Ravenswood- Main House- 18:50 Hours

Lynn was setting down the basket of rolls when a rap at the backdoor set Remey and Ollie barking. "Come in," Lynn called. "The door is open, Alan."

A moment later, the dogs led Robin Scott into the kitchen. "I come bearing dessert and wine, " she called back.

"Then welcome aboard," Richard met her, taking the bottle of wine and the latticed apple pie with a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Is Alan running late? I thought he would want to grill his goddaughter's new beau."

"The Ion Resonance Sensor on the latest probe design cracked its housing on the last test, and the higher-ups want to know if it was faulty casing or if the environment caused the failure." Robin sighed and went over to hug Lynn. "Sadly, when you are the project's director, you must be there to clean up the mess. He was lucky to get six hours of sleep before he was called back to his lab."

"At least the antigrav toilet didn't decide to reverse polarity." Richard laughed.

"Ewww, Dad." Christine walked into the dining room and greeted Robin with a big hug. "Auntie Robin!"

"Hi, Minnie girl." Robin hugged her tightly. "I've missed seeing you around."

Christine's comment was lost in the sound of Jacob herding Josh and Brielle at the front door.

"Grandma! Grandma! Look what we found!" Brielle raced towards the adults but stopped short when she saw Robin, causing Josh to run into her.

"Ow!" Josh rubbed his head where he had run into Brielle's back. "You have a hard head."

"Aunt Robin," Christine went over to Brielle, "This is my daughter, Brielle O'Connor."

Robin went over, got down on Brielle's level, and offered her hand in greeting: "Hello, Brielle. It is nice to meet you finally. You can call me Aunt Robin if you like."

"Hello," Brielle shook Robin's hand, getting nervous.

Christine wrapped a reassuring arm around Brielle. "And the young man standing behind her is Josh Holtz, Jacob's son."

Robin turned her attention to the little boy, "Nice to meet you too, Josh. I see you have your father's eyes and dark hair. Hopefully, you don't get as much trouble as he does."

"No, Ma'am." Josh smiled at Robin, then looked over his shoulder at his father, slowly approaching them on his crutches.

"Come on, you two, let's get washed up for dinner." Christine shooed the kids towards the kitchen to wash their hands and faces.

Slowly, Robin stood to face Jacob, "Jacob, I see you are moving slower than you were this morning."

"The numbing agent is wearing off, and I've been chasing those two around since Adler left." Jacob came up to the table with Robin, Richard, and Lynn.

"Do you need something before dinner?" Lynn asked as she set the last bowl on the table.

"I should be fine after I sit for a while." Jacob carefully took a seat at the table. He looked up to see both Robin and Lynn glaring at him. "If it is not, I will tell you both."

Richard snickered off to the side, earning a stern glare himself.

Lynn raised an eyebrow at Jacob, "See that you do."

A moment later, Christine returned with the kids, and they all sat down to dinner.

As they passed the various dishes around, Robin began asking, "I've read your work dossier, but I would like to get to know you personally, Jacob. What drew you to my goddaughter?"

Jacob cleared his throat, "I was drawn to Christine's kind nature and sense of humor."

"I chased him down at work to give him a vaccination shot since he couldn't come into sickbay," Christine said smugly.

Robin raised an eyebrow and looked to Jacob for confirmation. He nodded. "She was singing along to a tune she played on the piano. She is quite good, even if she doesn't believe it." Jacob's eyes flicked to a blushing Christine.

"Your dossier said you studied piano performance as a minor; I take it you play well."

"It is one of my interests outside of work; it gives me an escape from every day. I enjoy it."

"Any other interests and hobbies outside of work?"

"I'm a big proponent of studying the art of other cultures to understand them better."

"Sounds like you and my son Sam have a little in common."

"We have had some healthy discussions as of late," Jacob smirked.

"Those two got into a debate over the difference between Anglican and Germanic full plate armor." Christine inserted, "They were putting Brielle and Josh to shame squabbling."

The whole table laughed.

"Lynn said the four of you had dinner with your family last night, Jacob. What are they like? Lynn, Skyler, and I would love to learn a little about them."

"I'm an only child. My parents are academics out of Raleigh, North Carolina. We're a close-knit family and try to spend time together whenever possible. The extended Holtz family can trace its lineage to the Holtz family in Germany. While we are proud of our family's history and culture, my parents have instilled in me that we make our own choices in life. Good and Bad."

"Since her godfather isn't here to ask, I will ask this question." Robin's eyes flicked to Skyler with a mischievous grin, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are your intentions with Christine?

Jacob swallowed, noting everyone's eyes were on him, "I care deeply about her, and I want to build a future together. I want to support her dreams and aspirations and be there for her through thick and thin."

Robin considered him in silence for a few moments before speaking again. "I'm glad you're serious about your relationship with her. Christine means a lot to me, and I want to ensure she's happy and loved."

"I want to assure you, all of you," Jacob made eye contact with all the adults at the table, "that I will always treat Christine with the utmost respect and care. I want to be her partner and best friend for life."

"Thank you, Jacob." Robin spread her napkin on her lap and picked up her silverware, "You are entrusted with one of the greatest treasures of our family, so don't screw it up!" Robin smiled and laughed.

"Here, here!" Lynn and Richard raised their wine glasses to the couple.

Everyone turned their attention back to the incredible dinner before Skyler spoke, "Now that Robin has suitably embarrassed you, I was curious if Christine has told you why her Aunt Robin calls her 'Minnie.' "

"Dad, you wouldn't!" Christine looked at her father, scandalized.

"Turnabout is fair play, sweetheart." Lynn chuckled behind her wine glass.

Ravenswood- Carriage House Garden:- 20:50 Hours

"Thank you for dinner, Lynn. I'm sorry Alan couldn't attend." Robin said as she walked with Lynn back to the carriage house.

"It's alright. Alan wasn't happy when Richard woke him to discuss this marriage contract affair." Lynn sighed, slipped her hands into her bulky sweater, and crossed her arms. "Why in heaven's name are you allowing this, Lynn?"

"Because that contract protects both Christine and Brielle, as well as Jacob and Josh," Lynn replied earnestly. "And for once, your goddaughter has found someone who loves her for who she is and not for her name. And I think Jacob is good for her. He needs a level-headed girl who will put him in his place, and she needs someone who can coax her out of her shell and make her feel safe again. You know what she was like after the whole Roger debacle."

"Are you sure this is the way to go about it?" Robin asked, worried.

"You have spent the entire evening in his company and, from what I gather, gave him a dressing down this morning that would put most people to tears. And yet, you have doubts about him?"

"You aren't the only one protective of your baby girl, Lynn." Robin reminded her. "Jacob is a strong man, be it spirit or otherwise. He loves Christine. He loves Brielle like a daughter. He loves his son and is willing to fight to keep that boy in his life. And heaven help anyone that gets in his way. But a marriage contract? Do either of you understand the implications of this archaic tradition? It's demeaning to everyone involved."

"Archaic it may, but it has been a tradition in the Holtz family for generations." Lynn held up her hand, knowing Robin was going to protest. "Jacob and Christine are not pawns in some political or financial agreement. It is to protect them and their careers."

Robin breathed deeply, calming her frustration, "How, Lynn? How are you and Richard agreeing for your child to be legally attached to someone? And before you say anything, I understand that Jacob is not just anyone, but see reason, Lynn!"

Lynn spun on her best friend, "Like it or not, Richard signed the contract this morning, and with Alan's blessing, I might add. I trust my husband; do you trust yours!"

Robin held her tongue, but it wasn't easy. Speaking stiltedly, "Then what caused my husband to agree to this preposterous notion?"

Lynn signed, "The contract gives Christine primacy in the agreement, which, as you are aware, is typically the male figure. Christine can say no without repercussions if she doesn't want to do it. It is completely within her rights to do so."

"The Holtz family gave Christine the power to cancel this crazy contract whenever she wants?" Robin said, surprised, "That is highly unusual."

Lynn began to walk again with her friend, "It isn't the usual marriage contract." Lynn noted, "Jacob has six months to decide if he wants to propose marriage to Christine formally. In the meantime, Christine is considered Jacob's life partner and can act as his representative in household manners. This also legally means that should someone raise an issue with Christine being a single mother to Brielle, it proves that Christine has prospects of a formal marriage. It also means that should someone in Star Fleet question Jacob's closeness to her... "

"...they can not call her integrity into question as she is simply getting to know her future husband per the agreement." Robin nodded her understanding. "Lynn, I will be honest. Jacob has a lot of baggage, and I don't just mean Josh."

"If you are talking about Ms. Watson, she is being dealt with." Lynn made it clear for Robin to drop the subject.

"Ms. Watson is one issue. I've seen what he has done and been ordered to do, Lynn. That past could come back and harm him and his family. Some of those people have long memories," Robin said, concerned. "I know that Jacob wants Christine to be his wife. My concern is that between that past and the challenges he has ahead, one slip up, and..." Robin sighed. "That boy has so much potential and could do so well, but if he doesn't have his priorities straight, history could repeat itself."

"History will not repeat itself, Robin." Lynn gave her a caring smile and reassuringly squeezed Robin's arm.

"What makes you sure of that?"

Lynn smiled, "Because Jacob wants to be Christine's husband one day, not she, his wife." Robin raised a skeptical eyebrow. "A husband wants to provide, protect, and support his wife, not vice versa."

Robin started to say something but stopped because it would do no good hashing that old wound. She took another approach, "How? I think Jacob is an amazing officer. He can inspire. He can lead, and if he can meet his health goals, he will be a warrior. As an admiral, I want him to succeed, but as Chrissy's Godmother, I'm not sure I want to see the man she loves on the front lines. How will he provide, protect, and support Christine and Brielle when he is out there."

Lynn gave Robin a smug look. "How did Allan?"

"That is not fair, Lynn," Robin said, pointing the finger at Lynn. And you know why."

Lynn stepped toward her friend. "It wasn't until now that I realized something." Lynn looked her friend in the eyes. "Until tonight, I thought you saw Richard in Jacob. He was a good officer who needed someone to believe in him, but I was wrong." Lynn wiped a stray hair out of Robin's eyes. "It was Alan."

Robin looked away toward her house. Lynn continued, "A fine officer, with a lot of promise struck down in the process of saving his comrades, with a career stagnated because he can't find it in himself to take that one step forward and needs a push." Lynn moved so she was back in Robin's line of sight. Robin looked down to avoid her. "You still blame yourself for Alan's injury and his career."

"Yes, but we were talking about Jacob."

"Yes, we are," Lynn sighed, "Robin, the marriage contract that you called archaic and degrading doesn't benefit Jacob. It isn't about him; it's about Jacob making sure that Chrissy, Brielle, and Josh are cared for if, heaven forbid, something happens." Robin's interest was piqued. "You already know that at any time he screws up, she can toss his sorry ass to the curb." Robin chuckled a little but let Lynn continue. "The contract is for six months, but in that time, if Jacob is incapacitated in such a way that he can't care for Josh, his parental rights move Christine. Not to mention," Lynn continued, "If Jacob died or couldn't no longer care for himself, everything goes to Christine. His family's assets, titles, and everything he owns goes to her."

"Everything?"

"If it comes to that, as far as the legal system is concerned, she is his wife and guardian of his son. And no one, not even that witch of a woman that is Josh's bio-mom, can do anything about it." Lynn barely contained her snarl for Julie.

"I thought you said the marriage contract was purely for Christine and the kids' benefit." Robin couldn't help a playful jab.

"It certainly doesn't hurt that with the marriage contract, it proves Jacob is working toward a stable future with a spouse and family." Lynn said, matter of fact, "And I'll be damned if that woman does anything to hurt that little boy and keep Josh away from the father who loves him above all else."

Robin clasped her hands before her, "Jacob has brought a lot of drama into her life, but honestly, I've never seen Christine happier."
"Me either." Lynn said honestly, "So, now that you have met the troublemaker who stole your goddaughter's heart, what do you think?"
"The boy is tough. And he has a lot more to face before he is through the gauntlet. He has a chance to succeed as a Star Fleet Officer, but he must work for it. I'm sure he knows it won't be handed to him."
"Admiral Scott, do you think Lieutenant Commander Holts will overcome the challenges that Star Fleet has set before him?"

"I expect him to overcome them." Robin scoffed. "If he wants to make it, he must fight for it." Robin stepped up on the stairs leading to the Robin's Roost.

"Before you go, I need to ask you something," Lynn asked sincerely, leaning against the wrought iron banister.
"Anything. What is it?"

"You said that if Jacob succeeds at his wellness goals, he could stay in Star Fleet, but you didn't say anything about tomorrow's hearing."

Robin sighed and gave Lynn a sad look, "Ms. Watson and her lawyer are throwing charges at Jacob, hoping one will stick. His lawyer, Adler, has evidence to throw them out of court as acts of revenge and simply bald face lines, but if Watson's lawyer finds one spot in his armor, Jacob's review board could take everything away from him. They will take him out if he is seen as a liability to Star Fleet. They can't risk the secrets he knows getting out."

"What if I said my office could permanently tear Josh away from his mother?" Lynn commented quietly, causing Robin's jaw to drop. "Josh would never so much as hear her name again, much less see her face."

Robin paled slightly. "Josh is essentially your grandson now that that contract has been signed. It would be considered a serious conflict of interest if you personally intervene in any way. It would also give Watson's lawyers an opening to claim attempted parental alienation against Jacob. Are you out of your mind?"

"I didn't do anything." Lynn assured Robin, "Julie Tresken, my old college and current director of children's welfare on Star Base 71, opened an investigation into Josh's care and well-being over a month ago and has been compiling evidence against Ms. Watson regarding her fitness as a parent."

"Did Tresken tell you about Josh before Christine and Jacob arrived?"

"No," Lynn shook her head vehemently. "I didn't know about it until Jacob came to me. Only then did Julie send me her file on Josh's mother. Robin, she doesn't deserve that boy. From a professional and personal point of view, that woman doesn't deserve to have any child in her life. It is all in the file. Alder is aware of the file and, if necessary, will pull things from it to support Jacob, but I told her to hold off on the worst."

"Why? If Josh is in danger, he needs to be removed from her custody, Lynn."

"As much as I want Jacob to have Josh in his life, Josh also deserves his mother. As despicable as she is to Jacob, she loves her son."

"You can't possibly…"

"Josh's mother, from everything I've read, and heard, is self-destructing. If she has any common sense she will pull her head out of the ground and realize what she is doing to her relationship with her son."
"And if she doesn't?"
"She will hang herself by her own rope."
"What would happen if you closed that door on her now?"
"She could come back and say Jacob never allowed her to be his mother. But if we give her the chance, and she throws it all away. She has no one to blame with herself."

Instead, you are going to force her to marry a star fleet officer with a checkered past, who has a lot more going on that any of us know about and, depending on how his court case and surgery goes, he may not even have a commission to return to on SB71."
"We are not forcing her to marry anyone, Robin. You know that." Lynn said, annoyed at her friend, "As for the charges, you said yourself that they are a falsified pile of excrement."
"Do you think he has the will to fight this battle?" Robin asked flat out.
"He gave up before. What will stop him now if things get tough?"
"Christine."
Robin raised an eyebrow.
"The two of them are stronger together than they are apart. Add in the two of them fighting for those children, and I would say they are nearly unstoppable if they put their minds to it."
Robin sighed in resignation, "Both of them are amazing Star Fleet Officers, but the path they have choses is not going to be an easy one."
"And it is for that reason that Richard and I even considered the marriage contract. Christine cannot be attacked for being a single mother because she has the armor of the contract showing she will be getting married. And if Richard agrees to that one clause, if anything happens to Jacob, Josh will become her son as well."
"Pardon?" Robin asked confused.
"As much as I told Richard to sleep last night, I didn't get much." Lynn admitted sheepishly, "I may have spent a few hours reading over the contract."
"And?"
Lynn smirked, "Jacob nearly died in his accident, as you well know. And however unlikely, he could also during his upcoming surgery." Robin nodded in agreement. "The contract includes a child custody will. If anything happens to Jacob, all of his rights to Josh, go to Christine, not Julie. And depending on how tomorrow's court case goes, Josh could end up being placed with Jacob permanently."
"How did Jacob manage that?"
"Takes a Julie to out smart a Julie." Lynn laughed. Seeing Robin's confusion Lynn continued, "Julie Tresken, my old partner. She helped Christine get custody of Brielle. And following that Jacob approached her to get Josh back, and to begin the creation of the marriage contract. My Julie has that portion of the agreement so iron clad, even Jacob's lawyer Alder is impressed.
"So, Josh really is your grandson, huh?" Robin teased.
"Which makes two kiddos for me, and one for you."
"Don't let Sam and Bea hear you say that."