by Laura Acton
“Erik, Mark, and Ryan have not raised their sons according to your father’s methods. Scott, Adam, and Jeff are growing up happy, healthy, well-balanced, and they’ll be prepared for the military life. Perhaps for Christmas, you could cease correcting him if he calls you dad. Every boy needs his father. Can you be more of a father than general for both your sakes?”
William stared at Yvonne. After all their discussions on this matter, she still didn’t understand. Daniel must be prepared to handle the unrelenting military life which demanded the highest level of discipline. Lives depended on one’s ability to follow orders and react with instinct. Those abilities saved his and other’s lives countless times. He wouldn’t risk his son’s life by having him be unprepared.
Making exceptions would impact the behaviors which must become ingrained and second nature to Daniel. He needed to comprehend following orders was always expected, no exceptions. Having Daniel call him sir instead of dad was a simple rule he used to instill the concept. William remained firm in his convictions, but the expression on Yvonne’s face spoke volumes—she worried for Daniel.
Could a few days hurt in the long run? To make Yvonne happy, can I relent this one time? Daniel has stepped up a lot while I’ve been away when Yvonne experiences those damned unexplained bouts of tiredness. Daniel has proven indispensable to her and helped out with Sara and Becca. His grades are stellar, and his room immaculate when I peeked in. The sense of order, duty, and responsibility appear to be taking solid root.
William conceded one item to make Yvonne happy. “All rules stay in place, but for the next week I’m here, I won’t correct Daniel if he addresses me as dad instead of sir.”
Knowing she won a victory, Yvonne smiled. Perhaps if William hears Danny calling him dad, and sees the joy it brings our son, he will abolish the rule. I can hope. “Thank you, William. You won’t regret your decision. I’ll see you upstairs shortly.”
The smile on Yvonne’s face defeated any qualms William might’ve had.
As Yvonne went back into the house, she was aware William thought she didn’t understand why he did what he did, but she comprehended all too well. William loved Danny with his whole heart, and his mind logically thought he was doing the right thing. Brodericks were military men for generations—born and bred. Something she grasped before marrying him.
However, comprehension didn’t equate to agreement with his methods. She believed William needed to listen with his heart rather than his mind when it came to their only son. Though she accepted Danny would be joining the military, that wouldn’t be until he was a grown man. Soon enough Danny would be burdened with protecting others. Right now, he needed to be nurtured, sheltered, and allowed time to be a carefree kid.
Yvonne vowed to safeguard her son’s, tender heart. She would continue picking her battles to win this war of wills with William. Yvonne hoped she could win the war before any real or lasting damage occurred to William’s and Danny’s relationship. It would sadden her if those two lost their beautiful father-son relationship.
December 25
Broderick Home – Library – 6:30 a.m.
Dan held Sara’s hand as they went down the stairs. Both had wanted to go down earlier when they woke up at five o’clock, but they promised their mother they wouldn’t go downstairs before six thirty. They didn’t want to chance disrupting Becca’s sleeping schedule. Otherwise, their baby sister would be cranky all day, and this was supposed to be a day of good cheer.
He also feared the eventual dress down if he disobeyed what Mom told him to do last night. The general might not be here, but it seemed like he always found out. His father was sorta like Santa Claus—knowing if kids were naughty or nice or in his case if he obeyed or disobeyed his mother. Dan didn’t want to risk getting in trouble when the general came home. So, they waited.
After completing his morning duties, making his bed, folding and putting away his pajamas, brushing his teeth, dressing, and squaring away his room, he kept Sara entertained in her room until six thirty. He helped Sara brush her teeth by putting the toothpaste on for her and getting her a cup of water to rinse. While she got dressed, Dan made her bed for her.
Sara was only four, and he didn’t want her getting in trouble if it wasn’t perfect. Not that she was held to the same standard as him, but Dan wanted today to be fun for her. So, doing everything which was expected without being reminded should start the day off right.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Sara asked, “Danny, do you think Santa came?”
“Yeah, he did. Didn’t you hear the hoofs on the roof last night?”
Sara’s eyes popped wide open. “You heard Santa’s reindeer?”
Enjoying telling a little fib which made his sister smile, Dan nodded and wished he still believed in Santa. That way he could pretend Santa might bring him what he wanted. Even though his father was strict, Dan really wanted him home. Not only for himself, but for Sara, Becca, and Mom too.
Two sets of feet pattered across the foyer to the library. Dan and Sara entered finding Mom already on the couch feeding Becca. A fire crackled and danced in the fireplace, and the tree lights were turned on, making the room all warm, cozy, and Christmassy. Sara pulled out of his hand racing forward and around the tall wingback chairs which faced the tree so she could see what Santa brought her.
Mom alone on the couch meant Dad really wasn’t home. Dan’s face reflected his disappointment as his shoulders slumped and head hung down. He knew his dad wouldn’t be here, but knowing and experiencing were two different things. When he went to bed last night, Dan prayed that Dad would magically show up on Christmas day. He fell asleep hoping against the odds his father would miraculously be here this morning.
Sadness enveloped him as he glanced at his mom and tried to fake a smile.
Dan shuffled into the room. At least I’m not crying. That would make mom unhappy, and I don’t want to ruin her Christmas.
Sara’s squeals of delight deafened him as she ran to the tree, “Danny, Danny, Santa gave me a yella bike. Lookie, it’s got trainin’ wheels. I’m gonna learn real fast. We can race.” She hopped up and down as she touched every part of her new bike.
Dan made his way towards her to check out Sara’s new bike—happy for her even though he didn’t get what he wanted. He went around the winged chairs, his gaze solely on Sara as she preened over her bike. He forced his voice to be light, “It’s awesome. Just what you wanted. I’ll help you take it to the garage in a little while so you can ride it.”
As he glanced to the right of her bike, he saw the nerf launcher. It was the toy he talked about a lot and wanted, but it was only a thing. He didn’t want things. I want Dad. I miss him. I want to sit in his lap on Sundays to read the comics, play a game of chess, and go shooting with him. He scanned all the prettily wrapped presents. They were all just things.
A prickle of tears burned his eyes. I can’t cry, not on Christmas. It would make Sara and Mom sad. Dan gnawed on his lower lip as he wiped at his eyes. His gaze landed on a stuffed pony which he assumed was for Becca.
Picking up the plush animal, he took it over to his baby sister who was finished nursing now. In a cooing voice which made her smile, Dan said, “Santa brought you a pink pony, Becca. You like ponies, don’t you?”
He set the soft, fuzzy toy in her arms as she babbled. Becca managed to get the ear into her mouth and happily gummed it. Dan then leaned over and kissed his mom’s cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”
Yvonne recognized the melancholy in Danny’s eyes. She had watched him come around the chair, and he noticed his Santa gift, but he had only commented on Sara’s bike and carried Becca’s present to her. Tenderly, she said, “Danny, I want you to turn around. Santa brought you something else.” She realized her mistake when Dan turned back to the Christmas tree and confusion lit on his face as he tried to figure out what he missed.
Sitting and observing his children quietly from the wingback chair, William reveled in Sara’s joy. Th
ough, when he turned his eyes to Daniel, his heart filled with both pride and heartache.
His son ignored his gift, the launcher Danny couldn’t stop talking about. Instead, his son focused on his sisters and mother. Daniel’s voice sounded content, but his body language showed he was cheerless. The downcast head affected William the most. His heart screamed at him, “He’s a little boy, he should be jumping for joy like Sara not looking like a young soldier spending his first Christmas away from his family. Is Yvonne right? Does Danny actually miss me and desire me to be here?”
Yvonne caught William’s eyes. She lifted her hand and made her fingers go up and down against her thumb as if working a sock puppet’s mouth.
William looked at Yvonne in confusion. Oh! Duh.
His voice pitched softly, William said, “Merry Christmas, Daniel.”
Dan spun in the other direction, and his shocked eyes landed on his dad. His father sat in the chair Dan walked right past to see Sara’s bike. “Dad!” Dan shrieked louder than Sara had over her gift as he raced toward him. Launching himself at his father, Dan wore the biggest, happiest, grin which lit up his entire face and shone in his eyes.
William caught a flying Daniel, just barely. His grin matched his son’s. My God, Yvonne is right. Daniel missed me as much as I missed Daniel. It’s a miracle, Danny’s smiling at me.
As William hugged Daniel, Sara turned and added her squeal of, “Daddy!” as she ran to him. William gathered Sara up into his lap along with Daniel. He was an ecstatic and lucky man this morning.
Dan settled into his dad’s lap making room for Sara when she joined him. It’s a miracle! My wish came true! Dad’s here. His eyes bright with wonder, Dan asked, “How did you get here, Dad?”
Sara’s eyes sparkled with joy as she exclaimed, “Danny, don’t be silly! You asked Santa Claus to bring him home. You’re always a good boy, so he gave you what you wanted.” Then she gazed at her daddy. “Did you ride in Santa’s sleigh. Danny heard it on the roof. Did Rudy lead the other reindeers?”
William smiled at Danny. A storyteller in the making. He turned to Sara and began to spin a tall tale about riding in Santa’s sleigh and all about the reindeer, even Rudolph. He winked at Yvonne, and she graced him with the loveliest smile. Today would be all he wished for, home with his family.
Yvonne’s heart swelled with love seeing the kids in William’s lap. She had gotten her Christmas wish—the family was all together and in high spirits. Plus, William had not corrected Dan twice for calling him, dad.
Dan snuggled into the crook of his father’s neck as he listened to the story. He wouldn’t ruin it for Sara. In a way, Santa did bring his dad home for Christmas because Santa lived in their hearts.
William finished his story, Sara climbed down to go look at the other presents after giving her daddy a sloppy kiss on the cheek.
Content to just sit in his dad’s lap with his head lying on his shoulder, Dan felt the prickle of tears again, though this time they were happy ones. He blinked several times trying to clear his blurry vision, and little drops of salty liquid escaped his eyes.
William shifted Daniel a bit so he could look into his son’s eyes. The welled tears were in contrast to the innocence and pure joy in his sapphire eyes. Danny’s eyes were always expressive. He grinned as he thumbed away Daniel’s tears as tendrils of their souls reached out to one another, intertwining to strengthen the father-son bond.
He tousled Daniel’s hair. “I have seven days of leave. How about we play some chess and go to the gun range each day, just the two of us?”
In seventh heaven and unable to form words, Dan nodded vigorously. Then Dan realized his dad didn’t correct him when he called him dad, twice. Dan’s smile grew bigger if that was possible. This is the best Christmas ever! I got what I truly wanted for Christmas ... something much better than a thing ... my Dad.
Present Day – December 17
Patrolling – 3:30 p.m.
The coms remained quiet as the team listened intently to Dan relate his sixth Christmas. Each one feeling touched by the beauty of his childhood memory and the fact he openly shared it with them.
Dan concluded, “So that’s my favorite Christmas. My father spent seven days at home. We went to the range every day for several hours.”
Bram reached out a hand and lightly squeezed Dan’s arm. Man, his story brought goosebumps to me.
Tia hated to break the moment as she said, “Alpha Team, critical call at the Aviary Sanctuary. Details are sketchy, but 911 got a call which was cut off after the caller yelled ‘they have guns.’ Sending the address to you.”
Pick the Bird Up!
23
December 17
Aviary Sanctuary – Outside – 4:00 p.m.
Lexa and Loki arrived last, pulling to a stop near the entrance to the vast building. Exiting the SUV, Lexa noted Dan preparing his Remi. Good. Dan will be away from any physical action. She and Loki joined the others after getting their MP5s, waiting to find out how Boss and Jon wanted to handle this call.
En route, the team was not able to determine what the situation inside was. Calls to the aviary offices went unanswered. Ray located the cell number of the director, but Mr. Faroese didn’t answer. Loki tapped into the sanctuary’s security system and found all cameras had been taken offline. He tried to reestablish the connection remotely but was unable to do so. He would need physical access to the system control panel to reboot the cameras.
Whatever was happening inside appeared to be well planned, and the subjects didn’t want to be seen.
Conferring with Jon, Nick said, “I don’t like going in blind.”
“I don’t like it any more than you. The only thing we know is someone said they have guns and no one has exited the building since the 911 call. Hostages and weapons in play, Nick. We need eyes in to figure out what we’re dealing with, and the security cameras are a no go. Silent tactical entry is our only option,” Jon responded.
Taking off his hat and rubbing his face, Nick thought a moment. As much as I hate sending in the team without information, Jon’s correct. “Alright, we do this your way. How do you want to do this?”
Dan joined them, shifting his Remi on his shoulder he suggested, “I can climb the fire escape to the rooftop. The blueprints showed a large section in the center of the aviary’s roof is plexiglass. Would give us a view of part of the interior.”
Nick liked the way Dan thought. He turned to Jon for his decision.
Jon patted Dan’s shoulder. “Smart idea. You and Lexa go and take opposite sides. We’ll wait until you two report. Boss, we might need another team given the size of this place.”
Nick nodded in full agreement. “Get Echo Team rolling, Tia.”
“Copy,” Tia replied as she continued to dig for information on the aviary. Something niggled at the back of her mind regarding the place.
Aviary Sanctuary – Roof – 4:15 p.m.
Dan settled into position as Lexa continued to the opposite side of the giant plexiglass dome which provided natural light inside the bird sanctuary. Lifting his binoculars, he brushed snow off a portion of the transparent roof.
Scanning he saw a good-sized indoor pond. Under the dome, lots of bushes, trees, and grassy areas created a simulated natural habitat. He noted many bird enclosures. His eyes scanned over the interior and glimpsed some geese in bushes near the pond. Further back, appeared to be offices with several doors opening up to the habitat area.
Reaching the other side, Lexa crouched down and removed her rangefinders from her pack. “In position. Dan, do you see anything yet?”
“Nothing but birds so far.” A flash caught his eye and Dan moved the binoculars. “Wait, I have something. Six men exited a door and are heading to the pond area. The front two are armed with handguns.” Focusing on the weapons, he identified them. “Glocks from what I can tell. Two men in the middle are carrying cages with a bird in each. Of the two bringing up the rear, one man is gripping the other man’s arm and pul
ling him along. The man being pulled appears to be in distress.”
Aviary Sanctuary – Outside – 4:18 p.m.
“Good information Dan. Lexa, anything from your side?” Jon said.
“Nothing, yet. There is a picnic area, still scanning.”
Jon turned to Nick. “Cages and a hostage?”
Nick considered that a moment. “I don’t know. Stealing birds?”
Tia listened in on the call, and it clicked. “Sarge, I recently read an article about the sanctuary. They’re caring for a pair of the worlds’ rarest birds until they can be returned to New Zealand. Two kakapos, flightless parrots, were stolen from a nature preserve in New Zealand and seized last month after a tip alerted the customs authority they were destined for a buyer in Canada. There are only one hundred twenty-four kakapos’ left. All are tagged with radio transmitters. New Zealand authorities believe the theft was an inside job, so the parrots are remaining here until the investigation is completed.”
Sharing an amused look with Jon, Nick said, “Bird heist. This is a new one.”
Aviary Sanctuary – Roof – 4:20 p.m.
Dan suppressed a smile. Working in TRF certainly presented him with some unique situations. He honed in on the wire birdcages. “Boss, the birds look like parrots, big parrots.”
Continuing to scan Lexa’s eyes caught a movement behind a short wall near a concession stand. “Boss, I have a visual of three men, one woman, and two kids tied up in the picnic area. One man is bleeding slightly from a head wound but is sitting up.”
Cutting in, Dan reported, “The man being dragged just fell and the one holding him is now pointing his gun at him and appears to be yelling. The man on the ground is having difficulty getting up. Aw crap, the subject just pistol whipped him. All the others have stopped moving.”
Aviary Sanctuary – Outside – 4:20 p.m.
“Dan, keep us apprised. Nick, we gotta get in there now,” Jon said.
“Copy.” Dan kept his eyes on the developing situation.