Laura drapes a blanket over Zak, making sure his ankle was properly supported before setting a bottle on his bedside table with a glass of water.
"You can take another one of these at four if you wake up. Your crutches are against the end of the bed, and your dad and I are just down the hall if you need anything."
"Thanks, Laura," Zak rasps, his eyes already starting to drift closed. Laura presses a soft kiss to his forehead and stands up, shutting the light off before shutting the door behind her. She sighs heavily as she pads to the bedroom, flipping the hall light off before shutting the door. She finds Bill sitting on the edge of the bed in his boxers, with his head in his hands. She stands between his legs and rubs her hands over his shoulders, massaging gently before tipping his head up.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know," Bill says, resting his ear against her stomach.
"It's not an Aerilon melon, no matter how much it resembles it's size," Laura tells him with a small bemused smile before taking a seat next to him on the bed, "I know you loved her. I know you had good times together, you both raised two amazing young men…it's okay to feel sad."
"I know," Bill says simply. He leans his head against her shoulder, much like Zak had done earlier in the evening. Laura runs her fingers through his hair a few times before standing. She tosses her jeans into the laundry and manages her bra off underneath her shirt before climbing into her side of the bed and pulling Bill down. She flips the lights off and sighs as her fingers continue their exploration of his hair, massaging his scalp gently.
"Your fingers…"
"Just relax," Laura murmurs quietly continuing her ministrations until she feels him fall asleep. She shuffles closer and rests her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat until she finally dozes off herself.
In the middle of the night Laura jolts awake as she hears a desperate cry. She sits quietly for a moment before another one breaks through the silence of the night. She checks the clock before slipping out of bed and padding down the hall to Zak's room. She opens the door and finds Zak tossing back and forth violently in the bed, sweat drenching his brow and back. Laura turns on the bedside light and presses Zak into the bed with a firm hand to his shoulder.
"Zak." Zak snaps awake, wild eyes fluttering around for a few moments before he sinks down to the bed tiredly.
"Sorry."
"Nothing to apologize for," Laura smiles tiredly. She hands Zak one of the pills and makes him take a drink of water before stroking his hair from his face, "Bad dream?"
"Yeah…"
"Keep up with the meds…they help with the dreams at first."
"How do you…?" Zak asks as he straightens out his blankets.
"My dad and my sisters died in a car accident. I was in a rough place after…dreams, nightmares plagued with crashes concocted out of what the officers had told me…self flagellation over not getting them to stay just a few minutes longer…"
"How did you get past it?"
"Threw myself into my work and made quite a few bad decisions," Laura smiles, "Your dad and I are here for you, and I know Lee is too…any time you ever want to talk or vent or just need to get your mind of things."
"Thanks," Zak says, yawning. Laura tucks him in again and turns out the light before heading back to her own bedroom. She makes a pitstop in the bathroom before snuggling back in next to Bill. Bill wraps his arm around her waist, stroking her stomach gently.
"Mmm where you go?" He asks sleepily.
"Bathroom," Laura tells him, "Go back to sleep."
"Mmkay," Bill murmurs, kissing her shoulder before starting to drift off again.
Laura sighs softly as she surveys the boxes in the guest room - no, Zak's room. They had dutifully planned a funeral for Carolanne, helped the boys go through the house to take what they wanted before getting it ready for an estate sale. Zak had taken over the extra bedroom and his guardianship had been transferred to Bill and Laura. Today was his first day back at school and Laura had shooed Bill off to work, using a vacation day for herself with the intent on getting a hold on the clutter that had taken over the apartment.
She had taken control of their bedroom first; changing the sheets, giving the bathroom a wipe down, and gathering all of their laundry into the laundry room. The kitchen was scrubbed down, dirty dishes shoved away in the dishwasher, and a grocery list started and hung on the fridge. Laura gathered all of the papers off of the table, sorting through them quickly enough before stuffing what needed to go to work with her in her bag, putting the rest on the desk in the living room for Bill.
The living room was thoroughly vacuumed before the blankets and pillows were folded and fluffed, reassigned their proper places on the couch and recliner. She reshelved the small stack of books she had collected from walking around, before turning her sights on the TV. She plucked out a few cords and restrung the game station that Zak and Lee had brought over, plugging everything back in once it was tucked nicely in the entertainment center.
Lunch had been eaten and she'd started piles of folded clothes on the kitchen table before ending up in her current position. Laura steps into the room and opens the blinds, throwing the window open as well before starting to sort through the boxes. The clothes get refolded and tucked away in drawers and his books put into the bookshelf along with some of his knick knacks. She puts the boxes with office supplies and things on the desk. Laura looks through the last few boxes, stacking them in the closet before wincing as she straightens out her back. She looks around the small room, deciding to make the bed before deciding to call it a success and reward herself with a shower. Laura hangs her robe up next to the shower and turns the water on to heat up before undressing and slipping in.
She sighs happily as the hot water runs over her body, starting to loosen her muscles. She stands in the spray for a moment before starting to wash her hair. Laura works the suds through her curls, rinsing it out before applying a decent amount of conditioner, untangling knots as she works her fingers through. She clips the hair up out of the way and washes herself down with her favorite body wash, watching as the suds flow down the drain as she rinses off. Laura reaches up to adjust the shower head and the water temperature before turning around and bracing her forearms on the opposing wall. She hums happily as the water pounds against her spine.
Between the pain in her lower back and her hips she could practically feel her joints becoming pliable and shifting. Laura lets the water pound over her back until it starts to cool, straightening up and rinsing the conditioner out of her hair before turning the water off. She wrings the curls out before wrapping herself in her robe.
Laura dresses in a tank top and a pair of leggings, hanging her robe up to dry before carrying her dirty clothes to the laundry. She swaps the loads out and takes the freshly dried items to the living room, folding them and adding them to the piles before sinking down on the couch with a happy sigh. She watches as the baby rolls around a few times, limbs flailing.
"You need to take a nap little missy," Laura says. She massages a lump on her stomach gently as her eyes start to drift closed, "I think mommy needs a nap too."
Laura dozes quietly for a couple hours before waking up when she hears a key in the lock. She yawns and rubs her eyes before standing up. Zak hobbles in on crutches, shutting the door behind himself.
"Hey, how was school?" Laura asks taking his bag off his back for him and setting it on the couch.
"School," Zak says with a small smile. Laura rolls her eyes and shakes her head with a smile.
"I picked up today, unpacked some of your boxes," Laura tells Zak as she goes to switch the laundry again, putting the last load in the washer. She sets the basket on the table and starts to fold the clothes, "Your dad is at work until about 5:30, are you hungry? I can make you a snack."
"Oh…yeah sure, that'd be great," Zak says as he discards his crutches on the edge of the couch, carrying his bag over to the clean corner of the table. Laura cuts up an apple and puts it on a plate with some crackers and cheese, setting it down next to Zak with a glass of water as well.
"Why don't we go surprise your dad at work tonight and get dinner out?" Laura suggests as she finishes folding clothes. Zak nods as he chews, setting his pencil down. Laura smiles at him, "Good. We'll leave around five or so."
Laura unloads the dishwasher, putting everything back in it's place before adding the couple dishes she'd dirtied over lunch and making Zak's snack. She continues to putter around, picking up a few small things as Zak works on his homework, continuing through the laundry before she finishes it. She takes hers and Bill's clothes to the bedroom, putting them away in their proper places before taking Zak's pile and setting it on the edge of his bed. She picks up the few baby items that had been laundered and sets them on top of her dresser. Her thumb strokes over one of the tiny socks before she grabs a sweater out of the closet and going back to the living room.
"You ready to go?" Laura asks Zak, putting her sweater on and smoothing it out over her belly.
"Yeah just one second," Zak finishes writing before putting his pencil down and closing his notebook. He pushes himself up and limps over to his crutches, picking them up.
"You want to take the rail or drive?"
"Um, we can take the rail," Zak affirms. Laura slips her feet into some flats and follows him out of the apartment after grabbing her purse. The two make their way to the rail station at a slow pace. Laura tells Zak to take the empty seat in the busy car, holding onto the back of his chair as they ride the few stops to the Academy. Once they get inside Laura leads Zak to Bill's office, knocking gently in the doorway.
Bill was talking to a young blonde cadet, standing at ease in front of his desk. He looks over and smiles at Laura and Zak before turning his face back to the cadet, dropping the Adama facade back in place.
"Hit the gym, Thrace. Give it a couple days before I see you in this office again."
"Sir, yes, sir," Kara salutes before moving to leave the office. She grins and winks at Zak before slipping past him and Laura.
"You two are a sight for sore eyes," Bill says as he stands, closing the folder in front of him.
"Already bringing down the hammer, Commander?" Zak asks as he hobbles into his father's office.
"Just on those that need it," Bill says, stepping forward to wrap his arms around his son, patting his back, "How was school?"
"Fine," Zak says.
"I thought we could go out for dinner," Laura supplies.
"I think that sounds like a great idea," Bill agrees smiling at Laura. She smiles back at him and winks, "Let me grab my bag and we can go."
Bill goes back to his desk and grabs his briefcase before turning off his desk lamp and joining his two guests at the door.
"Where are we going?" Bill asks them. He closes the door behind them and locks it before they start to navigate their way towards the entrance.
"There's that burger joint down the block, we never go there any more," Zak suggests.
"Laur?" Bill asks with an arched eyebrow.
"Sounds great to me," Laura smiles, wrapping an arm around Bill's waist. Bill does the same to her, resting a hand on her belly.
"Someone's throwing elbows," Bill comments.
"Mmm…She's being ornery today," Laura comments as they walk.
"How was your day cleaning?"
"Very successful, it's like a whole new home," Laura smiles, following the boys into the restaurant they had decided to go to.
Later that evening, Laura sighs as she climbs into bed sitting up and reading for a while while she listens to the shower and Bill getting ready for bed. He comes out of the bathroom in his boxers, tossing his clothes into the laundry. He notices the small stack of pink clothes on the corner of the dresser, he flips through them before stroking the tiny socks on top much the same way Laura had earlier in the day.
"We should probably go shopping soon," Bill says as he turns around, turning off the overhead light before climbing into his side of the bed.
"Shopping?" Laura asks as she looks up from her book, marking her page before closing the cover. She sets her glasses on top of her book and shuffles down the bed after flicking her light off.
"Baby shopping," Bill clarifies, wrapping an arm around Laura's shoulders as she snuggles closer.
"Mmm, I feel much better about shopping now that this place is at least some semblance of organized," Laura agrees as she smoothes a hand over his chest.
"Oh yeah?" Bill asks, flipping his own light off. Laura nods, pressing a kiss to his tattoo.
"Let's go this weekend," Laura murmurs, continuing to press kisses to Bill's chest. He runs his hand lazily over her back.
"Should I stop talking now?"
"No, no, feel free to keep talking," Laura says as she moves to the other side of his chest, slinging a leg over his hips to straddle him. Bill chuckles and slips his hands under the t-shirt she was wearing.
"Thank you, for what you did today," Bill tells her.
"You are very welcome," Laura smiles against his skin before biting playfully. She sits up and runs her fingers up over the smooth expanse, dragging her nails back down. She teasingly dips her fingertips underneath the top of his boxers before leaning down and pressing her lips to his. Bill eagerly kisses her back, arching his hips to tease her.
Laura tears her lips from Bill's, kissing down to his ear. She nibbles on his earlobe playfully and trails her tongue over the shell.
"I want you to frak me, hard, fast…I want you to take what you want…I want you to make me scream," Laura husks in his ear, biting his lobe once again and tugging forcefully.
"Oh is that what you want," Bill husks back at her, holding her hips firmly in place as he grinds up against her. Laura nods as she looks down at him with dark eyes, lust swirling in their green depths.
"Just what were you reading before bed?" Bill inquires as he pushes her shirt up and off, his hands cupping her full breasts and kneading slowly, "Something naughty."
"Very naughty," Laura moans, arching into his hands. He removes a hand from her breasts, slipping it between them to cup her core.
"You're so godsdamn wet," Bill says as he trails his fingers over her. Laura rocks against the sensation, a gasp on her lips. He deposits her on the bed next to him and kisses her hungrily as he firmly strokes his fingers over her. He pulls both away and pants as he looks down at her, "On your knees."
Laura grins and rolls over propping herself up on her knees as her upper body rests on her forearms. Bill sheds his boxers before sitting up on his own knees behind her. He rubs his hands over the round globes of her ass, squeezing before both of his thumbs teasingly dip into her center, their tips spreading her wetness. His cock twitches before he rubs himself against her, coating his length in her juices before surging into her.
Laura buries her moans in the pillow underneath her head, her hands clenching for substance. Bill gives her a moment before he starts to move his hips against hers, slowly at first, finding a decent rhythm before he speeds up. He watches as her fingers clench and unclench in the pillow, her moans muffled in their fluff. Bill bites his bottom lip and closes his eyes, pounding into her hard. His hand curls around her waist, gripping at her mound with a firm hand. His fingers press firmly against her clit as he feels her start to tense. Bill leans over her, his hips not missing stride at all as he whispers in her ear.
"Cum for me, on me…let go," Bill rasps in her ear, feeling his balls start to tighten. He rubs a firm thumb over her clit. Laura takes a quick, short breaths as she feels her impending release, "I know you're there."
Bill bites at her shoulder, massaging her faster. Laura buries her face in the pillow and pushes back against him as she screams out, her muscles locking down around Bill. Bill grunts, thrusting into her a few more times before his own release pulses out.
"Oh frak Laura," Bill groans softly. Laura shifts her face out of the pillow, letting out a few shuddering whimpers, her body pulsing. He sinks down to her side, keeping her ass nestled against him, his cock still buried inside her, "Frak."
Laura chuckles breathlessly, tugging Bill's arm tight around her.
"My sentiments exactly," She presses a kiss to his palm as her eyes close, "Thank you."
[TBC]