Ok, here it is, a new chapter. Sorry for any delays but work and my degree are a bit of a nightmare at the moment. xxx

Chapter Three

In the days that followed on the Eclector, Peter never asked any more about the Day of Thanks, he had his tree and he was happy, spending his days after his lessons or in the Hanger. He spent his time making more decoration until the tree was swamped with the boys and crews creation.

Iztel had made plaster and moulds and the rest of the crew especially Jamsean, spent their evening painting them, to place on the tree.

In the meantime, there were missions to perform and things to organise, and Yondu was impressed to see everyone performing to their best, even though he would never say it out loud. As long as the job was done, and no crew died he was happy. Since new crew was always a bitch to train. While the majority of the crew took it in turns to leave the Eclector on their important missions

As promised, he kept an eye on the Vonspears family, to make sure that neither of them was slacking off, as word had got around of their unorthodox union and after the ribbing of their crewmates, about being domesticated.

They to Yondu's and everyone's surprise just shrugged it off but were still the same domineering hard-assed cocky, sharpshooting bastards they always were. Yondu noticed as he watched Jamsean and Gunnsen dispatched several Kree in their typical bloodthirsty manner, before running off after the job was finished and the spoilers gathered in the Eclector for victory sex.

However, both of them were spending more time with Peter, even though Yondu had brushed off the suggestion of guilt from Kraglin as he sat with the boy, who was attempting to put an engine together.

A mammoth task for any Ravager, let alone a four-year-old. But with his father sitting in the chair next to him, Peter carefully learned how the pieces worked and how they worked together. It didn't miss Yondu how happy his son looked at having his father's undivided attention, and he lapped up every word.

In return, Kraglin gave the boy exactly what he regularly asked for. A day out on a mission. It was a simple drop off, and retrieval, with the smaller S-Ships, which any crew could have done. But it was Kraglin who did it, with Peter, (and, of course, Fang) sitting on his lap in the Captain's chair, giving out orders while he watched the crew getting ready.

For Peter this was Heaven, he knew he couldn't get too close as the crew were working and that was critical, but he lapped up every word that was being said, as Kraglin held him in his arms and told him every part of the bridge, and how he could fly it all by himself.

For Peter, who had dreams of having an M-Ship of his own, just squealed with delight as the crew arrived back, and they took off through the stars. With any threat behind them, Kraglin then took the opportunity to let his four-year-old take the controls.

Peter, who couldn't stop the grin on his face, he took the steering still sat on his father's lap, and for a few minutes was in charge, as they flew through the stars. Everyone who expected Peter to struggle noticed how graceful he seemed, almost like a dance, when he moved the ship through the dark void of space.

Peter was still bursting with pride, as they departed the M-Ship and Hanger, as he rushed off to tell Iztel that he was almost a real Ravager! And couldn't stop talking about it that night at dinner.

In the end, seeing his son rubbing his face after the plates had been put away, the universal sign that he was sleepy, Kraglin scooped him up in his arms, carefully followed by Yondu.

Back in their quarters, they carefully washed and changed the boy into his softest pyjamas, and even though Peter struggled to keep his eyes open while he was being settled into bed. He still insisted on a story.

Yondu made it halfway down the page, before his son who frequently fought sleep closed his eyes and instantly relaxed, with Fang firmly encased in his arms, before they both planted a kiss on his forehead and left the room.

In the meantime, since he had to put in a shift on the Bridge, Yondu opened his pad and saw the date on the calendar, before immediately closing it again.

Time in space was always a loose concept; routines didn't exist before Peter had arrived in their lives. Before that, it was "sleep when you can, eat when you can, and never refuse work" An adult could get used to that with ease, but a child needed a routine.

So Yondu and Kraglin had come up with one, which worked out easier since Kraglin was paranoid had after three years the pair still hadn't taken a mission together, then Iztel Peter's tutor and MasterChef needed the routine to ensure he was available for the boy at all times.

In the end, the Ravagers had their shifts sorted they had more time off and it was better organised. A million miles away from the Ravagers predecessors who never cared about the welfare of the crew, as long as they didn't mutiny!

On that day, after breakfast Peter, was told that his lesson with Iztel would have to wait as Iztel was expecting a food order, so had to went down to the M-Ship hanger he say with the engine piece trying to remember how it was down, and how his daddy had shown him, but there was a lot he couldn't remember…but he tried to anyway, sitting there on the floor with the parts, and his little tongue sticking out in concentration.

Peter was so absorbed in his work, he almost didn't notice, Proctom coming into the Hanger, which caused him to finally look up.

"Peter, didn't you get the message? You're going to miss lunch". Peter glanced up at the Ravager with the scarred head caused by two operations on his brain, which still caused him headaches some days, who was just smiling at him.

Peter then noticed the hanger devoid of crew, and he was the only one in the room. Was he so into his work, everyone had left had just forgot about him…maybe he was too quiet, he thought, and almost on cue his stomach growled with hunger.

Taking Proctom's hand, the pair left the Hanger and travelled up to the Mess hall, following the scent of the food, they were almost there when Proctom took his pad out and looked through it.

"Ummmm, Peter you better go in. I'll be there be a second.

Peter frowned and released his hand on Proctom and just stepped into the room, taking a second to realise he was in complete darkness.

On the Eclector, this wasn't unusual. Peter knew at times they had to save energy, so when the crew were out of the room, the lights were always off.

"Lights", Peter said out loud, which normally activated the internal system, but all he got in return was darkness. "Lights", he said again, a little louder since even he knew that his voice was small.

Peter looked around the dark room, wondering why the lights were out, when they started off slowly, like little stars in the galaxy, which grew brighter and spread across the space.

Peter just looked amazed at the shiny lights, which got brighter and brighter, which then drew up the regular lights, and he just took a breath. The room was perfect; there was a smell in the air of hot meat, and spices. All the tables had been arranged and decorated, with table clothes, and cutlery all laid out like in restaurants, and he had never seen the Mess look so clean, as Peter glanced down and realised how shiny the floor looked.

Peter's four-year-old brain couldn't find the words, and just looked around, as Yondu, Kraglin and the rest of the crew stepped into the room, deciding to give Peter his moment of wonder, as Peter just turned to his parents, with Kraglin unable to suppress the biggest smile on his face, while Yondu could only smirk.

For a moment, Peter just looked confused, as Yondu was the first to speak.

"Happy Day of Thankfulness, Peter"

To everyone surprise, Peter's first reaction was to burst into tears, and run to his parents with outstretched arms, what were quickly filled with Yondu.

All of the crew, just looked at each other in bewilderment for a second, even though Yondu knew exactly the right thing to say. "Happy tears, right?" which caused Peter to look up into his daddy's face, and nod "This is just what I wanted…a party for the crew, where everyone is happy. I'm so happy daddy". Peter sobbed, Yondu managed to calm him down swiftly.

"Well, you thought you deserved a treat", The Captain said quickly hiding his own joy at how it had turned out, as Peter looked past him, and could see all the presents under the tree, and just gasped. Piled high, were dozens and dozens of brightly wrapped gifts, all expertly created.

In truth almost none of them could wrap for shit, but Proctom it turned out could, and had been charging the crew five units per parcel and had mind a small fortune that week. All shiny wrapped with finished edges just like in Peter's storybook.

Both of them noticed that almost of them seemed to have made some sort of effort, hair was combed, there was a scent of aftershave in the air, and virtually all of them were wearing their nicer coats, which still smelled of fresh leather.

"Are those for the crew", Peter practically jumped in Yondu's arms. "They get to be spoiled today?"

Yondu and Kraglin could only smile at the unselfishness of their son as they placed him down. "Today we celebrate", he said smoothly to the rest of the crew, who had all piled into the room, and couldn't stop the grin on their own faces that all their hard work had led to Peter being so happy, as the boy turned to all of them.

"We're going to have a party today". He said in a clear voice, as Yondu placed him down, and for a moment just felt confused. What the hell happened next? Did they do presents and eat…or the other way round? He felt like asking Kraglin but didn't want to sound like a moron, as Peter begun to bounce on his feet. "Can we have lunch first, because it smells so good…please?"

With a quick nod from Yondu, Peter immediately dashed into his chair, followed in quick succession by the rest of the Ravagers, as the Captain and First Mate finally took their own seats, looking forward to tucking into the roast beasts currently being brought out to him.

However he felt his son pulling on his coat slave, very instantly "No daddy, you have to tell everyone what you are thankful for before you eat…I read it in the books", Peter said earnestly, which caused Yondu to think for a second. Speech, he had to give a speech, as Kraglin gave him a look which meant that it was important

Yondu thought quickly Like hell he was going to be sappy, but it was a tradition, a Xandarian tradition which he didn't get but it was important to Peter, then what the hell. As he stood back up and cleared his throat causing every Ravager to look in his direction.

"Right so we give thanks, so I'm thankful this year we've lost no crew, we've worked hard and made lots of contacts. Next year I expect the same…and for Iztel and everyone who created this feast for us all" he added quickly, which caused their MasterChef to just smile.

From this point he had the day off on Yondu's strict orders and the Junior Ravagers were currently bringing out the extra beasts and glazed golden vegetables and gravy, which they did with no complaint, as some of the Ravagers, some who had never cooked in their lives had assisted Iztel with the meal, and as it was placed on the table. It looked marvellous while collective stomach growled.

"Right, so anyone got anything to add?" he said to the crew since he knew that everyone should have said what they were thankful for. All he really saw was Jamsean and Gunnsen sharing a quick tender look, which almost caused Yondu to roll his eyes. "Then let's eat".

Ok, I will finish this, as soon I get a moment. My master's degree is a bit of a nightmare at the moment. Thanks for reading xx