Chapter Text
You had a legacy thanks to your father, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, unfortunately you came into a world where he wasn’t there anymore. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell was the one who supported your mother, Carole, throughout her pregnancy and even after you were born. He vowed to give anything you needed and he wanted to be present in Bradley’s life as well.
Of course Carole welcomed it and named Pete as the Godfather. You were never without and you were told so much about your father when you were old enough to understand. Bradley was very much protective over you but it changed when he caught you calling Maverick “dad”. It ensued a fight you couldn’t understand why he was so mad. It was a secret that Carole wanted to keep from you. She didn’t want Maverick to be tainted in your eyes.
It wasn’t until you were sixteen years old when your mom passed away from cancer. You were devastated but you saw it as she was finally with your dad after so long without him. Bradley had left for college and you didn’t want to be dumped on him as things were still strained. Maverick stepped in to help finish raising you in California.
He cared for you so much and watched you grow through your high school career then it was off to college for you. You were packing your bags to move in to your dorm. “Dad.”
“Yeah baby.” Maverick felt honored you called him that even if he felt he didn’t deserve it.
“Bradley hates me doesn’t he.” You put the framed picture of your parents safely in the box.
“Honey he doesn’t hate you I promise…he’s just angry at me.” He knew this conversation was coming. He had prepared so many ways on how to say it but it came up blank.
“Why?” You looked at him then he asked you to sit.
“Before you were born, your dad and I were flying but something happened and we had to eject…” He cleared his throat, still seeing what happened as if it happened yesterday. “The canopy didn’t clear in time and your dad hit it and he was gone.”
You felt your heart sinking but it was worse seeing Maverick’s eyes swell with tears. “It was a mechanical failure but I felt responsible…there was an investigation that cleared me but it didn’t bring Goose back. That’s why Bradley is distant from me…he’s angry at me. It’s not your fault.”
“Mom always said it was an accident that took my daddy away…” You took a deep breath. “I know mom didn’t blame you.”
He brought you in for a hug. “…I’m sorry to tell you like this. I wanted to tell you when you were ready.”
“No one ever is.” You shook your head, burying your face into his shoulder. “I know he’d thank you for taking me in and making sure I was ok.”
He held you close just like the day you were born. Even though you weren’t his biologically, he still saw you and Bradley as his children. He helped you finish packing before driving you up the campus. “Ok so all your classes are marked on the map, here’s your school ID, and call me if you need anything.”
“I got everything dad.” You were sure of it, you always wanted to go to school for Aerospace Engineering. “I’ll call you after my first day.”
“Good girl.” He gave you one more and a kiss. “Be good ok?”
“I will, dad.” You held him tightly before letting go.
You hadn’t shown any interest in joining the Navy which didn’t worry Maverick much. You’d be safer on the ground unlike Bradley who applied for the academy. Another point of resentment when he pulled Bradley’s papers.
“I better get going before traffic keeps here over night.” He pulled away from you and let you be.
While you were enjoying your freshmen year, you couldn’t help but wander into the Naval building that was on campus for the NROTC. You looked at the pictures on the wall of past graduates until someone cleared their throat. “Are you lost, ma’am?” It was a teacher who happened to be an officer.
“Sorry I was just looking.” You clinged to your books.
“What are you studying here?” He asked.
“Aerospace engineering, sir.” You nodded.
“Have you thought about joining the armed forces? We could use engineers like you.” That’s what got the ball rolling.
After going over the pamphlet, you decided to call Maverick, hoping he wouldn’t be mad.
Back at home, he was tinkering away on his project plane when his phone was buzzing. He saw it was you and he cleaned his hands before answering. “Hey sweetheart!”
“Hi dad, can I ask you about something?” You were staring at the pamphlet, shaking a little.
“What’s up?” He heard you clear your throat.
“I sorta wandered into the naval building on campus and I was given a pamphlet. The officer said they could use engineers like me. He seemed nice and he said to talk it over with my parent or guardian.”
He had to sit down. Shit. “Well you are pretty smart and I know you’d do well in it. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“You and dad did it, Bradley’s doing it. What’s one more Bradshaw in the Navy?” You tried to make light of it.
You were right, talking to you was like talking to Goose. “I know your dad would be proud to hear you say that. I’ll be up there to help with the paperwork ok? And I’ll tell your uncle Ice that you’re taking the steps in.”
“He’d get a kick out of it.” You had a foot in the door now. You just had to hang on tightly and never let go.
The rest of your college career was spent in the NROTC and you were excelling much to your teachers surprise. You even took courses that were recommended for pilots. This was your one secret you kept. Before graduation, you got to feel what it was like to sit in one of the jets. You had one of your classmates take your picture, it was like seeing your dad all over again.
Being the jet finally felt like he was there with you. You graduated with honors and you could go anywhere with your experience. At dinner, Maverick was curious about your plans. “So, Ensign Bradshaw, what’s your next move?”
“Well the officers gave me packets of information about where I could go.” You sipped your drink. “I could start working immediately on base or I could further my career.”
“And furthering your career entails what?” He looked at you.
“I’ll show you.” You pulled out your phone and showed him the picture of you in the jet. Maverick stared at it for what seemed like an eternity before he put it down.
“You looked like your dad in this photo…” He wasn’t mad, just scared.
“It felt like he was there with me. This is how I want to be closer to him and you. Maybe Bradley too.” That’s all you ever wanted. You wanted your brother back.
“You know the training is rigorous and it’s hell.” He saw you were sure.
“I know, I already did my physical exams, I just needed to tell you now before I show up in the sky next to you.” You were giddy.
“Can’t wait to see what your call sign would be.” He chuckled.
“I hope it’s nothing dumb.” You wanted to have a cool name, even if that’s not how it worked.