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Even though Bob loved school, he always thought finals were pretty dumb and useless. Even when finals are cumulative, it was a challenge for him and even his students to remember all the information they had learned during the semester. When Bob became a teacher, he decided to become the teacher who did not give out finals. He decided to give out final presentations that were worth the same as the final, but not that intimidating. The presentations also happen a week before finals week, so the day his classes have finals, they have the whole class time to relax.
“Happy holidays everyone,” Bob welcomed his last class. “I have snacks scattered around the lab tables, so pick your poison. I will be playing Nightmare Before Christmas on the projector while I’m grading. Please don’t kill anyone or cause any trouble. Remember, the school monitors your school-issued laptops, so I wouldn’t do what you do. Got it?”
“Got it,” all of his students agreed.
“We do have something for you,” Adrian said as he pulled out a bag from his backpack.
“What is this?” Bob questioned.
“We got a couple of things for you and Mrs. Floyd’s baby,” Nikki, another former student of Bob’s, explained.
“You guys didn’t have to,” Bob chuckled as the bag was handed to him.
Opening the bag and pulling out the tissue paper, Bob let out a laugh as he saw its contents. Everything in the bag was biology-related, from baby-friendly books to clothing. Thanking his class for the gift, Bob put everything away and started up the movie before grading every late assignment and project. Throughout the period, Bob wrapped up grading every assignment, on time and late, and started to reply to text messages he received. Most of the messages came from the Daggers group chat since it was Ice’s retirement party tonight.
Even though Ice was supposed to retire in November, there were some setbacks, mostly in approving his successor. He needed someone who would not make everyone in the Navy leave. Despite not being active in the Navy anymore, Bob was still invited.
Looking at the time on his computer, Bob finished grading all presentations and late assignments before watching the movie he put on. He still had time before he had to change into his uniform. Since the schedule for finals is different at the school he taught, he is cutting it close since his last class ends at five. He still had to pick up Phoenix, Halo, and Fritz at base before taking the forty-five-minute drive to the venue.
Knowing his students were focused on the movie or whatever they were looking at on their phones, Bob got out of his seat, grabbed his dress blues out of the closet, and headed to the staff bathroom. It did feel weird to him that he was in the uniform again. He was surprised that it still fit him.
“Woah, Mr. Flyod,” Adrian whistled as Bob returned to the classroom. “You look formal. What’s the occasion?”
“Going to a Navy retirement party after this,” Bob answered and looked at the clock. “We only have five minutes left. I’m letting you out early. I don’t want to see all of your faces until I come back from paternity leave.”
“Aw, you do love us,” one of his students smiled.
“If you do see me out in public, don’t be afraid to say hi,” Bob added. “Now, go enjoy your break. I’ll see all of you in March.”
Saying their goodbyes, Bob started to pack up his things and double-checked to see if he had left anything. He already had the big binder of sub plans placed in front of the computer, so he didn’t have to worry about that before their daughter came. Locking the door, he headed to the office to grab the mail from his mailbox and saw the gifts from his coworkers. Smiling, he grabbed the bags and headed to the car. Sending a quick text to his wife, Bob started the car and left the parking lot.
“Uber for Phoenix,” Bob said as he rolled down the window. “Wow, you’re gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” Phoenix chuckled as she, Halo, and Fritz entered the car.
Pulling out of the base, Bob followed everyone else’s car to the venue. On the way to the venue, everyone talked about their days. Phoenix pouted a little, hearing Halo and Fritz talk about their training. She couldn’t wait until she could get back up in the air once their daughter was born. She does enjoy desk duty from time to time, but she’s been longing to be up in the air.
Reaching the venue, the four of them got out of the car and headed in. Bob was greeted by other officers he had worked with before going into the reserves. They have also congratulated Phoenix and Bob on the new member of the Floyd family.
“I can’t drink this,” Phoenix pouted as Mav placed down her favorite cocktail in front of her.
“Don’t worry, it’s non-alcoholic,” Mav smiled. “There is no way I will put Ice and I’s granddaughter in harm's way.”
Thanking him, Phoenix took a sip, and her craving was satisfied. After talking to everyone for fifteen minutes, the banquet soon started.
“I do not miss these,” Bob murmured into his wife’s ear as she chuckled.
“Shush, Ice is coming on now,” Phoenix said, smacking her husband’s arm.
Let’s just say, Ice’s speech was quite an emotional one. Mostly for the Daggers and Flboys since they’ve known him for a long time. He had also thanked both squadrons for getting them to the place he was at. Looking over at her adoptive father, Phoenix squeezed his hand as she saw tears forming in his eyes.
Soon, the bittersweet emotions changed into shocks of surprise when they announced who the next admiral would be. They have never imagined Cyclone to be the next admiral but yet they’re seeing it in front of them.
“So, how does it feel to have Cyclone as your boss again?” Slider asked.
“I’m already putting in my retirement papers,” Mav replied before sipping his beer.
“You could always join me in the higher education world,” Goose patted his pilot’s shoulder.
“I’m good,” Mav said before looking at Phoenix and Bob, who were dancing on the dance floor. “Besides, Phe and Bob need all the help they can get when they return to work after the baby is born. We’re the only grandparents who live here that can take care of her.”
“Reasonable,” all of the Flyboys nodded their heads.
With Ice joining the group, they all shared a drink in celebration.
“So Ice, what’s the plan for retirement now?” Hollywood asked the now-retired admiral.
“Well, get the house ready for Christmas,” Ice gulped his drink.
Mav silently cursed to himself, forgetting that they were hosting Christmas this year. They invited everyone who wasn’t going to head back to their hometowns to celebrate. They had also renovated their kitchen and dining room, so they were now able to fit many more people to sit or hang around in the kitchen. They also didn’t want Bob and Phoenix to worry about hosting, since Bob’s parents were coming to visit them, and they didn’t want to put so much stress on Phoenix, as she was nearing her due date.
“Look, can we just celebrate tonight before we have to deal with the headache of hosting?” Mav asked his husband.
“Yes, we can,” Tom laughed before kissing his husband.