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Thank you all who have been reading and following along. I always appreciate getting feedback. It helps with becoming a better writer and it's always an ego boost, so feel free to reach out. I will always respond!

The usual spiel: This isn't a stroke story, (more porn with plot.) Be warned, it's very long. 33 chapters, and many sexless ones to come before it gets sexy, which is why it was originally published under novels/novellas, but readers asked for it to be put under gay male due to content, so here we go.

This book is dedicated to all of the brave service members and their families who sacrifice so much every day so that the rest of us can enjoy the liberties that they swear to protect and uphold.

Although references in this novel may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are complete works of fiction. They are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental. In an effort to do the United States Army justice, and to show my respect to my country, I have applied all possible efforts to merge fact and fiction to entertain, while portraying the military, and the hardships and achievements of soldiers, with respect, dignity and accuracy to the best of my abilities. It's my hope that I've done you all justice, and that all of the creative licenses taken with this novel are understood to be the efforts of imagination, and not any judgment or disrespect against the U.S. military. Thank you all for your service.

The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.

?Mario Puzo

It took me almost an hour to get home. Local bus lines were not kind to those without schedules, and by the time I got inside, I was sweaty and cranky. A dose of horny wasn't helping, but I triaged the situation by turning up the AC before I ambled into the kitchen. Making a stop at the refrigerator for the cold orange juice I drank right from the container gave me a chance to calm down. My shower and shave afterward made me feel more human, though it was a near thing. A fresh tee shirt and jeans, and a small mountain of aspirin, helped the cause a little more. By the time I walked out of my room again, my wristwatch read half past seven, but the house was still quiet.

Sofia's door was closed. So was Adelyn's, though I could hear the faintest hum of music coming from the other side. Emma's door was open. She had her head buried beneath a small mountain of plushy sentries. The floorboards creaked in soft welcome as I stepped in and gently closed the door behind me.

My niece looked younger in sleep, closer to the toddler of my memories. When she shifted restlessly, the blanket covering her little body slid down, exposing pink pajamas with dancing bears on them. The scent of strawberry shampoo and baby lotion wafted up to me as I leaned in to tuck it back around her bony shoulders. Relaxed and trusting in sleep, Emma pressed back gently against my hand when I swept it over her forehead to push her bangs back.

Ben thought I was stable? Not a chance in hell. But I'd get real good at pretending because there was no way I was going to fail Emma.

I don't know how long I sat there. Emma was still sleeping when I snuck away. Sofia and Adelyn were nowhere to be seen. Without the hustle and bustle?slamming doors and all?the house felt empty. It was amazing how accustomed I'd become to the chaos.

Since sitting on my hands wasn't accomplishing much, I relied on my limited repertoire to pull together breakfast for the family. Bacon, eggs and cold cereal were the only three things I could make well, so the fact it was still morning worked in my favor. Lured out by the scent of sizzling pork fat, Emma padded into the kitchen a few minutes after I started. She helped me crack the eggs into the bowl to scramble them, only to opt for cereal once they were plated. I did coax her into a side of bacon though. All hail, Uncle of the Year.

*quot;Emma, where'd you put my purse? I told you to stay out of my stuff.*quot;

Adelyn's voice floated down from the upstairs, the thump of her footsteps adding angry percussion overhead.

Emma shrugged at me as she swiveled on her stool. I took the piece of bacon she extended, trading it for the marshmallows from my cereal bowl.

*quot;I think I saw you throw your bag in the dining room when you came in yesterday, Addie,*quot; I called out. Adelyn didn't answer, but I heard her coming down the stairs. A few minutes later, she popped into the kitchen with her bag slung over one slim shoulder.

Today's outfit was a far cry from the demure black dress Sofia had wrestled her into for Connor's funeral. A sheer, low necked, white tee shirt and denim shorts?made shorter by the sky high heels on her wooden sandals?were appropriate for the weather, but too hot for my peace of mind.

*quot;Ah, you're finally back.*quot; Basmane Escort She paused, looking me over. *quot;Have a nice night?*quot;

I should've been flattered that she noticed I was gone, but the dark look Adelyn cast my way prompted me to watch my words.

*quot;I've had better, but I went for a run with a friend this morning and that helped clear my head a little.*quot; I cleared my throat, trying to keep the focus off of myself. *quot;Are you going somewhere?*quot;

*quot;Yeah. Out.*quot;

*quot;Let's hear it for the stellar communication level of teenagers. Where are you going?*quot;

*quot;To the mall,*quot; Emma volunteered. *quot;We're going shopping for summer clothes. Want to come with us, Uncle Sam?*quot;

*quot;Sure?*quot;

*quot;No!*quot;

Adelyn and I spoke in synchronized discord, eyeing one another over the counter. I ignored her outrage when I spotted the car keys she was looking for and grabbed them first, tucking them into my pocket.

*quot;You're so not driving me there!*quot; she snarled.

*quot;Why not? You planning on secretly taking your sister to a nightclub? Explains the outfit.*quot;

Adelyn's cheeks flushed hot pink. *quot;We all dress this way. It's called cool.*quot;

*quot;Ah.*quot; I nodded. *quot;Lemming syndrome. Gotcha.*quot; I held out my hand to Emma, bending low in a bow that set her giggling. *quot;After you, Madame.*quot;

She bowed back and giggled. *quot;Addie's dressing up for her booooyfriend,*quot; she sang.

*quot;Shut up, Emma!*quot;

*quot;Watch the language,*quot; I warned. *quot;What boyfriend?*quot;

Adelyn glared at Emma, then turned the hostility back on me. *quot;Jake's not my boyfriend, just a guy I hang out with sometimes.*quot;

*quot;Mami doesn't like him,*quot; Emma volunteered. *quot;He smokes.*quot;

*quot;Cigarettes,*quot; Adelyn cut in. *quot;He's allowed. He's in college.*quot;

*quot;And he's dating a sixteen-year-old?*quot; I could feel my eyes narrowing. Sofia had been the same age when she'd had Adelyn, so a college kid's hormones and my teenage niece didn't fly with me.

*quot;Chill out, Uncle Sam. He's a freshman. Just give me the keys.*quot;

Like that was going to happen. *quot;I want to meet this kid.*quot;

*quot;No way!*quot;

*quot;Why not? He's a good kid right? Only smokes cigarettes? What's wrong with me saying a friendly hello?*quot; To the potential juvenile delinquent interested in my niece.

*quot;This is bullsh?*quot; Adelyn trailed off when my eyebrow cocked and held.

*quot;Hey, you're the one that said I wasn't around enough. This is me being relevant for my niece who needs a ride.*quot; And the boyfriend I wanted to check out.

*quot;I can drive myself.*quot;

*quot;And that would leave your mom and me without a car in case of an emergency since I haven't gotten a rental yet. Not happening.*quot;

*quot;You're worried about emergencies after leaving us alone all night? Seriously?*quot; Adelyn snapped.

That stung, but I sucked up the truth. *quot;Growing up lesson number one kiddo; try to learn from the mistakes of others. I need to get some shopping done anyway since I don't have the simplicity of uniforms to fall back on anymore. Emma and I won't crowd you and your friends. We'll grab ice cream or something. Call me on my cell when you're ready to go home.*quot;

*quot;You're going for ice cream in the morning?*quot;

I shrugged. *quot;Why not? It's time for ice cream somewhere in the world.*quot;

I watched for rolling eyeballs as Adelyn huffed her way to the door. *quot;This is retarded. I'm not some little kid you need to drive around.*quot;

*quot;Really? I guess I missed that memo when you stomped your foot like that.*quot;

*quot;Whatever.*quot; The time tested answer for all teen problems was hurled at me with contempt. *quot;I'm going to wait in the car. When we get to the mall you have to drop me off at the corner. I don't need some soldier guy freaking out my friends.*quot;

I looked down at my faded blue jeans and vintage Bert