Of babies and bottles

Posted on Thursday July 26th, 2018 @ 2:10am by Brigadier General Aidan Thornton & Lieutenant Sarah Pine & Isabella Pine

3,283 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Season 2: Mission 1: Day after Day
Location: Mess hall and Arboretum
Timeline: Oct 13, 4566. mid afternoon

Sarah sat at a table with her daughter in law Isabelle, the day feeling like an utter nightmare. She originally had wanted to be with the woman she loved, but that was seeming more and more impossible with every person she had pulled into their relationship. Sarah's heart could not be stretched emotionally that far. She felt that maybe it was time to call and end to it. She just couldn't handle this anymore and as much as she hated the idea, it would have to end one way, or another.
 
Aidan needed a change of pace. There really wasn't much of one available. It had been a while since he'd eaten in the mess hall, so he headed there after a quick mid-day work out. He wanted to lounge since action aboard the fleet was at an ebb. Not complaining, but not used to have this much free time, he decided on a leisurely meal.
 
"I just don't know anymore Izzy, I feel like I'm just being added to a lover list. And she expects me to love these other people I've never talked to. I'm at a loss for what to do.", Sarah said clearly distraught.
 
Isabella listens quietly holding the twins in her arms clearly breastfeeding them with a shroud covering the feeding infants."I'm sorry Seleni is making you feel like your just on a lover's long love list. I would hug you, but as you know I'm breastfeeding the twins. I wish I could comfort you more then just talking to you."
 
He picked up his food and an extra sandwich. While the tray wasn't bowing under the weight of food, room for anything additional was gone. He shoved two lemonades, one in each cargo pocket and looked around for a a place to sit. His VX triggered at the sight of two women sitting at a nearby table. There were vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place them. Heading that way, he waited for a lull in the conversation to see if he could join them. It was something he learned from an old CO. Making friends and knowing who was who. It sometimes came in handy. "Ladies, Colonel Thornton. May I intrude on you. eating alone isn't fun all the time."(edited)
 
Sarah just looked up from her position leaning on the table with her head hung low, "Not if you don't want to hear a couple woman moaning about life issues. If that's not an issue, by all means."
 
Izzy also nodded for him to sit down
 
"Since it sounds like a gripe session, maybe I can join in." Aidan said with a smile. He took he seat. I'm sorry, but with all the new additions, I didn't catch your names.
 
"Sarah Pine, you've met my son Jack.", Sarah offered.
 
"Isabella Pine, I'm Jack Pine wife." izzy said offering at least part of a hand as she was balancing twins 
 
He shook the hand warmly, helping to catch the moving infant. "Feeding the babies I see." He said, getting help from his VX
 
"Yes, they are very needy in the sense of feeding.."
 
"I'm just happy to see my grandbabies. Makes me miss my own. So what moping ails you Mr. Thornton?"
 
"I would say the usual but, my situation is anything but normal. Yuka, Emily, and I are separated. With all the activity in the fleet, we haven't really had time for each other." Turning to izzy, he offered. "Once you are done with one, I would be happy to hold one. Give you a break. Ayasha, my daughter , will be 20 soon. I am willing but out of practice."(edited)
 
"Well welcome to the club, I'm about to end the similar situation I'm in. I wasn't expecting to share my future wife with three other people.", Sarah explained.
 
"I can actually empathize with that. Similar problems." Aidan offered.
 
"Thing is, I haven't actually told her it's over yet.", Sarah said looking conflicted.
 
Aidan nodded, taking a forkful of chili mac. "No matter how you do it, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
 
"I'm a big girl Aidan, I can handle teeth. It will just be the emotional fallout that's the hard part."
 
"Sarah do you mind holding Jack, he's done eating?"
 
"Yeah sure, hand me the little guy.", she said reaching across for the Plebian infant boy. The baby boy was peaceful having just been fed, his little black wings at rest, a little bit of black hair having already grown after only being born a few months ago. "This is an experience I never got have with my son. Strange how we take some things for granted until we know we've been denied them."
Sarah was much older then she looked, her features close to someone in their early 20's.
 
Aidan nodded between bites. I had to miss more than I wanted to during my daughter's life. Too many deployment and long tours. Not much I could do about that though. Probably overcompensated when I was home. Kind of funny that we both look the same age now." Aidan said, hinting at his youth treatment.
 
"Well I didn't even know of his existence until 20 years after I'd been out of the star army forces. And even then I wasn't aware he was my son. I may look young as well, but I assure you I'm an elder woman."
 
"Almost 39 here. I know how old Jack is....you have to close to my own physical age, Sarah." Aidan said. "Age is a number depending on the mental maturity, or lack thereof, of the parties involved."
 
"38 going on 39 as well.", Sarah answered idly as she cradled the child like a natural mother.
 
Isabella slowly stretched her long light blue wings, "You want to hold Rose Aiden?" Rose would have light blue wings with black hair and blue eyes(edited)
 
"Sure." He wiped his hands. and held out for the baby. "I had hopes the next time I held one would be a new part of my family."
 
"You could become family you know." Winks at him to towards Sarah(edited)
 
 
"Kid's setting us up." Aidan said as he cocked his head at Izzie.
 
 
Sarah turned her attention back to the two, "what?" She asked looking confused, having not caught the slight interaction.
 
"Nothing mom just giving him Rose!" Gives Aidan a look(edited)
 
"I think she just wants a pool of babysitters to pick from. Trying to rope me in." he said honestly.
 
Sarah just looks between the two confused.
 
Aidan did a little hacking with his VX and sent Sarah an email outlining the Cupid angle but asking her to keep it under her hat so to speak.
 
 Izzy puts her hands up in frustration but notices she forgot to button up her shirt with a blush on her cheeks as she fastened her shirt, Looks at Aidan and says "Are you that thick headed, Mom your girlfriend is an ass!"(edited)
 
Sarah was absolutely embarrassed, "Isabelle, this is really not the time for this. I'm sure Mr. Thornton is not interested in you trying to play match maker."(edited)
 
"I'm sure he's okay with it Sarah."(edited)
 
Aidan, the eternal flirt, offered., "you never know, maybe I am interested." He teased
 
Sarah sputtered as she tried to come up with a response to such a brazen move.
 
He let her off easy. "Just not at the moment." Bouncing Rose on his knee, he made noises and faces, trying to get her to smile.
 
"It's time for Jack and rose's nap I'll go put them to bed." Izzy picked up rose and handed her to Sarah, Izzy winked at Sarah."Have fun mom!"(edited)
Isabella walks off into the hall whistling Love and ah Marriage(edited) 
 
Sarah tried to protest, but her daughter made a rather speedy exit. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?", she said before fuming, "That was a fucken dirty move little girl." Sarah mumbled.
 
"Too big to spank." Aidan offered.
 
Izzy texts Sarah with her data pad, "Its for your own good mom!"
  
Sarah gave a nervous look given the awkward position her daughter had just left her in, "I am terribly sorry for her behavior." She's not too big for a boot to the ass though.(edited)
 
Aidan gave her a shrug. "Not my first rodeo. I think we both have enough on our plates to worry about without us dating."
 
 "Says you. Your running a fleet. I'm running drills. I'm tired of being left home alone everyday.", Sarah said clearly displeased with how things were going for her lately.
 
"Now, I'm confused. You want to date?" Aidan asked.
 
Sarah looked conflicted at the question, "Well I.......I don't know. Are you gonna be like Seleni and make what was supposed to be love, a party instead? I don't want that again. I want to love someone and not their three girlfriends and boyfriends."
 
Aidan didn't have to think about it, "Makes sense to me, Though to be honest, I would rather be friends first. No pressure to perform. A few outings a date or three. What do you think?"
 
Sarah thought for a few moments, looking at the babies in arms as if they had some magical answer to give her. "Fair enough. That sounds like the best course, this should have been a lesson not to rush for me. I'm glad someone has the sense here to make that clear to me."
 
"Older and sometimes wiser." He said.

Sarah chuckled, "Maybe you can share some of that wisdom with me. A lack of there of seems to be causing for some time now." She sighs softly, "Guess my mind is set then."
 
He chuckled out loud. "If I was THAT smart, I would NOT be in the situation as you are."
 
"I'm still in it until I send the message. So I still say your smarter then I am. Damn, she left with the kids. I really want a drink, but I don't want to around these guys."
 
Izzy message's Sarah, " Did the plan work can I have my kids back I miss them." Laughs softly(edited)
 
"Well, I don't drink...anymore. What is your choice of beverage. I am the XO, I have connections. "(edited)
 
"Just when I'm around the little ones.", Sarah said with a chuckle.
 
"Nvm keep them love you Sarah!!"
 
[Oh you dirty little......Your so getting a boot up the ass later!]
 
"Follow me." Aidan said, grabbing the sandwich. He recycled the rest and waited for Sarah.
 
"Come and get me Sarah I'm in the hallway listening."(edited)
 
Sarah slowly got up, the action awkward with the babies in her arms. She followed Aidan. [Too late on the move with Aidan now.]

 
 
Aidan offered to take one of the babies. "Since I don't drink anymore, I can chaperone." He said with a smile. "What is your poison?" He asked
 
"Whiskey or Bourbon. Picky about my beer.", Sarah said gently handing Jack over this time.
 
"Well me too, unless I am trying to get drunk. The reason I don't anymore. I think I can scare up something. Come one." He said leading the way. "So what do you do in the fleet again?"
 
"I'm my son's first Lieutenant. My specialization is in Recon, and as sniper support."
 
 
"Ah...then we have more in common. Marine CO. Former Special Operations. General nuisance for the enemy." Aidan offered. They stopped outside the lounge. "Stay right here." He went in and brought out a brown bottle, a glass, and a small insulated bag. "Arboretum or holodeck?" Aidan asked.
 
"No idea what the arboretum is."
 
Aidan smiled. "Fancy name for the interior tree park." he offered..
 
"Hmm, both seem like good ideas. Park sounds nice and peaceful, though the holodeck offers some exotic locales.", Sarah said thinking.

He decided to tease her again. "The arboretum will have other people. That way you won't be tempted to have your way with me." He grinned.
 
Sarah pouted playfully, "What are you trying to say? I'm a prowler?"
 
"With any luck my way, yeah." he grinned wider. Then playfully bumped her lightly as they walked.
"I'm actually for the first time in 20 years...not actively looking." Aidan offered. "Life may have other ideas."
 
"Well you keep hitting on me and I might."
 
"Noted." They got to the arboretum and took a blanket from a nearby replicator. He flipped it into place and set down the bag, carefully sitting down with Jack. Cracking open the bottle, he poured her two fingers into the glass, adding a cold metal ball. Retrieving his coffee milkshake, he relaxed.
 
Sarah gently lowered herself onto the blanket smoothing out the hem of her skirt one handed. She happily accepted the drink and took a sip. "Do you come here often?"
 
"Not as much as I'd like actually. I grew up in rural New York. Forests are thick and loved camping. It's cleansing of the soul to be out there sometimes."
 
"The planet of Yamatai, lots of advanced cities with still a lot of unspoiled nature. It's much like your people's Japan in terms of culture.", She offered after nodding to Aidan's description. It sounded like a wonderful place.
 
"luckily I have a few of my own holo-programs saved, along with the normal database, so if I get homesick, so to speak, I can at least get some comfort. I'll have to take you some time. Beautiful cabins." Aidan offered. A bit morose and slightly 'angry.(edited)
 
"Hmmm, Maybe I can program the Sakura parks, or my micro apartment where I lived with my parents.......or even the house back at 604, maybe Ross's lab.", She understood his anger, despite not feeling a connection to earth, having not have been there long enough for it to feel like home. "I'm sorry, about earth, I understand your family was there. But I can understand the loss of a home. Of someone dear. When we got stuck here, I left behind a wife and three newborn babies." She said remorseful, a few tears astray that she quickly wiped away. She hoped he hadn't saw, as she never allowed herself to cry in front of others.
 
 
He reached out and to squeeze her hand then let go. "I have my daughter, thank the Creator. My parents are still missing. The longer it goes on, the more I realize they must be gone. Hurts like hell. The only solace is that I had them for nearly forty years. I consider that lucky." Aidan offered.
 
"I lost my parents when I was 16, and is what drove me to join the imperial star army. There ship had been destroyed by one of elysia's war fleets. I joined out a of want for revenge, but just as I was to ship out. The war was over like that, and for 20 years I carried a hate for their race. All based on a lie, as you saw from the video. When I met my son and found he had married one, I was furious, and I said some things I still regret. But in time I learned to love her, and I left my anger behind. The following years with them and my various grandchildren have been more then I could have ever asked for. Even now I'm able to be at peace knowing they are happy."(edited)
 
"If you're up for it. I'd like to have a simple dinner. Not a date so much as more a chance for the two of us to unwind. A night sky full of stars, bonfire, and just relaxing. It will have to do since the real thing is gone. It's more rustic than Japan, but home to me."
 
Sarah gave a kind smile, "I would very much like that."
 
"Good. It's settled then. Maybe I can get some decent steaks or at least get the Mess hall to pack us a picnic." Aidan thought about it. "Um, are you a meat eater....always an awkward question to me."(edited)
 
Sarah looked confused on why it would be, "My people eat meat yes. For us it's more a matter of taste then actual nutrition. I do prefer red meats however as my favorite, usually with a glass of red wine."
 
 "I might have a few Elk or Venison steaks in stasis. If not, the company is the real treat after all anyway." Aidan added.
 
"Thank you for the kind words. As well as for the dinner. I don't get many get aways anymore really.", Sarah said with a kind smile and a thankful nod.
 
"Why the hell not?" he asked.
 
"Just not many places I've explored to do as such. And mostly helping Isabelle move to her new arrangements as well as watch the kids. I guess I just haven't sought to take time for myself.", she replied shrugging.
 
"That's one of the smart things I learned more recently as well. If I don't take care of me, I have less to give others." Aidan replied.
 
"Funny thing is I never pegged myself as a family woman, but I seemed to have thrown myself into it. Stubborn to a fault in most things.", Sarah said with a giggle.
  
"Iresemble that at times. All good." Aidan glanced down, "we seem to have two very sleepy babies."
 
 "We should do this again. With and without our infant chaperones" Aidan added.
 
Sarah giggled again, "true, they keep the age rating a little too low." She joked.
 
Aidan packed up the bag. Stood up and held Jack in one arm from practice long ago. He offered his arm to her.
 
Sarah stood up and took the offered arm, "How gentlemanly, your starting to grow on me already."
 
"Fungus or clinging vine?" he joked, lightening the mood.
 
"Vines. I don't mind getting tangled."

"You're incorrigible. Probably why I'm still here." Aidan quipped. He tossed the blanket in the bin and walked out of the arboretum with her.

 

RSS Feed