Chapter 7-8 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 7 – Rangers Lead the Way

The rising sun painted the sky orange and gold over Fort Moore, Georgia. A light wind blew across the graduation field, gently rustling the flags flying along the courtyard. Grant Tucker-Pritchett stood at attention, along with the few who had endured the hell of the last eight weeks of RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program).

They had started as 160 men. Now, only 40 remained.

Grant kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, his posture impeccable despite the weight of the moment. He and his comrades had been crushed, tested to their physical and mental limits, and now they were here, about to become Rangers in the United States Army.

Amid the crowd of family members and officers present, Grant recognized his adoptive parents, Cam and Mitchell, standing side by side with Lily, who was wearing a jacket too large for her and sunglasses that nearly covered half her face.

Jay Pritchett stood beside Claire and Phil, arms crossed, a look of restrained pride. Hailey, Alex, and Luke were close behind, waving small American flags they'd probably picked up along the way.

Even from a distance, Grant could feel his family's energy. Cam was already clutching a handkerchief, clearly moved. Mitchell wore a tense expression mixed with pride. Jay maintained a serious pose, but Grant knew that, deep down, he was as proud as anyone there.

Then, Sergeant Major Blake Callahan took the stage.

The newly graduated soldiers stood even straighter, as if to prove they deserved this moment. Callahan, the man who had crushed them mercilessly in training, now looked down at them from the podium with an expression that, to those who knew him, was almost a smile.

He began to speak.

"When you came here, you were just soldiers. Nothing more. Men who thought they had something to prove. Who wanted a title." That they wanted to wear that beret." He paused, letting the words sink in. "Now, you are Rangers. Because you've been through the fire and been forged into something better. Something stronger. Something unbreakable."

The crowd remained utterly silent, absorbing every word.

"We're not like the others. We're the ones who go where no one wants to go. We're the first in and the last out. When the world falls into chaos, when fire is coming from all sides, we're there."

The soldiers swallowed hard. They knew those words weren't an exaggeration.

Callahan narrowed his eyes.

"But being a Ranger isn't just about being strong. It's not just about endurance. It's about being part of something bigger than yourself."

He looked at the graduates, and for a moment, his eyes landed on Grant.

"Now, you're part of a brotherhood. One that never breaks, never gives up, and never surrenders." And this brotherhood has a motto.

He took a step back.

The time had come.

The newly graduated soldiers lifted their chests, filled their lungs with air, and with strong voices, recited in unison:

"Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the dangers of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high espirit de corps of the Rangers..."

Grant's voice mingled with the others, the words vibrating within him.

"Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier..."

The words were etched in his mind, like branded iron.

— "Surrender is not a Ranger word..."

The crowd watched, spellbound, as those men transformed before their eyes.

The Ranger Creed ended with the final cry:

— "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!"

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

But the ceremony wasn't over yet.

The Major walked onto the stage with a dark velvet box. Callahan took a beret from it and called out the first name.

—Private Second Class Grant Tucker-Pritchett.

Grant's heart raced, but he kept his expression firm. He stepped forward and walked onto the stage, feeling every pair of eyes on him.

As he stood before Callahan, the sergeant major held up his new tan beret—the official symbol of the Rangers. He stared at Grant for a moment and then spoke quietly enough for only he to hear:

—You fought like a bastard to get here, kid. You deserve it.

Firmly, Callahan placed the beret on Grant's head and adjusted it slightly.

"Welcome to the 75th Ranger Regiment."

Grant felt a symbolic weight lift from his shoulders. He took a step back, saluted, and stepped off the stage.

His family was vibrating with pride. Cam was openly crying. Mitchell maintained his composure, but his eyes were shining. Jay nodded. He gave a small nod, as if to say, "Good job, kid."

Claire held a handkerchief, sniffing discreetly. Phil seemed torn between pride and nervousness. Hailey smiled at him, giving him a thumbs-up.

But there was still one last part.

The Major took a piece of paper and began reading each Ranger's destination. One by one, the new Rangers heard their names and the units they would be assigned to.

Grant waited, his heart hammering in his chest.

Then, finally, the Major looked at him.

"Private Second Class Grant Tucker-Pritchett..."

Silence fell over his family.

"You will be assigned to the 3rd Ranger Battalion."

The crowd applauded, but for a moment, the sound seemed distant to Grant.

The 3rd Ranger Battalion.

The most active unit in the regiment. The one always involved in the most critical operations.

Grant swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment. He had become a Ranger. And now, the real challenge would begin.

Chapter 8 – A Ranger's Return

The plane landed smoothly at Los Angeles International Airport, and Grant Tucker-Pritchett felt a strange sensation as he looked out the window and saw the city spread out beneath the blue California sky.

It was the same Los Angeles he had left months ago. But he wasn't the same anymore.

Now, he wasn't just Grant Tucker-Pritchett.

Now, he was a Ranger.

As he walked out of the arrivals area, Grant saw a small group waiting for him. Or rather, a noisy crowd that definitely didn't know how to be discreet.

Cam and Mitchell were right in front, holding a sign that read "OUR RANGER SOLDIER!" decorated with gold glitter. Gloria, Claire, and Phil stood to the side, while Lily, Hailey, Alex, and Luke held small American flags. Jay, arms crossed, stood firm, but Grant noticed a slight smile on his face.

Before he could process it, Cam came running over.

"MY WARRIOR BABY IS BACK!"

Before he could react, Grant was crushed in a suffocating hug.

"Cam, please don't break him. He just got out of rigorous military training," Mitchell tried, but to no avail.

"He's a Ranger! He can handle a hug from Daddy!"

Gloria stepped closer, cupping Grant's face with both hands.

"Mi amor, look at you! Stronger, more serious… But still my boy."

She pulled him into a tight hug, while Claire immediately grabbed him by the shoulders.

"I still think you're crazy about all this, but… God, I'm so proud."

Phil stepped forward and squeezed his hand, then pulled him into a bear hug.

"I don't know if we've ever had a real soldier in the family before, so… welcome, hero!"

"I'm not a hero, Phil." Grant smiled.

"Not yet, but the way things are going, I bet you'll get a movie about yourself one day."

"Or at least a documentary series," Alex added, adjusting his glasses.

Lily, who had fallen a little behind, ran to him and hugged his waist.

"I don't care if you're a Ranger now. You're still my big brother."

Grant smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Always."

Hailey punched him lightly on the arm.

"Not bad, soldier. You came out of high school and came back looking like the lead in a war movie."

"I've always been a lead, Hailey."

She laughed and rolled her eyes.

Luke shook his head, still impressed.

"Okay, I have to admit, that's pretty cool. And I'm officially drafting you into my laser tag team next time."

"After what I went through in training? Man, I'm the secret weapon."

Finally, Jay stepped forward.

"Good job, kid."

Grant straightened instinctively.

"Thank you, sir."

Jay stared at him for a moment before giving him a small smile.

"Now come home. We have barbecue waiting."

Grant knew he had three weeks off before officially reporting to the 3rd Ranger Battalion, so he intended to enjoy the time with his family.

But something was different.

Los Angeles was still the same, with its chaotic traffic and sunny glow. His house still smelled of lavender and logs burning in the fireplace. But he felt like a stranger in his own home.

Walking down the upstairs hallway, he stopped in front of his bedroom.

He opened the door and saw the same space as before: the made bed, the dresser with a few books and photos, the poster of an old action movie on the wall. But now, everything felt small. As if this room belonged to a Grant who no longer existed.

He sat down on the bed and let out a long sigh.

Mitchell appeared at the door, knocking lightly.

"Are you okay?"

Grant smiled, but it wasn't the same relaxed smile as before.

"I'm... just getting used to it."

Mitchell sat down beside him.

"I figured it would be like this. You've been to hell and back. Now everything here must feel... different."

Grant nodded.

"Not in a bad way. But it's like... I don't completely belong here anymore."

Mitchell put a hand on his shoulder.

"That doesn't mean you don't have a home here. You always will."

Grant looked at him, absorbing those words.

"Thank you."

That night, a barbecue was set up in Jay and Gloria's backyard. The table was filled with food, laughter, and conversation.

Grant tried to relax, immersing himself in the familiar atmosphere. But even as he laughed and talked, something felt different.

At one point, Claire sat down beside him.

"You know you can talk, right? About what you saw, about what you went through."

Grant smiled, but shook his head.

"It's nothing that dramatic. But... it's like the world has expanded for me. Like I've seen a piece of reality that no one here knows."

Claire nodded.

"I understand. But you can always tell us."

He smiled.

"I know."

The three weeks passed in the blink of an eye.

Grant enjoyed every moment with his family, but deep down, he knew his destiny was calling.

On the morning of his departure for his new home in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, everyone was at the airport.

Cam was holding back tears, Mitchell was trying to stay calm, Jay was squeezing his hand tightly. Lily, Gloria, Claire, Phil, Alex, Hailey, and Luke hugged him one by one.

When it was time to go, he looked at everyone and smiled.

"I'll be back. I always will."

And then, he headed off to his new destination.

Now, the real challenge would begin.

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Chapter 4 - Chapter 7-8