WHAT IF?*****Chapter -15

Kara meets Lee after literally running into Caroline, Lee's mom.

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What if-Chapter-15

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When Bill woke up the next morning Caroline and Starlight were already up and gone. He lay there a minute relaxing, it had been a while since he had slept in a soft bed and overslept because of it. He went to Lee's room to get dressed before heading downstairs knowing Caroline would have coffee and breakfast ready. He hated he had to put his uniform back on, but as soon as he left here he would be headed back to the Galactica.

Caroline had tried not to make much noise as she and Starlight got out of bed, she knew Bill rarely got a good nights sleep. After getting dressed she grabbed Starlight's bag and dressed her downstairs. She had dressed her in a light blue simple dress, because she wanted to take pictures of Bill and Starlight together for herself to keep.

After starting the coffee she fed Starlight her favorite baby food which was cereal mixed with bananas. After cleaning her up she placed her on the counter in her rocking seat while she fixed breakfast for Bill and herself. She made a simple breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon and toast.

Bill walked in while her back was turned " That smells wonderful Caroline, but you didn't have to go to so much trouble just for me "

Caroline who was dressed in a simple blue dress herself turned to him smiling " I cook almost every morning, Kara or the boys have a habit of dropping by "

Bill went to the counter and sat down after fixing himself a cup of coffee, making sure to place it away from the baby. He then leaned over to look at Starlight " Good morning little lady, that is a pretty dress Grammy has you wearing "

After fixing both their plates she took them to the bar and sat down after placing them in front of each of them, she then turned the rocker so they could both see Starlight as they ate. " Before you leave Bill I want to take a few pictures of you and Starlight for me to keep "

Bill looked at her " Only if you send me a couple of them after you have them developed "

Caroline nodded " Kara is keeping Lee away until lunch, so you should have a couple of hours before you have to leave "

Bill finished eating trying to figure out how to tell Caroline he was ready to tell the boys they were seeing and talking to each other again. He wasn't sure how she would respond, he figured he would start with what Kara thought first " Caroline what does Kara think about us seeing each other again?"

Caroline laughed " She thinks it is great and that we should tell Lee and Zak "

Bill turned in his seat to face her " What do you think?"

Caroline shrugged " I want to, but we need to be sure first, I don't want to put them through it again if it doesn't work out "

Bill reached for both her hands " Caroline what I said last night I meant, I am going to retire and I want us to be together again and I don't mean then, I mean now "

Caroline thought about it and she knew she wanted Bill to come home as often as he could during the next year, somehow she knew she could trust Bill this time " Okay, but Lee leaves in a week, so when can we tell him?"

Bill glanced at Starlight who it seems had been watching them " Now, call Kara and tell her and Lee to come as soon as they can "

Caroline was nervous all of a sudden " Bill I am not sure how Lee will feel about us "

Bill reached and picked Starlight up " We have to tell him before he leaves and besides with Starlight here he is less likely to yell "

Caroline laughed " You are going to use our granddaughter as a buffer?"

Bill kissed Starlight's cheek then Caroline's " Yes, now go call Kara, besides she agrees and she seems to have a calming effect on Lee "

Caroline laughed " Yeah she does, alright I'll call her now, keep an eye on Starlight "

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Lee had woken Kara an hour ago by pressing kisses against the back of her neck and after her still not waking he bit gently into her shoulder causing her to jerk " Ow, did you just bite me?" she asked glaring at him over her shoulder.

Lee grinned " I tried kissing you awake and when that didn't work well I "

Kara finished for him " You bit me, fine you have my attention, now what do you want?"

Lee pulled her over until she was on her back " You are a grouch this morning Starbuck " then he kissed her and as she was still naked he began fondling her breasts then slowly trailed one hand down her stomach as he grabbed her hair with the other one kissing her as he pushed his knee in between her thighs and whispered in her ear " Have you figured out what I want yet or do you need more proof?"

Kara didn't answer instead she pulled his head down so she could kiss him again before slowly pulling away " I think I need more proof Apollo "

He immediately rose up and settled himself above her as Kara opened her knees wider as she kept her feet flat on the bed. Lee placed his hands under her ass and lifted her just enough to enter her inch by inch hoping to drive her insane wanting him.

Kara lifted herself farther " Enough with the teasing Adama, I want you now "

That was all he wanted to hear as he slammed into her hard and then they frakked hard and fast.

Lee rolled off of Kara and when he could finally talk he said " I am going to miss the mornings also, first with you then with Starlight " Lee sat up suddenly " Let's go pick her up Kara, I miss her and I know you do to "

Kara lay there and closed her eyes thinking about how much she missed her, but she had promised Caroline that she would keep Lee away until lunch " Let's eat breakfast first then maybe go for a run before we pick her up, okay?"

Lee who was sitting up looked back at her " That doesn't sound like you Kara, is something going on?"

Before Kara could think of a lie the phone rang, Lee reached for the phone on the nightstand " Hello?"

Kara watched him as he listened to whoever had called then handed her the phone " It's mom she wants to talk to you "

Kara didn't take the phone she was scared to " Is something wrong with our daughter, Lee?"

Lee shook his head " No, I'm sorry I should have known you would think that, I think mom just needs to speak to you, that's all "

Kara took the phone then " Okay then "

Lee got up and headed to the shower while his mom talked to Kara wondering why she couldn't tell or ask him what she wanted.

Kara sat up and pulled the sheet around her, she had no wish to speak to Caroline while she was naked " Hello Caroline, what's up?"

Caroline must have thought Lee was still beside her because she whispered " Bill and I want you to come and bring Lee with you, we have decided to tell him about us before he leaves, plus Bill has changed his mind about taking a desk job " Caroline paused " He is going to retire and wants to be with me and help take care of Starlight together during your and Lee's last year away, but he has to leave soon, so please hurry and don't tell him, we want to "

Kara was stunned " Wow, something special must have happened last night "

Caroline quickly answered " It did, please hurry, bye Kara "

Kara got up and joined Lee in the shower wrapping her arms around him as soon as she entered, hugging him from behind.

Lee turned to face her and quickly kissed her hoping to be with her again, but Kara pulled back " What's wrong Kara and what did mom want?" he knew the two were related.

Kara sighed " She needs us to come and pick Starlight up as soon as we can, something has come up and she said she would explain it to us when we get there " that was as close to the truth as Kara could get.

Lee pecked her on the lips " I will get dressed while you shower, she probably has a Garden Club meeting or something, besides I already wanted to pick Starlight up "

Kara showered quickly and threw on the first clothes she found a pair of cut-off blue jean shorts and a black t-shirt along with her black sandals. She found Lee in the living room waiting on her " Ready?"

Lee was wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt with his tennis shoes " Ready "

Kara grabbed the keys to her truck and locked the door behind them. Ordinarily Lee would be driving, but Kara knew they had to get there as soon as possible.

As they sped down the highway Kara was glad Lee wasn't asking questions like he normally did, as soon as she had that thought she became worried " Are you okay Lee?"

Lee reached over and laid a hand on her shoulder " Yeah, just thinking about leaving and wishing we didn't have to, and you don't have to tell me, I know we have to go "

Kara reached over and squeezed his leg " We have six days left, so I think we need to do as much as possible and enjoy it, because worrying about it is not going to change it "

Lee squeezed her shoulder " You're right and in a couple of minutes I get to hold my daughter and I am going to treasure the time I have left with her "

Kara grinned and poked him in his side " Just make sure you don't forget about me, Ill need time with you and my baby girl too "

Kara sighed they were pulling into the drive way of the Adama house and she knew Lee's life was about to be changed, she just hoped he would be happy for them.

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Bill and Caroline had been in the backyard taking pictures with and of Starlight when Caroline heard Kara's truck pull up in the driveway " They are here Bill "

Bill who had been holding Starlight stepped beside Caroline " Let them come to us, then we can go sit on the patio and talk to Lee and Kara "

Caroline looked over at him " Do you think it will be better if Lee doesn't know how much Kara knows?"

Bill answered as he switched Starlight to his other arm " He will know that she was aware of something, but he doesn't need to know it all, I don't want them to argue right before they leave "

Caroline nodded " I agree " so they stood there knowing Lee would find them soon.

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Kara was nervous as they walked into the house and watched as Lee looked first in the living room then in the kitchen " They must be out back, come on "

Kara followed slightly behind Lee as he walked outside and knew the moment he saw them because he suddenly stopped.

Kara stepped around him catching sight of what he saw " Why did you stop Lee?"

Lee only stared straight ahead and asked " Why is my dad here?"

Kara shrugged " We won't know unless we go talk to them and ask " Kara walked out to meet them immediately taking Starlight from Bill " Hello baby girl, Mama missed you so much and so did Dada, hello Bill and Caroline "

Kara knew Lee still stood on the back porch " We are going to have to go to him, just remember this is your lives, your sons are grown men now, so don't let Lee spoil what you two have " with that said she walked back to Lee and handed him Starlight " Lee your parents need to talk to us and you had better behave and remember we are leaving in six days and I have no intention of leaving with anyone mad at each other, listen for our daughters sake Lee "

Kara had said all she could, so she sat down at the patio table where Caroline already had a picture of lemonade and poured herself a glass.

Caroline had put a hand on Bill's arm stopping him in order to give Kara time to speak to Lee, she could only imagine what she told him.

Lee still hadn't moved except to hold Starlight in a hug after looking at her and placing her on his shoulder, away from his parents, he glanced sideways at Kara " What do you know about this and don't say nothing, I know you and mom have been talking more than usual?"

Kara shrugged " Not much, just that they have been talking to each other more since Starlight was born, you might as well sit down Lee "

Lee saw his parents headed their way, so he went and sat next to Kara.

After Caroline and Bill walked onto the porch Caroline spoke " Lee your dad and I need to explain a few things to you and Kara before you ship out "

Bill pulled out a chair for Caroline next to Lee and sat down after she did across from Lee " Son what we have to tell you is important to this family, but more so for your mom and I "

Lee saw Kara glaring at him " I pretty much assumed that since you are here and not on the Galactica "

Caroline sighed " Lee your father has to leave soon, so I am just going to tell you. Your dad and I are going to give our marriage another try and before you ask, yes we both want this "

Bill spoke next " After Starlight was born your mom and I talked several times a week, at first it was just about our granddaughter and then we started talking about us " Bill paused to gather his thoughts " I realized I missed out on seeing you and Zak grow up and your mom raised you both while I pursued my military career and in doing so she gave up a lot, I don't want to miss out watching Starlight grow up and I want to help your mom do that while you and Kara finish your tours "

Lee was shocked and wondered if Starlight had caused his dad to reevaluate his life " What does that mean dad?"

Bill smiled at Caroline " After the Galactica is decommissioned I am going to retire and hopefully spend the rest of my life making things up to your mother and enjoy spending time with my granddaughter "

Lee scooted his chair back rather loudly standing up with Starlight still across his shoulders " Don't believe him mom, he will never leave the military and you will get hurt all over again "

Kara got up and took Starlight from Lee " You are not going to fight in front of our daughter, so I suggest you sit down and listen " Kara looked at Lee and spoke softly " Lee this is their life and their decision and you should be happy about this. I know I am because it means my baby girl will have both of her grandparents " she sat back down.

Lee wasn't happy, but he sat down looking at his mom " Are you sure about this?"

Caroline reached out and held his hand " Yes Lee I am, I know your dad will retire, as a matter of fact I believe he would retire right now if he could "

Bill spoke again " Son I am going to come home as often as possible over this next year and then I will be here for your mom and your daughter "

Kara handed Starlight off to Lee and got up and went to Caroline and leaned over and hugged her from behind " I am happy for you Caroline "

Then she went to Bill, but he stood up and pulled her into a hug before she could " Thank you Kara for everything you have done for my family, Caroline says you are a gift from the gods, and even though I am not a believer I still think you are a gift "

After hearing what his dad said to Kara he realized that if they had never met Kara his family would still be miles apart emotionally. He stood up and shifted Starlight onto his hip and leaned down to kiss his mom's cheek. " If this is what you want mom then I am happy for you also, does Zak know?"

Caroline reached for Starlight " Come to Grammy Starlight, and no we haven't told Zak yet, besides he will be at the Academy this year, so we will tell him soon, I just needed you and Kara to know before you left "

Lee walked over and shook his dad's hand " Just make her happy this time, please dad "

Bill had been expecting Lee to blow up and was astonished at how much he had changed, but then he saw Lee look at Kara and she had a huge smile on her face letting him know she was proud of him.

Bill felt he owed Lee something " I promise Lee, you have my word "

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They ended up staying and had just enough time to have lunch together before Bill had to leave.

Caroline reminded Bill about her cousin " Bill you know that Kara will be on the Pegasus, but do you remember that Helena Cain is my cousin, it has been years since we have talked "

He seemed to think about it " I do now, but I honestly hadn't thought about it in a while "

Lee asked " Did something happen between the two of you mom?"

Caroline laughed " No, I have barely saw your father over the years and I assume Helena has been just as busy, I heard she is an Admiral now "

Bill gasped " I heard about that, but at the time I had forgotten her relation to you "

Kara spoke " I hope she is a fair Admiral and not like some of the ones I have heard about "

Bill answered " I can't say for sure, but I do know that Admiral Nagalia of the Atlantia is a great Admiral, many people respect him, you are lucky to be stationed on his battlestar Lee "

Before anything else was said they heard a car pull up and Bill stood up " I have to leave now, but I am glad we had the chance to talk Lee, keep in touch and let me know how you are doing " he turned to Kara " The same goes for you Kara "

Caroline had been holding Starlight, so she stood up " We will walk you out "

They followed him to the door and before grabbing his bag he gently kissed Caroline on her lips and Starlight on her cheek " I will come as often as I can and I still expect to talk to you when we are within range "

Caroline reached up and hugged him " I will miss you, but at least this time I know you will come back, bye Bill I enjoyed you being here "

Caroline stood at the open door with Starlight watching him leave before heading back to the kitchen.

Kara had made Lee help her clean up to give them time to say good-bye.

Caroline walked straight to lee and hugged him " Thank you for not making that hard Lee "

Lee chuckled " I didn't have much choice if I expected to go home with my wife tonight " Lee saw his mom frown at his choice of words " I was just kidding mom, if you are happy then I am happy for you "

He reached and took Starlight " Hey, how about you and I take a walk down to the lake?"

Kara who had been leaning against the sink watching Caroline and Lee smiled " Teach her to say Mama while you take her for a walk "

Lee grinned at her " Right, I already told you she would say Dada first "

After they left Caroline sat down at the bar " Thank you Kara, I know you had a lot to do with how Lee reacted to our news "

Kara left the sink and sat by her " Not really, I think he secretly wanted the two of you together again, but he would never admit it, besides I only had to give him a small push "

They talked about different things waiting on Lee to get back. " Caroline I probably won't see you again until the day we leave, so I want to say thank you again for keeping Starlight for us, I know she will be safe with you and Lee and I won't have that to worry about "

Caroline stood up and waited on Kara to do the same then she hugged her for a long time " I love you as if you were my own daughter Kara and I am honored that you trust me with your daughter. Now I am going to get her things together, because I know you and Lee want to spend as much time as possible together as a family "

When Caroline walked away Kara wiped the few tears that had fallen when Caroline told her she loved her like her own daughter.

Kara walked out back and motioned for Lee to come in and waited until they reached her. Lee handed her Starlight " Hey baby girl, Grammy is getting your things and we are going home with Dada "

Lee leaned in and kissed Kara for a long minute before backing away and placed a hand on his daughters back, and smiled at Kara " Thank you for not letting me frak up today Kara, and for knowing what I needed when I didn't even know it myself until afterwards "

Kara smirked " That's what I am here for Lee, besides I need your family as much as you do "

Caroline opened the back door " Her things are by the door whenever you are ready to leave "

Lee walked in " Are you going to be okay until we see you later this week?"

Caroline smiled " Yes, I plan on having Zak come out and let him know about your dad and me, so he doesn't feel like we left him out of it "

After they all said their good-byes Kara, Lee and Starlight headed home for the rest of the week.

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A.N.- I should wrap this story up in my next chapter.

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