Chapter 38: Surprises
Mako, Raleigh, and Miranda's apartment
July 22, 2025
1737
"Mako, can you grab the present out of our closet?"
Mako stuck her head out into the living area of the apartment to see Raleigh setting up some folding chairs. "Sure. Just make sure to leave an open space…"
"For the cake, I know. Relax, Mako. It'll be fine."
Mako ducked into the room that the Rangers shared and opened the closet. Now, where does Raleigh usually stick his presents? Mako thought back through residual memories from her copilot before looking behind the sliding door. Aha. Mako grabbed the compact box and lifted it up…
Revealing a small manila envelope.
Mako set the present down and picked up the envelope. It was sealed and had Raleigh's name on it. Hrm… I'll ask about it later. She tucked it back where it had fallen from and retrieved the box. "Got it." She walked out into the kitchen and placed it on the table. "What is it, anyway?"
Raleigh looked around dramatically, then leaned over to Mako. "It's a surprise."
Mako crossed her arms. "One that only you know the contents of, when it clearly is from both of us."
Raleigh paused, realizing Mako's point.
"So, what's in the box?"
"Starter kit for a photo album. No actual album, but there's all the other supplies you need to get started."
"Raleigh… That's brilliant! She'll love it."
"Hey, kinda hard to get clothing at this stage. We don't know how big the kid's gonna be…"
Mako shifted uneasily. "Well, she is getting pretty big…"
"Considering Chuck's height and hers… It's going to be a big baby anyways."
Mako frowned. "Huh. Never thought about that."
The deadbolt rattled as Miranda unlocked it to let herself and Herc in. The older Australian grinned and held up a box. "Cake's here."
Raleigh laughed. "I personally prefer pie. After all, the cake is a lie."
Mako stared at Raleigh in utter confusion, while Herc howled in laughter. Miranda buried her face in her hands. "You had to go there, didn't you."
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
Mako turned to Herc. "What am I missing here? 'The cake is a lie'?"
"You've never played Portal?"
"What's Portal?"
Raleigh groaned. "Great, we need to get a computer. I think I still remember my Steam account login."
"What's Portal?"
Herc grinned. "A mind-bendingly fun computer game. Came out a long time ago now, but it's still a classic. Ranks up there with Halo and Minecraft in terms of the impact it's had."
Mako wanted to press the issue, but a knock on the door provided a welcome exit for the others. Raleigh practically flew to the door. "I'll get it." He opened it to reveal the D'Onofrios. "Hey, come on in."
"Glad we could make it." Sergio stepped through the door, smiling. "I've been spending a lot of time down at the oncology center lately."
Raleigh's face grew dark with concern at that. "Any good news?"
"I'm not dead yet." Sergio shrugged. "At this point, any day I wake up is a good day."
Mako walked over, concern clouding her usually bright face. "I didn't know it was that bad. By the time Tamsin was at that point…" She trailed off, worried.
Caitlin wrapped an arm around Mako's shoulders. "I remember. We were never there when you were, but Tams was glad to have us coming to visit when you and Stacks were busy and couldn't come."
"Thank you." Mako smiled and eased out from Caitlin's hug.
Miranda poked her head out from the kitchen area. "Mako, can you give me a hand real quick?"
"Sure."
Raleigh gestured to the chairs. "Have a seat. Everyone else should be coming soon."
-.-.-
Later…
Herc paid close attention to the course of the discussions at the shower as the topics drifted from how to hold a baby (Anna was used as an example) to how to change diapers (Anna again). Herc was listening for certain clues… There. Time for the guys to leave for a bit. He tilted his head towards the door, and Raleigh, Sergio, Crunch, and David all got up and left. Mako got up to follow, but was snagged by Vanessa instead. "Nope, you get to stay, Mako. Lots to learn."
Mako looked at Raleigh, who shrugged. "I'll stay out of trouble."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
"Relax. You'll be fine." Raleigh eased out the door and closed it behind him.
The guys all turned to Raleigh. Sergio let an evil grin spread across his face. "Right, so when're you gonna ask her?"
Raleigh rolled his eyes and looked up at the sky. "C'mon, guys. We're not ready yet."
Crunch chuckled. "Like hell you are. You two are practically married anyways. Might as well get the last bits of paperwork out of the way."
Raleigh shrugged. "When the time's right, I'll ask. Until then, buzz off."
Herc shifted uncomfortably for a moment as the tension rose. "So, Sergio, you going to be here for K-Day?"
Sergio nodded slowly. "Yeah, I should be able to make the trip, but beyond that… No promises. The cancer's spreading fast now."
David nodded as well. "Caitlin ready?"
"Ready as she can get right now. But she'll need help. Our Ghost Drift is tight, and I have no idea what'll happen when I buy the farm." He turned to Raleigh. "After I'm gone… can you help her move on? I know that you're not the best example of how to deal with grief…"
Raleigh put his hands up in front of him. "I know. I made a lot of mistakes after Yancy died. But I'll do my best to help her."
The men fell silent for a bit, before Sergio decided to break the ice with a different topic. "So, how 'bout them Steelers?"
Herc scoffed at the mention of the NFL. "You guys think American Footballs so great? Try Aussie rules. Now that's a man's sport."
Crunch turned to Herc. "Can it, Oz. Your idea of sports is insanity." He turned to Sergio next. "If Trespasser hadn't leveled Levi Stadium, the Niners would have won a Super Bowl in the last decade. Guaranteed."
David shook his head. "Silver and Black, my friends."
Raleigh laughed at the other men. "You all root for the underdogs. I, however, am a Twelfth Man fan."
Crunch slowly turned to face Raleigh. "Oh, I know that. Who do you think decorated your room in red and gold after Yamarashi?"
Raleigh tried, really tried, to not go ballistic on his crew chief. But when the former Marine kissed his own curled bicep, Raleigh let out a howl of indignation and charged.
Crunch knew it had been coming, and raced off into the apartment complex, taunting Raleigh the whole way. "Seachickens! Bawk, bawk, bawk!"
The others howled in laughter at the Ranger and Chief, causing Mako to poke her head out the door. She looked at the group and put two and two together. "Please tell me Raleigh's not trying to kill Crunch again..."
Sergio grinned. "Nah, probably just trying to tackle him and paint him blue and green."
Mako frowned at the mention of team colors. "Hmm. That is probably the first thing we won't be able to agree on."
"Oh?"
"I can't wrap my head around football. Baseball, though…" She grinned. "Giants. All the way."
Sergio smiled. "Oh, I can see the sparks from here when THAT comes into play."
Mako was about to reply when she heard Raleigh's howls as he came running around the corner of the building, one very happy Crew Chief in hot pursuit, borrowed Super Soaker in hand. "SAY THAT TO MY FACE AGAIN, SUNSHINE!"
Raleigh was snagged by Mako and Herc as he tried to race past and do another lap, and was promptly doused with ice water from the squirtgun. "PPPFFFT! OKAY, OKAY!"
Crunch pointed the toy down at the ground. "Say it, Becket."
Raleigh squirmed, but the other two Rangers held him fast. "Fine…Niners will win another Super Bowl before the Seahawks will."
"Damn straight, son." He nodded, and Herc let go of Raleigh. Mako hesitated for a moment, scowling at her copilot's antics. Really?
Miranda appeared at the door. "If you're all quite done with being children again, it's time for gifts and cake."
Crunch leaned the Super Soaker against the apartment and happily walked inside, followed by the rest of the group.
-.-.-
The group had brought a wide range of thoughtful and practical gifts for Miranda, most of which were now neatly stacked beside her chair. However, two remained: One from her roommates, and one from Herc.
Miranda took Mako and Raleigh's box and opened it. "Ohhh… Thank you, guys!" She pulled out the kit Raleigh had assembled for her. "I guess I need to go get an album for this, though."
Raleigh nodded. "Yeah, wasn't sure what you'd like."
Herc walked forward with his gift, which was, rather oddly, packaged in a manila envelope. "Miranda, I do apologize about the packaging on this, but it only arrived this afternoon." He handed it to her.
Miranda opened the envelope, deeply curious as to what it might be. To her surprise (and slight dismay), it was a stack of papers. "Herc… What is this?"
Herc squirmed. "I… was owed a few favors from an old service buddy. He's been reorganizing the filing system for the Sydney courthouse. He's offered to place a marriage certificate for you and Chuck in the system, if you want it."
Miranda clapped her hands to her mouth, stunned by what Herc was offering.
The older Ranger continued. "It'd be dated and time stamped to take place shortly before the call went out to Chuck to return to the Shatterdome. He's even got a few people who owe him favors to sign in all the right spots, including a justice of the peace. It'd be all official and correct."
"Yes." Miranda wiped tears away from her eyes. "Thank you, Herc. That's…" She set the papers down and got up to hug Herc. "Thank you."
-.-.-
Mako carried the cake over to the small table that was set up next to Miranda, and Raleigh produced a knife. Miranda accepted the knife and cut a slice from the cake. "So, the color of the inside of the cake will tell us whether it's a boy or a girl… And the verdict is…" Miranda slid the slice of cake out to reveal the interior.
It was marbled blue and pink.
Miranda blinked and did a double take, just to make sure. No… Can't be. There's no history on my family's side… She looked at Herc, who was clearly just as stunned.
Raleigh let out a chuckle. "Well, how about that." Mako backhanded him in the shoulder.
Vanessa hugged Miranda. "Congratulations! Is there any history of twins on either side?"
Miranda shook her head, still not believing what the cake was saying. "No. No history. Just… a fluke I guess." She smiled and looked up at the ceiling. If you're watching, Chuck… Thank you.
-.-.-
July 26, 2025
0702
Mako woke slowly on Saturdays. It still took a little getting used to, but she was coming to enjoy it. A whole day with nothing time critical to do? That was a luxury that she hadn't had in over five years. Doing so for two days a week, every week? It hadn't been since before Tokyo. She rolled over to look at Raleigh, who was still asleep. Hmmm… Can I get up without waking him?
Mako started to slide away from Raleigh, but stopped as she felt him awaken through the Ghost Drift. He smiled and stretched. "Mornin'."
"Good morning, Raleigh."
Raleigh opened his eyes and looked at Mako. "So, what do you wanna do today?"
"I was thinking of making pancakes today." She shrugged. "How hard can it be?"
"Want help?"
"No, I want to do this myself." She grinned and touched Raleigh on the nose. "You get to shave off that scraggly thing you think is a beard."
Raleigh groaned. "Alright."
Mako smiled and hopped out of bed. She rummaged through her half of the dresser before pulling out a black PPDC tank top and gym shorts. "So, what do you want to do today?"
Raleigh sat up and looked out the window. "I've been thinking about getting my cameras back out and doing some photography."
Mako slithered into the clothes. "Of what?"
"Whatever strikes my fancy, I guess."
Mako paused for a moment. "Me?"
"If you want to, sure."
Mako shrugged. "I don't mind doing a shoot with you, Raleigh. It's doing one for a magazine that bothers me."
"I'm totally with you on that."
"Says the man who was on the cover of the June 2018 edition of GQ."
"Yance ate it up. I prefer to be on the other side of the lens."
"Okay, point." Mako grinned and headed out into the hallway.
Raleigh ran his hand across his chin for a moment before getting out of bed. Hmmm… Shower first, or simply shave?
-.-.-
Mako hummed a song to herself as she mixed the batter. She didn't know where it had come from, but it was now stuck in her head. Not my usual taste in music, but it's not bad. Somewhat catchy, actually.
Miranda walked out of her bedroom and yawned dramatically before taking in the sight of Mako cooking solo. She shook her head and looked again. "Okay, I must be dreaming."
"Morning, Miranda."
The petite Australian gave the coffee machine a longing glance before sitting down at the small table. "It's not a good morning yet. Hell, not even sure I'm awake. You're cooking solo and the kitchen's not on fire."
"One: I never said 'good' in my greeting. Two: yes, you are awake. Three: have a little faith, Munchkin. You've been teaching me a lot."
"Mmmm, true."
Mako began to hum again as she finished mixing the batter and poured some onto the griddle.
-.-.-
Raleigh put on an old Gipsy t-shirt and some gym shorts and padded out into the common area of the apartment…
And stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the song Mako was humming. Where did she learn… Oh. Uhoh.
Miranda spotted Raleigh. "Mornin', Sunshine."
Mako stopped humming and turned to look at Raleigh. "Hey, you okay?"
"That song… where'd you hear it?"
Mako's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't know. It's been stuck in my head this morning. Why?"
"I haven't heard anyone else sing that in a long time."
"What is it?"
"It's an old family lullaby my mom used to sing. Handed down from generation to generation, and never recorded. I barely remembered it before you started humming it."
Miranda looked at the two Rangers, clearly confused. "So… how'd she hear it, then? You sing it in your sleep, Raleigh?"
Mako realized what had happened and groaned. "Transference. I've heard about it… I never expected to have it happen, though."
Raleigh nodded. "So my question is, what did I get from you?"
Mako frowned as she tried to remember something of her own childhood. "There was a song… I can barely recall it now, but…" She began to whistle what little she remembered.
Raleigh began to whistle along… and carried on after Mako tailed off.
Miranda's eyes widened at the display. "Whoa. That's creepy."
Mako frowned. "Did that ever happen to you and Yancy?"
Raleigh shook his head. "We shared enough life experiences that if it did, it wasn't noticeable. The closest we ever got to that was the time down in Lima where we were able to answer questions intended for the other. Kinda like us after Hong Kong."
Mako shivered at the memory of just how closely bonded she and Raleigh had been after their first combat drop. But now we have a different type of Ghost Drift going on. One that's more… intimate.
Raleigh looked at the griddle. "Uhh… Mako? Might want to go back to that pancake."
Mako shook her head and returned to the kitchen area. "Yes. Wouldn't want to set the kitchen on fire." She flipped the pancake with surprising skill to reveal the darkened underside. "Not a total loss… but not the fluffy golden color I was looking for."
Raleigh walked over. "Hey, it's a pancake. I'll eat it." He wrapped his arms around Mako's shoulders and put his chin on her head. "Especially since you made it."
Mako grinned. "Keep buttering me up like that and I might slip out of your grip, Mr. Becket."
"A risk worth taking, I'd say."
Miranda snickered to herself. "You do realize I'm still here?"
Mako smiled and looked over at the younger woman. "Does it look like we care?"
"Nope."
Raleigh let Mako go and went to the table. "You're our friend, Munchkin. We trust you."
"Thanks, guys."
Mako once again expertly flipped the pancake, causing Miranda to turn to Raleigh, curious. "You ever do pancakes before?"
Raleigh chuckled quietly. "I was really good at them. Why do you think Mako's doing so well?"
"So… what skills did you get in return?"
"Not sure yet. But they'll probably come out sometime soon." Raleigh absently picked up one of Mako's prized brain teaser puzzles that he'd been trying to solve for a week… and promptly solved it. He looked at the puzzle, then shook his head. "Man, talk about 'ask and ye shall receive'!"
-.-.-
Author's note: Man, that took a while. And not just to write! I've had some of those scenes in mind for months, but hadn't had a good spot to place them until now. Glad to finally have those off my shoulders.
