Blue Plague: Rage
Page 38
“These really don’t belong there,” Millie told him as she took the panties off his head.
Ted looked up at the ceiling then at Millie’s hand holding the panties, “How did they get there?” he asked. Millie just laughed handing them back.
“Holy shit, when Rangers party, they party,” Melanie said looking around.
“Girl, that was just a little throw down to let off steam. Wait till we have a real party,” Carl told her with his head still on the table.
One by one or in groups the partiers slowly assembled in the Center, by 0720 Bill came in with the last two. Bruce had finally got control over his stomach and was eating when he looked up to see Conner, Susan and Bill walking to the table. Susan was wearing Bill’s shirt and Conner was wearing what could only be called a loincloth sending the table into a round of laughter.
“You Tarzan, she Jane,” Ted said in a deep voice.
“Yeah I had to get a bucket truck to get them out of the tree. I have no idea how they got up there and passed out,” Bill said sitting down.
“I watched Conner jump from tree to tree at 0310 this morning letting out Tarzan yells. Then Susan shot up the tree he was in like a squirrel. I left when she reached him,” Marcus said laughing. Susan started blushing and hid her face on Conner’s shoulder.
“You’re lucky you didn’t die son,” Carroll told him laughing.
“Well it seemed like a good idea at the time,” Conner admitted grinning kissing Susan on top of her head.
“Needless to say we’re not doing shit today. Someone call the mission control and tell them if they don’t unlock the house I’m getting the tank,” Bruce said.
“Danny locked all the doors when helicopters started flying around the property,” Bill said laughing keying his radio.
“They have landed and want to take a shower,” Bruce said. Then on the monitors around the Center the screens flickered and scenes from last night’s security cams started to play. The entire clan erupted in a roar of laughter. One of the guards had even filmed Tarzan jumping from tree to tree.
Bruce motioned Bill to come to him when Bill was standing beside him Bruce grabbed his radio. “Danny, if that house is locked when I get there, I swear I’ll hold you under the covers and fart for an hour. It will be the worst Dutch over ever,” Bruce called over the radio.
“The back door is open, Daddy,” Danny said immediately.
“Bruce, I couldn’t let you do that to Danny,” Stephanie told him in a serious voice.
“Oh I wouldn’t really do it, but she doesn’t know that,” Bruce said working up the strength to walk to the house.
A few minutes later Buffy walked through the door. She looked at the command table and just dropped to the floor in a gale of laughter. The partiers just looked at Buffy as she beat the floor with her fist laughing. Struggling to her feet Buffy stood up shaking her little waist in a circular motion yelling out, “Helicopter coming in.” Any clan member not laughing, soon was watching her with many falling to the floor.
Coming around the table Buffy stopped beside Bruce. “That was so funny,” Buffy said then collapsed back to the floor laughing.
Bruce looked at the table, “Does anyone know who this child is?” Bruce asked.
“I’ve seen her follow you around some,” Willie said.
Looking down at Buffy Bruce asked, “You watched?”
Rolling on her back Buffy looked up at Bruce, “Yeah until Danny dragged me off the balcony. Then I went to Jake’s room and watched the cameras on Jake’s computer with him and Matt,” Buffy said.
“You’re getting drunk next time,” Bruce told her.
“No way, I’m not growing up. Y’all act way too weird,” Buffy said getting up.
Millie walked over to Bruce and hugged him. “It’s good to see you laugh again Bruce and bring some to us. You had me worried,” Millie told him as she stood back up.
“Fine for you to say, now I have to apologize to the security teams that were on last night,” Bruce told her.
“Bruce they loved that as much as we did. Each of y’all needed that,” Millie told Bruce picking up his empty plate.
Carroll looked over at Bruce, “Welcome back Bruce,” she told him.
“Thank you Carroll but next time you’re getting drunk with us. I want to see Marcus howl at the moon,” Bruce told her as he got up. Bruce looked at Buffy, “Will you be so kind and babysit for a little while? If you watched the monitors last night that means Danny did it last night and we need to shower and catch a nap,” Bruce asked her.
“Daddy after last night I think you and the mommas need more than a nap. They assaulted the fort last night putting the two guards in it under siege from full moons,” Buffy told him laughing, beating the floor with her little fist.
“Thank you Buffy,” Bruce said as Angela and Stephanie stood up following him out. They wobbled into the house and headed straight to the shower washing away the night’s essence. When they finished the three just collapsed in the bed.
It was 1700 when they woke up, got dressed and headed to the center feeling much better. They didn’t get a standing ovation when they walked in this time but did get many smiles. The three sat down with the rest of the command group and laughed about the night. The door to the Center opened and Henry walked straight over to Bruce and stood by his chair.
Bruce looked up at Henry who was covered in white dust. “Mr. Bruce, I’m done. Will you come with your family to see? After that, I will pack and leave for not working the last three months to help the clan,” Henry told him.
“Henry, I’ve worked enough for both of us. You will go nowhere for that reason,” Bruce told him.
“If you like my work for what I did for Ms. Debbie, then I will stay as we agreed,” Henry told him.
Bruce stood up along with the family and walked out of the Center. The twins were holding his hands with Stephanie carrying PJ and Angela holding Cade’s hand beside Bruce. The group walked over to the area that Henry had tented off. They saw the tents gone and a wood roof with something covered in a sheet beneath it.
Henry stopped by the sheet and turned to the family. The command group was with them and the clan standing behind them. “It is not what she really deserves but it’s all I could do,” Henry said looking at Bruce.
Turning back to the sheet, Henry grabbed it and yanked it hard revealing a perfect life size marble statue of Debbie wearing her tactical gear. She had her AUG on her side with her hands on the grip and her hair was blowing in the wind. An engraved marble plaque was beside her on a pedestal that read.
She sacrificed herself for us, leaving behind her family and friends.
She could have run, but the chance for humanity would have disappeared in her wake.
She loved all, facing and accepting her fate for us.
She left us her family and friends, giving us hope.
She left us her lover, warrior and protector that he could us carry on.
Let it be known that Debbie Williams walked this Earth and willingly left it
So we may have a chance to live
Bruce dropped to his knees looking at the life like statue with tears in his eyes. “I’m doing what you asked. I’ll protect and save them if I can,” he said as the kids and Angela and Stephanie wrapped their arms around him.
Looking up at Henry, Bruce asked, “How did you know?”
“Angela gave me a letter from Ms. Debbie that asked me not to do this and her reasons. I didn’t agree with them, so she can be mad at me,” Henry said.
“You’ve made the family and clan happy though Henry,” Bruce told him.
“Thank you,” Henry replied.
“Ow,” Tonya said grabbing her swollen belly and everyone looked at her. “I need to get to the clinic, now. My water broke,” she told everyone.
Steve scooped her up in his arms and with the family, moved toward the clinic in the school building. Mike, Carroll and Nancy went in with them. Angela looked up at Bruce, “Aren
’t you going to help,” she asked.
“I don’t birth babies,” Bruce told her pointblank.
The crowd stayed out front as the rest of the family went inside to the classrooms to wait. They could hear Tonya yell inside and outside for two hours. Then the family heard the sound of a baby crying coming from the clinic area. Bruce grabbed Angela and Stephanie by the hand and pulled them to the back.
They met Mike in the hallway. “Are they alright?” Bruce asked.
“Yes they are Papaw. You have a granddaughter,” Mike told Bruce, wrapping his arms around him. Bruce returned the hug followed by a tearful Angela and Stephanie. Mike turned around and led them to the room.
Tonya was lying in the bed with Steve beside her both looking a baby wrapped in a blanket. Nancy and Carroll were cleaning Tonya and the room up as Bruce walked over to see his first grandbaby. Leaning over the bed, Bruce kissed Tonya on the head and hugged Steve. Looking down Bruce saw a little baby with her eyes cracked open after a rough day.
Leaning down Bruce kissed her on the head, “Welcome little one,” Bruce said standing up. Tonya and Steve looked at each other and Tonya held out the baby to Bruce.
“No, there will be plenty of time for that later. You two get you some baby love,” Bruce told them.
“Dad, will you tell your granddaughter hi and give her a real welcome,” Tonya told Bruce holding up the baby.
Bruce reached out and took the baby holding it close to his chest as tears rolled down his face. Bruce turned around to Angela and Stephanie, “You do realize you’re now with a grandfather,” he informed them.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Stephanie asked. Bruce just shook his head and walked over to them to introduce them.
Angela and Stephanie looked in the blanket telling the baby hi. “Your grandmothers now,” Bruce told them.
“Cool,” they said together. Smiling, Bruce just shook his head as they talked to the baby as Steve walked over to his Dad.
Steve took the baby and held it out to Stephanie, “No way,” she said backing up.
“Granny, you’ve held PJ for months, what’s the deal?” Steve asked grinning.
“That one’s brand new,” Stephanie replied as Steve walked over to her.
Steve looked down at the baby, “You have to get to know her Stephanie. Family first,” he told her. Reluctantly Stephanie took the baby holding it like it was nitroglycerin and looking to Angela for guidance. Angela tucked the baby into Stephanie’s arms showing her how to support its head.
Bruce wrapped his arms around Steve hugging him tight, “I’m proud of you two,” Bruce told him.
“I didn’t do anything except be a cheerleader and I don’t think I was that good of one,” Steve said releasing his dad and pulling him over to Tonya. Bruce leaned down and hugged her neck.
“Well I guess I can’t rub your belly no more,” Bruce told her standing back up.
“That won’t be our only child. You just have to wait a little while,” Tonya told him as Steve sat next to Tonya.
“Dad there is something we want to ask you,” Steve said looking at Tonya then back at him. “We want to name her after Mom,” he said.
“Son, you know that would irritate and chap her ass,” Bruce told him grinning. “I like it though and if Mom says anything when we get to heaven. I’ll take the heat,” Bruce said. “It’ll be good to have another Debbie Williams around here.”
“Thank you Dad,” Tonya said. Bruce leaned over hugging both of them.
“I promise she’ll grow up in a world that will be as safe as I can make it,” Bruce told them. Looking back Bruce saw Angela holding the baby bringing it back to her mom and dad. “Well Debbie, it’s time for you to meet the rest of your family,” Bruce said as Danny walked in.
She walked over to Tonya and Steve giving them a hug then headed to Angela and Stephanie. Bruce followed her over and they looked at Debbie in Angela’s arms. Smiling down at the baby, Bruce caught a smell he knew. Looking up and around Bruce smelled the air as the odor became stronger.
“I smell Momma to Daddy,” Danny said looking up at Bruce with tears on her face.
“You have a special visitor,” Bruce said to the baby then the smell was gone. Looking up at Angela and Stephanie he saw they had tears in their eyes. He kissed them both, “Guide the kids through and don’t let them tire Mama out. She’s been through enough for one day. I’m going to the bedroom then the shop. Then I’m staying in the shop. There’s something I have to do. I love you two,” he told them as he headed to the door.
Walking out to the waiting area, he stopped beside Buffy and Jake, “You two start filing the family through but don’t tire Tonya out. Daddy has to do something,” he said kissing her. Walking outside Bruce saw Mike talking to the others on the command group.
“What’s it feel like to be a grandpa?” Mike asked.
“It feels good Mike,” Bruce told him then looked off over the property. “Command meeting in six days, we have decisions to make. I’m going to be in the shop for a while, if ya need me,” Bruce said.
“Yeah we do need to make some decisions, Bruce,” Mike said looking at Bruce seeing him at peace.
“Make sure they don’t exhaust Tonya,” Bruce said as he left. Heading toward the house Bruce felt at ease. Running upstairs to the bedroom Bruce found the red notebook, just where Debbie said it would be. Grabbing it, Bruce headed to the shop.
When he walked inside, he headed to a small desk in the corner and sat down, laying the notebook on the desk. Taking his boonie hat off, Bruce turned off the micro camera and would not turn it back on until he was done. Looking at the notebook Bruce said, “I would’ve taken you and the kids and left Debbie, if I would’ve known and I don’t think I would’ve had any regrets. I say family first for a reason.”
He would always miss her till the day he died. He had promises to keep, a family to take care of and a clan to protect. Bruce opened the three hundred page note book and started reading the first page. Just leaving to eat and see the kids, he would stay there in the shop the next four days.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27