A scene began to play before Lance's eyes as he stepped into the bathroom, causing him to accidentally bump his shoulder into the doorjamb when he entered. Allowing the clothes to slide from his arms and onto the floor, he stared intently at the picture within the little heart-shaped locket that he had salvaged from their home on the night of the attack. He could still hear his daughters voice, and remember what she said, on the day she had given it to him. *flashback scene*
"Mindy, what on earth is that?!" Lance asked with a hearty giggle, running into his wifes outstretched arm as he dropped his military-issued duffle bag on the porch carelessly. "Why, don't you know?" Mindy asked him in mock surprise, giving him the cutest "taken aback" look that he had ever seen. Holding up the object in question, Mindy grinned wolfishly. In her thin and tender hand was a baby turtle, which at the moment was nibbling on a small piece of lettuce. "Your daughter has been wanting one of these for an age, and after all....it IS her birthday today." Kissing his wife, Lance looked down at the small creature with an artificially stern look. "Now see here mister....turtles have to mind the rules of this house just as much as humans would. I don't wanna see you tying a purple head band to your head, hitching up some ninja gear and heading off to fight crime. Understand?" The turtle looked boredly back at him, unphased by what he had said. Mindy giggled, punching him lightly in the arm. Looking into his eyes, she lifted her hand up to his smooth and shaven cheek. Leaning in close, she pressed her mouth against his ear and whispered, "I've missed you so much sweetheart." Tilting her head back, she kissed him softly.
"EEEEEWWWWW GROOOOOOSS DAAD!!" came a voice from the front door. Looking up with a bewildered and slightly embarrased grin, Lance saw a small red-headed girl standing there. She was hanging on the screen door with an immensely nauseated look. "There's my strawberry shortcake!!" Lance shouted, running over to her and reaching down to hoist her into his arms. He didn't have to, as she had already leaped into them with a shout of joy. "Oh daddy oh daddy oh daddy I mmmmmissed you a whole bunch!! Like...like...this much!!" She held out her arms lengthwise, as long as they could go. Laughing heartily, the honorably discharged soldier ruffled the young girls hair. "I missed you MOOOOORE, Isabella." Lance said in a challenging way. A shriek suddenly emmitted from the young girl, causing Lance and Mindy to jump. "HEEEY!!" Isabella shouted, squirming out of her fathers arms, "don't jump like that!!! You'll drop him!!" Running up to her mother, the little girl snatched the turtle from her mother, cradling him gently. "I'm gonna name you speedy!" she said happily, skipping around Lance and Mindy with a dreamy look in her eyes. "And I'm gonna make you the fastest turtle in the world!"
"Oh I'm sure you will baby girl." said Mindy with a smile, reaching for Lances hand and indicating for them to go inside. "C'mon there miss turtle trainer extraordinaire, lets go call your friends to see if they're still coming to your party." Skipping in one more circle, Isabella pranced into the door way. All of a sudden, she stopped right in front of them. "What is it birthday girl?" asked Lance in a concered voice. The girl looked up at him with a knowledgable grin. "I have something for you daddy!" she said excitedly. "A welcome home present." Sticking her tongue out from the effort, the little girl rummaged with one hand in her pocket, still balancing Speedy the turtle with the other. Widening her eyes in satisfaction, as a fisherman would after a succesful hook, Isabella held a small silver locket in her hand. Wrestling with the small device, Isabella popped the latch eagerly. A small picture of all three of them was revealed to be nestled inside. "Me and mom made this for you!!!" Her voice was so genuine as she said this. Lance smiled at his little girl, feeling his heart melt. "It's got....it's got a picture of all of us!!! So...so now you always have us with you, even when you're busy and stuff."
*flashback end* These words echoed in Lances mind as he closed the locket with a grim and tight lipped stare. "Thanks so much baby girl. For everything." he whispered. A call from the kitchen roused him from his trance, causing him to hurry into his new clothes. Placing the locket safely in his pocket once more, Lance strode out into the kitchen with a blank look on his face. "Soory it took so long." he muttered distractedly, pulling bowls down from the cabinets without really paying attention.