Note: This fic is going to have a mild West Wing crossover in it, but I've fudged with the characters and timelines a bit.
"You two sit your butts down on the couch and don't move a finger until I tell you!" Laura snaps at the boys from the head as she once again hears a stack of books tumble onto the ground.
"Told you," Aurora grumbles as she sits in Bill's chair, reading. The two boys take their seats on the couch, continuing to tussle with each other. Laura steps out of the head and narrows her eyes at her sons.
"What did I just tell you?" The boys snap away from each other, resting their hands on their laps. Laura keeps an eye on them for a moment before returning to the bathroom. She comes out a couple moments later and grabs a pair of heels, pulling them onto her feet.
"Aurora, where did Dad go?" Laura asks.
"He was going to the CIC real quick, should be back soon," Aurora says looking up from her book.
"Alright, let's go," Laura ushers the kids, getting the boys up off the couch before taking Aurora's book from her and putting it on the desk. Aurora stands and straightens out her skirt before following her mother out the hatch, keeping her brothers trapped between them. The four of them navigate the familiar corridors, finding Bill on his way back before continuing to the flight deck.
"You look nice," Bill tells Laura as he walks along side her.
"Thank you, managed to trade out some things for a new dress. It's probably one of the least worn items of clothing in the fleet. I'm surprised it's made it this long," Laura comments as she smoothes out the cream fabric, "Figured it probably presented better than any of my other outfits."
"You ready for this?"
"I don't think so," Laura says, carefully walking down the steps to the flight deck before grabbing both of the boys and setting them down next to her. Their pilot salutes both of them before opening the wing door. Bill offers a hand to Aurora before lifting the boys up and putting a hand on Laura's waist as she climbs up. He follows the four of them inside, taking the co-pilot seat. Aurora buckles into her seat, pulling Liam into her lap and holding onto his hands as Laura does the same with Alex.
Lee, Kara, and Zak had been on surface with a contingency of other soldiers and fleet members since they had found the planet the week before. Today they were making their first trip down, ready to start negotiations to get their people on the ground and start their new life. Laura runs her fingers gently through her son's thick auburn hair, kissing his head softly. For the first time since they had landed at the new planet she finally felt like it was over. She watches out the window as they break atmosphere and glide over continents of green and brown, deep seas of ocean blue, more and more detail becoming visible until they land on an air strip next to the other two raptors that had been taken down.
Laura lets Alex down and Aurora lets Liam down before they both unbuckle and stand. Bill gets out of his seat as the wing door starts to open. Bill steps out first before holding a hand out to Laura. Laura takes his hand and climbs down, making sure the kids get down safely before smiling at Lee, Zak, and Kara as they stand at attention.
"At ease, soldiers," Laura directs with a grin before wrapping her arms around each of them, kissing their cheeks, "So where are we off to?"
"The hangar over here," Lee directs, pointing to the building off to the east before starting to lead the group, "The President is here with his wife and his youngest daughter, as well as an Admiral Fitzwallace, and some various staff members. After introductions we're going to the President's Residence. Dad, I believe that you are supposed to coordinate with the Admiral about getting Galactica landed."
"When was the last time a Battlestar actually 'landed' anywhere?" Laura asks, holding onto the boys' hands as they walk.
"Ah…they don't really. Even when they were built they were pretty much assembled in space on a docking station," Bill explains, "But I'm sure we'll be able to work something out. She's not gonna make another jump, might as well land her."
Bill wraps his arm around Aurora, squeezing her, "When did you get so tall?"
"Yesterday," Aurora grins. Bill laughs and shakes his head as they enter the hangar. Laura regards the people waiting for them, quietly talking amongst themselves. Her heels clack gently through the hangar, a sharp contrast to the thud of the fleet issued boots everyone else was wearing. Once they are close enough Lee starts their introductions.
"Madame President, this is President of the United States Jed Bartlet, his wife, Abbey, daughter, Zoe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Percy Fitzwallace," Lee directs one way before going the other, "Mister President, President of the Twelve Colonies, Laura Roslin, Admiral of the Colonial Fleet, William Adama, and Aurora, Alex, and Liam Adama."
"It's nice to finally meet you, Madame President," Jed tells Laura, holding his hand out. Laura smiles and takes his hand, shaking it gently.
"It's great to finally meet you as well, Mister President," Laura replies, letting his hand go before shaking Abbey's, "Mrs. Bartlet."
"Madame President," Abbey responds with a warm smile. Laura smiles back before letting go. Bill quickly sizes Fitz up before offering a hand as well.
"Admiral."
"Admiral," Fitz replies, shaking Bill's hand curtly before letting it go.
"The motorcade is waiting to take us back to the White House. President and Mrs. Bartlet have been kind enough to open the residence to you while we're working on a solution to get the fleet settled."
"Of course, we appreciate you allowing us to impose," Laura says before they head towards the set of limos and town cars waiting. Laura looks over at Lee as they walk.
"The White House?"
"The Presidential residence," Lee clarifies with a smile, "Which is actually a giant white house, mansion...it's really nice."
"What do you really think of them?"
"I really like them. President Bartlet seems very willing to work with us. He's been very eager to talk to you. I think he knows things about us..."
"The Colonies?"
"Yeah. I don't know, it's just a feeling we've been getting," Lee shrugs.
"Do you mind taking the kids?" Laura asks, running her fingers through Liam's hair gently. Lee nods and thanks the secret service agent that opens the door for him, letting the boys climb inside before Aurora. Laura gets into the Bartlet's car, taking a seat across from the President as Bill slides in next to her. Her hand easily falls into his, their fingers tangling together as Laura's thumb strokes across his knuckles.
"How old are the kids?" Abbey asks.
"The kids? The boys are almost four, and Aurora just turned nine a couple months ago."
"Almost four, so you were pregnant when…"
"Yes, much to our surprise," Laura laughs.
"They're identical?"
"Mmhm," Laura nods, "And they definitely know how to use it to their advantage."
"And Lee and Zak?"
"A previous marriage, when Laura and I met the boys where in high school," Bill answers.
"So it's been quite the family affair on Galactica."
"Very much so," Laura agrees, looking out the window as they speed through the streets of DC, "This place…it's beautiful."
"Whenever you're up for it we can take a tour, take in the sights," Jed offers.
"Trust me, my husband would be elated to put his US history skills on display," Abbey jibes with a grin.
"I think I might take you up on that," Laura smiles, continuing to regard the passing scenery in silence. She squeezes Bill's hand as they pull up the long drive to the White House. All of a sudden in her mind they were on Caprica, making their way to Richard's for their first Colonial Day together. And in the blink of an eye they weren't. Caprica was gone, Richard was gone, and Colonial Day was probably going to be a thing of the past relatively soon. Once their car stops the door is opened.
Abbey and Jed exit before Bill and Laura slip out. Laura looks around in wonder, taking in the White House before turning towards the fountain, noticing the people gathered at the fence, taking pictures. Bill squeezes her hand, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Alright?"
"Yeah," Laura smiles reassuringly as she looks up at him. They quietly follow inside, taking in the distinctly American Colonial style of the house as they're all guided up to the residence.
"We thought the kids could take the Lincoln Bedroom, and you and the Admiral could take the Queen's Room. Don't pay any attention to those names, they are complete BS," Abbey says as she directs the group towards the indicated bedrooms, "There are a few basic outfits and some toiletries on the beds, and if you're hungry, we can have the kitchen send something up that's not algae based."
"I see Kara complained about our food," Laura comments with a wry grin.
"I don't think I've ever seen a group of soldiers so excited about fresh vegetables," Abbey smiles, "I'll have the kitchen send something up. I've convinced Jed to give you a couple hours to settle in before the barrage of questions starts."
"Thank you," Laura smiles, starting to relax, "Thank you so much for everything."
"It's nothing, really. You have been through a lot. And it's the least we can do," Abbey reassures her, "We will get out of your hair. If you need anything, just grab one of the phones and the operator will get you whatever you need."
Laura nods and Abbey retreats, pulling the doors to the East Sitting Room Closed. She looks down at the boys and runs her fingers through Alex's hair.
"You two feeling a nap?" The boys nod in sync, their blue eyes already starting to droop. Laura looks over at her daughter. Aurora shakes her head before going to look out the window, her hand pressed against the glass. Laura picks up Liam and kisses his head before guiding Alex to the room they had been bestowed, finding two small stacks of little boys clothes on the foot of the bed along with two small toiletry bags, "How about a quick bath, hmm?"
The boys regard each other before looking up at Laura and nodding quietly. She smiles and grabs an outfit for the both of them along with the toiletries before nudging Alex towards the bathroom.
[TBC]