Chapter 29
Kristin wiped her eyes with her hands once again. "Well, why don't we go see about getting your things up here, hm?"
Lucas could tell she was trying to put on a brave face for his benefit, but he didn't want to push the issue either. He could tell she probably spent a lot of time 'adjusting', as she said. And, he knew she and he would do a lot more talking. "OK, I'll be right back."
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No thanks; I've got it covered."
He headed down the stairs out to the launch and grabbed his duffel bag. A moment later, he was back upstairs.
"I'm in here, Lucas," Kristin called.
Lucas followed the sound of her voice; she was in the baby's room. "I-I'm sorry, did I wake her?"
"No, her afternoon naps are usually short, so don't worry. I've actually been trying to wean her off of them, but she gets cranky if she doesn't at least sleep a little. Just let me finish changing her, and I'll show you where you room is. Then, I thought we could go out on the beach," she replied.
"Sure, that sounds like fun," Lucas said.
Kristin finished changing Charlie and lifted her into her arms. "Follow me." She led him down the hall to the last room on the right. "I hope it's alright."
Lucas took a look inside; it was twice as large as his room on seaQuest. "It's definitely alright. You forget I live on a submarine."
She smiled. "I forgot how tiny the rooms are; well, I'll let you get settled. We'll meet you downstairs?"
He nodded. "Of course."
She headed down the stairs while Lucas unpacked his things and placed them in the dresser. He didn't pack a lot, so it didn't take very long. As he put his clothes away, he mused about the doctor. He remembered meeting the 'tough as nails' doctor; sure, she was hard on everyone else, he remembered. But, she was always sweet and kind to him. Sure, they'd had their moments. She would adamantly insist that he was just a boy so many times, but it was only because she loved him. It was more than his own mother had ever done. But the most interesting thing was seeing her with two young children now. He knew she had some sort of maternal instinct because of the way she'd been with him, but seeing her changing diapers and making cookies; well, it was a little surreal. He finished unpacking and headed down the stairs.
Charlie was standing in the middle of the floor while Kristin was trying to get her to walk to her. From what Lucas could tell, this was something Kristin had been working at with her for a while.
"She looks like she wants to walk," Kristin explained, "but she just won't take those first steps."
"She'll get it when she's ready; maybe she just hasn't found the right motivation," Lucas pointed out. "When she finds something that she finds worth walking for, she'll do it."
Kristin couldn't argue with his logic. And really, she had to wonder if she was a little crazy. She remembered when Cynthia started walking, the little darling became a little walking disaster. She still had to see about moving everything above three feet high; she really had to be careful what she wished for. She picked Charlie up. "I suppose you're right. Tell me, when did you get so smart?"
Lucas flashed her one of his boyish grins he was so famous for. "I guess it just comes with the territory." He held his arms out to Charlie. "May I?"
Kristin obliged. "Thank you. So, Michael's been begging us to go out with him."
Lucas nodded. "Let's go then."
They headed out the door and walked down the beach where Michael was playing with Max. Kristin put a blanket down on the sand and Lucas set Charlie down. Michael was calling to Lucas. He looked at Kristin.
"Go ahead," she urged.
Lucas hesitated, but he went over to Michael anyway.
"Lucas, this is Max, Max, this is Lucas," Michael introduced. "He's real friendly," Michael assured him.
Lucas kneeled down and pet the dog. "You're so lucky," Lucas said. "I always wanted a dog."
Michael smiled. "Well, I guess it's kind of hard living on a submarine."
Lucas nodded. "Maybe someday. So, does he know any tricks?"
"Yeah, you want to see? I work with him every day," Michael said excitedly. "Max, sit." Michael continued giving commands, and Max obediently did every one that was given; he even played dead.
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Michael laughed. "Thanks…you want to throw the Frisbee for him? He catches it in his teeth."
"OK," Lucas agreed. So the two ran and played with the dog for a long time. Lucas didn't even notice Kristin go inside with Charlie until the sun started to set.
"Hey, maybe we should go inside?" Lucas suggested.
Michael nodded. "Yeah, dinner should be ready soon."
So they headed back into the house; upon opening the door, fragrant smells wafted through the air.
"It smells so good in here," Lucas commented.
Kristin chuckled. "Well, thank you, I hope you're hungry."
"Starving," Lucas confirmed. "So, what are we having?"
"Honey mustard chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans; I hope it's alright. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. You two go wash up."
Michael and Lucas obediently went upstairs to do as they were told. While up there, Michael asked, "Want to see my room?"
"Sure," Lucas said.
So Michael opened his door, and he motioned for Lucas to have a seat. Since they'd been running around, they really hadn't a chance to have a conversation anyway. "Pretty cool," Lucas commented upon seeing the ocean theme in the boy's room.
"Yeah, thanks," Michael said. "I never really had a real bedroom before this."
Lucas gave him a look. "Well, not one I can remember," he added. "I guess I must have had one at some point."
"So, you like being here? With your grandparents?" Lucas asked.
Michael nodded. "Well, it's been a little tough," he admitted. "I mean, with Grandpa away, it's just me, Charlie, and Grandma. I knew things were hard for her, so I got her to put me into a real school; I was being home schooled. But, I think it's better this way. Plus, I've made a lot of new friends. In fact, I've been invited to my first sleepover."
"Wow! That's exciting."
"I guess, but I don't know if I'm going to go…"
"Why not?" Lucas asked. "Are you scared?"
Michael shook his head. "Of course not! I just don't feel right leaving Grandma; she's been so upset with Grandpa leaving." He lowered his voice as though someone else might hear him. "Sometimes, I hear her crying at night; she doesn't want me to know. She acts like she's fine, but I know she's not."
"But I don't think she'd want you to miss out on having some fun," Lucas explained.
"I know that," Michael replied. "But…"
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Michael opened it.
"I hate to break up the party, but I've called you two three times. Dinner's on the table," Kristin said gently, holding Charlie in her arms. "Have you washed up?"
"Just doing it now, Grandma," Michael said, heading to the bathroom.
Kristin chuckled and shook her head. "Thank you for hanging out with him, by the way," she said to Lucas. "With Nathan away, he doesn't get to have any older male influence in his life. It's good for him."
"It's no problem; he's a great kid."
She nodded. "He sure is."
Charlie interrupted by saying, "Eat, eat."
Kristin smiled. "Yes, Honey, I know." She turned back to Lucas. "See you downstairs."
Lucas watched her go. He could see how much Kristin loved those children, and it was sweet that Michael was trying to protect her from the pain she was obviously feeling. He made a mental note to speak with Kristin about the sleepover situation later and headed to wash up.
Once downstairs, Lucas walked in on a sweet scene. Kristin was sitting in front of Charlie's high chair, trying to get the little one to eat while Michael was eating himself. Max was sitting on the floor right next to him, and unbeknownst to Kristin, was feeding him green beans when she wasn't looking. Apparently, vegetables weren't his favorite thing, just like any typical child.
"Have a seat, Lucas," Michael said, motioning to the chair next to him.
"Thanks," Lucas said. He took a plate and helped himself to the dishes in the middle of the table. He made a point to take a generous amount of each dish so as not to hurt Kristin's feelings. He cut a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth. "Wow!"
"I know it's not the kind of food you're used to," Kristin began apologetically.
Lucas nodded. "It's better. I can't remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal. Thank you."
After the meal and spending some more time with the kids, Kristin said it was time for bed.
"Aw, Grandma, can I stay up a little later, please?" Michael begged. He stuck his bottom lip out for effect.
"I've already let you stay up later than normal," Kristin said gently.
"I'm not going back until Sunday morning," Lucas assured him. "We'll hang out all day tomorrow," he promised. "And maybe I can help you with that little problem you're having." He gave Michael a wink.
Michael eyed him for a minute. Then, he nodded. "OK, fine, I'll go to bed…on one condition. You read my bedtime story."
"Michael," Kristin said warningly, but Lucas waved a hand.
"You drive a hard bargain, kid, but alright. So, what are you reading?" Lucas asked.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid; have you ever read it?"
"I used to love those books," Lucas said.
Michael gave Kristin a hug and kiss, and turned back to Lucas. "But, you have to do all the voices; Grandma does her best, but it's not the same."
Lucas flashed Kristin a smile as he followed Michael up the stairs.
A short time later, Lucas walked back down the stairs.
Kristin was sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea; she looked lost in thought, but she looked up when she heard the soft footfalls on the stairs. "Everything go OK?" she asked quietly.
Lucas nodded. "Yeah, he's already out. I've really had a lot of fun with him."
Kristin moved over and patted the cushion next to her, indicating Lucas should sit. "I'm so happy to hear that; Michael is a good kid, just like someone else I know." She looked at him deliberately.
Lucas blushed slightly. "Well, thanks; I guess I had some good teachers. You know, he really loves you too. It's hard to believe you two have only known each other for about all of six months or so."
Kristin nodded. "We were kind of thrown into this situation together, him and me. We didn't have much of a choice, and I'm surprised we've bonded so quickly as well." Then, she added, "I'm so sorry for not asking, but would you like something to drink?"
"It's no problem. Do you have Coke?"
"In the refrigerator; help yourself."
Lucas walked into the kitchen and grabbed a can of soda. "Michael mentioned he's really enjoying his new school."
"Yes, he said he's meeting lots of new friends."
"Uh, Doc, I'm not sure how to tell you this, but earlier, Michael told me he was invited to a sleepover. The only thing is, he's worried about leaving you," Lucas said gently.
Kristin was silent for a moment. "I certainly don't want him feeling guilty," she began. "I've tried to be strong around them, but I think he notices more than he lets on."
Lucas nodded. "He does; do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head. "You didn't come all this way to hear me blubber like a baby. What about you? So, what's it like, being part of the military now?"
Lucas didn't like how quickly she changed the subject, but he didn't push it. "Well, it's more responsibility," he admitted. "But having UEO clearances definitely has its perks."
"You're staying safe?"
He nodded. "Of course; I don't plan on getting myself killed anytime soon." Then, he realized what he said. "Sorry…I meant…"
She shook her head. "It's alright; I'm glad of that. I wouldn't want to get a call telling me…you just keep being safe."
He nodded. They continued chatting about seaQuest and the old crew, the new crew, and the changes that had happened. In fact, they chatted until two AM until Lucas finally said, "It's late; we should probably turn in." He felt a little bad for doing so since he could tell the doctor hadn't had any stimulating adult conversation for quite some time, and he doubted conversing with a baby and a six-year old was very gratifying for her.
But, she simply nodded. "I'm sorry I kept you up so late."
"Don't worry; I've missed our talks." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. "Night, Doc."
"Goodnight, Lucas."
The next day, he spent the whole day with Michael like he promised. He and Kristin talked a bit in between, but it was nothing like their chat the night before.
Later, Kristin made a point to speak with Michael. "So, tell me about your new friends." She gave Lucas a look, indicating she wasn't going to give away that they'd spoken about the night before.
"Well, there's Andrew, Jose, and Carlos. But, my best friend is Marco; in fact, he and his family live pretty close to the school. And, well, he's having a birthday party next week."
"Oh, his birthday is close to yours. Did you tell him yours is coming up as well?"
Michael nodded. "I told him maybe he could come here."
"That would be lovely; are you invited to his party?"
Michael nodded. "But, it's a sleepover; is that alright?"
"Of course it's alright, Honey; why wouldn't it be?" Kristin said with a smile. "You don't ever need to be afraid to talk to me about something, OK?"
Michael shrugged. ""I just thought you might be lonely without me."
Kristin put on a look of mock-sadness and put a hand to her head. "Well, it will be hard to see you go, but somehow I'll make it through."
Michael laughed and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Grandma!"
"You're welcome, Sweetie. Now, go wash up for dinner."
After Michael left the room, Lucas turned to Kristin. "That was awesome."
Kristin smiled. "Thanks; and I suppose I need to thank you for telling me about that. I need to make a point to talk to him more."
Lucas put a hand on her shoulder. "You're doing a great job with both of them. If my mother had done have of what you do now, well…"
Kristin turned and gave him a tight hug. "Thanks."
Kristin let Michael stay up even later to spend as much time with Lucas as possible. But, at ten PM, she made him go up to bed; Lucas expected to have another evening chat, but she said she was going up to bed as well.
"OK, goodnight, Doc."
"Goodnight," she said.
Lucas decided to watch a little television before heading upstairs. After a while, however, he became bored and decided it best to turn in himself. He tried to be as quiet as possible so he wouldn't wake anyone. But, as he padded down the hall, he heard noises. He stopped in front of Kristin's bedroom and heard soft sobbing. He stood there for a long time, debating what he should do. But, he also knew she'd probably be embarrassed, so he headed to his own room, hoping she'd feel better soon.
The next morning, he awoke to the delicious smell of breakfast cooking downstairs. He quickly dressed and headed down the stairs. A well-rested and smiling Kristin greeted him. "Good morning; did you sleep well?"
"Morning; yeah, I did. Did you?"
She nodded. "I'm sorry for not staying up later, but I was so tired. Are you hungry?"
"Starved; where's Michael?"
"Out with Max; he'll be in in a minute. " She placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. "Eat up."
After breakfast, Lucas said his goodbyes to Charlie and to Michael. Then, Kristin followed him to the door.
Lucas turned to her. "I guess this is it."
She nodded and wrapped him in a hug. "Now, you remember you always have a home here. And, if you need anything, you call me…anytime, day or night."
Lucas nodded. "I will, Doc…and the same goes for you too." Lucas heard a soft cry escape her throat.
"And please come back to me in one piece. Stay safe. I love you."
"I will, Doc. I love you too. I'll see you soon." With that, he gently pulled away from her and headed back to his launch.
A/N: I promise this will not be the last we see of Lucas, but again, it will probably be after we're officially out of what we know as canon third season. Thank you.
