It was hard to believe six months had passed since Shawn’s death; it didn’t seem that long ago. Stacy was days away from delivery and everyone was on baby-watch. Stephanie and Ryan received orders to Edwards AFB, California and they would be leaving within the month; Cathy and Gio’s divorces were finalized and they married one another before the ink was dry; Lisa and Tony were expecting another child. Mo returned to school while Tess was busy making eyes at John. John, on the other hand, was oblivious to her advances. She pulled out her arsenal but was unable to capture his attention. Paula tried to warn her: John was notorious for inadvertently breaking women’s hearts.


Most importantly, Charlie and Paula were engaged and in the throws of wedding plans. Fortunately for Charlie, his advice was seldom sought. Moving out of his apartment and in with Paula was a headache in itself.


Stacy convinced Cathy to forgo a baby shower in lieu of a dinner party with all their friends. The last thing Stacy wanted was to be fussed over. She was at her limit with all the attention everyone poured on her. Yes, she realized they loved her and Shawn but she wasn’t given a moments peace. And the pressure carrying his children was wearing on her. Shawn was adored by those who knew him but judging by the amount of attention she received, you would’ve thought she was carrying the next King of England.


She smiled and shouldered her responsibility well…but the pressure to live up to Shawn’s legacy was becoming increasingly more difficult as her due date drew closer. Everyone: their families and friends, people who knew him, the cats and dogs…all watched and waited. Strangers would stop her and politely ask how she was doing—they wouldn’t have if they’d known the stressed it caused. Stacy lived her life in a fish bowl; random people peered and judged.


She saw the other widows and spouses giving interviews and talking about their loss but Stacy just wanted to be left alone to grieve. Her friends formed a protective barrier around her but it began to suffocate her. The only time she was truly alone was with Charlie; he had a knack for kicking people out of the house. More and more, she depended on his steadiness but there was one favor she had to ask of him and it could wait no longer.



“Charlie,” Stacy pulled him away from his conversation with Tony. They stepped into Cathy’s study, away from the noise of the party. She looked up at him but hardly knew how to begin. “I need to ask you for a huge favor,” she started confidently enough but stammers followed. “Please don’t feel any pressure to say yes…you don’t have to do it…I can find someone else…John or my dad…”


“What is it?” Charlie cautiously interrupted.


She drew a deep breath. “Paula has agreed to be my birthing coach but I’d really be grateful if you were there as well.” Judging by the way Charlie sat in the chair; she knew he hadn’t expected her proposition and she began regretting have asked. “I’m sorry. I’ll ask John.” She mustered a grin and walked towards the door.


“Stacy, wait.” He sighed. “Can you give me a few days to think it over?”


“Sure, take your time.” She’d won—it was good as a yes. She met Paula in the hallways and directed her to the study


Charlie’s face was in his hands when Paula came upon him. She knocked on the doorframe.


“What?” he peeked between his fingers.


Paula jiggled and sat at his feet. “She finally asked you?”


“You knew about this?”


“Oh course. You and Shawn were like brothers. I’m surprised she hadn’t asked sooner or even needed to, for that matter. I thought it was understood: you would stand in for Shawn.”


Charlie rubbed his eyes. “Who understood this? Not me.”


“You’ll do it,” Paula massaged the tension in his calves. “You will be there for her because it’s your duty.”


“Don’t talk to me about duty. My whole life has been spent doing my duty—to my family, to my country, to you.” He exhaled heavily. “I don’t know if I can do this. I mean, there has to be a limit and I think this is it!”


“And you suppose to stop now? Charles Willis, you’ll never stop doing the right thing. You’d rather chew off your own fingers then let Shawn down.” She stood. “I suggest you stop all of this hemming and hawing…do whatever you have to do…pull yourself together because those babies are coming regardless!” she left in a huff.


“Yes ma’am.” He said under his breath and palmed his face again.




                                                        ******




Charlie spent the next evening packing. There was a ton of work to be done; dissembling and packing all of Shawn’s electronics and computer gear was a three day project in itself. Luckily, Tony and John were available to lend a hand.


It was time to start letting go of the past—this hard chapter of his life was ending. He hadn’t expected his bachelor days would result in cannon fire or be somberly lowered to the murky depths of obscurity in a diving bell, but this…this moving on was effortless. Where was the sense of loss men always complain of? Where were the sleepless nights and passionate prayers, “God, I hope she doesn’t turn into her mother”?


Charlie didn’t have any second thoughts. His future lay with Paula—simple as that.


John returned with Chinese takeout and they kicked back in what was left of the living room.


“Well, I guess I’d better tell you guys first,” John said. “I got my orders, I’m leaving.”


“Damn,” Tony sorted through his food. “When are you leaving?”


“Next month. We’re headed to Andersen, Guam.” John rested his feet on the coffee table. “You know what this means—you all should be getting orders soon.”


“First in, first out.” Charlie added. “First Ryan and Stephanie and now you. Harley and Shane are both gone. Who’s next?”


“Gio’s getting out, he’s on 30 day terminal leave. So, it’ll be you and Lisa,” Charlie pointed to Tony. “Mo, Stacy and me.”


They sat chewing in silence. The heaviness of the moment wasn’t lost on them. Finally John said what everyone was thinking. “Shawn should be here. Not having him here seems…I don’t know…weird.”


Tony looked around the room and smiled. “Yeah, it’s weird. I miss having his big mouth around.”


The tightness in Charlie’s chest triggered by the mention of Shawn’s name began to fade and he no longer avoided conversations. “It is quieter without him.”


“So are you going into the delivery room with Stacy?” John asked Charlie.


“Do I have a choice?” he sighed.


“Not really,” John replied. “We’ll be there but Stacy needs you by her side.” He paused. “It’s what Shawn would’ve wanted.”


“Thanks, no pressure, right?”


“None at all.” Tony beamed. “You may as well man up! You’re gonna do it, you have too. It’s your duty.”


“There’s that word again, duty.” Charlie huffed. “I don’t wanna see Stacy…you know…blood. What if something goes wrong?”


“Do you really think the doctors would ask for your help if something went wrong?”


“No.” Charlie conceded.


“Well, shut up and do it!” John said “You’ve seen worse. And it’s your duty, it’s all of our duty to help Stacy…especially your’s so man up and do it.”


Charlie lost the fight. “Alright, I’ll do it.”


“We never doubted you would.” Tony added with a smile. “So, where are we going for the bachelor party? I’m thinking Amsterdam.”


“Hell no!” John protested.


“What’s wrong with Amsterdam?”


“There’re things I want to do in my life, but catching an STD in front of a live audience isn’t one of them.” John went to the kitchen. “Count me out.”







By the time Charlie arrived home, the house was quiet and Paula and Stacy were asleep. He went to Stacy’s room to check on her. He spent time listening to her sleep and began to wonder where her dreams were taking her; perhaps to Shawn…perhaps not. She twitched a little, then sighed and fell more deeply asleep. Satisfied that she was comfortable, he left, took a shower and crawled in bed and pulled Paula into his arms.


“How’s Stacy?” Paula snuggled her back against his chest.


“Fine.” He sighed. “I’ve decided to go into the delivery room.”


“I’m not surprised. You always do what’s right.”


“One day I’ll shock the hell out of everyone.” He turned Paula over so she faced him.


“No you won’t,” Paula rubbed her nose against his. “But it’s so cute that you think you can.” She caught a breath and grinned when she felt his cock pressed between them. “Are you serious? Stacy’s down the hall.” She whispered.


“Then I suggest you be very quiet,” Charlie kissed her lips, her chin, and her neck while his hands moved over her face, down the planes of her shoulders, into the valley between her breasts. He caressed them and traced around her hardened nipples…he besieged her with long, soft, lingering licks and kisses as his lips and tongue slid towards her wetness...along the curve of her waist, across her thighs. His fingertips traced up the inside of her thighs, delicately, teasingly...he moved down slowly and then up…bestowing small, gentle kisses along the way.


“God, you're so wet,” he whispered as he slipped his fingers along her lips before dipping them inside her. “How many orgasms have you had?” he kissed her clit tenderly and looked up at her with endearing blue eyes.


“I lost count,” Paula reached down to stroke the side of his face, tracing his jawline. He turned his head to kiss her fingers, sucking the tips into his mouth. She closed her eyes, tightening herself around him, feeling the wet, hot cavern of his mouth around her fingers.


He released her fingers. “Good, now tell me how you want it,” his tone was barbed with arousal. He gave her one small lick when she failed to reply. “We can play this game all night but until you tell me what you want, you’re not getting anything.” Cocky, yes, but he knew his voice always won the fight for her mind.


Paula moaned and arched slightly, knowing her words would orchestrate her own demise.


“Tell me,” he murmured against her lips. He needed to hear her words; his manhood demanded it.


“I want your lips whispering filthy little things against my pussy while you eat me,” she ran her fingers through his hair, hers eyes never left his. “Tell me how you’re gonna use me,” she caught a breath. “Tell me how you’re gonna impale me and make me beg. Tell me how much you love being between my legs.”


“Damn Paula. I love you.” Charlie groaned aloud and buried his face between her thighs. He reveled in the soft sighs of pleasure that instantly emanated from her lips. Her hands in his hair greedily pleaded for more. His tongue slid languidly up her wet slit... the lips parted around his tongue.


Paula gasped and pulled Charlie’s face into her but he resisted.


He slipped his tongue inside her depths, tasting her... hearing her throaty gasps of appreciation. “Open your legs, baby. I’m gonna fuck you up.” He cupped her ass and drank from her…fulfilling her request. He pledged his love between licks; corrupted her labia with his perverted words between broad sweeps; cajoled, consoled, provoked and enticed her between pacifying sucks.


“Ssshhhiitt!” Paula screamed, thighs splayed open to his assault…she was wet as hell and wanting more. “I’m cumming,” she warned but he continued dissecting every moral her parents taught her. His tongue laid waste to polite social convention and her throbbing clit…..swirling itself over and around….flicking and sucking it until she trembled under his care…his fingers, two of them, slipped into her and pushed deeper as his ravenous mouth drug her further and further into slippery hedonism.


“Paula, cum for me.” Charlie pleaded. His tongue performed acrobatics she never felt before, his finger ventured deeper, softer, harder and faster. She gripped the sheets. “That’s it,” he sucked her lips. “Cum.” He pumped and was rewarded with gasps and a delicious splash of wetness... her pussy sucked his fingers...his lips and tongue greedily worked her clit... licking and sucking …until she chanted his name like a mantra to his gallant victory over her being.


Charlie snickered to himself when Paula pulled his mouth free of her and curled into the fetal position. He lay beside her and drew her close.


“Oh my God!” she moaned and trembled. She felt his cock finding its way between her ass cheeks; she recoiled. “Give me a second to recover.”


“Recover!?” he eased her legs apart and fingered her. “Since when have you required recovery time?” He sucked her nipple. His fingertips swirled rhythmically around her clit.


“Normally I don’t…but shit!” Her head fell back begrudgingly giving in to him. Gently she thrust her hips forward to meet his fingers, driving them deeper as she began to shake and clench and whine with need. Charlie’s beautiful tongue lapped at her nipple, his fingers slid in and out of her wetness, gently and rhythmically teased around her clit until she came and groaned softly for him to fuck her.

Charlie released her nipple. “Recovery time, my ass. Woman, you never change.” He fell onto his back. “Now ride me.”


She happily obliged. She straddled his lap and ever so slowly lowered herself in to his cock. She rocked back and forth, smiling down into his eyes. He gripped her hips and smiled back. At once his thrusts were hard and unrelenting and offered Paula no alternative but to accept the invasion of his massively thick cock.


She gave a startled gasp. “Fuck...” her smile gave way to determination; she held his gaze and began to move steadily up and down his cock, grinding into him. Charlie sat up: chest to chest, eye to eye, thrust to thrust their flesh slapped against each other, their moans filling the air. His lips slid down her neck, planting small bites along the way.

She groaned with pleasure, her breath was ragged and urgent. His hands gripped her ass and slammed her down harder. Her pussy throbbed around him; she looped her arms around his neck and rode him like her life depended on it. Greedily she needed it, shamelessly she wanted it, and selfishly her pussy took it.


Charlie moaned and groaned helpless to her advances; at her mercy—within care she used him as her fuck toy. One hand on her ass, one arm around her waist, he held her as she pushed them closer to the edge of orgasm. Her walls tightened…his cock pulsed…her pussy juices…their eyes locked in battle…he couldn’t fend off his orgasm…tighter he held…harder she rode begging him to cum in her, deep in her.


“Ooohhh, God!” Charlie sang her mantra as first waves of cum gushed forth, shooting into her over and over, leaving him spent. They clung to one another and Paula continued to milk him until she was satisfied. “Damn, I love you.” He mumbled against her neck.







The following morning, Stacy awoke to an empty house. Per the norm, Paula prepared her breakfast, eggs, turkey bacon and toast, in the microwave. Secretly, Stacy dreaded the day when she’d have to fend for herself. She grabbed the plate and gobbled it down while reading through a mountain of emails. Finished, she set off for the shower and her doctors’ appointment.


Running ahead of schedule she decided to take some time in the Base Exchange. Before she killed the ignition she began to feel dizzy and nauseous but, she wrote it off as nerves…she hated going to the doctors. She needed air and the walk around the BX would do her some good, she reckoned.


However, ten minutes into her little excursion, Stacy became violently nauseous—to the point of collapse. Her trembling clammy hands gripped the display rack—she couldn’t breathe. She panicked when she couldn’t reach her phone; she tried to call for help but couldn’t form the words. Her vision faded just as she felt someone’s hand holding her from behind.


“Ma’am, are you alright?” an unfamiliar male voice asked.


Stacy didn’t answer, she was shaking ferociously.


“I’m a medic, how far along are you? Is there someone I can call?” he asked. By now Stacy was limp in his arms. He laid her flat on the floor, pushed the display racks clear and call for assistance.




                                               ******




“Where’s Charlie?” Paula said, tossing her laptop bag on her desk.


Tess leaned in her chair. “He was called to the Personnel office. I doubt he’ll be coming in.” she kicked Paula’s chair. “Hey, we’re having dinner at Lisa’s, you coming?”


“I’ll be there,” She looked around the office. “Where’s Stacy?”


“Dunno! I haven’t seen her all day.”


Paula checked her cell phone; there were twenty-seven messages from Stacy. Paula literally grabbed Tess and they drove like mad women to the hospital. Tess frantically called the other ladies; they would meet them at the hospital. Lisa tracked down Charlie, John and Tony and they were en route.


At the hospital they found Stacy sitting up in bed eyes closed with tubes and monitoring devices connected to most of her extremities. Her hair was plastered to her head with sweat and her skin was dewy. She looked exhausted but when she opened her eyes and saw the ladies sitting on the bed, she gave a weak smile and closed her eyes again.


“It’s about time you all got here.” Her voice was faint. “What took you so damn long?”


“We didn’t know you were here. Why did you call?” Paula asked.


Stacy rolled her eyes and pointed to the tubes. “There’s your answer. I remember standing in line at the Base Exchange and…I think I passed out.”


“Why were you in the BX alone? You should’ve called me.” Tess thumped her on the forehead.


“It was supposed to be a quick stop before my doctor appointment. This guy…” she stopped.


Charlie, John and Tony came through the door in near panic with a pair of doctors were on their heels.


“Calm down, she’s fine.” Lisa urged.


“I’m going to have to ask you all to leave.” One doctor said.


If looks could’ve killed, he would’ve been murdered by all in attendance. Obviously he didn’t know his audience. There was no way in hell they were stepping one foot out the door. He conceded, insisted they be dressed in proper gowns and gave the staff room to work.


They complied and the staff prepared Stacy for a C-section with Charlie and Paula by her side. Tess buzzed around the room filming the event for Shawn’s family. Luckily John took the camera from her before she succumbed to the sight of blood. Mo and Lisa clung to Tony’s arms, cringing. Even Charlie felt a bit faint when baby Brittney came screaming into the world, however by the time baby Angelica arrived, he’d discovered his feet. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, save Charlie.


Awhile later the girls were cleaned and brought back to their new family. They were healthy and undeniably Shawn’s—they’d inherited his sparkling hazel eyes and dark hair. After an hour or so of being whisked away and photographed, they were returned to Stacy.


Stacy looked around for Charlie but he was gone. She didn’t have to ask where he went. She saw an unfamiliar man peeking into the room and fanned him in. Everyone looked at one another—no one knew who he was. Stacy grinned.


He sort of shuffled in and stood beside Stacy, not at all comfortable in his own skin or everyone’s eyes burning through him. “I didn’t want to leave until I knew you were alright.” He said quietly, his big brown eyes never left Stacy’s.


“Thank you.” Stacy smiled softly.


“I wasn’t supposed to be in the BX,” he said but corrected himself. “I mean…I don’t live here. I was on my way to Georgia and I happened to stop at the BX.” He flicked his eyes up at Stacy’s stone-faced guardians. “I’m an Army Medic. She was having a diabetic seizure—it’s common.” He turned back to Stacy. “I don’t even know why I was there. Something made me stop. I…”


“What’s your name?” Stacy interrupted, he was obviously nervous.


“Brad Canfield, Captain Brad Canfield. I’m with the medical division at Fort Benning.”


Officer or not, Stacy’s friends weren’t impressed with his closeness…though he stood two feet away from her.


Stacy beamed. “Well, thank you, Captain Canfield…”


“Oh please, call me Brad, none of that Captain business.” He laughed, sneaking a peek at the babies.


“You can hold one if you’d like.” Stacy offered.


Her friends gasped.


“Maybe I’d better not.”


Stacy’s eyes narrowed on his and he immediately reached for Angelica without further protest. The baby swaddled in his arms, he sat and talked with Stacy for hours on end.


Her friends eventually left them alone.





Meanwhile, Charlie sat alone in the dimly lit hospital chapel, head resting on the pew in front of him. “I did it, brother,” he said faintly. “I got through it and your family is safe. I’ll take care of them the best I can, I just wish,” he paused. “I wish you were here. Stacy needs you. Please continue to watch over her, give her strength when she has none.” He swallowed. “We’re all leaving, going our separate ways and she’ll be all alone with two children and support. There’s only so much I can do from California. Please take care of them. They’re gonna need it.”




                                                ******




Later that night, exhausted and panged Charlie sat down with Paula and gave her the news. He’s received orders to Mildenhall RAF, England and would be leaving in four weeks. Once the initial shock wore Paula was settled with the idea moving. Charlie hadn’t expected her compliance—he braced himself for an extended conversation.


“We’ll rent out the house in no time. I’m sure there’s an Airmen dying to move out of the barracks and who better to maintain to the place.”


Charlie was dumb-struck. “You don’t mind moving away from everything?”


Paula laughed. “It’s England not some obscure third world country. Besides, you’re going to be my husband,” she rested her head in her lap. “My home is wherever you are.”


“Don’t you forget it,” his brawl was thick. “Love, honor and obey.”



Paula smiled up into his eyes. “I promise to love, honor and obey you...”


“And I promise to love, honor and protect…forsaking all others and holding unto only you.” He intoned sincerely, twisting her ring.


“With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Amen.”


“Amen.”

A week later


“I received orders,” Mo sat atop Lisa’s desk, her voice cracked. “I leave for Alaska in three weeks.” Her eyes read frantically over the papers in her hand. “I don’t understand. Why are they sending me away so soon?”


Lisa took the papers from her. “Save it. The colonel is breaking up the team. We all came in together and for continuity purposes, she wants us to leave together. Our replacements arrive tomorrow.”


Mo’s eyes began to well. “So this is it? This is how it ends?”


“Yeah,” Lisa forced a smile. “Stacy’s going to Scott AFB, IL when she returns for maternity leave. Tony and I are going to Hanscom, MA. John’s going to Guam and Charlie is headed Mildenhall.”


“I can’t deal with it,” Mo brushed a tear from her cheek. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you guys.”


“You’ll get by one horrible day at a time.”


Mo sighed heavily and looked out into the sea of Servicemen and civilians busy with work, Lisa’s eyes followed hers. “I’ll never experience anything like this again.”


“None of us will.”


Tess hurried into the office, placed her laptop on her desk and joined Mo and Lisa. “Hey! Why the long faces?” She asked, twisting her ginger hair into a bun.


“The colonel’s breaking up the team. We’re all PCSing in three weeks.”


“Good!” Tess took a seat. “Just in time, I’m going to Hickam AFB.”


“Hawaii?!” Lisa frowned. “How’d you swing that assignment?”


“Frank got me in. I was gonna tell everyone tonight over dinner.”


“You little devil,” Mo said. “You’ve learned the game and played it well. Congrats!”


“Thanks,” she spied Jeanette walking in with a tall handsome gentleman in tow. “Who’re they?”


Lisa’s stomach flipped. “Shit! That’s Master Sergeant Russell, John’s replacement.” She hastily cleared her desk. “He wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow. The Major’s gonna have a fit.”


“Why?” asked Tess.


“We don’t have anywhere to put him, no desk available until the communications guys finish the wiring. It can’t be done until after hours.” Mo replied.


After awkward introductions and small talk, Lisa invited him to dinner. Shameless as she was, Tess didn’t bother hiding her attraction. Then again it wasn’t everyday that a Hugh Jackman look alike strolled in the office oozing charm. Try as he may to show each of the ladies equal attention, his attention was soon pulled back to Tess. Mo tried to distract him with questions about his past: He was originally from Scotland and came to the U.S. to attend university and joined the AF shortly after. His last duty station was Korea. He was single and hoped the ladies would soon remedy that problem.


Tess swooned. He was in her crosshairs and she was in his.





It was to be their last dinner together. The house was noisy as ever with kids running to and fro. For three years they’d shared at least one meal a week. Their children bonded to one another…everyone was “Auntie” or “Uncle” and they were cousins. In some small way they’d created their own family microcosm. They’d seen each other through long hours, birth, death…the loss of parents and children; marriage and divorces; graduations and personal growth; the ups and downs of day-to-day life. They’d supported one another not with meaningless words but with actions—they were there, present, whenever needed. They’d hurt and healed together because none was stronger than the sum of all parts. Each individual brought something special to their family. And each would take something away.



Yes, they’d gather together in nine months for Charlie and Paula’s wedding, however it wouldn’t be the same as seeing each other everyday. This would be felt deepest by Sarah—she was losing the only real mother she’d known. She wouldn’t be pacified until they agreed to her spending her summers with Paula. Surprisingly enough this worked out for everyone—John would be in school and Paula could use the company. Leave it to Sarah to come up with a mutually beneficial solution.



The departure of Stephanie and Ryan began a tearful domino effect in the group. Within days Lisa and Tony would be gone followed by John and Sarah. Mo and Tess took personal leave and went to help Stacy get settled into her new duty station in Illinois before Mo was off to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and Tess to Hawaii. Gio left the service and he and Cathy returned to his hometown in Minnesota.


Charlie and Paula were the last to leave. And watching the distant behavior between each of their replacements only solidified Paula’s belief that what they’d shared was indeed precious and rare. Her last day in the office, she gave MSgt Russell a bit of advice: Take care of one another.






                                                              THE END









Where Are They Now:

Cathy and Gio live in Minnesota on a huge horse ranch with their six sons.

Stephanie and Ryan live in England with their three children. Ryan is still in uniform.

Mo is still in uniform and lives in New Mexico with her husband and son.

John is still in uniform and he and Sarah live in Florida. Sarah graduated school earlier and is now completing her undergrad studies. She spent every summer thereafter with Paula. John remains single.

Lisa and Tony both left the service and live in Florida with their two children. The consulting firm Tony and Charlie were building is now based in Vancouver and has gone global—their clientele list reads like Forbes.

Tess lives in New Mexico, not too far away from Mo, with her husband. She married MSgt (now Chief) Russell and they have two sons. She oversees all DoD contracts for Tony and Charlie’s firm.

Stacy is still in uniform and married. Her husband is raising (with the help of Shawn’s nieces) the twins and their son in Michigan while Stacy completes her final year in Iraq. Captain Canfield and Stacy keep in regular contact.

As promised, Charlie left the service after his last enlistment. He and Paula married in a lavish ceremony and now live between Vancouver, Florida and West Virginia with their four children—three sons and a much pampered little girl. Along with Lisa, Paula oversees new development for their husband’s company. Charlie is a devote Christian (through not an evangelical nut case) and has never touched another drop of alcohol.

Sadly, Shawn’s father passed away within a year of his son but he spent his last days with his granddaughters…spoiling them rotten! Shawn is never too far from their thoughts…it has become a tradition within their circle to name one son in his honor. As you can imagine it’s very confusing—too many Shawn and Sean’s.


Once a year everyone gathers together in Gatlinburg Tennessee for a week long reunion. Loud, kids running around, cooking up a storm and laughing…something’s never change.