Last One In

Posted on Sun Oct 7, 2018 @ 11:12pm by Spencer Aravan & Commodore Michael Aravan

Mission: An Oceanic Shoreleave
Location: Pacifica Resort
Timeline: MD 38 || 1200 Hours

The Triumphant came out of transwarp after three long days and six hundred times that in complaints by the Engineering department and one Chief Engineer who claimed that being on such a ship was detrimental to her health. With her resignation, the Bolian Assistant Chief Engineer merely stepped up once again into the role of Acting Chief Engineer and assured the Captain that yes, the tricore could handle it and no, it wasn't in danger of blowing up.

In the Commodore's quarters, one very relaxed Michael Aravan finished packing the last of what he, Spencer and their two children would need. He wore brightly colored Hawaiian board shorts which came to his knees, sandals and a white t-shirt that read "Shore Leave Or Bust" on the front in black letters.

The crew rotation for shore leave was in effect, the Yeoman knew how to take care of his bonsai trees, and the duty personnel who were not going down first had been promised a bonus shift of downtime when they went back on active duty.

Michael double checked several PADDs before he looked around. "Spencer, are Mikey and Ava almost ready? We beam down in ten minutes," he asked his wife.

"Yes," she called out from the kids' bedroom. While they were almost ready, Spencer wasn't. Her attention had been focused on packing and making sure that everyone else was ready that she'd put her own needs to the side, but that was also the sign of a good wife and mother. Not only that, though, it would take her no time to get dressed so they could be on their way. "Can you come get Mikey?"

He put the PADDs down after loading the contents to the computer, then headed into the bedroom to bed their son. "Come on, little man. You're going to get to see a real sun and water! I bet you're really excited for that, aren't you?"

Despite his father asking him questions, the little boy was more interested in the inflatable green flamingo his Mom replicated for him to play with in the water. The little guy hugged it to his chest and refused to let it go. His older sister learned the hard way when trying to get it from him earlier in the day just to take a look at it, but then, Ava had her inflatable ice cream cone, which was good enough for her.

And, speaking of the little girl, she made her way into the living room where her father and brother were while her Mom got dressed. "Can we has a fishy, Daddy?"

"We'll see, Princess," Michael said, which was the most of a commitment that he could give at the moment. "Are you ready to go swimming and have fun?"

"A foof!" the little boy exclaimed. It was his word for fish, and now he was incredibly excited. So much so, he was bouncing in his father's arms.

Ava looked to her little brother, then back to her Dad with a bright smile. "Yesh."

"Maybe we'll find Dory," he said with a sly grin.

"And bring Dory home!" the little girl said with a bright smile.

"Let's see what mommy has to say," Michael said. "Spencer, are you about ready?" he called out.

"I'm coming," Spencer called back out to him as she finished up the final touches on her pony tail, then made her way out to where her family was waiting for her. "Sorry, sorry. I wanted to make sure the kids were good to go before I got ready. I'm pretty sure we've got everything we need. What we don't have, we can get while we're there."

"There was no need to rush," he said with a smile. "Our transporter spot is guaranteed no matter what. I just want off this flying can of tuna and into some real sunlight." He moved over to take a couple of the heaviest bags in his hands and gave her a kiss.

"Well, you did say we had to leave in ten minutes, and that was about nine minutes ago, so I figured I needed to hustle," his wife told him as she scooped the baby up and settled him on her hip.

"Wait, you actually listened to me?" Michael joked with a smile. "Here I thought people had to be lower ranked before they paid attention to what I said."

Spencer just stared at him. "Of course, I listened to you, butthead. I listen to you all the time even when you don't think I am," she clarified, reaching to take Ava's hand. Like everyone else, she was looking forward to getting off of the floating tin can and relaxing with her toes in the sand. "Don't hate me, but I got us a suite in the same resort Piper and Gage are staying at. I prefer to keep the kids on dry land and not under the water. Not that we can't do a few tours while we're there, though."

"Is it an underwater resort for at least some of it?" he asked as he headed for the door. "I'd really like to see that while laying down for the night..or getting frisky under the sea."

"Can we get fwisky, too?" Ava asked, looking up at her father with expectant blue eyes.

"I'll let you deal with that one," his wife said, giving him a look as she picked up the last couple of bags and made her way to the door.

Michael gave a belly laugh and looked at his daughter. "Frisky means to play, Princess," he said. "And I know you like to play, right?" He turned and secured their quarters once Spencer was out with the kids. "Next stop, transporter room and paradise."

"'kay," the little girl said with a bright smile, seemingly happy with such an explanation. "Can Ava and brudder have a poskible?" For being three, there were some words that she still struggled with, and popsicle just happened to be one of them.

Spencer couldn't help but light up when she heard her daughter's question. She absolutely adored how her children said some words and found herself a bit sad that they would all eventually grow out of it. "We'll see what we can do, princess," she said to her daughter, then looked to her husband. "And yes, you and I will be spending a couple nights alone in an underwater hotel. Piper and Gage wanted to keep the kids for a couple days, so I worked a little magic."

"We'll have to do the same for them," he said before he looked at Ava with a smile. "What kind of popsicle do you want, Princess?"

Ava looked up at her Dad with a bright smile. "A gween one, and Mikey wantsa wed one."

"I'm not so sure that Piper, or Gage for that matter, are going to want to part with their little man given how young he still is. We can start with a few hours, and work our way from there," his wife stated.

"Then that's what you'll both get," Michael promised before he looked at his wife as they came to the turbolift and boarded it. "Deck nine. I remember how you were when Ava was just born and I know you're right about Piper and Gage."

Spencer moved into the turbolift with their children and got them situated. She really couldn't wait to be on the surface soaking up some sun, though, she didn't feel she earned it as much as the crew did. They were the ones who did all of the work. "And I know I'll be that way when the twins are born, too. It's hard parting with your little ones in the beginning."

"I remember when Ava was first born and then Mikey," he said as the turbolift began to head to their destination. "And I don't blame you at all. I've wanted to leave the bridge at times just to go and spend time with you and them. I hate working so many long hours."

"You've got time with us now, and that's what matters," Spencer said, adjusting her hold on the baby. "You'll only be called away if you're absolutely needed, so enjoy the time you have with us now. Besides, we all know you're busy, and don't hold it against you."

"I hold it against me when I miss all the little firsts that the munchkins do," Michael said as the turbolift came to a halt. When the door swished open, he motioned for her to lead the way.

Spencer knew what he meant. "But, we're going to have two more rounds of firsts."

"And I'll still be on duty," he responded as they headed for the transporter room. "I think I'm going to give Maddy more bridge time since she's a Captain now. She can call me when it hits the fan."

"If you want her to resign, go for it," Spencer said, getting the kids up onto the transporter pad. "Maddy might be a Captain, but she isn't the Commanding Officer of this ship. She's the Executive Officer. And while that means it's her job to see to it that your life is a bit easier, extra bridge time isn't going to go the way you want it to. Besides, she does her share of bridge duty, as should the rest of your senior staff."

"Then I guess I get to do the same amount of work as always," Michael said as they entered the transporter room. "Which means long hours and migraines, but it's worth it when I come back to you and the kids at the end of the day."

Spencer looked toward her husband. "You do have department heads for a reason, Michael. They can handle bridge duty, too. Just like with Maddy, they're capable of calling you when it hits the fan."

"I'm aware of that just as you're aware that I like to have my top and most trusted officer in the center seat when I'm not there," he responded as he stepped up on the transporter pad. "After all, that used to be you."

"Once upon a time, it used to be me. Life had other plans for me, though," she said with a frown.

"And it will have bigger plans for you when the newest additions to our family is born," Michael said before he looked at the transporter chief. "Energize."

A moment later, they appeared at their resort destination and a warm salty breeze ruffled their hair and blew in their faces in refreshing bursts. Michael took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he looked up and let the rays of Pacifica's sun warm his face in a way that artificial lighting never could.

Spencer couldn't really recall the last time she'd set foot on an actual planet. Years had passed since she'd been back to Earth. Likely when she was attending the Academy, which felt like ages ago. The mother of two, soon to be four, knew by the end of this trip, she wouldn't want to go back to the ship. "I already feel completely at ease, and we only just got here."

Ava, who was still holding her Mom's hand, lit up like a Christmas tree at the sight displayed before her. "Daddy! We go play now?"

Michael reluctantly turned his face from the sun and opened his eyes to look at his little girl. "After we get checked in, sweetheart. You don't want daddy losing your stuff, do you?" he asked as he lifted the two big suitcases he carried.

The little girl shook her head while her mother smiled. "Then, let's go get checked in so we can start having some fun. It shouldn't take too long to do."

He headed into the resort with his family and made short work of checking in, then they were led to their spacious double floor suite. The first floor was above water and had two bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, kitchenette, a open air living room facing the setting sun. The second floor was underwater, a fail safe put in place in the event something were to happen, with transparent aluminum windows that revealed a plethora of aquatic life, another two bedrooms and sonic shower, a pressurized exit airlock for underwater entrance and exit, and several terminals that were loaded with guides of the local marine life and sites.

Spencer looked around the room in total awe. This was much better than even she could have imagined, and she was quite impressed with the layout. Not only that, but they had access to underwater scenery whenever they wanted. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad. The kids would be able to safely watch the marine life without running the risk of getting hurt, which was always a concern of hers. "This place is absolutely beautiful, Michael, but it's definitely not what I booked," she settled their son down on the ground so he could explore with his sister while Mom moved toward her husband. She leaned in and kissed him with a genuine smile. "Thank you." Though, a large part of her hoped her sister and brother-in-law got such a great upgrade as well.

"I forgot to tell you," he said with a smile. "I upgraded us. After I got promoted to Commodore, I realized that I could indulge my wonderful family a bit more. I hope you don't mind. I did the same for Piper and Gage."

Her smile grew even more after his admission. "You are the best, Mikey, and I love you."

"I love you, too," Michael said and leaned over to give her a kiss. "Now let's drop this stuff and go enjoy some surf and sun. The kids need their poskibles."

"Then, let's get their poskibles and go enjoy the outdoors," she suggested.

With a smile, he set the suitcases down and reached for their son and settled him in the crook of his arm and gestured for her to lead the way. "To paradise, my fearless wife!"