"I really hate losing you, Gray."
"Thank you, sir. I hate having to get out, but I gave it the year you asked, and I just can't do this by myself."
"I've told you how sorry I am about losing your wife several times, but I'm gonna say it again. Kate was an amazing woman, and she touched the lives of everyone she met. We all miss her, but I can't even imagine what it's been like for you. Or Kady."
"I appreciate that, sir. Kate did that and more, and I appreciate you mentioning it. I gotta tell you, Colonel, if not for Kady, I'd have almost certainly lost my mind...or worse."
"Any idea what you'll do after you get out?" his battalion commander asked.
"I think I'll try teaching. The pay isn't great, but it'll let me be home every night and during breaks. Kady's growing up without a mom. I can't let her grow up without a dad."
"I hear you. Even a short, 30-day deployment is a long time to be away from a child her age. Leaving for a year is unimaginable, and we might very well be gone that long."
"It's been an honor serving in your battalion, sir. And I really will miss this."
He stood up when the battalion commander did then shook hands with the senior officer, thanked him again, and wished him all the best.
"You too, Lieutenant Lukeman. Keep in touch, okay?"
"Will do, sir," he said before leaving his CO's office for the last time.
There was nothing left to do but go pick up Kady from the base daycare center and head back home and wait for the movers to arrive the following morning.
The weather in southern California was often superb, and December was one of his favorite months there. He knew all too well how different things would be back in the Seattle area, but that was home, and right now, the weather was the least of his concerns.
Up there, he'd have his mother who couldn't wait to be a babysitter to the three-year old granddaughter she'd only seen twice a year since she was born.
Like her son, Ella Lukeman was now living alone, too, after death had taken her husband five years ago. He was only 50 years old when a stroke claimed his life during a weekly pick-up game of basketball with friends he'd known for years.
His death had been awful, but when Gray called to let her know his wife of two years, Kate, had been killed in a vehicle accident, it had torn her heart out. She'd loved her daughter-in-law like her own child, and the hurt she felt for her son was overwhelming.
She'd offered to move to the Camp Pendleton area where he'd been stationed to be a nanny for his then just-turned-two-year old daughter, but she would have to have quit her job as a registered nurse, and retiring that early just wasn't financially possible at the time. Now, nearly two years later, she was 65 years old and able to take a full retirement and draw nearly her full social security.
Ella was often unbearably lonely, and the thought of retiring scared her for more than financial reasons when she thought about trying to fill each day by herself. But now with Gray and Kady coming home, she would have purpose, meaning, and love in her life again. She hated thinking about the reason why they were coming home, but she couldn't keep herself from being happy that they were, all the same.
With that in mind, she gave notice at the hospital where she'd worked for 32 of the 42 years she'd been a registered nurse, once she knew when her son was coming home. The entire staff was saddened to learn she'd be leaving but happy for her that her son and granddaughter were returning to the area, and for the foreseeable future, living with her.
To honor all her years of service and dedication they organized a farewell party at the end of her last shift a week ago.
Ella was moved to tears by their kindness as well as the nostalgia she couldn't help but feel. Over those 40+ years, she'd literally seen it all having worked in the ER for many of those early years as well as with children she'd seen suffer every kind of agonizing illness and, of course, die in her presence. But rather than focus on that, she chose to remember those she'd helped and who'd thanked her and maybe even hugged her as they left the hospital with either a happy, healthy child or having recovered themselves.
As she was getting ready to leave for the final time, the RN who'd been hired to take her place asked if she could have a few minutes of her time. Ella was more than happy to do so, and the younger woman personally congratulated her and wish her all the best. Her name was Reagan Orr, and Ella remembered it because the first time they met, Ella told her she was the first 'Reagan' she'd ever met.
The younger woman laughed and said, "Well, my maiden name was Bush so you can imagine what it was like telling people my name was Reagan Bush."
It took Ella a second to remember the late president and his running mate, but when it finally clicked she laughed and said, "Oh, my. Yes, that had to be fun!"
Reagan laughed, as well, and said, "It wasn't so bad."
"Well, we don't choose our names, hon," Ella remembered telling her.
"So I understand you'll be watching your granddaughter. Is that right?" Reagan asked, hoping to move away from anything political.
"It is and I can't wait!" Ella told her. "I've even dreamed about holding that sweet girl again!"
"She's three, right?" Reagan asked.
"Uh-huh. Yes. Three years old. She'll be four in a couple of months."
"That's the same age as my daughter, Skylar. Well, she just turned four last month, but still..."
Ella already had her phone out going through 'Photos' and although she heard Reagan's comment, she was too busy looking for pics of Kady to share with her replacement.
"Oh, here we go. This is my Kady," she said proudly as she handed the phone to Nurse Orr.
"Oh, my goodness! She's adorable!" Reagan cooed. "May I scroll down?"
"Of course. I could show off this sweet girl all day long!"
Reagan smiled, oohed and awed many times, then noticed the younger man holding her in quite a few of the pics.
"And is this her father?" she asked as she turned the phone around.
"Yes indeed. That's my son, Gray," Ella proudly announced. "He's been on active duty in Southern California and will coming home in a week."
"He's very handsome," Reagan said.
"Thank you. I agree," Ella said, the smile on her face big and wide.
"Pardon me for asking, but did I hear correctly his wife passed away?" she asked as delicately as she could.
"Yes you did. Having lost my husband, I knew exactly what he was going through."
Ella took the phone and scrolled down until she found some pictures of her late daughter-in-law then handed the phone back to Reagan.
"Oh, my. She's beautiful!" Reagan said truthfully. "I don't even know them, and I feel just awful for their loss."
"It's not something I'd wish on my worst enemy," Ella said as Reagan handed the phone back.
"I...I don't talk about this very often, but I lost my husband three years ago, too," Reagan said quietly.
Ella's eyes opened wide in surprise and she immediately put her arms around the younger nurse and hugged her tight.
"Oh, Reagan. I am so sorry for you!"
"My heart goes out to you, as well, Ella."
Ella pulled back, smiled, then said, "My heart was broken, but now that Gray and Kady are coming home, it's on the mend."
"Your son is very fortunate to have you, Ella. My parents are also both gone, and I'd give anything to have them back. I know my mom would insist on watching Skylar while I'm at work and be just as happy about doing it as you are with your beautiful granddaughter."
"So do you have daycare?" Ella asked.
"I do. But it costs an arm and a leg. But there's no alternative, so..."
Ella smiled then said, "The cost of living around here really is out of control."
"But you gotta eat, right?" Reagan said cheerfully.
"Yes. Yes, you do," Ella agreed.
Reagan was saying her final goodbyes when Ella said, "I was wondering if well, after talking to Gray, of course, if say Kady and Skylar got along well, if you'd maybe consider letting me watch her, too."
"Are you serious? Ella, I can't ask you to do that."
"No, it'd be my pleasure. Having a friend for Kady, especially another girl the same age, seems like a wonderful thing. And it wouldn't be much more work than caring for one so would you mind me asking Gray if he's okay with it?"
"Well, yes. Sure. That'd be...wonderful. Even if you charged the same amount, Skylar would be in a quieter, more nurturing environment with someone I feel I know and definitely trust."
"I can assure you I won't charge much more than the cost of her food. After all, you'd be helping us out, too. So let me ask him, and in the meantime, why don't you bring Skylar by so you can see where she'd be staying and let her get used to my home."
"I'd love to, Ella. Just let me know when," Reagan said with genuine enthusiasm and no small amount of gratitude as she was currently paying $150 a week for daycare.
And as she thought about the difference it would mean financially, a difference that would allow her to finally buy some things for her daughter, it made her tear up.
"You all right?" Ella asked.
Reagan grabbed a tissue in the pocket of her scrubs and said, "Yes. Just a little overwhelmed. I can't believe this is happening."
"Well, it is. And remember. I'm retired now, honey. And I want to do this. So just let me know what day and time works best for you, and I'll look forward to meeting your precious little girl!"
They agreed on a time and date then hugged one another again.
"I'm so glad we spoke," Ella told her.
"Oh, me, too, Ella. Even if the daycare doesn't work out, it's so nice to have a new friend. I haven't exactly had a lot of time to make any and don't even ask me about...dating."
Ella laughed and said, "Dating. Just the thought makes me queasy. Then again, I'm not young and beautiful like you are."
Reagan thanked her but let her know she found the thought of meeting new people just as unpleasant.
"I'd love to find someone, but all that sifting through dating profiles and weeding out all the frogs just in the hope of maybe finding another prince is...daunting."
