Drama and Regrets - Part Eight

Posted on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 @ 5:13am by Commander Ennis Cullen & Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Saki Yamaguchi-Cullen & Sarah Yamaguchi-Cullen
Edited on on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 @ 6:16am

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - USS Heart of the Tiger / Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 105Hrs - December 3rd, 2393

Cullen stood there before the main entrance to the school. Sarah had clearly already gone on ahead. "Saki." Cullen addressed her in a soft tone of voice.

Saki went over to him. "What did we do wrong dad?" she asked, while she fought with her emotions.

Cullen knew what it was like. Leaving assignments because of various demands. He looked down at his wife's child that she had with another man. On paper. Saki was no genetic relation to Enis on any level whatsoever but to Cullen. That was a trivial detail. This child was as much his as Sarah or Olivia was. Cullen gently gathered Saki into his arms as he hugged her. "Nothing honey. Nothing at all," he answered. "What happened wasn't anyone's fault. But if you need to blame someone... Then blame me."

"Why?" Saki asked simply. It wasn't spoken out of fear or malice. It was a question of curiosity.

"We got reassigned because I refused to leave your mom alone," she commented. "I wanted you, me, your mom and all the others to be a family, together. If that means we leave this ship. Then so be it." he commented. "It'll probably cost me my promotion but... You guys are worth so much more than my career."

"That so unfair to you, dad." Saki protested quietly.

"It is, honey. But I've still got you guys and your mom to come home to." Cullen answered with a smile. "Come on. Let's go see your new home. I sent Sarah on ahead. Your mom is already there with all our stuff. Yes, even all your stuff. Your mom was adamant that all your stuff is coming. Same with Sarah, Daniel and the twins."

Saki paused. "Daniel doesn't know. Does he?"

"No. I'll be back to pick him up, along with the twins. Later, after we get settled in and the like. It's been a long few weeks that's brought us here." Cullen smiled as he indicated the replicator. "One last time, honey?"

Saki grinned. "Computer," she ordered three large ice cream cones, then she handed two of them to Ennis. With that, the two of them departed the school. Which was really a converted cargo bay, that had been refitted into a schoolhouse. The two of them found Sarah outside. Cullen handed Sarah her ice cream. The teenager smiled as she received it. "Thanks, guys. I'm going to enjoy this."

"It's time to go girls," Cullen commented as the three set off for their destination. They went through the usual formalities at the airlock of the Starbase and then again while boarding the Starbase.

Cullen then set off for his new home. Which he reached ten minutes later. Within. Rachael Yamaguchi-Cullen was just hanging a picture in the main living area. "Hey girls," Yamaguchi-Cullen commented with a gentle smile as she gave Saki and then Sarah both a gentle hug each. "Before you two decide what bedrooms you want. Let me give you all a quick tour." Yamaguchi-Cullen gave her husband a quick kiss on the lips. "That includes you too."

Yamaguchi-Cullen showed her two children and husband where everything was located. It was clear that these quarters were more than double the size of the previous ones. This was a seven-bedroom home with a main living area and kitchen. Along with three bathrooms. This was clearly designed to be lived in for years. Families were meant to be raised in these spaces.

Saki looked up at her mother. "Umm. Mom. Where are Sandstorm and Perdicus.?"

"Oh. They are around here somewhere." Yamaguchi-Cullen commented as she led her family back to the main living area. "Okay. Now that you've had a moment to look around. Go choose your rooms. But keep in mind girls that all the bedrooms are the same sizes." she added with a grin.

Saki and Sarah both went into the first of the bedrooms while Cullen sighed softly. He came over to his wife and gently took her into his arms. "It's been a long day," he commented.

Yamaguchi-Cullen nodded her head. "I know. I booked you and me both in for a medical appointment with the medical staff of the Starbase. We're to see a lady named Lt Commander Calliope Pravdin-Burgoyne." she commented. "You and I will go first. Then I'll take these two to get looked at while you collect Daniel and the twins. Then bring them to Vanguard's hospital for their medical once over." Yamaguchi-Cullen explained her plan. "Once, everyone is over and settled in. Then I'll go report in. That will probably be tomorrow morning." she commented. "I already enrolled the kids in the Starbase school system. They will have many other kids to interact with. Some of whom they know. Also, they will have family close at hand too."

Cullen nodded. "Elizabeth and Kameron are here."

"In addition to Gabe and Savannah as well. Both arived less than a week ago and they are still settling in." Yamaguchi-Cullen explained with a gentle smile. "It'll be great to everyone again," she added. "Which reminds me. You need to check and see if that two month time of leave you requested is still in effect. I will do the same. Then we can go back to Earth and resolve matters with your family."

"Alright," Cullen answered with a nod of his head.