Warning, one scene with baby spitting up to skip from "Oh, that side doesn't faze me." to " And we get plenty of broken sleep working in this service anyway.
Non-Wasp visitors to Marienville aren't all that common. Not without a very impotent person or a film crew involved. There's often a special occasion for recruitment involved. And miles of paperwork. It's certainly not often an outside family comes for the day and briefly stays overnight; To then pick up an uncle and take him for a week of leave. But with a state crossing flight and a desert drive just to get to Phones involved, the Commander has kindly allowed it on grounds of exceptional circumstances. It isn't often, after all, their VIP is a new arrival.
Phones is delighted to be spending some quality time with his little sister. And his little niece and the big one too. Especially the newest littlest little niece.
"She's so adorable!" Atlanta smiled, bringing in the coffee with Marina.
"Yeah she is." Phones agreed proudly. He stood in his civvies clothes, holding a dozing baby Amber, and beaming down at her like she was even better then Stingray's new radio system. "Videophones are all well and good? But it ain't a patch on having a proper hello!"
" I mean I can't wait to see the other two lil monsters either." He said to his sister. "but I'm real glad you brought this one with you to finally meet first."
"I thought you might prefer it." Jackie-Ann Gris smiled. Then sighed, "Plus Reed is so jealous of her. I mean I think she loves Amber, she just doesn't like no longer being 'the' baby."
"I know the feeling!" Phones grinned.
Jackie-Ann made a face at him. It was the very same one the lieutenant normally made when Troy declared he was about to do something dangerous. Phones and Jackie-Ann were the kind of siblings that you wouldn't guess were related. They were absolutely nothing alike to look at. Or in personality. George-Lee was deceptively athletic, easy going and so laid-back sounding sometimes even his voice sounded horizontal. Jackie-Ann soft and short, fluttered busily and chatted a mile a minute. But then put them in a room together like here, and they were suddenly like peas in a pod. Same sense of humour, same charm. same drawl on the word, and same grin.
"And Reed loves you, dingbat." Jackie-Ann continued. "if your attention wasn't on her the moment you walked in the door? Bam."
"That would be it!" Phones agreed.
"Uh-huh. I still can't believe how good this one was on the flight and the road in comparison." She said, and turned to Atlanta. "Thanks again for having us both over by the way, dear."
"Oh, the pleasure's ours." Atlanta beamed.
Marina looked at Troy. Troy looked at Marina. Neither were really sure about that last statement. Although still in uniform, Atlanta was very much enjoying having Phone's sister over and had been cooing over the baby bundle since she'd arrived at the house. In contrast although Marina was pleased to meet Jackie-Ann and already made friends with her-
(She didn't really have a choice there. Jackie-Ann who'd hugged everyone at hello on introductions, was sunny southern comfort and hospitality personified.
"Atlanta! Lovely to finally meet you, and finally put a face to a phone call. Oh, and don't tell me this here's the captain, Troy, right? How are y'all?" she had said, as Phones fitted the baby seat to the pram. And passing out compliments and pet names like candy. Phone's family, like him, must just be very easy to be instantly besties with. "Oops I didn't see you there, sugar. Let me guess, Miss Marina, right? ain't you as shiny as a firework. my brothers told me all about you-!"
"not everything." Phones admitted, then with a nod from Troy, explained. "I wasn't able to say over the videophone for security reasons, Jaks. Marina's from the Sea. The general public aren't meant to know that bit. Although it's pretty hard to hide now you've met her."
Marina stepped back from the hug letting Jackie-Ann look her up and down. Phone's sister took the flippers and green hair. And said, "huh."
"That's the real reason why she can't talk." Troy finished.
But Jackie-Ann could have been told she was from Mars, and she still didn't bat an eyelid. A real improvement on weird blokes with weird reactions.
"Well, that's alright. Me and my brother are from the south originally? on the other side of the states too, so it looks like we're all three longways from home. And Like I told him, I can talk plenty for both of us, huh? don't you worry about that missy. I'm digging the green nails, by the way that's a lovely shade.")
Marina had smiled wide and bright eyed. She clearly already liked Jackie-Ann. But Amber? Atlanta adored her but Marina had given baby Amber a wide berth. No pun intended.
So had Troy. It wasn't that Troy didn't like kids. Barry Byre for example had been a real lovely boy and a delight to have around. But Troy sure was glad they weren't meeting all of Phone's nieces all at the same time. Reed sounded boisterous. And the only thing he knew about tween nearly teenage Stella the eldest, was that she was one of Duke Dexter's screaming rabid fangirls. Troy had had enough of those thanks! He was however on edge in regards to Amber. Babies could go off at any minute; even more unpredictably then sticker bombs.
"And it was the least I could do. It sure is sweet of you to come all this way to pick Phones up after all. The guest quarters are nice enough to freshen up and sleep in but not so much a welcome after your flight." Atlanta continued. "and the fellas place is a little cramped to have guests over."
"Ain't normally got guests to entertain. We all pile in here." Phones grinned. "But she's right, you wouldn't have got lil un's buggy in the door with them steps to our place."
"Yeah. Phones has been really excited to meet her." Troy supplied, fiddling with his cap. "He's been pacing about all morning- What's up Marina? You're frowning."
Marina blinked surprised and Troy belatedly realised she hadn't meant to draw attention to herself.
"Not like an angry frown. Just sort of puzzled." He clarified, not wanting to offend her. Marina nodded slowly but seeing as all eyes were on her now, explained herself. She gestured to Phones, made a rocking motion in her arms to baby Amber. And then her hands flashed quick and nervous, pushed together then pinching her fingers together.
"Baby? Huh. Oh, you mean Amber?"
"Well there's no other ones here, Troy." Atlanta pointed out.
"Sorry, what's Marina saying?" Jackie-Ann asked.
"That Amber is small, I guess." Atlanta said, just as puzzled.
"Yeah. Well, So Small. Like, Tiny. That right?" Phones put together. Marina nodded.
"Oh bless. Are you kidding me, sugar? She was the biggest of my three." Jackie-Ann laughed.
"She is only just five weeks old, Marina." Atlanta said, teasing gently. Marina gestured some more. "seen. not? Oh, okay you've never seen a baby that small? Is that what you mean?"
"well I'll be. She is little I suppose being only thirty-five days new. But I looked like a beached whale carrying her!" Jackie-Ann continued, "I'd kept some of the older two's newborn things and Amber's outgrew them so fast. In fact, she's in the Two to Three-month clothes right now."
"yeah. Come over and have a look up close." Phones told Marina. "You think this is small, you should have seen her newborn!"
"She's put on two pounds and four ounces since!" His sister said.
"That's good. right?" Troy frowned. Jackie-Ann proudly assured him it was.
Marina still looked perplexed. As if baffled Amber could ever have been even smaller. But did as she was told. Very hesitantly, if approaching an unknown dog rather than a tiny baby.
"Do you think Marina is alright, Troy?" Atlanta asked in a hush, as Jackie-Ann quizzed her brother on what he'd been up to. "She seems kinda unsure about being here with us all?"
"Well you know she's always a bit skittish around strangers." Troy shrugged. "And maybe Pacifica babies aren't so little?"
Atlanta hummed, considering the possibility.
A thought occurred to him. Well several even. All at once.
"Wait a minute. Say, do you think Marina's ever seen a land baby?"
"I guess not, that might explain it then-?" Atlanta started but Troy cut across her, off on one.
"Do they even have babies in Pacifica? Can they even have babies? I mean obviously they must reproduce for her to have a family back home but do they have 'live young'? Are they even mammals technically-?"
"Troy?" Atlanta admonished with a nudge and a plastered smile. "We've a guest."
"What?"
"don't be gross. or weird!" She smiled. Then said in a hiss As Jackie-Ann had excused herself to use the bathroom. "oh, my stripes?! Troy, you can't just ask people if they're a mammal-!"
"I wasn't going to do it right now."
"don't do it at all. Especially asking Marina that just out of the blue." Atlanta scoffed, still whispering. "Regardless of what she is or isn't, Marina's still a young lady. It's not exactly polite."
"Oh. Yeah that might be a bit awkward huh?" Troy scratched the back of his neck unsure but agreed.
Marina, for her excellent hearing, thankfully hadn't heard them at least. She'd been too distracted. Phones still marvelling at his new niece, had unswaddled baby Amber, and angled himself for Marina to have a better look in the blanket bundle. Amber stirred and gave a very cute little yawn.
"- And she said 'you can't call a tiny baby George'! Talk about rude. but then I said to Jack after congratulations, 'Looks like your Jonah's gonna have the little athlete or sporty kid he's always wanted'. She's always kicking. That must have been three in the morning. That's when Amber was born. Even held up to the video phone, she was a dinky thing." Phones was telling her, his voice in a hush "and you know how everything looks bigger on those."
Marina nodded, smiling at him. And down at Amber. It did make for a very cute image of the two of them, Troy admitted. Stood together by the window, all soft expressions? Backlit by the warm sunlight and both gazing at the bundle in Phone's arms between them.
And then baby Amber, as babies so often do, picked that very soft moment to wake up. In style. She screwed up her face and SCREAMED, making them all jump. More than jumping even, Amber Startled Marina. who drew back sharpish as if burnt. And then Amber continued to let them know just how well her lungs worked, cried and cried and cried some more.
"How'd something so small make such a racquet huh?" Troy agreed. He'd put his fingers in his ears and Tried to make it a joke; but it didn't put the mergirl at ease. Marina had sat back down with them on the big sofa, the farthest away from Amber she could and putting the most people between herself and the baby. She was Practically hiding behind Troy on the arm of the sofa despite how uncomfortable it must have been.
"Oh honey," Atlanta frowned. "She's just crying. nothing to be frightened of, see? You face scarier things out in Stingray on your normal Tuesdays."
Marina didn't believe her.
"yeah, it's alright, Marina-!" Phones tried. But Amber carried on squalling, letting out more yells and turning up the volume. He turned his attention back to her and bounced his niece gently "hey hey missy. Hush that ain't polite now."
"What did you do," His sister called, coming back into the room. "Mention football?"
"Excuse you, baseball was my sport of choice." Phones retorted. "And I won't hear any slander against the Marienville Stingers."
"That's even worse." Jackie-Ann grinned slash yelled back, as he handed her over. Amber had started pushing out with her tiny arms and legs, not quite kicking. But settled to an angry shade of pink at her mother's voice. "There there, Amber darlin'. You're uncle's not that bad, honest! Just his shirts that are ugly."
"It's true. Aw lookie at that face." Phones cooed. "Like a little old man or a raisin."
"Shelly!" Jackie-Ann scolded and swatted him.
"Shelly?" Troy and Atlanta sniggered. Marina weighed in with a raised eyebrow. Phones stuck his tongue out at them childishly. Jackie-Ann was still telling him off.
"That's not a nice thing to say about your new niece!"
"Well, I just so happen to like raisins, so it's a compliment!" Phones insisted, tickling the now red faced but only grumbling baby under her chin. "Isn't it, beautiful?"
"I'm guessing she wants feeding. Can you take her back a second?" Jackie-Ann asked.
"yeah she's drooling on my finger. Ye hear that Amber? You mommy's got your favourite." Phones told the sniffling bundle. Atlanta had fetched the baby bag from the pram. Jackie-Ann fished a ready-made bottle out and Phones made to pass her back the baby. But Jackie-Ann shook her head.
"You can do the honours if you'd like?" his sister offered, holding the bottle out to him.
"really?!" Phones beamed and Sat down, eagerly taking the bottle. "Aw, that's a real swell of you."
"She's your niece." Jackie-Ann joked, and chatted some more as Phone fed her.
"That better?" Phones asked the baby. Once Amber had had as much as she was going to drink, Phones burped her with little fuss. "yeah, compliments to the chef huh?"
"You're so good with her Phones." Atlanta said smiling.
"Nah They just recognize the accent." Phones chuckled. then passed her back to her mom, (armed with a cloth over her shoulder for mopping up anything) to make doubly sure, with the practiced efficiency of a third baby.
"He's a liar, he was great with the other two when they were that size." Jackie-Ann insisted. "and they still adore him! Even Stella, and she's going through a 'I hate everyone no one understands my aesthetic' phase. But She never once misses chatting to Uncle Shelly."
"Just glad I could see them when I did." Phones shrugged. "Couldn't always be there or have a radio on me when Stella was Reed's age or when Reed was born. At least now even though Marienville's out the sticks I can call you, this one included."
Jackie-Ann gave him an extremely mushy "Bro," look.
"He calls you folks almost as much as he calls the takeout place." Troy teased. "and that's saying something."
"Oi-!"
"from what I hear Marienville does a mean margarita." Jackie-Ann interrupted. "But my girls, they adore him! so will this one. Won't you Amba-ba-ba-baer!" She insisted wiggling Amber up and kissing the little one's head before tucking her back to her and telling her brother, "I even dressed her in the baby grow this morning for meeting you in. The one you sent with fishes and boats on?"
"You got baby brain fog again or something?" Phones frowned. "She's wearing a pink and yellow romper."
"I said I dressed her in it." his sister said, with a sniff. "Nothing about her having to change her twice since we set out."
Coffees were topped up. More talk about life, adventures and work and Jackie-Ann's other kids. Amber became very Uninteresting, and Troy was almost bored. Not enough to let down his guard but enough to nearly jump when Jackie-Ann asked,
"Do you want to have a hold of her Atlanta?"
"May I? Yes, please I'd be delighted too." Atlanta Beamed.
"She's been dying to all week." Phones teased.
"Can you blame me? Amber's such a cutie." Atlanta said. Troy was genuinely surprised at that. Seeing was one thing. Holding?
"Didn't have you down as someone who'd get excited over a baby, Atlanta." he said as Atlanta eagerly sat down beside Jackie-Ann and put Scatter cushion to her lap, just like Jackie-Ann had to help support her arms. "You hate mess."
"Yes, but Don't be silly Troy. I love babies! Hello sweetie pie." Atlanta said, as Jackie-Ann carefully handed over her precious cargo.
"Miss Amber Gree may I introduce you to the Miss Atlanta Shore," Jackie-Ann smiled. "oh, Sorry Lieutenant Atlanta Shore! Don't you make a mess of her nice uniform now."
Atlanta took the baby Amber Easily and expertly. So easily. And with a gentle confidence Troy didn't always get to see in her.
"Hi-! Oh, you know, I don't think I've had the pleasure of holding one since Captain Stewart's wife was on maternity leave?" Atlanta said, face lit up like a homing beacon on a sonar scan. "Hello Miss Amber, aren't you a delight?"
Troy blinked. Much like many of Atlanta's talents and skills, it was both a bit left field and Troy wondered where on earth she got the practice in. if he'd been handed the kid instead, He wouldn't know how to start. When was the last time he held a baby? When he was about seventeen probably and being handed one of his cousins or a nephew. And even then, that had been a one year old not a baby-baby. You still had to support the head that young right? Yet Atlanta adjusted her hold of the new new-born easy as pie. Much like Phones had done, she settled Amber so the baby was scooped up in the one arm held by the crook of her elbow, leaving Atlanta's over hand free to hold a tiny tiny little baby hand.
"Aren't you just gorgeous? You are so cute. Yes, you are."
Although that said, Troy privately thought Baby talk turned that clever brain of hers to mush.
"Look Troy." Atlanta suddenly smiled at him. Amber had her tiny hand wrapped around one finger, which Atlanta then made to wiggle so Amber was waving at him. Amber her eyes closed, also Wriggled. Kicked her little feet in little bootie socks. And she smiled at him, her face all scrunched up.
"She is very … Cute. " he supplied with a smile. It wasn't a lie, Troy reasoned, she was cute as a button. But he felt out of his depth here, and he'd been diving below the earth's crust! Jackie-Ann beamed at his observation though. Atlanta and Phones continued to coo over the gummy babe, Phones wriggling a rattle above the baby's head.
"She's got you both wrapped around her finger already." Jackie-Ann teased. "You never think about having your own then, Atlanta? You're real good with Amber already."
(Phones made a 'you can't just ask that' face. But never mind.)
"Oh. Well, Sure? I've thought about it. Not with my work rota." Atlanta chuckled, blushing a little. "It wouldn't be practical being on active service and all. But one day, I'd love to."
"Guess it's just a big 'depends' and 'maybe with the right person'…" she continued while absolutely not-not glancing at Troy. Then hastily added, "but not right now, you know?"
"You want kids?" Troy asked. it was more a blurt than a question.
There was a pause.
Then Atlanta said Quietly.
"Yeah." This time Atlanta didn't look up from bouncing Baby Amber. "Yeah I do actually. Someday..."
"Huh..." Troy was suddenly more interested in the peak of his cap again.
Behind his back, Phones exchanged a look with his sister. And even Marina, 'Atlanta's supposed rival for Troy's affections', face palmed. The subtle and Not so subtle hints Atlanta kept throwing the captain could have been picked up by like five international space and rescue satellites, never mind the nearest tracking station.
There was even a betting league going on right under the aquanaut's nose. to if, and when, Troy would finally get his act together and propose to his long term going steady but unofficial girl. (Lieutenant Fisher stood to make a hundred bucks if Troy did it by the end of the summer. A grand if he did it over Stingray's radio.)
"Early wakeup calls and Nappies and all...all that...? none of it put you off?" Troy frowned.
Atlanta laughed, as if it was a ridiculous idea.
"Oh, that side doesn't faze me."
As though to prove her point Amber coughed and spat up, a little drooling on her own chin. Troy (action hero extraordinaire) flinched. but Atlanta didn't bat an eyelid. she 'Tsk'-ed sure but quickly caught it up with bib. and then mopped it up with an offered baby wipe from Jackie-Ann. then chucked that in the waste paper basket Marina passed over to boot. Easy. Didn't even get anything on her work shirt.
" And we get plenty of broken sleep working in this service anyway. No, I used to baby sit pretty much any kid any age on whatever base dad was stationed in as soon as I turned fourteen. so, there's not a lot I haven't seen? I was even working as a nanny for a year so I could travel a little before-…before I joined the Wasps. You get the hang of it." She continued all the while.
"I'd be more worried about the teenage years rather than nappies-! The only experience I have there as an adult, is when the academy kids are over and running through their training launches every Thursday. And they're not that much younger than me really. I think the youngest are around sixteen- seventeen?"
Then to Jackie Ann conspiratorially she muttered " Besides, it's hard enough getting these three out on patrol on time! Never mind the cadets."
"Now wait just a minute-!" Troy gasped. Marina shook her head and tapped twice for no like she did over radios, defiantly offended that time.
But they were interrupted by Jackie-Ann laughing.
"Oh, I can imagine! I bet Shelly's still worse than my Stella for sleeping in whenever possible."
"Hey now!" Phones started. Then grinned. "Wait. No, actually that's true. I need like four alarms to get me out of bed. And I agree with Atlanta. We're a handful at the best of times."
"That's insubordination." Troy scowled at him.
"Captain I am this close," Phones said, making the same 'tiny' motion Marina had made earlier, "to putting toddler reins on you and Marina both."
Marina pouted. The same pout she'd copied off Troy. (He'd say it was a scowl, but it was definitely a pout.)
"Don't look at me like that. I will follow you both into hell sure no question. But you know, I'd really appreciate not going there in the first place every other week." Phones grinned. "Having toddler leashes would at least save me from having to drag anyone back from running off into danger, Right Atlanta?"
"right! Maybe we can even get them in WASP colours." Atlanta agreed.
"Do they make them with retractable leads, you reckon?" Phones wondered aloud. "you know the type you can reel in? that'd be handy."
Marina stuck just the tip of tongue out at him, just like Phones had done at them earlier. just a little.
"You're just jealous cos I got a smile out of your new niece first." Troy smugly.
"maybe." Phones shrugged. "Either that or she had gas."
"It was a smile. Right?" Troy grinned at Atlanta.
Atlanta winced. Looked to Jackie-Ann who nodded and in unison both agreed.
"Gas."
"It was a smile!" Troy gaped. "Right marina?
"…"
"Marina?" Troy asked again. Marina blinked and shrugged and shook her head.
Although She was not really paying attention to him- a very odd feeling for Troy.
Sure, she'd listened to Phones and Atlanta when they'd spoken about the team or to her. But Marina had all the while been keeping half an eye on Amber. See, Marina had curiosity about the new world around her. and right now, it was outweighing her earlier fright. alright, she was still hiding behind him. but she'd been Craning her neck to see around him, to see the baby in Atlanta's arms. And then not, whenever anyone looked up. But again, with Troy making her centre of attention, Marina got caught as she tried to duck away.
"Marina, take it easy and come sit this side of me. Now Amber's awake you can say hello properly this time." Atlanta said. Marina blinked, startled. and shook her head again, holding her hands up looking suddenly worried. "What's wrong?"
"You don't have to hold her if that's what it is. You don't have to if you don't feel comfortable, Hun." Jackie-Ann smiled kindly.
Troy stood up and moved to let Marina sit in his place. Marina sat very still where she was, still hesitating looking from Troy to Amber to Jackie-Ann and back again.
"Now Don't you look so worried. She won't bite you." Jackie-Ann said. And then in the same humour as Phones, added: "Yet."
"Yeah. I'm warning you all now." her brother agreed, "watch out for this one when she starts teething."
"oh, she won't be as bad as Reed was." Jackie-Ann dismissed. "Now she was a biter!"
"Stella was the one who drew blood. Jaks I love your kids to bits but they are demons. Oh, and they were grabbers too. Hair earrings you name it, yank-!"
"Phones. Don't scare her." Atlanta warned quietly. Marina still sharply Pulled her hair back from over her shoulder. "He's teasing Marina Amber hasn't even got teeth yet."
Marina looked confused again momentarily at that last comment. But she believed Atlanta enough she at least shuffled off the arm of the sofa into the space Troy had made for her. She didn't come closer mind; Still keeping her distance and looking very nervous. More so than she had earlier.
"What's wrong? You don't have to say hello if you don't want to." Phones asked. "don't feel pressured too. Not everyone likes kids- Oh you would like to? You don't think you should. Why?"
"Now how'd you figure that?" Troy frowned.
As far as he could see Marina had only tipped her head and waved a hand in a circle and pushed the other away. Marina winced then made the meaning plainer, clearer. First, she Gestured between herself and the baby. Then Rubbed a fist to her cheek. And pointed to herself again.
"Huh? Aw no Marina. You didn't make her cry!" Phones said. Atlanta looked just as dismayed.
"That's what she saying?" Jackie-Ann frowned.
"Well you were holding the baby out to show Marina. And Amber cried." Troy reasoned. Marina nodded. "Maybe she thinks she did something to set Amber off? Is that it?"
Marina nodded again. But Jackie-Ann shook her head Leaning around Atlanta to pat Marina's knee.
"Aw No darling, don't you think that! Babies just wake up hungry sometimes." Jackie-Ann dismissed kindly.
Marina Looked from the hand to Atlanta.
"It's alright Marina." She agreed. "Really. Babies- well, Human babies I suppose. They cry. all the time? Sometimes for a reason even adults aren't sure why."
"they do. I'm right here, and Atlanta's got hold of her." Jackie-Ann agreed. "heck I can take her again for a minute if that'll make it easier? Or you can sit this side of me? What's more comfortable?"
Although Amber was very stubborn in letting go of Atlanta's finger, the gentle pass back was easily done.
"Come back to mama a tick, precious." Jackie-Ann said. Atlanta patted the cushion next to her and Marina Cautiously scooted closer in.
"She gets too loud again, it's only cos that's all she can do right now. Amber's too little to talk yet." Phones' tone had completely changed to address Marina's nervousness. "Everything's new to them. Does that sound familiar?"
"You're gonna be fine." Atlanta assured.
Marina nodded, her shoulders at her ears, Hovering at Atlanta's shoulder with hand's looped about her friend's arm. She Hid a little when Jackie-Ann Turned the baby about. More than a little actually. only the top of her head and wide still-a-bit-frightened eyes could be seen over the lieutenant's stripes. Not afraid of Amber, Troy realised. All this while, Marina had been Afraid of upsetting her.
"Now Amber darling, you go back to Atlanta. This is Miss Marina. And just your uncle didn't introduce proper you, doesn't mean you can be rude too-ooocie woo woo." Jackie-Ann said mock sternly giving Baby talk introductions. "now you behave this time and be nice."
Jackie-Ann Passed Amber back to Atlanta to hold again, who this time took the little one in both arms and Rocked her gently, baby talking to her too. Amber stared up at Atlanta. And Oh, so slowly Marina peeked at her, Blinking at the baby from around Atlanta's shoulder. Amber Blinked back. And Marina slowly came out from behind Atlanta's shoulder. Big doe eyes at big baby eyes.
"There we go." Troy thought.
Amber yawned again. Troy tensed, worse than Marina did. But that was it. just a yawn. and Amber closed her eyes again.
It was really cute, Troy admitted. He glanced at phones. Then had to look at his ship mate. Phones looked so darn proud of the baby you could have told him Amber had won aqua naught of the year. He grinned even wider, noticing Troy.
"That's better. Right Troy?"
"yeah…You never thought about fatherhood?" Troy asked Phones Sat back down next to him.
"He gets Broodier then I do." Jackie-Ann interrupted.
"It ain't Broody. I just like spoiling and looking after the kids." Phones said with more dignity he did most things. And turned back to Troy. "And Sure, I thought about it, brother. It just ain't ever happened. Yet."
"It doesn't worry you?" Troy pestered.
"Not being one?" phones asked back. "Or becoming one?"
"Well. both?" Troy shrugged unsure. Phones shrugged back.
"I dunno. I don't think I'd dislike being a dad if it ever happened? But I think I'm happy as I am being Uncle Shelly right now." he said plainly. "You?"
Troy, although not a big drinker of the stuff, felt like this conversation should have been done over a beer at the blue Lagoon. rather than in Shores' place over coffee. in front of the girls and Phone's sister no less, even if they were distracted on the other side of the room.
"No. Well. I haven't time to think about stuff like that." Troy insisted. "Aside from when My mother keeps asking when I'm gonna get her a grandchild or four.
"You need to call her more." Phones scolded easily. Troy rolled his eyes then met Atlanta's.
Atlanta smiled. Troy Smiled back. Even as Atlanta turned and laughed at something Jackie-Ann had said. (Jackie-Ann was telling them how her husband had announced the pregnancy in terms along the lines of pipes still working', much to her mom in law's horror.)
Marina looked much more at ease now. and Just as smitten with the baby as the two lieutenants who were still chatting and cooing over her.
In fact, Marina had relaxed Enough to even let the little one grip her finger. And Atlanta's too with the other tiny hand again, gumming on it. Atalanta didn't seem to mind.
"Told you." Phones nodded sagely towards the Gris baby. "Biters and grabbers."
Amber was made such a fuss over. Even as Atlanta passed her back to her mom.
It was cute. Troy thought.
Well the baby was cute sure but he was more thinking about Atlanta. Seeing Atlanta happy and chatting. Better than cute even. Beautiful maybe? The same sun that lit phones and marina so loving earlier now bounced off Atlanta's red hair and the gold braiding of her neat uniform, just like it did his. Yeah, really beautiful. And it set him thinking about a future he often didn't think about. Not outside his career anyway. He didn't have time to worry about whether he'd be a good dad someday-!
Atlanta on the other hand. She'd thought about it. And he'd seen how she'd genuinely enjoyed having a messy wriggling bundle in her arms. Troy couldn't bear the idea of Atlanta leaving radio or the WASPs anytime soon. Or see her leave her dad's side. not now at least. But now she'd said about wanting kids? yeah. yeah, he could kind of see it. She'd probably make a great mom to some lucky child.
The commander would probably make a great grandad too. The old guy might be gruff and even cantankerous at times but Troy had seen first-hand how much he loved his daughter and how much he was willing to sacrifice to keep her safe. And he'd been with young Barry Byre? He'd dote on any grandkid, carrying them around in his chair still growling at everyone else. And Atlanta would both tell him off for fussing and be delighted at the same time.
He could picture her at a Mom and tots' group on base one day maybe? Atlanta so suited holding Amber. she'd one day have own nearly newborn in her arms. or a junior sat on her hip?
Atlanta was compassionate and passionate. And clever. It was one of the many reasons Troy loved- ahem, Troy thought she was a real diamond.
And it set him off wondering things he'd never considered before. like Would a baby of theirs have Dark haired or red like Atlanta's? Blue or green eyes? And could they even be Playmates with a green haired mer-kid perhaps? Would Atlanta Dress them up in tiny boots and nappies and Baby grow with fishes and boats on too…
"Skipper?"
"Huh?" Troy blinked and turned back to his crew man, realised he was getting way ahead of himself. "Sorry Phones, did you say something?"
Phones just snorted. "Only if you wanted another coffee." Then winked.
"Now who's Broody." He Whispered, jabbing Troy with an elbow.
"What do you mean!?" Troy said back. He would not admit it was a squeak.
"You've gone all soft." Phone's teased and poked him. "all goo-goo eyed."
"I have not!"
"Aw Troy. Do I get to be uncle shelly or godfather to your lil' uns too?
"Shut up." Troy scowled, batting him off. And then glancing back at Atlanta still smiling at baby Amber, muttering, "Besides, Uncle Phones sounds better!"