12304.14 – 05:16 hours- Respite Farm- Earth
Sam came jogging down the stairs into the kitchen, almost running into Jacob as he took a mug from the replicator.
"Oh, sorry. I'm not used to having people awake at this hour." Sam stepped aside so he didn't run into Jacob.
"It's fine," Jacob put the drinks down and picked up a towel as he wiped his wet shirt. "I didn't expect you either."
"I'm heading out to feed the horses before everyone wakes up. Guess it wasn't early enough. What are you doing up so early anyway?" Sam made his way over to a line of pegs by the back door.
"I was awake and thought I would get some hot chocolate." Jacob picked up one of the mugs and took a sip. "I was hoping to run into you, though not quite so literally."
Sam chuckled, "Do you need something?"
"I was wondering if you still had that platinum and rose quartz in your shop."
"I do; why?" Sam raised an eyebrow, curious about what Jacob was asking.
"I need a small ring made for Brielle, and another that could fit around a .98 karat princess cut diamond," Jacob blushed a little. "You said you would help when the time came."
"I did," Sam smiled widely. "I can make Brielle's today, and I have the other one almost done in my shop. When and where would you need them?"
"1700 hours at Ravenswood work?"
"That would be fine," Sam smirked. "Oh and …." Sam tapped a spot on his neck. "Might want to talk to your doctor about that before heading to headquarters."
"Ass," Jacob put his hand to the small dark bruise on his neck.
"At least it was me and not Uncle Skyler," Sam said cheekily, "See you tonight with the jewelry." Then, with a laugh, Sam slipped out the back door.
12304.14 – 08:52 hours- Respite Farm- Earth
"Toss the feed away from you, and you won't get pecked!" Christine shouted as the two children ran to the chicken coop to feed the chickens.
"You have done well with those two." Bea complimented Christine as they walked toward the barn, hands in her pockets.
Christine blushed, "Thanks, but their Dad helped."
"So it is 'Dad' now, huh?" Bea nudged Christine's side.
"Breezer has decided that she wants Jacob to be her Dad and Josh to be her annoying older brother," Christine smirked.
"And how do you feel about that?"
"That makes me very happy." Christine's smile got wider. "And I can't wait to make it official."
Bea looked at her conspiratorially, "Sam thinks that Jacob is going to propose at dinner tonight."
"What if he is?" Christine stopped and faced Bea.
"You are kidding." Bea's jaw dropped.
Christine shrugged and started to walk again. "You and Sam were taking bets on it since we were here in October."
"Maybe…" Bea smirked. "The way he looked at you," Bea sighed, "Sam washed the dishes for a week when Jacob didn't formally propose by the time you three left to return to the station."
"The Betrothal ring didn't count, huh?"
"Nope, proper engagement ring or nothing." Bea laughed, "I don't think he minded that much. I may have helped him a couple of times with the dishes." Bea gave Christine a mischievous look.
"Anyway…." Christine quickly changed the subject, "Since we are all back thought it would be fun to make a nice family dinner in which my mum didn't have to spend all day cooking."
"You know she will be making something for it." Bea reminded her.
"Note I said, all day cooking. If she chooses to make some of her canned peaches or apples to make pies for dessert, that is not my fault." Both women laughed at the thought.
Bea pulled a pad from her pocket, "I had intended to show this to you and Jacob tonight, but I think you should see it now."
Christine stopped and took the pad from her, "What is this?" The results from a scan were visible on the screen.
"You're a doc, you tell me," Bea smirked.
"It's an ultrasound." Christine's head popped up to Bea, slight fear in her voice, " Please tell me it is not yours."
Bea held her hands up, " No, no; promise kept; I have enough trouble keeping up with my classes and Sam. Adding a child to it is not a good idea."
"Then… " Christine pointed at the screen. Bea reached over and changed the screen slightly.
"This is?" Christine's voice caught in her throat at the image she was seeing.
"Dragon's fire's first foal." Bea's smirk got much broader.
Christine's jaw dropped. "By who?" She managed to croak out.
"Gingahs. His full name, which I can never fully pronounce, but you have a foal, Christine."
Christine sat on a straw bale before her legs gave out, "I can't even." Her hand was at her mouth, not believing what she was seeing.
"We thought we would have to resort to science, but Sam's dad said to give them time. I thought he was full of it since what does an Astro engineer know about animal husbandry."
Christine rolled her eyes, "And it worked?"
"My dad agreed, so we put the two of them in one of the small pastures and just left them alone. We only came out there to feed and water them." Bea shrugged. "Sam joked it wasn't fair that they got all the alone time."
"He would." Christine pinked, "How far along is she?" Christine handed the pad back to Bea.
"About six weeks. Draggs is over at your mom's. Lynn wanted her near to spoil." Bea put the pad away. "Since she doesn't have any grandbabies to spoil yet, spoiling Drags would have to do for now."
"No kids to spoil?" Christine acted shocked, "I'm sure Breezer and Josh will have something to say about that."
Bea laughed, "Still planning to head over there?"
"I've been itching to get back into my mom's kitchen." But, Christine teased, "The family has much to celebrate tonight, including Jacob returning to active duty."
"You are sure he will be?" Bea asked cautiously.
"Come what may, we will be happy with the outcome." Christine smiled at her friend.
"Come what may!" Bea let out in song, being boisterous.
"Oh geez," Christine wrapped Bea in a hug. "Grab the kids, and we will go to Ravenswood."
12304.14 – 06:57- Star Fleet Medical - Gym/ therapy room # 2.422 -
"Hello, Dr. Warwick?" Jacob stepped into the darkened room. Jacob had double-checked the pad twice. The room was listed where he was to start his physical assessment for his return to duty. "Computer, lights on," Jacob called out as he stepped up to the primary check-in desk. A few main lights came on, but there were still sections in low light.
"Over here, Lieutenant Commander." A voice said from the entrance to the showers.
With a nod, Jacob started towards the door, but not before he had picked up his cane and held it ready. He may have been out of the business for a couple of years, but he could smell a setup. "I was told to report here by Dr. Warwick to be assessed for duty, not cause trouble."
From the showers, three burly security officers walked out, and a man Jacob knew very well. "You told the Doc you wanted to work with me again."
"I told the brass I wanted nothing to do with you and your trouble ever again." Jacob spat.
The man shrugged, "Pitty." Jacob felt three more men walk up behind him. "You always had a flair for it."
"And you got your men killed." Jacob snarled as he felt the cuffs lock around his wrists and the cotton bag slip over his head.
"Alert the brass that Blackbird is captured." The man instructed one of the other security officers. Then, as three men were none too gently moving Jacob toward a door, he leaned down and whispered near Jacob's ear. "If you are a good boy, I might tell your precious Christine where you are. It's up to you." Jacob stilled in the men's arms and let them lead him away.