Meet the Grandparents Part 1

Posted on Thu Mar 30th, 2023 @ 2:00pm by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII

Mission: Character Development
Location: California
Timeline: Day after 'You Decide Your Fate'
741 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

“I have some news to share,” Kacey announced to her daughter and husband, both slouching on the couch in their family living room. The two looked over with curious expressions and Kacey pointed her attention to Quinn. “Your parents are joining us for dinner.”

“What?!” Quinn sat up straight with a look of mild concern while Finn’s lips twisted into a mischievous smirk. Grandpa Keating was a force to be reckoned with for sure, but grandma Keating was pure fun and as much as Finn dreaded discussing anything work related with her grandfather, she was sure her grandma had something exciting up her sleeve.

“I’m sorry. I accidentally let it slip that Finn was home while you two were off galavanting through the forrest,” Kacey said somewhat sarcastically. “Anyway, they insisted on coming over. They should be here in just a few minutes.”

“Great,” Quinn muttered. “You could’ve told us this earlier.”

“If I had, you’d have found an excuse to be out of the house or convince them not to come over,” Kacey retorted.

“Ah, come on. It won’t be all bad,” Finn chuckled.

Quinn turned to look at his daughter and pointed at her with a stern expression. “Right. First things first. I don’t care what your grandma says, don’t you dare replicate a cake that looks like your grandpa’s shoes and then swap it out for the real ones.” Finn started to protest only to be interrupted before she could get the first word out. “And no rigging the replicator to produce Pyrithian bat dung every time someone says ‘shit’.”

Finn busted out in a laugh. “Ok, but you have to admit that was a good one.” Quinn only grunted and rolled his eyes in response. He did love to see his daughter having a good bit of fun, but didn’t enjoy dealing with an irate Finnley Quinn Keating V.

The doorbell chimed a moment later and Finn sprung up from the couch. “I’ll get it!” She yelled as she raced down the hallway and opened the door. Her grandfather stood, as always, tall and proud. Neatly dressed in khakis and a polo shirt, clean shaven and with a fresh military style haircut. Her grandmother in contrast wore an old pair of blue jeans and a vintage rock n’ roll shirt with messy blonde curls and a smirk that held behind it years of mischief. The three exchanged heartfelt hugs and hellos, followed by Kacey who did the same. Quinn begrudgingly meandered down the hall a moment later.

“You don’t even answer your own door anymore Quinn? Still lazing around on that couch?” The senior most Finnley asked, with a tone that left you wondering whether or not his words were said in jest.

“Don’t start, dad,” Quinn said before hugging his mother.

“Dinner then?” Kacey asked, motioning towards the kitchen.

“Actually, I wanted to show grandma something I brought back from the ship real quick,” Finn waved towards the adjacent hallway and her grandmother followed suit. Everyone else in the family knew that it was really an excuse to scheme, but there was no stopping it. Finn stepped into her room and shut the door behind them. “So, what have you planned?!” She asked, with an exuberance that she’d been missing for quite some time.

The old woman’s eyes lit up as if her whole body had just been possessed by someone much younger. Finn’s grandmother, Aurora Madison Keating, had been well known for her mischievous ways. Not just in her youth either. No, ‘Grandma Rory’ as many called her, was often the life of every party.

“Oh, I’ve been waiting so long for this!” She looked at Finn and her expression quickly changed to one of mock anger as she smacked her granddaughter on the arm. “Next time you had better not wait so long before coming to visit me. And!” She raised a finger at her. “I’d better be the first one you contact when you do get to Earth, do you hear me?”

“Yes ma’am,” Finn chuckled and her grandmother responded in kind.

“I’ve truly missed you, sweetheart,” Rory enveloped her granddaughter in a warm hug. “I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures, but for now…” She released Finn and her mouth slipped into a devilish grin. “Here’s the plan…”