Heart to Heart - Chapter Eight
Title: Heart to Heart
Rating: T
Story Summary: At the decommissioning of the Battlestar Galactica, Commander Adama deals with an angry son and an even angrier ex-wife.
Chapt Summary: The Adama house is full once again.
A/N: OK so it's been too long since I've updated this story but real life took over for a while. New country, new house, new friends, new job so I got a little busy. Settling in well now so hopefully I can write more frequently again. I'm aiming for once a week but it could be more like twice a week if I'm lucky. Anywho, I hope people are still interested in this and continue to read! Still don't own any of the BSG characters.
EDIT: Now beta'd by the awesomeness that is bsg_aussiegirl
Thanks aussie! Any mistakes left are all mine!
Links to previous chapters: Drabble / One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven
“Laura!”
Laura slipped into her shoes, darted out of the bedroom. and headed to the kitchen, stumbling over discarded books and clothes on her way.
She giggled at the sight that greeted her. The two youngest Adamas sat with empty plates in front of them as their flustered father attempted to make their breakfast and pack their lunchboxes simultaneously.
Bill looked up and silently pleaded with her for help as she stood watching from the doorway. She couldn’t resist him even if she wanted to. She quickly took over from Bill, pouring the boys each a glass of milk before spreading their toast.
“Lee, Zak, eat up,” Laura said as she placed the food in front of them. “We’re leaving in 15 minutes, so eat up.” She turned back to see Bill finally finishing off the boys’ sandwiches and placing them in their bags.
He gestured to where Lee and Zak were happily eating.
“How did you get them to do that?” he murmured close to her ear. "They never do anything I tell them to."
She gave him a coy smile. “Maybe if you’re good, soldier, I’ll teach you one day.”
He chuckled and Laura couldn’t help but lean in and place a gentle kiss on his smiling lips. He responded immediately and they only broke away when the boys joined in a chorus of ‘ews’ behind them.
“What time will you be home?” Bill asked.
It was the boys first day at their new school; the one she was currently teaching at. They would be travelling with her while Bill stayed at home. She knew he was feeling a little lost with these changes and had yet to decide how things were going to pan out when his compassionate leave from the Fleet was up.
“We won’t be late I promise. We can all have a nice dinner together tonight.”
“I’ll have it ready.”
Laura laughed and gave him one last brief kiss before sheperding the two boys to her car.
xxx
After Laura and the boys left, Bill glanced around the house. When he'd bought the house he had only intended to use it occasionally while on shore leave. Now though there were four people living under its roof and there wasn't enough space.
He felt the lack of privacy was frustrating Laura, but to her credit she remained silent on the subject. She was making an effort to make the boys feel at home as well as attempting to work past her grief. Maybe she just didn’t want to fight another battle.
He wasn’t due to report to duty for another two months, so maybe now was the time to consider investing in a larger family home. He’d have to consider Lee and Zak’s feelings Not only had they moved away from their mother to with an almost estranged father and his girlfriend, but they'd already had to transfer schools. Another move might upset them too much. of course it could be the new beginning everyone needed.
His headed for the kitchen, which resembled a war zone after his attempts at domesticity this morning, deciding he should probably discuss the matter with Laura first. He couldn't help but imagine his dream home as he cleaned up though. His kids playing in the front yard as the love of his life, Laura, nestled against him on a porch swing.
xxx
Laura glanced at the clock for the fourth time in as many minutes. She was worried. Lee and Zak had seemed so nervous on their first day in their new school and she had wanted to wrap them in a warm embrace and whisper words of comfort to them. Instead she kissed them both on the cheeks, delighting when they didn’t squirm away from her, and delivered them to their respective classes.
She hoped being introduced to their class by the principal wasn’t too embarrassing. Most of the school would have known about them now living with Principal Roslin anyway. It was a small community and gossip was bound to occur. She just prayed it didn’t have a negative effect on the kids. She had come to love them as if they were her own.
“Ms. Roslin there’s a call on line one for you,” her secretary’s voice crackled over the intercom, interrupting Laura’s thoughts.
She picked up the phone and said hello.
“Hey, I’m sorry to call you at work.”
Laura smiled at the familiar gravelly voice on the other end of the line.
“That’s okay, I wasn’t getting much work done anyway. Other things on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“Two young boys that have started a new school today and I’m worried how they’re settling in, if they're making friends, how they're coping with our curriculum...” She trailed off as she heard him chuckle into the receiver. “Something funny there, Major?”
“Nothing. I just love that you’re as worried about them as I am.”
They remained silent for a few moments, each just listening to the others soft breathing. Laura was waiting for him to talk, instinctively knowing he had something to tell her.
“My father just called,” he finally said.
Whatever she had been expecting it wasn’t that. Bill had explained about the strained relationship he and his father shared. If it wasn’t for Lee and Zak, she wasn’t sure Bill and Joseph Adama would even be on speaking terms.
“Laura? Are you still there?”
“Sorry, I'm just a bit shocked. It’s been a while since you’ve spoken right?”
“Ya.” He sighed. “but he wants to see the boys. And meet you,” he added.
“He wants to meet me? Why?”
“He's intrigued to meet any woman who would put up with the likes of me.”. He sighed once more and she could almost picture him rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration.
“Well then, why don't we have him over for dinner next week.” She tried to sound more confident than she felt.
“Laura, you don’t have to do that. I can-“
“Bill, stop. I want to meet him. I know you don’t have the greatest relationship in the world but he’s your father. I want to meet him,” she repeated.
Bill sighed again, this time in resignation, she thought.
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you," he said.
Another comfortable silence lapsed between them. It constantly amazed her how even when they weren’t talking she was comforted by the fact that he was there. “I better let you get back to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bill...I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She was positively beaming when she placed the receiver back in its cradle. Despite her happiness after talking to him, her eyes drifted to the clock once more and she was forced to suppress a groan. This was going to be a long day.
xxx
She leapt out of her seat, grasped her bag and bolted from her office.
Zak’s class was the closest to her office and students were only just beginning to file out as she walked along the corridor. She spotted the familiar dark hair exiting the classroom talking animatedly with a group of children his own age.
Her heart soared seeing the happy smile on his face but in all honesty he wasn’t the one she was worried about. Zak was an outgoing child and she couldn't imagine him having many problems making friends. Lee, on the other hand was another matter.
Lee was a quieter boy and much more reserved; less likely to engage people he didn't know well in conversation.
Once Zak spotted her he bid his new friends goodbye before darting towards her and greeting her with a fierce hug. She returned the embrace with all the love she felt. She was almost afraid she would crush him with the power of her emotions.
“How did your first day go?”
“Oh it was so cool. Ms. Anderson put me sitting next to Alex and Tim. They’re really cool. They know a lot of people so I made a bunch of friends already. Tim’s brother is in Lee’s class. I wonder if Lee met him today? How was your day, Laura?”
Laura stared back at the grinning boy in front of her. She had only caught a few words of what he said, his excitement muddling his words together. The last sentence had been clear, however, so she made an attempt to calm him down by describing her day as they made their way outside to meet Lee.
They found Lee was sitting in the shade of a big oak tree by the school steps. Despite Laura’s earlier worries, he was surrounded by fellow students, more than Zak even. Laura was definitely surprised, but pleased by this situation.
A grin, the likes of which she had never seen cross Lee Adama’s face, was plastered there now, broken only by bouts of excited laughter. This was not the boy she was used to at all.
Once he spotted Laura and his brother he hopped up from his seat, bidding his new comrades farewell and making his way towards Laura’s car. The grin remained in place as he detailed his day on the journey home.
The boys were still giggling and exchanging stories as they bounded into the house, racing to be the first to reach their father and tell him about their day. Laura could hear the excited chatter of their young voices and Bill’s answering gruff laughter wafting from the kitchen. It filled her with a warmth she previously wouldn't have thought possible. An aching hole had been filled by this soldier and his family. Her family.
She watched from the doorway of the kitchen as the boys set the table occasionally stopping to stir something that Bill asked them to, all the while discussing a party that was taking place at Tim and Michael’s house soon. She assumed Michael was Tim’s brother that Zak had mentioned.
Suddenly aware of an intensity fixed on her, she turned her head to the side and caught Bill’s eyes, love flowing from deep within those blue globes. An invisible force drew her into his arms and continued to pull until their lips met in a tender kiss. She melted against him, contentment taking up residence in her heart.
After what felt like an age, of lips caressing each other and hands stroking soft skin, they disentangled themselves from their loving embrace.
“Ugh, get a room.” Lee called out causing his brother to double over in laughter. The adults simply rolled their eyes before busying themselves by dishing out their meal.
xxx
Bill closed the bathroom door behind him and made his way towards the most adorable sight he had ever seen. Laura sat up in bed reading, or at least attempting to read. She alternated between bringing the book closer to her and then further away, her eyes squinting at the page in front of her the entire time.
“I think you need to get your eyes tested.”
Laura glared at him over the top of her book and went back to her brave attempt at comprehending the words in front of her. To prove his point he sat beside her, the mattress dipping beneath his weight, and put his glasses on carefully. He picked up his own book and began to read, adding in sound effects when he found something interesting or funny, in an attempt to iritate Laura further.
The woman beside him sighed in frustration, bringing the book closer to her face once more. Taking pity on her he placed his book on the table beside his bed, stretched an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him as his other hand picked the book from her grasp. Glancing down at her as she snuggled against his side he pressed a soft kiss into her hair, drawing a hum of contentment from her.
“Chapter Three. Claudia felt the wind whip around her feet as she made her way down the dark Caprican Street...”
The sound of his voice reading drew another hum from her and she burrowed further into his side. He finished the chapter and glanced down once more, expecting to find her asleep. Instead he found her watching him, her eyes wide with a mix of love and wonder.
Her mouth was open slightly, as if she was considering whether or not to say something. He was about to bend forward to kiss that gorgeous mouth when she spoke. Two words that shocked him into a speechless state.
“Marry me?”
The book fell from his grasp as he considered how to respond her question.
Chapter Nine
Rating: T
Story Summary: At the decommissioning of the Battlestar Galactica, Commander Adama deals with an angry son and an even angrier ex-wife.
Chapt Summary: The Adama house is full once again.
A/N: OK so it's been too long since I've updated this story but real life took over for a while. New country, new house, new friends, new job so I got a little busy. Settling in well now so hopefully I can write more frequently again. I'm aiming for once a week but it could be more like twice a week if I'm lucky. Anywho, I hope people are still interested in this and continue to read! Still don't own any of the BSG characters.
EDIT: Now beta'd by the awesomeness that is bsg_aussiegirl
Thanks aussie! Any mistakes left are all mine!
Links to previous chapters: Drabble / One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven
“Laura!”
Laura slipped into her shoes, darted out of the bedroom. and headed to the kitchen, stumbling over discarded books and clothes on her way.
She giggled at the sight that greeted her. The two youngest Adamas sat with empty plates in front of them as their flustered father attempted to make their breakfast and pack their lunchboxes simultaneously.
Bill looked up and silently pleaded with her for help as she stood watching from the doorway. She couldn’t resist him even if she wanted to. She quickly took over from Bill, pouring the boys each a glass of milk before spreading their toast.
“Lee, Zak, eat up,” Laura said as she placed the food in front of them. “We’re leaving in 15 minutes, so eat up.” She turned back to see Bill finally finishing off the boys’ sandwiches and placing them in their bags.
He gestured to where Lee and Zak were happily eating.
“How did you get them to do that?” he murmured close to her ear. "They never do anything I tell them to."
She gave him a coy smile. “Maybe if you’re good, soldier, I’ll teach you one day.”
He chuckled and Laura couldn’t help but lean in and place a gentle kiss on his smiling lips. He responded immediately and they only broke away when the boys joined in a chorus of ‘ews’ behind them.
“What time will you be home?” Bill asked.
It was the boys first day at their new school; the one she was currently teaching at. They would be travelling with her while Bill stayed at home. She knew he was feeling a little lost with these changes and had yet to decide how things were going to pan out when his compassionate leave from the Fleet was up.
“We won’t be late I promise. We can all have a nice dinner together tonight.”
“I’ll have it ready.”
Laura laughed and gave him one last brief kiss before sheperding the two boys to her car.
xxx
After Laura and the boys left, Bill glanced around the house. When he'd bought the house he had only intended to use it occasionally while on shore leave. Now though there were four people living under its roof and there wasn't enough space.
He felt the lack of privacy was frustrating Laura, but to her credit she remained silent on the subject. She was making an effort to make the boys feel at home as well as attempting to work past her grief. Maybe she just didn’t want to fight another battle.
He wasn’t due to report to duty for another two months, so maybe now was the time to consider investing in a larger family home. He’d have to consider Lee and Zak’s feelings Not only had they moved away from their mother to with an almost estranged father and his girlfriend, but they'd already had to transfer schools. Another move might upset them too much. of course it could be the new beginning everyone needed.
His headed for the kitchen, which resembled a war zone after his attempts at domesticity this morning, deciding he should probably discuss the matter with Laura first. He couldn't help but imagine his dream home as he cleaned up though. His kids playing in the front yard as the love of his life, Laura, nestled against him on a porch swing.
xxx
Laura glanced at the clock for the fourth time in as many minutes. She was worried. Lee and Zak had seemed so nervous on their first day in their new school and she had wanted to wrap them in a warm embrace and whisper words of comfort to them. Instead she kissed them both on the cheeks, delighting when they didn’t squirm away from her, and delivered them to their respective classes.
She hoped being introduced to their class by the principal wasn’t too embarrassing. Most of the school would have known about them now living with Principal Roslin anyway. It was a small community and gossip was bound to occur. She just prayed it didn’t have a negative effect on the kids. She had come to love them as if they were her own.
“Ms. Roslin there’s a call on line one for you,” her secretary’s voice crackled over the intercom, interrupting Laura’s thoughts.
She picked up the phone and said hello.
“Hey, I’m sorry to call you at work.”
Laura smiled at the familiar gravelly voice on the other end of the line.
“That’s okay, I wasn’t getting much work done anyway. Other things on my mind.”
“Like what?”
“Two young boys that have started a new school today and I’m worried how they’re settling in, if they're making friends, how they're coping with our curriculum...” She trailed off as she heard him chuckle into the receiver. “Something funny there, Major?”
“Nothing. I just love that you’re as worried about them as I am.”
They remained silent for a few moments, each just listening to the others soft breathing. Laura was waiting for him to talk, instinctively knowing he had something to tell her.
“My father just called,” he finally said.
Whatever she had been expecting it wasn’t that. Bill had explained about the strained relationship he and his father shared. If it wasn’t for Lee and Zak, she wasn’t sure Bill and Joseph Adama would even be on speaking terms.
“Laura? Are you still there?”
“Sorry, I'm just a bit shocked. It’s been a while since you’ve spoken right?”
“Ya.” He sighed. “but he wants to see the boys. And meet you,” he added.
“He wants to meet me? Why?”
“He's intrigued to meet any woman who would put up with the likes of me.”. He sighed once more and she could almost picture him rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration.
“Well then, why don't we have him over for dinner next week.” She tried to sound more confident than she felt.
“Laura, you don’t have to do that. I can-“
“Bill, stop. I want to meet him. I know you don’t have the greatest relationship in the world but he’s your father. I want to meet him,” she repeated.
Bill sighed again, this time in resignation, she thought.
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you," he said.
Another comfortable silence lapsed between them. It constantly amazed her how even when they weren’t talking she was comforted by the fact that he was there. “I better let you get back to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bill...I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She was positively beaming when she placed the receiver back in its cradle. Despite her happiness after talking to him, her eyes drifted to the clock once more and she was forced to suppress a groan. This was going to be a long day.
xxx
She leapt out of her seat, grasped her bag and bolted from her office.
Zak’s class was the closest to her office and students were only just beginning to file out as she walked along the corridor. She spotted the familiar dark hair exiting the classroom talking animatedly with a group of children his own age.
Her heart soared seeing the happy smile on his face but in all honesty he wasn’t the one she was worried about. Zak was an outgoing child and she couldn't imagine him having many problems making friends. Lee, on the other hand was another matter.
Lee was a quieter boy and much more reserved; less likely to engage people he didn't know well in conversation.
Once Zak spotted her he bid his new friends goodbye before darting towards her and greeting her with a fierce hug. She returned the embrace with all the love she felt. She was almost afraid she would crush him with the power of her emotions.
“How did your first day go?”
“Oh it was so cool. Ms. Anderson put me sitting next to Alex and Tim. They’re really cool. They know a lot of people so I made a bunch of friends already. Tim’s brother is in Lee’s class. I wonder if Lee met him today? How was your day, Laura?”
Laura stared back at the grinning boy in front of her. She had only caught a few words of what he said, his excitement muddling his words together. The last sentence had been clear, however, so she made an attempt to calm him down by describing her day as they made their way outside to meet Lee.
They found Lee was sitting in the shade of a big oak tree by the school steps. Despite Laura’s earlier worries, he was surrounded by fellow students, more than Zak even. Laura was definitely surprised, but pleased by this situation.
A grin, the likes of which she had never seen cross Lee Adama’s face, was plastered there now, broken only by bouts of excited laughter. This was not the boy she was used to at all.
Once he spotted Laura and his brother he hopped up from his seat, bidding his new comrades farewell and making his way towards Laura’s car. The grin remained in place as he detailed his day on the journey home.
The boys were still giggling and exchanging stories as they bounded into the house, racing to be the first to reach their father and tell him about their day. Laura could hear the excited chatter of their young voices and Bill’s answering gruff laughter wafting from the kitchen. It filled her with a warmth she previously wouldn't have thought possible. An aching hole had been filled by this soldier and his family. Her family.
She watched from the doorway of the kitchen as the boys set the table occasionally stopping to stir something that Bill asked them to, all the while discussing a party that was taking place at Tim and Michael’s house soon. She assumed Michael was Tim’s brother that Zak had mentioned.
Suddenly aware of an intensity fixed on her, she turned her head to the side and caught Bill’s eyes, love flowing from deep within those blue globes. An invisible force drew her into his arms and continued to pull until their lips met in a tender kiss. She melted against him, contentment taking up residence in her heart.
After what felt like an age, of lips caressing each other and hands stroking soft skin, they disentangled themselves from their loving embrace.
“Ugh, get a room.” Lee called out causing his brother to double over in laughter. The adults simply rolled their eyes before busying themselves by dishing out their meal.
xxx
Bill closed the bathroom door behind him and made his way towards the most adorable sight he had ever seen. Laura sat up in bed reading, or at least attempting to read. She alternated between bringing the book closer to her and then further away, her eyes squinting at the page in front of her the entire time.
“I think you need to get your eyes tested.”
Laura glared at him over the top of her book and went back to her brave attempt at comprehending the words in front of her. To prove his point he sat beside her, the mattress dipping beneath his weight, and put his glasses on carefully. He picked up his own book and began to read, adding in sound effects when he found something interesting or funny, in an attempt to iritate Laura further.
The woman beside him sighed in frustration, bringing the book closer to her face once more. Taking pity on her he placed his book on the table beside his bed, stretched an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him as his other hand picked the book from her grasp. Glancing down at her as she snuggled against his side he pressed a soft kiss into her hair, drawing a hum of contentment from her.
“Chapter Three. Claudia felt the wind whip around her feet as she made her way down the dark Caprican Street...”
The sound of his voice reading drew another hum from her and she burrowed further into his side. He finished the chapter and glanced down once more, expecting to find her asleep. Instead he found her watching him, her eyes wide with a mix of love and wonder.
Her mouth was open slightly, as if she was considering whether or not to say something. He was about to bend forward to kiss that gorgeous mouth when she spoke. Two words that shocked him into a speechless state.
“Marry me?”
The book fell from his grasp as he considered how to respond her question.
Chapter Nine