Fic: Double Trouble part 2
PART II
*-*
Kara glanced at the baby suckling contentedly at her breast. The door popped open and she swore if it was another nurse she was going to kill them. It wasn't.
Jean's head came into view. "Hey."
"Hey." A lot had happened in the last four months. They paid off the debts from opening the bar and now were making a profit. She graduated her first class of nuggets, 35 in all. Her second session was going to be underway in a few weeks; they were in the process of picking cadets. She was looking forward to being back in a viper. Her doctor said six weeks. Given she passed the physical. She could do that in her sleep.
Jean stepped into the room with Sam, Karl, and Sharon right behind her.
"How you feeling?" Sharon asked quietly, sitting on the side of the bed to watch the baby nurse. The pink cap made her smile.
"Little girl?" A soft coo from behind them caused everyone to turn. A gasp going up in the room. "Twins?" Sharon asked softly.
"Identical." Kara whispered softly. "Calliegha Kathryn and Isabella Nicole."
"They're beautiful."
"I can't believe you went through that alone. Why didn't you call someone?" Jean asked, watching as Sam gently picked up the small bundle from where she was sleeping.
"I did. I called Marcia. She's taking a nap." Pointing to the couch in the corner. "I figured you'd call Karl and this one." Smacking Sharon lightly on the leg. "And I'd be having five voices instead of one."
"The nurses are terrified, by the way." Jean said as the baby stopped nursing and Kara rose to burp her.
"Good. Maybe they'll stop prodding at my daughters."
Jean smirked, watching as Kara carefully held the baby in one arm and snapped her gown with the other. "At least the bar is soundproof now."
"And you wondered why I demanded that be done?" Kara ignored Sam rolling his eyes. "Anyways. I need sleep since these two are resting."
"We just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing."
"Thanks."
---
Kara took a deep breath and relaxed back into bed.
The girls were tucked safely in their crib. The monitor was on and she needed sleep... lots and lots of sleep.
The general had been pissed when she pushed back class another three weeks, but there was no way she was going to do that, the bar and babies. No way.
They compromised on a longer class and a significant cut in her hours. Showboat would take over most of it with Kara just doing the practicals. That gave her 8 weeks before she was needed. Plenty of time to get back into shape and the babies in a routine.
---
Kara watched as the guys gathered around the bar, the 'football' game on the screen. She didn't find appeal in the sport but Sam did so he rambled on and on about it.
Jean was in the corner presiding over a triad game. The group was at a controlled roar. Much like the rec room always was.
The girls were six months old now, and she was back to work. Almost a year had gone by since she arrived on this planet.
She couldn't believe that she'd been apart from him that long; hadn't seen him, talked to him, in that long.
She had popped out to see what had happened with a bad order. Calli was perched on her hip, Bella was with Showboat in the office.
"Hey Buck, what is that baby doing in here!"
"Oh frak off, Helo."
He gave her a hug. There was no smoking allowed inside the bar, a state law that kept the bar safe for the babies to be in there. State law or something about the smoking. Something most bitched about but Kara had shrugged and pointed to the patio. People went in breaks and then came back in.
"So... six months already?"
"Yeah. Long months." She pressed a kiss to Calli's hair and nodded towards Helo with a grin. "Got to go put her down."
"Of course."
---
Kara slowly rocked the twins to sleep, one in each arm as she read a story to them.
Everything her mother never did, she was going to do.
There were times when she wanted to strangle them and in the same instant she loved them to a point of overwhelming her. She could never hurt them. Gods. She eased them into their crib, watching as they rolled towards one another and settled down.
Covering them she gazed down at them. They had deep dark curls and Lee's eyes, that deep startling blue. Brushing her fingers through the curls, she smiled as Isabella opened her eyes to smile at her before closing them again. Gods they were angels. The both of them.
She shut the lights off and moved across to her room. It was an early morning and she had a lot to do on the base.
---
Lee stopped outside the bar with a feeling of fear and trepidation.
No one knew they were back.
They'd arrived a week ago and once planet side, it took him only two hours to find out where Kara was. A base in a state called North Carolina.
Causing havoc.
Everyone knew her. A commander now, she supposedly ran a bar on the side. Looking at the crowd inside he smiled, Kara was good at everything. A sign hung above the door. 'The Bucket'. In clear bold letters. Seems her busted knee was a ruse, something the Doctor had said two years into the journey but had never admitted why.
He stepped into the room and watched as guys shuffled around, a few card games going on. Most were base personnel. He could tell the look.
Jean Barolay was behind the bar and her eyes widened as she spotted him. Sam came from the back with a case resting on his shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she nodded towards Lee. Sam raised an eyebrow as he spotted him standing in the doorway. "Well come on in."
"Thanks." Lee moved towards the bar, watching as Jean tapped the it in front of two patrons and they slid down to make room for him to sit.
"How long you guys been back?"
"A week. Just got planet side." Lee glanced around before looking at the two of them.
"Sam and I got married eight months after landing." Jean said, seeing his eyes widening.
"What happened with Kara?" Lee asked, seeing Jean smirk.
Jean answered for Sam. "They separated while they were still on Galactica, I think I was the only person that actually knew while still on the ship. Seems Kara can be pretty tight lipped when she thinks she's protecting someone."
Lee gave her a confused look before it cleared. "Me? Why wouldn't she tell me?"
"Because of your marriage with Dee. She didn't want you to think twice about your choice. So by not telling anyone of our separation you didn't have to know or ask why." Sam suggested.
"Dee and I divorced two months into the voyage."
Sam nodded, watching as he glanced around again and took pity on the man, going to knock on a door, hearing a muttered curse from behind the wall. Jean watched as the blood drained out of Lee's face as Kara jerked open the door.
"Someone had better be dead."
"Look what the cat dragged in." Sam said, nodding to the bar, seeing Kara glance over before her face paled and she swayed. She grabbed the door frame and held on as the world spun. The equally wide eyes of her ex-best friend stared back at her.
The silence was broken as two whirlwinds went rushing past her and into the dining room. Showboat glancing up just before she was plowed into. Kara giving chase as Showboat held onto one with each hand.
"Girls!" They settled immediately at their mother's voice and moved to where she was standing. The patrons didn't look too surprised and Lee watched as Kara knelled to check them quickly. The two girls had long curly hair tied back with a blue ribbons. Their overalls were dusty and covered in paint.
Kara froze suddenly and glanced his way. The two children followed suit and he felt his world drop out from underneath him at the deep blue eyes staring back at him. Cottle's words flowing through him mind. "She didn't leave because of a busted knee. She left to keep the peace. She said she was tired of hurting people and believe me. This would have blown your world apart at the seems. Now... now it won't be too bad."
It didn't make much sense then but now, staring at the small girls, it did. There was fear in Kara's eyes before she turned back to them. "Go to the office, okay?"
"Kay Momma." They murmured, running back in there. Kara stood slowly, all eyes in the bar on her.
"Sorry guys." They shrugged, turning back to what they were doing and Kara walked up to him slowly. "I can explain." She whispered softly, her eyes tearing up when he continued stare at her. "Lee please?"
"Are they..." His world started to close in on him as she nodded quickly. The walls pressing in on him. He stood quickly, looking around the room, feeling Kara's hands on his chest.
"Lee. Lee look I can...' She stopped as he shook his head. Her eyes closed as he pushed past her and headed out the door.
---
Sam watched as Kara choked back a sob, her hand covering her mouth as Lee left. Jean paused in making a drink. Kara's eyes teared up and he could see Showboat folding her hand.
Kara turned suddenly, making a beeline for the office door. It banged shut behind her.
Marcia moved to the bar. "Was that Apollo?"
Jean nodded.
"Frak." She whispered, moving to go in the office. Jean shook her head and she paused, nodding once and took the stool that Lee had just vacated. Jean looked towards Sam and nodded towards the door.
"Not me. I'll call Karl."
---
Kara had tucked the girls into their bed and had curled up on the couch with a pillow and was now sobbing silently. The door opened and Karl entered, crossing immediately to where she was laying and hugged her tightly. "He'll come back Kara. He didn't go through the trouble of tracking you down to just leave again."
"He saw them."
"I know. Kara... it took him by surprise. That's it. Just caught him by surprise, okay? It would do that to anyone."
"I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to..."
He held her as she cried herself to sleep and then eased her to lay down. The bar was closed by the time he came back downstairs and everyone was sitting at a table.
"How is she?"
"How do you think?" Karl joined the group.
"I'm gonna go pass out, keep an ear out for the girls."
They nodded, watching as Marcia rose and moved towards the stairs.
---
Helo watched as the door opened slowly.
“We're closed." Jean said automatically before glancing over to see Apollo standing in the doorway once again. "Well not to you. Kind of expected you back."
"Where's Kara?"
"Upstairs with the girls."
"How old are they?"
"Just turned three. The rest... you need to find out from her." Jean pointed back to the stairs. "Through the office. We'll lock up behind you."
He nodded, moving slowly towards the room.
---
Lee watched her sleep, seeing the dried tears on her face. Even in rest, tension flowed off her.
He shut the door and locked it before crossing the room to gently pushed the hair off her face, seeing her eyes flutter before opening slowly. Her face turning towards him, she let out a relived sigh and bolted up to hug him tightly. "Oh Gods."
"I'm sorry Kara... it just."
"No. No. It's my fault. This one... it's all me. Gods. Lee." She pulled back, her hands framing his face. "I can't believe that it's you."
"Me either."
"I've missed you so much. Gods. So much. But... I did the right thing Lee. I let you go... I had too. I had too let you go but in the same sense I did the wrong thing. You've missed so much. I've got it Lee. I have it all. Their birth, the trip home. Showboat had fun with that frakking camera. I have it all. If you want it. I know it's not the same. But..."
He pressed a finger to her lips, stilling her words. "Shhh. I'll be happy with their names."
"Calliegha Kathryn and Isabella Nicole Thrace-Adama." She whispered slightly. "They're three."
"They're beautiful."
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly, seeing him nod. "How's the old man?"
"Good."
"Everyone still..." She was relieved at his nod. "Thank Gods. When did you get back? I haven't heard anything."
"Last week." She nodded, shaking slightly when he brushed the hair out of her eyes, wiping away her tears. "I love the bar, Kara."
"Thanks. Jean and Sam's idea."
"Yeah. That shocked me. But so does this..." His hand slid over her unblemished arm. "You should have told me."
"Dee is good for you."
"Dee and I are over Kara. Three years now."
Her eyes widened, her hands shaking against his chest. "Oh..." Her eyes teared up. "I'm sorry."
"You had nothing to do with it Kara. Well, in a way you did."
"Yeah." She whispered softly.
"Kara... I love you." That caused the tears to come back. "I frakking love you so much it's insane."
"I like it that way." She whispered between tears.
"Good." He leaned forward slowly, feeling her tremble as his lips brushed slowly over hers.
Kara pulled back, her eyes bright with yet more tears.
"I love you." She whispered softly. "I love you so much. So so much."
He nodded, pulling her closer. Their mouths fusing together. Kara's hands rising around his neck, groan torn from her before she pulled back suddenly.
"Shit Lee... we can't." she whispered, seeing his eyes fill with confusion. "Not because I don't want too but I'm..." She waved her hand in the air. "I'm cycling."
"Okay. Okay." He brushed the hair out of her eyes again and watched as she gave him a smile.
"Where are you staying?"
"Was gonna bunk on the base." Her face screwed up and he smirked. "Can I stay here?"
"Of course. Let me show you their baby books."
He nodded, watching as she got up and went into what had to be her bedroom, coming back out with a pair of books. She handed one to him and grinned as he traced the entails on the front.
CKTA.
"Calliegha. The one I planned for. No one knew I was having twins until they were born. Surprise for me." She opened the book, letting him trace the birth certificate. "I put your name... just in case something happened to me... someone would find you."
"Don't say that." He said with deep emotion.
She nodded slowly, flipping to the next page. Clearly still on Galactica, a picture of her standing sideways, shirt pulled up to reveal the first swell of her body, one taken every week and intermingled with sonograms and different papers. Pictures of her all the way up to the birth. More after she landed on Earth. One was of her standing on a landing strip, hair blowing around, tanks stretched tight over her abdomen while she obviously was in the middle of tearing down a group of nuggets. The next page was a picture of the birth. A CD placed in a holder across from it. Showboat standing beside her head, holding her up. "My face was so red in that picture. Marcia says she was surprised I didn't have a stroke."
"You look beautiful."
"Liar." She flipped to the next, the first picture of Calliegha. "She's the oldest. They had bathed, dressed and I had fed her." She pointed to each picture in turn before flipping the page. "Before Isabella made her presence known. The doctor had a damn near had a stroke." Kara said, grinning as she pointed to said doctor. The next picture was of a nurse taking Calliegha from her, another nurse beside them ready to hand over Isabella. A few more pictures and Kara holding both babies followed.
The group picture, the trip home, first time in their own bed. Crawling, walking, talking.
"Those girls lives are on camera. From the day they were born. Isabella has the same. Except this." She opened the cover and he smiled as he saw Kara's scrawl across the top.
Mama's surprise.
"Bet she was."
Kara nodded, watching as Lee set the book on the table.
"Thank you." His quiet words caused a smile to spread over her lips.
"Tired?"
"Exhausted."
He stood, holding his hand out to her. "Lets go to bed."
---
Lee woke up to a soft movement beside him, seeing Kara sliding back into the bed.
"Sorry, Izzy woke up, I needed to give her a drink." She settled down into her pillow, eyes wide open as she watched him.
"Everything okay?" He asked. "Kara?"
She shrugged. "I can't believe that you are here. I can't believe you don't hate me. For everything that I've done to you."
"I do and I don't." He saw her nod slowly in the dim light. "I just don't want to waste anymore time."
Kara raised her hand to cup his cheek before feeling him pull her over. Resting in his arms.
---
Lee woke too see Kara climbing out of bed, stretching slowly as she yawned. The door opened and Marcia stuck her head in.
"Oh..." Her eyes widened as she took in Lee lying in Kara's bed. "Well... okay then." She quickly retreated, pulling the door closed behind her.
Kara smirked at his equally confused look.
"She stays in the spare bedroom. She should be moving out soon. She's been dating this girl from the base. Planning on getting married. They are just browsing for a place that's close to here and to the base."
"A lot has changed hasn't it?"
"Yeah. Karl and Sharon have another baby, a boy. Tyler. Hera is almost five now. Jean and Sam are trying. But it's hard. They both have damage from Caprica. But they are hopeful."
"Nickolas is four." He watched Kara move to sit on the edge of the bed. "Cally talks about you all the time. She was so mad at Cottle for mustering you out. A lot of people were. I almost shot the frakking gruff dead when he told me."
Kara gave a short chuckle before feeling his arms surround her, holding her close. "I need to go to the base today."
"So do I."
---
Lee followed behind Kara as she pushed open the door to the girls room, seeing slightly sleepy eyes staring back at him. Felt his heart constrict as Kara sat on the edge and gently gave them each a kiss. "Come on. Up."
They complied, and Kara helped them to stand. One of the girls fixed her eyes on him before smiling slightly.
"Do you know who that is?" Kara asked softly, seeing her hand go to the chain around her neck. Holding it tightly with one small fist. "That's right."
Both girls gave him a blinding smile and rushed up too him. "YOU'RE HOME!"
Kara watched as he knelt and held them both tightly, his eyes closing as he lifted them up and hugged them close. She stood and walked towards him when his eyes tagged hers. Placing her hands on Isabella's back and eased the girl into her arms.
"I told them that you were on a mission and you wouldn't be back until they were older. But I tried to let them know you. I told them stories even before they were born."
Lee smiled, watching as Kara went through the motions of getting them dressed. Lee helped how he could. Kara tossed him shoes and he was surprised as the girl in front of him widen her eyes and shook her head and took off out of the room.
Kara laughed at the shock on his face. "Sorry. She hates shoes."
"Izzy!" Calliegha called, Kara letting her run after her sister when she finished. "IZZY! 'Tis not nice!"
Kara sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Lee stood to go after her. Kara took his hand and saw his eyes swing to hers. She shook her head slowly and watched as he leaned down to give her a soft kiss.
"IZZYBELLA!"
Kara chuckled under her breath and watched as Lee did the same.
" 'Et over 'teer right NOW!"
"NO!" Small stomping noises and then a scream of surprise as Showboat came into the room with a struggling girl. "No. No. No... I no want shoies!"
"Too bad. Little girls have to wear shoes." Showboat passed the sniffling toddler to Lee and turned to pick up Calli, setting her on the table and having her turn around. Calli stood still, a smile on her face as Isabella let Lee slip her shoes on and tie them.
Kara took her and gently rocked her too settle the last of her tears before standing her next to her sister. Both women quickly getting the tangles out of their hair and pulling it back into a loose pony tail.
Their outfits were similar, blue jeans and a tank top. Isabella's was pink while Calli's was blue. The rest was exactly the same. They jumped down off the table and rushed into the living room. Showboat following quickly while Kara at a much slower pace.
Lee did the same and watched as Marcia moved to the kitchen, getting the girls to settle down at the table. Kara gave her a smile and moved into the bedroom to change. When she came out she had her uniform pants and tanks on with the jacket slung over her shoulder. She dropped promptly on what had to be her chair, her bag hitting the floor the next second. She roughly pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
He was surprised at the length of it. Midway down her back. While the girls had tight curls, Kara's had always been loose when she had done them.
He followed suit and quickly changed his clothes, accepting the bowl from Marcia as he walked by. Kara was almost done with hers and so were the girls. They finished first and Kara sent them to gather their things. He noticed the two small lockers next to the door. Izzy on one and Calli on the other. They opened them and pulled out two matching denim baseball caps, sliding them on and then a pair of sunglasses.
"Can't tell who their mother is can you?"
Lee smirked at Marcia's off handed comment.
"Or that they have been raised on a military base. Nope not at all."
Lee laughed as they both pulled out small green jackets much like the one each of the adults had gotten when entering basic for the first time. Made to scale.
"They spent so much time on the base when they were little that they wanted jackets and lockers and the whole thing because everyone around them had it too."
"I get it."
Kara stood and grabbed her bag, watching as Showboat raced into the back bedroom to change. She came out a few minutes later ready to go. Izzy and Calli were racing around to grab their toys and things that they took with them to the base. Kara was slipping her backpack on and she tucked her jacket through one side. The girls slipped their bags on and then rushed to Kara's legs. Lee was smiling, Kara's hand tucked inside his.
"Come on. Lets go."
---
Jack was surprised when Kara ducked into the officers ready room. Not that she had a small girl on her hip or Marcia two steps behind her.
What surprised him was the man that stepped in behind Marcia holding the other small girl. He hadn't heard of any man in Kara's life. In any respect. She refused to talk about the girls father. He could see the pain in her eyes anytime someone asked about him. So to see a man with her was strange.
Then Marcia stepped to the side and he recognized him from his file. Lee Adama. The CAG Kara had served under before they found Earth. A man she talked about from time to time in her lessons and whenever she got drunk and the gang started remembering the old times. The dots connected in his eyes. The same sheltered pain in her eyes anytime she talked about Adama and then the babies father.
But looking at Izzy sitting comfortably in his arms, the general could tell right a way that this man was their father. The same blue eyes, the same dark hair.
"Hey, sir."
"Kara. Rug rats. Showboat." He said in order. Seeing Marcia give a half-hearted wave as she made a bee-line for the coffee. The girls waved and Kara set Calli down to let her follow Marcia.
Lee seemed reluctant to let go of the small girl and vise versa. Kara gave them a smile and watched as Izzy cuddled into his warmth. She was the high-maintenance one. Calli liked to do her own thing most of the time. Izzy was the one that wanted to be held and cuddled and loved on endlessly. Whether it was by her Mom, Marcia or her sister. Now it was her Daddy.
"Izzy!" Calli called her and Lee set her down to let her rush over to where Calli was holding up a small bottle of water.
"Major Lee Adama... meet Admiral Jack Glades. The one cursed with keeping me in line."
Lee felt a short chuckle pulled from his lips as the man stood and extended a hand.
"It's nice to finally meet you. Kara talks about you all the time." Jack ignored Kara as she puffed slightly and waved her hand as she shook her head no. "All the time."
"Yeah, what a pain in the ass you were. Always on my case."
"Riding your ass." Marcia supplied helpfully, seeing Lee give an embarrassed smile before Kara half-hugged him. "How you were the absolute best CAG she had ever met in her life."
"I did no such thing." Kara denied immediately.
"I was surprised not to hear about the stick up my ass." Lee offered.
Jack gave a half smirk as Kara tilted her head sideways.
"You still have a stick up your ass." She supplied easily. "And you passed it on to Calli." Kara watched as the small girl narrowed her eyes before smiling. "She's a good girl. They both are."
"Calli takes after me then?"
"Right down to your temper. She stews about stuff. But that means Izzy took after me. Right down to my need for immediate retribution." Izzy gave a demonstration across the room as she pushed her sister over who was getting the remaining donut. Calli's eyes narrowed.
"Girls?" Both froze immediately at Kara's strong voice. "Everything okay, or do we need a time out?"
Lee held back a chuckle at the disbelief on Izzy's face as Calli picked up the donut and broke it in two. Offered one part to her sister.
Marcia raised an eyebrow as she sipped her coffee. The twins certainly had each others back, as much as did squabble.
"That's always interesting." She mumbled. "I'm gonna go wake the nuggets." It was just after 0400, time for reveille.
"We just started this class three days ago, 36 nuggets."
"Tough schedule for the girls." He whispered softly, seeing Kara shrug.
"They haven't known anything else. We've done it since the moment they were born. We'll break for lunch at 1100, they'll have their nap at 1200. I spend time with them when they wake around 1400 and then take them to the deck at 1430. They play with Hera and a few of the other children in the daycare center. Depending on what we are doing I leave around 1600 to let Showboat handle the afternoon PT and the rest of practicals. She gets home around 2100 and we eat dinner."
"So you spend the afternoon with the girls?"
"Yeah, I leave the bar mostly to Sam and Jean. Wednesdays and Thursdays I only come into the base if there is a test. I take care of the bar so they can have some time off. I also have Hera and Tyler during the day on Wednesday. We'll be taking them home tonight." He nodded slowly, seeing Kara gesture toward the girls and watching them move slowly back to each other. "Sharon and Karl will be get them around 1800 tomorrow."
"Why do you have them?"
"Because on Thursdays they take the girls. So we both have a time to be adults and not parents."
"So I take it on Thursday will have the house ourselves?"
Kara smirked, seeing Jack shake his head in disbelief.
"We will." She promised softly, accepting the soft kiss. "I've got to go." She whispered again. "Nuggets to torture. Girls?" Both turned to look at their mom with wide eyes. "Show your daddy how to get the day care center." They nodded and gathered their stuff. "See you later?" She asked softly and he nodded, gently cupping her cheek.
"You can bet the house on it Kara."
---
Marcia smiled as she watched Lee and Kara in the kitchen, leaning against the island and talking softly. Dinner cooking nearby. The twins were sitting on the couch, coloring with excited chatter. Hera and Tyler bounded up the stairs from the office before bolting to where the twins were. She was pouring over personal files in the class.
Kara was trying to help but kept getting distracted by the handsome guy in the kitchen. “Where is the old man?”
“He went off in search of Laura.”
“She's in Washington.”
“I know. I'm gonna call him tomorrow and let him know that I tracked you down.”
“Great.” A brief look of panic crossed her face before she took a deep breath and flipped him off.
He pulled her closer, feeling her settle into his side. "He'll be pissed, he'll get over it."
Kara nodded slowly, sinking further into him.
---
Kara woke as Lee got up from the bed, her eyes clearing as she tried to look around. “What?”
“Izzy..." He said as he picked up the small girl, tossing her onto the bed. "Where's your sister?”
“Here.” Came a little voice from the other side of the bed. Kara reached down, pulling her up onto the bed.
“What are you doing up?” Kara blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog from her head.
“Izzy had a night scare....woke up sc'eaming.”
“How's Hera and Tyler?”
“Still 'sleepin. Stay 'ere?”
Kara nodded, settling Calli next to her. Lee pulled Izzy over him and dropped her beside her sister in the middle of the large bed. They both curled into and almost around Kara. He watched as she shifted slightly, her hands rising too push the through the curls covering Izzy's trembling face.
“You okay baby?” Calli rolled slightly, molding herself to Izzy's back. Kara shifted slightly before sighing deeply as Izzy's fingers wrapped around her dog tags. Idly playing with the two tags and her ring. Lee watched with tired eyes, disbelief still filling him at the sight before him.
Kara looked different, soft with sleep. Her hands soothing the frightened child, his child, their child, her hands comforting. Her eyes slid to his and she paused slightly before adjusting Izzy across her.
Izzy murmured her annoyance about the movement but settled down against her chest. Lee pushed Calli closer, gently pushing Izzy's hair off her cheek again. Watching as her eyes closed slowly.
* * * *
Morning came and found the kids and Lee trying to make their way through breakfast. When Kara came from the shower she watched as he stepped out and make a brief call, knew it was the old man by the smile that crossed his face. It took him less than 10 minutes and then he came back inside. “He found Laura.”
“Not hard to miss.” Kara said with a grin.
“She didn't know where you were.”
“She knows where I am. We just don't talk much.”
“He's flying out tonight. He wants to talk to you.”
“I'm sure.” She looked leery but was quickly distracted by Hera talking about something they did at school. He was surprised at how busy Kara was when not on the base. Orders to sign, repairs that should be made. Complaints from the staff that she fielded with some annoyance. Phone calls, meetings, chasing kids around. She left him alone with the kids most of the day and she ignored his pleading looks for help as she balanced being a mother and a commander and a bar owner.
When Sharon and Karl showed up at 1824 with wide grins and looking refreshed Kara had all four kids packed and ready to leave.
“When did you do that?” Lee asked.
“When you were hiding in the bedroom like a coward.” She said with a smile, “They're just a bunch of kids.”
“That you left me with.”
“Yep.” Kara turned to Sharon. “You all good?”
Sharon snickered. “Good as gold. Have fun.”
Kara laughed at the humor in her voice.
“Bye Lee. It's great to see you again.”
“You too.”
Kara woke slowly, the house was always too quiet when the girls were not here and it unnerved her sometimes. So did the arm wrapped around her waist. Last night had been amazing but it was weird having someone else in her bed.
Distracting.
She got up, stared at Lee where he lay sprawled across half the bed. Blankets tucked around his waist exposing the expanse of skin she had spent the better part of the night touching, memorizing. They had so much they still needed to talk about, to figure out. She shrugged into a robe and wandered into the kitchen. Marcia was already up, drowning a cup of coffee.
“What are you doing up?”
Kara shrugged, watching as Marcia raised an eyebrow in question.
“There is a very good reason to get your ass back in that bed and wait for him to wake up you know.”
“What's that?”
“You're miserable without him.” Marcia gave her friend a warm smile. “He scares the shit out of you and what you feel for him is terrifying but... you need him. The girls need him.”
“Thanks.”
“You're welcome. Go.” She picked up her coffee and moved down the stairs.
Then Kara heard footsteps coming up more slowly and watched as Adama came up the stairs. “Sir.”
“Kara.”
They both stood still a moment before he raised an eyebrow. “It's good to see you.”
“You too.” She crossed to him, hugging him tightly. Feeling him return it.
“Any idea where my son might have run off too?” The blush on her cheeks answered the question for him and he laughed at her discomfort.
“I'll get him.”
He nodded, watching as she disappeared into the house. Spotting the pictures on the wall, a chronicle of her life, her whole life. A picture of a woman in a uniform, one of Kara on the Galactica. A few of Kara and Lee together. A bunch of two little girls. He smiled as he traced their faces. Turning to see Lee and Kara step out of the hallway, sleep still on the faces and smiled slightly as they each took a deep breathe before their hands interlaced and they squared their shoulders before meeting his gaze, facing him together.
Epilogue:
“MOM!!!!” Kara jerked awake as the door opened, opening one eye to see Calli standing in the doorway with fire coming out of her eyes.
“Yes?”
“You both promised!”
Kara glanced over to the alarm clock and let out a sigh. “It's not even 8... we've got plenty of time to get to the base.”
“I want to be there early!” Her daughter insisted.
“Is Izzy awake?”
Calli pushed the door open further and revealed Izzy standing beside her fully dressed.
“You know that they are not getting in until 10 right? Doesn't matter if we get there early or not.”
“They've been gone two whole months!”
“Fine.. fine. I'm getting up.” Kara dragged herself out of bed and frowned at annoyed looks on both of their faces. “I'm up!”
They left and Kara forced herself to get dressed. “This is the last time Karl is going on some extended deployment and taking his family with him..” Kara muttered more to herself than anyone else, even though Lee answered.
“They just miss their friends." Lee said as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "How you feeling?”
“Like a whale. I didn't get this big with the twins.” She noticed Lee ignored her grumbling. She wasn't big but she was carrying low and it put more strain on her back. “I swear his head is digging into my pelvis.”
“You look beautiful.”
Kara ignored that, she felt anything but beautiful. “Where is your father?”
“He's already at the base preparing for Helo's arrival.” He left the bedroom to interrupt the fight that was brewing between the twins.
It was settled by the time she had finished arguing with her boots and got into her uniform without falling over. She stopped a moment and took in the scene before her. Calli and Izzy were pulling their bags out of their locker and Lee was shrugging into his jacket.
“What?” he asked softly when he saw her wistful gaze and smile.
“Nothing.”
“You sure.”
“Yeah..." She glanced over her family again and smiled. “Everything's Perfect.”
*-*
Kara glanced at the baby suckling contentedly at her breast. The door popped open and she swore if it was another nurse she was going to kill them. It wasn't.
Jean's head came into view. "Hey."
"Hey." A lot had happened in the last four months. They paid off the debts from opening the bar and now were making a profit. She graduated her first class of nuggets, 35 in all. Her second session was going to be underway in a few weeks; they were in the process of picking cadets. She was looking forward to being back in a viper. Her doctor said six weeks. Given she passed the physical. She could do that in her sleep.
Jean stepped into the room with Sam, Karl, and Sharon right behind her.
"How you feeling?" Sharon asked quietly, sitting on the side of the bed to watch the baby nurse. The pink cap made her smile.
"Little girl?" A soft coo from behind them caused everyone to turn. A gasp going up in the room. "Twins?" Sharon asked softly.
"Identical." Kara whispered softly. "Calliegha Kathryn and Isabella Nicole."
"They're beautiful."
"I can't believe you went through that alone. Why didn't you call someone?" Jean asked, watching as Sam gently picked up the small bundle from where she was sleeping.
"I did. I called Marcia. She's taking a nap." Pointing to the couch in the corner. "I figured you'd call Karl and this one." Smacking Sharon lightly on the leg. "And I'd be having five voices instead of one."
"The nurses are terrified, by the way." Jean said as the baby stopped nursing and Kara rose to burp her.
"Good. Maybe they'll stop prodding at my daughters."
Jean smirked, watching as Kara carefully held the baby in one arm and snapped her gown with the other. "At least the bar is soundproof now."
"And you wondered why I demanded that be done?" Kara ignored Sam rolling his eyes. "Anyways. I need sleep since these two are resting."
"We just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing."
"Thanks."
---
Kara took a deep breath and relaxed back into bed.
The girls were tucked safely in their crib. The monitor was on and she needed sleep... lots and lots of sleep.
The general had been pissed when she pushed back class another three weeks, but there was no way she was going to do that, the bar and babies. No way.
They compromised on a longer class and a significant cut in her hours. Showboat would take over most of it with Kara just doing the practicals. That gave her 8 weeks before she was needed. Plenty of time to get back into shape and the babies in a routine.
---
Kara watched as the guys gathered around the bar, the 'football' game on the screen. She didn't find appeal in the sport but Sam did so he rambled on and on about it.
Jean was in the corner presiding over a triad game. The group was at a controlled roar. Much like the rec room always was.
The girls were six months old now, and she was back to work. Almost a year had gone by since she arrived on this planet.
She couldn't believe that she'd been apart from him that long; hadn't seen him, talked to him, in that long.
She had popped out to see what had happened with a bad order. Calli was perched on her hip, Bella was with Showboat in the office.
"Hey Buck, what is that baby doing in here!"
"Oh frak off, Helo."
He gave her a hug. There was no smoking allowed inside the bar, a state law that kept the bar safe for the babies to be in there. State law or something about the smoking. Something most bitched about but Kara had shrugged and pointed to the patio. People went in breaks and then came back in.
"So... six months already?"
"Yeah. Long months." She pressed a kiss to Calli's hair and nodded towards Helo with a grin. "Got to go put her down."
"Of course."
---
Kara slowly rocked the twins to sleep, one in each arm as she read a story to them.
Everything her mother never did, she was going to do.
There were times when she wanted to strangle them and in the same instant she loved them to a point of overwhelming her. She could never hurt them. Gods. She eased them into their crib, watching as they rolled towards one another and settled down.
Covering them she gazed down at them. They had deep dark curls and Lee's eyes, that deep startling blue. Brushing her fingers through the curls, she smiled as Isabella opened her eyes to smile at her before closing them again. Gods they were angels. The both of them.
She shut the lights off and moved across to her room. It was an early morning and she had a lot to do on the base.
---
Lee stopped outside the bar with a feeling of fear and trepidation.
No one knew they were back.
They'd arrived a week ago and once planet side, it took him only two hours to find out where Kara was. A base in a state called North Carolina.
Causing havoc.
Everyone knew her. A commander now, she supposedly ran a bar on the side. Looking at the crowd inside he smiled, Kara was good at everything. A sign hung above the door. 'The Bucket'. In clear bold letters. Seems her busted knee was a ruse, something the Doctor had said two years into the journey but had never admitted why.
He stepped into the room and watched as guys shuffled around, a few card games going on. Most were base personnel. He could tell the look.
Jean Barolay was behind the bar and her eyes widened as she spotted him. Sam came from the back with a case resting on his shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she nodded towards Lee. Sam raised an eyebrow as he spotted him standing in the doorway. "Well come on in."
"Thanks." Lee moved towards the bar, watching as Jean tapped the it in front of two patrons and they slid down to make room for him to sit.
"How long you guys been back?"
"A week. Just got planet side." Lee glanced around before looking at the two of them.
"Sam and I got married eight months after landing." Jean said, seeing his eyes widening.
"What happened with Kara?" Lee asked, seeing Jean smirk.
Jean answered for Sam. "They separated while they were still on Galactica, I think I was the only person that actually knew while still on the ship. Seems Kara can be pretty tight lipped when she thinks she's protecting someone."
Lee gave her a confused look before it cleared. "Me? Why wouldn't she tell me?"
"Because of your marriage with Dee. She didn't want you to think twice about your choice. So by not telling anyone of our separation you didn't have to know or ask why." Sam suggested.
"Dee and I divorced two months into the voyage."
Sam nodded, watching as he glanced around again and took pity on the man, going to knock on a door, hearing a muttered curse from behind the wall. Jean watched as the blood drained out of Lee's face as Kara jerked open the door.
"Someone had better be dead."
"Look what the cat dragged in." Sam said, nodding to the bar, seeing Kara glance over before her face paled and she swayed. She grabbed the door frame and held on as the world spun. The equally wide eyes of her ex-best friend stared back at her.
The silence was broken as two whirlwinds went rushing past her and into the dining room. Showboat glancing up just before she was plowed into. Kara giving chase as Showboat held onto one with each hand.
"Girls!" They settled immediately at their mother's voice and moved to where she was standing. The patrons didn't look too surprised and Lee watched as Kara knelled to check them quickly. The two girls had long curly hair tied back with a blue ribbons. Their overalls were dusty and covered in paint.
Kara froze suddenly and glanced his way. The two children followed suit and he felt his world drop out from underneath him at the deep blue eyes staring back at him. Cottle's words flowing through him mind. "She didn't leave because of a busted knee. She left to keep the peace. She said she was tired of hurting people and believe me. This would have blown your world apart at the seems. Now... now it won't be too bad."
It didn't make much sense then but now, staring at the small girls, it did. There was fear in Kara's eyes before she turned back to them. "Go to the office, okay?"
"Kay Momma." They murmured, running back in there. Kara stood slowly, all eyes in the bar on her.
"Sorry guys." They shrugged, turning back to what they were doing and Kara walked up to him slowly. "I can explain." She whispered softly, her eyes tearing up when he continued stare at her. "Lee please?"
"Are they..." His world started to close in on him as she nodded quickly. The walls pressing in on him. He stood quickly, looking around the room, feeling Kara's hands on his chest.
"Lee. Lee look I can...' She stopped as he shook his head. Her eyes closed as he pushed past her and headed out the door.
---
Sam watched as Kara choked back a sob, her hand covering her mouth as Lee left. Jean paused in making a drink. Kara's eyes teared up and he could see Showboat folding her hand.
Kara turned suddenly, making a beeline for the office door. It banged shut behind her.
Marcia moved to the bar. "Was that Apollo?"
Jean nodded.
"Frak." She whispered, moving to go in the office. Jean shook her head and she paused, nodding once and took the stool that Lee had just vacated. Jean looked towards Sam and nodded towards the door.
"Not me. I'll call Karl."
---
Kara had tucked the girls into their bed and had curled up on the couch with a pillow and was now sobbing silently. The door opened and Karl entered, crossing immediately to where she was laying and hugged her tightly. "He'll come back Kara. He didn't go through the trouble of tracking you down to just leave again."
"He saw them."
"I know. Kara... it took him by surprise. That's it. Just caught him by surprise, okay? It would do that to anyone."
"I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to..."
He held her as she cried herself to sleep and then eased her to lay down. The bar was closed by the time he came back downstairs and everyone was sitting at a table.
"How is she?"
"How do you think?" Karl joined the group.
"I'm gonna go pass out, keep an ear out for the girls."
They nodded, watching as Marcia rose and moved towards the stairs.
---
Helo watched as the door opened slowly.
“We're closed." Jean said automatically before glancing over to see Apollo standing in the doorway once again. "Well not to you. Kind of expected you back."
"Where's Kara?"
"Upstairs with the girls."
"How old are they?"
"Just turned three. The rest... you need to find out from her." Jean pointed back to the stairs. "Through the office. We'll lock up behind you."
He nodded, moving slowly towards the room.
---
Lee watched her sleep, seeing the dried tears on her face. Even in rest, tension flowed off her.
He shut the door and locked it before crossing the room to gently pushed the hair off her face, seeing her eyes flutter before opening slowly. Her face turning towards him, she let out a relived sigh and bolted up to hug him tightly. "Oh Gods."
"I'm sorry Kara... it just."
"No. No. It's my fault. This one... it's all me. Gods. Lee." She pulled back, her hands framing his face. "I can't believe that it's you."
"Me either."
"I've missed you so much. Gods. So much. But... I did the right thing Lee. I let you go... I had too. I had too let you go but in the same sense I did the wrong thing. You've missed so much. I've got it Lee. I have it all. Their birth, the trip home. Showboat had fun with that frakking camera. I have it all. If you want it. I know it's not the same. But..."
He pressed a finger to her lips, stilling her words. "Shhh. I'll be happy with their names."
"Calliegha Kathryn and Isabella Nicole Thrace-Adama." She whispered slightly. "They're three."
"They're beautiful."
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly, seeing him nod. "How's the old man?"
"Good."
"Everyone still..." She was relieved at his nod. "Thank Gods. When did you get back? I haven't heard anything."
"Last week." She nodded, shaking slightly when he brushed the hair out of her eyes, wiping away her tears. "I love the bar, Kara."
"Thanks. Jean and Sam's idea."
"Yeah. That shocked me. But so does this..." His hand slid over her unblemished arm. "You should have told me."
"Dee is good for you."
"Dee and I are over Kara. Three years now."
Her eyes widened, her hands shaking against his chest. "Oh..." Her eyes teared up. "I'm sorry."
"You had nothing to do with it Kara. Well, in a way you did."
"Yeah." She whispered softly.
"Kara... I love you." That caused the tears to come back. "I frakking love you so much it's insane."
"I like it that way." She whispered between tears.
"Good." He leaned forward slowly, feeling her tremble as his lips brushed slowly over hers.
Kara pulled back, her eyes bright with yet more tears.
"I love you." She whispered softly. "I love you so much. So so much."
He nodded, pulling her closer. Their mouths fusing together. Kara's hands rising around his neck, groan torn from her before she pulled back suddenly.
"Shit Lee... we can't." she whispered, seeing his eyes fill with confusion. "Not because I don't want too but I'm..." She waved her hand in the air. "I'm cycling."
"Okay. Okay." He brushed the hair out of her eyes again and watched as she gave him a smile.
"Where are you staying?"
"Was gonna bunk on the base." Her face screwed up and he smirked. "Can I stay here?"
"Of course. Let me show you their baby books."
He nodded, watching as she got up and went into what had to be her bedroom, coming back out with a pair of books. She handed one to him and grinned as he traced the entails on the front.
CKTA.
"Calliegha. The one I planned for. No one knew I was having twins until they were born. Surprise for me." She opened the book, letting him trace the birth certificate. "I put your name... just in case something happened to me... someone would find you."
"Don't say that." He said with deep emotion.
She nodded slowly, flipping to the next page. Clearly still on Galactica, a picture of her standing sideways, shirt pulled up to reveal the first swell of her body, one taken every week and intermingled with sonograms and different papers. Pictures of her all the way up to the birth. More after she landed on Earth. One was of her standing on a landing strip, hair blowing around, tanks stretched tight over her abdomen while she obviously was in the middle of tearing down a group of nuggets. The next page was a picture of the birth. A CD placed in a holder across from it. Showboat standing beside her head, holding her up. "My face was so red in that picture. Marcia says she was surprised I didn't have a stroke."
"You look beautiful."
"Liar." She flipped to the next, the first picture of Calliegha. "She's the oldest. They had bathed, dressed and I had fed her." She pointed to each picture in turn before flipping the page. "Before Isabella made her presence known. The doctor had a damn near had a stroke." Kara said, grinning as she pointed to said doctor. The next picture was of a nurse taking Calliegha from her, another nurse beside them ready to hand over Isabella. A few more pictures and Kara holding both babies followed.
The group picture, the trip home, first time in their own bed. Crawling, walking, talking.
"Those girls lives are on camera. From the day they were born. Isabella has the same. Except this." She opened the cover and he smiled as he saw Kara's scrawl across the top.
Mama's surprise.
"Bet she was."
Kara nodded, watching as Lee set the book on the table.
"Thank you." His quiet words caused a smile to spread over her lips.
"Tired?"
"Exhausted."
He stood, holding his hand out to her. "Lets go to bed."
---
Lee woke up to a soft movement beside him, seeing Kara sliding back into the bed.
"Sorry, Izzy woke up, I needed to give her a drink." She settled down into her pillow, eyes wide open as she watched him.
"Everything okay?" He asked. "Kara?"
She shrugged. "I can't believe that you are here. I can't believe you don't hate me. For everything that I've done to you."
"I do and I don't." He saw her nod slowly in the dim light. "I just don't want to waste anymore time."
Kara raised her hand to cup his cheek before feeling him pull her over. Resting in his arms.
---
Lee woke too see Kara climbing out of bed, stretching slowly as she yawned. The door opened and Marcia stuck her head in.
"Oh..." Her eyes widened as she took in Lee lying in Kara's bed. "Well... okay then." She quickly retreated, pulling the door closed behind her.
Kara smirked at his equally confused look.
"She stays in the spare bedroom. She should be moving out soon. She's been dating this girl from the base. Planning on getting married. They are just browsing for a place that's close to here and to the base."
"A lot has changed hasn't it?"
"Yeah. Karl and Sharon have another baby, a boy. Tyler. Hera is almost five now. Jean and Sam are trying. But it's hard. They both have damage from Caprica. But they are hopeful."
"Nickolas is four." He watched Kara move to sit on the edge of the bed. "Cally talks about you all the time. She was so mad at Cottle for mustering you out. A lot of people were. I almost shot the frakking gruff dead when he told me."
Kara gave a short chuckle before feeling his arms surround her, holding her close. "I need to go to the base today."
"So do I."
---
Lee followed behind Kara as she pushed open the door to the girls room, seeing slightly sleepy eyes staring back at him. Felt his heart constrict as Kara sat on the edge and gently gave them each a kiss. "Come on. Up."
They complied, and Kara helped them to stand. One of the girls fixed her eyes on him before smiling slightly.
"Do you know who that is?" Kara asked softly, seeing her hand go to the chain around her neck. Holding it tightly with one small fist. "That's right."
Both girls gave him a blinding smile and rushed up too him. "YOU'RE HOME!"
Kara watched as he knelt and held them both tightly, his eyes closing as he lifted them up and hugged them close. She stood and walked towards him when his eyes tagged hers. Placing her hands on Isabella's back and eased the girl into her arms.
"I told them that you were on a mission and you wouldn't be back until they were older. But I tried to let them know you. I told them stories even before they were born."
Lee smiled, watching as Kara went through the motions of getting them dressed. Lee helped how he could. Kara tossed him shoes and he was surprised as the girl in front of him widen her eyes and shook her head and took off out of the room.
Kara laughed at the shock on his face. "Sorry. She hates shoes."
"Izzy!" Calliegha called, Kara letting her run after her sister when she finished. "IZZY! 'Tis not nice!"
Kara sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Lee stood to go after her. Kara took his hand and saw his eyes swing to hers. She shook her head slowly and watched as he leaned down to give her a soft kiss.
"IZZYBELLA!"
Kara chuckled under her breath and watched as Lee did the same.
" 'Et over 'teer right NOW!"
"NO!" Small stomping noises and then a scream of surprise as Showboat came into the room with a struggling girl. "No. No. No... I no want shoies!"
"Too bad. Little girls have to wear shoes." Showboat passed the sniffling toddler to Lee and turned to pick up Calli, setting her on the table and having her turn around. Calli stood still, a smile on her face as Isabella let Lee slip her shoes on and tie them.
Kara took her and gently rocked her too settle the last of her tears before standing her next to her sister. Both women quickly getting the tangles out of their hair and pulling it back into a loose pony tail.
Their outfits were similar, blue jeans and a tank top. Isabella's was pink while Calli's was blue. The rest was exactly the same. They jumped down off the table and rushed into the living room. Showboat following quickly while Kara at a much slower pace.
Lee did the same and watched as Marcia moved to the kitchen, getting the girls to settle down at the table. Kara gave her a smile and moved into the bedroom to change. When she came out she had her uniform pants and tanks on with the jacket slung over her shoulder. She dropped promptly on what had to be her chair, her bag hitting the floor the next second. She roughly pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
He was surprised at the length of it. Midway down her back. While the girls had tight curls, Kara's had always been loose when she had done them.
He followed suit and quickly changed his clothes, accepting the bowl from Marcia as he walked by. Kara was almost done with hers and so were the girls. They finished first and Kara sent them to gather their things. He noticed the two small lockers next to the door. Izzy on one and Calli on the other. They opened them and pulled out two matching denim baseball caps, sliding them on and then a pair of sunglasses.
"Can't tell who their mother is can you?"
Lee smirked at Marcia's off handed comment.
"Or that they have been raised on a military base. Nope not at all."
Lee laughed as they both pulled out small green jackets much like the one each of the adults had gotten when entering basic for the first time. Made to scale.
"They spent so much time on the base when they were little that they wanted jackets and lockers and the whole thing because everyone around them had it too."
"I get it."
Kara stood and grabbed her bag, watching as Showboat raced into the back bedroom to change. She came out a few minutes later ready to go. Izzy and Calli were racing around to grab their toys and things that they took with them to the base. Kara was slipping her backpack on and she tucked her jacket through one side. The girls slipped their bags on and then rushed to Kara's legs. Lee was smiling, Kara's hand tucked inside his.
"Come on. Lets go."
---
Jack was surprised when Kara ducked into the officers ready room. Not that she had a small girl on her hip or Marcia two steps behind her.
What surprised him was the man that stepped in behind Marcia holding the other small girl. He hadn't heard of any man in Kara's life. In any respect. She refused to talk about the girls father. He could see the pain in her eyes anytime someone asked about him. So to see a man with her was strange.
Then Marcia stepped to the side and he recognized him from his file. Lee Adama. The CAG Kara had served under before they found Earth. A man she talked about from time to time in her lessons and whenever she got drunk and the gang started remembering the old times. The dots connected in his eyes. The same sheltered pain in her eyes anytime she talked about Adama and then the babies father.
But looking at Izzy sitting comfortably in his arms, the general could tell right a way that this man was their father. The same blue eyes, the same dark hair.
"Hey, sir."
"Kara. Rug rats. Showboat." He said in order. Seeing Marcia give a half-hearted wave as she made a bee-line for the coffee. The girls waved and Kara set Calli down to let her follow Marcia.
Lee seemed reluctant to let go of the small girl and vise versa. Kara gave them a smile and watched as Izzy cuddled into his warmth. She was the high-maintenance one. Calli liked to do her own thing most of the time. Izzy was the one that wanted to be held and cuddled and loved on endlessly. Whether it was by her Mom, Marcia or her sister. Now it was her Daddy.
"Izzy!" Calli called her and Lee set her down to let her rush over to where Calli was holding up a small bottle of water.
"Major Lee Adama... meet Admiral Jack Glades. The one cursed with keeping me in line."
Lee felt a short chuckle pulled from his lips as the man stood and extended a hand.
"It's nice to finally meet you. Kara talks about you all the time." Jack ignored Kara as she puffed slightly and waved her hand as she shook her head no. "All the time."
"Yeah, what a pain in the ass you were. Always on my case."
"Riding your ass." Marcia supplied helpfully, seeing Lee give an embarrassed smile before Kara half-hugged him. "How you were the absolute best CAG she had ever met in her life."
"I did no such thing." Kara denied immediately.
"I was surprised not to hear about the stick up my ass." Lee offered.
Jack gave a half smirk as Kara tilted her head sideways.
"You still have a stick up your ass." She supplied easily. "And you passed it on to Calli." Kara watched as the small girl narrowed her eyes before smiling. "She's a good girl. They both are."
"Calli takes after me then?"
"Right down to your temper. She stews about stuff. But that means Izzy took after me. Right down to my need for immediate retribution." Izzy gave a demonstration across the room as she pushed her sister over who was getting the remaining donut. Calli's eyes narrowed.
"Girls?" Both froze immediately at Kara's strong voice. "Everything okay, or do we need a time out?"
Lee held back a chuckle at the disbelief on Izzy's face as Calli picked up the donut and broke it in two. Offered one part to her sister.
Marcia raised an eyebrow as she sipped her coffee. The twins certainly had each others back, as much as did squabble.
"That's always interesting." She mumbled. "I'm gonna go wake the nuggets." It was just after 0400, time for reveille.
"We just started this class three days ago, 36 nuggets."
"Tough schedule for the girls." He whispered softly, seeing Kara shrug.
"They haven't known anything else. We've done it since the moment they were born. We'll break for lunch at 1100, they'll have their nap at 1200. I spend time with them when they wake around 1400 and then take them to the deck at 1430. They play with Hera and a few of the other children in the daycare center. Depending on what we are doing I leave around 1600 to let Showboat handle the afternoon PT and the rest of practicals. She gets home around 2100 and we eat dinner."
"So you spend the afternoon with the girls?"
"Yeah, I leave the bar mostly to Sam and Jean. Wednesdays and Thursdays I only come into the base if there is a test. I take care of the bar so they can have some time off. I also have Hera and Tyler during the day on Wednesday. We'll be taking them home tonight." He nodded slowly, seeing Kara gesture toward the girls and watching them move slowly back to each other. "Sharon and Karl will be get them around 1800 tomorrow."
"Why do you have them?"
"Because on Thursdays they take the girls. So we both have a time to be adults and not parents."
"So I take it on Thursday will have the house ourselves?"
Kara smirked, seeing Jack shake his head in disbelief.
"We will." She promised softly, accepting the soft kiss. "I've got to go." She whispered again. "Nuggets to torture. Girls?" Both turned to look at their mom with wide eyes. "Show your daddy how to get the day care center." They nodded and gathered their stuff. "See you later?" She asked softly and he nodded, gently cupping her cheek.
"You can bet the house on it Kara."
---
Marcia smiled as she watched Lee and Kara in the kitchen, leaning against the island and talking softly. Dinner cooking nearby. The twins were sitting on the couch, coloring with excited chatter. Hera and Tyler bounded up the stairs from the office before bolting to where the twins were. She was pouring over personal files in the class.
Kara was trying to help but kept getting distracted by the handsome guy in the kitchen. “Where is the old man?”
“He went off in search of Laura.”
“She's in Washington.”
“I know. I'm gonna call him tomorrow and let him know that I tracked you down.”
“Great.” A brief look of panic crossed her face before she took a deep breath and flipped him off.
He pulled her closer, feeling her settle into his side. "He'll be pissed, he'll get over it."
Kara nodded slowly, sinking further into him.
---
Kara woke as Lee got up from the bed, her eyes clearing as she tried to look around. “What?”
“Izzy..." He said as he picked up the small girl, tossing her onto the bed. "Where's your sister?”
“Here.” Came a little voice from the other side of the bed. Kara reached down, pulling her up onto the bed.
“What are you doing up?” Kara blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog from her head.
“Izzy had a night scare....woke up sc'eaming.”
“How's Hera and Tyler?”
“Still 'sleepin. Stay 'ere?”
Kara nodded, settling Calli next to her. Lee pulled Izzy over him and dropped her beside her sister in the middle of the large bed. They both curled into and almost around Kara. He watched as she shifted slightly, her hands rising too push the through the curls covering Izzy's trembling face.
“You okay baby?” Calli rolled slightly, molding herself to Izzy's back. Kara shifted slightly before sighing deeply as Izzy's fingers wrapped around her dog tags. Idly playing with the two tags and her ring. Lee watched with tired eyes, disbelief still filling him at the sight before him.
Kara looked different, soft with sleep. Her hands soothing the frightened child, his child, their child, her hands comforting. Her eyes slid to his and she paused slightly before adjusting Izzy across her.
Izzy murmured her annoyance about the movement but settled down against her chest. Lee pushed Calli closer, gently pushing Izzy's hair off her cheek again. Watching as her eyes closed slowly.
* * * *
Morning came and found the kids and Lee trying to make their way through breakfast. When Kara came from the shower she watched as he stepped out and make a brief call, knew it was the old man by the smile that crossed his face. It took him less than 10 minutes and then he came back inside. “He found Laura.”
“Not hard to miss.” Kara said with a grin.
“She didn't know where you were.”
“She knows where I am. We just don't talk much.”
“He's flying out tonight. He wants to talk to you.”
“I'm sure.” She looked leery but was quickly distracted by Hera talking about something they did at school. He was surprised at how busy Kara was when not on the base. Orders to sign, repairs that should be made. Complaints from the staff that she fielded with some annoyance. Phone calls, meetings, chasing kids around. She left him alone with the kids most of the day and she ignored his pleading looks for help as she balanced being a mother and a commander and a bar owner.
When Sharon and Karl showed up at 1824 with wide grins and looking refreshed Kara had all four kids packed and ready to leave.
“When did you do that?” Lee asked.
“When you were hiding in the bedroom like a coward.” She said with a smile, “They're just a bunch of kids.”
“That you left me with.”
“Yep.” Kara turned to Sharon. “You all good?”
Sharon snickered. “Good as gold. Have fun.”
Kara laughed at the humor in her voice.
“Bye Lee. It's great to see you again.”
“You too.”
Kara woke slowly, the house was always too quiet when the girls were not here and it unnerved her sometimes. So did the arm wrapped around her waist. Last night had been amazing but it was weird having someone else in her bed.
Distracting.
She got up, stared at Lee where he lay sprawled across half the bed. Blankets tucked around his waist exposing the expanse of skin she had spent the better part of the night touching, memorizing. They had so much they still needed to talk about, to figure out. She shrugged into a robe and wandered into the kitchen. Marcia was already up, drowning a cup of coffee.
“What are you doing up?”
Kara shrugged, watching as Marcia raised an eyebrow in question.
“There is a very good reason to get your ass back in that bed and wait for him to wake up you know.”
“What's that?”
“You're miserable without him.” Marcia gave her friend a warm smile. “He scares the shit out of you and what you feel for him is terrifying but... you need him. The girls need him.”
“Thanks.”
“You're welcome. Go.” She picked up her coffee and moved down the stairs.
Then Kara heard footsteps coming up more slowly and watched as Adama came up the stairs. “Sir.”
“Kara.”
They both stood still a moment before he raised an eyebrow. “It's good to see you.”
“You too.” She crossed to him, hugging him tightly. Feeling him return it.
“Any idea where my son might have run off too?” The blush on her cheeks answered the question for him and he laughed at her discomfort.
“I'll get him.”
He nodded, watching as she disappeared into the house. Spotting the pictures on the wall, a chronicle of her life, her whole life. A picture of a woman in a uniform, one of Kara on the Galactica. A few of Kara and Lee together. A bunch of two little girls. He smiled as he traced their faces. Turning to see Lee and Kara step out of the hallway, sleep still on the faces and smiled slightly as they each took a deep breathe before their hands interlaced and they squared their shoulders before meeting his gaze, facing him together.
Epilogue:
“MOM!!!!” Kara jerked awake as the door opened, opening one eye to see Calli standing in the doorway with fire coming out of her eyes.
“Yes?”
“You both promised!”
Kara glanced over to the alarm clock and let out a sigh. “It's not even 8... we've got plenty of time to get to the base.”
“I want to be there early!” Her daughter insisted.
“Is Izzy awake?”
Calli pushed the door open further and revealed Izzy standing beside her fully dressed.
“You know that they are not getting in until 10 right? Doesn't matter if we get there early or not.”
“They've been gone two whole months!”
“Fine.. fine. I'm getting up.” Kara dragged herself out of bed and frowned at annoyed looks on both of their faces. “I'm up!”
They left and Kara forced herself to get dressed. “This is the last time Karl is going on some extended deployment and taking his family with him..” Kara muttered more to herself than anyone else, even though Lee answered.
“They just miss their friends." Lee said as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "How you feeling?”
“Like a whale. I didn't get this big with the twins.” She noticed Lee ignored her grumbling. She wasn't big but she was carrying low and it put more strain on her back. “I swear his head is digging into my pelvis.”
“You look beautiful.”
Kara ignored that, she felt anything but beautiful. “Where is your father?”
“He's already at the base preparing for Helo's arrival.” He left the bedroom to interrupt the fight that was brewing between the twins.
It was settled by the time she had finished arguing with her boots and got into her uniform without falling over. She stopped a moment and took in the scene before her. Calli and Izzy were pulling their bags out of their locker and Lee was shrugging into his jacket.
“What?” he asked softly when he saw her wistful gaze and smile.
“Nothing.”
“You sure.”
“Yeah..." She glanced over her family again and smiled. “Everything's Perfect.”