Chapter 6

The Riker family hurries to finish packing for their shore leave vacation for the first time in eight years. Lily, wearing a light sundress and sandals, is helping Emmy, also wearing a summer outfit; get her things together clothes are scattered across the room. It was very clear to her that Emmy wasn't sure what she wanted to bring with her. While Deanna helps Cadean with his suitcase he too having a difficult time deciding what he wanted to wear. Riker was on the Bridge putting the final touches to Titan before he and his family were headed to Risa for their vacation.

"Emmy you have to hurry up or we are going to miss the shuttle launch to Risa. You don't need all this junk. A few outfits for our stay and a few bathing suits, you don't need dresses too. We are going on vacation not to a party. "

"But Lily what if we get invited to a party while we're there; like a wedding isn't Risa the planet for lovers?"

"It's not just for lovers it's for families too. Most of the time we will be at the beach or in the cabin mom and dad got for us; come on we're running behind and I won't miss the chance to go on vacation for the first time in eight years."

Emmy let out an audible groan as she puts back her dresses and begins to pick up the clothing scattered around her bed. While Emmy does that Lily continues to pack the clothing that Emmy will need. A short time later the room is clean and Emmy's bag is packed and placed outside her bedroom door. Meanwhile Deanna, wearing a soft pastel sundress, is having the same problems with Cadean as Lily did with Emmy.

"Mommy what is Risa like?"

"It's a lovely planet most of the travelers go there to find love or to renew love. There are so many different things to do there. The beaches are exquisite with the waves rushing along the shore dampening the white sand before it. It rarely rains and the sun always shines for hours every day. If we are lucky we can see the dolphins come up for breakfast each day before dawn."

"It sounds so great mommy, do you think there will be kids there that will be as old as me or my sisters?"

"I can promise you that. Now you can bring one toy with you it's a very long flight from here to Risa."

Cadean smiles and takes the teddy bear, baring his name across his shirt, a gift from his grandmother Lwaxana the day he was born. It was clear that the bear was very special to Cadean it's aged greatly along with Cadean. When Deanna sees Cadean take the bear from its spot on his bead she smiles with loving memories of her mother. Closing the small suitcase on the bed Deanna along with Cadean joins Emmy and Lily in the family room. Soon after Riker returns from the bridge wearing a tropical shirt and shorts, breaking the professional rule on wearing uniforms when on the Bridge. Deanna laughs lightly as Riker smiles at Cadean's taste in clothing, he was wearing the same outfit his father was, he leans down and kisses Deanna on the lips.

"Well I see our son seems to want to do exactly as his father is, he even matches his old man in the wardrobe department."

Deanna laughs again when Riker proudly display's his attire matching Cadean's. Will was right Deanna thought Cadean was exactly like his father in every way that matters.

"Well Titan is ready for the new shielding and the crew, each are going to their own vacation spot. The engineering crew will be aboard Titan in the next 30 minutes. I hope to be headed to Risa by the time they get here. Is every one ready to go?"

Lily, Emmy, and Cadean say "yes" in unison and the family takes their bags and heads to the shuttle bay to begin their vacation. They didn't know it then but it would not go exactly as planned.

The End