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A Birthday Surprise: Captains Quarters

Posted Feb. 6, 2020, 7:12 a.m. by Captain Dante Knight (Commanding Officer) (David Shotton)

He came awake early, earlier than usual. It might have been because as a Captain, he was used to waking when he intended to do work or look at reports without the need of an alarm clock. It might have been because as a Husband, he was likely more excited about today that Natasha was and was sleeping lightly in anticipation. It might also have been because as a Father, Oscar had stirred and he had come awake instantly in case their son started making the bu-bub-ub-bub sounds that he had discovered his mouth could make and now chatted away almost as much as Natasha did during every waking moment. While that was cute and adorable most days, Dante couldn’t have Oscar wake Natasha early on this day. All Dante wanted to do, however, was wake her in that special way he knew she liked to be woken, to see her lips curl into a smile and watch as her eyes opened slowly, but that would have to be tomorrow, because this morning was far more important.

He turned his head, lifting it slightly so that the pressure of the pillow didn’t change too much and wake her, and seeing that her eyes were still closed, Dante slowly moved himself towards the edge of the bed. It took minutes, but eventually Dante reached the edge and rolled off it and to his feet in a smooth and silent movement that would have made any cat-burglar proud. He took one step, only to hear Bub as his foot came down and he froze, his eyes darted to the bed but Natasha was still sleeping. Another step and the ub-bub sound came again and this time he looked at Oscar, who was lying in his crib smiling at Dante and for all the world, Dante would have sworn the baby was making sound effects to his footsteps. You know you are terrible at this sneaking out thing Oscar thought as he watched his daddy head towards him. But, your awake now, you can get me that bottle of yummies, Oscar grinned and started his um um mum sounds that meant he was hungry, and it was time for the providers to provide.

Oscar stopped bu-bub-ub‘ing and thought for a moment as Dante leaned over the crib. When his daddy fed him he used the bottle that mummy left him the night before, it wasn’t as fresh or as yummy as mummy was, but it would have to do. Oscar grinned then, but it wasn’t meant for Dante who by now was picking him up and sneaking out to the living area with him. The bottle meant that he could tease that scaly thing that his parents kept around to dispose of food scraps and chase the red ball thing.

“Alrighty, you know what day it is today?” Dante said to Oscar as the door to the bedroom slid shut behind him, Yeah, today is bottle day, not mummy breakfast day Oscar gurgled back and glanced over to where Bruce was heading in their direction. No silly, Bruce corrected him, daddy is up first, that means today is bacon, pancakes and bacon day Bruce slowed to a stop and his tongue flicked out for good measure. Look at that stupid smile he’s got Bruce began to teach Oscar the secret tells of his parents, he had been slowly doing it for a while now, and he was proud in that brotherly kind of way seeing Oscar put his suggestions to good use more than once. He might not be able to walk yet, or sit up by himself longer than three seconds, but the kid was learning. That smile means he’s got something planned that mummy doesn’t know about. Usually, that just makes her get grumpy with him and they argue for a bit, then they lock themselves in the bedroom and make a mess. Before that, is the bacon and coffee ritual though Bruce flicked his tongue out once again.

“Okay boys,” Dante said, placing Oscar on the floor of their quarters and propping him up with a mountain of cushions that had seemingly appeared in their quarters at an ever growing rate. Dante was sure they were breeding, and Natasha swore she wasn’t buying more every other day. “Today, is mummy’s birthday. That is about the most important day of the year to everybody here,” he leaned down and adjusted Oscar’s clothing to make sure it was secure. “I’ll give you a hint buddy, if mummy ever tells you that she doesn’t want you to make a big deal or a fuss about her birthday, note that down because she wants the exact opposite. In fact, it’s the one time where if you do exactly as she says, she won’t speak to you for the entire night and next day even though she is fine. Remember that buddy, that’s daddy lesson number one.”

“Bruce, watch the door,” Dante said to the big lizard and walked to the replicator, already getting Natasha’s birthday breakfast ready. Are you insane? Bruce flicked his tongue out and didn’t move, You want me to move away from the bacon? Really? Have we forgotten about what happened last time we tried this? “Bruce, Oh all right, go watch the door and I’ll give you a plate of bacon, okay.” Dante paused, then motioned to the door, he couldn’t have Nat wake up yet and no warning be given. Now you’re talkin my language boss Bruce flicked his tongue out and looked at Oscar, sit tight, don’t move, I got this he said and moved to the door under Oscars watchful gaze. Oh you are so the comedian Oscar fired back at him, You know the only reason they feed you bacon is to plump you up so they can turn your skin into shoes, right? I saw it on an episode of Klingon Crafting with Kurz, mummy left it on the console one day when that lady Ally was around. Bruce however said nothing, he was far too focused on listening through the door for when Natasha stirred, she always did when Dante began to make the coffee, so it was always the last thing he put on the tray of food.

With the food almost ready, Dante placed a gift wrapped box in front of Oscar, who immediately began to play with the bow that was tied to the present, bright gold, it was eye catching. “Alright buddy, here’s your big moment, your first present for mummy on the first birthday you have with her. This one’s on you though, alright?” Dante grinned as he adjusted Oscar again in the pillows, “I’ll give mummy my presents afterwards, and the big one much, much later when your sleeping.” He tried to adjust Oscar’s mop of hair slightly, but gave up almost immediately. Babies were supposed to have messy hair after all. hang on buddy Oscar looked up at his daddy, You didn’t get that thing we were looking at on that screen when I slipped over and fell on it, did you, I told you that wasn’t my choice, I just fell, Oscar looked at Bruce, tell him, it wasn’t what I chose! Without glancing back, Bruce’s tongue flicked out once more. Too late now, just focus on the bacon, nothing else matters, we’re committed. Oscar sighed and rolled his eyes, we’re doomed.

Dante put the last few touches to the tray of food that would be carried to the couch when Natasha woke up, then replicated the coffee, the strong scent filing the room quickly. Checking the bottle that he would soon be giving Oscar while Natasha had her breakfast, he looked at Bruce. “Alright buddy, your up. Bruce, go wake up mummy.” The big lizard came to his feet and his butt wagged back and forth as he swung his tail side to side, at least this was the fun part. As the doors opened for him and Bruce scurried inside towards the bed, Oscar, who was watching the large tail swing back and forth found himself sliding sideways as the pillows moved from the motion of his head and he found himself awkwardly lying to one side, his hand groping for the present and trying to pull himself upright once again.

“Computer, play birthday music,” Dante ordered, and as the sound of the big lizard climbing up on the bed without ceremony came through the doors, the computer began to play a jaunty birthday jig. Oh my god, Oscar said to himself, I am surrounded by barbarians.

Captain Knight, Oscar and Bruce


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