<USS Avalon> Meeting the Family

Meeting the Family

by Lieutenant Second Class Alder Shimbrodus

"Alder," Henry smiled enthusiastically as he gave Alder a firm hug. Letting the 
grip ease to Alder?s shoulder?s he continued, "it?s good to see you again, 
cousin. Oh," Henry shifted, standing next to Alder, "I want you to meet my wife 
Kathleen and my kids Donna and Peter."

Kathleen walked up giving Alder a hug, "it?s good to finally meet you. Henry 
talks about you like no other." Her smile beamed through her brown hair, brown 
eyes, and delicate jaw line. It was the most impressive smile Alder saw. She 
then looked to her kids, "Donna, say hello to uncle Alder."

Alder laughed at the thought, "sorry. I just never thought of myself as an 
uncle."

Kathleen smiled more, "get use to it. And this is Peter."

Alder looked at them. Donna was a small girl, six years old with curls running 
past her shoulders. She had a dress on with daisies on them and matched her 
blond hair. She was shy, clinging to her mom as if she was looking at a 
complete stranger. Alder smiled more, to her he was probably was more of 
stranger than family. 

Peter was tall and skinny. Fourteen with an attitude that radiated from the way 
he looked at Alder. At first Alder wondered if he had done something to offend 
him, but realized it wasn?t him. Peter was playing the sullen teenager routine. 
He too had blond hair. Both kids took more on their mother?s features than 
their father?s. 

"So where?s Anthony? He couldn?t make it...?" Henry inquired leaving his 
questions hang in the air. He did that often as well and Alder had long since 
adapted to Henry?s ways.

They walked, trying to remain as a group while Bella held Peter?s and 
Kathleen?s hand. 

"We.. Uh, split. For a while," Alder began frowning as he struggled to 
formulate what he was trying to say.

"Oh, why? I mean, if I may ask, of course."

"Oh, we uh.. Had a falling out. It was brewing and well," he shifted 
uncomfortable as they made their way to the skimmer, "can we not about it?"

"That?s fine, no problem. I understand."

"Im so sorry, Alder. I know you just said you didn?t to talk about it, but is 
there a chance you two would be getting back together?" Kathleen looked at 
Alder as they stopped at the front of the terminal. 

"Kath," Henry gave a look at her.

"I?m just wondering, Henry. You said they were really happy and everything. And 
honestly we both wanted to meet him. I?m just wondering, that?s all. I know I?m 
being real nosey but..."

Alder gave a small smile while he nodded, "no it?s okay. I.. Don?t know if we 
will get back together. I?m not even on speaking terms with him unless it has 
to do with our job. I think it?s best we spend some time apart. It?s given me 
time to think."

"I see," Kathleen said softly. Her attitude changed a little as she wondered 
what to say now. Even Henry fell silent. Alder had no intentions of having the 
night ruined just because he had his own personal problems to deal with. Alder 
did miss Anthony, but he was doing his best not to dwell on it. It won?t be the 
first time Alder was lied to. He just hoped that Anthony wasn?t the rest of the 
people in Alder?s past. 

"Well, let?s not just stand here, Henry, the skimmer."

"Yes, master," Henry replied rolling his eyes as he got the skimmer.

A smile formed on Alder?s lips, "I understand," Alder turned to Kathleen, "you 
suggested a restaurant."

Kathleen?s smile returned, "yes, Casperia Moon. You?ll love it."

The skimmer stopped in front of them, Kathleen got her kids into the car as 
Alder took the back with them. Donna seemed a little more trusting as she began 
talking about her day with crayons, hand painting, and basically playing 
around. Peter had looked elsewhere, making Alder smile at the teen?s attitude.

                        
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