Normal Life
Since the series is now over (T_T) I guess it's up to fanfiction to keep things going. Here's the beginning of a little story about the months following Dai Shi's destruction as the Rangers prepare for the new challenges that lie ahead. The challenges of having "normal" lives! Time to get the usual stuff out of the way.
Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated rights, names, places etc. Anything not covered by the aforementioned rights is to be considered purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – Mild adult themes, language etc.
Timeline: A few months after the final battle.
Camille turned onto her side on the bed as Casey came back into the room following his shower. She truly did love him, and she was genuinely happy to b having his child, but at this moment in time, she was not a happy camper.
"Go back to sleep." He whispered to his fiancée as he sat on the bed, gently stroking her back. He wasn't happy at being pulled out of his bed at this time either, but today was the day that RJ, Lily, Theo and Fran were arriving back from their collective honeymoons, and they needed someone to pick them up at the airport. RJ had rather foolishly let Theo book the flights, and so as a cost-cutting measure, he had booked them onto a flight that would be landing at the airport at five in the morning. "It's bad enough I have to be up at this time, you should think about the baby."
"It's your damn baby that's keeping me awake." She grumbled sleepily. "You know how hard I find it to get back to sleep when I'm awake."
"Just take it easy, I'll be back soon, I promise." He implored her, gently pressing her shoulders back to the mattress. Camille groaned a little as he did this. He was only doing it to get her onto her back because he'd heard that sleeping on her side while she was pregnant wasn't good for her back. He'd been completely smothering her since he found out about the baby. At first it was quite sweet, he was constantly bringing her pillows, magazines, drinks and suchlike, but it could get a little over-bearing, especially when she wasn't feeling so good. She'd already experienced the joys of morning sickness, back pain and hormonal mood swings, and at times all she wanted was to be left alone. "Besides, it's not just my baby."
"When it's keeping me awake at four in the bloody morning it is!" She replied, pouting childishly. "Why do you have to do it?"
"Dom's minding the restaurant single-handed and Jarrod's doing both their jobs at the academy." He reminded her. "I agreed because it takes the least time out of my day."
"Have none of them heard of cabs?" She grunted.
"Knowing Lily and Fran they've probably brought back so many souvenirs they'd need RJ's van to bring them back." He chuckled. "I promise I'll try not to wake you when I get back."
Casey pulled the covers back over her and kissed her softly. She was more beautiful to him now than ever. Although she was now close to six months pregnant, and constantly complained about how big she was getting, he still couldn't think of her as anything other than beautiful. He knew his constant worrying annoyed her at times, but he couldn't help it. He only wanted the best for her and the baby. He was still looking forward to the day he could phone his mother and call her "grandma" for the first time.
"Well could you at least get some milk for breakfast while you're out?" She asked him.
"I bought a gallon yesterday." He reminded her.
"Pregnant woman with cravings remember." She replied. Casey just shook his head and left the room. Gathering his coat and his keys, he left the apartment to head to the airport. Although they had only been gone for two weeks, he was already looking forward to seeing them all again. He kind of regretted the fact that he couldn't afford the time or money for a large-scale wedding like theirs before the baby came, but thinking about holding his child for the first time, he couldn't feel too disappointed. Making Camille his wife would be more than enough for him.
Meanwhile on a plane just entering California, Theo was becoming increasingly grouchy as a kid on the seat next to him continued to shove a comic book into his face, pointing out jokes. He had been forcefully befriended by the little guy after their stop-over in Texas, and the kid just wouldn't leave him alone. He jabbed an elbow into RJ, who was sleeping soundly next to him.
"RJ, can't you switch seats for a while?" He complained.
"Theo, you know getting the seat next to the hyperactive four-year-old is your punishment for booking us on this cheap-ass flight."
"Well couldn't I at least have sat next to Fran?" He whined, shoving the comic book away after muttering again that he understood the joke. He had hoped at first that agreeing with the kid that the comic was hilarious would get him to leave him alone, but a hundred or so jokes later, hopes for that were fading fast. "I mean, I thought the point of a honeymoon was to spend time with your wife."
"Theo, we were lucky enough that the flight was oversold." He reminded him. "Now, you know Lily's condition, so I thought it was a given she get one of the first-class seats available, and I thought you'd want Fran to get the other one."
"Lily's been pregnant less than two months." He reminded him.
"Well I could have taken the other first-class seat." RJ answered in a yawn. "Then you could have sat with Fran and your little friend there."
Theo just sat back on his chair and sulked as the comic was rammed into his face again. He knew that Fran had to be having the time of her life in first-class by comparison.
In first-class, Fran and Lily were genuinely enjoying their flight. Although it was so early, they couldn't sleep because of the excitement of getting back to their friends. Fran especially was having a great time, exploring all the little extras and luxuries afforded to them by their upgrade.
"Oooh, what's this?" She slurred, pulling a paper bag out of the pocket in the seat in front of her. "Is it a doggie bag to take home all these goodies?"
Lily just laughed at her. She had been drinking champagne since the flight took off, and the bubbles had meant it went straight to her head. Fran had never even been on a flight before, never mind travelling first class. She could barely contain her laughter as Fran tried to put the headphones into the bag, only to find to her disappointment that they didn't fit.
"Fran, that's a barf bag." She informed her. "You use it if you feel sick."
"Oh, right." She replied, giggling a little at the realisation. She leaned across as the steward came near, holding up her glass.
"Can I have another?" She asked, waving frantically. The steward took it off her.
"Honeymoon." Lily explained. He gave them both a little quizzical look, before heading off to collect that order. Fran giggled and slumped back into her own seat.
"I love honeymoons." She yelled loudly, causing a few of the other passengers to look around. Lily shrunk a little in her chair.
"Fran, you might want to slow down on the champagne." She commented. "I think the baby's starting to move."
"Oh don't be silly, you're only 7 weeks." She slurred. "The baby won't move for a good while yet." She leaned over to talk to Lily's stomach.
"You aren't moving yet, are you little lady?" She looked back up to Lily's face. "You know at this point the baby will be female. It only changes later in development."
Lily was starting to wish Fran didn't know so much. She kind of hoped to use the baby as a trump card to get Fran to settle down, but obviously that wasn't going to work. The steward arrived back with a whole bottle of champagne.
"We only ordered a glass." Lily reminded him.
"It's on me." He whispered. "Me and some of the guys had a bet, and you just won me five hundred dollars."
Lily looked at him a little confused as Fran poured herself another glass.
"Honeymoon?" He said with a wink, before going back to his duties. Lily just held her head in her hands as she realised what he meant. Fran started shaking her shoulder to rouse her attention.
"Lily?" She asked. "Can I have that paper bag now?"
Lily just shook her head and handed the barf bag back to Fran. Theo had a lot to answer for.
Casey arrived in the terminal as the plane began its final approach. He stood by the arrivals area, waiting for his friends to come through customs. He smiled as he saw Theo and RJ coming through the gate first.
"Where are the girls?" He asked them.
"The flight was oversold, so they went first-class." RJ told him. "Their gate's just up that way."
"So how's Camille?" Theo asked as the kid who'd been pestering him smiled and waved at him. He gave a weak little smile back and waved in return.
"She's fine." Casey replied, noticing the gesture. "Who's the kid?"
"Theo made a little friend." RJ informed him in a chuckle as they made their way to the next gate.
"Casey, as a word of advice, when your kid comes, comic books are banned." Theo grumbled. "I never want to see another one as long as I live."
"Well next time, just book a better flight and we can choose our seats." RJ laughed. "OK, it looks like our ladies have arrived."
Fran staggered through the gate, holding her head and squinting to gain her bearings. She tripped over a bag onto the floor, giggling as Lily came through the gate after her. RJ ran over, snatching her hand luggage from her. Theo helped Fran back to her feet.
"Fran?" Theo asked her. "Are you alright?"
"I've felt better." She muttered. "I had a couple of glasses of champagne."
"A couple?" Lily asked, raising her eyebrows. "You had my allowance too! Then that steward gave you that complimentary bottle."
"Did they find out you were celebrating your honeymoon?" Theo asked.
"Something like that." Lily groaned, looking at RJ. "Don't ask, I'll tell you later."
"Wait a minute, why was Fran drinking your share?" Casey asked, picking up their luggage from the carousel. "Wait a minute. Lily wasn't drinking at the wedding either, and now RJ isn't letting her carry..." A large smile crossed his face as he realised their news. Lily had only told RJ before they went on their honeymoon, and Theo and Fran only knew because they were on honeymoon with them. They still hadn't told the others yet, but having been around Camille, Casey knew the signs and had obviously figured it out.
"Congratulations!" He yelled, hugging both Lily and RJ tightly. "How far along are you?"
"About 7 weeks." She responded. "Now, can we get going back to the apartment? I really just want to get home."
"I just want to see if it's still standing." RJ chuckled. "Leaving Dom there single handed, I'm a little worried."
"I don't feel so good." Fran grumbled, turning a little green. "Can we go home?"
"I think that would be a good idea." RJ replied, gathering their bags. "Theo, Casey, I could use a hand."
Gathering their things, they made their way through the terminal, arriving in the parking lot. Casey began loading the cases into the van as Fran and Theo got into the back. RJ quickly joined them, allowing Lily to ride shotgun with Casey.
"So what have we missed while we were away?" RJ asked him. "What's been happening?"
"Well Dom found it a little hard to run the restaurant single-handed, so he got in some help on a temporary basis." He answered. "Gabby was looking for some extra cash, so he let her waitress there."
"That'll be good for her." Lily commented, thinking about the young girl she had coached for her dance competition. "She really has come out of her shell the last few months. Master Phant will be thrilled."
"He was." Casey replied. "Master Finn helps out too; he found he really enjoys cooking. I think you may find it hard to get him to leave."
"I can't wait to catch up with Swoop." Theo remarked. "He said he wanted to know all the details."
"Sometimes I think he isn't as happy being single as he makes out." Fran mused. "Maybe he should get out more. He's kind of attractive..."
"Good luck with that one." RJ laughed. "I just about had to drag him kicking and screaming to that drinking session in Monte Carlo. He really loves his own space. He left the temple to focus on his own training; he refused to teach anyone for ages."
"What made him change his mind?" Lily asked.
"I wouldn't leave him alone until he agreed to train me." He chuckled at the memory. "By the time he agreed, he was so impressed by my stubborn nature he let that whole 'cool, stoic and serious' facade of his slip and showed me his mischievous side. Shortly afterwards we became friends."
"Jarrod's finding his stride at the temple now." Casey informed them. "He seems to really like teaching those students. He's already got quite a few impressive prospects."
"Well I'll see it for myself when I get back to training." Fran chipped in. "If I survive the hangover of course."
The van arrived back at JKP, where they all disembarked. Casey started unloading cases as they made their way inside.
"Home, sweet home." RJ announced, coming into the restaurant and switching on the lights. "I missed this place."
"So did I." Lily replied. RJ held up a hand as she was about to come in.
"Now Mrs. James, we need to do this properly." He told her, putting down his bags. He stepped outside, and picked her up in his arms. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck with a broad smile as he carried her across the threshold.
"Just leave the stuff there." RJ told them, looking down into Lily's eyes. "We'll get it when we wake up."
Casey and Theo just dropped off the bags, before returning to the van. The next stop was Theo and Fran's place. Casey carried the bags as Theo lifted her in through the door. Fran by now had just crashed out in his arms, and was beginning to snore. Casey put the bags down and left wordlessly left as Theo took her to the bedroom. Laying her down, he looked over the woman of his dreams and smiled as he thought about how lucky he was to have her. She was his whole world, and now she was his for life. He kissed her neck as he slid under the covers next to her, placing an arm around her and pulling her into him.
"Goodnight Mrs. Martin." He whispered. Although she was asleep, he could swear he saw her lips twitch into a kind of smile. He lay down his head and drifted off to sleep.
Casey just had one more stop, returning to the gym to return to Camille. Coming in as quietly as he could, he found her in the kitchen, making short work of the orange juice, swigging it from the carton greedily.
"Is junior acting up again?" He asked her. Camille nodded her head as she choked down the last mouthful of juice.
"Where's the milk?" She asked, noticing the absence of any grocery bags. Casey shifted a little uncomfortably as he realised he had forgotten to stop at the gas station for the milk she asked for.
"Sorry, I promise I'll get some later." He replied. "The others were pretty wiped, so we pretty much came straight back."
"Oh!" She gasped. "Casey, come quickly, the baby's moving again!"
He rushed over to her, a massive smile splitting his face. He placed his hand gently on her abdomen, laughing as he felt the movement of his child within her. He held her waist and kissed her abdomen softly.
"Thanks junior." He whispered. "You made getting up at this time worth it."
He stood up to his full height, looking Camille in the eyes. Seeing her standing before him in the kitchen, he was overcome. He ran a hand gently across her cheek.
"I love you." He told her, pulling into a long, passionate kiss. As they embraced in the kitchen with seemingly the entire world still asleep, the world seemed to exist purely for them. Placing his hand once more on her stomach, Casey considered his new life and smiled. He never thought he could be so happy.