Stardate 12309.16- 06:30 hours – Ravenswood-
"How did you sleep?" Lynn asked as Jacob slowly made his way from the mother-in-law's suite.
"Surprisingly well. I didn't hear any nightmares from Brielle, so that is a relief." He took each step carefully.
"I think being around so much family last night helped ease her mind." Lynn wiped her hands on a towel and sat out a full breakfast for Jacob at the island.
Finally, Jacob limped over to the stool. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble, Captain."
Lynn smiled. "I wasn't sure what everyone wanted, so I made some of everything. Brielle discovered Nutella on pancakes this morning. She has been over the moon ever since."
Jacob chuckled and took a sip of the coffee. "Where is Brielle anyway?"
"She and Christine are out feeding the chickens." Lynn smiled. "The two of them seem so happy."
"I just hope I don't ruin it today." Jacob sat his coffee down.
"Do what is best for him. That is what Christine would expect you to do." Lynn leaned on the counter opposite of him.
"I appreciate the breakfast, Captain, but I don't have much appetite." Jacob started to get up.
"I don't think so, commander. You don't have to eat eggs and beans, but you must eat toast and sausage. Captain's orders." Lynn smirked.
"Aye, sir." He playfully glared at Lynn.
It wasn't long before Christine and a delighted Brielle came stomping in the back door.
"Did you have fun?" Lynn asked as she opened her arms for hugs. Brielle ran up and gave her a big hug.
"Oh, she had fun. It took her a while to realize you toss the feed away from you if you don't want to be swarmed by pecky hens." Christine walked over next to the island with a basket of eggs. Seeing Jacob picking at his food, Christine squeezed his hand and then got some orange juice.
"The chickees were hungry," Brielle told Lynn.
"I can't wait to hear all about it." Lynn looked at Jacob and winked. "Let's go into the living room. Christine and Jacob need to talk, and I want to hear all about your morning with the chickens."
"Yay! Lynn!" Brielle took off for the living room.
"I'll be right there, Brielle." She called after the little girl, and then she looked to Jacob, "Captain's order, Commander."
"Aye, sir." Jacob saluted her with a fork.
With a nod, Lynn turned and followed Brielle into the living room, where she found the large pile of blocks Richard and Lynn had gotten for her. "Can I play with you, Brielle?"
"Yes, Lynn!" Brielle giggled as she showed Lynn the colorful building blocks.
With a smile, Lynn sat on the floor beside her and picked up a couple of blocks. "Alright, Brielle, let's see if we can build the tallest tower ever! What do you think?"
"I want to make it reach the ceiling!" Brielle said excitedly.
"That's the spirit!" Lynn stole a glance at the kitchen door but didn't see anything. She looked back to her granddaughter, "Here, start with this big block at the bottom. It's the foundation, just like how we need a strong base to grow tall and strong."
Brielle placed the block carefully, "Ms. Dunn, my teacher says we must eat veggies to grow big and strong. Is it the same thing for towers?"
Lynn smiled warmly, "Exactly, my clever girl. Now, what color should we use next?"
"Blue! It's my favorite!" Brielle reached for another block.
"Blue it is! When I was your age, I built castles with my big brother Leaf. Do you want to build a castle with me?"
Brielle's eyes lit up, "Yes! With a big tower and a moat!"
"A moat, huh?" Lynn pulled another bin of blocks closer to them, "We'll need lots of blue blocks for the water. Let's start gathering them." Lynn glanced towards the kitchen once Brielle was engrossed in pulling blocks out of the bin. She saw Chrissy turn and walk out the back door, closing it loudly. She frowned.
At the sound, Brielle paused and looked toward the kitchen, noticing Jacob's defeated look. "Lynn, what are Chrissy and Jacob doing in the kitchen?"
Lynn kept her tone light, "They're just having a grown-up talk, sweetie. Nothing to worry about." Lynn brushed her fingers through the little girl's hair, "Now, look at this; we can make a drawbridge, too! What do you think?"
Lynn's suggestion made Brielle look back at the blocks, "A drawbridge! That's so cool!"
The sound of chairs scraping from the kitchen, and footsteps made Lynn look back to the door. A moment later, Jacob appeared, showed her his empty plate, and motioned towards his room.
Lynn sighed and nodded. She turned her attention back to Brielle and the blocks. "And maybe some knights to guard the castle. Do you think we should have a dragon too?"
Brielle laughed, "Yes! A friendly dragon!"
"Now, let's make our dragon green with big, sparkly eyes. What do you think?" Lynn smiled at the little girl, trying to keep her concerns off her face.
"I need to show Chrissy!" Brielle turned to look for Christine but found her gone. "Where did Chrissy and Jacob go?"
Lynn's smile faltered momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure. "Sometimes grown-ups need a little time to themselves, sweetheart. But don't worry, they'll be back soon."
"Promise?" Brielle asked earnestly.
"Promise." Lynn reassured her, "Christine is probably out playing with her horse, and Jacob is getting dressed for the day. They have plans to spend the day with you and visit Jacob's mom and dad."
"Yes," Brielle said excitedly.
"In the meantime, why don't we work on getting some cool wings on this dragon." Lynn adjusted her position to keep an eye on Brielle and the kitchen door.
"Yes, wings! Big wings!" Brielle grabbed the specialty blocks from the bin, oblivious to the worried glances around her.
A few moments later, Lynn saw a properly dressed Jacob limp out of his room and to the front door. With a nod to Lynn, Jacob left the two of them alone and walked out onto the front porch.
Star date 12309.16 07:30 hours – Ravenswood- Front Porch
At the sound of the front door opening behind him, Richard turned to see Jacob step out onto the porch on his crutches. Richard turned away from Jacob and back to where Christine repeatedly took her horse, Dragon's Fire, over a series of jumps.
"I take it Lynn told you last night?" Jacob asked, just watching the rider.
"She did." Richard didn't look at the boy. Richard was conflicted. He was annoyed at Jacob for keeping his son Josh a secret from Christine. Richard felt he must protect his daughter from Jacob's lies as a father. On the other hand, he couldn't help but feel disappointed that a good man like Jacob wouldn't trust Christine enough to share this part of his life earlier.
"As I haven't been thrown out of the house yet, I assume you are giving me the benefit of the doubt." Jacob didn't meet Richard's eye.
"For now," Richard sighed. Lynn said you told her about Josh after breakfast." Despite his annoyance, Richard understood the boy was stuck in a complex situation and only wanted to do what was best for his son.
"I did, but she didn't act as I expected. Instead, she just went quiet, went to the barn, and has been riding her horse ever since."
Richard finally looked at the boy, "What did you expect?" Richard didn't need his Betazoid genes to tell him how Christine felt. The betrayal and hurt were obvious from where he stood.
"I think the captain used the term honey badger."
Richard couldn't help a slight smirk. Lynn wouldn't have been wrong. Christine could rip you to shreds like a honey badger when she went into a tear. However, like her mother, Christine's temper was at its worst when she went silent. At least Christine had learned to process her stress and conflict by throwing herself into physical activity. "That would be a fair assessment, but she is hurt, disappointed, and frankly pissed off at you. Anyone would be. That is a big secret you kept from her."
"Admiral, I love my son so much, and as soon as I knew about him, I haven't stopped trying to be part of his life." Jacob sighed, watching Christine. As much as I love her, if she can't accept Josh …" Jacob closed his eyes. Then I don't know what I am to do. Josh must come first."
Richard had to admit Jacob impressed him. He could tell that Jacob genuinely loved Christine and was torn between that love and the love for his child, Josh. "I don't think she is upset about Josh being a part of your life. If you hadn't noticed, this family takes care of each other. Adding Josh to our ranks isn't the problem. You not telling her about him…." Richard looked from Jacob back to his daughter.
"Admiral, what do I do?"
For a moment, Richard wanted to tell the boy to leave his daughter alone and go back where he came from, but that would only hurt the two of them more. Richard had to admit that he as secretly proud of Jacob. Despite all the hardships he had been through, Jacob was committed to being part of Josh's life. It was an admirable trait, even though that trait caused harm to Christine. Richard's friends gave him honest and straightforward advice when each of his children came into his life, and this young officer deserved the same advice. "Tell her the truth. Don't sugarcoat it." Richard put his hands in his pockets and sighed. "She feels betrayed."
"I had given up hope of ever seeing him again until Christine came into my life. She gave me hope." Jacob leaned heavily on his crutches.
"Then tell her that." Richard gently nudged his arm. "She needs to come in for a landing anyway." Richard started walking toward the ring.
"Pardon, sir." Jacob looked at him, confused, but he followed behind him.
"Lynn says she takes after me." As he watched his daughter, Richard said, "When something is bothering me, I go flying. To clear my head and work things out. Instead of ships, Christine does it on horseback." Richard led Jacob up to the barn.
Richard climbed up on the fence and whistled to Christine. She soon slowed Draggs down into a cool down. Richard then hopped down to face Jacob. "She will be here in a minute. I'll take care of Draggs, and you get Christine."
Shortly afterward, Christine walked Draggs up to the gate. "Hello, Dad." Christine held onto Draggs reins as they walked out of the ring. Jacob was careful to stay out of their way.
"Christine, I will put Draggs up," Christine started to complain to Richard, but he halted her with a hand, "Hear him out. You are hurt, and your stubbornness could make you lose the best thing that has happened in your life in a long time. I almost lost your mother to my stubbornness, and I'm not going to let you ruin your life by running away and hiding. Talk to him, Christine. He deserves to be heard. Let him tell his story, and THEN you send him packing. If you are too stubborn to listen on your own, I'll lock the both of you in the feed room, and you can spend the rest of the day there miserable. Now TALK!" Richard rarely raised his voice to his children, but this time he did. Without a word, Richard walked off, leaving the couple behind.
Richard looked back to make sure the couple were at least talking to each other. Noticing that they were taking the path up the hill to Winchester's tree, Richard turned back to lead Dragon's Fire into the barn, his emotions swirling. He knew he had done the right thing by pushing Christine to talk to Jacob, but it didn't make it any easier.
Entering the barn, Richard was greeted by the familiar scent of hay and horses. Ollie, his loyal dog, wagged his tail and trotted over to greet him. "Let me guess, Lynn let you out?" The happy dog wagged his tail as if to say yes. Richard gave Ollie a pat on the head, appreciating the comfort of his presence.
He led Draggs into the crossties, speaking softly to the horse to calm her down after the workout. Draggs was still a bit on edge. When their rider is upset, the horse is easily upset. "Easy, girl. Let's get you settled." Richard removed the saddle and bridle, hanging them neatly on the hooks outside her stall. He grabbed a brush and began to groom Draggs, his movements methodical and calming. Draggs began to settle down and into her usual self as he groomed her. Richard's mind wandered back to the conversation with Jacob as he worked. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride for the young man. Jacob's dedication to his son was admirable, and Richard respected that. He hoped Christine would see it, too.
Richard finished brushing Draggs and moved on to check the horse's legs for any signs of strain or injury. Satisfied that Draggs was in good shape, he filled the water bucket and added some fresh hay to her stall before returning her to her stall. "There you go, girl. Rest up."
He glanced around the barn, noting the other horses quietly munching on their hay. The barn was a place of solace for him. It didn't have the same calming effect as his hanger, but it was a good place where he could clear his mind and find peace. He hoped Christine would find the same clarity in her conversation with Jacob.
With the chores now done, Ollie stretched, yawned, found a ball, and brought it to Richard. Setting it at Richard's feet, the dog looked up and barked at him. "You always know when I need a distraction," Richard muttered affectionately as he picked up the ball. Richard heard the faint murmur of voices from outside the barn as he stood up. He couldn't make out the words, but he hoped it was a sign that Christine and Jacob were talking things through. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but if the two of them could weather this storm together, the boy would have a chance to have a good life with Christine. With a final glance at the horses and Ollie, Richard walked to the barn door and leaned against the frame, watching the scene unfold outside. He was ready to step in if needed, but for now, he would give them the space to work things out on their own.
Ravenswood Estate- 17:02 hours-
Richard glanced up from the pad he was reading. "You know, Lynn, I think I might have found the perfect recipe for a quiet evening: a good book, a comfy couch, and a peaceful house."
Lynn poked her head into the living room, smiling as she dried the last dinner dish, "Enjoy it while it lasts, Flyboy. The calm before the storm, as they say. Once Jacob, Christine, Brielle, and Josh get here, it'll be anything but quiet."
"Ah, yes. Doubling the number of children in the house causes the chaos to grow tenfold." Richard sat up, pushing Ollie's head off his lap. Brielle is already a whirlwind of energy. Adding Josh running around, I'm unsure if we will have a house left."
"I am curious to hear what happened at the park. I'm curious if they had fun before Jacob's ex showed up." Lynn wandered back into the kitchen.
"We must stay optimistic. I'm sure everything went fine." Richard went back to his pad. "At least we didn't get any calls to pick them up from the local hospital or security office."
"So not funny, Flyboy," Lynn called from the other room, causing Richard to smirk.
"I am curious to hear how dinner with the Holtz's went. Jacob survived dinner with us; I wonder how Christine faired."
"If Fiona is as sweet as I think she is, she will be talking Christine's ear off with embarrassing stories about Jacob." Lynn laughed, "Besides, they need to get to know Christine if she will be betrothed to Jacob."
"Jacob's father will send the marriage contract once Jacob, Christine, and the kids leave," Richard said, trying not to sound annoyed at the prospect.
Lynn popped her head around the corner, teapot in hand. " You still haven't wrapped your head around that idea yet, have you?"
"It's a business contract where we are negotiating the marriage of our children to each other. Not exactly, a comforting thought, Lynn." Richard said, annoyed.
Lynn leaned on the door frame. "They agreed that Christine would have primacy. At any time during the duration of the contract, Christine could say no and walk away. Besides, we haven't seen the final contract. Until then, I'm just happy that Christine has found someone who likes her for who she is and loves Brielle just as much. Sure, he has baggage, but so did you when we married."
"Hey, you knew about Jack before you decided to go out with me," Richard teased.
"I went out with you to protect that precocious child from all the trouble you kept getting into," Lynn teased back, then returned to the kitchen.
"Haha!" Richard gave her a dry laugh before returning to his pad. Before Richard could say anything back, the communication alert went off.
"Incoming communication from Ensign J.C. Skyler."
Richard tapped his com badge, "Hey, sweet pea. How did dinner with the Holtz's go?"
"It went well, but could you meet us at the hangar? I'm afraid our precious cargo ran out of gas, and we need an extra pair of hands." Christine's tired voice came over the communicator.
Richard chuckled and sat down his pad, "How far out are you?"
Jacob responded. "10 to 15 minutes, Admiral. Twenty kilograms of kiddo is too much for me to carry to the house. I'm surprised my leg has lasted this long before giving out."
"No problem," Richard chuckled as he stood up. "Lynn would have the beds ready, and I would meet you at the hanger."
"Thanks, Dad." A relieved Christine responded.
"Thanks, Admiral." Jacob closed the connection.
Richard chuckled as he jogged into the kitchen, "Lynn, incoming sleepy kids. I will go meet them if you can have their beds ready."
Lynn chuckled, "Aye, Admiral." She watched Richard head out the door toward the hanger, "Remember, no interrogations."
"Awww…"
"Wait until we can both do it," Lynn smirked. Richard returned, kissed her, and went out to meet the shuttle.
When Richard met them at the hangar, Jacob leaned heavily on Christine. "I'll take Josh if Christine can carry Brielle. And you, sir," Richard handed Jacob his forearm crutches, "will need these."
Jacob was about to argue, but Skyler's look had him swallow his comments. "Aye, thank you, sir."
"The path should be clear to transport our precious cargo to the house." Richard lifted the sleepy Josh over his shoulder and gestured for Christine to head to the house with Brielle.
Christine smiled at Jacob before heading up the path to the lighted porch of the main house.
"You and your boy are safe here. Let's get everyone inside, and then we will need some answers."
Jacob nodded and followed Chistine up the path.
"Will they be all right on their own?" Jacob asked from the bottom of the stairs.
Richard, Lynn, and Christine came down the stairs to meet him, "Ollie is watching over Josh in Jack's old room, and Remy is currently cuddled up with Brielle in Katie's room. They will be fine." Lynn assured him as she walked past him into the kitchen.
"Yeah, well…" Jacob kept looking up the stairs.
"At ease, Commander," Richard patted him on the shoulder. "Josh will be fine. Trust an older father." Reluctantly, Jacob allowed Christine to guide him to the chairs at the kitchen island.
Once everyone was settled, Lynn turned to the couple. "I take it the transfer went well."
"No blood was shed." Jacob let himself sink into the chair but still held Christine's hand.
"That is not to say she wouldn't have torn you to pieces if she got her hands on you." Christine groused.
"You are exaggerating, Christine." Richard commented, but seeing Lynn shaking her head, his eyebrows went up, "You are exaggerating, right?"
"I don't think he is Richard." Lynn sighed. "I've read the reports. It wouldn't have surprised me if she attacked Jacob or even Christine. I had the security team follow her to ensure she didn't find her way here. Their last report stated she was venting her venom in a bar near her home."
Richard looked sternly at Jacob. "Alright, Commander. Spill it, and I mean all of it."
Jacob started to waffle, and Richard said, "As far as protocols allow. I know there are some things you can't talk about, but my daughter and granddaughter were in danger today, and I want to know why."
Jacob looked to Christine for support. In return, she squeezed his hand. Then, he looked back at Richard and Lynn. "Josh's mom, Julie, has been manic, volatile, and vindictive. I've been trying to get custody of Josh, but she has used my past against me."
"Such as..." Richard glared at Jacob. Richard had read Jacob's profile and wondered if the boy would be transparent about his past.
"Me being unavailable due to missions, the danger of those missions, and ultimately the extent of my injuries." Jacob sighed but kept his eyes locked on Richard and Lynn's. "I feel that she is using our child to punish me for going on with my life while hers has stagnated."
Richard heard a low growl and found it was coming from Christine and Lynn. "She wouldn't hurt Josh, would she?"
"Not intentionally, but if she got unstable enough, she might." Jacob cringed.
"You do realize we are not going to let that happen." Lynn's gaze bore into him as she tried to reassure Jacob that they would keep Josh safe and take any necessary precautions.
Jacob said firmly, "I'm sorry, I cannot let your influence be used for my benefit. I don't take handouts."
Lynn began to wonder why Skyler women picked stubborn men to spend their lives with. "What handout?" Lynn asked wryly. "You are a Starfleet officer; you have a child. You need assistance; that is what my office does." Jacob might be reluctant to ask for help, but Lynn would ensure he got the help he needed.
"I need to fight my own battles."
Changing to a practical approach, Lynn continued, "Jacob, you were on teams with an objective. Each member had a part to carry out, and you couldn't accomplish that goal alone. Am I wrong?"
"No." Jacob shook his head, "You are Christine's parents, not my teammates. And this isn't some mission."
"You are wrong." Christine hugged him.
"How?"
"The mission is to protect that sweet little boy and ensure he and his father have a healthy relationship. It doesn't matter that you are dating…." Richard looked to Christine, who tipped her head side to side and continued, "We…." Richard indicated he and Lynn "would fight for any kid that needed help, not just Josh."
Lynn chuckled, "Where do you think Christine got her protectiveness of kids from?"
Jacob blushed slightly, "I will admit she has a thing for helping cute kids." He playfully squeezed her hand.
"Excuse me; I resemble that remark." She teased back.
"Seriously, Jacob, you need help, and the Skylers want to help." Then, Richard switched his tone to something more serious, "Provided you have no other surprises."
Jacob counted off his fingers, "Crazy ex-girlfriend, loveable little boy, missions that I can only talk about with maybe you, admiral, and I love your daughter. I think that about covers it."
"You did forget one thing," Christine smirked at him.
"I did?" Jacob looked at her, confused.
"Mom, Dad, Jacob is having surgery to repair all the damage done to his leg, hopefully. It should happen in the next couple of days, and I was hoping that you two could help me keep him out of trouble while he recovers and spends time with Josh."
"He does realize that he will be in a house with two medical personnel who would gladly kick his butt if he doesn't behave, right?" Lynn teased.
"I will say this about you, Commander: You don't do things halfway," Richard laughed.
21:07- Ravenswood Estate- Richard and Lynn's Bedroom.
The grandfather clock in the corner chimed 21:00 hours. "I think that is the cue for the old folk to head to bed." Richard patted Lynn's leg.
"Who are you calling old, Flyboy." Lynn teased as she stood and stretched.
Richard turned to Christine and Jacob, who were cuddling on the couch, "You two behave yourselves down here. No wild parties while we're gone!" Richard reached out for his wife's hand.
Lynn accepted her husband's hand and gave the couple a playful glare. "And remember, the couch is for sitting, not for… other activities."
"We'll be good, promise!" Christine held her hands up, accepting her parents' gentle ribbing.
"Yeah, we'll just be here… sitting." Jacob gestured to his leg. It's not like we can do much else."
"See that you don't." Lynn smiled as they made their way up the stairs to their room.
With a sigh, Richard and Lynn entered their bedroom, closing the door softly behind them. Without a word, they began their nightly routine, changing into their pajamas.
"The marriage contract came in earlier. I skimmed it, but I didn't get an in-depth look at it with all the talking downstairs." Richard indicated the pad on his bedside table.
"What do you think? Is it what we expected?" Lynn said, turning back the covers in her silk pajamas and slipping under the smooth sheets.
Richard soon followed, picking up the document from the bedside table and reading through it. "Mostly, but there are a few clauses I'm not sure about. I'm on the fence about whether this is a good idea."
Lynn patted the spot next to her. "If you want another father's point of view, why don't you talk to Alan about it tomorrow? He might have some insights that could help."
"Are you going to look it over?" Richard offered her the pad. Lynn took it from him and put it on her nightstand.
"I will. In the morning, it's late, and if either of us starts reading over it now, neither of us will get any sleep," Lynn gently chided. It can wait until tomorrow. We have time. They aren't leaving for a couple of weeks, and Jacob is having his surgery. They aren't going anywhere tonight."
Richard started to argue but changed his mind. Lynn was right. Dwelling on it tonight would do none of them good. "Yeah, you're right. It's late anyway. We don't want to wake up Brielle and Josh."
Smiling, Lynn leaned over to kiss Richard on the cheek. "Exactly. Plus, we need our beauty sleep. Can't have you looking tired. You scare your cadets enough when you are fully rested."
"Oh, so now you're worried about my looks?" Richard snuggled down in the covers next to her.
"Always. I have a reputation to maintain, you know." Lynn feigned drama.
Richard chuckled, turned the light off, wrapped his arms around Lynn, and settled, "Alright, alright. I'll talk to Alan first thing in the morning. For now, let's get some rest." It wasn't long before the soft hum of the night filled the room as they drifted off to sleep.
Star Date 1231017. 0700 hours. - Ravenswood
When Lynn came down to the kitchen an hour earlier, she found Christine already there with a cup of tea. Lynn didn't take much coaxing to have Christine join her in doing the morning chores.
The morning's weather was mild, and the morning sun cast a warm glow over the farm. "It's a beautiful morning. Perfect for some mother-daughter bonding." Lynn encouraged Christine to talk as they walked along.
"Yeah, it's nice to have some quiet time together. We don't get that often." Christine began to relax. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. It had been after midnight when she returned to her room after helping Jacob settle in his room. Then, anxiety dreams wake her before dawn. They walk in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps and the occasional cluck of a chicken filling the air.
Lynn had hoped that Christine would open up more about what had occurred the day before. The past few days have been one shock after another for Christine. If Christine didn't talk to someone soon, she would crack like the basket of fresh eggs she carried.
With a sigh, Lynn decided she must make the first move. "So, about Julie… How do you feel about the whole situation?"
"It's complicated." Christine didn't look over at her mom, "I mean, the marriage contract is a big step, but necessary. I'm fine with it, and I know you and dad will look after my best interests."
"You are avoiding, Christine." Lynn stopped before her daughter, "A lot has happened in the past month, not just the past few days."
Christine stepped aside to avoid her mother, "I chose to become an instant mom to Brielle, but there are days when it is… overwhelming."
"I can imagine." Lynn returned to walking beside her, "Taking your father into my life, but also Jack, was not easy." Lynn nudged Christine's shoulder, "You are doing great by the way. Brielle adores you."
"Thanks, Mom." Christine tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It's just… Jacob having a biological son the same age as Brielle adds another layer." Christine raised her hand to her head, trying to process everything. "They are getting along fine now, but I worry about how they'll get along in the future. If Josh hates me, or Brielle hates Jacob, how will it affect our family?"
Lynn places a reassuring hand on Christine's shoulder. "It's natural to have concerns. But remember, families come in all shapes and sizes. The important thing is the love and support you all share."
"You're right. I need to take it one day at a time. Talking to Jacob about my worries helps, too." Christine gave Lynn a weak smile.
"Now, back to Julie." Lynn looked at Christine as if to say, 'You are not getting out of this.'
"What is there to say? When I met her, she was more interested in the reviews of her latest book than in what her son was doing. If Jacob hadn't been honorable, he could have easily taken Josh without Julie noticing anything." Christine's anger rose: "When Josh did see his father, you would think someone was stealing a toddler's favorite toy." Christine shook her head in frustration. "I honestly think, if you had not had those security officers there Julie would have attacked Jacob."
"Jacob did have that backup. You have all of us here to support you." Lynn reached over and gave her daughter a one-arm hug. "Whatever Julie throws in you or Jacob's path, we will help you through it. Remember that."
Christine smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it."
"That is what family is for." Lynn opened the back door so that Christine could enter the house.
"Grandma Lynn is a lot of fun. She and I made cookies." Brielle's excited voice came through the door as they entered.
"You can't make cookies without fresh eggs." Christine laughed as she, Lynn, and the dogs entered the back door.
"Josh, I'd like you to meet Captain Lynn Skyler, Christine's mom, and your babysitter for the next hour." Jacob gestured to Lynn as she walked over to them.
Shyly, Josh waved from where he sat next to his father.
"Nice to meet you, Josh." Lynn shook hands with the little boy.
"She gives the best hugs," Brielle commented between pancake bites.
"I appreciate the endorsement, Brielle." Lynn tapped her on the nose. "Jacob, you better get to the transportation point. You don't want to be late."
"Too right," Jacob said as he drank the last of his coffee, kissed Christine's cheek, gathered his crutches, and headed out into the front yard.
Lynn leaned over and whispered to Christine when he was out of earshot, "Think he will survive, Robin?"
"It will take a miracle." Christine smiled behind her coffee and turned her attention to the two kids.
"Are we really going to Bea and Sam's today, Chrissy?" Brielle asked excitedly.
"Sam and Bea need an extra pair of hands this morning with chores as they are transporting a couple of horses to their forever home, then heading to class," Lynn explained. "I thought the two of you would like to help Christine and me with all their horses, goats, and other animals."
"Yes!" Brielle did a little happy dance. "You will love it, Josh!"
"I suppose so," Josh said reluctantly.
"Your dad will meet us there after he finishes meeting with my Aunt Robin, and we can spend the day together." Christine got down to Josh's level to reassure him.
"OK," The little boy finally agreed.
"Now let's finish our breakfast, wash our faces and hands, put on clothes we don't mind getting covered in mud, and head over to Respite Farm." Lynn encouraged the small group. Lynn had hoped that Brielle's unending happy energy would spill over to Josh, but Lynn got the feeling that Josh had been left behind so many times in his life that it would take more than another child's company to pull Josh from his funk.
