Longer chapter ahead! I would've cut it into two but I felt the first half would be weird by itself since it is not directly related to the main plot.
This chapter starts with a slight tie-in to my other story, "Kilonova" and what happens with Jim and Kate, the proposed deuteragonist of Treasure Planet 2.
You don't need to read "Kilonova" to read this, I'm just pointing out the little Easter egg I went through the trouble of adding.
Onward!
Initial Completion: October 23, 2021
It was just past dinner time when the front door of the Benbow Inn creaked open. Sarah glanced at the arriving guests and broke into a wide smile to see Jim had returned for his weekend visit. "Glad to see you came by earlier this time," Sarah playfully teased as she scrubbed a table.
Jim turned from where he was hanging up his book bag to give his mother a smirk, "I was going to come by tomorrow, but someone was very eager to see you."
Just before she could ask who, Sarah's face was assaulted by a bubbly swarm of giggles and squeals. Instantly she reacted at the familiar action, laughing as she lightly nudged the floating pink blob from her face. "Hi, Morph!" she said with a chuckle, "It's good to see you."
Morph moved back, a smile also on his features, and mimicked her voice, "Good to see you!"
"He was really mad that I didn't bring him along last week," Jim explained as he stepped forward.
Morph gave Jim a slight harrumph and Sarah only chuckled as she moved to give her son a tight hug. "Well, I can't say I didn't miss his company," she said. Speaking of company, it appeared Jim had brought someone else with him.
Sarah was quite familiar with the fiery curls and amber eyes of Kate Blake, still clad in her school uniform just as Jim was. Sarah still remembered how much he would write about his stubborn classmate in his earlier days at the Academy and how frustrating she was, at least according to him. Always trying to be a step higher than him, always trying to be sharper than him, and so on. It would get to the point of him being upset at her for little to no reason. "I don't care if she's the Admiral's daughter," he would write, "... she didn't deserve the last pudding cup!"
How things had changed.
A friendly smile from Sarah encouraged Kate to let her presence be more known. "How do you do, Mrs. Hawkins?" she said with a gentle wave.
With a shake of her head, Sarah moved to hold Kate's hand within her own. "I've told you, Kate," she said with a pat on the girl's hand, "... just Sarah is fine."
Kate only nodded in response as a small smile rested on her face.
Sarah then went back to wiping the remaining tables as she spoke again, "So, what brings you three here tonight?" Even though she was occupied with cleaning Sarah caught a glimpse of Jim fidgeting, scratching the back of his head and fumbling with something in his pocket.
Instead, Kate spoke up. "We figured it would be appropriate to come visit you together since we are now courting," Kate said rather nonchalantly, much to Jim's embarrassment.
But rather than the clearly anticipated response, Sarah only asked, "Were you not already?" to which Jim rolled his eyes and Kate giggled, grabbing his hand.
How things had changed, indeed.
"Well," Sarah began, "... I'm nearly finished with the cleaning so you can stay for dinner if you like."
With help from the three guests, the dining room was soon cleaned up and Sarah served up three dishes, along with a little bowl for Morph. Much to everyone's surprise, she had the time to sit down for dinner and a good conversation. It was quite refreshing for Sarah to have the opportunity to share a meal with her son and his apparently new girlfriend. "What's wrong, Jim?" Sarah teasingly asked him, noticing the way he was staring at her. "Have I told one too many embarrassing stories about you?"
Jim brought his attention back to reality as both ladies lightly giggled. He huffed out a laugh of his own as he scratched the back of his head. "I wouldn't say just one too many, but, uh…" His smile remained yet his face became more serious. "I was just realizing how long it's been since we've done anything like this," he explained.
Sarah only curiously tilted her head before Kate added to the topic. "I'm certainly having a grand time here, Sarah. Based on what Jim had told me, I thought there would be near to no time for a proper chat," she confessed. "He essentially tried to talk me out of this visit, telling me you might be far too busy for even a cup of tea."
Despite Jim's embarrassment Sarah only smiled. "I've just had a bit more help lately," she said with a shrug. "Either way, I'm more than happy to spend time with you two."
"How's this John been behaving, by the way?" Jim then asked, talking about the hired help that had allowed Sarah this free time. "Your last letter said he didn't seem too excited about helping with the old folks upstairs."
She remembered writing about that, but she gently shook her head. "Things are better now," she assured, "... we were able to work things out. He's been behaving just fine, still cleaning and cooking. He's also started visiting one of the older residents now and then for a game of chess."
Jim quirked an eyebrow. "Really?"
Sarah nodded with a grin. "He seems to have less of a problem with the residents seeing him, although he's still reluctant with temporary guests and passing diners."
"That sounds quite nice," Kate added with a sip of her beverage.
Sarah smiled only to realize that her son was giving her an odd look. Knowing what must have been on his mind she sighed, "Don't be mad, Jim. I've told you how John feels about anyone close to the police or-"
"No no, I'm not mad," Jim interrupted with a waving hand. "I get it, I really do. It's just…" His voice trailed off and his attention focused on the spoon now twirling between his fingers. "I'd just like to meet him sometime," he nearly whispered. "That's all."
Sarah only sighed, sitting back in her chair as the feeling in the atmosphere shifted. She didn't mean to upset Jim by telling him others could meet her helper when he couldn't. It bothered her to keep things from him.
A gentle hand on Jim's forearm sought to lighten his spirits. His eyes looked up at Kate, her lips curved up in a soft smile. "All in good time, Jim," she said. "I'm just glad he's been helping and your mother was able to have time to spend with us."
With a momentary pause of consideration, Jim nodded, lowering his head to gaze at his hand as it covered hers.
As content as she was to see Jim with someone as supportive as Kate, Sarah also felt a sort of bitterness at the scene in front of her. Like something was tugging at her heart trying to warn her of an unavoidable collapse. What frightened her was that she knew what it was that was coming. "Well, speaking of time," she said with a small cough, "... you two should go on back to campus," she said. "I'll clean up what's left."
Jim gently scooped up a passed-out Morph in his hand, asking, "You sure? We don't have class until Monday so we could stay a little longer."
Standing from her chair she scrunched up a smile. "I'll be fine. Besides, you need to keep a good sleep schedule."
While he eyed his mom suspiciously Jim did not press further as he, too, stood and prepared to leave. "I'm really glad we could have dinner," he said as he grabbed his bag off the rack.
Sarah hugged him and smiled contently into his shoulder. "Me, too." She then turned to Kate who also earned a hug, who seemed somewhat surprised at the gesture but still returned it. "We must have dinner again sometime," she said.
"We'll see each other at the kid's birthday party," Sarah answered. "Don't worry about me, you should focus on your studies."
With one final wave goodbye, the two students were out the door and Sarah caught just a smidge of their conversation as it grew distant.
"Hear that, Hawkins? Focus on your studies."
"Pretty sure she was talking to you."
She chuckled at the two as she watched them poke fun at each other, evidently no longer feeling the need to behave like adults. As she closed the door she saw their hands intertwine, causing that uncomfortable feeling to resurface. The door locked and Sarah gradually made her way back to the now-empty table to clean up the dishes, her chest heavy and her mind muddled.
As the double doors slowly swung open Sarah tiredly glanced up and was visibly surprised to see Silver still in the kitchen. He had leaned himself against a counter and was finishing up a plate of food when he saw her walk in. She slowly blinked before saying, "I didn't think you were still here."
He shrugged. "Didn't want to disturb yer conversation."
Sarah made her way to what remained of dinner and began to pack it up to save for another day. "Sorry, I didn't mean to take so long," she apologized.
"'Tis no problem, lass," he assured. "I don't mind it if ye want to spend time wit' yer son." He also didn't mind eavesdropping some more, but he wasn't about to tell her that.
Once she had put away the remaining food she spoke once more, "He asked again about meeting you."
Silver placed his fork on his empty plate and internally sighed. How he wished to see Jim again, have a good conversation, and catch up with what's been going on these previous months. He turned around to the wash bin to clean his dishes. "He sounds to be a fine boy," he eventually said, "… I jus' might come aroun' soon enough."
"Not a boy anymore."
He glanced over his shoulder to see Sarah leaning against the counter herself, slowly shaking her head.
"I have to remember to treasure our time together," she sighed. "He's grown up so fast." She brought up a hand to rest against her forehead. "I mean, I knew he would eventually bring a girl home, but how much longer before he has his own family?" she wearily asked.
Silver turned his head back to the wash bin as his mind rummaged for thoughts. He only wanted to stick around for Jim, but he had to remember that there were people who Jim cared for. Sarah was truly happy for her son, that much he knew. She didn't have to worry about him getting into trouble the way he used to and he was doing exceptionally well in his studies.
But that did leave a mother with an empty nest. "'Tis th' circle of life," he reassured.
"I know," she quickly answered. "I just hope I won't miss him too much the busier he gets. He's been so supportive ever since he was young, even during his more rebellious years." Another sigh escaped her lips as she rubbed her temples, a momentary pause before she let out a huffed chuckle.
"He didn't even enroll in the RIA until we reopened this place, he insisted on waiting until the repairs around here were finished. Jim always was the one who helped out the most, I just miss him sometimes even though he's doing better and having a more exciting life.
"He's a wonderful young man, and Kate is just remarkable. Those two kids... they helped with the takedown of Iron Beard just last Summer, as you may have heard. And I know they have many more adventures in store for their future…"
Her hand fell from her face impassively, her gaze fading and her posture slacking. "I guess I just... feel like I'm being left behind."
Silver stared back at the disheartened figure and a pain shot through his heart. "Sounds like motherhood ain't been too gratifyin' recently," he carefully uttered, only earning a low sigh from her. He knew faking his desperate situation for refuge usually came with keeping himself distant on all emotional fronts. But maybe he could help out just this once. She was Jim's mother and she was much too generous to deserve grief.
Slowly he approached Sarah, his mind carefully evaluating his intentions to avoid additional dismay. "I might not know much about yer relationship wit' yer son," he slowly began, "... but I can tell he cares fer his mother very much and wouldn't want her to be unhappy. And perhaps this new chapter in his life could be a sign fer ya to start a new adventure of yer own. Maybe ye could find a hobby or passion, something new to focus on."
His hand gently rested on her shoulder and caused Sarah to look into Silver's tender eyes. "It might not be much, but jus' because he's lookin' towards the future doesn't mean ye can't, too."
Sarah glimpsed up at him with damp eyes as he gazed at her with a warm and friendly grin. She let out a relieved sigh and reached up one hand to lightly grip the one he had on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have dumped all of this onto you."
Silver gently shook his head. "No need to apologize, Sarah. T'ain't good to keep such t'ings bottled up."
Finally, she made an effort with a timid smile. "Thank you," she whispered. "I think I needed that."
"Certainly," he reassured as he offered a smile of his own. "Anytime."
The rest of the kitchen was cleaned shortly and soon enough the lights were out, goodnights were exchanged, and it was off to bed for Silver. Once he was finally readied and comfortable under the sheets he had a moment to think.
He firstly thought of his uneasy stomach and how it was a bad idea to drag his dinner on so late. He'd certainly have trouble sleeping tonight. But if that allowed him to listen to Jim it was unquestionably worth it. It was good to hear him again and it was nice to know Kate was also doing well. He'd certainly missed those two since the takedown of Iron Beard and the Centurion, and it didn't surprise him one bit that they eventually became a couple.
"Couple o' troublemakers…" he quietly chuckled to himself.
He also thought of Sarah and the concerns she had shared with him that night regarding her son. The reason she felt she could tell these things to him of all people puzzled him, but it seemed his words did soothe her to some degree. It ached to see her troubled, especially when she was so benevolent, and he was glad to relieve her of distress at least for the moment,
But it was rather curious to him how the entire situation felt all too familiar.
Her usually caring nature, then becoming terribly worried, to him offering words of comfort...
It reminded him of a younger Silver: adventurous and fierce and not yet a cyborg. A relentless sailor with hardly a care in the world.
It also reminded him of his beloved.
She also frequently worried, especially when he went out into the dangerous parts of the Etherium. But she also promised to stay by his side no matter what.
He sighed at the distant memories.
If only he had listened.
A bittersweet feeling was left with him as tiredness overtook his body and Silver drifted off to sleep.