|
Post by elizar on May 31, 2011 14:31:01 GMT -5
Daryush sighed, having hoped that the breakup could have been without tears. "Do you want me to join you?" He asked Amara. He didn't have to show up at work until after two hours, but he did understand if Amara would have wanted to have breakfast with her kids. Now honest one since the visitation was over.
"I still remember the panic when Matt just disappeared one night." John said. "Kat wouldn't stop worrying until we got word of him being in Sidney."
"And then, if it is positive, you got to tell the father." Mia said to Suki. "At least you do know who it is, don't you?"
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on May 31, 2011 14:38:09 GMT -5
"I'd appreciate it." Amara nodded. "The kids are pretty well clued-in by now, and won't mind. And Paul will still be busy for another hour."
"That was a pretty tense night." Shawn recalled. "I was glad when he turned up safe. I hope he can get his life in order eventually."
"I haven't dated much in the last three months." Suki shrugged. "For some reason it just hasn't been the same after Tim." Her eyes widened. "What if he's the father?"
|
|
|
Post by elizar on May 31, 2011 15:00:07 GMT -5
"Thank you." Daryush bowed to her as they headed to the Pangur Ban for the last time.
"I hope you can too." John said. "It isn't your job to worry about everyone."
"He came from a stud farm, right?" Mia asked. "So it isn't his first kid, but won't he be able to get some rights over the kid if it is his?"
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on May 31, 2011 17:03:47 GMT -5
Alicia had Moira and Gavin with her as they waited at the club. Moira was saying her goodbyes to Becky, Illya and the other kids there. Their belongings had already been sent on to the departure point in Cairns. It would be another two-week journey across the bridgeworlds back to homeside.
Amara sensed another presence hovering about. "Hey, Marianne."
"I'm working on it." Shawn said. "I'm still talking with those folks from Alice Springs who operate the adventure flight business. There's already two other homeside jets there, a T-33 and a T-45, but they'd love to have someone who can break the sound barrier. But it's hard to find one that isn't set on a military career somewhere in the world."
"Only a DNA test could figure it out for sure." Suki said. "Playing the field doesn't have the appeal it used to for me. I dunno if that's the baby in me talking or what, but if I was gonna have one, it'd better be now. And if Tim wants to be a real father... now's his chance."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on May 31, 2011 17:18:08 GMT -5
"Hello Amara." Marianne said, coming into view of Amara. "I have to admit that I'll miss you."
"That's great." John smiled. "Once you can break the barrier again, you got a job lined out for you. I'm pretty sure they will wait for someone like you."
Mia didn't have much to answer to that. While she was attracted to the same sex, having kids was something she sometimes thought of. And with all the pregnant jets things were kicking.
"I am at least looking forwards to one thing." Mia said. "Being around those babies. Ryan was a blast to be around during his first few months."
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on May 31, 2011 17:47:50 GMT -5
"And you too." Amara answered. "Thanks for everything. It wouldn't have been the same without you." It was an admission that the ghost-sense had now become a part of her. And Moira was dealing well with it, though Marianne's presence tended to keep other spirits at a distance and protect the girl from being mobbed. But how would they do once homeside?
"Mom!" Moira came up to Amara, nuzzling her in a way she hadn't really been able to do for a while. Gavin followed up more slowly, but still whickered. Zarya was present, putting a brave face on things but it was apparent she would miss him. And the Flanker was the first girl that Gavin had really hung out with as opposed to dating a few times. David was also there, as he had been responsible for caring for the children while they were here and it was apparent that he would miss them as well. But David had completed his cadet training and would be going on to bigger things as a junior officer. Perhaps someday he would follow in Bateman's footsteps.
Adriana, like Daryush, was not slated for duty for another two hours. She would eat with them.
"That's what I hope." the Talon youth nodded. He gave John a friendly nudge.
Suki smiled. "I saw how the Petrov twins took to you. They'd stand there forever for your scratches."
"I hope that mine is at least as well-behaved." Pepper sighed, "But with my luck, the little sprog will be just like Mum -- a little hellion."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on May 31, 2011 18:00:53 GMT -5
"Likewise." Marianne chuckled. "I'm going to admit, you and your daughter were the only reason for why no one died that night." She said. "You were my only anchor when the gremlins were bothering me."
John returned the nudge. "Now then, I got to have some breakfast, and then it is work." He said. "I'll see you later." He said.
Mia laughed. "Don't worry, we will be able to handle that little devil." She said.
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on May 31, 2011 20:07:26 GMT -5
"I'd do it all again if I had to." Amara answered as she took her place with her children and Daryush. The server was prompt this time, taking their orders.
"Morning." Adriana smiled to them.
"Yeah, catch you later, and thanks again." Shawn saw him off.
"Boy or girl, I'm sure they will be." Pepper raised her eyes heavenwards. "Maker, give me strength."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on May 31, 2011 20:42:16 GMT -5
"Morning." Daryush said to Adriana. "How are things this morning?" He asked her. He knew the signs of when Amara was chatting with Marianne, the resident ghost/poltergeist. Though Marianne took her leave for now, allowing Amara and Moria some peace to order and talk with the living.
John made his way over to Pangur Ban. He took a small stall for himself, watching the crowd. Shortly afterwards, Lewis made his way inside with Tarquin, both chatting about the latest in music news. Lewis had actually made some more progress being over in Darwin among strangers. Without having people adjust to him, he found himself more adjusting to them, to normality. Though it hadn't been until three days ago that he finally allowed Tarquin to have some mutual grooming session. It had been uncomfortable for him and cut short due to that, but he did want to try again. He wanted to put Romania past him. He had hoped that Pepper would help him with that, but actually having a frenemy over her helped him more than he had thought it would.
"Good grief." Mia said in exaggeration. "Everyone's going to help you raise that kid, even if he or she will turn out to be an angel in disguise."
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on May 31, 2011 21:41:41 GMT -5
"Got another letter from Stefan." Adriana answered. "His defense team thinks they might have a chance of getting him out early. Then after that, they'll try for exoneration. These are the top lawyers in homeside Europe, they wouldn't be angling for this if they didn't think they'd have a chance."
"I wish him luck." Amara was still a little on the fence as to how innocent or guilty Stefan was, but she also knew nobody at that level of business could operate or even live without breaking a few laws on a daily basis, mostly rather trivial or picayune things, but an ambitious prosecutor and a sensation-hungry media could make a traffic ticket look like a war crime if it pleased them.
"How's it going with Edward?" Moira inquired.
"We're doing all right." Adriana answered. "The hardest part of this kind of team situation is balancing the information you're getting from your outside senses with what you're getting from the pilot. A human is always going to see and experience the world in a different way. But there is a sweet spot where your perceptions will overlap. That's where we have to work. But each team is going to work a little differently."
Moira looked back at Becky. "I know that's what she wants to do."
"H'lo." Tarquin greeted everyone. The other Baylors had returned homeside a couple of weeks before, and Tarquin's mother with them, but he and Yuri had remained. The Su-22, as always, took a wingman's position beside his boss/charge, regardless of still being on the ground. His eye flicked towards John for an instant, and there was a slight nod.
Pepper nodded. "But still, I have this feeling what Mum said when I was little - you know - "I hope someday you have a child just like you!" - will be coming back to haunt me."
"Stop worrying so much." Suki admonished, "You'll be a great mother."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on Jun 1, 2011 5:52:42 GMT -5
Daryush also glanced at Becky, who was having breakfast with Illya and his family before they had to go to school. "Having grown up with her mother doing it all the time does help her figure out what she wants." Daryush said. "I think she has seen both the good and the bad about this."
John nodded in return to Yuri. After Shawn had been discharged from the clinic, they hadn't spent as much time together as before.
"Yeah, and you're going to get some great help." Mia said. "And I'm pretty sure your mother regretted saying that the moment it came out of her mouth. But it isn't like she could admit that right away."
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Jun 1, 2011 12:29:26 GMT -5
"She'll be all right." Amara nodded. "We'll be leaving around noon, hon. There's time to have one more game of jawball before then."
Moira smiled a bit. She also perceived Marianne, and someone else politely begging leave to enter her space for a short time.
"Excuse me." Adriana went over to greet John. "Morning, John. You see Shawn this morning?"
"Of course not." Pepper laughed nervously, "But whether she meant it or not, mothers' curses tend to come true."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on Jun 1, 2011 15:39:57 GMT -5
"You also want say farewell to them?" Marianne asked the guest. "Don't let me stop you."
"Yeah." John said. "He's doing pretty good. I brought him some breakfast."
"Again, don't worry so much." Mia smiled. "You've been such an angel as long as I've known you. Even more so when you got two guys chasing after you."
|
|
|
Post by Evangeline on Jun 1, 2011 19:59:31 GMT -5
Kim Song came forward. "Thank you, Marianne." He showed himself to Amara and Moira as he had been in life. "I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done to help Pepper and I, and our child. I may not be present for the birth, but I already know that my family will be there to help and there will be a good father present in that child's life."
"I'm glad I was able to help." Amara replied.
Kim looked over to Moira. "Moira, you've done a good job of helping your father to see sense, and start on a better path. He may save himself yet. Just remember to keep the lines of communication open."
"I will." Moira affirmed. "And thank you for helping us out."
"I have to go now." Kim told them, "But maybe we'll see each other again someday. Stay well." With that, he melted into the air and was gone.
Amara blinked back a few more tears as Moira nuzzled her. She turned her attention back to Daryush. "Sorry."
"I'm glad to hear that." Adriana was relieved. "And you've been making a lot of progress yourself."
"I admit I have no idea where all that patience is coming from." Pepper sighed. "Must come from Mum. I don't even know how I put up with Livvy so long."
|
|
|
Post by elizar on Jun 1, 2011 20:20:51 GMT -5
"No need to be sorry." Daryush said and nuzzled her lightly when she and Moria broke contact. "It's part of you. Part of who you are."
Marianne just chuckled. "All that time and he never said whom he liked more as a father for his offspring."
"Well, I'm getting help." John said. "I think I'm coming to terms with this new me. Felix probably didn't sign up to help me figuring out who I am in the broader sense of the word, but he's been quite patient. I know that the old me would have never showed the doors to those cultists. And then not even how I did it in the end." He chuckled at the memory.
"Well, it looks like all of you are clear now." Mia said. "I'll see you when you get to the ground." She patted Suki for the last time and went out of the jets' way.
|
|