-1Chapter 29- True blue
The next morning when Eureka woke up, she could still feel the warmth of Rentons body up against her bare skin. She just smiled and sighed gently as she remembered the night that they had shared with one another. They had spent most of the evening together making slow passionate love to each other. Every gentle kiss, every touch of skin was a precious memory of that night to her. As she layed there with her eyes closed fully relaxed and comfortable, Renton began to gently stir and wake up. Gently he tightened his embrace on his wife, never wanting to let her go. She just smiled and turned to face him, her chest against his and their legs crossing each other. She then gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, causing him to open his eyes and look at her.
"Hi." he said gently.
"Good morning." she replied.
"How are you?"
"Wonderful. How about you?"
"I'm well. How did you sleep?"
"Very well thank you. I really enjoyed my time with you last night."
"So did I. So what should we do today?"
"I don't know. I'm just enjoying my time with you right now."
"Yeah, so am I. Are you hungry at all?"
"A little. How about you?"
"Somewhat."
"What should we do for breakfast?"
"I'm not sure yet." he replied as he began to run his fingers over her body. "I can think of one thing I want though."
"Oh really?" she said gently. "And what's that?" Renton just gave her a warm smile and a passionate kiss before making love to her one more time before they began their day.
"Holland, can you get Stephen? I'm busy with Felicity." said Talho.
"Can't you handle both?" he replied. "I've got other things I've got to do."
"No I can't. Now hurry up!"
"Are you sure?"
"Holland Novak!! You have got to the count of three to get your scrawny butt in here!"
"Ok I'm coming!" he yelled from their room. "Geez, I'm trying to get this bird back in the air for christs sake!"
"Yeah and I have four kids I have to get to school, so what's your point?"
"Man, what's with the mood swings all of a sudden?"
"I'm not having mood swings. I just need your help."
"Ok, if you say so."
"Morning mom." said Eureka from in behind them.
"Hi dear." Talho replied.
"Hey Eureka." said Holland.
"Hi dad. How are you?"
"Keeping busy as always. Where's Renton?"
"In the kitchen making us breakfast, so I'd thought I'd check on Felicity while I was waiting."
"Can you take her then?" asked Talho. "I have to get the kids to school."
"Sure mom. Go on ahead."
"Thanks, I owe you one." Talho then gave her a quick hug before heading towards the hangar.
"Is mom ok? She's acting strange."
"I don't know." Holland replied. "The last time she was like this was when she was pregnant with Stephen."
"Dad, you don't think…"
"I don't know. But I think it's time I had a little talk with Mischa to see if she knows anything."
"ooh, my head." said Julia as she woke up. "Where am I?"
"Good morning to you too." Steve chuckled. "How are you doing?"
"I feel like I've been hit by a bus."
"I see. You did have quite a bit to drink last night."
"Are we still on the Gekko?"
"Yep. Jurgens and John left earlier. They told me to tell you to take the day off."
"Good. I could use it right now. Have you got any asprin at all?"
"Nope, but I'm sure you can ask the ships doctor for some."
"Good. Why are you still here?"
"I took the day off too."
"You did?" she asked while blushing slightly.
"Yeah. I figured why the hell not you know?"
"Yeah, I guess. What do you plan on doing today?"
"I was thinking of hanging around here to see how these guys work."
"Well, what do you think about going out for breakfast?"
"You mean me and you?"
"Sure. Is there a problem with that?"
"Nope. Let's get going then. I'm hungry."
"Don't worry Holland." said Mischa a little bit later. "She had a test ran on her and it came out negative."
"It did eh?"
"Yes it did. But sometimes those tests can be inaccurate. So I told her we'd run another test in a few days. Why, are you worried?"
"No I'm not Mishca. If she is pregnant, I'll still be happy for us."
"Good. I'll let you know in several days ok?"
"Alright. Thanks Mischa."
"Renton, is breakfast ready yet?" asked Eureka as she walked into the kitchen.
"Just about. I made a bottle for Felicity also."
"Thanks dear."
"How is our little girl anyways?"
"She's fine."
"That's good. Are the kids off to school?"
"Yep. Talho has that taken care of."
"That's good. And Breakfast is now ready."
"Alright." Eureka replied as she fed Felicity. "What did you make?"
"Pancakes, toast, eggs, ham, and oj."
"Sounds good dear. Thank you."
"Sure dear, now let's eat."
As the day after Halloween progressed, everyone slowly and surely recovered from the festivities. Steve and Julia ended up staying out the entire day, Renton and Eureka stayed aboard the ship, Holland pretty much avoided Talho since he knew what was going on, and everyone else did their day to day activities and routines. And since Eureka was on board, Holland began her training for the day she would take over as captain. Renton watched Felicity for the day while she did this and Anemone took Stephen for the day.
"Now Eureka, do you understand the basics of what I've told you today?" asked Holland that evening. "I know I drilled all of this information into you today, but I just want to make sure you know what to do when the time comes that you take over this ship."
"I understand dad, don't worry. I know it'll be a lot of work, but I'm sure I can handle it. I promise I won't let you down."
"I know you won't Eureka. You haven't let me down yet since I've known you, and I don't think you'll start now."
"No I won't. I'm sure of it dad."
"Good. Are you and Renton planning on staying on the ship for the next six to seven months since you're here?"
"I'm not sure. I'd hate to pull the kids out of school again. We just got them back in."
"That's understandable. Why don't you have Axel watch them again?"
"I could, but I don't want to leave them like that. We've been doing so well with them so far."
"That's fine. You know enough to run the ship, so if you want to stay home with the kids until the time comes, you know you have that choice."
"Thanks dad. I think we'll do that."
"Ok. But we do have to get back to work here. We've been off too long already. We'll come back for you when the time comes."
"That's fine. Thanks for understanding me dad."
"Hey, you're a new mother, so I understand how you feel. Just make sure you take care of yourselves while we're gone."
"We will. What about Anemone? She can't fight for much longer either."
"That decision is up to her. We'll let her make that when the time comes."
"Ok dad."
"What do you mean you don't want me on the Venturion?!" yelled Anemone. "Don't you think you should have talked to me first before making that decision?"
"I'm sorry Anemone." said Dominic. "But I just don't want you out there anymore at this time."
"Why not?"
"Anemone, we have two children to worry about! I don't want you risking your life or theirs!"
"I'm fine Dominic! I'm only at four months! I can handle being out there just a little bit longer!"
"NO ANEMONE! I can't let you do it!"
"HEY!! You don't EVER tell me what to do! I'm your wife for heavens sake!"
"That may be, but I still out rank you in the military! So consider this an order!"
"We're not on the Izumo Dominic! This is a whole different ship with different rules!"
"I don't care! I don't want you out there! That's final!"
"You can't do that Dominic!"
"I already did. I had the Venturion put on lockdown on the Izumo. Me and Jurgens are the only two who can get at it."
"HOW COULD YOU?!" she yelled in his face. Anemone then turned and stormed towards their bedroom door.
"I did it because I love you!"
"No you didn't. You did it for your own satisfaction." she then left their room and headed towards the hangar.
"Anemone." said Dominic quietly after she left.
"Ready to head home Renton?" asked Eureka the next morning.
"Yep, all set. Let's go home."
"Ok. Talho will be dropping the kids off later."
"Sounds good."
"Alright. Nirvash heading out!" and they raced off the Gekko and into the skies over Bellforest. As they were flying along, Renton heard whimpering in the back seat.
"What was that?" he asked.
"I don't know. Is Felicity ok?"
"Yeah. She's sleeping already."
"Hmm, maybe you were hearing things."
"Yeah, you could be right."
"Hey, sis?" said a sad voice. Anemone then came out from under a blanket that she was hiding in.
"Anemone! What are you doing here?!" asked Eureka.
"I had to get away from Dominic and I was afraid you wouldn't let me go with you."
"All you had to do was ask Anemone. We would've said yes to you anytime."
"Thanks."
"But you know the GekkoState is leaving now. They won't be back for several weeks now, maybe more."
"Yes I know. I'll stay at our place since our rent comes out automatically. All I have to worry about is bills and food."
"What about Dominic?" asked Renton.
"I'm not worried about him right now. I'll explain it to you later. Can you just drop me off at home?"
"Sure sis." Eureka replied.
"Thanks. Just don't tell anyone where I'm at ok?"
"We won't, I promise."
"But we have to go back!" said Dominic later on in the day. "I can't find Anemone anywhere!"
"We can't Dominic!" said Holland. "There are several more bases that have popped up that we have to take out in order to slow the rebels down. Orders from the NFA are more important right now."
"But…. I'm no good without an LFO!"
"Yes you are. If you and Anemone are planning on staying on this ship when Eureka takes over, then I have some things we need to train you on."
"But…"
"I'm sorry Dominic. I don't know what kind of problems you and Anemone are having, but you'll have to solve them later. Besides, I'm sure she's just avoiding you and is hiding somewhere."
"I hope so."
"Thanks you guys." said Anemone. "I owe you one."
"Don't mention it." said Renton as he walked Anemone up to her apartment. Eureka had stayed home with the kids when Renton had brought her home. And even though Axel wanted Diane on the ship, she stayed at home with Avriana so Nadia could keep her in school also. "So what do you plan on doing next?"
"I'm not sure. I'll probably try to find a part time job somewhere so I can support myself. I hope that won't be too hard."
"Well, I'll talk to gramps and maybe I can get you a job as a secretary or something like that since our paperwork does tend to get backed up."
"Thanks Renton. I'll owe you one if you do."
"Don't worry about it. It's the least I can do for you."
"You're a great brother, you know that?"
"Hey, I try." he replied as he gave her a gentle hug and a peck on the cheek. "Now, you know where the shop is right?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Good. Be there at nine in the morning. I'll see what I can do for you from there."
"Thanks again Renton for helping me out."
"No problem sis. You take care ok?"
"Thanks, I will." they then gave each other one more gentle hug before Renton went home for the night.
"Eureka, I'm home!" said Renton a little while later.
"Hi dear. How's Anemone doing?"
"Obviously upset but ok. I wonder what happened between her and Dominic?"
"I wish I knew."
"Well it's obvious she still loves him, so I don't think they're separating. But something caused her to leave."
"I'm sure she'll tell us when she's ready."
"I think so too. I told her I'd try to get her a job at the shop as a secretary doing paperwork so she can support herself."
"That's good. I hope you can."
"Me too. Are the kids in bed already?"
"Yeah, they are."
"And how is my little girl doing?"
"Just fine. Want to take her?"
"Of course." he replied as he took Felicity into his arms. Felicity just layed there in his arms and smiled at her father. Renton just smiled back and said "She's such a beautiful little one. Almost too cute for words."
"Yes she is." Eureka replied as they sat next to each other on their sofa. "I'm so glad she's in our lives now."
"Me too dear." he replied. The two then cuddled close to each other and spent the rest of the evening with their youngest daughter.
The next morning, Renton arrived at work and asked Axel about what he could do about helping Anemone.
"Yeah, I could use the help." said Axel. "It would save me a bunch of time. Is she coming today?"
"Yes she is. I told her to be here at nine."
"Good. She can get to work right away then."
"Really? Thanks grandpa!"
"Have Eureka start tomorrow also."
"Say what?"
"She can work here too since it is a family business. I'm sure she wouldn't mind making her own money."
"Who would watch Felicity then?"
"She can be here with her. We'll set up some office space for them and a spot for Felicitys play pen crib in a corner behind Eureka. It should work out fine."
"Awesome gramps! You're the best ever!"
"Yeah yeah. Now get to work on the new office. Use the room next to mine."
"Ok!"
"Good morning Mr.Thurston!" said Anemone as she arrived a little bit later. "Where's Renton?"
"In the office next to mine working on it. He has your desk waiting for you."
"My desk?"
"Yes and you already have a bunch of work to do, so get to it."
"Really? Thank you sir!"
"Don't mention it. And call me Axel. We are family you know. And by the way, you'll be working with your sister starting tomorrow, so don't get too distracted working with her."
"I won't. I promise!"
"Good. Get moving then."
"Right!" she replied happily.
"Eureka, this is Renton, do you copy?" he asked on the radio on his lunch break.
"Hi dear. I copy. Go ahead." she replied a few seconds later.
"I've got some good news for you."
"What's that?"
"You got a job here starting tomorrow!" he replied happily.
"That's great dear! Thank you! But what about Felicity and Anemone?"
"You'll be working with Anemone! And grandpa said you can watch Felicity here while you work. We have a space in you and Anemone's office for Felicitys playpen crib."
"Wonderful dear! Thank grandpa for me."
"I will. Love you."
"Love you too. Eureka out."
"Renton out."
"Hey Holland." said Talho a couple of weeks later. "How is Dominic holding up?"
"Training wise he's doing well and is picking up on things really quick. On another note, I don't think his heart is really into it right now."
"I know. He's been really depressed ever since he found out Anemone left. I wonder what happened between them that would make her do that."
"I wish I knew. He keeps saying that she got mad at him for sending the Venturion out for maintenance, but I think it's way more than that."
"I agree. I'll try talking to him myself later on sometime. Maybe he'll tell me more about what's going on."
"Ok, good luck. You'll probably need it."
"Hey Anemone, here are some more work orders!" said Eureka several days later.
"Alright. Put them here on my desk. Renton brought up some more parts orders for you also."
"Ok. Anything from grandpa?"
"No, but I think he's wondering why business has picked up."
"Do you think your little advertising scheme is working?"
"I think so. I can't believe he never thought of doing something like this before."
"I know. How was Felicity while I was gone?"
"Just fine. She's been sitting there in her crib just playing with her toys happy as can be."
"That's good. She's been a little fussy lately."
"Ahh, that's a typical baby for you."
"How are you doing without Dominic being around?"
"I really miss him. I hope he and the GekkoState come home soon."
"Well it may be several weeks before they do. There was a lot of work out there that they had to catch up on."
"I know. It was my mistake for leaving, but I had to do it for myself. It would've gotten worse if I didn't."
"Want to tell me what happened sis?"
"Sure."
"Hey Dominic, how's everything going?" asked Talho.
"Fine I guess. Just going over some of the training manuals that Holland gave me."
"I see. But listen, can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure. What about?"
"Anemone."
"Oh, I see."
"Listen Dominic, I know what you told us, but I know there's more than that going on. Why don't you tell me?"
"Because I don't want you guys to worry about our affairs. I want us to handle them on our own."
"Dominic, there will always be times when you'll need help in your lives together. We can't help you if you don't let us."
"I know. I just hate admitting that we need help."
"We all do. Now come on, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."
"Well, ok." he replied after a heavy breath. "Anemone didn't get mad at me for sending the Venturion out for maintenance."
"What happened then?"
"I ordered her not to fight anymore using my military rank and my rational as a husband. I also had the Venturion put back onto the Izumo and put on lockdown. Only me and captain Jurgens can get at it."
"Did you talk to her about doing this before you did it?"
"That was my first mistake. I did all of this before I told her about it."
"But why?"
"I don't want her out there anymore with our kids on the way. It's too dangerous out there for her. I wanted her to stay on the ship where it was safe. That way I knew she would always be safe at my side at all times." Talho just gave him a warm smile as he sat there after he said that. She figured out he was trying to protect his wife and children. He just went about it the wrong way.
"Listen Dominic, you may have thought you were doing the right thing for her, but I think you got a little over protective of her. If you're going to do something like that, talk to her first. Let her know how you feel about the situation. You two need to figure things out together."
"You're not mad at me?"
"No I'm not. You just made a mistake that's very easily correctable justs by talking to her. You can try calling her the next time we need to make a stop."
"When will that be?"
"I'm not sure. I'll let you know when we do ok?"
"Alright. How much longer will we be gone for?"
"We're looking at a few weeks yet, much possibly longer since we're so far behind in our work. But don't worry, we'll get home as soon as we can."
"Ok, thanks Talho."
"Don't mention it. By the way, you can start calling me mom now if you want. You are married to my daughter you know."
"Mom?" he said nervously. Talho just giggled as she left his room and went back to the bridge.
"What's all this?" yelled Anemone the next morning. "My desk was clean when I left it last night!"
"Those are all the new work orders that just came in." said Axel. "I had to call in my friend digger to help now too since we're so busy. Renton and Steve have their hands full also."
"Are those all the parts orders that Eureka has to process and fill?"
"Yep. I have a feeling we might be pulling a late one tonight."
"Great. But yeah, it definitely looks that way."
"We had better get to it then."
"Ok grandpa." she replied. "Man, Eureka isn't going to like this at all." she thought to herself after he left.
"Bye mom!" said the kids as they ran into the school. Eureka loved being able to see her kids off to class now a days. To her it was the best part of her day.
"Bye! Have a good day! See you at the shop when you get off!!" she replied. "Better get to work now. What do you think Felicity?" Felicity just smiled and giggled at her mother as they walked towards the shop. "Yeah, I think so too." she giggled.
"808, you work on their hangars and communications!" yelled Holland over the radio. "606, you handle the hangars also along with the main buildings and ammunition! I'll take care of any rebel resistance that gets in our way!"
"Roger that!" they all replied.
"909, you've got two coming in at your ten!" yelled Hilda in the 808.
"Copy that! Just focus on the base!"
"Roger! Let's go Matthieu!"
"Copy that!" he replied. "Ready to have some fun Dominic?"
"Sure! Let's go!"
"That's just what I wanted to hear. Let's do this!"
"Roger that!"
"Enough you two!" yelled Hilda. "Watch that cross fire!"
"I've got it!" Matthieu replied as he engaged the first of his two boomerang blades. "Now let's see what kind of damage we can do. Dominic, release it now!"
"Roger! Firing now!" and with that the blade went flying, taking out two out of the three gatling guns that the base used. "808, watch that missle fire!"
"Copy that! Thanks Dominic!" she replied as she dodged them. "Releasing defensive screen now!"
"Last turret has been taken out!" yelled Matthieu. "909, how are you holding up?"
"One down, three to go! Just stay focused on the base!"
"Copy that! 808, let's finish this!"
"Right! Get communications and the headquarters! I've got the hangars!"
"Roger that!" he yelled. "Ok, time to take out their communications!" As they flew in, he fired off his boomerang once again at the large radio tower, cutting it down in one clean shot before anyone had the chance to retreat inside.
"Awesome Matthieu!" yelled Dominic.
"That was nothing! Watch what happens to their headquarters!" When Matthieu retrieved his first blade, he then engaged his second one and threw them both, cutting the building in half, causing it to crumble underneath it's own weight. "Man, that had to hurt!"
"No doubt. Now let's go help Holland!"
"Copy that!"
"Dammit! I can't get rid of these guys!" said Holland. "What's going on here?!"
"We're coming leader!" yelled Matthieu as they flew in towards the battle.
"Good! Take the two to your right! I've got the one to my left!"
"Roger that!"
"Don't forget me!" said Hilda. "The base has been leveled!"
"Copy that 808! We're now head to head with these guys. Let's finish them off and go home!"
"Sounds good to me!"
"Me too!" Dominic replied.
"Roger that!" yelled Holland. Twenty minutes later after an intense and highly difficult battle, the rebel forces were finally forced back and defeated.
"Good job everyone." said Holland afterwards. "Now let's go home. I'm tired."
"Roger that." they all replied. Ten slow minutes later, the small crew of four finally got landed and secured back onto the ship.
"Hey everyone." said Nadia as they climbed out of the LFO's. "No injuries to report right?"
"Correct." said Holland. "Just tiredness and hunger pains."
"Sounds good. I have lunch waiting for you in the dining hall."
"You do?" asked Hilda.
"Yep. Someone has to cook lunch around here since Renton and Eureka aren't, so it might as well be me."
"Thanks Nadia." Holland replied. "Go eat everyone. Go to your rooms and rest afterwards. You deserve it."
"Eureka, I've got some more parts orders that need to be processed and filled!" said Renton.
"Put them over here on my desk dear."
"Ok. How's it going so far today?"
"We're swamped. Looks like it'll be a late night for us."
"Wow, looks like you'll be late for sure."
"Yeah…"
"I wonder how it got this busy? It was pretty quiet before hand."
"I'm not sure dear." she replied nervously, trying to keep Anemone's advertising plan a secret. "But you had better get back to work."
"Alright. See you soon." they then gave each other a loving kiss before going back to work.
"Hey papa, when is momma coming home?" asked Linck later that evening.
"I don't know son. Your grandfather has kept both of us busy lately."
"Will she be home soon?"
"She should be. She didn't have much work left to do when I left."
"Ok."
"Hey dad, my light bulb blew!" said Maeter from her room.
"Be there in a second!" he replied. Right after he said that, Eureka walked in the door.
"Momma!" yelled Linck as he ran up and gave her a hug.
"Hi Linck!" she replied with a warm smile and a hug back. "Have you been behaving yourself?"
"Yes Momma!"
"Good. Go get ready for bed then. I'll be there to tuck you in shortly."
"Ok Momma."
"Hi dear." Said Renton. "How'd it go tonight?"
"Tiring, but we're caught up for now. Did everything go well tonight?"
"Yeah, just fine."
"Daaaad, my light bulb!!" Maeter yelled.
"Coming!" he replied. "Except for that. Sorry, duty calls." Eureka just gave him a warm smile and a gentle kiss before going and tucking the kids into bed. After they were done and the kids were settled, Renton and Eureka shut down the house and went into their room for the evening.
"What a night." said Renton as they got into their pajamas. "So how is Anemone doing?"
"Unfortunately she broke down again today. She misses Dominic so much that it's getting hard for her to do anything."
"I wish we could help her somehow."
"Well, I invited her to stay with us for a few days to try to make her feel better. I hope that's ok with you."
"That's perfectly fine. Hopefully it'll ease her lonliness a bit."
"Lonliness?"
"Yeah. It's a feeling you get when you aren't around someone you love."
"Oh yeah, like that time when you left the Gekko."
"Yeah, that's it." he chuckled nervously.
"Hey, Renton."
"Yes Eureka?"
"Will you promise me that you'll never leave me like that again?" Renton just gave her a warm smile and said "Eureka, I promise that I'll never leave your side again. You have my word." She just smiled, gave him a gentle kiss, and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Hey Dominic!" said Talho as she knocked on his door the next day.
"Come in!"
"Hey, I got some good news for you." she said as she walked in.
"Oh really?"
"Yep. We'll be landing in Alcoa city to restock and refuel, so now you have a chance to try to call your wife."
"Awesome! Thanks Talho!"
"No problem. Here are the numbers to Axels house and garage in case you can't reach her at home."
"But why Axels garage?"
"Just try them ok?"
"Alright, I will. When will we be landing?"
"In a few hours, so get ready."
"Ok. Thanks again Talho."
"Anemone, telephone!" said Eureka several hours later.
"Just a minute!" she replied from Axels office. Several moments later, she returned to their office and picked up the telephone. "Garage Thurston, this is Anemone speaking. How can I help you?"
"Anemone?"
"D-Dominic?"
"Yeah, it's me Anemone."
"How'd you find me?"
"Blame your mother. What are you doing there?"
"I work here now."
"I see. How are you doing?"
"Fine I guess. I really miss you though."
"I miss you too. How are the twins coming along?"
"They're doing well. They're starting to kick more often."
"That's good. I talked to your mother about what happened between us, and I realized I was wrong in the way I treated you. I'm sorry about everything."
"You did it because you loved me, and I should have seen that myself, so I should apologize for that."
"You don't have to, so don't worry about it."
"Dominic…"
"Have you been staying at home then?"
"Yeah. I'll be staying at Eureka's for the next few nights though."
"Have they been helping you through everything?"
"Yes they have. Renton got me the job here and Eureka has been talking me through everything since she works here too."
"That's great to hear dear."
"Where are you guys at?"
"Some place called Alcoa city. We'll be here a day or two for restocking and refueling."
"I see. When will you guys be home?"
"Not sure dear. It could be several weeks yet."
"Oh, really?" she replied sadly.
"But don't worry, I'm always thinking about you."
"So am I."
"Hey, Anemone?"
"Yes Dominic?"
"I know I probably don't say this enough, but I love you more than anything in this world." Anemone just started crying happy tears and said "I love you too Dominic. Come home soon ok?"
"I will. I promise. But listen, I had better go help restock the ship. I'll call you again as soon as I can, alright?"
"Ok. Be careful out there you hear me?"
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Bye."
"Bye." she replied and she hung up the phone.
"Did that make your day Anemone?" asked Eureka afterwards.
"Yeah, it did." she said happily as she dried her eyes. "Now let's get back to work. We have a lot of catching up to do."
