Ripley splashed water on her face and dried it with her towel. Exiting the hall bathroom, she turned away from her own bedroom towards her daughter's room. Leaning against the doorframe, she surveyed the loft bed that she and Hicks had constructed to give Newt somewhere high and safe to sleep, like her hidey-holes in the ventilation system back on LV-426. Underneath hung gossamer curtains of spring green, concealing the bookshelves and beanbag chair that created a comfy reading nook. The walls were painted a pale, soft yellow that showed between the drawings and posters that tracked Newt's interests as she grew from a girl to a young woman in this room. Ripley's eyes fell last on the university pennant, and she blinked back tears as she turned from the room and headed to the kitchen.
She poured herself a small tumbler of whiskey and stood at the sink sipping it while staring out the kitchen window to the swingset in the backyard. If she closed her eyes, she could still see the big bow Hicks had placed on it the morning of Newt's 10th birthday while Ripley kept her occupied inside until it was time for the big reveal.
Ripley took another sip of whiskey and listened to Hicks' bare footfalls. "Hey," he whispered into her ear as he stepped to her and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss on her exposed shoulder. Ripley didn't reply but let herself melt into the warmth of his bare chest against her back. She relished the safety and stability she felt whenever he held her like this. The first time had been back on that hellhole, when she expected to again be alone and crazy, and had instead found Hicks beside her, supportive and steadfast.
Hicks rested his chin on her shoulder. "She never did call today, huh?"
"No. First day since we dropped her off," Ripley nodded. "I know that's good - she's doing so well that she's not feeling homesick anymore, but I missed hearing her voice."
"Yeah, me, too," Hicks agreed. "A munchkin-less house is a quiet house."
The tablet next to the window lit up with the words "INCOMING CALL FROM NEWT," and Ripley tapped to answer. Before her dimly lit image even fully materialized on screen, Newt said, "Hi, Mom. Go to bed." Hicks snorted. "Oh, hi, Dad!"
"You called me to tell me to go to bed? How did you know I wouldn't be in bed?" Ripley teased.
"Please, Mom." Newt rolled her eyes in a perfect imitation of Ripley. "It's 2:15. You've been up every night at 2:15 for years."
Ripley felt Hicks laughing behind her. "She's got you pegged, honey," he chuckled in Ripley's ear, earning himself a playful elbow that he easily dodged.
"Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't call earlier," Newt continued. "I knew you would worry. My suitemates and I went to a meteor shower party at the observatory." Several other faces popped in around Newt's, and a chorus of, "Hi, Newt's Mom and Dad," and "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Ripley-Hicks," erupted.
"Hi, kids," Hicks replied, grinning widely. Ripley waved, her heart full to see Newt surrounded by friends and beaming.
"Anyway, we're going to grab a late bite and then head back to the dorm. I just saw the time and wanted to hear your voices." Ripley teared up at Newt's words. "I'm looking forward to you coming out for Parents Weekend."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world, honey," Hicks said. "Love you, Newt."
"Love you, baby," Ripley echoed.
"Love you, Mom. Love you, Dad. Dad, can you take Mom back to bed now?" Newt asked.
"You never have to ask me to take your Mom to bed," Hicks replied, making big sloppy kissing noises against Ripley's neck and shoulder while Ripley swatted at him with her free hand.
"Eww, Dad!" Newt protested, giggling. "Love you two weirdos!" she yelled again as the screen went dark.
Hicks held Ripley for a moment longer, kissing the side of her neck. "Come on," he whispered in her ear. "You heard our daughter. I'm supposed to take you back to bed."
Ripley turned in his arms, a mischievous smile on her face. "What if I'm not sleepy?"
"Oh, I think we can come up with something to do," Hicks answered before kissing Ripley deeply. "We do have the whole house to ourselves."