Mommy, Where Is Daddy? The Forsaken Daughter's Return novel Chapter 73

Samantha came home one afternoon after hearing from her aunt Diana that her father brought Matilda to their home.

Winfield called Samantha several times, but because of her work, she could not answer his calls. He only left her a message, telling her he was leaving for a few days.

Arriving at the mansion gardens, Samantha found Matilda with her caregiver, watering the plants with her children and two maids.

"Mommy! Grandma Matilda is here!" Announced Kenzie.

"Hi, Mommy! You are home early today?" Kyle probed.

With a smile, Samantha embraced her children and pecked on each of their cheeks. She told, "I came home early because grandma is here. And today, we have presents to wrap because it's almost Christmas!"

"Yey! I want to wrap Daddy's gift!" Kyle happily answered.

"And I'll wrap Mommy's and grandma D's and grandma Matilda's gifts!" Kenzie claimed. "You can wrap the other gifts, Kyle."

"Are you enjoying watering the plants?" Samantha asked.

"Yes, Mommy! We are almost finished here and then we can wrap the gifts!" Told Kenzie.

While the kids were busy helping the maids, Samantha approached Matilda, kissing her on the cheek. "Grandma, why so sudden? Although, I think it's great that you are staying with us -"

"Sam, listen to me." Matilda grabbed her hand and warned, "I think your father is going out on an operation. He had his most trusted soldiers go to the mansion the other day, and I heard some of them mention it was a secret mission."

"What? But how could he leave his post? He is already the general. Why would he go on an operation at his age?" Samantha probed back quickly. "And it's five days away from Christmas!"

"I don't know, Sam. He is not telling me anything," answered Matilda. "And I think he is going to leave before evening."

"No." Samantha frowned and gritted her teeth.

She immediately tried to call for her father, but there was no answer.

Turning to Matilda, she said, "Grandma, I am going to find Dad. Do you mind staying here with the kids while I go to the military camp?"

"Of course, Sam." With concern on her face, Matilda pleaded, "I hope you convince him not to go."

"I will try, grandma. I will try," said Samantha.

Ordering Edgar to drive her to the military camp, she maintained to call her father. Still, there was no answer. From the backseat of the car, she muttered, "Dad, where are you?"

Only then did Edgar say, "Mrs. Wright. Connor is actually out to help your father. From what I know... they are riding a helicopter out to the next military base."

"What?" Samantha asked. "Then we should head straight to the heliports."

***

In a secured office by the Fort Eagle Military Camp's heliports, General Winfield Davis gathered up all seven of his most trusted men.

They were all dressed in military combat attire, ready with their arms behind their backs.

Winfield hollered everyone and told, "Listen up. This mission is personal. I call upon you not as your officer, but as your friend. I have already briefed you on what we need to do."

He looked into the eyes of his men and asked, "So I want to make sure that you are all willing to come with me, knowing that this is not an official operation."

"Rest assured, you will be well compensated by the Wrights," Connor, Ethan's childhood friend and security offered.

"What's going on, Dad. You have to tell me!" Samantha demanded.

Winfield held Samantha by both arms and told, "Sam, It's a very important mission that I need to go to. Something that I have to do myself. I can't afford any mistakes. I'm sorry, but I have to go."

Out of nowhere, tears streamed down Samantha's face, seeing how the propellers started. She said out loud, "Dad, I only have you left! Dad! Please! Don't go!"

Winfield felt a knife stabbing his chest, seeing the fear in his daughter's eyes. He was about to turn away, but looking at how she cried, he caressed her face and told, "Sam."

"I promise, I will be back." He tried to kid around and bragged, "I have been through worst in the middle east - non-stop shootout. This is nothing - "

"Dad, you are already in your fifties. Are you kidding me? Now is different." Samantha insisted, trying to block her father's way. "And what does Connor have to do with this?"

"Sam, I really need to go, but I promise. I promise that I will be back. I just have to go in this operation." He wiped the wetness of Samantha's face and told, "Seeing you cry for me hurts me considering what we have been through, but if this mission goes well." He smiled and resumed, "We will all be... a happy family."

"What - what do you mean?" Samantha sniffed her tears away as she probed, clutching her hands against his coat.

With a fainted smile, Winfield answered, "I will tell you when I return and Connor is here to guide me in some contacts Ethan has for our operation on the east coast."

Samantha could not hide the dismay on her face. Her husband apparently knew about her father's trip, but he did not tell her.

"Don't be upset with Ethan. I told him not to tell you." One last time before leaving, Winfield pinched on Samantha's cheek and promised, "I will be back, Sam. I swear I will be here for the children's birthday."

While Samantha knew her father was skilled, she was also aware it had been a long time since Winfield engaged in a battle. He was supposed to be the general. His key role was to make decisions and plan operations, not fight hand in hand.

Clearly, they were going somewhere where a shootout may happen, and it feared her.

As she watched the helicopters ascend to the skies, more tears flowed down her cheeks. She gasped repeatedly before saying, "Take care, Dad. Please take care."