The Goblin Café, San Francisco- 12106.18

"How is Grace holding up?" Lynn asked as she wiped her mouth.

"About as well as you would expect." Robin took a sip of her tea, "We set her up in the new nursery on the daybed. Alan gave her the excuse that renovations were underway in her old room, but I know being in her room would make the nights lonely."

"Do you think she is ready for the deployment?"

"She came to my office on Tuesday, in uniform, requesting advice on how to prepare for her first deployment." Robin shrugged, "She has thrown herself into preparations."

"Sounds like someone I know," Lynn smirked. Robin glared at her.

Changing the subject, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing better. Jack called us after he talked to Grace."

"How is he doing?"

"About the same as Grace. He is annoyed at some co-workers and missing Inga's cooking." Lynn sipped her tea, "He is having fun setting up his and Grace's quarters."

"Typical new deployment stuff." Robin shrugged.

"Cadet Skyler to Captain Skyler," Christine's voice came over Lynn's com.

"Captain Skyler, what can I do for you, Christine?"

"Robin's office said she was with you. Could the two of you come to Star Fleet medical?"

Robin sat up straight and locked eyes with Lynn.

"Is this an emergency?" Then, both women began gathering their things.

"No emergency, but Grace needs her mom, and we could use you as well."

Still, eyes locked with Robin, "We will be there in a couple of minutes."

Shortly Robin and Lynn were walking into the medical bay. They found Christine standing next to Gracie on a bed.

"What's wrong?" Robin asked with great concern.

"She is fine, no lasting damage except to her ego," Christine assured them.

"What happened?" Lynn asked.

"Pretty stupid, to be honest." Grace rolled her eyes. "I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast since I was finishing the last bit of inventory before we ship out."

Both women pursed their lips, annoyed.

"You don't need to yell at me, I've been chewing myself out, and Christine here has been doing a good impression of Lynn." Grace indicated Christine. "When I tried to drink a nutrition shake for lunch, I threw it up all over some enlisted grunts shiny boots."

"Blood sugar dropped, guts all messed up from nerves, stress, and baby, no wonder you threw up." Robin petted her daughter's hair.

"I'm to take the next couple days for some bed rest, then light duty until I ship out on Sunday." Grace sighed.

"I can't take her home as I have got to finish my shift," Christine sighed, "Normally, I could see Jack taking care of her, but I think this is a moment when the moms need to take over."

"Good instincts," Lynn smiled at her daughter. "You head out and let the older generation take over." Smiling, Christine saluted them and headed back to her duties.

"Come on, Let's get you settled," Robin helped Grace off the table.

"Gracie, listen to your mom, or there will be consequences," Lynn said jokingly, stern. "I should be back to my office as well, but I think Grace is in safe hands." Lynn kissed Grace's cheek and hugged Robin.

When Lynn was gone, Mother and daughter made their way home.

Robin walked into the nursery carrying a tea tray. "Inga sent up some green and ginger tea. It should help settle your stomach."

"Thank you." Grace smiled from the day bed. "You know you don't need to babysit me. I'm sure an admiral has better things to do than go through baby things."

"They do, but their 'baby' daughter is sick and is leaving the nest in ten days." Robin sat down in the window seat.

"Are you going to be ok, Mom?" Grace asked in concern.

Robin sighed big, "I've always told you no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby girl. It has been me going off on duty assignments. I always came home to you kids. You were my anchor."

Robin was going to continue but was interrupted by a tiny 'meow.' Chuckling, Robin, reached down and picked up a silver and dark gray Main Coon kitten.

"Hey, who is that?" Grace perked up at the sight of the cute kitten.

"Jethro's Rugged Moon, more commonly known as Mooney." Robin smiled and kissed the kitten on the head and began petting him.

"How long have you had him?" Grace cooed over the kitten.

"Couple days." Robin sighed and handed the kitten to Grace. "Your dad surprised me with him the other night."

"He is adorable." Grace snoodled into the kitten's fur. He started purring.

"He thought adding a fur baby to the house would help with the empty nest syndrome." Robin picked up her tea. "I got a feeling he may want to add more as time goes on, but we shall see."

Grace played with the kitten and scratched it's cheeks, "Are you thinking he might want another cat or would want to try a dog?"

"I might want to add to the cat population with some more rescue kitties, but I think I'll stick with Mooney for now."

"He sure has stolen my heart." Grace played with him.

"I think Jack would have a say in that." Robin teased.

"Oh, I suppose I can let this cutie keep you company." Grace sat Mooney down next to her. He snuggled into her side and started purring.

"Honestly, I think your dad may be thinking of getting another chocolate lab." Robin looked at one of the family pictures on the nursery wall. It was of the whole family and was taken just before Colt had been killed on the station.

"Mom, do you think Sam is going to be ok with that?" Grace asked, concerned.

"It's been ten years since Colt died." Robin sighed sadly, "Sam is losing his two biggest supporters in you and Jack. I know you will be in contact with him, but when he needs sibling advice, he goes to you two."

"Between the nest, and his forge, Sam will have projects to do, but with all of us being gone, he needs someone himself. So I think it will do Sam some good to have another dog in his life." Grace reassured her mother.

Grace was going to say something else, let out a yawn, "Moony's purring is making me sleepy."

"After the morning you had, a nap would do you some good." Robin stood up and kissed Grace's forehead.

"Sleep, and then you can message Jack about your day." Robin headed for the door.

"I don't want to worry him" Grace settled down on the bed.

"It's better that you tell him than one of the adults. It would help his piece of mind."

Grace pursed her lips but nodded. Robin quietly shut the door and went down to her office.