Chapter 6

August 1st, 1981

Devonshire, England

Life was good

Even though Harry had entered the military three years ago after he had graduated from Sandhurst two years ago he had not been deployed anywhere.

And that surprised him.

He expected that he would have been sent to Gibraltar to help fortify as tensions boiled.

But he couldn't be happier that he wasn't overseas now.

He and his wife Fleur had settled in well to married life at a little house that they had purchased in Devonshire

Fleur was already seven months pregnant with their first child that was due in about October.

The young couple was over the moon about becoming parents.

And that's what the conversation was about at the dinner table at the moment.

Harry was reading the paper after a wonderful dinner while talking with his wife.

"So how did your visit to Charlotte's house go?"Harry asked

"Pretty good," Fleur said leaning on her husband while cradling her belly.

"You know how you wanted the child to be named Robert if its a boy," Fleur asked.

"Yeah" Harry replied remembering a conversation they had a few weeks previously "Weren't you going to come up with a name for it if we end up having a daughter".

"Yeah," Fleur said, "I was talking with Charlotte and we agreed on Caroline, Caroline Rose".

Harry nodded "Sounds good," He said and was about to say something else before he heard the phone in the kitchen ringing.

"I'll get it," Fleur said getting up.

"No," Harry said, getting up, "I'm closer and you need to rest".

Walking into the kitchen Harry picked up the phone

"Hello," He said.

"Hello Private Potter" A voice on the other end of the phone spoke.

"Yes," Harry replied cautiously, feeling dread creep up.

"This is Lieutenant Atkinson," The voice said, "I will be filling in temporarily for Lieutenant Sharp".

"Ok," Harry said, "Nice to know that Lieutenant and what may be the purpose of this call today".

There was a sigh. before Lieutenant Atkinson spoke "I've been making home calls to all of the men in the battalion" He said, "A few hours ago we received the news that the battalion will be shipping out to Gibraltar in two weeks".

Harry felt nauseous.

"But sir," He said, "Our unit was not on the rotation roster yet".

Atkinson paused "Yes that is true but where part of Thatcher's surge plan," He said.

"Surge Plan," Harry asked.

"It not been announced to the public yet," Atkinson said, "But British troop numbers are being increased from 13,000 to 26,000 over the next few months".

Harry paused.

In his heart ever since Fleur had told him that she was pregnant he had worried about being deployed during that time.

And Fleur was so close to giving birth.

But at the very least after their six-month deployment was over he would be able to see his child at four months old.

It pained him though realizing that he would not be here to witness the birth of his first child.

The Lieutenants voice soon came back on the phone

"You still there private," He asked.

"Yes, sir im still here" Harry replied.

"I heard your wife is having a kid soon," Atkinson said.

"Yes," Harry said.

"I know that will be hard," Atkinson said, "My wife gave birth to our first when I was serving in Malaysia".

Harry nodded.

"Don't worry" Atkinson said, "The Army Postal Service is pretty darn good and can help until we return in September".

September.

"Sir," Harry asked, "I'm confused I thought we would be back in February after six months".

"No," Lieutenant Atkinson said regret in his voice "Parliament and the Prime Minister have agreed to extent troop deployments to Gibraltar to twelve months.

Twelve Months

Twelve Bloody Months

Harry felt overwhelmed.

He knew that he would probably be deployed but not until after his child was born.

"When do we have to report for muster," Harry asked.

"On the eighth" Lieutenant Atkinson said.

Harry nodded.

"Good day then Lieutenant," He said.

"Good day private" Was the reply.

Stumbling Harry walked into the den to see his wife looking at him with a worried look on her face.

Silently he nodded.

Fleur broke into tears.

TIME CHANGE

The next two weeks were hard for Harry and his family as he got his stuff in order before they got ready to ship out to Spain.

But eventually, the two weeks were over and Harry was standing with his family at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk preparing to get with the other two hundred men of his group on several transport planes that would take them to their final destination.

His mother was holding onto him for dear life right now.

"Take care sweetie and promise me you won't take any risks".

"I promise mom," Harry said, "We knew this would happen at some point".

"I know," She said "That doesn't make it any easier though" Hugging him again.

Soon his dad came through with his friends.

"Hey, don't strangle the poor boy to death Lilly" He joked."Our sons doing what everyone in the military does besides the first deployment is always the hardest as my mother said when I went off to war".

"He's not going off to war James" She hissed.

"I know," He said raising his hands before coming up and giving his son a bear hug "Best of luck out their son."He said.

"Thanks, Dad," Harry said, "I'll be fine, please make sure to help Fleur with the baby though".

"Everything will be fine here, "James said "You just take care of yourself.

Harry nodded before walking up to hug his wife minding her belly.

For a few minutes, no word were exchanged between the two before Fleur finally spoke.

"Im going to miss you" She whispered.

"Me too," Harry said.

: Make sure you write back here the earliest you can ok" She said.

"I will" Harry promised, "I've got my pen in my pocket right now".

Adding in "I will make sure to bring back a souvenir from Spain if I can".

Fleur nodded before letting go.

"Take care, my love".

Harry with much difficulty turned and joined the rest of the men that were gathering their stuff and getting ready to head out.

As they started to march onto the plane Harry glanced back and saw his family standing with the others at the gate waving.

Waving back Harry found some of his army buddies and worked to find a seat as they began the multi-hour plane ride to Gibraltar.

And then began their year there.

This was going to be hard.

Authors Note Thanks for reading and please review