Family Time

Posted on Tue May 30th, 2023 @ 6:59pm by Commander Mark Bawden & Ayla Bawden

996 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Bawden Quarters

Ayla putting the last of the crates neatly stacked against the wall near the doorway. She smiled as she glanced at the time. Hopefully Mark would be finished up with his meeting with the captain and checking out Security as it was getting late in the evening shipboard time.

Miracle dragged out the last of the crates from her room. "Momma! Wez go exploring?!" Letting go of the crate near where the the rest of them were stacked.

"As soon as Daddy get home. Then wez can hit the Promenade. Maybe even eat out." Ayla smiled down at Miracle. Moving to grab the crate Miracle had dragged from her room.

Mark hated moving, it was packing everything, shipping, unpacking and then making the new home feel like a home again. His run through with Security was productive and informative which was a good thing because not much had changed since he was last on board. Glad to see some of the changes he'd made stayed the course. Walking through the doors to the new quarters he sighed, free at last, off duty to do what ever was needed. "I'm home." Mark called out as he let his shoulders drop in a relaxing motion of relief.

Miracle hearing her daddy call out, rushed from her room towards Mark. "Squeeeeaaaaa!" delighted to see him as she rushed to him.

Ayla soon appeared from Miracles room. Eyes twinkling a bit as she made her way leisurely towards him, letting Miracle have her moment with him .

"Hey sweetie." Mark spoke seeing his Daughter charge at him as fast as her little legs could carry her. Leaning down he scooped her up in his arm and cuddled her. "How have you been hmm? Been behaving?" He saw his Wife smiling clearly enjoying the little moment of Father and Daughter.

"Hey, mom has that look in her eye, can you tell daddy what she wants? It's ok, you can tell me."

"Snuggles! Cred stick! Pizza!" Miracle exclaimed as she hugged her daddy around the neck, then leaned back to look at her mother.

Ayla smile widened as the twinkle in her eyes grew a bit sharper with warmth, slowly approaching the pair. Gave a soft squeak/giggle at the cred stick part.

"And I don't suppose the Pizza wouldn't be for you would it?" Mark asked Miracle with a grin then looked at his Wife. "Been winning her to your side huh? Do I need some security to back me up?"

"I think Security would be outclassed, my love," Ayla said with a soft giggle as she hugged them both. "But I accept yooz judgment."

"Pizza for all!" Miracle exclaimed a bit loudly. "Iz did mez own room. Squee, sooz Iz get the bigger half." She gave a definite nod.

"Bigger half huh?" Mark grinned as he looked at the young bundle of joy. "We shall see about that." Mark put her down. "Why don't you put something pretty on so we can go out." Looking at Ayla afterward I say. "As for us, we should do the same."

Ayla smiled and watched her daughter scamper off to her bedroom with a soft smile. She nodded a bit to follow Mark into their room. "What do you think of the ship's captain?"

Mark walked into the bedroom and started to shed his uniform as he thought about the question. "Jury is still out on that one. He's got to be good considering he's been appointed to this ship, I'd have thought an Admiral would have scooped it up for themselves when the opportunity arose. Saying that though I've only met him twice and honestly the real test is out in the field, not the safe confine of Earth orbit."

Mark then thought about the transition his Wife made from officer to civilian. "What about you, how are you doing out of uniform?"

"Still getting used to it." Ayla spoke, taking a glance in the mirror at her reflection. "I may apply to become a teacher onboard the ship. As a Temp or Volunteer." turning to face her husband. "I don't want to get too bored to spend all your money." A soft smile appeared as she looked at her husband's physique.

Mark grinned. "Oh I don't mind, I'm sure our daughter is getting to that size where she will start churning through the outfits rapidly, so shopping is to be expected. Maybe a thing or two for you if you can pull her out of the kid's shops." Mark turned as he pulled on a long sleeve shirt as he thought about Ayla being a teacher. "What subject would you teach?" Knowing that science contained a broad range of subjects within the field.

Finishing brushing her hair out, Ayla sat the brush down. "Science. I could even take a few of my classes on field trips to the ship's Science Department." Stood up as she smoothed out the simple pleasing yellow sundress. "I'm rea...."

"Squeeeaaah! Come on yooz slowpokes! No mushy stuff!" Miracle wailed from the other side of the closed door. "Iz reaaaadeeeee to goooo!"

Mushy stuff....that made Mark grin. "Alright, alright we are coming." Mark finished up and walked to the front door. "Ok folks, out the door, her highness needs feeding."

Ayla gave a soft squeak/giggle as she followed Mark, ready to go. Miracle scampered around the two and led the way. Once in the corridor, fell in step beside Mark. It was nice to have one of the rare outings. Maybe it'll be different now that there was now a variety of stores and shops aboard the ship.

Someone was clearly keen to eat and Mark shared that notion considering he'd not really eaten, but snacked at best. It was good to get out as a family again, didn't get to do it often because of all the changes that had taken place but tonight was going to be one of those good nights to enjoy.

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