Hope you're enjoying it so far! Usual disclaimers apply.
Edward Montgomery settled back in his chair. "Great supper Cass."
"Can we go finish our game now?" Fourteen year old Troi Harrison asked. Lance's son had pale blue skin and deep green eyes like his father. He was much more serious in demeanor though, except when he was in the middle of an alien invasion. His partner in crime was Sven's eldest son, Hans. Hans, who was almost fifteen, was tall and dark, like his father, but had the ice-blue eyes of his mother, Romelle. They were best friends, and roommates at the Academy.
Alex Harrison winked at Edward. "I suppose." The two boys started to rush from the room.
"Hans, Troi wait." Keith called out. He pulled a computer disc out of his pocket and tossed it to Hans. "A little present from Pidge. It's a Lion simulation program."
"Cool! Come on, let's try it!" Hans pulled Troi towards the computer.
"Daddy? Can we watch?" Aria asked.
Keith smiled at his daughter. "Sure. But you and Zarana leave the boys alone. Let them play first. After all, you have the real Lions to play with."
"We will Daddy." Aria kissed him on the cheek and the two of them followed the boys out of the room.
"We heard about the trade agreement Keith. Must have been a hell of a job convincing the Council. Nice work." Edward beamed at his son.
Keith blushed. "Thanks Dad."
"Who'd have thought we'd see peace with the Druhles during our lifetime." Brenda Harrison added.
"Certainly not me." Cassandra Montgomery stated emphatically.
"Anything else new around Headquarters?" Alex asked, a twinkle in his hazel eyes.
Keith shrugged. "Not really. Just the same old sh—stuff." He said with a glance in his mother's direction.
Cassandra frowned at her son. Everyone laughed. "Nothing huh? No new assignments, promotions, stuff like that?" Alex persisted grinning.
"What do you know that we don't Alexander?" Brenda demanded.
Alex held up his hands in mock resistance. "Nothing dear! Just figured since Keith here was in the thick of things with the Council, he might have some good gossip to pass on to us."
He knows. Too bad, I want to tell Allura first. "Well Uncle Alex, I hate to disappoint you, but it was pretty boring. I had to fight to keep myself awake." Keith told him. He shook his head marginally at his uncle.
Alex nodded. "Ah well, I tried." He grinned at his friends.
"Anyone have room for desert?" Cassandra asked.
Everyone shook their heads. "No thank-you Cass. I will give you a hand cleaning up though." Brenda got to her feet and started helping Cassandra clear the table.
"Guess we'll go watch the boys. Coming Keith?" Edward asked his son.
Keith shook his head. "I'll give Mom a hand."
"Suit yourself." Edward and Alex followed the girls. Soon taunting and shouting could be heard coming from the other room.
Cass shook her head. "I swear, those two are worse than all the kids put together."
"You can say that again." Brenda laughed.
"How's Dirk and Garrett doing? I haven't heard from them in a while." Keith asked, heading into the kitchen.
"They've been busy. Their Hydro-Farm is doing better than they expected." Cass told him. Keith's younger brother, Dirk, and his friend, Garrett, had bought some land a few years back and set up a Hydro-Farming system. They grew oats, wheat, and other grains, and shipped it all over the galaxy.
"I'm hoping to get out to see them while I'm here. The girls would like that." Keith picked up the remainder of the dishes, and placed them in the dishwasher. He dropped a fork and winced as he bent over to pick it up.
"How's the back Keith?" Brenda asked sardonically.
Keith grimaced. "Who told you?"
"Two little birds by the name of Aria and Zarana. How is it truthfully?" Cass asked him, frowning.
"Fine. Really Mom!" Keith protested.
"Sure it is." Cassandra put the last of the dishes in and started the machine. "How is Allura feeling?"
Keith poured himself a cup of coffee, and leaned against the counter. "Ahhh! Real coffee!" He closed his eyes and sipped. His mother and aunt laughed at his expression. He grinned at them both. "She's doing well. Just griping that I won't let her do too much. Plus, she's annoyed at Dorma."
Brenda looked surprised. "Dorma? Why?"
"Well, Druhle women only have two children in their lifetimes, one male, one female. And they're only pregnant for six months. Actually with Dorma, it was seven since Lance is human, sort of." He grinned. "Anyway, Arusian physiology is such that women are pregnant for eleven months. Since she's just into her fifth, it's going to be a while until our son is born." He casually sipped at his coffee.
Cassandra looked up at him. "Son? You're having a boy!" She rushed to him and hugged him tightly. "You devil! You've known all along!"
Keith grinned. "Yeah, I have."
Brenda joined in. "Congratulations to you both! We'll have to make plans to get up there once this little one is born."
Edward and Alex walked into the kitchen. "Lot of noise in here, considering you're just cleaning up." Edward said taking in the scene.
Cassandra kissed her husband soundly. "We're having a grandson."
"We're what?" Edward looked up at Keith. "Is this true? A boy?"
Keith nodded, beaming. "Aria doesn't know yet, so don't say anything. Allura found out just before I left and we want to tell her together." Keith said.
"Well damn son! This calls for a drink!" Alex laughed.
Keith shook his head. "Now I know where Lance gets it from." They all laughed. "You heard about Romelle, right?"
Cassandra shook her head. "Only that she and Sven are expecting their…fourth?"
"Fourth and fifth. Twins." Keith grinned.
"Twins! You're kidding!" Alex exclaimed.
"I know Hans is about the same age as Troi, but how old are their other two?" Brenda asked.
"Let's see, Bjorn is nine, and little Freya is almost six." Keith told them.
"Well, good for them." Edward smiled.
"I don't know about that, I think I would lock Sven up somewhere far, far away!" Cassandra said wryly. Everyone laughed.
At that moment, Troi entered the room. "Excuse me, Command—Vahloo Keith?"
Keith smiled at the boy's slip. "What is it Troi?"
"There's a message on the computer from planet Arus. Father wants to talk to you." The young man told him.
Keith shrugged. "Speak of the devil. I'll be right back." He followed Troi out to the computer. "All right gang, clear out. I need to talk to Lance. You can have this back in a few minutes."
"Come on, let's go ask Grandpa to tell us a story!" Aria ran towards the kitchen, with the others close at her heels.
"And get ice cream!" Zarana piped in, following at her heels.
Keith chuckled to himself, and turned back to the computer. He pressed a few buttons and Lance appeared on the screen. "Hey buddy, miss me already?"
"Keith." Lance looked up at the screen.
Keith took in his friend's pale features. There was a large bruise scoring Lance's cheek, and deep circles under his red rimmed eyes. Keith went cold and his heart beat painfully in his chest. "Lance, what is it?" He asked hoarsely.
Lance took a deep breath. "Keith, you'd better come home. There's been an accident."