Days passed by quickly and soon the SDF-4 was fully staffed and operational. Rick trained the team before handing off to Vince.
"Well Vince, take good care of her," Rick said as he climbed on-board the shuttle back to the SDF-3.
"Don't worry a bit," Vince said proudly. "She's in good hands."
"I know; that's why we picked you."
"See you soon."
Rick couldn't get back to the SDF-3 fast enough. If he were piloting a VT, he knew he could've been there already. But Lisa had insisted he take the shuttle.
"Welcome back Admiral," the flight deck officer greeted him.
"It's good to be back," Rick replied, hurrying to the lift that would take him home to Lisa and the kids.
Rick entered his quarters and immediately hugged the robed woman he saw. He spun her around and was shocked to see who it was. The towel wrapping her hair fell and revealed long black tresses.
"Rick!" Lisa greeted, coming out of their bedroom.
"I didn't know it wasn't you," he stammered an excuse. "What is Minmei doing in your robe?" He looked and wondered how he could've mistaken Minmei for Lisa. Sure Minmei had her hair wrapped in a towel and was wearing Lisa's robe but he should've known better.
"It's alright," Lisa assured him, reading his mind. "Minmei had a little accident courtesy of your son."
"What do you mean?" Rick asked in confusion.
"Roy sprayed me with pee," Minmei said with a slight pout.
"I'm so sorry," Lisa said apologetically. "I didn't know he would."
"I'm sure he didn't mean to," Rick defended his son. "That's all he does and you really need to be prepared for anything."
"It's okay," Minmei finally accepted.
"Your clothes must be dry by now," Lisa offered.
"I can get it," Minmei announced, heading for the laundry nook.
"Why don't you ask Minmei to stay for dinner?" Lisa suggested and headed into the kitchen.
"So that she can complain about Roy again?" Rick countered. "Besides, I want to be alone with you." He nuzzled her neck as she prepared dinner.
"Rick, we can do that after dinner." She tried unsuccessfully to push Rick away.
"Are you saying that you don't miss me?" he asked with slight disappointment.
"Of course I did," she assured him and gave him a quick kiss. "But since I'm making dinner, it would be polite to invite her."
"I'm back," Minmei announced when she rejoined them.
Rick invited Minmei to stay for dinner but she declined to his relief. He didn't mind having friends over but he really wanted to just spend the night alone with Lisa. Besides, if Minmei stayed for dinner, she may want to stay longer after the kids went to bed.
"Are you sure?" Lisa inquired.
"Yeah, I already made dinner plans," Minmei lied.
"Daddy!" Clarisse yelled at the top of her lungs when she came out of her room. She had been playing with her toys that she hadn't heard him come home. She ran into his arms and he scooped her up for a quick kiss.
"How's my little girl?"
"I want to show you something daddy," she replied. "Mommy and I worked on it all morning."
"You did?" he said, looking lovingly at Lisa.
"Yes!"
Minmei quietly left because she felt that she was intruding into a family moment. Only Lisa noticed but she didn't want to make Minmei feel any awkwardness. She knew that Minmei was lonely and hoped that somehow she would find someone to fill the void.
"Mommy," Clarisse drew her attention. "Daddy says he loves my drawing."
Lisa smiled and watched Rick proudly post her latest artwork on their display board.
"Hello," Rick greeted Lisa when she entered their bedroom after putting the kids to bed.
"Hello," Lisa replied seductively. She was fairly glad for the privilege of having bigger quarters especially now that Roy was old enough to be in his own room.
Rick moved towards Lisa to draw her into his arms.
"Let me just check the baby monitors," Lisa said, evading him slightly.
"They'll be fine," he said, pulling her back. "If they need anything, I'm sure they can wail loud enough."
"Rick! That would wake up the neighbors. What will they think of us?"
"I think they already know we have kids," he teased. "But seeing how happy those two are, I'm sure everyone knows how well cared for they are."
Lisa knew he was right and let him carry her to bed.
Another year had quickly passed and Rick once again found himself in-charge of the SDF-3. He wondered how many more of those he would have to go through before they finally reached their destination. But before they could reach it, they needed to replenish their resources and have recently found twin planets that fit the bill. When they started negotiations to trade, they realized that the two planets were locked in a timeless feud that prevented them from trading with both. And if they traded with just one, they're needs could deplete its resources that could place it at a disadvantage that it would not willingly give them what they need anyway. So, Lisa and Exedore had attempted to resolve the feud by acting as mediators while he waited on the SDF-3. He was helping Roy get into his pajamas when he heard the familiar ring.
"Hi, how are things there?" Lisa asked over the communication link.
"Dull without you," Rick replied frankly. "When do you think you'll be back?"
"I think we're making progress and should be done in a few days," she said. "I miss you."
"I miss you more," he said. "So, they've finally come to an agreement?"
"I think that no one really remembers what the feud is all about any more. They're just propagating an age old misunderstanding. It's unfortunate the Capuletian prince and Montecchian princess are caught in the middle of it. I definitely see their strong love for each other and I think that this union is just what they need to create a harmonious co-existence. I certainly hope it doesn't end up like the Shakespearean play."
Rick gave Lisa a blank stare.
"Romeo and Juliet," she clarified.
"I knew what you meant," he finally let on with a sly smile. "I wasn't day-dreaming all the time in school. Anyway, I think if there is anyone capable of preventing a tragedy, that's you."
"Thanks for your vote of confidence. Exedore and I will certainly try our best."
"Someone's here to say 'hi'," he announced as his little boy tried to clamber up his leg.
"Hello Roy," Lisa greeted with tears forming in her eyes especially when Roy touched the screen hoping to touch her face.
"Me, too, daddy," Clarisse requested, reaching up to be lifted up.
Rick picked her up and placed her over his other knee. He let the kids and Lisa exchange a tender moment. When Roy started to yawn, he told Lisa that he'd put them to bed and be back shortly.
"Come home soon, mommy," Clarisse pleaded as parting words before Rick took her to bed.
"I'm back," Rick announced when he returned.
"Don't forget to take the kids for their medical check-up," Lisa reminded him.
"Got it covered," he assured her. "Cindy already put a sticky note to remind me." He pulled it off the side of the screen to show her.
"And don't forget to hold their hands if they get a shot."
"Got it. Anything else?"
"Aren't you due for an annual physical, too?"
"I'll wait until you return so you can hold my hand if I get a shot," he joked.
Lisa couldn't help but laugh. But before she could say anything, Exedore entered the room to let her know they were off to another meeting.
"I have to go, I'll see you soon," she said and pressed her hand against her screen.
"Good luck, and see you soon," he replied and pressed his hand in a similar fashion across from hers.
Lisa and Exedore took a quick lift ride to the meeting. They were shocked to see that each party was engaged in another yelling match with each other when the door opened.
"Once more, into the breach," Exedore said.
"I guess so," she agreed and took a deep breath before joining him to calm the assemblage.
Lisa got off the shuttle and was expecting Rick and the kids to welcome her.
"Admiral Hayes-Hunter," the flight deck officer greeted her when she reached the last of the steps. "A call for you," he added and handed her the handset.
"Rick?" she inquired over the phone. "Oh, hi Cindy. Yes, I'll be right there." She was obviously disappointed that it wasn't Rick on the phone as she hurried to her office. She knew that duty came first and she can deal with her feelings later.
When she entered her office, she found Rick sitting at her desk hard at work. She was surprised but it explained why his absence at the flight deck.
"Oh, hi," Rick greeted her when he looked up. "When did you get back?"
"Just now," she replied. "What's up? Cindy told me to come here ASAP."
"For starters," he started to explain, picking up a bouquet of flowers hidden from her view. "Welcome back!"
"I thought you've forgotten."
"How can I possibly forget when I counted the minutes until your return?" he admitted. "It's no fun going to bed alone at night. Besides, the kids keep asking when you'll be back."
"Ahh, so that's it. I guess I have the kids to thank for then," she teased and quickly appeased him when he reacted with mock hurt.
"To prove I really missed you, I've reserved a table for us at the swankiest place this side of the fleet."
"I just want to be with you at home," she suggested.
"Can't miss this place," he insisted. "Besides, you are home and with me." He took her hand and tugged her behind him.
Lisa was glad that she didn't dissuade Rick because she had a wonderful night out with him and certainly set the mood for when they got home.
Lisa was enthusiastically greeted by her kids when she arrived to pick them up at the Sterlings.
"Does this mean I'll be all alone again daddy?" Maia asked unhappily. She obviously enjoyed having Clarisse and Roy over.
"Well, we can have another sleepover at our place," Lisa suggested, rewarded by a smile from Maia.
"Can we do it tonight mommy?" Clarisse asked, equally excited as Maia by the idea.
"Maybe tomorrow night," she replied. "I just want you two all to myself tonight." She elicited a hug from Clarisse who was then joined by Roy.
"Hey there," Rick greeted when he arrived behind them. "You just couldn't wait to see them, huh?" He woke up alone and deduced correctly where she was.
"Daddy!" Clarisse yelled and threw her arms up for him to lift her up. Roy bounded for his leg and tugged at his pant leg for the same treatment.
"Ready to go home?" Rick asked both kids and got the affirmative nods from them.
"Thanks," Lisa said gratefully to Max and Miriya before following her family home.
"Mommy, daddy," Clarisse called out excitedly from the living room while they were preparing breakfast.
"What is it?" Lisa asked, walking over to the counter that divided the kitchen and living room.
"Roy just called me 'Risse'," she explained.
"Are you sure?" Rick asked, walking out of the kitchen and heading towards Roy.
"Yes daddy," Clarisse insisted.
Lisa and Rick waited for Roy to repeat the word he uttered to Clarisse.
"Maybe he sneezed," Rick tried to explain the incident when Roy showed no inclination to speak again.
"No daddy," she insisted again. "Roy say my name," she tried to encourage Roy to repeat her name.
"Well, he'll say it again when he's ready," Lisa noted. She gave Roy a hug.
Rick picked up Clarisse and headed for the kitchen.
"Risse!" Roy clearly said this time while pointing at his sister. He squirmed in Lisa's arms trying to follow Clarisse.
Rick and Lisa were overjoyed and hugged each child in turn to show their appreciation for the effort.
"You know what this means don't you?" Rick said. "We now have two chatterboxes with a million questions to ask."
Lisa laughed and playfully boxed his arm.