Just to make this very clear. There will be extra content after the finale. There will be some extra chapters involving The Commander or Jurgen, Friedrich, Ella or U-99, and of course Prinz Eugen and Clovis. 

I want to thank everyone for helping me with this beast of a project. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you everyone. You have been so great to me. 

Enjoy.

~~~~~

The sun was over the horizon. Rising slowly over the Iron Blood base. For many, sunrise was they had just a little bit more shut eye. But for others this was wakeup time. Up at the butt crack of dawn. In an apartment a half a mile away was a silver haired woman tying up her hair. Looking at the time she softly shook a man lightly. 

"Darling. It's time. Be a good husband and greet me with a morning kiss." That's one pleasant way to wake up in the morning. 

"Mmmm." The man groaned and turned over.

"Liebling?" She cooed.

"Jah. Moment." He rubbed his eyes open and turned back around to grab her around her waist. "Come here my beautiful wife." Tugging her down as they both enjoyed morning kisses. "Good morning."

"Good morning Clovis."

"Same to you Prinz Eugen. So, shall I get up and make the coffee?"

"I grinded some last night and its brewing right now. So, maybe you can look sexy in that uniform and we can head into work casually. I'll find some underwear and make sure I look beautiful for you." She stretched and kicked her legs over the bed to get up.

"Well I'd hope you'd be wearing underwear." Replied Clovis.

She smirked and turned her head. "Oh? And if I don't?"

"You might be pregnant again. How about that?" He winked at her. 

"You're so sexy when you have that lust in your eye. Maybe 'copy room' or 'evening coffee' if you behave yourself by tonight. Jah?"

"Jah!" He winked at her.

"Such a passionate man. Mercy Liebling."

It was a regular morning routine for the couple. Wake each other up depending on usually who went to bed first, get dressed, sit down for coffee and a morning chat, and followed up by working to the base and reporting to the Captain's Quarters first. As time went on, much has changed. Iron Blood currently is in a peaceful state. 

As Clovis eventually got to his desk, he pulled out a report he copied and put there just a few years ago. On what had happened in his final report as the Interim Commander.

Shortly after my proposal, I asked Prinz Eugen alone to accompany on an invite to speak to both Commanders of Eagle Union and Royal Navy who both aligned Azur Lane. After a few hours over lunch and getting borderline to tea time and dinner, the three of us had shaken hands and put together an agreement. I spent the sunset and evening near the beach as Prinz Eugen and I had watched ships casually play in the sand and shallow water. These are good nations with great intentions. At that point I made the right decision and had no doubts about it. 

Within two weeks of my return my father and Commander Jurgen took his place back. He was healthy and well. Walking on his own, breathing healthy, and ready to get back to where he felt belonged. Commander was going to spend his time researching in the notes that I have left. Days into his research there was a report on an attack. It was Sirens. 

The Commander sent out everyone. War was raging on. Though what he didn't expect was Enterprise, Belfast, Cleveland, Sheffield, and an all hands on deck and every ship at bay full force attack. Jurgen did his best to monitor everything and was always on call to make sure that all was in order. He slept in the Captain's Quarters that night just in case. But as he woke up everything was over. 

The next day everything was finished. No more gunfire. No more enemies. And an hour or so before lunch he had called a meeting. Myself, Prinz Eugen, Bismarck, Hipper, Friedrich while holding Ella's hand, Z23, and Enterprise and Belfast of Azur Lane present. 

"Thank you all for coming." Jurgen greeted as he stood up from his desk.

"Commander, what is this about?" Asked Clovis.

"This is about all of us. Especially you. Son." The Commander took off his hat. "I am Commander Jurgen (LN) of Iron Blood. We are all gathered here today solely because my son put together an alliance while I was recovering illness. When we found out there was an attack from Sirens every fleet from Azur Lane helped to aid Iron Blood. This is something I never dreamed of. Clovis, thank you." This seems to be an odd way to thank someone. Especially since their last meeting was in a conference room and turned into a shouting match that echoed throughout the hallways.

"I did my best." Nodded Clovis.

Jurgen sighed. "Clovis, I need you to do everyone in this nation and alliance a great task. But I believe that you are capable of doing so."

"What I can do Sir?" Nodded Clovis.

"I need you to let me resign and you to run the course." He held up his hat in front of him.

Everyone in the room gasped. Especially to Ella who thought that her father was going to be sad throughout all of this. 

"Father, why?" Asked Clovis sadly.

"My son, you were born to one day lead Iron Blood. Lead this great nation for better. You accomplished what I couldn't do because I am blindsided. I am getting older, need to stay healthy as I am still having chest pain from the recent Siren battle, and most of all, I need to be a good father and husband. Clovis, please put on this on take your place. I will give you the best wishes to succeed. Please, let me watch you rule Iron Blood the best way you can before my time is up. That is all I ask."

Clovis looked back at his lover. Hoping Prinz Eugen would have an answer for him. 

"It's yours CJ." She smiled.

Clovis turned back around and grabbed the hat. Holding back all of his emotions the best to his ability. He put it on his head and turned to everyone. "I am now Clovis (LN). Commander of Iron Blood."

After reading this document he put it back in his desk. Good timing too. There was a knock at the door. 

"Papa!" Squeaked a voice.

"Come in Giselle. Come to Papa." He watched the door open. A girl with black twin tails about four years old came running in. Clovis caught her in a hug and picked up for a lap sitting session. "Guten morgen sweetheart."

"Guten morgen Papa." She giggled.

"How was the slumber party over at Aunt Hipper's?"

"We danced and drank tea. We watched movies and laughed." She chimed. 

Prinz Eugen smiled as she walked into the Captain's Quarters with a hot cup of coffee and some chocolates. "Our little Z41 seems to be doing well. Giselle missed us even though she was having fun. How about it Liebling?"

"She's here and that's all that matters. Love it."

"The door is open. May we enter?" Called a voice.

"Father do come in." Called Clovis.

Jurgen the last few years has been enjoying retirement. For many people, it is not for them. As for others, they focus on what is next. Men like Jurgen after decades of hard work have the tendency to get bored. Though with a wife and a girl who will be turning nine soon, he keeps busy. From trips around with the family to seeing his little girl enjoy all the aspects of life rather than being docked at a base. There was no regrets of handing over his position. 

"How is everyone?" He asked.

"Giselle here is getting back from an Auntie slumber party. How's Ella doing?" Clovis watched Ella and Giselle have fun. They had a little play area in the corner of the Captain's Quarters in case of Prinz Eugen and Friedrich being deployed on an assignment.  

"Jah. I was wondering if everyone would like to do lunch. A bit early, but let's get ourselves seated. We have many arrangements as you can imagine. That being said, shall we?" Jurgen looked over to see his daughter Ella play with Giselle.

"Engel you thinking lunch?" Asked Clovis.

"Jah."

"Alright. Lunch. Let's put everything down and go. What do you have in mind? I'm aware you have good taste." Though it's amazing how it has happened throughout this whole time. From my father and I visiting the Azur Lane port to my wife's pregnancy cravings with Friedrich, Z23, and Hipper bringing watermelon, pretzels, wings, and chocolate while carrying Giselle, to me walking through these quarters with the word Interim out of my title. Life is good. Though, maybe I can look back and write these moments done. Hmmm...

~~~~~

I hope everyone enjoys this and comes back for the bonus content. I love you all and can't wait for more good times to roll.

-Rel