Everyone knows the line about good intentions? I believe my road has three complete lanes with a fourth starting!
Please accept my apologies. I had intended to post these before and time escaped me. These are VERY rough drafts of scenes which did not make the final cut into the story. Just to show you my thought processes and because some of them are cute.
I also wanted to clear up a couple things.
Keith does love Allura, but is not IN love with her. There is a rather large distinction. Just because the "grand passion" does not exist, does not mean the many little loves of a marriage do not either. K&A grew into best friends, parents, and companions. You cannot have that kind of relationship without love.
In addition, history is filled with marriages in which no grand passion existed, but proved successful relationships. No, I am not going into details, go pick up a book! :)
Keith did not have the life he envisioned, but adapted and had a life of which he could take joy and pride. Read his words again. He has no regrets and would change nothing about his life. He does love Allura.
The story is not intended as sad nor to leave one unfulfilled. Rather, I wanted to show the face of true sacrifice and of the meaning of selfLESSness. The story shows honor, courage, and the incredible inner strength we can all possess in times of adversity.
Thank you to everyone who has read and commented on this. Words can never truly express the wonderment and joy knowing I have made people laugh, cry, and become angry over MY story. The fact I could evoke so many emotions leaves me in tears of gratitude and happiness.
Blessings on each and everyone of you.
--Kristina
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The summons to the team came in the midst of a rare break for the Voltron team. They had been relaxing in the rec room. Hunk fiddled with a mysterious electronic part with wires everywhere. Pidge had challenged Lance to a serious contest with Sven acting as judge. The first person to laugh lost. The only rule was no physical contact. Players had to take turns with jokes, body gestures, or noises. So far the only loser was the judge, who kept laughing at the efforts of the other two not to laugh. Keith had taken the opportunity to catch up on the endless paperwork of command. Though boring, the routine was an opportunity to turn off his brain and work by rote. The afternoon had been interrupted by a page. "Excuse me, Commander?" Keith looked up from his paperwork. "Coran asked me to inform you the transport you requested will land in 20 minutes."
"Thank you. Please inform Coran I am on my way to the tarmac. Gentlemen, if you would please accompany me?" Keith rose and with the team following, headed toward the landing area.
The four men fell in line behind their leader. "What's up, Cap? I did not know we were expecting anything from Earth." Lance remarked, "Did Garrison decide to send some back-up pilots? Lord knows we could use them!"
Keith only smiled and hurried his steps, "Even better, Lance. Just come see!"
The four pilots exchanged confused looks. Their valiant leader had not appeared so animated in quite some time. After four months on Arus, it had become obvious their quick hit and run mission had turned into a long term deployment. Garrison had made it clear they would be on their own, the Drule conflict had exploded galaxy wide and planets were pressed to supply their own militaries never mind a besieged planet with nothing obvious to offer at the edge of the galaxy. To Garrison's mind, if one planet could effectively draw off a substantial portion of the offensive forces of the Drule, the better.
They could only think Keith was expecting some supplies from home, perhaps news of his daughter and news of the rest of their families.
As they emerged outside, they could see a long distance shuttle settling in for a landing. The ever calm Keith was bobbing slightly on the balls of his feet in anticipation. The guys could hardly believe it. Their commander, this excited over a shuttle?
As the doors started opening, Keith ran forward. Before the ramp had even descended, their captain had jumped aboard the shuttle. The other pilots looked even more confused. Several minutes later, Keith descended the ramp, a dark haired girl in his arms. Hunk, Sven, Pidge, and Lance ran as fast as they could toward the two. Cries of "Cady!" "Cady-did-what!" permeated the air. Soon all five pilots were busy passing around the little girl covering her in kisses and not letting her feet touch the ground. They six of them slowly made their way back to the castle and to the rec room.
In their absence, Nanny had slipped in and set up and impromptu celebration. They still did not have much in the way of supplies, but a small one layer cake, some native Arusian fruit just coming into season, and some spring water sat on one of the tables. She had also had one of the maids put up a welcome sign for the little girl. Keith would be surprised to find his rooms moved to a small suite with two bedrooms. Coran had arranged with Magda to give the commander a place suitable for a man and his daughter. In the meantime, this small celebration would allow them to appreciate what the captain and his crew had done in the short time since they had arrived. Although Lance took any thanks he could, Hunk loved a little extra on his plate, and Pidge just blushed, the captain pushed aside any demonstrations of gratitude on the part of people. According to the commander, he had done nothing else anyone in his position would, and thanking him for doing his job was redundant. In this way at least, they could give the captain the thanks he deserved in a way he could not refuse to accept.
High above, a lone figure watched the reunion. Her long time advisor joined her. "Who is the little girl, Coran?"
"The Captain's daughter, Princess."
Allura felt her heart shatter at the news.
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She had recently celebrated her fourth birthday. They had invited the children from the nearby orphanage. They had pony rides, games, and a picnic. Nanny had even bent so far as to bake a cake for the occasion decorated with balloons. Magda had taken the motherless girl under her wing. For Cady's birthday, she had sewn a miniature version of Allura's pink gown. The look on Cady's face had made every minute spent on the dress worth it. She had thrown herself at Nanny in a rare display of exuberance and then demanded to change into the dress immediately. As far as Cady had been concerned, her birthday was complete.
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Cady twirled around in her new dress. She a dress just like the pretty princess. The princess played games with her when her Daddy could not, and she flew the blue lion, and wore pretty dresses and was really nice. Cady actually lived in a castle with a real princess. None of her other friends on Earth could say the same thing. They lived in boring houses or apartments. They wore boring clothes. All in all, Cady was happy living in the castle. She had her Daddy and three of her Uncles, and now Lura. Daddy needed to marry the princess so they could live forever and ever in the castle. Cept Daddy was really funny about Lura. He never called her Lura like her uncles. He always said Princess. Cady twirled some more until she fell down, dizzy. Immediately her Daddy picked her up in his arms. She loved being in her Daddy's arms best. He just smelled like her Daddy. She loved her uncles, but Daddy was best. She snuggled right into his arms, tired. She liked her birthday, but Daddy had promised her a special present. He said he and Black would take her for a ride. She looked up at her Daddy. "Can we ride with Black, now? I have been really good."
He Daddy pretended to think about it. Then he said, "I don't know, you do not looked dressed quite right. Hmmm." Then he looked at Uncle Lance. "Lance, where is that last present for Cady?"
Uncle Lance pulled one more bag from behind the couch, "Right, here Cap."
Her Daddy put her down and she ran over to Uncle Lance. Opening the bag, she found a uniform just like her Daddy's with a helmet! "All mine?" she asked.
Her Daddy nodded, "All yours. If you put it on, Black will take us for a ride."
Promptly she turned to Uncle Lance, "Dress off, Uncle Lance."
The rest of the adults in the room started laughing. Cady looked around in confusion, not knowing what she said that was so funny. Uncle Lance's face looked bright red. "Sure Cady."
Lance helped Cady put on her uniform and she ran to lift her hands up to her Daddy. "Ready, Daddy!"
"Cadet Kogane, there are a few rules." Her Daddy said in his work voice.
"Yes, sir, Daddy, sir." She responded.
"First, you must sit buckled in my lap at all times. Understood?"
Cady nodded.
"Second, when I say quiet, you. . ."
"Be quiet!" she replied. Standard question, standard answer.
"Third, we will have. . ."
"FUN!" The best part! Daddy and her were going in Black. This was the best birthday ever!
Sidebar: I actually use a variation of these rules with my own children. Regardless of the activity, the final rule in our house is that we must have FUN!
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Keith strode out the door with his daughter in his arms, heading to her promised ride in Black lion. She had only been on Arus such a short time, and Keith could not comprehend how he had survived four months without her presence. She gave him reason to fight and more, reason to return. Giving her a ride in Black in return was such a small thing and easily done. He felt blessed that the five of them had managed to raise a child so unaware of material things. On Arus especially, things were hard to come by. Some of the other children he had known on Earth because of pre-school and day care for Cady as she grew older, would not have done well on Arus. Cady had been able to bring some of her toys from Earth, but only what the weight allowance would allow. At such a short notice, it had not been much, but Keith suspected Coran had bribed or coerced GG into allowing Cady a little extra, her being such a small package herself and all.
Because I think Coran receives too little credit. Plus, who would not want to reward a guy as fabulous as Keith?
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Cady had a special place in the medical staff's heart. The bond between father and daughter became evident the very first time after her arrival Keith had been hurt and forced to stay in the hospital. He usually insisted on returning to his room so as not to worry Cady. Gorma had finally given the captain a choice; he either stayed as requested or would be sedated and would stay anyway. The captain conceded, but requested his daughter be allowed to join him. "The only time she has not slept in my room," he explained, "was when we first journeyed here from Earth and she stayed with my Uncle." The captain looked chagrined. "I do not think she has yet forgiven me."
The doctor laughed. "We can bring in a cot for her, Captain."
The pilot visibly relaxed and lay back against the bed. "Thank you, doctor."
A short while later, Hunk had brought in the young girl. She had the look of her father, with dark hair and skin tone, but with brilliantly green eyes. She looked tiny in Hunk's arms. "Dr. Gorma, this is Cady. Cady, this is Dr. Gorma, he is taking care of your daddy."
"Hi," was all the little girl said.
Hunk shrugged, "Cady would like to know if she can visit with her Dad."
"Of course. He is in his room." Gorma smiled. Since the arrival of the team, one of the rooms had become known as Keith's. He spent more time than the rest of the team being patched up for one thing or another.
Nodding, Hunk turned and headed down the hallway. The medical wing had been the first place restored after the arrival of the force. When they entered, Keith was dozing courtesy of the pain medication given to him by Gorma. The good doctor had already learned that the captain did not rest unless forced to do so by outside means. Hunk came over to the bed and gently sat Cady down on the side away from where Keith had been injured. She leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss. His eyes opened and he turned to give her a smile. "Hello Cady-girl. How's my princess today?"
Cady snuggled herself into the crook of her Dad's arm. "Fine."
Hunk smiled as Cady wormed into her favorite position. "I'll be back in a while, Cap. Just want to go give Pidge a hand with Black."
Keith nodded, eyes half closed as he fought a battle with sleep. Hunk leaned to give Cady a kiss on her forehead. "Remember what we talked about, ok?"
Cady looked up at her uncle, "Yes, Uncle Hunk. I 'member."
On his way out the door, Hunk stopped by to let the nurse know Cady was in with her Daddy. The nurse stopped by to check on the pair and found Keith fast asleep with his daughter petting his face and singing very mixed up nursery rhymes. When she saw the nurse she put a finger to her lips. "Shh. Daddy is sleeping." Cady said in the exaggerated whisper of a child trying to be quiet. "Uncle Hunk said Daddy has a big hurt and needs lots of sleep."
"Do you want me to take you back to your Uncles?" the nurse asked.
"No," Cady replied, "Daddy always pets my face when I am scared or hurt and sings to me."
The nurse smiled, "He does? Sounds like a good Daddy to me."
Cady nodded and smiled. "He is the best Daddy. So I am making him better. I am going to pet his face, except he is prickly. So I have to pet carefully like a shark. And I am going to sing, just like Daddy." With that, she resumed stroking Keith's face and a very mixed up song about a goose who jumped over the moon while Mother Hubbard fetched a spoon.
The nurse left the two of them, but spread the tale of Cady making her Daddy better. Every one of them stopped by at some point in the afternoon. Cady just stayed by her Daddy singing and petting his cheek until she feel asleep with her head on his shoulder and her hand over his heart. At some point, Keith's hand raised to cover hers, and they both slept. A cot was brought to the room, and stayed empty.
When Keith roused enough, they shared his supper together in bed, though Cady ate most of it. Pidge came to help Cady ready herself for bed and let the nurses tend to changing the captain's dressing and attending to personal needs. By the time they finished, the commander looked drained, but was determined to not let Cady know. He also let them give him something for pain, which he rarely did. Proof enough for the nurses as to how much he hurt. Cady came skipping in with Pidge about an hour later. She had her favorite book in her arms. Pidge lifted her onto the bed without her asking. Keith raised the bed to a sitting position, and lifted his arm for Cady. She crawled onto his lap, and Pidge raised an eyebrow as his captain drew a sharp breath and his face paled.
"Cady, maybe you better sit beside your Daddy tonight. Remember, he hurt his chest." Pidge reached over to help lift her off of Keith's lap. It was her favorite way to read stories, but obviously the captain's body would not take it tonight.
Without grumbling, Cady opened the book and put in half on her lap and half on Keith's. Pidge notice Keith's hand shake slightly as he lifted the book into a reading position. He had intended on leaving, but instead sat down in the chair beside the bed. It was not as if he had not read this book a hundred times himself, after all. Pidge pulled out a data pad and started scrolling through a recent diagnostic of the castle's computer systems. In the background, he heard Keith start to read the tale about the clever fox who outwitted the farmer. After several minutes, he realized the cadence was not quite right. Pidge looked over to see Keith's eyes glazing over as he tried to keep awake to read to his daughter. Cady looked up at her Daddy, not quite understanding. Pidge reached over to pick up the book. "Your Daddy is a bit tired tonight, Cady, how about I finish up the story? Keith, just let go. You need the sleep. I can finish The Clever Fox."
"But. ." slurred Keith.
"No buts, Captain. Sleep."
Cady patted his cheek, "Sleep, Daddy."
Pidge lifted Cady onto his lap, and started reading. Keith drifted off to his daughters giggles and Uncle Pidge's baritone. When the story finished, Pidge lowered the bed into a reclining position, helped Cady climb into bed with her Dad, and carefully tucked her under the covers. Keith did not stir. Pidge gave Cady a kiss and turned out the light, leaving the best medicine for Keith sleepily snuggling against him.
The next time the commander was forced to stay the night, he found the bed in 'his' room to be a larger one. When he commented on the change, the nurse on duty just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "With all the remodeling going on, this bed just did not fit into any of the other rooms."
It would be over a year before Keith learned the nursing staff was so impressed with Cady, they had a specially constructed bed brought in so she could stay with her Daddy if possible. There was always a cot in the room. After time, a princess could often be found staying in it cuddling with Cady when Keith's injuries prevented her from staying with him.
It absolutely crushed me to not include this scene, but it just did not fit in the story. Darrell and Hunk became very dear to me over the course of this story. Hunk because of his relationship with Cady. Darrell because he absolutely refused to take the role assigned to him. When I started writing, I did not realize what a hottie Darrel would become, or that he had a streak of the Ladies' Man. The temper also came as a surprise. Both characters grew in ways I did not anticipate but appreciated! Hope you liked them too!
Obviously, this came at a very early stage of the story, and actually I had written this BEFORE the scene at the academy and Cady's birth. Also before Darrell decided he could no longer stand the nickname of Pidge. This is also where aspects of Darrel's personality started showing through. I truly loved this scene, although it is rough and needs some serious work, I love the flow of it.