Space Cropper's AU

Effra Casts the Spell…

Dedication to a Full Recovery…

Part 10

Breakfast was almost finished when Judy joined her family. "I hope I'm not too late," she said as she bounced into her seat.

"I thought you were going to sleep late today?" Penny asked.

"Once you got up, I couldn't get back to sleep."

"Where's Don?" Will asked. "He's usually already here before we get up."

"He must be still asleep," Judy said.

John's eyebrows lifted and he gazed at her. She seemed especially perky this particular morning. He wondered if… but then told himself that it really wasn't any of his business at this point… but… she was still his little girl… living under his roof… with his younger children…

Maureen caught his eye and knew exactly what he was thinking, so she tried to change his focus by saying, "I'm glad he's finally getting some sleep. He couldn't keep going the way he was."

"May I venture a guess that the evil spell has been broken?" Smith asked with a twinkle in his eye as he sat down to join the family.

Judy smiled coyly and replied, "You can guess as much as you like, Dr. Smith. My lips are sealed."

Don then sauntered out of the ship, fixing the cuff of his shirt. "Will you unseal them for me?" he asked, and then gave her a quick kiss on the lips before he sat down.

"Major, you look quite… satisfied this morning," Smith commented.

"Just following your medical advice, Doctor Smith," Don replied.

Smith was shocked. The major had actually called him by his title. "As well you should, Major." He accepted a cup of coffee from Maureen and toasted Don.

As Maureen handed Don his mug, she was amazed at the change in his features and demeanor from the previous day. Like her husband, she wondered what had gone on between her daughter and her fiancé. Whatever it was, it seemed to have banished the demons that had been haunting them both since the croppers left.

"Have you thought about what songs you want sung at the wedding, Judy?" Penny asked.

"Yes, but I'm open to suggestions. Don, do you have any favorite songs you want played?"

"Stairway to Heaven?" he asked.

John cleared his throat. He had had enough innuendo for one day. "Will, Penny… I think it's time that you both started your chores."

"But, Dad, we need to know what songs we're going to be singing."

"Later. I want to talk with Judy and Don right now."

"Oh, I must be tending to my chores also… Work, work, work… builds character," Dr. Smith stated as he made a hasty exit with the children.

Before Don could open his mouth to retort, the table was cleared of everyone except Maureen and John. He had a feeling that he and Judy were in for a lecture.

John crossed his arms. "All right, what went on between you two last night?"

Judy and Don glanced at each other, neither wanting to talk about their intimacy of the night before. "With all due respect, John, what went on between Judy and me really isn't any of your business."

John's temper was warming. "Whatever you do under my roof is my business, Major West."

Don was not intimidated by his 'friend' and challenged his belief. "Excuse me, but the last time I looked, the ship belonged to all of us, not just you."

"I am the commander of this vessel as well as Judy's father! I have a right to know what is going on with her."

Judy looked helplessly at her mother, and Maureen tried to intervene. "Now, John…"

"Stay out of this Maureen. You should be as upset as I am. They did 'something' with Penny and Will close by. That is not right!"

Judy's blood was boiling now too. "Dad, we didn't do anything wrong. We did what we needed to do to finally lay that spell to rest."

"What else was laid, young lady?"

Don was furious now. He stood and confronted John. "What did you say?"

John stood nose to nose with Don, but before he could repeat himself, both Maureen and Judy intervened to calm their mates. "Father! For your information I am still a virgin, but I agree with Don that our sex life is none of your business."

"When it affects Penny and Will, it is."

"So what are we supposed to do, stay celibate for the rest of our lives?" Don asked.

Maureen raised her hands. "That's enough! Both of you… Now, let's all sit down like adults and discuss this calmly."

They stood their ground for one more moment, and then both sat.

"No, Don, we don't expect that. Do we, John?" Maureen stated.

"I'm… I'm sorry. I guess I was being unreasonable," John replied.

"Look, John, we made sure to respect everyone's privacy by keeping things very quiet, and I think that we deserve the same in return," Don said.

Embarrassment was creeping up John's neck. Don was right. "I supposed I'm… having a reaction to losing my oldest daughter."

"You're not losing me Dad. If anything, you're gaining a son."

"And not losing a friend," Don added.

John's managed a brief smile. "I suppose that was on my mind too. I guess I'm afraid of how much things will change."

"One thing will never change, Dad. We'll always love you and respect your privacy as well as Penny's and Will's. Can you do the same for us?"

He nodded.

"Well, I need to find Penny and Will and talk about music." She gave her father a peck on the cheek and left the table.

"Forgive me, Don?" John asked.

"Nothing to forgive," Don said. Though he hoped not, he stated, "I'll probably be the same way with my daughter." He reached out and shook John's hand. "I'm going to work on the Chariot," and he left.

"Well, I suppose I made a spectacle of myself," John stated.

"Yes, you did," Maureen replied.

"Judy's always been so sensitive and delicate. I'm afraid to turn her over to another man to take care of her."

"But we already did… a long time ago, and Don has proven that he's up to the task."

"I guess you're right. It's hell growing old."

"I beg your pardon! Our children are growing up – we are not growing old."

"Did I tell you that I love you today?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't mind hearing it again."

"I love you, Maureen. I hope that they'll always be as happy as we are…"

To be continued…