I am sorry it has been such a long time again! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own BSG!

December 1803

The Adama Christmas Day

Bill Adama

Christmas Day was one of the days in year when Bill actually thought he might still miss Carolanne. At least a little. Or maybe he simply missed being with someone. Waking up next to someone, playing games with the children and sharing some kisses in the snow. Once again Bill questioned himself: Was that the reason he was attracted to Laura? Because she could fill that void? (And no man would deny that she was beautiful after all.)

On the other hand - he was barely awake and his thoughts were already drifting towards the red-haired woman with those incredible eyes. No way this was merely pragmatic reasoning. Or merely physical attraction. He felt a warmth towards her that he hadn't felt in years - if ever. This had to mean something. Something they should talk about. Soon. Before things got even more awkward between the two of them.

Slowly, he got out of bed to dress for the day. The breakfast he shared with Kara and Dee was a comparably sad affair, it was clear they were all worrying about Lee. Only a letter had arrived, telling them he was as fine as could be expected, unharmed and missing them. Well, mostly missing Dee, probably, Bill thought. Definitely not missing the arguments with his father. It was strange to see Kara in such a sad mood, the usual snarkiness gone. Maybe she was thinking about her mother, too? One couldn't say and Bill didn't want to pry. At least the ride they went on in the afternoon seemed to bring back her spirits, her eyes were sparkling more and there was more bounce in her steps than there had been only hours earlier.

Of course there was the other obligatory act on Christmas Day - going to church. Under normal circumstances, he saw no good reason for crowding in a little drafty building with a cross on top, singing songs he didn't like and praying to a God he had long ago stopped believing in. He only went some Sundays to please Kara and Dee, but all in all he rather endured people's talk about him being a heathen than Reverend Ronald's weekly Sunday service. At least there was a cheerful spirit on Christmas and he didn't feel particularly depressed when they left the Little building. Bill had hoped to be able to go home soon, but apparently all his neighbours who usually left him in peace had the desire to talk to him today.

Some chats were short and nice, only the necessary greetings, others turned out to be tedious when suddenly the topic of war came up.
After about an hour, Kara started to become antsy next to him, maybe he should have sent her home earlier. On the other hand, they had come with (obviously) one carriage and he didn't feel the desire to walk all the way home.
A man from the other end of Kensington approached them, luring Bill into another conversation that didn't seem to find an end. This man didn't even try to disguise the fact that not only did he love to boast with how well his small business was doing, he also deemed Dee inferior and couldn't understand why Bill had taken the coloured young woman with them into their own bench row in church. Bill had to take deep breaths to resist punching that man, he didn't want to cause that much of a scandal.

Finally they were free to go. It was already getting dark outside and frost was settling on the grass and the leaves. The three of them were silent on the way back and even in the house the mood had reached a low point again. Dee excused herself to prepare dinner while Bill and his daughter decided to pass the time by playing cards.

"You could have invited someone," Kara suddenly blurted out, "we could have had a little party here. Maybe with Mrs De Biers or Miss Six. Not the Tighs though."

Bill looked up from his cards, cringing internally at the thought of the high society people in his house on Christmas Day. This was a time for family, not for parties with individuals he considered strangers, the time for this came later until the 6th of January. He could have invited Saul and Ellen but truth be told, somehow he hadn't felt like doing it.

"You could even have invited your precious Ms Roslin," his daughter argued then, making him raise an eyebrow.

"What makes you say that, why her?"

The young woman shrugged her shoulders.

"You would have given these Kensigton people something to talk about. Also, we could play Bridge now. And you like her. Surprisingly enough, I like her, too. She is quite tolerable for a women her age and her position."

"I am sure she has other plans for today Kara," he chastised her, not wanting to talk about the topic any further, "she knows enough people in London to be busy for the whole Christmas time for sure."

"Well, if you say so." The woman put down some Cards. "Can we invite the Agathons some time? I had a letter from Violet."

"Really?" Bill was surprised, he hadn't noticed any post coming during the last few days but was happy that Kara wanted to socialize with the Agathon daughter again.
"Yes, surely we can invite her after Christmas."

"Please invite her brothers as well, I haven't seen them for a time."

"Alright we -" he was interrupted by Dee announcing that dinner had been served.

Bill nodded to himself, maybe Kara was finally coming to her senses.

Thank you for reading!
Stay safe and healthy, wherever you are living!