The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted from the kitchen in Lisa's quarters when Rick arrived. He followed it contentedly and was about to pick one up from the cookie sheet.
"Hey, those are still hot," Lisa warned and tried to swat his hand away. "Besides, they're not for you."
"What? Who is he and why are you baking him cookies?" He tried to sound jealous but knew Lisa wouldn't buy it.
"Well, his name is Bowie and her name is Dana," she informed him. "They're sleeping over while their parents go on a much needed vacation."
"In short, we're babysitters," he said with a slight pout. He had hoped to spend the weekend with Lisa alone. Ever since that romantic night of his birthday, he had been hoping that they could recreate the mood but they have been so busy with their respective work since then. She had been spending a lot of time studying star charts while he was increasingly engaged in pilot training. When he found out that she had left early that day, he was hoping that she was planning something romantic for the evening.
"Yes, we have company," she acknowledged, seeing his disappointment clearly. "Actually Bowie is sleeping at your place and Dana will be here."
"Why?" He didn't quite understand the sleeping arrangements.
"Rick, how would you explain us to the kids?" She was sure their friends understood their relationship but worried the children were too young to understand.
Rick thought about it while Lisa started to pile the cookies on a plate.
"Let's say we're camping," he suggested. "An indoor camping in your living room."
Lisa was amused by his suggestion. But she had reservations that it would be plausible.
"I can't sleep without you nearby," he insisted. He moved to draw her into his arms. He leaned in to kiss her neck.
"Alright," she conceded. "You'd better get sleeping bags then."
"See, you can't sleep without me nearby either," he teased. He was surprised that she gave in easily but correctly guessed the reason she was agreeable to his idea.
"Get the sleeping bags," she insisted and pushed him out of the kitchen but not until he managed to kiss her on her cheek.
Bowie and Dana were quite happy with their sleeping arrangements. They had never been camping before so the novelty of it was warmly received. Rick even had marshmallows to roast over the fireplace.
"Auntie Lisa," Dana began. "Can we go on a real camping trip after this?"
"Yeah, Auntie Lisa, can we?" Bowie seconded.
Lisa looked to Rick for some help to discourage the kids but all he did was sit back and smile. She gave him a pleading look but he only chuckled at her. He was truly enjoying watching the kids nag Lisa. He would've joined them but he thought it would be too childish and they were doing such a great job without his help.
"Alright," she relented. "But only if you both go to sleep now."
Both children rushed to their sleeping bags and closed their eyes tightly to show that they were asleep. Lisa knew better but decided to accept their effort and think of where to take them camping. She went to get a map from one of the drawers.
"You'd better help me find a place," she said to Rick. "This is your fault."
"Me?" Rick asked with an impish smile. "What did I do?"
Lisa gave him a look that made him laugh. He was glad that things were turning his way but knew not to push his luck so he walked over and pored over the map with her. After a few attempts at finding a location that would be suitable, they finally agreed on a certain clearing that seemed safe for kids.
"It's settled then," she said. "You'll get the camping gear and I'll take care of the food."
"Yipee," the kids chimed together. They were excited that Rick and Lisa were taking them camping.
Lisa watched the kids' satisfied faces and saw the same look on Rick. She couldn't believe that a camping trip could elicit such a positive response. But she realized that she, too, was quite excited to be going. She took one last look at Rick who slept across from her and closed her eyes.
The camping site was not too far away from the base. It was a woody area and had an elevation that allowed them a nice view of the entire base. The kids had enough room to roam while Rick and Lisa setup their tents.
"I think you brought enough food to feed an army," Rick commented. He started to unpack the food bag that he had been carrying along with the camping gear.
"Remember that this was your idea," Lisa reminded him. "You started the camping idea with your indoor camping plan."
"Uncle Rick," Bowie said, running towards him. "Can we play hide and seek?"
"Auntie Lisa, can we please?" Dana added. She was pulling Lisa towards the trees.
"Ok, everyone hide," Rick said, offering to be the first seeker. When he was done counting, he announced that he was looking for them.
Both Lisa and Dana stayed behind a nearby tree while Bowie hid behind a boulder. Soon the quartet was racing to get back to the "home" tree when Rick found Lisa and Dana because the little girl couldn't suppress her giggle.
"Now you're it," Dana told Lisa.
The games quickly shifted from hide and seek to a game of tag. At one point, Lisa convinced the kids to take down Rick together. He didn't mind being tackled but not before he managed to bring her down to the ground when he caught her waist. Pinned down by both Rick and the kids, Lisa was powerless. Before long, the kids were worn out and they finally were ready to settle down for the night.
"Who would've thought they'd have so much energy for play," Lisa noted as she watched the kids sleep. She used a branch to tend to the fire as they sat on a pile of flat rocks.
"They're amazing aren't they?" Rick added. He watched the fire crackle between them and the kids.
"You were great with them," she said, slipping her arm under his. "You'll make a great dad." She didn't know where that came from but it was too late to take back.
"I'd like to have kids someday," he said with an optimistic look. "How about you?"
She nodded tentatively against his shoulder. The question still took Lisa by surprise and she wondered where this conversation would lead them. She waited for him to mention it first.
"Max said you'd make a great mom," he said. He noticed that she had become quiet and wondered if he had said something wrong.
"Did he?" she asked, not really wanting to know why. What she ached to know was why he didn't show any indication that she was a part of his plan for a family. When he remained silent, she abruptly got up and walked away.
Rick followed her after a quick check on the sleeping kids. She finally stopped a few yards away. She fought to keep the tears from falling.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Rick asked when he caught up with her. "Was it something I said?" He tried to reach out to her but she avoided him.
"It's what you didn't say," she said finally, gathering enough courage to tell him now. "Am I not part of your future?"
"What are you talking about? Of course you are!" He walked closer and this time forced her to face him. He wiped away the tears that had escaped her eyes.
"Rick, I'm a fool aren't I?"
"I probably should have been clearer," he finally said, it has finally dawned on him what she must've thought. "I want to have kids with you." To erase any doubts, he finally kissed her deeply.
"The kids might see us," she said when she finally broke free. She was almost out of breath but she felt reassured.
"Promise me one thing," he said as they walked back to camp. "When we do have kids, we won't stop kissing each other. I'm getting rusty already and it's only been a few days."
Lisa laughed at him. She imagined embarrassing their kids with their display of affection.
"What?" Rick asked with a mixture of surprise and disappointment.
"Well, it's just for a few more days," Lisa explained. "Max and Miriya's flight got delayed and Jean fell in love with the island that Vince decided to stay a few more days."
Rick liked having the kids around but missed having Lisa all to himself.
"If you want, I can take care of them by myself," she offered. "You can take a break if you want."
"Well, I guess a few more days won't hurt," he agreed grudgingly. "But they better not be thinking of extending their vacation again."
Lisa did miss having Rick all to herself as well. She reached up to him and gave him a quick kiss before the door to her office opened. Cindy had taken the kids off to get ice cream while she broke the news to Rick.
"Alright Dana, do you want to see where your daddy works?" Rick asked.
"Can I fly?" Dana asked optimistically. She knew her mom and dad flew the VTs and hoped that they'd take her flying soon. She was told that she was in one as a baby but she hardly remembers.
"I don't think so," Lisa intervened.
"Awww," Dana said with disappointment.
"Wouldn't you like your dad or mom to take you instead?" Rick suggested.
Lisa could see that Dana was upset but knew better than to let a child get her way.
"Tell you what, if your Auntie Lisa approves, I can take you to the simulator," Rick said to appease the little girl.
"Can we Auntie Lisa?" Dana asked with a bright smile on her face again. It got brighter when Lisa nodded.
The two kids dragged Rick out of her office, eager to get to the flight simulator. Lisa shook her head and saw a glimpse of how Rick would be as a father.
The kids were promptly picked up by their respective parents the following weekend. Rick and Lisa waved to them as the two happily told their parents what fun they had both camping and at the base.
"Finally," Rick said with a sigh of relief. "It's just you and me again."
"Your place?" Lisa suggested.
Rick couldn't get the door to his place opened quick enough to get them indoors. He had been counting the hours then minutes until he was able to get back to routine. He knew exactly what he wanted to do first the moment they were alone.
"Rick, slow down," she tried to temper him. She knew him better than that.
"You're wasting time," he complained. He was impatient and swept her off her feet and carried her into his bedroom.
When their hungers were both quenched, Lisa and Rick settled down for the night.
"I really liked having the kids," Rick said. "I look forward to having our own."
"How many kids do you want to have?" Lisa asked.
"With you or with someone else?" he teased. He anticipated her reaction and was ready to catch the pillow she swung at him.
"I'm serious Rick," she said with a hint of hurt.
"I'm sorry," he apologized and kissed her captive hand still holding the pillow. "But you should know by now that you're the only one for me. I wouldn't want anyone else to be the mother of my children." He reassured her by nibbling at her ear next.
"So?" she prompted him to answer her previous question.
"I think at least two," he replied. "I was an only child but I'm glad to have had Roy as a brotherly figure."
"Yes, being an only child is a bit lonely," she noted. "Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"Can we choose?" he teased, unable to fend off the pillow this time. "It doesn't matter." He assured her with a sweet smile.