Protecting the Children

Posted on Thu Apr 7th, 2022 @ 5:12am by Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Skylah McBride [Lalor] & Captain George Charles [Reece] & Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Hendor Charles [Reece]

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: Uss Elysium
Timeline: MD4 0830
1684 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Samaire hit the chime to the Charles's Cabin. Beside her, Skylah was sulking and lugging a small duffle bag and a cat Carrier sat at Sam's feet.

A few beats later, the door opened and George was standing there. "Sam, Skylah!" He greeted them both with a grin. "Please,come in! Hendor and Leilani are almost ready." He stepped aside, to allow the McBride women entrance into his family's home.

Sam gently pushed Skylah forward and picked up the cat carrier "Thank you George" She said as they entered.

"Would either of you care for a drink, before the craziness really starts?" George asked calmly.

At that moment, Hendor stepped out of his room, and smiled when he saw Skylah. With two eyes for the first time. "Sky!!" He ran over and embraced her tightly. He then let go and smiled into her face. "I've got my new eye!! It still needs some cos...cos...." he looked up at his father questioningly.

"Cosmetic," he replied, a patient smile on his face.

"Yeah! Cosmetic!" Hendor parroted as he looked back at his best friend. He then looked up at Samaire and smiled. "Hi, Ms McBride!"

Skylah grinned. "Looks good" She said

"Hey Hendor, looking good." Samaire replied with a warm smile.

"Thank you Sky, Ms McBride," he said with a slightly bashful smile. He recovered quickly a turned to Skylah. "Sky! Did you bring your teddy bear with you?" He was meaning the one here for her.

Skylah nodded "Its in my duffel" She said brightly.

He grinned happily. "Mine's in mine! Mama and Papa said we can play while on the shuttle." His young mind was not yet ready to understand the issues facing the adults. To him, this was some kind of field trip. One that he was taking with his mother, his best friend and her cuddly cat.

Sky grinned at him. She knew that this was serious, She had been through evacuations before. But she had been told not to scare people.

Leilani appeared from the bedroom carrying a rucksack with her things in. “Hi Sky, Sam.” She offered a somewhat diluted smile, she wasn't looking forward to leaving the ship, or George but she knew she had to protect Hendor, and their unborn child.

"Hi Leilani. Thank you for taking Skylah with you." Samaire said "She has promised me she will listen to you and not run off." She gave her niece a look "Correct?"

Skylah beamed an innocent smile at the adults. "Of Course"

“I’ll be keeping close tabs on both of you” Leilani looked between Hendor & Sky. “There won’t be any misbehaving, I’m not aiming to be hunting for you every two minutes okay?” She offered a smile. “Doesn’t mean we won’t have fun.”

Hendor smiled at his mother, then he suddenly got a little nervous. "Mama, will...will the mean boys from school be on the same shuttle as us?"

“No sweetheart” Leilani smiled. “Your papa and I have arranged for us to be aboard a different shuttle. We thought you’d feel happier being away from them.”

This news caused young Hendor to grin broadly. He then rushed over to Leilani and wrapped his little arms around her legs and squeezed. "I love you, Mama!"

Leilani grinned. “I love you too Sweetheart! You never have to worry about anything, because no matter what papa and I are here to protect and love you.”

George knelt down by Leilani and put his arms around the both of them. "That's right, Bubba!" He said softly. "Your Mama and I will always do everything in our power to keep you safe." He kissed the top of Hendor’s head, then gently turned his son to face him.

"Now, Son, I'm counting on you here. As I have to stay with the ship, while you all are away, I'm gonna need you to protect Mama and Skylah for me and Samaire. Can you do that for us?"

Hendor stood a little taller and nodded. "Yes, Papa!"

"Good boy!" George replied, then pulled Hendor in for another hug. "Now, go get your stuff, we gotta get down to the shuttlebay." He held Hendor a few beats longer, then released him and stood up, watching as the young boy ran off to his room.

"That's a lot of weight to put on a young set of shoulders" Leilani looked at George. "I hate leaving you here George!"

Looking over at his lovely wife, he responded. "It'll help him stay focused, Imzadi." He grinned impishly as he continued, "We Charles men always protect our women!" He then leaned in and kissed her gently.

Leilani returned George's kiss, a few emotional tears making her eyes sparkle. "Promise me you'll stay safe! I'll expect you to be there to meet us when this is all over."

Pulling her into a loving embrace, George tried to calm his wife. "I promise to do my best, Imzadi. I've got Tink with me, remember? She'll keep me safe," he whispered jokingly, trying to reassure Leilani.

Leilani nodded. "I know Tink will kick your ass if you get yourself hurt, I'm grateful that she looks out for you." She hugged George tightly. "I just don't know how I'm going to cope without you."

He returned the embrace with equal love. Then, when they released their hold on each other, he placed his left hand gently upon her growing belly. "I am always with you, Imzadi."

Leilani smiled and nodded. "I know, I'll protect myself and our children that I promise you. I hope we wont be seperated for long."

"As do I," George replied. Then, after taking in a big breath and releasing it, he said, "And speaking of, we need to get you all down to the shuttlebay. It's almost time for your assigned boarding time." He leaned in and kissed her again, before pulling back, clearly hesitantly, and heading into Hendor’s room, to help him with his bags.

Leilani stood and watched George go, if she had her choice she would have stayed but she knew that wasn't what was best. She had to go where George knew she would be safe.

Sam touched her shoulder. "It will be ok" She said softly.

George exited Hendor's room, their son up over his shoulder, giggling. "Imzadi!" He called out, playfully concerned, "Have you seen Hendor?! I went into his room, to help him with his bag, but all I found was this pile of clothing!" He turned to the left, then to the right, looking around him. "And I keep hearing him giggle! Hendor! Stop hiding, Bubba!"

Leilani couldn’t help but laugh as she looked around pretending she couldn’t see Hendor either. “I haven’t seen him either! I wonder where he could be?”

This caused Hendor to giggle even louder. "I'm right here!" He cried out happily.

Leilani grinned. "Ohh there you are!! You're far too good at this game you know."

Hendor laughed aloud as his father started to tickle him. "Papa!!!"

"You sneaky sneak!" George laughed aloud, as he pulled Hendor off his shoulder and tickled him some more.

"Mama!!" Hendor laughed even louder as he reached for her. "Help! Tickle monster has me!!"

Leilani laughed and reached out towards George and Hendor. "Don't worry, I'm coming to save you!!" she started tickling George, making him laugh. "Quick, Hendor, help me get him!"

George fell back onto his butt with Leilani's attack. As he continued to laugh, Hendor's added attack forced him onto his back. "Arrrggg!!! I'm out numbered!! I yield! I yield!!" He was laughing so hard that he was starting to tear up.

As much as Leilani was having fun the emotion of the moment, and their upcoming separation proved too much to bare. She stepped back and turned away wiping away tears of her own.

George could feel the pain his wife was feeling. After indicating that Hendor should go give his mother a hug, he stood back up and joined his family. Embracing them both, he opened his mind to the both of them. While Hendor wouldn't be able to respond with his thoughts, George and Leilani had started to train him to at least hear theirs, when they opened up their minds

I know this is not ideal, Imzadi, but it has to happen. We will finish the mission, then everyone can come home.

Leilani nodded as she embraced both of them. I know Imzadi. Doesn’t mean I have to like it, but I have to protect our children.

Sam had kept Skylah distracted as the Charles family said their good byes but now she knew they needed to go. She hugged her neice and whispered for her to be good for Leilani. Then she looked at the rest. "Its time" she said softly

George glanced over and nodded. As he released his family, he told Hendor to see if Skylah needed any help carrying anything. He then returned to their son's room and grabbed his bag. After coming back out, he collected Leilani's as well, using the shoulder straps to carry them on one side, while holding Leilani's hand on the other.

Once everyone was set, they left and made their way towards the main shuttlebay. George smiled as he watched Hendor and Skylah together. Quietly, he said aloud to Leilani and Samaire, "They really are something, aren't they?" There was love and wonder in his voice as he spoke.

"They most certainly are" Leilani nodded. "I feel privileged to be Hendor's mother."

"And you are both doing a wonderful job." Sam said softly. "He will grow up to be a wonderful young man"

"He will indeed" Leilani smiled proudly.

"Don't sell yourself short, Sam," George responded. "You're doing great with Skylah. I'm sure she will grow up to be a wonderful young lady." He grinned. "Question is, will we be able to keep the two of them apart, when the time comes, and they are teenagers?" He chuckled softly at that.

"Ankle bracelets" Sam quipped.