Thanks, everyone, for adding this story and its parent to Favorites, and just generally keeping stride with me! You don't know how much this means to me! Anyway, I've thrown in a multi-part piece that I intend to carry on with directly after...so you won't have to wait (as long). This one's just got too much potential. Thanks again, and enjoy!
Chapter 16 – Independence Day!
"GRAMPA!" Alexandra Pendragon's voice carried as she bolted from the SUV the moment her mother set her loose from her booster seat. She was out before anyone else, and in moments she was scooped up into a familiar, tight embrace. "I missed you!" The formal tones she'd adopted while living in Camelot slipped and gave way to the American southern twang she'd been exposed to since birth. Hugging her maternal grandfather tight, she kissed his cheek and smiled into warm brown eyes, framing his face with her small hands. "Grampa, wait 'til you see Marissa! She's so cute! She started rollin' like a log across Momma's and Daddy's floor last night, an' it was so cool!"
Brigadier General David Lee Anderson grinned ear to ear at his granddaughter, nodding at Alexandra's quickly flowing words. "Okay, okay, half-pint," he interrupted gently, setting her down to her feet, "Let's go see if we can lend your momma a hand, hmm?"
David had barely taken a step off the front porch when the passenger door of the SUV opened, and the King of Camelot got out looking for all the world like he was completely out of his element. He clearly felt ill-at-ease in this strange land.
Squaring his shoulders, David strode over, offering a hand in greeting. "Good to see you, Uther," he greeted cheerfully, clasping the King's shoulder with his own sense of authority. "Alex, see if your mom needs a bag or two brought in, please, sweetheart?"
'Kay!" Alexandra skipped over to the other side of the Nissan Pathfinder.
David paused and laughed once the child was out of earshot. "Man, that li'l girl is a firecracker, isn't she?" His eyes were lit with mirth. "C'mon in. We've got two hours before the barbeque." He paused and turned to yell, "I brought your surfboard home yesterday, 'Kel!"
Those words were promptly met with a loud squeal and a triumphant, "YEAH! Surf's UP!" Kelly paused once handing Marissa Pendragon's car seat to Arthur, and she turned with a huge grin. "Dad, you rock!"
David laughed, leading the way back up to his front door. "An' I know it," he called back. He met Uther's confused, uncomfortable gaze and shrugged. "The least I can do when my girl's been gone so long."
Uther followed David into the house, pausing in the doorway. He turned to see his son and daughter-in-law ascend the porch steps. He pointed to his former ward, stating, "I don't know what this 'surfing' is, but if it is even remotely dangerous, you will not be participating in such things. Do I make myself clear?"
"Oh, come on!" Kelly glanced incredulously at her husband and rounded to face Uther. "It's not dangerous. I've been doing this for years. It's just...fun." She shrugged, stepping past him. "Besides, I'll be out there with twenty or so Marines. What could possibly go wrong?"