Commander

            “Admiral, hello, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you come in.” Jonathan was surprised to hear another voice in the house. Naomi bundled up some portable school materials from the kitchen and joined Archer in the great room. “Branni’ isn’t home yet, and ‘Annaa has been down about half an hour.”

            The com chirped again; Jonathan looked back to the com, nodded to Naomi, then opened the channel.

“Hey, Honey, how’s my honey? Tried the office, they said you left early.” Riaan said in a cheery voice. “How’s the baby, and Branni?”

            “I just got in. I have some interesting news, though.”

            “I do too! I’ll be home in a few minutes. Naomi, hello!” Riaan called to the sitter from the com channel.

            “Hi Ms. Riaan. Bye!” Archer closed the com.

            “I always appreciate your coming to stay on short notice,” Archer told the young caretaker.

            “No problem, sir. I have a quarterly exam coming up in a couple days to study for, so I get a lot of quiet here compared to the dormitory.”

            “Quiet, here? With a baby in the house?”

         “Well, your baby, not just any baby.”

         “What are you studying for?”

          “Oh, quantum theory. Time travel makes absolutely no sense to me. But this is just my first semester; I’ll have another round in September. Is that Dr. Riaan’s diploma?” She pointed to the framed document on the table. Jonathan nodded. “You must be so proud of her. What an accomplishment! ” Naomi stared at it a moment. “Doctor of Medicine,” she mused, and then headed for the door.

            “Good luck on the quantum test,” Jonathan commented, trying to remember exactly what that entailed. He knew more about time travel than he cared to put on his resume, and he was glad to be long past college age. He walked Naomi to the door. "If you need help with time travel, let me know. I'm sure I can help you out with that."

            “I’m sure you could, sir. I’ll see you again before then, but thanks,” she said with a shy smile and left.

            He took himself to the kitchen and selected coffee from the dispenser, added a little sugar and heavy cream. Riaan was right: coffee was an acquired taste. The door burst open.

            “Hey, hi Jon, you’re home early. I saw Naomi in the elevator. Is Ariannaa awake?”

            “Hey, no. Hey, we have some celebrating to do tonight after your mom gets home, so take care of your school work and no games until it’s done.” Branni put on a straight face in agreement, despite his reluctance.

            Jonathan went to Ariannaa’s room and took a long look at the girl asleep in her crib. He knew he ought to leave her alone, but he couldn’t resist lifting her up and out. She didn’t wake, but just squirmed a little until he’d settled her safely against his chest in confident arms.

            “Do you know how important you are? No, pretty sure you don’t,” he said quietly. Jonathan wondered a moment how he had fallen into the fortune of Ariannaa, Riaan, and Brannigaan. Another minute was enough to cement the feeling of belonging, purpose, and elation that filled the room.

            “Once there was a way,” he sang softly to the angel, “to get back home again. You are home, little girl. Don’t ever think that Earth is not your home, no matter where we might go or for how long.” Ariannaa yawned and opened her hazel eyes. Somewhat blue, brown, and green, there was no other way to describe their color. Every time, without fail Jonathan melted when she looked at him. Still no words, but lots of happy coos and gurgles; the peacefulness of the moment was almost alien.

            “There you are,” Riaan said standing in the doorway. Jonathan turned quickly at the sound of her voice. Not exactly caught but discovered with his guard down, he was grateful it was Riaan.

            “How is everything going at IME?”

            “It’s quite wonderful, actually. I’ve been put on a mid-shift, finally, so I can spend days with the sweetie now.” She reached for Ariannaa and Jonathan handed her over. “I have some fantastic news. Is Branni home?”

            “Yes, he’s on his schoolwork. What is it?” Together the three of them sat down in the great room looking out the large windows to the bay. Ariannaa was always such a quiet baby Jonathan sometimes forgot she was in the room. “So what are you so excited about?”

            “Well, I only have 5 months to go at IME. Captain Mitchell asked me to join his crew in sick bay on Discovery at the end of my internship! I’m going to take a commission as a Starfleet Commander!”