There, lying under more furs and comfortable maroon-red velvet were four sleeping human babies, all no more than 9 months-old. Three were obviously girls which made the last a boy. "Mom, Dad and everybody else: Meet," and he pointed with his right finger, "Samuel Hayden Hawkins, Faith Summer Hawkins, Samantha Adeleina Hawkins and Princess Liliana, Philip and Aurora's first-born." "Oh Jim," Sarah exclaimed clasping her hands together, "I don't believe it…You're a Father!!" And she leaned over to give her son a generous hug as Jim tried to steady the very-heavy load in his hands. "Here Jimbo," Silver offered, "Come 'n put 'em down 'ere 'n rest yerself a bit." "Thanks Silver," Jim grunted as everyone stepped back for him to place the basket on the nearest table. Then everyone gathered around to see the newest additions.
"May we see as well?" came a voice across the room. Jim looked over and immediately snapped to attention as he recognized the speaker. "Admiral Sir…I, uh…" But Creed just stood and waved his hand. "At ease there, Cadet. This is strictly an informal visitation, no need for formalities". "Aye, uh, Admiral Sir. Uh yeah, come and look." With that, two more figures stood and joined the Fleet Admiral. Jim's eyes went wide as he recognized them.
"Admiral Valencia, uh…Captain Hathaway…" he stammered a little taken back. "ADMIRAL Hathaway, if you please, Cadet." replied the Captain little proudly as she pointed to her shoulder stars. "Oh, sorry, Admiral.", he replied embarrassed. "Good to see you again, James," answered his former commanding officer. "I'm pleased to find you in good shape and spirits." "Oh, uh, yeah, yeah, I'm in…good spirits sir." "Will you permit us to meet your children now, James?" asked Admiral Valencia. "Oh, yeah, sure, come on over, sirs, I mean, uh…sir and…ma'am" Jim stammered again.
Meanwhile, Sarah, Amelia, Leah and Aurora had taken themselves a babe and rocked them in their arms. "Look at Samuel," Sarah breathed in overflowing joy, "He looks just like Jim when he was this young." "Except for my eyes, Yes," Bethany replied as she smiled heavenly upon the older women's adoration of her children.
"And I must say," Amelia began as she stroked baby Faith's cheeks, "this little one seems to share James's nose along with your chin, your coloring, your hair…" Just then, Faith awoke and rubbed her eyes sleepily before letting out a big yawn. "…and His eyes as well.", Amelia noted as Andrea and Olivia stood on chairs to get a look.
"And I assume that Samantha here is the youngest, am I correct," queried Delbert to the Queen. Leah nodded happily as Delbert lifted Adam to see. "I think," Adam began in his slow talking manner, "…she looks like..." and he pointed to Queen Leah and then Jim." You and…Unca Jim." And he was right, for Samantha had dark blonde hair, Prussian-blue eyes, tan-colored skin, shapely ears and her grandmother's nose.
"Indeed," King Stefan answered with a smile at the fascinated Adam. "They all have so much of their father in them," Queen Leah spoke grandly which made Jim blush again. "Jim, it's nothing to be ashamed of," Sarah said kindly with a side hug, "you're a very, very handsome father." "And a wonderful husband too," Princess Bethany agreed as she wrapped her arms around Jim from behind and nuzzled her face in his long, dark-brown hair affectionately.
"Ahhh, yeh's all not fergettin' 'bout miz Aurora's infunt 'ere, are ya'll?" Silver queried with an amused wink at her Highness. "She's da spittin' image ov her mother 'n a trim 'n bonny-lookin' little lass.", he stated proudly as if he was the grandfather. "Oh, Thank-you so much, Mr. Silver," Aurora replied with a small smile as Philip put his hands around hers and rested his chin on her shoulder to look upon his daughter.
"As representative of the Royal Interstellar Navy," Admiral Valmer Creed stated grandly, "I say to all four of you most fortunate parents, Well done and may these little ones bring you great joy and honor for all time. And Jim," he spoke informally as Jim raised his face to meet the Admiral's, "all trespasses are forgiven henceforth; whenever you wish, you and your family are more than welcome to have any command or rank you may desire." "Oh…Thank-you, Admiral Sir," Jim saluted with a click of his boots as well.
"And our greatest compliments to you as well, your Majesties." "We thank-you highly, good sir." spoke King Stefan with his arm around his lovely wife.
Admiral Hathaway, meanwhile lifted her pointer finger. "Uh, cadet, er…Jim?" He looked up with a look of wondering. "Uh…I, er…that is…it never would have worked between us." Everyone looked at her shocked and mystified. "Huh?" Jim asked. "I'm sorry," she apologized before bowing and stepping back to hide her reddening face.
Sarah moved quickly to intervene. "Well, now that we've all come together once more, shall we commence with dinnertime, Mr. Silver?" "Why, I's just waitin' t'hear ya say so, Missus Hawkins. We best be gettin' on with the food, eh B.E.N.?" "Oh, yeah, yeah, I forgot; the food, of course," chuckled the robot as he looked up from watching Amelia hold baby Faith.
About an hour later, everyone was sitting at the longest table and completing the consumption of beef roast, bonzabeast stew, calmarian squid, Hilkerat corn, succotash and purp wine. Bethany and Jim sat at one end to feed their son and daughter—with Sarah's help.
As soon as the three Hawkins babies were replete, their grandfather, King Stefan arose with his goblet in hand. "I wish hereby to propose a toast of honor and gratitude: to the most gracious, merciful, bravest and passionate man that I have ever taken pleasure in knowing and having serve me, my beloved family and my kingdom; one who has faithfully given himself without withholding, fought for those he did not know and so willingly surrendered his old feelings and inner wounds to accept the promise of a better life and even our comfort: to you, James Hawkins, we give our utmost thanks once and again!" And with that, the entire table clapped, cheered, raised their glasses and goblets and even stood a few did.
"
"Um," Jim began as he stood himself, "I, uh…I want to say…thanks, and…" he looked face-to-face with his father-in-law, "…you're welcome. And I promise to always be what you want." That brought more cheers and clapping which made baby Princess Liliana start to bawl a little. Once her father had succeeded in soothing her to sleep, Jim posed a request.
"Mom?" "What is it Jim?", Sarah asked. "Would you mind if, I uh…played some music on the stereograph phonograph? I'd like to treat my wife to a dance…if it's alright." "Oh Jim, go right ahead," Sarah exclaimed as she moved back her chair and stood. "Here let me do it and I'll make room for you."
In a few minutes, Sarah had an eight-foot square pace cleared for Jim and Beth to step out and take each other's hands as a soaring Celtic pipe and drum melody began to emanate from the stereograph horn. As the couple stepped, spun and twirled to the rousing rhythms, Leland took his wife's hand and led her onto the floor too. Soon, every married couple was kicking up their feet as Silver and B.E.N. pulled back more chairs and tables to make room while Andrea, Olivia, Chloe, Adam and Morph watched over the four babies in their basket.
And so the celebration went long into the night….