(Alex and Wes are 19, home for winter break from his sophomore year at The Academy.
Ana and Max are 3)
I make my way from the transporter room with my duffle bag in tow. After finishing my last exam, I took a shuttle craft to the nearest star base so I could beam to the ship. Wes is on a different schedule than me, and still has an exam tomorrow, so I should see him in a few days. We get a month for winter break.
I almost walked into the wrong quarters. Dad became captain about two months ago so everything's been moved. This will be my first time in the new quarters, which in my mind are still Picard's quarters.
I walk in and am hit with a strange feeling. Sure, in my head these are still "Picard's," but my parents really gave the space their own touch. It's like I'm in my old quarters but bigger. Between not knowing what room is what and not wanting to make any assumptions and being super exhausted from finals I instantly fall asleep on the couch.
After however much time passes I hear the door open, but I'm too tired to react.
"Aww, the Cadet's passed out on the couch after finals. Ain't that familiar." It's my dad's voice. I can almost see his facial expression based on his tone.
"Don't you dare." I mumble.
"Dare what?"
"I dunno."
I hear him chuckle. I still haven't opened my eyes.
"Up!"
"Nooo."
"Up!"
"Shuddup."
"Don't say shut up to me. Up!"
"Fine." I mumble and force my eyes open and sit up.
"Raktajino." I tell the replicator.
"Finals tough?" My dad asks sympathetically.
"Yeah. But I think I did ok."
"Good! So your choice is to get the dining room ready for dinner or to pick up the twins from preschool. Your mother is on an away mission and won't be home until around 8."
"I'll get the twins." That should be cute, right? I chug the Raktajino as fast as I can.
"Careful chugging in uniform." He says as I put the cup down.
"Aye, sir." I say sarcastically. That got a laugh out of him.
I go to get the twins from their school room. I video chat with them often enough that they know who I am. They run up to me in this adorable stampede.
"Hey sibs!" I say, picking them up with one in each arm. I kiss the tops of both of their heads.
"Alex!" Ana says in that adorable toddler voice.
"Ana!" I reply, mimicking her tone.
I put them down, thinking I could walk them back, until I realize they're too short and I'm too tall to walk holding hands with them. So I pick them back up and walk back to the quarters, where dinner is all set up. Mac and cheese casserole a la replicator. Some good "home cooking." The twins dive into it an immediately get it all over their faces. I'm waiting for one to throw their food at another.
"Why is your school so far away?" Max asks with giant puppy dog eyes.
"Cause it's a special school for grown ups." I reply .
"Why can't you go to school here?" Oh just tug at my heart strings why don't you?
"Because grown ups have to go to grown up school."
"Do I have to go to grown up school?"
"If you want." I reply.
Mom walks in. The twins stop everything and run to her.
"Hello, hello!" She says, endeared by them.
"How was the mission?" I ask.
"Oh, it got cut short for reasons I'll tell you later." She sighs as she sits down. "How are you?"
"Finals were good, had a good nap, kids were happy to see me."
"Good." She pauses. "You look so adorable in that Cadet uniform."
"I'd look more adorable in a Cadet uniform!" Ana interjects.
"Well then study hard and you can show me!" My mom says to her.
About an hour later, I see my mom reading the twins a story. She's sitting on the floor leaning against the couch and they're in front of her. I feel a bit of jealousy, as stupid as it sounds. I wasn't read to that often, cause they were new, inexperienced parents with me and they would come home exhausted and not know how to fake energy for my sake. Just them my mom stops reading and turns to me.
"Come on." She says, smiling. "You're my kid too." She gestures to come over. I put down the book I was reading and sit in between the kids, putting an arm around each of them. This is nice.
