it to a recruiters appointment..."

Her brows knit together, "A recruiter for what?"

I gulped, "The military. I want to enlist."

Cailee

"You wanna go WHERE?!"

"The army, Cailee. I've been training with Ian and studying up for the test for the past two weeks. I-"

"-No," I tugged at the roots of my hair and took a step back, "No. No fucking way, Carl. Why would you want to go to the army? What about the police academy?"

"The day we brought Cody home I started looking deeper into the academy and its requirements. There were three options: Get sixty college credit hours, thirty college credit hours plus a year of active duty in the army, or serve three continuous years of active duty."

"Why the fuck would you choose the third option?" I frowned.

"You're also required to be twenty-one to start training, which I'll be by the time the three years is over. Plus, the college one isn't really an option. You know that."

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. "W-we can find a school with low tuition. I can help you with your classes. We-"

Carl stepped forward and placed his hands on the sides of my face. He shook his head, "This is the way I'm gonna be able to keep my promise... To take care of you."

He was serious about this, I didn't even have to ask if he was. He'd done his research, which isn't something he usually ever did. He was sure of his decision and I was absolutely terrified. We just had Cody, and now he's talking about leaving? For three entire years? And he made the decision without even coming to me first. My worried face soon contorted into my crying face.

"Hey," Carl nearly whispered as he wrapped his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around his waist tightly and sobbed into the crook of his neck. He rubbed my back and placed kisses on top of my head.

I pulled away once I'd finally calmed down a bit. Carl wiped the tears off of my face, the rest being on his shirt.

"How long do you have until you leave?" I whispered.

"Three months until basic training, give or take a week or two," he said. I took a deep breath, trying my hardest not to start crying again. "It'll be after my birthday for sure, though."

I sighed. At least I'd have him until May.

_

"She just had a baby, you dipshit," Debbie yelled and slapped the back of Carl's head.

"Ouch! Fuck, Debbie," he yelped, rubbing where she'd hit him.

"Yeah, what the fuck?" Aubrey chimed in. She slapped the opposite side of his head.

"Jesus! Can you two stop abusing me?!"

It was the next day and we were over the Gallaghers' so Carl could tell Fiona, Debbie, and Aubrey about the military.

"I mean, are you sure, Carl? It is pretty soon," Fiona asked, putting her hand on my knee.

"I have to do this. Not only for these two," he gestured toward me and Cody, who was in my arms, "But for myself."

Carl was doing something I'd told him to do years ago— the day before he decided to actually go to military school. He was looking after himself for a change. Everything Carl did was for those he loved. Sure, this was a big decision, and I didn't want him to go, but he felt that it was right for him.

"Okay, bub. It's your decision, and you seem to have everything thought out," Fiona said, standing up to hug Carl. "I doubted you before, when you two decided to keep Cody, but you're doing good with her. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Fi, I love you," Carl smiled.

"I love you too. Debbie? Aubrey?" Fiona gestured for the two to get up. Debbie smiled and rolled her eyes, getting up to hug her brother.

"So, you're reeeally sure you wanna go?" Debbie asked.

"Yeah, Debs. I'm sure," he nodded. Debbie pushed his chest slightly.

"Ian's gonna run you to death," Aubrey chuckled, hugging him too.

"You're damn right I am," Ian smiled as he jogged down the stairs in his running attire. "Come on, bud."

Carl groaned and got up to go run with his older brother.

♡

A/N: This story's gonna be coming to an end soon guys :'(