The next morning brought a lot of changes.

First of all, Cyclone was standing at the front of the room, waiting to address them instead of Maverick.

Then they were informed that Maverick had been, essentially, kicked off the team and forced to retire. And if that wasn't enough of a problem, the mission parameters were completely changed to the point where all of the pilots knew they were being sent on a mission they wouldn't be coming back from.

But before Cyclone could truly begin the training, Maverick appeared on the monitor, running the course himself. He had to show the aviators that this mission was possible, especially if he wanted to make sure everyone came home.

Cyclone wasn't the happiest after that. Dismissing everyone early so he could deal with what Maverick had just done, the group of aviators took the opportunity to have a semi day off.

After inviting Phoenix over to spend time with Cat and the Marcellini siblings, Rooster left for his truck and went home.

On the flip side, however, Cecelia was having a rather serious conversation with her brothers and best friend. One that involved her fears about the mission and what it could truly mean for their future.

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Kai had finally gotten Cecelia to sit down. She had been pacing for a long while, not saying much but wringing her hands nervously.

Ronen is the one to break the silence. "Ok, what is going on? I haven't seen you this nervous since your Anastasia audition." He was sitting in the arm chair, next to the couch Cecelia was seated on.

"What did he do?" Cat questions, assuming this had something to do with Bradley. And she would be correct, just not in the way she and the others thought.

Cecelia lets out a breath. "He didn't do anything, per say. It's this mission as a whole." While she wasn't pacing anymore, she kept wringing her fingers together.

She couldn't tell them much about it, mostly because she didn't know much herself. "He obviously can't tell me the specifics, but from what he and the others have mentioned, this mission is almost impossible."

Without her even needing to say it, Kai knows exactly what she's thinking. "You're worried he's not going to come back." It wasn't a question. The look on her face said it all.

"Oh baby," Cat exclaims, immediately going to hug Cecelia. "I can't pretend to know what you're feeling right now. I'm worried for him too. But you have to trust that he will do everything he can to come home."

Her brothers both nod their heads, agreeing with Cat with zero hesitation. "That man loves you more than anything in this world and nothing, I mean nothing, is going to stop him from finally making you his wife." Ronen has watched their relationship unfold over the years, just like the rest. And he can honestly say he has never seen anyone more in love than his sister and her fiancé.

"We all know Bradley has been planning this future almost as long as you have. And if he asked Nunnu for his blessing long before he asked Dad, well that says a lot," Kai jumped in. He didn't like seeing Cecelia worry. She would never doubt Bradley but right now, this mission was scaring her more than her unyielding faith in him.

No sooner than he had finished his statement, Cecelia held her arms open. All she wanted right now was comfort, so no one hesitated in cuddling into one big group hug. The kind that no one wants to leave.

They were so consumed in their hug, the sound of the door opening didn't register to any of them.

"Honey, I'm home," Bradley calls out, causing them all to immediately let go of one another. But it wasn't enough, as Cecelia still had tear streaks on her face.

Bradley saw them instantly, asking what was wrong. But Cecelia couldn't find the words just yet. Soon enough, Cat gestured to the boys that they should give the couple space to discuss this in private.

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After the others left to give Cecelia and Bradley their privacy, the couple sat down on the couch. Bradley is the first to speak, asking yet again, "What's wrong? I haven't seen you look this serious in a long time."

Cecelia takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before she begins to explain her worries. They were freshly engaged, planning a wedding. Hell they were planning an entire future. And this mission was putting that future in major jeopardy.

"This mission is like nothing you've ever done before. I am really worried that you won't be coming home," she was finally letting everything off of her chest. Bradley had opened his mouth to rebut, but Cecelia wasn't finished. "And before you say anything, this isn't a dig at your piloting skills. This is a genuine concern that I've been feeling since you got the call back."

Bradley closed his mouth, taking in everything she had just said. He was silent for a few moments, trying to figure out how he wanted to approach this.

"I don't know if there is anything I can say that will put you fully at ease. But what I can do is make you a promise," he started, grabbing her hands. Looking directly into her eyes, he continues, "I can promise you that I will do everything I possibly can to come home to you."

Without wasting another second, Bradley pulled her into a hug, one that could rival even the best of them. "We still have a wedding to plan and a future to get to," he whispered into her hair. Cecelia let out a shaky breath, gripping his shirt a little tighter, not planning on letting go any time soon.

A little while later, Cecelia had finally released Bradley, but he had an idea to cheer her up. Standing up from the couch, he takes her hand and pulls her up as well. Taking his phone out of his pocket, Bradley puts on one of Cecelia's favorite songs, instrumentals only. Moving to an open space, one hand is moved to his shoulder while the other is clasped in his hand.

Slow dancing in the living room was something Bradley had begun doing fairly early on in their relationship. His mom used to tell him about how she and his dad would dance, just to spend some slow time together. He figured if it worked for his parents, it could work for him as well. And it just happened to turn into one of Cecelia's favorite things to do when he was home.

She wasn't trained in ballroom dancing, but she could slow dance when needed. So they just danced around the living room, holding each other like they never wanted to let go. And to be honest, neither of them did. It was rare they got moments to just relax like this, and with this mission coming sooner rather than later, the couple was taking full advantage of it.

A few songs passed before Cecelia moved her head from Bradley's chest. Smiling up at him, she couldn't shake away the feeling, the want, of doing this for the rest of their lives. "What?" Bradley asked, seeing that smile, that meant nothing but love.

"You snuck up on me Bradley Bradshaw," she said, knowing exactly what type of response she would get.

Bradley just looks amused. "Are you seriously quoting Newsies right now?" Of course she would quote one of her favorite musicals. He shouldn't expect anything less.

Laughing, Cecelia's smile widens. "Yes I am. And I am very glad you know that."

Shaking his head, he sighs. "Of course I know where it's from. You would have my head if I didn't."

Finally separating, they make their way into the kitchen to begin making dinner. Soon, they had a meal set for a king, because feeding five people took a lot of food, especially when they all had really high metabolisms.

Cat knocks on the door and cracks it slightly. "Is it safe for us to come in?" She's only half kidding, having accidentally caught them in some compromising positions before. "Yes, you're all good," Cecelia laughs out.

Quickly diving in, they talk about anything and everything except the mission. Kai was getting ready for another round of audition season while Ronen was taking a break to focus on music. Cat was focusing on not completely freaking out about the Oscar nomination and how she could update her outreach program.

All around, it was a joyful night, one that kept smiles on everyone's faces. And when Bradley got a text from Phoenix saying they were all meeting at the Hard Deck, the small family got ready so they could enjoy one last night of peace.

It was certainly going to be a night to remember.

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Word count: 1,494

Bit of a shorter chapter, but I've been finding it hard to flesh out parts that aren't related to the movie plot. I hope what I've been doing makes sense, I'm still navigating my way around writing.

Cecelia is very nervous and that is completely understandable when the pilots themselves aren't ever sure they can do this mission. So I'd say she is also under a lot of stress.

I had the idea of dancing around the room spontaneously as I was writing this chapter and I have to say, I'm quite proud of it. I love me a good, adorable moment and Cecelia and Bradley have a lot of them.

But that's all for now, so until next time. Bye!!