Bionic Woman: Time To Let Go
When closing a chapter in their lives, Jaime and Steve pause to remember how their family began.
Thanks to Bionic4ever for the inspiration, and to Universal/Kenneth Johnson for the timeless characters of the Bionic Woman/Six Million Dollar Man. They don't belong to me, (except for Chrystal) but I promise to take very good care of them and put them back safe and sound.
"Okay, Colonel, ma'am, that's the last box."
Two heads turned, then gazed at each other before one answered.
"Thanks, we'll be right out."
The moving van driver nodded, then cleared his throat.
"Uh, sir…..I was wondering, didn't you used to be an astronaut."
Steve Austin smiled, it had been a while. "Yes, I was. A long time ago."
"That's what I thought, sir. I remember, I was a little kid, but ..you were the last one to go to the moon." Sheepishly the man replied, then added, "My mother lives just a few streets over, says it's a shame you're moving after all these years, you've been a good neighbor."
"Well, tell her thank you for me…..We'll be back some time." Hearing that, Jaime Austin cleared her throat, as if the emotions of the moment had caught up with her.
"Thank you for all your help, Jack. We'll be ready in a moment."
"Take your time, ma'am." he answered, suddenly bashful. As he vanished out the door, Steve crossed the room and put an arm around his wife.
"I know it's hard to let go, sweetheart…..so many memories….."
Jaime put her head against his shoulder and sighed. "It wouldn't be so bad, but finding Chrystal's pacifier…."
"I know, I know." Steve stroked her hair, then gazed around the front room. "I still remember the day we couldn't find it, I never thought we'd make it past our first day here……"
"I've got the door, pal……everything's ready." Oscar Goldman carried a diaper bag under one arm as he pushed open the screen door.
"Thanks, Oscar." A muffled voice sounded behind him.
In staggered a pile of suitcases and presents, heading right for the living room sofa. As the load was dropped, a red faced man emerged.
"Talk about a workout, my back will never be the same." He quipped tiredly, then he heard a familiar voice in back of him.
"Then I'll just have to give you a backrub." Jaime replied, giving him a squeeze then setting the precious load in her arms down in its car seat.
Blue eyes looked down into blue eyes, then the smaller ones closed in a yawn.
"Somebody's had a big day, yes she has…." Steve smiled, reaching down then picking up his daughter. At once she let out a cooing noise, and tears sprang to Jaime's eyes as she put her arm around him.
"Our happy girl knows her daddy ……Darling, look at those eyes, so beautiful."
"She's our shiny Chrystal, as pretty as her mom." Steve kissed the baby's forehead, then added one to Jaime's nose. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"Well, thank you too, after all, this was a joint mission." She teased, sitting down on their new sofa.
"And who was responsible for your "mission"? Hmmmm?" Oscar came back into the room, his tired eyes brightening at the sight of the little family.
"You and Rudy, and we'll never forget that…." Jaime beckoned him over, then handed him his godchild. "Here, Chrissy, this is your Uncle Oscar".
Now it was the older man's turn to mist up. "Babe, she's perfect, she looks just like you." He gently rocked the little girl, and soon she was sound asleep.
"Only you, pal….you're the only one who can put her to sleep so quick. Remind me to call you at 2 in the morning when she won't go down." Steve ragged, secretly pleased to see his friend enjoying his daughter.
"Well, I think your new place needs a toast." Rudy Wells entered the house, holding a basket of food and a bottle of sparkling cider.
"Rudy, you come up with the best ideas…." Jaime hugged her long-time friend, then helped open the bottle of bubbly.
Once their glasses were filled, Oscar raised his glass. "To Jaime and Steve and Chrystal, may your home never know anything but happiness."
"Amen"
Clinking glasses, Jaime felt a swell of gratitude. At last they had their own home. She raised her cider and cleared her throat.
"And to our family here and elsewhere, for all their help and support."
"Amen"
The moment of unity was broken by a full-blown wail, and at once Jaime picked up a wide-awake Chrystal.
"She says "Amen" too, and….uh, Steve, where's her mitty?"
Steve started to smirk, Jaime's name for Chrystal's pacifier always cracked him up. His mirth was short-lived as his daughter's cry grew louder.
"It's okay, Chrissy, I'll find it….Jaime, it was in her bag last time I saw it…"
At once there was a mad scramble, as four adults tore the carefully arranged living room apart. Soon Jaime was practically in tears rocking and trying to sooth their red-faced baby.
"Let me get an ice cube, maybe she's teething…." Rudy raced out of the room, unable to see Chrystal's tears.
Steve and Oscar were just about ready to drive to the store to get another pacifier when "I found it!" froze them in their tracks.
Into the room stepped a relieved doctor, handing the "mitty" to Jaime, who gently put it in Chrystal's mouth. Like a switch had been flipped, her wails stopped, and a soft sucking noise told them she was satisfied.
"Rudy, thank you, where was it?" Jamie held their daughter and leaned tiredly against Steve, who was busy wiping his eyes.
"In the refrigerator, honey. You probably put it there to get cold for her." Rudy chuckled.
Jaime nodded, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, guys. I should have remembered that."
"No harm, Babe." Oscar gave her a hug, then patted Steve on the shoulder.
"I think you three need a rest. Why don't Rudy and Linda and I come over and help you finish unpacking in the morning?"
"Thanks, pal. I appreciate it. We'll have breakfast ready for you." Steve told him gratefully.
As they waved goodbye to the two men they owed their lives to, Steve looked down at Jaime, then dropped a kiss on her lips. "Come on, "mommy", I'll help you put our baby to bed, then we can break in our own room."
"Yes, "daddy".", she grinned, leading the way.
TBC