49 – Homework on the Shore

“Very good.” Laura smiled down at the girl seated next to her. “Go on?”

“Kay.” Shawna bent back over the book. “And…then the prince de…de..decided to go find the princess…”

As Shawna continued reading the story, Laura gazed across the schoolyard, a smile playing across her lips. When they’d realized Shawna would have to wait until the older girls had returned from their flying lessons to be walked home, she’d decided that they’d wait outside, since it was such a beautiful afternoon, so here they were, Shawna reading a fairy tale to Laura as they leaned against a tree, enjoying its shade. Sandra had stopped by during lunch to let Laura know the piano had been delivered and was set up, so now Laura just had to wait for Bill and Kara to stop by and pick her up on their way home. Suddenly, she realized Shawna had asked her something. “Sorry…what?”

“I said, you and Adml Bill are like the prince and princess, aren’t you?” She beamed up at Laura. “Cause you’re in love?”

“I suppose so.” She smiled and ran her hand over Shawna’s hair, which she’d braided before they’d opened the book. “We are definitely in love, so maybe we are.”

“Cause you have horses too, like the prince and princess.” Shawna nodded definitively. “And you live in a castle…”

“We live in a house, not a castle.” Laura laughed. “But, it is in the middle of the woods, sort of.”

“See.” Shawna giggled. “Like the prince and princess.”

“I suppose so.” Laura repeated, wrapping her arm around Shawna and hugging her before pointing toward the road. “And there’s my prince now.”

“But he’s not on his horse.” Shawna whispered in Laura’s ear.

“Neither am I.” Laura handed Shawna the book as they stood up to meet the group approaching them. “Do you want to take the book home to finish? Miss Dee or Elosha can help you with the words you don’t understand.”

“Can I just read some at home, and finish it with you tomorrow?” She looked up at Laura hopefully. “Or I could come home with you and the Adml…”

“Not tonight sweetie, but yes, we can finish it tomorrow.” Laughing, she bent and kissed Shawna’s head.

“Hello there.” Bill stopped in front of them.

“Hello Adml Prince.” Shawna beamed up at him.

“Hello…Princess Shawna.” He bowed slightly and took her hand, kissing it.

“And Princess Laura.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Of course.” Chuckling, he took Laura’s hand and leaned forward, kissing her lightly. “Hello there.”

“Hi.” She rested her forehead against his, “missed you.”

“About time.” At her giggle, he grinned. “Ready?”

“We were just waiting for you all to get back so Miss Shawna would be accompanied on her way home.” Laura glanced down at the girl and smiled as one of the teenagers broke off from the group and moved toward them.

“Ready kiddo?” She held out her hand. “Thanks again Admiral, we’ll see you in a few days.”

“See you then.” He nodded at her.

“Bye Miss Laura, Adml.” Shawna took the girls hand and followed her as she moved away.

“You ready?” Bill leaned forward and kissed her again. “Princess Laura.”

“She was reading fairy tales, decided that you and I were like the prince and princess.” Laura shrugged. “Because we have horses and live in a castle.”

“Ah. Logic.” He chuckled as Kara joined them.

“You two ready yet?” Her eyebrow rose.

“Let me just grab my bag and lock up.” Laura dropped Bill’s hand. “Two minutes, promise.”

“Counting.” Kara sighed. “Come on, Tam and I are going out tonight, and I want to get a workout in first.”

Promptly two minutes later, Laura returned, her bag over her shoulder and wrapping her arm around Bill’s. “So how’d they do today?”

“Good.” Bill took the bag from Laura as they fell into step with Kara. “Inquisitive kids.”

“Yeah. Hey, we gave them some math to do.” Kara shrugged. “Basic jump computations and stuff.”

“Once we figure out more of a structured curriculum, we can work with you and the other schools to integrate the work.” Bill added.

“Practicals.” Laura nodded thoughtfully. “Makes sense.”

“Yeah. Just don’t see why I ended up with homework too.” Kara glanced over her shoulder with a frown.

“I just asked for some input on the current training program, and your thoughts on how it can be adapted for civilians, or younger people.” Bill shrugged. “That’s all.”

“If it makes you feel any better,” Laura’s smile widened. “I have to grade both math papers as well as essays tonight.”

“Yeah, but you’re a teacher.” Kara sighed and shook her head.

“You do?” Bill leaned his head toward hers.

“Mmm. And before you start, I know that briefcase isn’t just for show either. And if you finish early, you can help me with the math homework.” She brushed a kiss across his cheek.

“Still.” Kara sighed as they turned up the walkway to the apartment, Bill and Laura exchanging a glance behind her back. “It’s like being a grown up, you shouldn’t have to do homework…”

“Welcome to the real world, Starbuck.” Bill chuckled as she opened the door.

“Yeah. You guys want something to drink while you grab the books?” She led them into the living room. “I can manage coffee if you want, or something…” her voice trailed off. “What the…” her bag hit the ground with a thump as she took a step toward the piano against the wall.

“Looks good there.” Wrapping his arms around Laura, Bill rested his chin on her shoulder.

“It does.” She turned her head and kissed his cheek before settling into his embrace.

Kara reached out toward the piano, her hand trembling slightly before she looked back at them. “For me?”

“If you’d like.” Laura smiled. “Suzanne helped us pick it out, she said it had character, and having met you, she thought you’d like this one as opposed to a new one.”

“I do. I mean, it looks like…” She turned to stare at it again, reaching out to open the large envelope on the music rack. Pulling out several pieces of music, she read the brief note on top. “It’s from Suzanne, she said I should come by any time to get some more music, she wasn’t sure what I’d like, so she put some of the stuff my dad did together to get me started.” Her eyes filling with tears, she looked at them. “You got me a piano…”

“Yeah.” Bill grinned at her. “We did.”

“You…” Abruptly, she crossed the room and flung her arms around them, eliciting a giggle from Laura, sandwiched between them. “Thank you…”

“You are very welcome.” Bill chuckled.

“Breathe.” Laura managed to get out, laughing as they separated slightly so she could breathe. “Thank you.”

“I have to call Tam…” Kara sniffed and wiped at her face with her sleeve. “I think I want to stay in tonight…”

“She’ll understand.” Reaching up, Laura touched Kara’s cheek. “I’m glad…we didn’t want to overstep, but we thought you’d like it.”

“I do.” She threw her arms around Laura again. “More than you’ll ever…no one ever…”

“Shh.” Laura eased Kara down onto the couch, rocking her gently. “It’s okay, Kara, just let it out.”

“Here.” Bill handed Laura a glass and set a box of tissues on the table in front of them.

“Thanks.” Laura set the glass on the table and grabbed a tissue, handing it to Kara. “Here you go.” After she’d blown her nose, Laura handed her the glass. “And here….better?”

“Sorry.” Kara took a swallow of the water then managed a weak grin. “Don’t know where that came from.”

“So, you like it?” Bill grinned down at her.

“Yeah. Almost as good as getting my own Viper?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t push it.” He chuckled and ruffled her hair.

“You have your choice of the ones at the airfield.” Laura added, standing. “We’ll let you bond with your piano.”

“Let us know when you’re ready for an audience.” Bill added softly, picking up Laura’s bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

“You’ll be the first.” Kara jumped up and threw her arms around first Bill then Laura as he headed toward the door. “Thank you.”

“It makes you happy.” She replied softly. “We’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Kara glanced at the piano once more. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Believe it.” Leaning forward, Laura kissed Kara’s forehead. “Have a good evening.”

“Staying in.” Kara grinned. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Never.” She giggled. “No one would believe me…”

“Probably not.” Kara waited as they stepped through the door and closed it softly behind them.

“Kara overwhelmed.” Bill chuckled as Laura slipped her arm through his free one. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Bet you anything she just sits and stares at it for a few hours before she manages to start playing.” Laura glanced up at him.

“Not taking that one.” He squeezed her hand. “Not at all.”

Several hours later, they were on opposite ends of the couch in front of the fireplace, a blanket covering their entwined legs, with the kitten sleeping on top of the blanket when Laura giggled.

“What?” Bill glanced up from the papers he was looking at.

“Meeting Admiral Adama was very cool.” She read and looked up at him. “You’re cool.”

“Warm right now.” He lifted an eyebrow.

“Want to hear the rest?” Laura smiled.

“Not really, just hit me with the highlights.” Bill chuckled and shifted slightly, eliciting a soft meow from the kitten.

“Hmm…let’s see.” She scanned down the page. “Oh, here…I never got to meet the Admiral before, but he came down to New Caprica sometimes to see the idiot and would visit Miss Laura too. And he came back for us. And Miss Laura. Cause she’s the best teacher ever.”

“Like this kid.” Bill nodded. “Good judge of character.”

“Love her topic, and she did use it properly, but I may have to mark off for the idiot part.” Laura giggled. “But, continuing…and when he would talk to the ships, everyone would listen, even people who didn’t like him. But I always liked his voice, you could tell he was in charge. And now, when I got to meet him, he was the nicest Admiral I ever met, even though he was the only one I ever met. And he flies Vipers and Raptors and might teach me to someday. Or Starbuck might. But I want the Admiral to teach me. Because he’s the best Admiral ever.”

“Did I mention I like this kid? Who is it?” Setting his paperwork down, he held out his hand.

“Stephanie. She’s nine.” Laura handed him the essay. “There’s more.”

“Can I grade this one?” He scanned the paper. “Good penmanship.”

“You can read it, but you can’t grade it.” She giggled again and picked up another essay. “I don’t think you’re exactly impartial about the subject.”

“I can’t help if it your students have good taste. Besides,” he added. “She said you were the best teacher ever.”

“Yes, but I’m trained to overlook that sort of comment.” Laura looked up over her glasses at him. “You might be a bit swayed at it.”

“I’d give her top marks for the idiot comment alone.” He chucked and looked back at the essay.

“Making my point.” She retorted, already reading the next essay. “Besides, it’s not the best one about you I’ve read.”

“There’s more?” He blinked.

“Maybe.” She frowned slightly and made a mark on the paper. “Need that one back when you’re done.”

“How many more do you have?” Reaching out he picked up his glass and took a swallow as he read.

“About ten more. Then there’s the math.” Laura held out her hand and waited for him to put the glass in it before she continued. “I don’t see why they complain, never have. For every piece of homework, we have to grade all of them.” She took a sip from the glass and handed it back to him. “Luckily, it’s still the junior classes so the essays are relatively short. How much more do you have?”

“Two more reports, then I can help you with the math.” Setting the glass back on the table, he handed the essay back to Laura.

“And then we can do our own…math.” Absently, he reached down and rubbed her foot as he returned his attention to his report.

“I’ll read faster.” She sighed softly as he trailed his fingers along her instep. “Bill, not helping.”

“Or we could finish in the morning.” He suggested.

“Nope. Tonight.” She pulled her foot out of his reach, her bent knee causing the kitten to meow and jump up on the back of the couch, where it stared at them balefully. “Sorry, Lucky.” When the kitten’s response was to meow and turn with a flick of its tail before jumping off the back of the couch, she sighed. “Whatever.”

“Read faster.” Bill chuckled and turned a page, resting his hand on her foot when she slid it back down again.

Twenty minutes later, Laura had relocated herself to Bill’s end of the couch, lying between his legs, her head resting on his shoulder. “Bill…”

“Hey, we’re grading math together.” He nuzzled her ear. “Or doing math.”

“Mmm.” She marked the paper she was holding and handed it to him, moving on to the next one as he set the paper on the stack already on the table. “Is that a three or a five?”

“Does it matter? It’s supposed to be a six.” He chuckled, sliding his hand up under her shirt.

“Guess not.” Laura marked the problem and moved on. “Bill…three more papers. That’s all.”

“Promises, promises.” He sighed and moved the hand to rest on her stomach.

“Well, you know I keep them.” She handed him the paper. “Two now.’

“Grade faster.” Bill set the paper to the side and nuzzled the side of her head, finding her ear lobe and biting down on it gently. “Miss Laura.”

“Bill.” Laura groaned softly, her eyes falling shut for a moment. “Two math papers. You can hold on that long…”

“Suppose so.” He pulled the tie of her sweat pants.

“Stop.” Her free hand clamped down on his hand before it could go lower. “You promised to behave while I finished.”

“So I did.” With a sigh, he dropped his head back. “Strict Miss Laura.”

“Yes,” With a giggle, she handed him the next to last paper, waiting as he stretched over to set it on the stack. “But you’ve never complained about it before.”

“Not helping, Roslin.” Bill groaned.

“Like you have been, Adama?” She scanned the paper, checking the answers. “And…done.”

“Good.” Practically grabbing the paper he tossed it toward the stack and twisted so she was under him. “About time.”

“Business before…” Laura groaned and let her head drop back. “Gods…”

“Like that, Miss Laura?” He lifted his head and gazed at her.

“Shut up and get to the…” Her voice broke off with another groan as he followed instructions.

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