The Dinner After...

Posted on Sun Jan 30th, 2022 @ 7:05am by Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Skylah McBride [Lalor] & Staff Sergeant Liam "Swede" Reece [Reece]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: USS Elysium, McBride Family quarters
Timeline: MD11 - Afternoon/evening
5878 words - 11.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After his duty shift was over, Liam showered, dressed and made his way to see Samaire and Skylah for dinner. While he couldn't stay the night, he could still spend the evening with two of his favorite people. Stopping by the replimat, he used some replicator credits to create two gifts. One, a toy for Skylah, and a potted lily for Sam.

Once he had the gifts, he made his way to his destination, holding both items behind his back after he pressed the door chime.

"Come" A voice called out. The door opened and inside Skylah was sitting at the dining table a PADD in front of her.

Liam smiled when he saw Skylah at the table. "Hey there, Little Miss." He called out softly.

She looked up and waved to him. "Hi" she replied.

Moving over to stand by her, while keeping both gifts hidden behind his back as best he could, Liam asked Skylah, "If you could have any single toy right now, what would it be?"

Skylah considered it "I saw armillary spheres on the Civilian deck"

"Hmmm," he thought about it for a few moments. "Well, I wasn't able to get one of those. However, I did get you this." He brought the crystal globe out from behind his back. It had sturdy little feet and base and inside tge globe was a tiny, swirling representation of the Milky Way Galaxy.

Skylah stared and her lips curved. "Wow. It's very pretty."

Liam smiled warmly. He was glad that he had picked the right gift for her. "Now, as you can see, the image is rotating, just as the real galaxy rotates. What's really cool, is the extra feature. Put it on the table and press that little button on the base.

Skylah did as he instructed with a small smile. she was eager to see what happened. Pressing the button she sat back and waited.

Suddenly, the ceiling above was filled with a projection of the image inside the globe.

Skylah grinned and watched it with wide eyes. "Way cool"

"I'm glad you like it, sweetheart," Liam said with a happy grin. He then looked around the quarters. "Is your aunt in her room?"

"I think so. She was downloading schooling materials." Skylah said waving a hand towards Sam's bedroom.

Nodding slightly, he reached out and gently rubbed the right side of her face. "Enjoy your gift, sweetie." He then stood back up and moved over to Samaire's closed bedroom door. He gently rapped his knuckle on the door, then waited.

The door slid open and Sam looked up from a pile of padds she had scattered around her on the bed. "oh hi" she said brightly.

Liam's face brightened and he sighed softly as he looked upon the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. "Hard at work, I see?" He stepped inside her bedroom, allowing the door to close behind him, careful to keep the gift hidden behind his back.

"Skylah was expelled from school" Samaire said softly.

His smile fell instantly. "W-what?!" The gift he was hiding started to be exposed as his thoughts moved to the little girl out in the other room.

"Complicated story. She defended another child by beating up the bullies and the teacher told me she was no longer welcome back." Sam sighed. "The parent of the defended child is looking into legal avenues I believe"

Liam was trying to process what he had just heard. Though he had absolutely zero rights to any say, in regards to how Skylah was treated, he still had a very strong strong and very sudden urge to protect her. "You gotta be fucking kidding me!" He kept his voice down, to keep from startling Skylah in the next room. "She defends a classmate, and she's the one not welcome back?!" He started fuming inside, completely forgetting about Samaire's gift for the moment. "Who's the other parent? The one looking into legal actions?"

"Ah Captain Charles, one of the Fighter pilots." Sam said "So now its homeschooling until she hits grade 5 after which she can go to the middle school classes if she is allowed to, or until we move ships."

"Charles?" Liam tried to place the name, he was still learning who everyone was. "Wait, Captain George Charles?" He started to grin slightly. "He's a Marine! That means, the Colonel is going to get involved too! Oh, Sam, you are going along with the Captain, yes?"

She nodded "Yes that was the plan. Why?"

A relieved smile softlu crossed his face. "Good! I can almost guarantee, though I've only been on the ship a short while, the Colonel takes care of her people. Snd in this case, Skylah helped the son of one of her people, so she'll take care of Skylah!"

"Well hopefully something will be done about the teacher" Sam began stacking PADDs. "Because its either that or I have to teach her and I was a hopeless student so..."

Liam smiled, reaching out with his free hand to gently caress the right side of her face. "It will be okay. Trust me."

She leaned her face into his hand. "I am hoping so." she said softly. "Dinner will be ready soon though, are you hungry?"

He smiled warmly. "Always," he said softly. Then, he remembered the gift. Carefully, he brought the potted lily around and presented it to her. "For you."

Samaire stared at the plant, her lips curving into a genuine smile. "Oh Liam, its beautiful, thank you!"

She took the plant and sniffed at the flower.

Liam smiled in return, glad he had done something to help Samaire smile. "I'm glad you like it, Sam. I wasn't sure what your favorite flower was, so I went with mine."

"I do not have a favorite flower to be honest, i like them all." She placed it on the bedside table and slid from the bed. Standing she stepped up to him and brushed her lips across his. "I love it"

Reaching out, Liam loosely held Samaire's waist and gently kissed her back. "I'm glad." He kissed her again, then stopped, before he couldn't. Chuckling softly, he whispered as he placed his forehead against hers. "So....what would you like to do for dinner?"

"Well I already have it cooking" She smiled. "It's just beef stew, with potato cakes."

He continued to grin. "I love beef stew! Don't think I've ever had potato cakes though."

"Family recipe, so I hope you like it." Samaire said as she cupped his cheek.

Closing his eyes briefly, Liam leaned his face into Samaire's touch. He took in a contented breath, then opened his eyes. "I'm sure I will, sweetheart." He pulled her to him in a warm, loving embrace.

She snuggled into him enjoying the feeling, and content to stay like that. But they both knew they had other priorities.

After a few moments, he loosened his hold so that he could look into her eyes. Smiling, he said softly, "I certainly am looking forward to many, many more nights like this, Sam." The look in his eyes, and the tone of his voice conveyed total honesty. "There is nowhere else in the universe that I'd rather be, than here with you and Skylah."

"I am liking you being here as well, Liam," Sam said with a smile. She stepped back, "Come on, I will get dinner ready."

Hearing her say those words warmed his heart. Releasing his hold on Samaire, Liam instead took her hand into his, then turned and the pair left the bedroom. As the moved towards the dining area, he released her hand and moved over to Skylah. "Enjoying your gift, Little Miss?"

Skylah nodded still staring at the display and pressing buttons at times to change it up. "Yeah, it's so cool!"

Sam smiled and headed for the kitchenette area.

Liam sat down at the table with her and started to point out all the worlds that he had visited so far.

Skylah listened and asked questions about the various worlds before telling him that she had only been to a couple before they were transported into the future.

Liam asked her to show him which ones, then smiled, saying that he had always wanted to go to them as well. As he spoke, he glanced over at Samaire. "Do you need a hand?" He asked softly.

Samaire shook her head as she brought out plates and cutlery. "Maybe one day Skylah we can show Liam our home? We can take him to the pub near the family estate in Kintyre."

Skylah nodded "They make great stews and have a petting zoo near by now."

Liam smiled. "They do?!" He replied excitedly to the young girl. "And which animal there is your favorite?"

"They have several Scottish Wildcats, they were almost extinct when we were there in the 2250's." Skylah replied. "They have the largest group there now."

Nodding, Liam frowned slightly as he replied. "I've never seen a Scottish Wildcat before. What do the look like? Are big, like a lion?" He made his hands resemble big paws with claws and made a silly face, growling softly and bearing his teeth slightly.

Skylah laughed "No, but they are slightly bigger than common cats, they are mainly stripped and live in wooded areas." She pointed to the family cat who was snoozing under the coffee table. "They would think that Seraph there would be great fun to chase and ... eat."

Looking over at the sleeping feline, Liam nodded and made a silly/concerned face as he looked back at Skylah. "Then I guess, we should probably not take her with us when we go, huh?"

Skylah shook her head "Nope, not a good idea."

Samaire came back out of the kitchen with the stew and a side of vegetables and the potato cakes. "Ok.. dinner time you two."

Liam grinned and gave Skylah a playful wink. He then stood and helped Samaire bring the food to the table. Then, he pulled out her chair for her. "Please, sit. Allow me to serve?"

"Sure, if you wish to," Sam said taking the seat.

Smiling, he gently pushed her chair in a little, then, moving around the table, he picked up Skylah's bowl and spooned in some stew. After putting it back down in front of her, he took a couple potato cakes off of the pan and put them on the small plate, which was next to her bowl. "There ya go, Little Miss. Be careful, it's hot."

He then picked up Samaire's bowl and repeated the process for both stew and potatoes. "You be careful you, sweetheart," he said with a coy grin on his face.

Finally, he moved over to his seat and served himself. He then sat down and smiled. "This looks and smells delicious, Sam. Thank you for making it, and thank you for inviting me over."

"You are welcome here any time Liam," Samaire replied honestly.

His eyes sparkled softly as he gazed into her beautiful face. They then started to eat. A short while later, Liam looked at Skylah and asked, "So, I heard you stood up for a new boy in school today. That was very nice of you. Though I heard that the teacher was very mean, I want you to know that I am very proud of you for what you did, Little Miss."

"Those boys deserved it" Skylah said And then she looked at her Aunt. "I think I broke one of their noses"

"Skylah, that's not funny."

The 5 year old shrugged.

Hearing the growing anger from Samaire, Liam decided to try a different tact. "Skylah, the little boy that you helped, what can you tell me about him?"

"He said he was an outkast" Skylah replied after finishing her mouthful. "He wore a hoody because he does not look the same as others.'

"Well, how does he look?" Liam asked, genuinely curious. He'd ask Samaire about the Outkast comment later.

"He has no hair but other than that he looked normal to me" Skylah replied as she poked at a bean.

Nodding, Liam leaned over and tapped Skylah gently on her right shoulder. When she looked up at him with her big, pretty eyes, he smiled and said, "I am Very proud of you, for standing up to a bully and helped your friend." He paused and then added, "I was bullied once, when I was about your age."

Skylah looked up at him. "By who?"

"Vincent Moore." Liam said, rembering the bully's name. "He would tease me because I used to have a very bad stutter. He would constantly go after me. See, he was older, he was in fourth grade, when I was in kindergarten. Well, one day, he was really going at me, and my brothers, Kyle and Nico, they are both older than me, they finally confronted Vincent, gave him a bloody nose and a black eye. He never bothered me again."

Skylah shot her aunt a small smile. "So it does work?"

"Skylah!"

Liam grinned slightly. Then he said, "Skylah, it may have stopped the bullies, however, in the end, it was the wrong thing to do. For my brothers, they were protecting their baby brother from an older boy. While it felt right, at the time, and it strengthened our relationships, fighting, in and of itself, is not the correct path. Both my brothers and Vincent were suspended for a week because of the fight. When an issue arises at school, you should always go to the teacher, or the principal. The rules of no fighting allowed are to keep everyone safe."

"Now, in here," he tapped his heart. "Was it the right thing to do? Yes, you saw someone on need, who couldn't defend themselves against a bully. That is why I am proud of you, and I'm sure your Aunt is as well. However, once the bully was no longer a threat, you should've stopped and reported it to the teacher." He raised his hand to stop her from intersecting. "I know, Ms Harkes is not a good teacher. In that case, you should have called your Aunt, let her deal with the situation." He paused, looking at Skylah's face as she seemed to absorb what he was saying. "Do you understand what I'm saying?" He kept his tone soft and friendly, kept things on her level, instead of acting as her parent, which he was not. He was just trying to be her friend.

Skylah nodded after a moments thought. "Yes I understand"

Liam smiled softly at Skylah. He then looked over at Samaire, hoping he hadn't overstepped himself. It had just felt natural to talk to Skylah as he had.

Samaire merely gave a small smile and nodded. "Lets all eat then we can do something after dinner ok?"

"Sounds perfect," Liam replied softly. He then gave Skylah a quick side wink as they started to enjoy dinner.

***A Short While Later ***

Once dinner was finished, Liam insisted on clearing the dishes away. "What shall we do now?" He asked, a soft smile on his face.

"Skylah has some homework to finish" Sam reminded the Child who groaned and headed for her bedroom. "But then once she is done, I promised her a walk through the Arboretum"

"That sounds lovely," he replied. "May I join you, or is this a private walk?"

"We would be happy if you joined us" Samaire said with a smile.

He smiled warmly in reply. "While she's doing her homework, would you care for a glass of wine?"

"hmm sounds like a nice idea" Sam agreed and pointed to a small cabinet in the living room. "I have some there"

Nodding, he moved over to the indicated cabinet and opened the doors, revealing a small, hidden, bar, complete with three bottles of old-looking wine bottles, laid on their sides, in a small rack. On a shelf below them, four stemless, cobalt blue wine glasses were neatly organized. After finding the corkscrew, he looked at the three bottles, they each looked slightly different than the other. "Which one would you like?"

"one of the white's will do." She said softy as she finished tidying the table from Dinner.

Nodding, Liam took the white at the top of the rack and carefully opened the bottle. After filling two glasses, he revealed the bottle and placed it back on the rack. Then, after taking both glasses into his left hand, he closed the cabinet with his right. He then carried the glasses over to Samaire and handed her hers. "Here you go, sweetheart."

Taking it, Samaire smiled and sipped. "Thank you." She said. "I will need to request more from the family home soon"

Taking a sip from his own glass, Liam's eyebrows rose in surprise. "These are from your home reserve? Wait...you havea home reserve? Best I've got are the vineyards near my home that my family has been customers of for many years." He chuckled softly.

Sam glanced at him. "Kyle didn't tell you?" she asked.

Liam arched his right eyebrow. "Tell me what?"

Samaire considered her next steps. "About my family and the fact that they have basically disowned Skylah and myself."

Liam's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and anger. "Sam...I..I didn't know." He put his glass down and reached out to her, to pull her into an embrace.

She let him pull her in. "Its ok. But it is a bit of a mess"

"Well, I've got a plenty big family," he said softly as he held her close. "Two older brothers, a younger sister, an adopted cousin, who is an Admiral, an adopted Reman uncle, a grandfather who Death is scared of, and my mom and dad. You can have any or all of them, if you'd like."

She gave a soft laugh. "Do you want to hear the story?" she asked.

Craning his head to look down at her, he nodded as he replied. "I do! I want to know everything there is to know about to, Sam. You and Skylah both."

"My older brother and I were very close while we were growing up. He was 4 years my senior and my mother was our father's second wife. Skylah's mother is our younger sister, though my father would dispute that she is his child. Not that it mattered to Douglas and I, Skye was our sister, thus Skylah is our niece. When Skye died when Skylah was 3, she came to live with me, as our father refused to allow Douglas to take her in. Then, the Archeron was temporally displaced and we vanished. My brother never married, and on his death, he legally, left the family estate to me. As I was not present, a cousin took the reins. And now I am back, I have a strong legal claim to the McBride Estate. A very strong one. Not that they will accept that. They basically gave Skylah and I money to buy a home in Monterey California and have been blocking all access, other than a week we got to spend there shortly after we came home. They keep asking me to sign papers to give up my heritage. I am not doing that. Maybe when things are more settled I will deal with them."

Liam took a moment to absorb everything he had heard. He hugged Samaire against him, moving his left hand up into her soft hair. "Sam, while I will never fully understand what you and Skylah have gone through, and are still going through, please know, I will always be here, to care for, and support both of you. If there is ever anything you need me to do, please tell me, and I'll do it, no questions asked."

She snuggled into his hold and closed her eyes briefly. "Thank you Liam."

He smiled contented and gently kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for allowing me to be here, sweetheart."

"Thank you for listening and being here" Sam replied.

"Always, sweetheart," Liam replied earnestly. "Always. I love you, Sam. I'm not going anywhere."

"I.. love you" she whispered for the first time. "So... after she goes to bed, are you staying the night?"

Hearing her say those three perfect little words, Liam felt his heart skip a beat. A warm smile crossed his face as he nodded and replied. "Yeah, today's Friday. I don't need to be back in the barracks till oh-four-hundred, Monday."

Sam nodded and then she asked "One day... would you consider moving in here? Not straight away but... in the future? Would that be allowed?"

Relaxing his hold some so he could look into her eyes, he nodded. "I would love to live here with you and Skylah. Unfortunately, there are only two ways that it would be allowed. One, if we were getting married. Or two, if you were pregnant with my child. The Corps is rather strict on where its enlisted live. If I were an officer, it wouldn't matter." He paused briefly before continuing. "While I certainly would love to have both become a reality for us, I don't want to rush things either."

Sam nodded. "okay" she smiled. Then she asked "May i ask... why enlisted?"

He shrugged slightly. "My Grampy was enlisted, as was Mom and Dad. Also, my grades were never high enough to make the selection board take me. Kyle, Nick and Alexandria? They're the smart ones. Especially Alexandria!"

"You are very smart Liam" She protested honestly.

He grinned, then winked at her. Leaning closer, he whispered in her ear, "Don't tell anyone. It's a secret!" He then moved his lips to her neck and started to gently nuzzle and kiss her.

Sam gave a soft breathy moan as he did that to her neck. "wh-why is it a secret?" she got out softly.

As he continued to kiss and nibble her neck and earlobe, he said, "Because, as an enlisted Marine, I have a much less stressful job. I can focus on being the best Marine Sapper that I can be."

"Ah.." she got out between gasps of pleasure. "Liam... I want you... but... Skylah..."

Regretfully, he nodded. "Yes...later...after...after she's asleep..." he kissed her again. "Then, I'll make you scream my name again!"

"yes" Sam moaned. "anything you want, good idea" she was all for that.

One final kiss, and Liam pulled away. He had to excuse himself, to calm down and make himself appropriate for Skylah's presence. He quickly moved to Samaire's bathroom to splash some cold water on his face, and tried to think of anything than what would happen later that night.

Sam meanwhile just sat on the couch and looked out the window at the stars as she brought her breathing under control.

A few moments later, Liam came back into the living room. Though he was still a little flushed, at least the rest of his body was properly calm. He moved to pick up his glass of wine and sipped it. When his eyes met Samaire's, he grinned happily.

She smiled back. then Skylah bounded into the room. "DONE!" she said dramatically to her aunt.

"So I see."

"you promised!"

"I know." Sam stood. "Shall we?"

Liam smiled and nodded. Holding his right hand out to Skylah. "Shall we, Little Miss?"

Skylah beamed and all but bolted to the door with a laugh. "Race you!"

Laughing, Liam winked at Samaire. He then turned his attention to the running Skylah. "Ohhh!! I'm gonna get you, Little Miss!!" He then took off after her, acting like a silly tickle monster.

Samaire watched them go and followed them as they raced out of the cabin and down the halls towards the turbolift. Life was definitely looking up.

Once they reached the lift, Skylah had nowhere to run. "Aha!" Liam smiled. "I have you now!" He playfully advanced towards her, flexing his fingers like tickle claws.

Skylah grinned at him, hit the call button and dived with a forward roll, back towards him, between his legs.

Liam saw the move and laughed. Turning after her, he started to resume his pursuit, only to stop, as he came face to face with Samaire.

Who merely smiled as Skylah hid behind her. "Oh am I in the way sergeant?"

Giving her a lop-sided grin, Liam replied. "Well, Ma'am, yes, yes you are. Of course, if I have to, I'll tickle you first!" He raised his hands to begin his attack, when lift door slid open behind him.

Seeing Liam was distracted by her Aunt, Skylah dove between both adults legs and rolled into the lift "I win!" she carolled and said "Deck 3!" and the doors began to slide closed.

Thankfully, Liam's reaction speed was such that, as the lift doors were closing, he shot his left hand between them, halting their advance. The doors then reversed direction, allowing both Liam and Samaire entrance. "Nice try, Little Miss." Liam smirked playfully. You may be fast, but my hands are faster."

Skylah pouted slightly as the adults entered the lift. "No fair" she muttered at Liam.

Smiling softly, Liam reached down and picked Skylah up easily, holding her to him in a gentle embrace. With his left arm tucked underneath her, holding her against his chest, he gently rubbed the knuckles of his right hand against her left cheek, as he spoke softly to her. "Don't be sad, Little Miss. I will always be here to catch you." He then playfully tapped the end of her tiny nose and smiled. "And the tickle monster will always catch you, sooner or later!" He then started to tickle her a little as he laughed happily.

Skylah giggled and squirmed in his grip.

Samaire smiled. She ordered the lift to deck 3 and it set on its way.

As Liam held Skylah against his chest, he stopped tickling her. He then hugged her and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

Skylah gave up her pretence and rested her head on his shoulder as the lift moved through the ship to the requisite deck.

Liam smiled warmly as he continued to hold Skylah. Turning to Samaire, on his right, he moved his right hand from Skylah's back, down to give Samaire's left hand a gentle squeeze.

Samaire smiled and squeezed back. This was going down a path she could handle.

A few moments later, the lift opened and Liam led the two ladies he cared about the most, out into the corridor, then through the large double doors leading into the massive Arboretum on this side of the deck. "Which tree do you want to play on, Little Miss?" He asked softly as they entered the massive compartment.

"The biggest" Skylah grinned at him. "Can see everything from the top of it!"

"Well then," he replied with a chuckle. "Let's go then!" He put her down on her feet and let her go. "Don't run too far ahead now, Little Miss. Stay where we can see you." He then reached back and took Samaire's hand in his again, smiling softly to her, as he looked into her eyes.

Skylah took off running to the trees and didn't look back.

Sam meanwhile stepped closer to Liam, her gaze never leaving his.

"I could so get lost in those beautiful eyes of yours," he said softly as they walked calmly after Skylah.

"Well that could be dangerous" she teased as they paused at the base of the tree, Skylah was already climbing.

Liam broke eye contact long enough to look up at Skylah, making sure she was okay. Then, he turned his gaze back to Samaire's hypnotic eyes, and smiled. "I'm not scared of a little danger. Are you?" He whispered softly as he moved his hands up into her hair at her scalp. He leaned in he kissed her gently.

She shook her head "no.."

Hugging her to him, Liam felt like the luckiest man alive. Here he was, with not one, but two wonderful women to love and care for. The fact that Skylah was still a little girl, did not hamper his joy. He did not feel threatened by another man's child in the relationship, even if Samaire had been Skylah's mother, he would feel the absolute same about the both of them. He loved them both deeply, and would do everything in his power to ensure they stayed safe and happy.

They sat there under the tree while Skylah scampered around the branches and Sam rested her head on his shoulder.

"What a perfect day," he said quietly as he held Samaire against his left side.

She nodded as the Arboretum went into night mode from sunset mode. "We should get her home soon and into bed."

Liam nodded. "Yeah, you're right. And then, I can get you into bed, Miss McBride." He whispered hungrily into her ear.

"hmm and when you have me there? What do you plan to do Sergeant?"

Giving her a lop-sided grin, he replied. "Well now, Ma'am, I do believe I promised to make you scream in ecstasy."

"hmm that sounds like an idea" She whispered. "And how would you do that?"

He continued to smile as he moved his mouth to that spot just under her right ear and started to nibble softly. "By filling you completely, and driving you hard and long into oblivion."

She shivered against him "Hmmm nice idea" She whispered back at him. "very nice..."

He started to feel his blood start to run faster. "Perhaps....perhaps we should collect Little Miss...and go home. Before I am forced to carry you into those bushes over there."

Sam laughed and nodded into his neck. "Yes lets do that." She stood and called Skylah down.

As Skylah reluctantly climbed down, Liam could tell that she was tired. As she got closer, he reached up and helped her climb down into his arms. Like before, he tucked her in against his left side, near his heart. As he held her close, he softly asked her, "Did you have fun, Little Miss?"

Skylah nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

Liam smiled softly as he gently rubbed her back. Looking over at Samaire, he asked, "Ready?"

"Lead on kind sir" Sam said joining them as they headed for the exit.

Grinning softly, Liam led her back out, the way they had entered, and in a few moments, were back in their quarters. Liam whispered to Skylah to go brush her teeth and get ready for bed, then asked who she wanted to read her bedtime story.

She chose Liam and scampered off to get changed and do her teeth.

Sam smiled and waved him off as she headed for the main bedroom.

Liam smiled and chuckled at Samaire. He then made his way over to just outside Skylah's bedroom. He waited until she was wearing her pajamas, then stepped inside. "What book would you like tonight, sweetheart?"

She handed him a PADD with the title "The Day the Crayons Quit" with a smile.

Smiling, he took the PADD, and said to her, this was one of my favorites as a little boy!" He then tucked Skylah into bed, made sure she had her favorite toy, then sat down on the edge of the bed and started to read.

After a few pages, he saw that she had fallen asleep. However, he kept reading, though lowering the volume of his voice as he did so. When he finished reading, he shut down the PADD and quietly placed it on her end table. He then reached over and turned on her starfield nightlight and slowly dimmed her lamp until it was just a soft glow. After standing and carefully straightening her bedspread, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Little Miss," he whispered softly.

He then straightened up, looked at her for a few more beats, then quietly left her room, closing the door behind him.

Once he was back in the living room, he smiled as he thought about how great things had become since he came back to the Elysium. He then made his way over to Samaire's closed bedroom door and gently knocked on the door frame.

The door slid open, and Sam stood there, she had changed into a dark green negligee and her hair was down. "Finished?" She asked.

Liam's eyes grew a bit larger as they tracked down, then up, Samaire's perfect body. A hungry grin suddenly filled his face. "Yes, Ma'am!"

"Computer lock main door" she called out. "Lights out in main area." then she reached out and took his hand and pulled him into the bedroom.

Liam did not resist any as he was pulled into the master bedroom, the door sliding shut behind him. "Words fail me in just how sexy you look right now."

"Then why don't you just show me?" She asked softly.

**FADE TO BLACK**

A short while later...

She snuggled into his arms and pulled the blankets up over them.

Sighing contently, Liam gently kisses the side of Samaire's neck. His heart suddenly gushed with the emotions he felt inside. "Marry me," he whispered to her, his eyes watching her reaction to his words.

That woke her and she shifted and stared at him. "Liam?" she asked shocked.

His face was serene and clearly full of love and devotion for this woman. "Marry me," he repeated the request. "I know it's fast. But, I also know what my heart wants. And that to have you and Skylah as my family. I love you both so very dearly. You both make me be a better man." He paused and swallowed. "There will be no other for me, but you, Samaire McBride. Marry me."

Her mouth opened and closed several times as she stared at him. She had not been thinking marriage. She was just stunned that he would ask after a couple of weeks knowing her and Skylah. "I... I... Liam I don't know what to say..." she admitted.

He seemed to deflate slightly. "If the traditional answer doesn't come out on instinct, then there can really only be one answer." His eyes dropped from hers and he whispered, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. Now I've ruined everything."

Sam shook her head and quickly wriggled around so she faced him. She placed her hands on his face. "Liam, I love you, Skylah thinks you are wonderful, You shocked me, I was not expecting that. You have ruined nothing" she pressed her lips to his gently. "Do not think that I do not love you. May I have tonight to think on it? Give you my answer in the morning?"

Hope started to blossom in his eyes as he looked back up at her when she kissed him. A soft, shy smile crossed his face and he nodded. "Of course, my love." He then slid his arms around her and pulled her to him, kissing her again and again. For the next several hours, they made out and explored each other's body.