SLATTERY'S DAUGTHERS

4TH OF JULY

Several Months Later...

Lucas was standing in front of the bathroom mirror pulling buttoning up his shirt while Claire walked up to him from behind. "Turn around honey." She helped him pull his collar straight and fastened his collar pins. She then stood back and admired him. "You look amazing. Now all you need is your hat XO."

Lucas admired Claire who was already due, dressed in a flowing flower print dress. Her hair tied up in a French roll. Lucas put his hand on her belly and felt the baby kick. "I felt that." He gave her a kiss and then walked back to the bedroom where he took his hat from the vanity table. "We should probably go. We don't want to be late for the parade."

"Do you have your speech?"

"I do have my speech ma'am," he replied with a smile.

All the crew of Lucas's ship were gathered on the deck of the ship. They all stood up straight on attention with their hand placed over their hearts as they sang the national anthem followed by the American anthem. Lucas was standing on the platform along with the cabin crew and the captain and commander. As soon as they finished singing the two anthems they listening to speeches from the captain and the commander. As soon as the commander was done with his speech he called Lucas to deliver his speech. "Please give a hand for XO Lucas McNamara." Lucas stood up and walked up to the podium where he delivered his speech. After the proceedings they all got together on the ship to socialize with each other for a bit. The captain of the ship walked up to Lucas and Claire to introduce himself. "XO McNamara."

"Captain Carter this is my fiancée, Claire Slattery."

Claire held her hand out to the captain to greet him. "Nice to meet you sir."

"Nice to meet you Miss Slattery." He turned his focus to Lucas. "Great speech you delivered there XO."

"Thank you captain." Claire suddenly grabbed onto her belly and winced. Lucas looked at her concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. The baby's just kicking like crazy today."

The captain smiled and looked Claire and smiled. "So when are you due?"

"I'm a few days past." She suddenly looked at the captain and Lucas stunned. "I think I'm due today."

Lucas looked at Claire alarmed. "What?"

"My water just broke."

"Oh boy..." Lucas looked at Claire and then the captain. "If you excuse me sir. I would like to hang around a little longer, but I need to get my wife to a hospital."

"You're excused XO."

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Claire was sitting on her hospital bed holding her baby in her arms while Lucas admired his son. "He's so perfect."

Claire smiled "He looks just like you."

She looked up when her mother knocked on the door of her room and entered with a little white navy seal teddy bear. "I brought my grandson a little something," she said with a smile. "I get a feeling he's going to become a navy seal one day just like his daddy.

Claire looked at her the bear surprised. "Oh my goodness, that is so cute."

Julie followed her mother into the room and went to stand by the bed next to Lucas. "Let me see him."

Claire pulled the baby's blanket away a little to give her a better look. "What's his name?"

Claire lovingly looked at her baby boy. "Thomas Lucas Slattery."