South-Side Renascent || c.g.

The Biggest Step

Cailee

It was the big day. The day I'd been dreading the most. Carl was leaving.

We had everything ready and set to go. We were just waiting until it was time to head to the big ceremony, where he was getting sworn in. The whole family was sitting around and talking in the Gallagher living room. Since it was such a big day, everybody was going to see Carl swear in before he left.

I was sitting on the couch with Carl's arm around me and Cody in my lap. I saw Debbie snap a picture of us out of my peripheral. I shot her a look that meant "Send that to me," and she smiled with a small nod. I snuggled into Carl more and looked down at the watch I was wearing. We had to leave in a few minutes.

Carl

I hooked Cody's car seat into the car and kissed her head before closing the door.

"C'mon, Debs!" I called from outside. She and Franny were the only two not ready to leave.

"Come on, Franny," she said, practically dragging the kid out of the house. Franny pouted and ran up to our car.

"She's been in a mood all day," Debbie sighed. "You ready?"

I sighed, "No, but it's time for me to do this."

_

When the entire crew and I got to MEPS, the place the ceremony would be at, we had to part ways for a bit.

Cailee

"As soon as the paperwork is done and everyone else's is too, you guys will be able to come in," Carl explained for the second time.

"Okay, we're gonna go across the street to that diner while we wait," Fiona said and hugged him. "Come on guys." She and everybody except me and Cody crossed the street.

"I'll see you all in a little while," Carl hugged me and kissed Cody's forehead, "I love you both."

"We love you too, see you in a bit," He gave me a quick kiss and headed inside. I turned around and looked both ways before crossing the street. When I walked into the diner, my entire family was chatting and smiling.

"Hey, Cai, over here!" Debbie said from the booth she, Liam and Franny were at. I took a seat with them and took a deep breath. The further into the day we got, the more anxious I was getting.

Carl

The paperwork was finished and it was finally time for the big event. Me and around 20 other enlistees stood in perfect lines in front of the Sergeant. Mine and everyone else's families were in the room as well, outlining each wall. The Sergeant was almost done with his big speech.

"...This is a big step in all of your lives. Make the most of your time in service and in the rest of your life. Room, attention!" The other enlistees and I knew what to do and immediately got in position. "Raise your right hand and repeat after me."

I raised my hand and started to repeat his words, "I, Carl Gallagher, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."