Letters from home.

Posted on Tue May 19th, 2026 @ 4:35pm by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost & Lieutenant Acacia Thomas

1,557 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Hand That Rocks The Babe
Location: Jack's Quarters
Timeline: Backpost: Before Arrival in System.

They'd settled into something of a routine with Dalia and evenings when Jack returned to their quarters often found Acacia curled in the soft cushions of the rocker nursing her. She'd barely bit back a laugh at his expression that first time. She imagined that he'd never considered her breasts in the context for which they were designed before that moment. If she didn't miss her guess she'd say he enjoyed watching her nurse Dalia, more than she enjoyed the process.

"Do you think...?" Acacia's voice trailed off as if uncertain if she should voice the question in the universe. Sighing, she looked into Jack's blue eyes and then spoke the piece that was weighing on her "Do you think we should tell our parents?"

Jack carefully considered her question given how things went with his father in the past. Still though he refused to let his father shape the man he would become as a father because of it. "Yes, we should." The reservation was clear in his voice but he knew that he couldn't be like his father, he'd be better. "I'm done caring what he thinks or wants, it's my life to shape."

Acacias smile was gentle as she reached out her hand to entwine their fingers. "Its our life, wether he likes it or not." Giving him a tug so that he would sit beside her, she snuggled into him.

"Should we start with your mother?"

"Probably the best to start with, at least if she knows first she can bring dad under control before anything happens." Jack spoke. He hated that his father tried to mold his career just because he was a General. Living in that shadow at first was good because of the fear of what might happen if they wronged Jack. That day when Jack stood firm and told him that it was his life was when the rift grew far and wide.

"Plus I think she'd enjoy being the first to be told." Jack answered as he sat himself in the chair.

"He knew i was pregnant" she said simply, and she was betting based on the lack of frantic calls that he hadnt told her.

"Knew and accepting are two very different things for him. You know that." Jack replied. "You know how he first reacted to you, and not well."

"I know" she chuckled and rested her head on his shoulder "He made a lot of assumptions about us didnt he? I am betting you breakfast on the Promenade, given how he behaved that he never told her either."

"It would not surprise me, because it doesn't conform to his plan for me." Jack answered, suspecting that Acacia was right about that.


"Is it a bet?" Her voice was teasing as she gently removed Dalia from her breast and tucked herself back into the sarong like shirt.

"You can call her now."

"Yeah I'll call her." Jack wondered who would answer first, but he'd face it when the time came. He walked to the wall mounted screen and established a link to home.

"Here goes."

She moved slightly out of the field of view so that the surprise of the baby would be fully visible to Jack. She felt he probably needed to see her full and unvarnished reaction.

The connection was established and thankfully it was his mother that answered first. "Hey mom." Jack spoke.

His mom looked older, drained. Nothing like the younger passionate woman he remembered her to be. "Jason, it's so good to see you, I'm glad you called, how have you been?"

"Good, busy, but good. I uh......got a bit of a surprise for you." Jack waved for Acacia to join him.

The puff of scarlet fuzz Dalia had been born with had turned into tiny red curls, and Acacia had run a baby brush through them while she waited. She stepped into the frame with the baby in the crook of her arm. Dalia was awake and had those spectacular blue eyes open.

"Ohhh my god....." She spoke, hands coming to her mouth.

"Mom, meet Dalia." Jack stepped aside a little to give the baby centre stage.

"Acacia sweetheart, you look well." Angela spoke. "Congratulations, both of you"


"Im better now that were together again" her eyes crinkled at the corners with her smile.

"Is Dad home?" Jack asked.

"No, he's at a conference." Angela replied. "It's been a while. I'm glad you both are ok."

"You're taking this rather well." Acacia observed quietly as she looked between Jack and his mother.

"Taking what well dear?" Angela spoke.

Acacia gave Jack a look that very clearly asked if she should tell her the whole story.

"Yeah, probably should." Jack spoke.

Nodding her head, Acacia focused on the screen and said "He" and she gave the word a sour emphasis to indicate Jacks father "has known that I was pregnant for 6 months. I am guessing that he didnt tell you, in the same way he didnt allow me to tell Jack."

There was a measured look on Angela's face, hard, calculating. it was like she was taking in what she was just told and etching it into stone for all time. "6 months.....?" Angela finally spoke.

"He actively tried to discourage me from even letting Jack know that i was pregnant. How many messages did he intercept during that time?" She looked to Jack, knowing he had a count somewhere.

"I sent them to the family inbox." Jack sent a copy of his sent logs for Angela to compare. Her face said plenty. She looked deeper into the information but it was clear on her face when she came to the conclusion.

"I will take this up with him when he get's home." Angela spoke, in a voice that left little doubt that a war of her own was about to be waged.

"I am sure" and she gave a little chuckle "I am also sure at some point you will want to meet her. You, are welcome at any time. I cannot guarentee he will not be harmed should he show his face."

"I shall see what I can do about visiting, I understand you go away on deployments often but I'll see if I can meet you somewhere during a lay over for leave." Angela spoke, though her mind was already swirling on how to deal with her Husband.

"Do you prefer Grandma, or some other term?" Acacia asked quietly wondering if the human had a preference.

"Grandma is just fine sweetie." Angela spoke trying to lighten her mood with the focus on the child but it was obvious to everyone that there was much more going on behind those eyes.

Jack knew that from looks alone that something was going to happen and while he was glad to keep his family away from it, he knew that things at home were about to wage into something far more costly for the General.

Her eyes were guarded as she glanced up at Jack. Her hand found his and squeezed hard. She was surprised to find herself trembling a little. Hell hath no fury, like a woman scorned...and this woman had been scorned over her grandbaby.

Angela sent over her professional contact details for her work. "If you could send any future correspondence to there, to ensure I get it."

Jack could see his mother meant business, she wasn't happy but she was going to deal with it later. "I'd very much like some pictures for my desk at the office if that is alright?"

"I have ultrasound and maternity photos as well if you would like. We also have a newborn set that are quite sweet. I will send the lot and you can pick and choose."

"Thank you dear. I'd appreciate it." Angela looked off to one side, a scowl formed. "If you'd excuse me, someone is at my door. Please send the pictures though and do call more often, one or both of you, we should keep in touch."

"Of course" she tapped the button to end the call and looked up at Jack. "I think your mother might actually end your father."

"What he did was wrong, everyone knows it. He may be a master tactician but this is a fight hes not prepared for." Jack spoke wondering what was going to happen at home between his parents.

"Do you think he'll apologize?"

"No, he will try and say it was due to operational requirements or something military." Jack answered. "But somethings are far more personal than a battlefield he's used to and mom may not be military but I suspect he's about to find out how she wages a war."

"I wish i could watch" she said wistfully as she pressed herself against his back, sliding under his arm.

"Me too honestly. I don't think there is a marine squad anywhere that would step between those two." Jack said as he tried to picture it in his head. "If anything I suspect he will live on base and say its needed."

"I guess the story will have to come to us through appropriate channels. " her eyes twinkled lightly. She knew just how well those channels worked.

"Yeah." Jack spoke. "Hungry?" He was, but he could wait if needs be.

"Starving. Lets go to dinner."

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