Today you'll find me at Operation Awesome's A to Z. It's all about Quaid.
HOMECOMING
"Welcome home," Major Wilson said as he helped
Steven from the plane. "I'll bet Anchorage never looked so good."
"You have that right. Thank you for the ride, Major."
"My pleasure. If the Russians weren't breathing down our
necks. I'd join your search. In fact, I know an entire company of men who would,
but it was an honor to get you home, Detective Quaid."
"Appreciate that, Major, but thanks go to you for your
service. You and your man have your hands full. I've got the entire Tlingit
nation on board. We'll find my wife in no time."
"Yes, sir," Major Wilson said as Steven walked away.
Steven picked up his suitcase, unloaded by the ground crew, and
crossed the tarmac to the hanger.
Just moments after landing at Elmendorf Airforce base in
Anchorage via an SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest Air Force jet in the
US, Brent greeted him on the tarmac and walked him to the hangar office.
"I have another jet waiting to take you to Kodiak. From there, a
helicopter will take us to the headquarters in Yakutat. But first, I thought
you'd like to see your son."
Steven had already spotted the little guy. Tiama had his nose
pressed against the glass door as he waved frantically from the jet's hanger.
"Thanks," Steven said as he hurried forward. Once
inside, he dropped his bag and gathered his son in his arms. Steven pressed the
little boy close. Kissing, hugging, and treasuring the little boy as Tiama
giggled and said. Daddy, daddy, daddy, over and over again. Steven hadn't
allowed emotion to control his actions. But, momentarily, the reality of the
task before him became overwhelming. To avoid any added emotional torture,
Steven took Tiama outside.
"I came home to you on that plane called Blackbird. You
and Mommy mean everything to me. So I give you my promise, you'll see her
soon," he told his son.
"Mummie," Tiama said.
"Yes, son. Mommy," Steven answered, tears filling
his eyes as the pain in his chest became almost suffocating. Then looking to
the aurora borealis, he held his son close, further suppressing all
sentimentality with a prayer to the Great Spirit.
Helen, Brent, and Emma watched the reunion in tears. Emma fought
a waterfall of them, waiting for her turn.
Steven returned to the hangar office and immediately went to
her side. He put Tiama in one arm and pulled her close with the other.
"I've got this, Emma. Sarah's coming home. I promise. I know those
mountains. I'll find her."
Emma's tears couldn't be stopped. "I know you will.
Brent and Helen have been busy getting things ready for your arrival."
Steven acknowledged Helen with a thank you as he pulled Emma
close. Then, with her head on his chest, he said another silent prayer. Tiama
wrapped his arms around his neck, and Steven absorbed strength from their love.
But time was passing, and Steven had to say goodbye and begin
the search for his wife. "Don't worry, Emma, I'll bring them both home.
And you know Sarah, she's a survivor. She knows the wilderness, and we bought
that plane with every safeguard. Even though it's on the ground, it's filled
with survival gear, first aid, and everything she needs. I won't be surprised
if I get there and she's baking cookies. And you know Chet, if he had to bring
the plane down, he did it with the precision of a surgeon."
Emma laughed as she wiped her eyes. "You're right. I
know you are. Now, kiss your son goodbye and go get her!"
Steven twirled Tiama in the air before giving him a final hug
and kiss. "My big little man," he said proudly. Eighteen months old,
Tiama was growing up fast. But now, they had another on the way. His family was
growing, but the danger he tried to protect them from could not be stopped.
~~*~~
Yolanda Renée © 2023
651 words
TAGLINE: Life is beautiful, family is everything.
This is an excerpt from the 7th
book of my Alaskan Series, Murder on Mount Fairweather coming out December 2023.
Detective Steven Quaid was working a case in
New York when the plane his wife was on went down. But his friend pulled some
favors and got him a ride on the fastest jet. But the scene with his
son seemed to fit the prompt (family). I hope you think so too.
To learn more
about the SR
71 Blackbird, check it out here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_SR-71_Blackbird
XXX
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