"So, we're doing this?"
Laura sighs at Bill's question as she fixes her hair and straightens her dress in the bathroom.
"Yes," she says, walking back into room, where Bill is sitting on the bed. "But slowly." Bill grins and grabs her by the waist, pulling her in between his legs. "I said slowly, Bill."
"I know, I know," Bill says, but then (grinning), lifts his chin to capture her lips in a kiss. Laura can't stop a tiny moan from escaping her as her hands place themselves on his shoulders, her mind losing track of time for a few moments before she comes back to her senses and pulls away.
"No, Bill!"
"Okay, okay," he says, chuckling and walking to the door. "But you're the one who pulled me into an empty hospital room and jumped me, remember?"
Laura groans as she follows him into the hall.
"How long are you staying?" she asks, while shooting him a glare as he tries to wrap his arm around her waist.
"How long do you want me?"
"I'd like you all night," Laura sighs, then blushes as Bill grins. "In a manner of speaking. And you can't, anyways. You have work tomorrow and the boys need to be taken care of."
"I can stay. The neighbors won't mind having the kids for a night."
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Bill shrugs and stuffs his hands into his pockets. "I like you." Laura blushes. "And you're a very good kisser." She punches his arm as they wait on the elevator.
"You really want to be here? At the hospital? All night? With me and my dying mother?"
"Yes."
"Well . . . fine." Laura sighs again, but it's lighter this time, giving away the fact that she's secretly relieved to hear him say it.
The ride up the elevator is full of Bill's quick, stolen kisses and Laura's giggles and feeble protests, but they both sober up once the elevator dings and the doors slide open. This isn't exactly a happy occasion, after all.
But Laura's spirits are lifted when they come to her mother's room to find her sitting up in bed. She smiles.
"Well, Mr. Adama," she says, placing her hand on the door handle. "Are you ready to meet my mother?"
"I thought you said you wanted to take things slow?" Bill says jokingly, and Laura chuckles as she opens the door.
"Oh, hello, nice of you to show up!"
"Sorry, Mom," Laura laughs, sitting by her mother's bed as Bill closes the door behind her. "I was just getting something to eat."
"Who's this?" Her mother suddenly looks very interested, green eyes sparkling as she notices Bill.
"This is Bill," Laura says, taking a deep breath. "He's the father of one of the children I'm tutoring."
"Oh, I see." Her mother's smile only widens. "Well, don't be shy – come in! Tell me, what's the father of one of my daughter's students doing here?"
"Well, I . . . er . . . well, Mrs. Roslin, I . . ." Bill stutters and Laura blushes, causing her mother to laugh.
"He's . . . we're . . ." Laura tries to explain, but comes up short, which makes her mother laugh even harder. Laura chuckles and shakes her head.
"We're friends," Laura finally manages.
"A little more than that," Bill mutters, almost too quietly to be heard, but not quite. Laura gives him her coldest glare. Her mother laughs again.
"Oh, Laura, could you get me something from the vending machine? You know how the food is here."
"I'll get it," Bill offers, standing up a little too quickly. Laura's mother chuckles.
"All right. A granola bar, please."
Bill nods and leaves the room as quickly as possible. Laura sighs and lets her head fall to the bed.
"Mom," she groans.
"What?" her mother chuckles. "I didn't do anything."
"You embarrassed him!"
"Oh, he'll get over it." She settles more comfortably against her pillows. "He has kids, right? So a relationship with him is going to be serious. That's not really your type, these days."
"Yeah, I . . . I know." Laura looks away, biting her lip. Her mother sighs.
"How long is he staying?"
"All night."
"He's really smitten with you."
"Yeah," Laura laughs, still avoiding her gaze.
"Oh, Laura," her mother says, touching Laura's wrist. "Look at me, sweetheart." When Laura looks up, she has tears in her eyes. "You know I'm proud of you, right?"
"I'll never understand why, after all I've put you through."
"That wasn't your fault."
"It was my –"
"No. Stop it. Quit blaming yourself for everything, Laura – I'm sick and tired of it. You can't be expected to handle everything with grace and composure. I don't know if you've noticed, but you're human just like the rest of us. You're gonna frak up honey, it happens. And after everything, I promise you nobody blames you. Nobody but you. You're finally getting your life back together – be proud of yourself! This Adama boy is proof that you're doing well. Even if it doesn't work out, I'm still proud of you. I'll always be proud of you."
"Mom, I don't –"
"But if you remember one thing," her mother continues, "One thing I've said to you after I've gone, just remember to trust, to never give up on love. Now I know that sounds corny and I know you're too practical for this sort of talk, but I mean it. Never give up, no matter what life throws at you. And life can be pretty shitty to you, I know."
Laura laughs, squeezing her mother's hand.
"They had two different kinds of granola bars, so I just got both of them." Bill suddenly comes back into the room, snacks in hand. "I . . . Am I interrupting something?" Laura shakes her head.
"No, come in. Did you get me something too? I seem to recall that I didn't get a chance to finish my dinner." Bill grins.
"Promise me, Laura," her mother says quietly to her. "Promise me you won't-"
"I won't, Mom." Laura looks up at Bill again as he fumbles with all of the food in his hands, and a small smile works its way onto her face. "I promise."