First Day at School

Posted on Sunday 16 October 2016 @ 05:39 by Lieutenant Commander David Tan

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Tan Quarters / School - Deck Eight
Timeline: MD9 - Morning
997 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

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=== Tan Quarters ===


The computer chirped, informing Lana and David that it was zero seven hundred ... David woke, but remained prone, eyes shut, wondering if he could get out of bed and stand without falling over. The champagne they had consumed the previous evening had taken it's toll on him. Finally, he rolled over, lowering his legs to the carpeted floor and made his way to the bathroom as Lana was getting up ...

They got the girls out of bed, telling them to wash and dress before breakfast. At the table, Mackenzie and Mia were excited to be going to their new school, though he could tell that his wife was trying hard not to show her nervousness at the prospect of teaching in the Merlin's first dedicated school. She ate, but David could see she was going through the motions, more to ensure that the girls didn't begin to worry. Once breakfast was done, he told the girls to go get their things ready while he cleared away the breakfast things. Lana got up to help but he told her to sit back down and enjoy her coffee. She smiled and he came around the table and took hold of her shoulders, leaning down to kiss the top of her head:

"You'll be fine, you do know that don't you ?" he said quietly, she placed her hands on his, nodding, "Good ... You are a damn good teacher Lana, you wouldn't have been appointed Head if you wasn't. All you are doing is swapping ground class rooms for those that happen to be lancing through space at unholy speeds." he grinned as she chuckled less nervous now than a moment ago. He stood and continued clearing the table as Mia ran into the room:

"I can't find my school shoes !" she exclaimed, with slightly more importance that the Federation collapsing around them would generate.

Sighing, Lana got up and ushered their youngest into the bedroom where Mackenzie was already on her fourth outfit. David walked past the door and looked in shaking his head before going back for the last of the breakfast things. Apparently, dressing for school wasn't as simple as he thought. finally, they were ready ...

He shuffled Mia, Mackenzie, and their Mother against one wall and took out their 'holo cam', despite objections he wanted a record of this day, given it was a milestone, not only for them, but for the ship too. After taking a couple of holo-pics, he set the timer and got in between the others. They sat on the settee Mia on Lana's knee and Mackenzie on his as the camera captured another image for their Family album. Once done he returned the camera to it's case and told the girls to get their bags. As they ran into their room he turned Lana around and kissed her softly, more for reassurance than anything else. Then they were ready to go .....


=== School - Deck Eight ===


Stepping off the turbo-lift they walked along the corridor. David could see two Officers and one Civilian, all women, stood talking, their Children, seemingly similar ages to Mia and Mackenzie, were chasing each other up and down the corridor. He could see Mia eager to go join in as Children do and let her hand go, but he could also feel Mackenzie's grip on his other hand tighten a fraction as Lana's two Teachers came over and the three began talking, he held back glancing down at her:

"You OK Sweetheart ?" she smiled but didn't reply. He knew immediately that she was more than likely nervous. While both his Children were happy, outgoing, and very funny little girls, both having that 'dry' sense of humour that constantly had their Parents in fits of laughter, Kenzie was a little less eager ti initially make new friends or insert herself into groups of her peers, he knelt down, glancing up to see that no-one was taking any notice that they had fallen behind, and Kenzie sat herself on his knee, "Listen Princess, you'll be just fine once you have met all your school friends, I'm certain."

"OK Daddy." she said, only half convinced.

"Well, if your going to have trouble getting to know everyone I'm sure the Captain will let me skip my duty shift's for the next few days, I could sit in with you, see if I can break the ice kinda thing ?" he said, seeing her trying hard not to smile now that she had solicited his sympathy vote, "In fact ! ... I think it's a great idea ... 'YES' ... I'll stay in school with you, we can have desks next to each other, but I don't want you copying off me you know, I think i'll go tell your Mummy and her Teachers that I'm starting school too." he said, seemingly getting more and more enthusiastic by the second, Mackenzie was off his knee as if electrocuted. Obviously, the thought of her Father sitting in class with her was totally unacceptable, not to mention probably on her top ten list of most embarrassing things a parent can do. She kissed him quickly and ran to Mia and the others, making friends as only children can do. He remained on his knee, feigning upset at her rejection of his idea and she looked back, blowing him a kiss. He caught it and placed it on his lips but remained in his apparent sulk. Dropping her bag she glanced at Mia, who almost telepathically knew she was needed, and both ran to David, throwing their arms around his neck.

"Don't worry Daddy, we'll be OK." They said in unison, Mia kissing him on one cheek while Kenzie duplicated the kiss on the other side, than they were gone ...

Lana waved and he mouthed 'Good Luck' ... As the doors closed he heard Lana:

"Hello everyone, I'm Mrs Tan. Welcome to your first day at school on the Merlin ........


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