Reporting to the wife

Posted on Sat Aug 6th, 2011 @ 11:31am by Chief Petty Officer Hugh O'Reily Jr.

767 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 76 - Home comings
Location: USS Yorktown
Timeline: After the meeting with Admiral Bremer

Hugh sat in front of the small view screen, the black screen showing only his reflection. Though he had been given shore leave by the Admiral, there weren't very many places for him to go. All of his family lived off Earth, and he didn't much feel like visiting his old family home in Vancouver where he lived when his father was an instructor on Earth for newly enlisted recruits. And though there were places he always wanted to visit on Earth-The Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal for instance-there was no other place he'd rather be then in front of the view screen.

"Transmission locked, Chief. You're able to receive." came a voice over the comm.

"Thank you sir." replied Chief O'Reily. "Computer, connect transmission."

The face of his wife, Janice O'Reily, appeared on the screen. She had short black hair and emerald green eyes. To Hugh, she was the prettiest thing in the Galaxy. She was also the angriest.

"How long Hugh?" she said, agitation in her voice.

Hugh gave her a smile, and winked. "Not soon enough, hot stuff."

"Oh, like getting fresh through sub space is going to help. You didn't have to go, you know." Her lips pursed tightly together, arms crossed. "We could have used you to unpack."

"You know you love me." Hugh flashed her another smile. "I'll be back before you know it, don't worry. I'm sure you left all the heavy stuff for me anyway."

"Damn right I did!" She tried to conceal her smile, still trying to fake the anger she no longer felt toward her husband. "You're going to have to take your sons out to get some exercise. They're about as useful as a pair of wet noodles."

"But they are helping, right?"

She nodded her head. "I suppose, as much as they can anyway. So how's the York-"she stopped, and pulled her head closer to her own view screen. "Did you...Is that a different rank your wearing?"

Hugh put his hands behind his head, and sighed. "You're now married to a Chief Petty Officer, darling."

"Well, gives us something more to celebrate when you come back. Congratulations, Hugh." She gave him warm smile. "You know the kids are going to want to make you a cake."

Hugh laughed. His four children had a love for baking real, non-replicated, food. And though the first couple of tries were a test on Hugh's iron stomach, he did have to admit their last try-a German chocolate cake with pecan frosting-was so good that Hugh at two large pieces.

"Yeah, I guess the replicator is out of the question. Just tell them no more tries at angel food cake. Speaking of food, I've got to get ready to head back down to Earth. The Admiral is having a get together at his spread in South Carolina."

"Oh. I see." She cooed. "Hob knobbing with the Admiral...you've come a long way Mr. O'Reily."

"Yep, I'm living the high life." He reached behind him, and produced a banjo. "I'm going to attempt to play. I got this bad boy in Charleston before I beamed back to the ship. Earth sure is interesting, Janice. Wish you guys were here with me."

She shrugged. "Well, we're not. SB400 isn't so bad. The kids seem to like it. Patrick's already made a couple of friends when we went to the biosphere yesterday."

Hugh knew there was more she wanted to say. They had fought before he left for the Yorktown. Janice O'Reily was still set to the idea that Hugh would retire at forty, and move the family to the New Virginia Colony where most of his family lived. When he received orders to SB400, he told Janice he didn't want to retire till at least forty five. The two clashed, words were said, and the argument was left unresolved. With the new rank and position, He knew that Janice knew that the idea of retiring in two years was more than likely out of the question.

"Hey...we'll talk more when I get back, sweet heart. I've got to get down there. Best not keep the Admiral waiting. Tell the kids I love them. I'll try to contact you as soon as I can if we have a layover."

She nodded. "Okay. But you owe me a back massage."

Hugh winked. "You got it. Love you."

"Love you too. Be safe."

"I will." Hugh stood up. "Computer. End transmission." He picked up a small bag containing some shorts and a tank top, and headed out toward the transporter room.

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