By Any Other Name: An Ikeaverse Installment
Title: By Any Other Name
Rating: T
Word Count: ~4k
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Summary: Kara and Laura collaborate to make Bill's day special...
A/N: This was written for the lovely fragrantwoods for her birthday. Much thanks to lanalucy and laura_mayfair for the beta, brainstorming, and the title. *all the hugs*
This is set in an open 'verse, which begins here.
“We should do something big,” Kara said, apropos of nothing.
Laura looked up from her paperwork. “For?”
“The Old Man’s birthday.” Kara’s eyes clearly asked Laura if she were losing it. Maybe she was.
“Right, yes. Fifty-three. It’s something to celebrate indeed.”
“Well, only because we missed his fiftieth.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Kara shrugged. “What you got, coach?”
Laura laughed. “I may have a few ideas.” She put on her glasses and folded her hands in front of her. “Why don’t we think it over and regroup.”
Kara flicked Judy’s nose, much to the toddler’s delight, and exited the home office. Judy rubbed her eyes.
“Getting tired, baby?” Laura asked.
Judy yawned.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She stood and went to the playpen. “Mommy could use a nap too.” She picked Judy up and carried her to the sofa, where Geddy was sleeping--with one eye open as he so often did. As soon as she laid down, Judy on Laura’s chest, Geddy opened his eyes, stretched his back and front legs, and stepped across Laura’s body until he reached Judy. He gave his sister a quick lick, and then he created a spot between Laura and the sofa back, warming Laura’s side instantly. Judy snuggled deeper into Laura’s chest - her eyes shut tight. Laura patted Geddy and wrapped her arms around Judy, and fell asleep.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“So what have you got?” Laura asked.
Kara shook her head. “Thought this would be easy. What do you give a man who has everything?”
Laura nodded. “I think we need reinforcements.” She picked up the phone and dialed. “Saul?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have a minute?”
He snorted. “I’m retired. What do you think?”
She laughed. “Bill’s birthday’s coming up--”
“And you need ideas.”
“Yes, please. Kara and I have none.”
“First of all, don’t worry so much. The Old Man’s not one for ceremony, and he hates being the center of attention. Besides, you’ve already given him everything he’s ever wanted.”
She smiled. She hadn’t thought he’d liked her much at first, but he’d been a loyal friend to Bill and to her by extension. “Still, we’d like to make this special for him.”
“Yeah, I might...hold on.” Paper crinkled in the background. “Yeah, there’s an air show coming up. He’d wanna to share that with his family.”
“An air show?” Could it be that simple?
“Yeah. The Blue Angels. He hasn’t been around the sound of plane engines since he retired. That sound. Those smells. That’s been part of his life for so long.”
“He misses it.”
“So if you gave a little bit of it back, and he got to share it with you - with the kids.” A pause. “Yeah, I think that would work.”
“You’re a lifesaver, my friend. Oh, and Saul, what kind of plane did he fly? I might have an idea.”
“The A-6E Intruder. God, he loved that plane. Moped around for weeks when they retired it.”
“I know his callsign was Husker. Do you think I could find a model of it?”
“There’s a hobby shop. Think it’s still open, and they might have it. I could help you find it, if you want.”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” Laura said.
“What?” Kara asked.
Laura covered the phone. “Saul’s gonna help me find a model of Bill’s plane.”
“Can I go?” Kara asked.
Laura removed her palm from the receiver. “Kara wants to go in my place.”
“Yeah, great. Sure,” Saul said.
They ended the call, and Laura met her daughter’s eyes. “I know you’re up to something.”
Kara smirked. “When am I not? I’ll tell you later, I promise.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Kara climbed into his truck. Bounded rather. The girl was all energy and force. Reminded him of himself - forty years ago. “Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah. Can we...maybe...talk about something?”
Uh, oh. Talking wasn’t his forte. Certainly not to teenage girls. Or any kids for that matter. Even if Kara shared interests with him and the Old Man. That question, and her uncertainty, was ominous. Still, he couldn’t exactly say no. “Sure. What’s up?” He shifted into drive.
“I have an idea. Just...just tell me if it’s stupid, okay? I mean, you know the Old Man better than anyone, even Laura.”
He nodded. “I do.”
“I was thinking--”
“--Always a good start.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right. I’m pretty much an Adama already, you know?” He nodded. She continued, “What if I made it official?”
When he didn’t respond that second, she asked, “Is that dumb?”
He chuckled, but stopped when he glanced at her crestfallen face. For such a tough girl, she was very sensitive. Not unlike himself. “Are you kidding? The Old Man would be thrilled.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He thinks of you as his daughter now. Besides, you’d be sharing Laura’s name too.”
She nodded. “And Judy’s.”
He shook his head. “I can see it now. The three Adama girls each wrapping Bill around their fingers. Zak too.”
She snorted. Clearly picturing that. Or more accurately, remembering.
Saul hadn’t been there for Judy’s birth, but he’d seen the family a few days after they got home. And the Adama men had been so engrossed in their women, they’d barely noticed Ellen and him, even as hard as it was to ignore Ellen. They had presented their gifts like the fucking Wise Men and left.
“Is that your plan for his birthday?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “He’s always talking about family and stuff. Thought he’d like to know he’s part of mine.”
“Kara Starbuck Adama. I like the sound of it.” He nodded. “It’s a good name for a pilot.”
She laughed. “My dad named me Kara. Before he left, that is.”
“And Laura and Bill gave you the rest of your name.”
She nodded. Clearly thinking about how she’d carry pieces of three of her parents for the rest of her life. He hoped she would be able to leave her mother behind her, but knew those scars would remain. At least she would have Laura and Bill to offset some of the damage.
He switched lanes and prepared to turn into the shopping center. “This place ain’t look like much on the outside, but it has the best collection of models I’ve ever seen. This is where Bill bought that boat he’s always messing with.”
“Guess he would enjoy building his plane. After so long, you know?”
He parked in the back of the lot.
She snorted.
“What? I don’t want no one scratching my truck.”
She crinkled her brow. “You do realize she’s older than I am, right?”
“Why you think she runs so good? I baby her.”
“Was it hard?”
“Parking? Piece of cake.”
She shook her head. “No. You and Bill getting out. Not flying anymore.”
“Oh. Yeah, it wasn’t easy. I think Bill had a tougher time than I did, though. Never saw anyone more suited for the water and sky than that man.”
They climbed out of the truck and walked across the lot.
“I didn’t think much of him when we first met,” she said. “And he seemed, I don’t know, lost.”
He nodded.
“But he’s not like that anymore.”
“He has what he needs now. Who he needs.” He opened the door and held it open for her. “Besides, he’ll get to live through his kids now.”
She stepped inside. “What do you mean?”
He let the door close behind him. “You, Judy, Zak, and Lee. You’ll all grow up. Do great things.” He met her eyes. “You especially. The Old Man is so excited you’re joining the Navy.”
She blinked.
“Not that he wouldn’t be proud of you whatever you do. But I can’t deny he has pride in seeing you follow in his footsteps.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s true. Like how I’m glad I can talk to him about my training and stuff.” She gestured to the rack of models along the back wall. “Lead the way.”
They passed the stamps and coins racks. Saul shuddered. His own father had been an avid stamp collector although they didn’t have the money for such a hobby. He’d never understood the obsession. Not that he had Bill’s patience for model building either, but at least with that you did something. Created something.
Kara’s eyes lit up at the paint sets. He nudged her shoulder. “We have time,” he said.
She shrugged. “Maybe later.”
They continued to the back wall. They skipped the rows of cars and boats until...planes. It was like a timeline of aerospace history represented on the wall. There was a model of Da Vinci’s flying machine. The Wright Brothers’ plane. The blimps and other contraptions pre-World War II. Then all the fighter planes and bombers that exploded during and after WWII. But would there be the one they needed?
Kara pointed at one. “This it?”
He squinted to better read the label. “Yup.”
He grabbed the box and handed it to her, and followed her up to the register. The paint set aisle was forgotten, but at least he had somewhere to start for Christmas. Laura would know more about the brands and colors. She purchased the model, and they walked to the truck.
“You hungry?” he asked. “I could go for a burger, myself.”
She shrugged. “I could eat.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill’s brow was furrowed, an expression she’d always found adorable. Not that she had ever told him. “Professor Cain working you hard this week?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not that. I mean she is, but that’s nothing new.” He looked up from his book and notebook. “Besides, you know me. A little hard work won’t scare me away.”
She nodded. That persistence combined with his quiet but fierce caring was part of why she’d fallen for him.
“No. It’s about Kara,” he said.
“What, honey?”
She and Bill had spent the better part of their lives together worrying about one or all of their children, but past circumstances had dictated Kara receive the lion’s share of it. However, since she’d moved into their cabin, the almost overwhelming fear never far from the front of Laura’s mind had subsided. She’d thought Bill’s had too, but perhaps not.
“She’s nearly nineteen now.”
She nodded. “Yes. A legal adult. Free and clear.”
He sighed. “That’s just it, Laura. She lives here. Knows we love her, and that this is and always will be her home.”
“I’m not seeing the problem.”
“When she goes off to the Navy. If anything happens--”
“--Perish the thought.”
“If something happens, Laura, we have no rights according to the law. We’re just people she lived with for a while. Roommates even. No one would even think to call us. And even if they did, we’d have no say in anything.”
Oh. She’d been so busy rejoicing Kara’s newfound freedom she’d never even considered the potential repercussions. “We can’t have that. So what do we do?”
“Adoption.”
“We’ll have to talk to her, Bill.”
“Of course. But I have a feeling she’ll be on board.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
He grinned before turning back to whatever research labyrinth Helena Cain has sent him on this week. She loved to tease him about his hardass professor, but love her or hate her, the woman was an effective instructor, which was why he’d taken more of the courses she taught, and planned on taking all of them.
His eyes widened and narrowed alternatively as he moved across the pages, stopping every so often to mark his text or write in his notebook.
She had paperwork of her own to do and a grant to apply for. That was the thing with soft money - she had to keep applying for it, even if she’d already gotten it several years in a row. And there was no guarantee she would get it this year, no guarantee it would be the same amount if she did, and once it was gone… She hated budget cuts, always had, but there was only so much she could do, and she’d already cleaned house. She sighed as she rose to retrieve her computer.
“So what are Saul and Kara getting me for my birthday?” he asked, as she was leaving the room.
She stopped. “Who says it has anything to do with you?”
He met her eyes, clearly trying to read her. She schooled her features as they underwent a grown-up version of the staring contest their kids were always having. She was doing so well, and then she thought of the last time Bill and Kara had played. She snorted first. Then the onslaught of giggles came. He chuckled. “Can’t fool me, Laura.”
“Nor you, me.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it whatever it is.”
He stood and moved to the swing in the entrance to the dining room, leaned down, and kissed their sleeping daughter’s head. Geddy opened one eye, then the other, and licked Bill’s hand. Then he stretched before running to Laura’s side. “I’m just going to the office for a second,” she said to the dog, as his tail wagged.
“I don’t think that matters to him,” Bill said. “He just knows he wants to be with you, wherever you go. Not even Judy trumps you.”
Right. Now that she disturbed his nap, she may as well get to it.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
When Bill opened his eyes, he saw Laura was already awake - and watching him. “What?” he asked.
She gave him that shy grin that she reserved just for him. At least, that’s how it seemed. “Just watching you sleep. The way your eyelids flutter slightly as you’re waking.” She shrugged. “It’s cute.”
“If you say so. I’m not feeling particularly cute at the moment.”
She ran her hand through his hair. “You know how I feel about bedhead.”
Her own hair was sticking out at all angles, as it always did in the mornings. “Me too,” he said. He pulled her down for a kiss, morning breath be damned. “Good morning.”
She mmmed. “Happy Birthday.”
Her head rested against his chest, her hair falling haphazardly. A few stray strands tickled his nose. “I know what I want.”
“What’s that?”
“I just wanna stay like this.”
Geddy had something to say about that, though. He jumped on the bed and barked. His tail smacked Bill’s thigh with the force of a helicopter propeller.
Laura laughed. “I’ll take him out, honey.”
Then she and the dog were gone, and he lay back against the pillows. He was fifty-five today. Where did the time go?
Judy’s cries came through the monitor. He grinned. Nothing better than a baby to keep the morose introspections at bay. He crawled out of bed and threw on his pants and t-shirt. Then he was in the nursery.
Judy sat up in her crib at the sight of him. All tears disappeared in an instant and she was all smiles.
He picked her up. “You’re a little trickster, aren’t you?”
She cooed in the affirmative.
He chuckled and held her hands, as she rubbed them up and down his face. She giggled.
“Daddy’s gotta shave.”
“But she loves your whiskers,” Kara said from behind him.
“I don’t. It itches something awful.” He cringed, and bounced Judy in the air. She loved to play ‘airplane’ with him. Another pilot in the making, perhaps? “One time I went seventy-two hours without shaving.”
“A whole seventy-two hours, huh? What were you doing?”
He bounced Judy again, and then held her against him. She burrowed her head into his neck. “It was when I was the XO of an aircraft carrier. We ran into the enemy, and they kept coming back. None of us slept until reinforcements came, and we could make our escape. And I was monitoring our radar screens nonstop.”
Kara nodded. “You’re a total badass.”
He chuckled. “And don’t forget it.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
As soon as Laura opened the front door, Geddy burst inside and ran to greet each person, as he did every morning. His job was made easier that morning because everyone was in the nursery. Laura followed. The sound of Kara’s “Morning, boy” greeted her. After receiving the requisite attention - a pat on the head followed by the opportunity to lick her hand - Geddy moved on to Bill and Judy, performing his typical jumping bean maneuver until Bill lowered Judy to greet the puppy.
Then, satisfied and apparently exhausted from his morning exertions, he left the nursery. Laura heard him jump on the sofa.
“I thought you were staying in bed, Bill,” Laura said.
He shrugged. “This one had other ideas,” he said, gesturing to Judy. “But this is better.”
“Well, just relax this morning. I’ve got breakfast.”
“We, we’ve got it,” Kara said.
Laura nodded. “Right. And Judy will provide your entertainment.”
Bill carried Judy into the dining room and placed her in the highchair before taking his place in the seat next to her. Kara followed Laura into the kitchen. “What can I do, boss?” Kara asked.
Laura hmmed. “I’m gonna fry the bacon first. Why don’t you make the toast?”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. I can do that.”
“After that, I’ll need your help with the cheesy eggs.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It can be.”
Together, they got breakfast on the table. “Looks delicious,” Bill said. “And you made cheesy eggs too. I love these.”
Laura grinned. “We know.”
Kara snorted. “It doesn’t take much, does it?”
Bill shook his head and dug in.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Laura told him to get ready, but she didn’t say for what. He knew better than to ask for a hint, but he did ask for suggestions in attire.
She shook her head, obviously onto him, and said, “Go for casual and warm.”
“I can do that.”
When he was dressed, Laura ushered him to the car and Kara brought Judy. Before they left the house, Geddy had followed them to the door and yipped. Laura had patted his head. “We’ll be back later, sweetie.”
Even with Geddy’s limited vocabulary, he had been able to understand that and had begun serenading them before they could even walk out. “What do you think he does all day?” Laura asked.
“Jumps on the couch and stays there until we come home,” Bill said. “He saves his crazy for us.”
She laughed. “Figures we’d end up with a neurotic dog.”
“Dachshunds think they’re people. They wanna do everything their owners do.”
“Only if we bring him anywhere, he’ll bark at anyone who comes close to me and attack other dogs.”
Laura was overestimating Geddy’s chances in a dogfight, but he didn’t say anything. She backed the car out of the driveway, and they were off. Somewhere.
He would get nothing out of Laura, but maybe their route would give him a clue.
That didn’t happen. At least not until she pulled into the airfield. The Blue Angels. He had forgotten it was that day.
“Now you can see why Geddy definitely couldn’t come with us,” Laura said.
In addition to wind, rain, snow, and sleet, Geddy was petrified of motorcycles, bikes, and most anything with wheels and a motor. Planes would freak him the hell out for sure.
Kara snorted from the back seat. “He’s like a baby that will never grow up,” she said.
They parked in the last row, and climbed out of the car. Laura took Judy, and Kara and Bill grabbed the chairs and diaper bag. Then they headed toward the crowd on the other side of the field. The Master of Ceremonies announced, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. In just nine minutes, we’ll begin with the Fat Albert.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Laura said in a bad imitation of Bill Cosby.
Judy giggled at the sound, and Laura bounced her in the air before holding her close again.
“What was that?” Kara asked, eyebrow raised.
“Fat Albert. It’s...never mind,” Laura said. “Why is it called that?” she asked him.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. They use the C-130. Where they got that name is beyond me.”
They joined the crowd. “Where’s the best spot, Bill?” Laura asked.
“As far back from the crowd as possible.” He spotted the roped off area, and gestured in that direction. “Right there.”
He led the way and set up their chairs.
“Why here?” Laura asked.
“We’ll still see everything, but the engines won’t be nearly as loud.” He pointed at Judy.
Laura nodded and sat next to him.
When the Fat Albert took off, Judy giggled and clapped her hands. Bill grinned, and took her off Laura’s lap. “Wanna fly like those planes?”
Judy ran her hands along his face.
“Daddy shaved.”
She giggled, and he hoisted her in the air, holding her there. Then he counted down from ten before bringing her back down to his lap. She clapped her hands, as though to say, “Again, Daddy.”
After the Fat Albert finished its assault landing, the Hornet took off. “Is that like yours, Dad?” Kara asked.
He shook his head. “The Tomcat is more like it, and both have a better range and payload than the Hornet.” Kara nodded. “But it’s versatile and reliable. We had several in our strike group,” he said.
Kara and Laura asked questions about the terminology or maneuvers, and he explained them, providing anecdotes from his career. “You know, I think I’ll arrange for the unit to see this next year,” he said. “Especially the cadets that complete Summer Leadership School.”
Kara laughed. “Best two weeks of my life.”
“Really?” Laura asked.
“Yeah, waking up at zero dark thirty to run six miles is the best.”
He chuckled. “Better get used to that, Starbuck.”
“Yes, sir.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill blew out the candles. Black Forest, his favorite. The girls had made it for him, and the top read, “Happy Birthday, Old Man” in blue icing.
Kara and Laura placed a wrapped package in front of him with a card on top. The card had a bulldog on the front saying, “One wrinkle joke, and I’m outta here.” Bill chuckled. He opened it. His whole family had signed it, even Geddy.
“Thank you,” he said. Then he patted Geddy’s head. “You too, boy.”
He peeled back the corner of the paper. Laura’s wrapping was always so pretty; he didn’t want to spoil it. The letters showed up first: A-6E. Could it be? He ripped the paper just enough to free the box. It was. The Intruder.
“This one’s yours, right?” Kara asked.
He nodded. “Just like it.”
“Then you’ll love your next gift.” She put a license plate on the table. “Didn’t have time to wrap it,” she said.
“Husker,” he read aloud.
“It’s too big for the model, but you can put it on Galactica II,” Laura said.
“Perfect. These are wonderful.” He squeezed their hands and kissed Judy’s forehead. She cooed in his face.
“Wait, there’s one more thing,” Kara said.
Laura raised a brow. Clearly this was a surprise even to her.
Kara rushed toward her room and burst out with an envelope and handed it to him. It was from the County Clerk’s office. “Kara?”
“Open it.”
He skimmed through the legal jargon. His eyes widened when they hit a name: Kara Adama. He glanced up at Kara. “Really?” He smiled.
She grinned. “It has a good ring to it, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely.”
He handed the letter to Laura, and she exchanged looks with him. They smiled at their oldest daughter. “Funny you should do this, Kara,” he said. “Laura and I had something we wanted to discuss with you.”
Kara nodded. “Shoot.”
Laura waved the letter. “We want to make this official.”
Kara raised a brow.
“We want to adopt you,” Laura said.
“Really?” Kara asked.
Laura and Bill nodded. Kara hugged Laura first then Bill. She picked Judy up out of the swing and twirled her around. “You’re stuck with me, kid!”
Judy nuzzled against Kara’s neck and Kara hugged her tight.
Laura met his eyes. He just grinned.
Rating: T
Word Count: ~4k
Disclaimer: don't own them.
Summary: Kara and Laura collaborate to make Bill's day special...
A/N: This was written for the lovely fragrantwoods for her birthday. Much thanks to lanalucy and laura_mayfair for the beta, brainstorming, and the title. *all the hugs*
This is set in an open 'verse, which begins here.
“We should do something big,” Kara said, apropos of nothing.
Laura looked up from her paperwork. “For?”
“The Old Man’s birthday.” Kara’s eyes clearly asked Laura if she were losing it. Maybe she was.
“Right, yes. Fifty-three. It’s something to celebrate indeed.”
“Well, only because we missed his fiftieth.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Kara shrugged. “What you got, coach?”
Laura laughed. “I may have a few ideas.” She put on her glasses and folded her hands in front of her. “Why don’t we think it over and regroup.”
Kara flicked Judy’s nose, much to the toddler’s delight, and exited the home office. Judy rubbed her eyes.
“Getting tired, baby?” Laura asked.
Judy yawned.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She stood and went to the playpen. “Mommy could use a nap too.” She picked Judy up and carried her to the sofa, where Geddy was sleeping--with one eye open as he so often did. As soon as she laid down, Judy on Laura’s chest, Geddy opened his eyes, stretched his back and front legs, and stepped across Laura’s body until he reached Judy. He gave his sister a quick lick, and then he created a spot between Laura and the sofa back, warming Laura’s side instantly. Judy snuggled deeper into Laura’s chest - her eyes shut tight. Laura patted Geddy and wrapped her arms around Judy, and fell asleep.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“So what have you got?” Laura asked.
Kara shook her head. “Thought this would be easy. What do you give a man who has everything?”
Laura nodded. “I think we need reinforcements.” She picked up the phone and dialed. “Saul?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have a minute?”
He snorted. “I’m retired. What do you think?”
She laughed. “Bill’s birthday’s coming up--”
“And you need ideas.”
“Yes, please. Kara and I have none.”
“First of all, don’t worry so much. The Old Man’s not one for ceremony, and he hates being the center of attention. Besides, you’ve already given him everything he’s ever wanted.”
She smiled. She hadn’t thought he’d liked her much at first, but he’d been a loyal friend to Bill and to her by extension. “Still, we’d like to make this special for him.”
“Yeah, I might...hold on.” Paper crinkled in the background. “Yeah, there’s an air show coming up. He’d wanna to share that with his family.”
“An air show?” Could it be that simple?
“Yeah. The Blue Angels. He hasn’t been around the sound of plane engines since he retired. That sound. Those smells. That’s been part of his life for so long.”
“He misses it.”
“So if you gave a little bit of it back, and he got to share it with you - with the kids.” A pause. “Yeah, I think that would work.”
“You’re a lifesaver, my friend. Oh, and Saul, what kind of plane did he fly? I might have an idea.”
“The A-6E Intruder. God, he loved that plane. Moped around for weeks when they retired it.”
“I know his callsign was Husker. Do you think I could find a model of it?”
“There’s a hobby shop. Think it’s still open, and they might have it. I could help you find it, if you want.”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” Laura said.
“What?” Kara asked.
Laura covered the phone. “Saul’s gonna help me find a model of Bill’s plane.”
“Can I go?” Kara asked.
Laura removed her palm from the receiver. “Kara wants to go in my place.”
“Yeah, great. Sure,” Saul said.
They ended the call, and Laura met her daughter’s eyes. “I know you’re up to something.”
Kara smirked. “When am I not? I’ll tell you later, I promise.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Kara climbed into his truck. Bounded rather. The girl was all energy and force. Reminded him of himself - forty years ago. “Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah. Can we...maybe...talk about something?”
Uh, oh. Talking wasn’t his forte. Certainly not to teenage girls. Or any kids for that matter. Even if Kara shared interests with him and the Old Man. That question, and her uncertainty, was ominous. Still, he couldn’t exactly say no. “Sure. What’s up?” He shifted into drive.
“I have an idea. Just...just tell me if it’s stupid, okay? I mean, you know the Old Man better than anyone, even Laura.”
He nodded. “I do.”
“I was thinking--”
“--Always a good start.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right. I’m pretty much an Adama already, you know?” He nodded. She continued, “What if I made it official?”
When he didn’t respond that second, she asked, “Is that dumb?”
He chuckled, but stopped when he glanced at her crestfallen face. For such a tough girl, she was very sensitive. Not unlike himself. “Are you kidding? The Old Man would be thrilled.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He thinks of you as his daughter now. Besides, you’d be sharing Laura’s name too.”
She nodded. “And Judy’s.”
He shook his head. “I can see it now. The three Adama girls each wrapping Bill around their fingers. Zak too.”
She snorted. Clearly picturing that. Or more accurately, remembering.
Saul hadn’t been there for Judy’s birth, but he’d seen the family a few days after they got home. And the Adama men had been so engrossed in their women, they’d barely noticed Ellen and him, even as hard as it was to ignore Ellen. They had presented their gifts like the fucking Wise Men and left.
“Is that your plan for his birthday?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “He’s always talking about family and stuff. Thought he’d like to know he’s part of mine.”
“Kara Starbuck Adama. I like the sound of it.” He nodded. “It’s a good name for a pilot.”
She laughed. “My dad named me Kara. Before he left, that is.”
“And Laura and Bill gave you the rest of your name.”
She nodded. Clearly thinking about how she’d carry pieces of three of her parents for the rest of her life. He hoped she would be able to leave her mother behind her, but knew those scars would remain. At least she would have Laura and Bill to offset some of the damage.
He switched lanes and prepared to turn into the shopping center. “This place ain’t look like much on the outside, but it has the best collection of models I’ve ever seen. This is where Bill bought that boat he’s always messing with.”
“Guess he would enjoy building his plane. After so long, you know?”
He parked in the back of the lot.
She snorted.
“What? I don’t want no one scratching my truck.”
She crinkled her brow. “You do realize she’s older than I am, right?”
“Why you think she runs so good? I baby her.”
“Was it hard?”
“Parking? Piece of cake.”
She shook her head. “No. You and Bill getting out. Not flying anymore.”
“Oh. Yeah, it wasn’t easy. I think Bill had a tougher time than I did, though. Never saw anyone more suited for the water and sky than that man.”
They climbed out of the truck and walked across the lot.
“I didn’t think much of him when we first met,” she said. “And he seemed, I don’t know, lost.”
He nodded.
“But he’s not like that anymore.”
“He has what he needs now. Who he needs.” He opened the door and held it open for her. “Besides, he’ll get to live through his kids now.”
She stepped inside. “What do you mean?”
He let the door close behind him. “You, Judy, Zak, and Lee. You’ll all grow up. Do great things.” He met her eyes. “You especially. The Old Man is so excited you’re joining the Navy.”
She blinked.
“Not that he wouldn’t be proud of you whatever you do. But I can’t deny he has pride in seeing you follow in his footsteps.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s true. Like how I’m glad I can talk to him about my training and stuff.” She gestured to the rack of models along the back wall. “Lead the way.”
They passed the stamps and coins racks. Saul shuddered. His own father had been an avid stamp collector although they didn’t have the money for such a hobby. He’d never understood the obsession. Not that he had Bill’s patience for model building either, but at least with that you did something. Created something.
Kara’s eyes lit up at the paint sets. He nudged her shoulder. “We have time,” he said.
She shrugged. “Maybe later.”
They continued to the back wall. They skipped the rows of cars and boats until...planes. It was like a timeline of aerospace history represented on the wall. There was a model of Da Vinci’s flying machine. The Wright Brothers’ plane. The blimps and other contraptions pre-World War II. Then all the fighter planes and bombers that exploded during and after WWII. But would there be the one they needed?
Kara pointed at one. “This it?”
He squinted to better read the label. “Yup.”
He grabbed the box and handed it to her, and followed her up to the register. The paint set aisle was forgotten, but at least he had somewhere to start for Christmas. Laura would know more about the brands and colors. She purchased the model, and they walked to the truck.
“You hungry?” he asked. “I could go for a burger, myself.”
She shrugged. “I could eat.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill’s brow was furrowed, an expression she’d always found adorable. Not that she had ever told him. “Professor Cain working you hard this week?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not that. I mean she is, but that’s nothing new.” He looked up from his book and notebook. “Besides, you know me. A little hard work won’t scare me away.”
She nodded. That persistence combined with his quiet but fierce caring was part of why she’d fallen for him.
“No. It’s about Kara,” he said.
“What, honey?”
She and Bill had spent the better part of their lives together worrying about one or all of their children, but past circumstances had dictated Kara receive the lion’s share of it. However, since she’d moved into their cabin, the almost overwhelming fear never far from the front of Laura’s mind had subsided. She’d thought Bill’s had too, but perhaps not.
“She’s nearly nineteen now.”
She nodded. “Yes. A legal adult. Free and clear.”
He sighed. “That’s just it, Laura. She lives here. Knows we love her, and that this is and always will be her home.”
“I’m not seeing the problem.”
“When she goes off to the Navy. If anything happens--”
“--Perish the thought.”
“If something happens, Laura, we have no rights according to the law. We’re just people she lived with for a while. Roommates even. No one would even think to call us. And even if they did, we’d have no say in anything.”
Oh. She’d been so busy rejoicing Kara’s newfound freedom she’d never even considered the potential repercussions. “We can’t have that. So what do we do?”
“Adoption.”
“We’ll have to talk to her, Bill.”
“Of course. But I have a feeling she’ll be on board.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
He grinned before turning back to whatever research labyrinth Helena Cain has sent him on this week. She loved to tease him about his hardass professor, but love her or hate her, the woman was an effective instructor, which was why he’d taken more of the courses she taught, and planned on taking all of them.
His eyes widened and narrowed alternatively as he moved across the pages, stopping every so often to mark his text or write in his notebook.
She had paperwork of her own to do and a grant to apply for. That was the thing with soft money - she had to keep applying for it, even if she’d already gotten it several years in a row. And there was no guarantee she would get it this year, no guarantee it would be the same amount if she did, and once it was gone… She hated budget cuts, always had, but there was only so much she could do, and she’d already cleaned house. She sighed as she rose to retrieve her computer.
“So what are Saul and Kara getting me for my birthday?” he asked, as she was leaving the room.
She stopped. “Who says it has anything to do with you?”
He met her eyes, clearly trying to read her. She schooled her features as they underwent a grown-up version of the staring contest their kids were always having. She was doing so well, and then she thought of the last time Bill and Kara had played. She snorted first. Then the onslaught of giggles came. He chuckled. “Can’t fool me, Laura.”
“Nor you, me.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it whatever it is.”
He stood and moved to the swing in the entrance to the dining room, leaned down, and kissed their sleeping daughter’s head. Geddy opened one eye, then the other, and licked Bill’s hand. Then he stretched before running to Laura’s side. “I’m just going to the office for a second,” she said to the dog, as his tail wagged.
“I don’t think that matters to him,” Bill said. “He just knows he wants to be with you, wherever you go. Not even Judy trumps you.”
Right. Now that she disturbed his nap, she may as well get to it.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
When Bill opened his eyes, he saw Laura was already awake - and watching him. “What?” he asked.
She gave him that shy grin that she reserved just for him. At least, that’s how it seemed. “Just watching you sleep. The way your eyelids flutter slightly as you’re waking.” She shrugged. “It’s cute.”
“If you say so. I’m not feeling particularly cute at the moment.”
She ran her hand through his hair. “You know how I feel about bedhead.”
Her own hair was sticking out at all angles, as it always did in the mornings. “Me too,” he said. He pulled her down for a kiss, morning breath be damned. “Good morning.”
She mmmed. “Happy Birthday.”
Her head rested against his chest, her hair falling haphazardly. A few stray strands tickled his nose. “I know what I want.”
“What’s that?”
“I just wanna stay like this.”
Geddy had something to say about that, though. He jumped on the bed and barked. His tail smacked Bill’s thigh with the force of a helicopter propeller.
Laura laughed. “I’ll take him out, honey.”
Then she and the dog were gone, and he lay back against the pillows. He was fifty-five today. Where did the time go?
Judy’s cries came through the monitor. He grinned. Nothing better than a baby to keep the morose introspections at bay. He crawled out of bed and threw on his pants and t-shirt. Then he was in the nursery.
Judy sat up in her crib at the sight of him. All tears disappeared in an instant and she was all smiles.
He picked her up. “You’re a little trickster, aren’t you?”
She cooed in the affirmative.
He chuckled and held her hands, as she rubbed them up and down his face. She giggled.
“Daddy’s gotta shave.”
“But she loves your whiskers,” Kara said from behind him.
“I don’t. It itches something awful.” He cringed, and bounced Judy in the air. She loved to play ‘airplane’ with him. Another pilot in the making, perhaps? “One time I went seventy-two hours without shaving.”
“A whole seventy-two hours, huh? What were you doing?”
He bounced Judy again, and then held her against him. She burrowed her head into his neck. “It was when I was the XO of an aircraft carrier. We ran into the enemy, and they kept coming back. None of us slept until reinforcements came, and we could make our escape. And I was monitoring our radar screens nonstop.”
Kara nodded. “You’re a total badass.”
He chuckled. “And don’t forget it.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
As soon as Laura opened the front door, Geddy burst inside and ran to greet each person, as he did every morning. His job was made easier that morning because everyone was in the nursery. Laura followed. The sound of Kara’s “Morning, boy” greeted her. After receiving the requisite attention - a pat on the head followed by the opportunity to lick her hand - Geddy moved on to Bill and Judy, performing his typical jumping bean maneuver until Bill lowered Judy to greet the puppy.
Then, satisfied and apparently exhausted from his morning exertions, he left the nursery. Laura heard him jump on the sofa.
“I thought you were staying in bed, Bill,” Laura said.
He shrugged. “This one had other ideas,” he said, gesturing to Judy. “But this is better.”
“Well, just relax this morning. I’ve got breakfast.”
“We, we’ve got it,” Kara said.
Laura nodded. “Right. And Judy will provide your entertainment.”
Bill carried Judy into the dining room and placed her in the highchair before taking his place in the seat next to her. Kara followed Laura into the kitchen. “What can I do, boss?” Kara asked.
Laura hmmed. “I’m gonna fry the bacon first. Why don’t you make the toast?”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. I can do that.”
“After that, I’ll need your help with the cheesy eggs.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It can be.”
Together, they got breakfast on the table. “Looks delicious,” Bill said. “And you made cheesy eggs too. I love these.”
Laura grinned. “We know.”
Kara snorted. “It doesn’t take much, does it?”
Bill shook his head and dug in.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Laura told him to get ready, but she didn’t say for what. He knew better than to ask for a hint, but he did ask for suggestions in attire.
She shook her head, obviously onto him, and said, “Go for casual and warm.”
“I can do that.”
When he was dressed, Laura ushered him to the car and Kara brought Judy. Before they left the house, Geddy had followed them to the door and yipped. Laura had patted his head. “We’ll be back later, sweetie.”
Even with Geddy’s limited vocabulary, he had been able to understand that and had begun serenading them before they could even walk out. “What do you think he does all day?” Laura asked.
“Jumps on the couch and stays there until we come home,” Bill said. “He saves his crazy for us.”
She laughed. “Figures we’d end up with a neurotic dog.”
“Dachshunds think they’re people. They wanna do everything their owners do.”
“Only if we bring him anywhere, he’ll bark at anyone who comes close to me and attack other dogs.”
Laura was overestimating Geddy’s chances in a dogfight, but he didn’t say anything. She backed the car out of the driveway, and they were off. Somewhere.
He would get nothing out of Laura, but maybe their route would give him a clue.
That didn’t happen. At least not until she pulled into the airfield. The Blue Angels. He had forgotten it was that day.
“Now you can see why Geddy definitely couldn’t come with us,” Laura said.
In addition to wind, rain, snow, and sleet, Geddy was petrified of motorcycles, bikes, and most anything with wheels and a motor. Planes would freak him the hell out for sure.
Kara snorted from the back seat. “He’s like a baby that will never grow up,” she said.
They parked in the last row, and climbed out of the car. Laura took Judy, and Kara and Bill grabbed the chairs and diaper bag. Then they headed toward the crowd on the other side of the field. The Master of Ceremonies announced, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. In just nine minutes, we’ll begin with the Fat Albert.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Laura said in a bad imitation of Bill Cosby.
Judy giggled at the sound, and Laura bounced her in the air before holding her close again.
“What was that?” Kara asked, eyebrow raised.
“Fat Albert. It’s...never mind,” Laura said. “Why is it called that?” she asked him.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. They use the C-130. Where they got that name is beyond me.”
They joined the crowd. “Where’s the best spot, Bill?” Laura asked.
“As far back from the crowd as possible.” He spotted the roped off area, and gestured in that direction. “Right there.”
He led the way and set up their chairs.
“Why here?” Laura asked.
“We’ll still see everything, but the engines won’t be nearly as loud.” He pointed at Judy.
Laura nodded and sat next to him.
When the Fat Albert took off, Judy giggled and clapped her hands. Bill grinned, and took her off Laura’s lap. “Wanna fly like those planes?”
Judy ran her hands along his face.
“Daddy shaved.”
She giggled, and he hoisted her in the air, holding her there. Then he counted down from ten before bringing her back down to his lap. She clapped her hands, as though to say, “Again, Daddy.”
After the Fat Albert finished its assault landing, the Hornet took off. “Is that like yours, Dad?” Kara asked.
He shook his head. “The Tomcat is more like it, and both have a better range and payload than the Hornet.” Kara nodded. “But it’s versatile and reliable. We had several in our strike group,” he said.
Kara and Laura asked questions about the terminology or maneuvers, and he explained them, providing anecdotes from his career. “You know, I think I’ll arrange for the unit to see this next year,” he said. “Especially the cadets that complete Summer Leadership School.”
Kara laughed. “Best two weeks of my life.”
“Really?” Laura asked.
“Yeah, waking up at zero dark thirty to run six miles is the best.”
He chuckled. “Better get used to that, Starbuck.”
“Yes, sir.”
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bill blew out the candles. Black Forest, his favorite. The girls had made it for him, and the top read, “Happy Birthday, Old Man” in blue icing.
Kara and Laura placed a wrapped package in front of him with a card on top. The card had a bulldog on the front saying, “One wrinkle joke, and I’m outta here.” Bill chuckled. He opened it. His whole family had signed it, even Geddy.
“Thank you,” he said. Then he patted Geddy’s head. “You too, boy.”
He peeled back the corner of the paper. Laura’s wrapping was always so pretty; he didn’t want to spoil it. The letters showed up first: A-6E. Could it be? He ripped the paper just enough to free the box. It was. The Intruder.
“This one’s yours, right?” Kara asked.
He nodded. “Just like it.”
“Then you’ll love your next gift.” She put a license plate on the table. “Didn’t have time to wrap it,” she said.
“Husker,” he read aloud.
“It’s too big for the model, but you can put it on Galactica II,” Laura said.
“Perfect. These are wonderful.” He squeezed their hands and kissed Judy’s forehead. She cooed in his face.
“Wait, there’s one more thing,” Kara said.
Laura raised a brow. Clearly this was a surprise even to her.
Kara rushed toward her room and burst out with an envelope and handed it to him. It was from the County Clerk’s office. “Kara?”
“Open it.”
He skimmed through the legal jargon. His eyes widened when they hit a name: Kara Adama. He glanced up at Kara. “Really?” He smiled.
She grinned. “It has a good ring to it, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely.”
He handed the letter to Laura, and she exchanged looks with him. They smiled at their oldest daughter. “Funny you should do this, Kara,” he said. “Laura and I had something we wanted to discuss with you.”
Kara nodded. “Shoot.”
Laura waved the letter. “We want to make this official.”
Kara raised a brow.
“We want to adopt you,” Laura said.
“Really?” Kara asked.
Laura and Bill nodded. Kara hugged Laura first then Bill. She picked Judy up out of the swing and twirled her around. “You’re stuck with me, kid!”
Judy nuzzled against Kara’s neck and Kara hugged her tight.
Laura met his eyes. He just grinned.