Roach

Chapter 10

The guys from Bravo were great. Though our little training session was cut short due to Kempson and another captain interrupting us. Kempson mentioned something about Ghost getting ready for a mission and that I should take my time off before I get sent on a mission myself. Ghost nods, saying it was nice to meet the other guys then bye to me. The second captain, a man who looks to be several years older than myself, with a strange looking beard. It really just looks like a mustache connected to sideburns, which is something I haven't really seen. He's wearing a standard uniform, with a boonie hat, as well as a mildly annoyed scowl. As if Kempson had rubbed off on this other captain.

"You see that, sir?" Gaz questions, stepping towards the other captain. "Beat all of 'em easy."

"Cause you were graced with superhuman speed." Wallcroft states, I can only assume he's annoyed with his time.

"Then maybe you should work on it."

"Good work, all of you." The other Captain starts. "Kempson and I saw the end of your little training session." He looks at me, "You did a good job, son. Too bad one of my men's better." He gives a slight smile, then looks back to Gaz and them. He nods back to the section of base that Bravo's on. "Come on, we have work to do."

"Yes sir." Gaz replies, quickly getting Wallcroft and Griffen to follow him.

Before I can start to leave, with the other guys, Kempson puts a hand on my shoulder. "You enjoy your time off Roach." He says, smiling ever so slightly. It really throws me off because I don't think I've ever seen Kempson smile.

"Thank you, I will sir." I reply. He removes his hand and lets me walk away.

"And congratulate your brother for me!" Kempson calls after me.

I chuckle, "Of course sir!"

Heading back into the base, I go and grab the bag that I had started packing. It's mostly ready to go, I just grab a few other things before leaving the bunk room.

The drive back home wasn't bad, it felt shorter than I was. It even seemed like Cal was anticipating my return since walked out of the house when I pulled up. "Right on time, Gary." He says as he pulls me into a hug.

"Come on Cal, I haven't been gone for that long." I reply, pulling away from the hug.

"Shut up, I'm just glad you're back." Cal starts pulling me inside. "We're just finishing up some things."

"Like?"

"Well a few things with your suit, and figuring out where we'll eat dinner tonight."

"The suits already here? Weren't you just talking about getting it?"

"Well... I kind of already got it. I just want to make you like my decision." Cal leads me inside, then upstairs instead of in the kitchen where I can hear Kristy talking to someone, who I assume is Mum.

"We can't say hi to anyone first?"

"Nope. This is more important."

Cal opens the door to my room and I see a suit lying on the bed. A black coat, slacks, white dress shirt, with a dark blue vest and matching tie.

"Am I supposed to be the 'something blue'?" I question, walking over to the suit. My bag drops to my side and I pick up the dress shirt.

"Well..."

I chuckle lightly, "It's fine. I really like it, Cal. You made a good choice."

"I'm glad. I started to get worried when we had our argument..."

"I bet, but I see why you were so adamant. Give me a sec and I'll try it on."

Cal nods, then leaves me so that I can get changed. After a few minutes, I open the door and let him back in. A huge smile appears on his face.

"It's perfect."

"It feels perfect," I smile, "I'm glad you knew my sizes."

We both laugh a bit.

"We should show Mum," he suggests.

"No, no, no, we should leave it as a surprise. I think it'll be a nice surprise for her."

"If you say so..."

He lets me get back into normal clothes. The two of us head downstairs to show Kristy and Mum that I'm home.

The wedding seems to come by sooner than I thought. Even though I did go home early, it was like I wasn't. Cal had me helping wherever I could, while also doing what I could to help Mum. I mentioned that she should get medical help but Cal seemed to act like it wasn't the best course of action. It almost lead to us arguing about it, but I dropped it all together so that he could focus on getting married.

Kristy was said to pick out the venue. We had to travel to Manchester the night before, so that we didn't have to worry about it the day of. Mum, Cal, and I roomed in one hotel room, while Kristys parents and her roomed in another.

Cal got us up early, making me think of him as a commanding officer. He was really ensuring that everything, on our side, was getting set up properly and being done correctly. Him and I, after we were dressed, were running around to ensure everything was perfect. Mum had taken a picture of us, mostly for herself, and nearly cried seeing the two of us in suits.

I didn't start getting emotional until the ceremony started. I was one of Cal's best men, one of his football friends walked in with us which wasn't too bad. Kristy, she was the one who made it feel real. To make it feel like my older brother was getting married. Her dress was gorgeous. It was long and flowing, strapless and it made Cal have the biggest smile that I've ever seen on his face.

Everything went just as planned. I say that it was perfect, that the two of them planned it in a wonderful way. Too bad things can't stay as perfect and beautiful as that moment.