Chapter 16

NEW BEGINNINGS: SIX YEARS LATER

The reception was in full swing the nuptials of Thomas Chandler and Rachel Scott was a big deal and many people wanted to attend but Tom and Rachel planned their wedding like a mission, and it help that the crew of the Nathan James volunteer their services to pull off this ultra-top-secret wedding. Bacon and the culinary division volunteer to help with catering the food and wedding cake.

Tom and Rachel object to the crew taking time from their families to help with their wedding. He also realized that he would have a munity on his hands when told their families wanted to help. Kara suggest that once a month that Rachel and Tom would throw a Nathan James family barbeque on the farm this would give them the cover for planning the wedding which they could discuss what food menus would be served and taste cakes without being stalked by the public and press.

As for the looking for wedding dresses Bertrise surprise everyone with her skills as a designer and seamstress she showed Rachel several designs she had sketch for Rachel's dress and dresses for Ashley and Natalie Jane. As for the men Tom would wear his choker whites while Sammy, James Jeddah (JJ) and Jed already had tuxes from all the formal dinners the family had attended over the past six years.

Bertrise designed each dress to complement Rachel's dress. Natalie Jane dress was not a typical flower girl it was a romper with a removable skirt made of tulle in yellow. Ashely dress was cocktail length in yellow with tulle underskirt nothing over the top simple elegance. Rachel's dress was a simple column sheath dress with sweetheart neckline with mesh illusion covering the neck and shoulders. When the pictures are published Bertrise will be swamp with requests for her designs.

Everything had gone off without a hitch, Russ officiated over the ceremony Tom and Rachel had decide to write their vows which were basically told their story of friendship to lovers.

Six years had passed since the Coup attempt, China and Peng's Green Mist cure blocker. More importantly the rescue of the Mike's family and the passengers of the Caribbean Sunrise.

Mike and Christine lived on the next farm over from Tom and Rachel place, but the kids ran back and forth between the two farms. Charlie was able to graduate early from high school and was accept into medical program she was a truly a gifted when it came to medicine, she was set to graduate in the next year were should do her internship and residency at the hospital in St. Louis. Mike had already checked out the apartments near the hospital, but he wasn't ready to let his oldest leave the nest. Hannah was the surprise she was daddy's girl through and through a mixture of tomboy and princess. She had decided to apply to the Naval Acadmey but not under Slattery but her mom's maiden name Williams even though Mike was a recipient of the Medal of Honor Hannah could attend anyone of the five service academies. She did it the hard way and received her appointment letter to Annapolis from the President Oliver before he left office. Mike and Christine were stunned when Hannah showed them the letter of acceptance and the package that she sent in detailing how she and her family survived during the two years separate and never giving up hope. Next year Mike would drop her off at Annapolis for her plebe summer.

Kara and Danny were now stationed in Norfolk. Danny was assigned to a SEAL team under Captain Bosch, Kara had just finished her SWO flagship course top of her class when she was offered the billet of commanding officer of the Nathan James. Cameron Burk would be her XO and Master Chief Nishioka would be her CMC. Frankie was eight years old now and mini Danny in ever way. When Danny had down time, it was spent with Frankie and Halsey was retired, he official joined the family. Halsey and Frankie were inseparable only time Halsey wasn't with Frankie when he was in school. Debbie would be waiting with Halsey for Frankie after school at the bus stop.

Carlton and Rivat had eloped and traveled to Israel to look for her family after everything settle down. Only her youngest sister survived they decided to come back to the states and raise her as their own. Carlton had taken a position at the Naval Academy as an instructor and Rivat retired from the Israel Defense Force after everything she saw because of the Red Flu, the cure blocker and the attempt coup. She instead focused on her sister Talia who was twelve and she and Carlton welcome a little girl Sarah.

Wolfe had finally had a chance to travel to Australia and look for his family members and they had all survived the Red Flu because they lived in the outback far away from the coastal cities. Wolfe skills were need to train up the new recruits in the Australian military he also recruited Tex to come help him train the next generation of military down under. They had spent two year down under reestablishing the training programs not only for Australia and New Zealand's military. The two country would merge their militaries into a joint training due to the Red Flu. Kathleen choose to enlist in the Navy which ruffled Tex but he was proud of his girl.

Wolfe always the lady's man met his match when he met a Kenyan woman Azima Kandie a member of her country's military the two are currently dating

Ruskov and his men were tried and given life sentence by the world court sentence to be served in the Russian prison last heard Ruskov was killed by the prisoners many had family members who perish when the Vernyi was sunk by the James

As for Miller he is currently pushing boots at Great Lakes he is currently engaged to a Courtney Abbott who he met at a State Dinner honoring the crew of the Nathan James.

Sasha and Rudy Bosch after working together on several missions after rescuing Mike's family had become and item and eloped several months before.

The crew of the Nathan James and their family were finally at peace with the events that happen over the years there is sadness and joy that they all carry in their hearts, yet they are proud being part of history in finding the Cure stopping the regional leaders and finally ending Ruskov's reign of terror on survivors.

As for the Chandler family Ashley was in her second year in design school Sam was in his junior year of high school star baseball player honor student and the twins were in first grade Natalie love her books, ponies and playing dress up in not necessarily in that order.

JJ was played baseball like his big brother and he was the ball boy for Sam's team those two were close despite their age difference. Sam introduce JJ to comics

Jed found another cabin in upstate Missouri, but he spilt his time between the cabin and the farm.

As for the wedding of the year it went off without a hitch and when the press was informed of the wedding Rachel Scott and Tom Chandler were on their honeymoon at Jed's cabin.

Through the heartaches and loss of love ones everyone the crew of the Nathan James and their families have found happiness

Author's Note: I wanted to keep my ending simple and decide to write the ending with short narratives of everyone lives six year after the coup attempt. Thank you for reading and reviewing