Mommy, Where's Daddy? The Forsaken Daughter's Return

Chapter 72: The Important Operation

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.

The words of Connor made the general glance at him before he also offered, "Of course, aside from that... I, as your general, owe you deeply."

"Sir, we will go. We will help rescue Mrs. Davis."

"We believe you, Sir."

"We will help you, General."

With a sigh, Winfield added, "Always remember, since I am not 100% sure that it was, in fact, my wife. Although, I feel it was. When we reach the target area, we should move with caution, not killing anyone until we confirm she was, in fact, taken by force."

"We understand, Sir," answered his men.

"Then, let's prepare to leave. We should arrive at the next military camp in five hours. We will rest and depart again in the morning to our target location via water... And then, we will move at dawn to

Jansu Island," told Winfield. "Men, I can't thank you enough. Should this mission be successful, you have my full gratitude."

Taking a deep breath, Winfield said, "Let's go."

Along with Connor, Winfield and his men made their way to the helipads where two helicopters await them.

Just as they were walking might high, they noticed a luxury car speeding its way in their direction.

Winfield knew immediately who it was that he halted his steps, waiting for his daughter to come out of the car.

After the vehicle paused meters away from the General, Samantha rushed to his father and probed, "Dad? Are you really going on a mission? Why? A few days before Christmas?"

It was because Winfield did not want to raise his daughter's hopes up that he and Ethan agreed not to let anyone know. Only he, Ethan, and Connor, including his men, knew that he suspected Sarah to be alive.

"Sam, I can't tell you," answered Winfield. "This is a secret operation."

"But you are the general? Why would you personally go on a mission?" Inquired Samantha. She scanned the soldiers who were going with them and noticed how they were all packed with guns, from standard rifles to snipper ones.

"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."