I'm so sorry that it took me so long to update this story. I was having a really hard time writing this chapter so I asked a friend to write it for me. Thank you HepburnJunkie22 for writing this chapter for me. Hope all of my readers enjoy this chapter.
At about 1700 that night, Bill comes home from his shift and puts away the things that he brought back from the Observation Room. He aches from such a long day, but deep down he knows that Laura is looking forward to this; it has been a while since they have seen his children, and it is long over due. He looks around for any sign of his wife, finally finding her in the head.
She is putting on the last remnants of the makeup that she faithfully brought on her trip to Galactica that very first time. Her head is bare; the soft and delicate skin on display for the world to see for once. She is wearing the pink shirt and one of her regular black skirts; he sees her toes dance on the cold tile of the bathroom. Bill slips in behind her and wraps his arms around her waist and gently lowers his lips to the nape of her neck, kissing the skin softly.
"How do I look?" Laura says playfully.
"Beautiful," Bill says against her exposed neck, "So, are they both coming?"
"Yes, they are and they seem very pleased about coming," Laura says and then turns around to face Bill. "Also, I had a talk with Kara."
He cocks his head to the side, "What about?"
"She's depressed and is not doing too well. She was at the bar when we talked," Laura says, hesitant to continue. "She doesn't know what to do with Sam and it's just getting worse. She's hoping that tonight will cheer her up."
Bill grumbles softly, "That's not good. I'm sure tonight will cheer her up."
She can tell by the non-emotional way in which he responds that he doesn't really want to face the repercussions of Kara's feelings. The Almighty Admiral refuses to believe that he and his family could possibly have problems.
"Yes well," continues Laura, "Let's hope that it does."
Bill watches as she looks at the side of the sink, the treacherous wig on full display, with a grimace. It isn't a secret to anyone that Laura despises the wig, but it helps her keep her confidence in front of the fleet and Quorum. He runs his knuckles gently down the side of her cheek, gaining her attention. "Why don't you forgo the wig Madame President, after all it's only a family night," Bill teases gently.
She strokes the strands of the wig as she thinks about it, and he can tell when she makes some sort of a decision. Wordlessly she opens the drawer to the left of the sink and pulls out her favorite green headscarf, the one that Bill swears makes her eyes pop. Laura smiles at him nervously, plucking at the fabric in her hands. "Help me put it on?" she questions.
He nods quickly as she turns around, winking at him from her reflection in the mirror. He chuckles quietly as he gently wraps the fabric around her head, careful not to tie the knot too tight. As he tucks the tail of the scarf behind the knot at the back of her head, his fingers faintly brush her scalp causing her to inhale softly. Bill smiles as he looks down at her back and then places a gentle kiss on the crown of her now covered head. "Beautiful," he states, as their eyes meet once again in the mirror.
She turns around in his arms, smiling happily, reaching on her tiptoes to place a chaste kiss on his lips. Before he can deepen it she slips out of his arms and around his back, gently patting his shoulders. "We will never be on time if you start that," she giggles, "Now hurry!"
He mock salutes her as she exits the head and she can hear a faint, "Yes Ma'am."
Laura shakes her head amusedly as she looks to the clock. They have forty minutes before their dinner guests are due to arrive. She curls up on her side on the well-worn leather couch and reaches for her book she was reading earlier, she was just getting to the good part. Soon she is so engrossed in her novel that she barely hears the knock at the hatch, in fact it probably isn't until the third or fourth knock that she is startled from her story. She looks worriedly at the clock but realizes she has only been reading for ten minutes or so, whoever it is they are early.
Laura dog-ears the page in her book and stands from the couch slowly, running her hands gently over her head insuring the fabric is indeed still in place. She makes her way carefully to the hatch and spins the wheel, heaving the heavy door open. She is surprised to see Lee standing before her, probably more nervous than she has ever seen him.
"Lee," she greets him with a warm smile, "Please come in!" She steps aside lightly as he strides through the hatch with purpose; he seems to be entranced with what is on top of her head. She turns quickly to shut the door, smiling to herself as she does. Lee seems to snap out of his stupor by the time she turns around and gives her a genuine smile.
"You look lovely Madame President," he says softly.
Laura places her hand gently on his arm, "Please Lee, after all we've been through, call me Laura."
He hums softly as he smiles again, "Alright Laura."
She draws her arms down to her sides self consciously, looking around the room for a second. She spins on her heel and walks towards the drink cart, gesturing for Lee to have a seat on the couch. "Would you like something to drink?" she questions with a raised eyebrow.
"Uhh," he stutters for a moment, "Water please Mad…Laura."
She smiles as she pours the water, amused that he had in fact caught himself before using her title. She hands him his glass as she sits next to him with a flourish, crossing her knees fluidly. He has become entranced with something else and she becomes amused when she realizes it is her shoeless foot.
A shock, huh Lee? She thinks to herself.
When he continues to fidget next her, seemingly very nervous, she takes pity on him and ends the slightly awkward silence. "Not that I don't appreciate the company, Lee," she begins, "But you do realize you're early right?"
His eyes widen just a little at her statement and he clears his throat forcefully. Then he does something that reminds Laura so much of his father she can't help but chuckle inwardly; he rubs the back of his head a few times, contemplating how to begin. "Well…I guess...that is," he stalls, "I just wanted to talk to you."
She smiles slightly and waits for him to continue, knowing he has more than just that on his mind. When he fails to continue, she decides to prompt him just a little. Laura cocks her head to the side, "I'm all ears Lee."
He sighs heavily and she knows that something seems to be weighing on his mind.
"I know in the past you and I have had some good times," he recalls, "but in more recent times our interactions have been…strained."
Laura contemplates him seriously as he trails off, wondering where exactly he is going with this.
"But," he continues, "I just wanted you to know that there is no one more perfect or deserving for my father."
She feels so many emotions at once from such a heartfelt and simple confession. Not that Laura has sought out Lee's permission to marry his father, but she at least wanted acceptance. She feels her eyes fill with tears at his admission and she wipes at them furiously not wanting to embarrass the young man any further. She is surprised when Lee catches one of her hands and places it between both of his own, looking straight into her eyes.
"And I am very lucky to have you as a part of my family," he finishes sincerely.
Before he can pull back, Laura's other hand has shot out and wrapped around his back, pulling him in for a gentle but meaningful hug. She can feel him tense slightly at first contact and then relax the longer she holds on. She whispers tearfully in his ear, "Thank you."
Just inside of the doorway the Admiral leans against the wall, smiling slightly, having heard the entire exchange. He is glad that Lee has finally felt comfortable enough to speak to Laura about his feelings. He knows a lot has happened between Madame President and her Apollo, but he also knows that they need each other.
As always, reviews are appreciated! Hope you enjoyed it!