209 Commander comes home

they arrive at the Baghdad base for debriefing, after hours getting checked out at the hospital . The unit is questioned about their capture. They are spoken to individually as to see if there are any discrepancies in their stories. Once the interviews are over they are allowed to be flown home . Astila goes to see Ahmed before leaving. not sure what to say to him but wants to leave with no loose ends . Arriving at Ahmed's house Astila knocks on the door. His wife answers and just hugs him tightly. Astila heats Ahmed clear his throat so his wife moves to let him in. 

" I didn't want to leave without seeing you. I wanted to make sure you are ok." Astila tells his friend . Ahmed's wife looks at  Astila and asks. 

"Ahmed said you saw our daughters body , did it look like she had been tortured or had been in pain?" Astila looks at them and tries to think of what to tell her. 

" I'm not sure if you saw the live stream of the ritual or not? If you did then you can see that she was not in pain. What was done to her was he cut her wrist and drained her blood. He then performed a ritual using her blood. He believed that by taking her blood and using it he could live longer. The thing is that he bound her soul to a crystal that would keep her from crossing over. Her body was contaminated and unable to be touched. So we had no choice but to burn the bodies in order for them to cross over. I know you may not understand what I am talking about but I promise you if I could have returned her body to you I would have."  Lowering his head Astila gets on his knees before Ahmed's wife as if to say sorry. Tears of grief flowed as Astila thinks of the beautiful girl he saw as a spirit he knows she was even more so when she was alive. Thinking to himself he knows there is no words that can comfort them especially since she was their only child. Ahmed's wife kneels beside him and embraced Astila telling him. 

"there is nothing for us to forgive . You were not the one to kill her, you did what was needed to send our child to a peaceful afterlife. I hope that you will bring your wife to see me someday. I hear she is pregnant with twins. I asked the young man when I was getting him ready for the mission. . " she stands and goes into another room she brings out a small box. Inside are a few sets of clothes for the babies. She tells him. 

"these are dresses that I made for my daughter when she was small please take them and give them to your wife. It would make me happy to know they will be used. " Astila graciously accepts the garments and bids them good bye. When he arrives back everyone is ready to board the plane for home. 

When the plane touched down the family was waiting for them. HeJin called and told them that she was bringing a six cars of of family , so they needed to get someone at the gate to ensure they could get in. The commander will be staying in West Virginia while the rest of his unit would be heading home to Texas, Because of their injuries they will have several months off. So after signing the paperwork for the recoup time for his men. 

Before Steve even gets out of the office he is nearly tackled by his wife, holding her close he thinks it's time for retirement. Looking into  HeJin eyes he asks. 

"Hey wife how are things going?" With a grim she softly smacks his cheek and answers. 

" now it's going well, your home in my arms safe. " 

Marshal in the background yells,

"how much cheesier can you get, just get a room?" Knowing his aunt is going to kick his butt when she gets the chance. 

HeJin glances at Astila and nods at him with a steel glare. Astila knows what he has to do. Walking over to Marshal he stands behind him and knocks him in the knees making him fall to the ground. Smacks the back of his head and informs him. 

"That is from Aunt HeJin , you know they say the exact same thing every time he goes away.  It's their ritual to ensure he has good luck. "  walking over to Aisling grabbing her hand Astila starts walking towards their car. It's time to go to their home.  HeJin and Steve are in the back seat snuggled close together like teenagers. Quietly Steve asks HeJin. 

" What do you think of my retirement, we can travel and live where ever you want? Iwon't have to leave you any more" he watches her face wondering what she thinks. 

" I think it's time, your heart is here with your family and your getting old. I know you want more time with your brother and sister. Though I know you don't want to be to close or you will fight all the time. So we just have to find someplace that has everything you love that isn't here. You know I was scared this time. I have never been scared for you before. This time I was, when crystal woke up and said you were hurt. I wanted to come myself to find you. I will welcome your retirement so I don't have to live through that again" she kisses him playfully. Steve chuckles and lays his head down on her shoulder. Sighing thinking it's so good to be home. 

Aisling over heard what her aunt had said and she thinks she has the perfect solution. They could live in Astila's house in Tennessee. It has everything her uncke will love. 

"Hey,hubby what do you think of letting uncle Steve and Aunt HeJin live in the house in Tennessee. I hate to have it empty except for the occasional trip and it's big enough for them and us?" Holding her breath she waits for his answer. 

"I think it's a great idea, I had thought about renting it out but this is even better. Why don't you ask them if they like the idea?" Aisling turns her head to talk to them but they both are sound asleep.  It can wait till they are home. Looking outside she wonders what damage was done to her uncle and how it is going to effect him long term. She gets her phone out and texts Debra to let her know they are on their way. 

As always when they arrive at the house it is overflowing with family . Steve is looking forward to when everyone goes home but for now he goes to find a quiet spot to talk with his brother. 

"hey brother it's so good to see you, I didn't think I would be seeing you again. It was the worst nightmare , you know when Crystal came to me I thought I was dying. That she came to say good bye. Instead it was my getting another chance to be with those I love. You know you would have been touched by Astila she prayed at every turn. It didn't mater what was going." 

John looks at his brother he knows that Astila has changed over the last few months. 

"you know it's not a bad thing. Astila is a good man . John tells him . 

" 

yes I agree,  it just surprised me how much he has  . In the past he would not have cared if Ahmed's daughter was alive or dead. Now he not only cares he pray's for it. He prayed a lot on this mission. Even in front of the other army . " Steve shifts around trying to get comfortable. His body hurts from his captivity. John looks at him wondering what exactly he wants to say. 

" you know not everyone is cut out to be like you." John tells him. 

"you know Marshal was a  big help on getting us back, you should seen him. He was in his  element there. He knew what was needed and got the job done. That is a special boy you got there. " Steve hopes that by telling him this, it will help him open up to the possibility of Marshal being a military man. He has known for awhile that his heart lies in the military. That he only refused to go public with his career choice was because of his father and his determination to keep him from it