GI JOE Porn Story: Family and Duty Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own GI Joe, Hasbro does and all the characters. I just borrowed them, I make no money off them. I also am ripping off, Shedaisy’s song Come Home Soon, Disney, Disney Characters, and some of their movies. This is for pure fun, no profits are made from this story. Please do not sue. Again all lyrics have been pulled.

I also wanted to say a big thank you to Storm O and SP.

By Medic (MedicLifeline)

Rating : PG 13

Family and Duty

Chapter 2 : Carla’s Story

Carla Greer-Steen waited behind a yellow do not cross tape; her heart was pounding, her eyes red from crying, her heart overflowing with emotions. Her husband was finally coming home today. Their son, Jacob, rested in her arms, while their daughter, Lisa, enthusiastically waved an American flag, which one of the staff had given her.

Several of the families around her were talking and laughing with joy over the homecoming of their loved ones. Carla could hear the plane before she could ever see it. Her eyes lifted skyward, focusing on the C-130 circling around preparing to land.

Daddy! Lisa cried out, pointing to the plane.

Yes, Carla sniffed, trying not to cry again, Daddy is coming home.

As she waited for the plane to land, her mind went back to the memories of the last six months.

Six months ago

It had been a week since Ed Steen, aka Lifeline, had left. Standing in the kitchen of their home on base, Carla was busy trying to put groceries away. She stopped and leaned against the counter near the sink, looking out the window to their backyard.
The leaves were starting to fall. Carla smiled, recalling last fall. Ed had been home. They had raked the leaves behind their home into a huge pile. She reflected on how they had both taken Lisa by the hand, ran, and jumped into the pile, while Jacob napped in his playpen.

“Okay Lisa,” Ed laughed, “Here we go. Carla looked to both of them, Lisa grinning from ear to ear.

Carla started to count, On three…One, two, three!”

They ran, leaping into the pile of leaves and landing with a soft thud. All three laughed and giggled as the leaves flew everywhere then fluttered down all around them.

As she stood there, Carla could have sworn she felt Eds arms around her waist and him kissing her neck as she looked out the window. Ed had done that so many times, even when she was just washing a few dishes by hand. There would be no raking of the leaves between the two of them this year. Ed was going to be gone the next several months. Carla was just grateful that her health was intact this time.

Even though Ed had been deployed many times since Jacobs birth, the dreaded what if thought returned to haunt Carlas mind each time he left. She secretly feared of ever having to go it alone again as she had done soon after Jacob was born. The delivery was rough and then needing surgery afterward made it worse.

Ed’s biggest worry was of his wife, and in turn, Carla’s was of Ed. Each had depended on the other’s strength, especially in the hard times. She thought back to all those years ago to the time the announcement was made that the GI Joe team was being disbanded. Carla had known the man to be her husband for years and had cried when she received the notice. She had cried for the team and all the friends she had made and was about to lose. She cried for the loss of Ed, not only as her friend, but the feelings she had realized she had for him and never being able to act on them. She had watched the medic with whom she had worked from a far, knowing she could never have anything more than a professional relationship with him. Carla had often wondered if Ed had ever thought of them being in something other than a professional relationship; he kept so many things to himself.

His quiet and gentle nature with everyone, even when his beliefs angered others, was what attracted her to him. They had worked so closely together that their friendship was solid. Each sharing many laughs and tears over their comrades for one reason or another. She recalled the last day that she spent on the old base, packing her boxes in her office, figuring she would never to see Ed again. She glanced at him at times as he packed his own things, never realizing he was gazing at her with a heavy heart. She told herself that she needed to move on. Both reminisced late into the night. The next morning, with a hug, theywent their separate ways. Each figuring the other would stay in the military. Lifeline had told her of his plans, and she was still deciding on what she would do.

Fate has a funny way of making things happen. Through mutual friends, they were reunited. Carla was determined that she was not going to lose the quiet, shy medic again. She had watched as Ed had tried to date all those years ago, only to strike out. Carla almost fell over when she got a call from Cover Girl telling her to expect a phone call from the ex-GI Joe medic. Carla tried to contain her excitement as Cover Girl explained that she had seen him recently at a group get-together and that she dropped some hints his way that Carla was still single. After some coaxing, Ed had agreed to let her contact Carla. When Ed called, it was like all the years were washed away in a single phone call; each catching up the other on what was going on in their lives. They started a long distance relationship after she told him that she had left the service; soon after, they were married. Both had realized the friendship they had for all those years had led to something more.

As Lisa tugged on her shirt, Carla’s trip down memory lane faded, bringing her back to the present. “Mommy, may I have some juice?” Lisa asked.

“Sure honey,” Carla said reaching up in the cabinet for Lisas her favorite Mickey Mouse cup. After pouring some juice and sitting Lisa at the table, she finished putting the groceries away. As she put the eggs in the refrigerator, Carla was reminded of the morning Ed left. He was making a surprise breakfast for them. She smiled; he was always trying to do little things like that when he was home.

“Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?” Lisa asked.

Carla looked at her daughter and stopped putting groceries away. Slowly walking over to her and kneeling to match her daughters level at the table, she spoke softly, “Daddy will not be home for a while yet, Lisa. She was glad Jacob was still young enough not to ask too many questions.

“Will Daddy be home tonight?” Lisa asked.

“No, Lisa, it will be awhile,” Carla told her, starting to stroke her hair.

“Will Daddy be home tomorrow?” Lisa asked her eyes getting wide as she took a drink, waiting for her mother to answer.

“No, Lisa, Daddy is away at work like I told you. He will be home as soon as he can,” Carla explained.

“Is he hiding?” She continued her eyes still widened, thinking how they played hide and seek. “Is he upstairs?”

“No, Lisa, Daddy is not hiding. He is at work,” Carla gently told her again, trying not to become upset.

“Does Daddy still love us?” Lisa asked as she set her cup on the table and began to cry.

Carla took her arms and pulled Lisa close. She hugged their daughter tightly and stroked her hair, tears glistening in her own eyes. “Yes, Lisa, Daddy loves us very much. I know he is gone right now, but he will never stop loving you.

Carla had to get her daughter’s mind off her fathers being away. “Lisa,” she said softly as she stroked her daughter’s hair. “Why don’t you color Daddy a picture? I know he is so proud of your pictures.”

Lisa sniffed a few more times, as she listened to her mother’s idea and slowly stopped crying. Carla let go of her, and Lisa slid off the chair and bounced down the hall to the living room. She returned with her crayons and favorite Disney coloring book. Carla put her stuff on the table, and Lisa took a seat and started to color while drinking her juice.

A short while later, Lisa held up a picture, saying, Look, Mommy!

“That is very nice. I know Daddy will be so proud,” Carla beamed, as she took the picture. “I will send this to Daddy right away.”

Lisa smiled and started to color again.

Carla finished putting the groceries away, and Lisa walked over, handing her the glass. Carla took her daughter’s hand as they went to go wake Jacob from his nap.

Carla and the children decided to watch a few movies that evening. The three of them sat and watched Lisa’s favorite Disney movie, Mulan. Carla recalled Ed saying their daughter was just as headstrong as Mulan. She was her own person at four already. Ed had laughed, saying Lisa was following in her mother’s footsteps already.

When it came to Jacob’s turn, he picked Toy Story. Jacob loved the character Woody. Ed laughed, saying that their son was like the character in many ways also. Jacob was not one to go off on his own.

As the movie began to play Jacob cried out, “It’s Woody!” He sat there holding his favorite Woody doll. Both the children held onto Carla from either side as they sat on the sofa watching the movies. All three laughed and giggled as they watched. Carla did not know who loved the movies more, her or the children.

As the movies ended, Carla looked down. Jacob had fallen asleep halfway through Toy Story. Gently picking him up and taking Lisa’s hand, she led the children off to bed. Tucking Jacob in, she smiled down at him and stroked his hair. Turning off the light, she walked over to Lisa’s room.

Lisa held her Eeyore stuffed animal tightly. Ed had bought it for her shortly before he was called away.

Carla gave their daughter a kiss, and then she leaned over and gave Lisa a second kiss. Thats for Daddy,” she smiled.

Carla went and turned off the light. “Good Night, sweetheart,” she whispered before she walked down to her and Ed’s bedroom. Walking over to her husband’s side of the bed, she sat there on the edge of the bed, running her hand over the comforter where he would have slept.

Carla sighed. “I don’t know where you are, but I have a good feeling I know what you are doing, Ed.” Carla took a deep breath. As the team’s doctor at one time, she knew what Ed, the team’s medic, was in for. She had been there herself in the same position many times. Carla went and picked up his pillow, hugging it, breathing in the scent of his cologne. Looking out the window at the moon and stars, she wished that he was home; but deep down inside, she knew he had a job to do.

Walking into the bathroom, she got cleaned up and dressed for bed. She had taken a long, hot bath, soaking in Ed’s favorite scent: Cotton Blossom by Bath And Body works. Carla must have had a dozen bottles of each between the lotion, bubble bath, and soap. Ed was always getting her some at the Base Exchange.

Looking to her nightstand, she walked over and stared at several of the pictures of her familyShe picked up the first one, her favorite. Ed was in a choir robe at his father’s church. His sister had taken the picture on his cell phone, and he had emailed it to Carla. Ed wore a big smile and had his arms out as if he were saying, “Ta Da”. Running her hand over the glass of the frame and setting it down, she slowly picked up the second one. It was a picture of her and Ed on their wedding day. He wore his dress greens, and she was in her cathedral length gown. When she had seen him on their wedding day, she felt she was marrying the handsomest man ever. Carla’s heart still leapt at the sight of him, even after all this time. Setting the picture down, she picked up the last one, their latest family photo. Her and Ed sat next to each other with Jacob on her lap and Lisa sitting on his. All had big smiles. They had a larger photo downstairs hanging up, and Ed had one with him to carry in his pocket.

Carla’s hand went to the necklace she wore with the lucky penny; the penny her grandfather had given her. The chain was the first piece of jewelry Ed had given her. Both held a special meaning to them, and Carla never took the chain off; even when she slept, it rested on her heart. Saying a silent prayer before climbing in bed, she turned off the light. She prayed not only for her husband but also for all those stationed with him as well as their families, since most of them were more than likely going through the same thing. Carla was strong, but after all the questions of their daughter today, she was drained emotionally. Reaching for Ed’s pillow once more and hugging it, she tried to fall asleep in the big bed they shared. Carla eventually cried herself asleep.

I wonder, I pray

Two months later…

Meanwhile…

Lifeline stood in the heat of the morning sun, his desert BDUs covered in blood as the dust blew around him. As one of the platoon’s medics, he had been working on the wounded all night long. He had gone out with a squad that had sustained heavy casualties. Lifeline was tired and wore out to say the least. It had been a long night, and Christmas was less than three days away. He hoped the small Christmas presents he picked up in a friendly, local village had reached his family back home. He knew Carla would take care of the rest as she had done in the past for their birthdays and other events he missed out on. Pulling a picture from his pocket, he whispered, “Halfway there, gang. I miss and love you so.” No matter how much he missed them, Ed knew he had a job to do. And if he didnt, his children may have to deal with a worse threat when they grew up, which Ed did not want. Lifeline put the picture back in his pocket next to his heart.

Back At Home…

Carla walked out of the office, which she shared with two other doctors, a little after five. Her mind was full of events as she walked to their Jeep Cherokee. It was three days until Christmas, and she had the package Ed had sent in the back seat. She knew it was a box of small presents for them all. Sighing, she had just completed the Christmas shopping a few days ago; all Carla had to do now was wrap them. That was a big job ahead, but she did have something to smile at. Carla’s folks were flying in for the holiday. Lisa and Jacob did not know Grandma and Grandpa were coming in. They would be in on Christmas day. Carla was ecstatic, wishing Ed could have been there, since he got along with her dad like the son her father never had.

Driving home, she looked over to the passenger seat, where Ed sat most of the time. Carla loved to drive, and Ed did not care either way. She recalled holding his hand the day he left, not wanting to let go of it. Arriving home, Carla unlocked the door. Cover Girl was there; she had picked up the children for her. Lisa and Jacob loved Aunt Courtney.

Carla unlocked the door and set the key on the table. The smell of a real pine tree tickled her nose. Hearing their mother home, the children perked up, running from the front room, passed the Christmas tree and stockings hanging on the fireplace.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Both cried as they ran, CoverGirl walking behind them.

Reaching down, Carla hugged the children, Hello, she told them giving each of them a kiss, as they hugged her. Letting go of Carla, Lisa said,” Aunt Courtney has been playing games with us.”

Carla stood up with Jacob in her arms,” She has?” Carla acted shocked.

“Yes Mommy and I won,” Lisa beamed, running back over to Cover Girl, hugging her leg.

Carla raised an eyebrow at her best friend. Cover Girl laughed, grabbing her leather jacket, “How could I not?”

“You spoil them,” Carla smiled at her.

Putting her jacket on, Cover Girl fixed her hair and smiled, Youll get your chance Carla, one day.”

“Yes, well you and Ron better hurry up so I can start,” Carla teased her friend as she opened the door for her.

“Carla, we have only been married six months, give it time,” Cover Girl nodded then looked to the children,” I love you.”

“Love you,” both children told their beloved aunt.

“Thank you again,” Carla said as she closed the door. Walking in with the children, Well what should we do now? She asked, tired but happy to be home. “You want to make cookies for Santa?”

“Yeah!” Both of them cried as Lisa ran to the kitchen.

Carla set Jacob in his high chair and then pulled out the pre-made dough from the refrigerator, turning on the oven. Lisa hopped up and down clapping her hands as Carla pulled out the baking sheets.

Putting the dough on the sheets and placing them in the oven, Carla’s mind went to Ed, smiling as she recalled him helping make cookies with her last year. She could almost feel him in the kitchen with her. She remembered looking over to the sink and catching him licking the spoon before placing it in the dishwasher. Coming over and wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close and kissed her, telling her over and over again,” I love you.”

“Mommy, are the cookies done yet?” Lisa asked, bringing Carla out of yet another one of her memories. Carla looked down and smiled, hearing the timer going off.

Reaching for the oven mitt, she said, Yes honey, they are.” Pulling the sheet out and placing them on a cooling rack, Carla warned, “Dont touch. They are hot.” She walked over and picked up a few cookies that had cooled, handing Jacob and Lisa each a cookie. Having poured them all a glass of milk, Carla sat down with her cookie and enjoyed the peaceful evening with her children.

“Time for bed,” Carla told them, picking up Jacob and walking with Lisa. I see Aunt Courtney gave you a bath while I was gone. Carla told them as they went into the childrens bathroom, getting their toothbrushes set up. Lisa stood on a stool over the sink along with Jacob.

“Look Mommy,” he laughed at the toothpaste on his chin. “Grrrr. I scary.”

“Yes, you are,” she laughed as she handed him a Winnie the Pooh Dixie cup to rinse with. Finishing up, Lisa went off to her room. Carla put Jacob to bed and then walked to Lisa’s roomto giveher daughter a kiss goodnight.

Walking back downstairs and grabbing her keys, Carla needed to get the present Ed sent them out of the Jeep. She did not want to bring it in with the children there. It was to be a surprise. Carla went back inside and placed the gifts behind the tree. Carla saw there were a few extra packages under the tree. She read the tags, noting that they were from Dusty “Uncle Ron” and Cover Girl “Aunt Courtney” and addressed to the children.

Carla smiled; Dusty and Cover Girl were always there for her and Ed. There was no way of counting thenumber of times Carla and Courtney called each other when they had fights with the men they loved, either while dating or after marriage. Each consoled the other. When Ed had to leave, thank heavens, Cover Girl and Dusty were nearby after the birth of Jacob. That was one of the few things that put Ed to ease. They both could not have asked for better friends or godparents of their children.

Walking into the kitchen, Carla put the dishes away in the dishwasher, her mind again going to Ed. With a yawn, Carla went upstairs to get cleaned up and to gobed.

THREE DAYS LATER…

Christmas Morning.

Carla woke up, hugging Ed’s pillow as she did when he was gone. The children still were sleeping. She slowly made her way downstairs, knowing her folks would be there in about an hour. Her mom had called her cell phone from the airport. Cover Girl and Dusty were going to go get them for her, that way she would not have to bring the kids away from their Christmas. Carla was glad her folks would be able to get on base then with the two other Joes. She walked into the kitchen and turned the coffee pot on, the aroma starting to fill the kitchen. She had been up late placing presents under the tree. Stretching, she walked back up the stairs to get dressed.

Carla could barely contain her excitement at the thought of her parents arriving soon, wishing in her heart that Ed was there. Having snuck back down the hall and closed the children’s doors, Carla went back downstairs and into the living room. She reached for the cookie the children left Santa and took a bite out of it, placing the remainder back on the plate. Suddenly, there was a noise. Looking out the window, she saw a pair of headlights and ran to the front door to open it. Tears of joy streamed down her face as her parents got out of the car. She ran to them and hugged them tightly, relieved that they were finally here.

Carla asked Ron and Courtney if they would like to come inside, but both declined. She gave each of them a hug and a wave as they drove to their own place on base. Carla led her parents to the kitchen and all three hugged once more. Wiping the tears away, she poured them all some coffee.

“I need to go wake the children,” Carla said, finishing her cup of coffee.

“Yes, you do. I want to see my grandbabies,” her mother smiled.

Carla climbed the stairs, opening the door slowly, waking Jacob as he rubbed his eyes. She walked over to Lisa’s room,” Lisa, honey, wake up. There is a surprise downstairs.”

“Santa!” She cried, running downstairs and suddenly stopping, seeing her grandparents.

“Mema! Pawpa,” she squealed running into the kitchen. Both grandparents hugged the little girl and took Jacob from Carla. After the excitement of the moment, all of them went to the living room where the tree was. Both of the children’s eyes were wide; “Santa was here!” Lisa exclaimed.

Carla grabbed the camera as the kids opened the presents; paper flew everywhere. Clicking away, Carla took numerous pictures to download later. She would print them out and send them to Ed. She knew he was wishing that he was there with them. Her mind wondered what he was doing this Christmas morning. As Jacob and Lisa finished, Carla told them there was one more present. Walking behind the tree, their eyes grew big.

“This is from Daddy,” she smiled, opening the box.

Inside were a few small presents and a letter. She handed the doll to Lisa and the duck to Jacob.

“Daddy!” They both cried.

“Daddy sent a letter. Let’s see what he says,” Carla told them. All three sat down, Carla sat between her parents on the sofa, slowly opening the letter.

She started to read out loud:

Dear Carla, Lisa, and Jacob,

I hope this letter finds you all well. I know you are all getting ready for Christmas, and I am sorry I am not there with you.

Carla’s eyes started to tear up as she read the letter; her father placed his hand on her shoulder.

But know this, I miss and love you very much. I hope to be home soon. Enclosed is a small doll for Lisa and a small rolling duck for Jacob. Carla, honey, I could not find you anything, so I made you a braided bracelet and necklace out of some parachute cord. I know it is not much, I hope to make it up to you when I get home.

Please try to have a nice Christmas and New Year. I think of you all always.

I love and miss you all very much.

Hugs and kisses,

Daddy

Carla tried not to cry as she finished the letter, her mother placing her arms around her holding her. Jacob and Lisa went and sat on their mother’s lap. Collecting herself, Carla hugged the children. The children held their toys close to themselves and watched their mother trying not to cry.

“You go play with Grandma and Grandpa,” Carla smiled, wiping her tears away,

Throughout the day, Carla laughed, cried, and all ended up having a good Christmas after all. She had her family with her. Exhausted but happy despite Ed being gone, Carla sat down that night and wrote Ed a letter, adding some of the pictures she had printed out to brighten his day when the letter would arrive. Several days later, Carla and the children saw her parents off at the airport. Soon life went back to normal again, a life without Ed.

ONE MONTH LATER…

What Carla did not know was how close she had really come to being alone in this world. She had strongly, as before, handled things around the house and at work. Lifeline had many narrow escapes that he had never told her about. Carla’s fear of being left behind almost happened several times, but she never would know. In the back of her mind, it was always there. However hard she tried to keep her silent fears in the back of her mind, they seemed to resurface and nag her. She had been a part of the team and the Army for many years and knew it might actually happen.

Looking at the calendar, she reached for the mail. Realizing there was a letter from Ed, she quickly opened and read it with smile on her face. Yes, Carla realized as she read, her husband would be home soon…

TBC

To Be Continued