Family Calls

Posted on Sat Feb 17th, 2024 @ 5:21pm by Lieutenant Sturgis O'Connell

Mission: Character Development
Timeline: Backpost - prior to mission start
735 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

“Dad!” A call rang out from the monitor across the room.

Sturgis put down his book as his lips curled into a smile that illuminated his whole face. “Well if it isn’t one of my favorite tiny humans.”

“Not really so tiny anymore, dad. I’ve grown! I’m a whole 125 centimeters now.” Cameron beamed. She was six years old and now average height for her age. She was also the spitting image of her mother but with short blond hair. Her eyes held an exuberant sense of youth and adventure and the tiny wrinkles next to them radiated pure happiness.

Sturgis melted at the sight of her and his heart ached. It had been months since he’d last seen his kids in person. The Athena didn’t allow families and that was for the better anyway since the whole reason he left the Yorktown was to give his wife, Adrian, space. Had it really been for the better though? He suddenly wondered as he gazed upon his daughter through the screen. Though the Athena had been a good opportunity and he enjoyed serving in the CEO role while Finn was indisposed, he wasn’t sure it was a fair trade for the hole left in his heart with the absence of his kids.

“Me too! Me too! Look!” A miniature Sturgis stumbled up to the monitor. Evan, his 4 year old, looked so similar to himself at that age that some wondered if he was a clone. Their personalities were so different though that the clone claim was easily disputed.

Sturgis chuckled. “Hey now, what did I tell you two about growing while I was gone?”

“That it was strictly prohibition,” Evan puffed out in pride at his ability to repeat the rule.

“Prohibited, yes,” Sturgis chuckled once more. “I guess I’ll just have to ground you both for breaking the rules.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. It’s not like we can just stop growing!” Cameron protested.

“I suppose you’re right,” he said with a stern but fair expression. “So, tell me about school.”

The two kids immediately started giving him the play by play of everything that had happened since they had talked last which was just a day or two prior. Meanwhile, Sturgis fixed his gaze on a figure in the background, politely putting away a pile of books that had been removed from the bookshelf. Adrian. That long brown hair that cascaded past her shoulders and perfectly framed her face somehow shimmered in the light. As much as he missed his kids, he missed her too.

About ten minutes passed before Evan and Cameron finished their tales. Cameron had read a new book and had received high scores on her recent set of tests. Evan on the other hand had been reprimanded at school for being too boisterous and talking when he wasn’t supposed to. Both were still enjoying their music lessons on the holodeck, but Cameron was toying with the idea of trying the clarinet instead of piano next year. In addition, they both had parties to attend in the upcoming week and both were ecstatic about them.

“Alright guys, it’s bedtime. Sorry Sturgis,” Adrian had put up the last book and looked at the time.

“No problem, thanks for letting them call,” Sturgis replied.

“As if I could keep them from doing so, even if I wanted to, which I don’t. You’re a good father, Sturgis.”

“Just not a great husband. I know,” his expression was hollow, but his eyes held a twinge of regret. If only he’d paid more attention when they were together on the Yorktown, maybe things would be different now.

“Talk to you tomorrow, dad?” Evan asked as he headed towards the bedroom.

“Actually guys we’re going to be radio silent for a bit for our next mission, but I’ll call as soon as I can, ok?”

Neither of the kids' faces could hide the slight disappointment, but they understood. “Ok, but make it soon, ok dad?” Cameron replied.

“I’ll certainly do my best.” Sturgis disconnected the call and sank back into the couch. He normally felt better after a call with the kids, but today felt different. He just missed them too much. Being apart for so long was too hard and he'd just have to find a way to fix that.