5 – Learning to Live on the Shore

“Frak…” Pushing her door shut with her foot, Laura glanced at the clock as she kicked off her shoes and ran through her apartment. Bill was going to be here any minute to pick her up for dinner with her family, and she’d lost track of time while at the school…and then right as she was finishing up, she still wasn’t exactly sure how it happened, but, she’d ended up with paint in her hair. Turning the water on, she pulled her skirt off and unbuttoned her blouse, dropping it on a chair before returning to the bathroom.

“Laura?” Bill closed the door behind him, surprised that she wasn’t pacing the floor waiting for him. “Laura? Where…” As the sound of water running registered, he chuckled and followed it, dropping the two bags he’d brought with him just inside the bedroom door. “Laura?”

“Hey.” Pulling the curtain back, she blinked out at him. “Sorry, running late, got distracted, paint in my hair…”

“Paint in your hair?” Amused, he leaned against the wall as she retreated behind the curtain again. “Need some help?”

“No.” Laura giggled. “We’ll be a few minutes late, which is bad enough.” Leaning back, she rinsed the conditioner out of her hair. “You help me, we’ll be a lot late. And it’s my father, remember?”

“Indeed I do.” When the water shut off, he grabbed a towel off the rack and handed it to her as she stepped out. When she reached up to wrap it around her hair, he used the other towel to start drying her off.

“I’ll take that.” Deftly, she grabbed the second towel out of his hand, eluding his grasp as she twisted by him. “How was your day?”

“Fine.” Bill grinned. “I didn’t realize how much I’d missed my father, and getting to know my mother and sister…I’m heading over there again tomorrow.”

“I’m glad.” Relenting, she kissed his cheek as she brushed by him again. “Family’s important.”

“Yes, it is.” Catching her waist, he pulled her against him. “Hi there.”

“Hello.” Wrapping an arm around his neck, she kissed him. “Missed you today.”

“Missed you too.” He rested his forehead against hers. “You finish getting ready, I’ll get you a glass of wine.”

“Thank you.” Laura let her hand run down his arm and back up his chest. “Someone went shopping.”

“Yeah.” He winced. “Uniforms were a lot easier, civilian’s always been a bit…uncomfortable. They look all right?”

“You look wonderful.” She brushed another kiss across his lips and stepped back. “White wine, please.”

“White wine it is.” Bill released his grip on her waist and turned to leave the bedroom as she moved to pull out clothes. By the time he returned, she was clad in her lingerie, and blow drying her hair. “You’ll never get it all dry in time.”

“I know.” Dropping the brush, she used the free hand to take the glass from him, sipping it before putting it on the counter. “If I can just get it damp, it’ll dry by the time we get there.”

“Here.” Taking the brush and dryer from her, he nodded at the glass. “Drink.”

“Careful.” As he carefully brushed through her hair, the dryer humming behind her, Laura obediently picked up her glass and sipped at it. “Okay, remember who all’s there tonight?”

“Your sisters, Sandra, who I met this morning, and Cheryl, your littlest little sister, right?” At her approving hmm, he continued. “Sandra’s husband Joey, your mother, your father…”

“So far so good.” She smiled, “and, there’s my niece, Sandra and Joey’s daughter Elizabeth, and probably Kara. If only to watch you squirm at meeting my father.”

“About that…” His brushstrokes faltered for a moment before picking up again. “Laura…does your father know…”

“My father knows that I love you, and that you love me. That’s all he cares about.” She took another sip of wine. “And that I actually found someone that I love enough to commit to. I think he’d about given up hope for me. Not my fault I was…selective on long term relationships while he was…”

“You missed him.” Holding her hair back with the brush, he kissed her neck.

“He’s my father.” Laura replied simply, angling her head so he had better access. “Bill…”

”And my being…” As she turned in his arms, he raised an eyebrow.

“A military man?” She deliberately misinterpreted him, running her hand down his arm to take the dryer from him. Flicking the power switch to off, Laura raised an eyebrow. “While he didn’t always agree with military policy, he always respected the men and women who dedicated themselves to the Fleet.”

“Laura.” He tossed the brush onto the counter. “You know what I mean.”

“He couldn’t care less. People are people,” she smiled. “Whether they’re from Caprica, or Picon, or Sagittarion, or Tauron. He respects a person, and doesn’t make judgments based on where someone was born or came from. We often had visiting professors in from all the different colonies, he felt it was his responsibility to make them feel welcome, and to show us that people are people.” Raising the glass to her lips, she finished the wine.

“So that’s where you get it from.” Relaxing slightly, he sighed.

“Yeah.” Handing him the now empty wine glass, Laura traced her other hand along his cheek. “So now, my Tauron soldier, go take care of this so I can get dressed. And grab a bottle of something to bring along…”

“Already did, as well as a plant for your mother.” He grinned at her surprise. “I listened well, Laura.”

“So you did.” She giggled and gave him a light shove. “Go.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He returned to the kitchen and washed her glass, leaving it to dry as he inspected the bottle of golden ambrosia he’d brought.

“Ready…” Laura’s eyes widened. “You did listen, you brought my mother herb plants!”

”Yeah, you said she liked flower gardens, but loved her herb garden, so I figured she’d have one here as well.” He eyed the canister the leafy plants were in. “Should I have wrapped it or something?”

“No, it’s perfect.” Taking the bottle from his hand, she waited until he’d picked up the plant and led him out. “It’s not far.”

“Hey there.” Kara’s voice made them pause as they walked along the sidewalk. “Thought I’d be the only one late.”

“Sandy said six thirty to seven,” Laura frowned. “It’s only six forty, we’ll be there in plenty of time.”

”Huh.” Kara frowned. “She told me six to six thirty.”

“That’s so you’d be on time, Starbuck.” Bill chuckled.

“You think?” She shook her head.

”Probably.” Laura agreed. “Don’t worry, I was late leaving the school.”

“And I’m the one they worried about?” Kara grinned. “So, how was the family, Admiral?”

“It’s nice to get to know them again…” He squeezed Laura’s hand. “They were surprised you weren’t around today.”

“Had some things to do.” Kara shrugged.

When Kara pushed open a gate, Bill stopped and stared at the large white house in front of them. “This is your parents house?”

“Yeah.” Tilting her head, Laura smiled wistfully. “It’s actually based on a beach house we rented for a few weeks one summer. They like having a lot of room for all of us.”

“Right.” With a deep breath, he tightened his hand in hers as they followed Kara up the path.

”You’re really nervous.” Surprised, Laura pulled him to a stop and faced him. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Laura.” Bill swallowed. “You have to understand…my previous…”

“That was then, this is now.” Leaning forward, she kissed him gently. “Do you want some pencils to break? I’m sure there’s a few in the house.”

He flushed and shook his head. “I’ll be fine without the pencils.”

“Bill, trust me. Before…I lost my father, he’d just about given up on me ever finding someone. He knew I was fine being independent, but, he still worried.” Releasing his hand, she reached up to caress his cheek. “He’s just ecstatic that I fell in love and that the man I love, loves me back.”

“Well, that I do.” Relaxing, he leaned into her touch and kissed her again, her arm running up and around his neck.

“Well they act like newlyweds.” At the teasing voice, they broke apart and turned to face Laura’s sisters, who were gazing at them speculatively. “Trust me, you and Joey are still like that.”

“We are not…” Sandra giggled. “Fine, we can be. But, Laurie…she never…not in front of us.”

”You can stop now.” Laura sighed and stepped back. “Bill, you remember Sandra, and this is my littlest little, Cheryl.”

“Nice to see you again, and to meet you.” He smiled at them.

“Likewise.” Sandra crossed her arms. “You went shopping.”

“I did indeed.” Bill chuckled. “But, thank you for the clothes this morning, they were a lot more comfortable than my uniform.”

“Thought they might be.” She winked at him.

“And, thank you for breakfast this morning.” He nodded at Cheryl.

“Glad to help.” With a giggle, she smiled up at him. “Nice to finally meet you. And Sandy was right, we do need a new picture. Mama will probably take care of it tonight though.”

“Mama likes to take pictures, she made us all scrapbooks, and taught us to keep our memories.” Wrapping her arm around his, Laura nodded at her sisters as they fell in step on either side of them. “So, expect to have pictures taken tonight.”

“But that means we get pictures of all of you as well, right?” Bill grinned. “I can live with that.”

“We do have a lot of wall and shelf space.” With a giggle, Laura led him around the corner and into the backyard.

“About time.” An older woman bustled toward them. “Bill, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Before he could say a word, she was embracing both of them. “And Laura never saying a thing, all this time.”

“Mama.” Laura could hear her sisters giggling behind them as they continued into the backyard. “Mama, please…we can’t breathe.”

“Oh, of course.” She stepped back. “But, you’re just the way she described you. We definitely need a new picture though, Sandy was right about that.”

“Uh,” Bill blinked, “a pleasure…Laura’s told me so much about you as well, Mrs. Roslin.”

”Oh. No. Not Mrs. Roslin…” she waved an arm. “Catherine. Please.”

“Very well.” Recovering, he held out the plants he’d managed to hold on to. “We wanted to bring you these…”

“Oh my.” She smiled. “Look at this…Laura, do you have some for your own garden yet?”

“No, Mama. We haven’t started planting it yet, but we’ll make sure to take cuttings from here.” Laura rested her head on Bill’s shoulder. “Bill thought you’d like the herbs.”

“Indeed I do.” Catherine inspected the plants before returning her attention to them. “Too many people just buy cut flowers…no call for that, the herbs are useful, nice to look at, and a lovely present. Thank you Bill.” She smiled and leaned forward. “And don’t let my husband throw you off, we’re both just thrilled for you and Laura. She’s just his little…”

“Mama.” Laura cut off the statement, blushing. “Bill, what she’s trying to say is that he’ll just have some questions for you.”

“His little what?” Curious, he grinned at Catherine.

“We’ll talk later.” Reaching out she patted his arm and winked at him. “Now though…Laura, take him to meet your father.”

“Yes ma’am.” Laura nodded obediently and caught Bill’s hand, leading him toward the patio area, “see? Not so bad.”

“Your mother’s quite…like you in some ways.” He nodded and took the bottle she’d been holding for him.

“Thank you, I think.” She smiled and squeezed his hand as they rounded the corner of the patio area, stopping next to the grill. “Hello Daddy.”

“Laurie Lou.” Ignoring her exasperated sigh, he set down the utensil he’d been using to turn the patties over and turned to face them.

“Daddy.” Laura smiled up at him. “This is my Bill.”

“Hello Doctor Roslin.” Bill nodded slightly. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Professor. Catherine and Laurie are the Doctors, got too confusing around here.” He returned the nod. “But, under the circumstances, I believe it should be David.”

“Yes.” Bill cleared his throat. “About that…”

“Daddy, it wasn’t really formalized.” Laura bit her lower lip. “It was…difficult, where we were.”

“I see.” He nodded. “So you going to let your mother and sisters throw you a party?”

“We thought…” Laura began and stopped as Bill squeezed her hand.

“David, with your permission, I’d like to formalize our marriage, with Elosha performing the service,” he met the other man’s eyes levelly. “But, we’d like to wait and do it at our house. If you’d agree.”

David held Bill’s gaze for a moment before turning back to the grill. “Laura, go help your mother and sisters, Bill and I will be out here, drinking from that fine bottle he brought me as we grill.”

“Daddy…” She blinked in surprise.

“Go Laura.” Bill’s smile grew, “we’ll be fine.”

“Okay then.” Leaning forward, she kissed her father’s cheek then Bill’s. “I’ll bring you out some glasses.”

“No need.” Her father nodded at a nearby table, where two empty glasses sat waiting. “Had a feeling he’d do the right thing. In more ways than one.”

Laura bit her lip again before stepping back and moving toward the house. Entering the kitchen, she joined her mother and sisters at the window overlooking the patio. “He wants to talk to Bill.”

”Laura, your dad accepted me.” Kara stated from where she was standing cutting some sort of vegetable. “He’ll accept the old man.”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t marrying you.” Laura threw her a glance, “they’re drinking the golden ambrosia Bill brought.”

”At least he brought the good stuff.” Kara raised an eyebrow. “Relax Laura.”

“Yeah. Been there, through that.” Sandra slid her arm around Laura’s waist and squeezed it. “So what’d they say.”

“Bill wants us to have a formalized ceremony.” Returning her attention to the window, Laura craned her neck to watch them. “At the house, with Elosha.” Oblivious to the looks the other women were exchanging, she leaned forward. “They’re laughing. That’s good, right?”

“I forgot you never brought anyone home.” Sandra giggled. “Yes, that’s good. So, how many people?”

“What?” Laura blinked. “People, for what?”

“The ceremony.” Catherine was already pulling a pad of paper out of a drawer. “We’ll need…”

“Just the family. Well, the extended family.” Frowning, Laura shook her head at her mother. “Mama, we just want something simple. We’ll do a simple ceremony, then a buffet or a cookout. We’ve the firepit, so if we do it in the afternoon, we can finish up after dinner with a bonfire.”

”Laura.” Sandra leaned forward. “Remember my wedding? I wanted something small.” When Laura turned to stare at her, eyes wide, Sandra nodded. “So, just give in and go with it.”

”But…” She stammered out, her eyes registering that Catherine’s list was already halfway down the page. “But…”

“So, you gonna wear white?” Kara held up her knife, “Yeah, I’m brave when I’m armed.”

“Red.” Laura shook her head. “Red, Bill likes me in red. But Mama…”

“Give in.” Sandra murmured. “But, Cheryl, Kara and I will do the shower.”

”Frak.” Laura groaned and turned to stare back out at the window, ignoring the conversation behind her.

“Laura Eileen. Language.” Her mother called absently, as Laura groaned again.

“I’m going out there.” She muttered, picking up a plate with some raw patties on it and striding out the door. As she neared them, she realized that her father was actually chuckling. That was good. She hoped. “Mama wanted me to bring these out.”

“I’m not going to kill him, Laurie.” David shook his head at her. “Or are you escaping your mother and her plans?”

“Plans?” Bill watched Laura set the plate on the table next to the grill before moving to perch on his lap, her arm absently going around his neck. “For what?”

”Let’s just say, small affairs, well, aren’t when Mama and Cheryl get hold of them.” She sighed and took his glass, sipping at it before returning it to his hand. “We’ll be lucky to have any say. Sandra and Joey…well, let’s just say the advice I’ve been given is to just sit back and hold on.” Feeling him sigh against her neck, Laura smiled slightly.

“I was just telling Bill I remember seeing his father speak, years ago. I was a juror at a trial.” David deftly tossed more patties on the grill. “Impressive. The other lawyer tried to get him to break, taunted him about his background, nothing obvious of course, but veiled. Joseph Adama remained calm, stoic. Other lawyer ended up looking like a fool. Lost the case because he couldn’t keep his personal theatrics out of the way. Although, Adama made his point better, even without the theatrics.”

“Happened a lot.” Bill shrugged one shoulder. “He tried…but, a lot of people only saw him as our heritage. He’d changed his last name to Adams, then when I was about fourteen, decided that if people were going to make up their mind before meeting him, he’d be forthright about being Tauron. So he legally changed our last name back to Adama.”

“Didn’t see what all the fuss was about.” David turned to face them. “It’s a proud heritage. Unfortunately, people more interested in furthering themselves don’t often look past external appearances to see the internal strength and power that can be found within families. While I may have agreed on a superficial level with some of what was said about Taurons based on the information released, they had no less subversive or criminal acts than the other colonies. In fact, they were a target, because of their pride, and in my opinion, because of their strength of character. Too many others try to drag down those who have what they do not.” As they stared at him, he shrugged. “What?”

“I’ve never heard it put that way.” Bill stated thoughtfully.

“I look forward to meeting your father.” Smiling, David turned back to the grill.

”Once a socially active sociology professor…” Laura giggled, taking another sip of Bill’s drink.

“I’m sure he’ll enjoy getting to know you as well.” Bill retrieved his glass and refilled it, extending the bottle toward David, who held out his glass to be refilled as Laura’s mother and sisters, followed by Kara, crossed the lawn to join them.

Several hours later, Bill and Laura were strolling back toward her apartment, her head resting on his shoulder. “I like your family.” He turned and nuzzled her hair.

“Good.” She sighed softly. “Sorry about Mama and her camera.” Her mother, true to form had taken endless candid and posed shots of all of them throughout the night. “You and Joey seemed to get along well.”

“As long as we get some of those pictures.” He chuckled. “Laurie Lou?”

“Stop it.” Giggling, Laura backhanded him on his chest. “Daddy’s the only one who gets by with that. You have to come up with something else.”

“Already have,” he turned so that he was walking backward, catching her hands in his, “Madame President.”

“That’s a title, silly.” Laughing, she let him lead her along the path.

“It’s all in the inflection, Madame President.” This time, he leaned forward as he said it, his breath tickling her ear and eliciting a shiver from her. “My Madame President.”

“Oh.” As he stopped and her momentum carried her into him, she stumbled slightly, ending up in his arms. “I…see.”

“Thought you might.” He kissed her gently, neither of them aware of their surroundings as they deepened the kiss.

“Would you two get a room already?” Kara sighed. “I even gave you a head start to get home.”

Laura groaned and let her head fall back. “I thought you were going out with Cheryl.”

“Tomorrow.” She grinned. “So, mom, dad. What are we doing tonight?”

“Can we send her to her room?” Bill grinned at Laura.

“Are you kidding, she’s got a full set of interactive simulators in there, can fly vipers all she wants.” Laura sighed. “No punishment there.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll leave you two alone.” Kara grinned. “Sandra assigned me some research before we go out tomorrow night. I just need to get some provisions then I’ll be out of your hair for the night, as if you’d notice.”

“Kara.” Laura groaned. “Go.”

“Thanks Mom, thanks Dad.” With a jaunty grin, she continued, leaving them behind.

“That’s trouble, but we knew that.” Bill chuckled and pulled her back against him. “Where were we?”

“Not here.” With a sigh, Laura glanced around, “you know it will be just like on Galactica, as soon as we start anything, we’ll be interrupted. Doesn’t matter if no one’s around now, it will happen. We’re destined, and you know it.”

“Spoilsport.” He brushed a kiss along her cheek and fell in step with her as they resumed their walk, hands linked. “I didn’t know your father was a Professor of Sociology.”

“Hmm?” She shrugged. “And Psychology. He taught secondary level, then later college and graduate level classes. We were dragged to all sorts of cultural events when we were growing up, and one of his basic tenants was that all people and all cultures were equal and valuable.”

“Which was something you tried to pass along to our people.” Squeezing her hand, Bill smiled. “Sometimes more successfully than others.”

“I just wish…” she sighed. “Yet, when faced with having to understand that the Cylons were striving to become their own culture…I couldn’t accept them.”

“We all struggled with that.” He agreed. “Laura, you had to deal with them as a challenge to survival, and those that resurrected and learned, and became individuals struggled as well. They accepted, and interacted. It’s just like any culture, no complete culture is perfect, and there will always be individuals that argue and fight against the greater good, for what they perceive to be the better good for their people. You are human, you overcame your own prejudices to accept them and work with them, despite what was done to you and the rest of your people.” As they stopped in front of her door, he pulled her into his arms, where she nestled into his embrace. “So, in the end…you did.”

“I suppose.” Closing her eyes, she fell silent, listening to the sounds of the night as well as the steady beat of his heart. “I’m so glad you’re here…”

“Me too.” He kissed the top of her head. “So, if I remember correctly, you have that light blue set of lingerie on?”

“Why don’t we go inside and refresh your memory?” Laura twisted slightly as he ran a finger along the collar of her blouse and tried to slide it inside to catch her bra strap. “Not out here…”

“We give Kara enough time?” Lifting an eyebrow, Bill glanced at the door.

“Don’t care.” Laura turned and opened the door. “Night Kara.” A muffled reply came from the direction of the spare room. “She’s in.”

“And so are we. Lingerie, Roslin.” Closing the door behind them, Bill turned to see Laura continuing toward the bedroom before she turned to face him, her blouse already unbuttoned.

”And you were the one in the hurry, Admiral.” She drawled, stepping out of sight. As he moved to join her, her hand reappeared, dangling the blouse between two fingers for a moment before dropping it to the ground.

“Frak…” he muttered, striding forward and grabbing the blouse off the floor before kicking the door shut behind him.

“Well, that didn’t take long.” Laura smiled up at him as she pulled the comforter down. “Bill…” She barely managed to get out a squeak before he caught her around the waist.

“I like you in blue too.” Bill chuckled as he dropped her on the bed. “By the way, let’s take this bed to the house, or get one just like it, if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” Watching him take his clothes off, she smiled up at him, her arms over her head and resting against the headboard. “Why?”

“It’s big, I like the headboard, and…” He knelt on the side of the bed and bent to press a kiss on her bare stomach. “I like the way you look in it.”

“Hmm.” Arching up under his mouth, Laura let out a soft sigh, almost a groan. “Yeah…bed, I mean. Keep this one here in case we need to spend the night here, we’ll get a new one for us…like this one…for the house…”

“Good.” Bill smiled down at her, just letting his eyes and fingers run along her body as she gasped softly. “Laurie…”

“Don’t.” Her eyes flying open, she glared at him as he burst out laughing and slid over her.

“Madam President.” He murmured toward her ear. “Better?”

“Yes sir, Admiral sir.” With a giggle, Laura wrapped her arms around him as he pushed her hair back to nip at her neck.

The next morning, Laura was standing in the kitchen, gazing at the coffee maker blearily, when Kara strode out of her room. “You’re up early.”

“Meeting Zak.” Opening the cooler she grabbed a piece of fruit. “Then catching up with Cheryl later this afternoon, let the Old Man know we’re taking Tamara out with us tonight, if he wants to warn his parents.”

“Kara…” Satisfied that the machine had finished, she poured coffee into the mug she’d prepared.

“Hey, we’ll take care of her.” Kara grinned.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Laura took a swallow of coffee and leaned against the counter.

“It’s Cheryl, Sandra, Joey, Zak, Tamara and me.” Kara shrugged. “What could happen?”

“You need me to answer that?” She raised an eyebrow as Bill came out of the bedroom, dressed for the day.

“Shower’s yours.” He joined them in the kitchen. “You’re up early.”

“Why do people say that?” Kara frowned. “I was up early all the time.”

“The kids are going out tonight.” Laura handed him his mug of coffee. “They’re taking Tamara with them. Them being my sisters, Joey, Kara, and Zak.”

“I meant tell him after I left.” Tossing the core of the fruit into the trash, Kara sighed. “We’ll be responsible, and not get her in too much trouble. Promise.”

“Right.” He edged behind Laura and slid his arm around her waist to rest on her stomach as he took another swallow of coffee, his thumb absently caressing the silk robe she wore..

“Really.” Kara nodded earnestly.

“Starbuck, that look didn’t work on Galactica, and it’s not working now.” Bill grinned. “Just remember I’m holding you and Zak responsible for her.”

“Yes sir.” She threw him a salute and glanced at the clock. “Frak…gotta go. See you later.”

“Bye.” Laura watched Kara practically run across the room and out the front door before she collapsed into giggles. “Well, we knew it was only a matter of time before they all got together.”

“I should probably warn…” Bill sighed. “I don’t know if I should go to my parents or just let Tam know.”

“She’s a big girl, she’ll figure it out.” Laura turned to face him. “You’re off for the day?”

“For the morning, I’ll meet you for lunch and we’ll go look for furniture?” He smiled down at her. This was another Laura he’d dreamed of after she’d died. A Laura who was sleepily rumpled and nestled in his arms as they shared coffee in a sunny kitchen, healthy and in love with each other. Both of them able to focus on the other without the hourly demands of being President or Admiral. Lifting a hand, he ran it through the strands of hair that had fallen out of the loose bun she’d pulled it up into, twisting one strand around a finger.

“Sounds good.” Rising up on her bare toes, she kissed him gently. “I’ll be at the school all morning if you get out early. There’s probably some children you’ll remember as well.”

“I’ll come by if I finish up early.” Releasing the strand of hair, he ran his hand to the bun and pulled the pencil she’d twisted it up with out, smiling as her hair tumbled over her shoulders. “I’ll see you at lunch, Madame President.”

“Indeed you will, Admiral, sir.” With another kiss, she wrinkled her nose at him and turned to refill her mug before she went to get ready for the day. Pausing at the bedroom door, she turned to look at him. “Love you.”

“Love you.” He responded softly, watching as she disappeared through the door with a smile.