StarDate 12308.08 12:11 Hours -

Lynn sighed and looked at someone off-screen. "You know we will support you but heed what I said. I'm talking to you not just as your mother but as someone who has been in your shoes."

"I understand," Christine said firmly.

"Love you, baby girl."

"Love you too." Christine blew her mom a kiss and closed the connection.

When the connection closed, Lynn let out a big sigh.

Richard commented as he came up to stand behind her at her desk, his hands on her shoulders. "You knew that there was no chance that you were winning that one."

"I just hope that she knows what she's doing." Lynn reached up and held his hand.

"Might I remind you, good doctor, that there was once this young aspiring doctor who wasn't much older than your daughter when she went out into the galaxy and started picking up strays?" He teased and kissed the top of her head.

"But that was different. I had you." She replied and turned to look up at him.

"Then what's the problem here?" He asked, concerned.

"My stray included you. I was your extra pair of hands. But it took the two of us to keep up with Jack, and he was just two at the time."

"Your daughter seems to have inherited your sense of sympathy and your sense of dedication. Combined with my stubbornness, she thinks that she can do some good for this little girl."

"My mother and doctor sides are warring against each other. The doctor is concerned that Ensign Skyler has not had the training she needs to deal with this situation properly. And yet, as her mother, I can understand why she would take this child into her heart. But, Richard, there is a big difference between watching Christopher for a night and keeping up with a young child. There is no day off as a parent. I'm not sure if she knows what she is giving up for this little girl.

"Ensign Skyler has access to support programs and services, some of which you created to assist her with this child. And right now, that little girl needs someone that she can trust to help pull her through the storm, and Christine needs a 'project' to help keep her mind away from getting homesick." Richard shrugged, "This could be a good thing for both."

"You may be right." Lynn pushed herself to her feet so that she was face to face with her husband., "It won't be easy, but I think she could do it."

"Don't forget, not only does she have us to back her up, but I'm sure that the Lieutenants Ryerson will have a hand in this also."

"Jack doesn't remember his mother, and what he does of his father is not pleasant. Brielle had six years with her parents. I do not doubt that our family will support her. However, I feel she is going to need you more than me. You have been on both sides of this situation."

"I don't think that Christine will even try to replace Brielle's parents. But she doesn't want to see her orphaned, and she knows she needs a friend. I think she can be both." Richard shrugged, "The way I see it is that being put into this situation when I was as young as I maybe made me uniquely qualified. Maybe it doesn't. But she had her head wrapped around this idea, and I don't think that trying to move her would happen. But, you know how she gets. The easiest course of action is to roll with it, play along and see how it goes from there."

"She may just have to learn parenting the way you did." Lynn smirked, "Jumping in feet first."

"Feet first, more like headfirst." Richard rolled his eyes, "And at least she has the advantage of Brielle being a little older than Jack when he came to me."

"Possibly." Lynn considered. "Next question is, are you..." she teasingly poked him. "Ready to be Papa Skyler"

"It was bound to happen sometime. And my little nephew has been a good dress rehearsal for the role, don't you think?"

"A bit," Lynn teased, then sighed, "Same as usual, when she needs it, be there."

"As it has been, as it will be. I may have missed the beginning, but I've been there ever since."