Really, I didn't expect things to go quite as well as they did.
Zoe wasn't crashing, Seth's rehearsals were going great, Lulu and the Fireflies were fast learners, and my comic was finally taking shape.
AND Gary had stopped trying to attack Shane.
Most likely because I'd told him to stop.
Hey, ducks are smart!
Now that I started talking, it was easier to train him to respond to voice commands again.
Have you ever had a duck bring you a drink?
It's AWESOME.
Reclining in my desk chair and staring at my newest page, I tried to look at it objectively as Gary settled down in my lap.
Patting his head absentmindedly, I was about to start on a fresh page when the door suddenly opened.
"Cece, guess what? Mom's coming home!"
Shooting up fast enough to startle Gary, a grin plastered itself on my face before I could stop it.
"Really?"
Dropping the 'guard duck' onto my bed, I rushed out into the hall where everyone had gathered.
"She's coming home tomorrow!"
Relief and joy bubbled up from deep inside my chest, and I embraced them as wholeheartedly as they did me.
She was coming home…
A thought struck me then, and I pulled back slightly to look at Shane, standing in Zoe's doorway.
If mom came back, he'd have to leave…
I couldn't let him.
"The good news is that once I give this to my CO, no one will bother you anymore."
"Really?"
"Really."
Fiddling with the edge of my new Batman t-shirt, I couldn't stop thinking that once mom got home that we'd lose the closest thing we had to a dad at the same time…
"What's wrong? Your mother's coming home, you should be happy."
"But, Shane…Doesn't that mean you have to go?" Lulu answered, sad expression deepening when he didn't deny the fact.
"…You guys should go upstairs and get ready. Your mother will be here soon."
No one objected, and I went straight to the kitchen instead of my room.
I need a drink…
When the front door closed, Shane started a song from 'The Sound of Music', and I nearly smiled in amusement.
BOY, would mom be surprised…
Stepping forward once she arrived in the frame, I smiled fully.
"Welcome home, mom."
I don't think I've ever seen her happier, if her hug was any indication…
The others were quick to hug her as well, and I stepped back, feeling warm at the sight of my family reunited.
Looking past them towards Shane's commanding officer, I couldn't help feeling standoffish again.
Something about him wasn't right…
Watching him and Shane walk out towards the garage, I felt my jaw tighten with the urge to say something.
I don't know what, but the urge was there all the same.
Silently going up the stairs and into my room, I half-closed the door and started gathering up my comic so I could show mom.
I could have only been up there five minutes or so when I heard the first shout.
Half of me wanted to go see what was wrong, and hurt whoever had caused the shout, but the other half warned me that it wasn't the best idea.
That would be my common sense.
So, instead of drawing attention to myself as footsteps came up the steps, I hid in the shadows behind my door and waited.
Now is one of the few times I'm grateful for being hard to notice.
I didn't move an inch until they pulled my family into Peter's room, most likely to hold them in there.
Then I headed for my window, which was partially open because it had been humid in here the night before.
Slipping out onto the little ledge under the sill, I pulled the windowpane down enough so no one would suspect anything.
Looking down, I reconsidered my plan for a moment before steeling my nerves.
There was no time to be a coward, not right now.
Crouching, I took hold of the edge and hung there for a moment, aiming towards the grass.
Swinging and letting go, I curled up into a ball to absorb the impact.
Of course, I rolled into the bushes, but it could have been worse…
It took longer than I thought to get untangled, especially without making any noise, but I managed eventually.
Getting my bearings, I moved towards the driveway and garage in a crouch, looking down from the high ground.
They were just getting into the minivan and driving away at that point, and I decided to bide my time as Gary walked up to my side.
Smiling, I pat his head and put a finger over my lips as a warning.
He understood, not quacking or even disturbing the bushes around us as we waited.
I could only assume Shane was in the garage, he and Captain Fawcett had been heading that way last time I checked, so I stayed put to be sure he came out alive.
If Fawcett hurt him…
I noticed Zoe's driving skills before I noticed anything else, and she parked impressively well considering the speed.
Then again, the speed was probably the reason three cop cars were parking in the street, too.
Everyone rushed into the driveway followed by six police officers, and Shane came out of the garage with mom at the commotion.
First, they were held at gunpoint by the cops.
Then by one of our neighbors in an all-black suit.
Well, I never liked him anyway…
As the officers dropped their weapons, I turned to Gary and motioned him down to the driveway.
"I want the Ghost."
And you're getting one, buddy.
"Relax, it's just a duck." Shane assured once Gary had made his presence known, walking up to the gun-wielding man.
"Where's the Ghost?"
"I have it here."
"Bring it over!"
Quieter than I'd ever been before, I crawled down to the outer end of the driveway and waited for the perfect moment to strike.
"Put it on the ground."
As Shane crouched down to do so, he must have seen me, nodding his head slightly in my direction.
"Step away!"
Nodding back, I slid behind the man without him noticing.
Tapping him on the shoulder, I grinned sharply when he turned around in surprise, kicking him soundly between the legs, knocking his gun away and punching him in the nose in the same movement.
He fell like a ton of bricks, and I looked at the surprised onlookers with a shrug.
"Guess now we know why dad named the program after me, huh?"
Mom hadn't stopped hugging me since the FBI had arrived, and I'd lost feeling in my fingers half an hour ago.
Finally pulling myself away from her hold, I started looking for Shane through the throng of officers.
Lulu joined me, probably guessing my intent, and pulled me towards the SEAL once she spotted him.
"Hey, Shane." I greeted softly, fiddling with my fingers.
"Mission accomplished, soldier." Lulu agreed.
"I suppose it is."
"I guess you'll be leaving us now…"
"…Guess so."
Reaching into a pocket, I pulled out a photo and held it out.
"We want you to have this…So you never forget us."
"I'll never forget you." He promised.
"'Cause you're the best friends I've ever had, and no matter how far life takes me away, I will ALWAYS be thinking about you."
Jeez, why'd he have to be so sweet?
Hugging him tightly around the neck with Lulu, I didn't want to let go, as if he'd leave the moment I did.
We only let go of each other when the rest of the family came up, and it was reluctant at best.
"From now on, it's YOUR command."
Lulu smiled, saluting the Navy SEAL.
"At ease."
"Your father would be so proud of all of you."
"Shane…?" I started uneasily.
"…Are we ever going to see you again?"
"What are you talking about? We still have one more mission."
In all the chaos, I'd nearly forgotten about Seth's play.
Even Helga came to see it, and I enjoyed the entire thing more than I expected.
I should have been asleep a fourth of the way through…
Truth is, I think I was just too excited from having Shane as a vice principal instead of Murney to sleep.
Staring up at the ceiling, towards heaven, I relaxed fully in my seat.
Dad didn't have to worry about us anymore…