My last conversation with Sheppard managed to lift a great weight of my shoulders. Bringing Abbi to Atlantis would be hard, but I had friends, family really, here that would support me no matter what I did. Never mind that I wanted Abbi away from my father. He still is not happy about with my career choice, and I'm positive that the only reason he allowed me home that Christmas was that he was embarrassed every time people asked why I hadn't been home in so long. I've never understood how David, and Patrick before him, dealt with him on a regular basis. Admittedly i know Patrick broke his nose once, with a sweet right hook, but no one would tell me what it was about. The Colonel is most definitely his Father's son, stubborn as all hell, yet laid back, but if you manage to upset them, then all hell breaks loose.
Bringing Abbi to Atlantis could be the best thing for her. I love my sister, and her husband and children, but they've never had the connection with Abbi that I have, possibly because she can sense their antagonism toward my job. I don't know though. To bring her here, I would have to get new quarters, find someone to stay with her while I'm working, buy her clothes suitable for Atlantis (because the designer gear my sister buys her would be next to useless here), as well as anything else that girls of that age need. Bringing Abbi here is a permanent decision though, so I can't let her return to my sister if she decides she doesn't like it here. For security reason Abbi would be here until she was old enough to sign a confidentiality agreement of her own. Practically, she would be here until she started college.
"Ask her"
David's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"Ask Abbi whether or not she wants to move in with you. She knows your work is classified, and that you can't talk about it, so she should understand that the move is permanent. Just give her a chance and let her make up her own decision."
"I don't know David. I can't guarantee that there will be any others her age here for a while. We have more than enough socially stunted people here already, just look at the science department."
"She'll get more rational human interaction here than she'll get at your sister's. Your father forced her to enrol Abbi in your old boarding school this year."
"Thanks David. I need to go talk to your brother, see if I can get some leave. I need to go rescue my daughter."