It has been four weeks since the Majors went to Jennifer's unit formal. The relationship settled into a predictable routine of Jennifer and the Major getting together on the weekends and when ever they can find time in the schedule.
Jennifer signed up for the last semester of classes including a defense clinic with the local public defender's office. The Major was backed into a corner about the holidays but they are about to take off for some skiing as soon as Jennifer can get away from class.
The Major was waiting at the bag check stand when the taxi pulled up and Jennifer got out. They kissed and Johnson paid the cab driver, and pulled her bag to where the skycap could check it in.
"Sorry darling but the prof went on and on I did not know when I was going to get away," said Jennifer.
"I could have waited we have a late flight. I thought that you were having second thoughts," said Johnson.
"No Major we are not getting rid of each other that easily," said Jennifer.
The skycap handed the Major their tickets and they both dug their military IDs out to show the TSA. They walked to the screening area and got through that ordeal quickly. Jennifer felt a little naked as she only had her phone with her she, under orders, left the computer in her residence, along with her books. The Major put his arm around her as they walked to the gate area.
An hour later they were settling in their seats in the smallish aircraft. The flight was scheduled for about two hours. Shortly after take off Jennifer crashed and fell asleep, the Major read the inflight magazine.
There were several bongs and the flight attendant announced that they were making their final approach into Rocky Springs. The Major shook Jennifer awake and the flight attendant walked up and down the aisle checking for seatbelts and tray tables.
Out the window they could see the ground rushing up to meet them and there was a hard bump screech and the nose wheel settled on the runway. The pilot applied the brakes and reverse thrust to slow the plane down. The taxi to the gate did not take a lot of time and soon the passengers were spilling out into the jet-way.
"God it' cold," said Jennifer.
"You did pack some cold weather gear didn't you?" said Johnson.
"I was going to depend on you to keep me warm...Yes I have a coat but it is in the luggage," said Jennifer.
The made their way to baggage claim and Jennifer pulled the ski jacket out of her suitcase and put it on.
"I am going to need gloves and a hat, Darling," said Jennifer.
The Major reached in to a side pocket of his luggage and pulled out a scarf, hat and gloves, all army green but it would do. He handed the stack to her and waited as she put them on.
"I will give these back to you after we go shopping," said Jennifer with a smile.
"I think that I have been taken," said the Major as he kissed her again.
They waited in line at the car rental counter and finally got checked out and went to find the car. The car was an all wheel drive model and the Major got the car out of the airport and on to the highway.
"You have been very secretive about where we are staying?"
"You'll see soon enough," he responded.
The major turned off the highway onto a secondary road. They were lucky that there hadn't been a recent snowfall and the road was dry with patches of ice. There was a sign for Old Oak village and the Major turned down that road and soon came upon a development. There were about fifty townhouse and condo units in the development and the Major pulled in front of number 25 and shut the car down. They retrieved their bags from the trunk and the major keyed the code into the door and they walked in.
The place was of the usual Colorado mountain design. It was not a log home but a modern place with white walls. There were stairs leading to a lower level with a bedroom and a closet that contained a collection of wine. The main level had the "great room with vaulted ceilings the galley kitchen and in back was the master bedroom.
The major found a remote and ignited the fireplace the flames put out some heat but it would take a while to heat the whole place. Jennifer sat down on the large sofa while the Major got some of the systems going.
"Ok what do you want to eat?" asked the Major.
"Is there a restaurant in this development?" asked Jennifer
"No we have some rations in the fridge," said Johnson.
"I am not eating an MRE Major!" said Jennifer.
"Let me restate we have some chef prepared par-cooked meals in the fridge," said the Major.
Jennifer got up and walked into the kitchen where the Major was looking in the fridge. "Let's try the Steak," said Jennifer.
The Major got the aluminum container out and set the oven to 350 and slid the container in and closed the door. He found two containers of dehydrated mash potatoes and followed the directions to heat them in the Microwave.
"Go downstairs and find us a wine," said the Major.
Jennifer returned with a Pinot Noir from Washington State and searched for a wine opener. She found the right tool and pulled the cork out with little problem as the Major pulled two glassed from a cabinet and Jennifer poured a test and handed it to him. The Major nodded his approval and she filled both glasses.
"You know that this is the first alcohol I've had in two weeks,"
"I was wondering if you were going to dry out after that disaster at the firing range the other week," said the Major.
There was a quick poke in the arm at that crack. "Dude you were not much better."
"That hurt," said the Major.
"Good it was suppose to," replied Jennifer.