#17 Breakfast at the Sandersons

Posted on Mon May 13th, 2024 @ 5:12pm by Piper Sanderson & Commodore Cyndi Song & Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson
Edited on on Mon May 13th, 2024 @ 5:12pm

Mission: Aftermath

Sanderson/Song Home On Klavir

Piper came down the stairs and into the formal dining room. Her parents were already sitting at the table. She wasn’t the best morning person so she grabbed a plate and put some food on it, dropping into the chair next to her father. Piper had a feeling this was going to be one of their chatty mornings. She popped her earbuds in and turned on some music. Maybe she would luck out and they’d give her time to wake up and be human.

“You're awfully quiet.” Paul said as he noticed he had a shadow in the form of his daughter. She was definitely trying to make a low profile entrance. It had been some time since they'd been back to the home world, and he knew just as well as Piper knew that the queen was probably going to make another push for either Cyndi or Piper to claim the throne. Cyndi's obligation to Star Fleet had been completed by this point. At some point she would have to serve her people as the Queen of Klavor.

Piper looked over to her father. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Was all she said. “But I am expected at Grandmother’s today.” She didn’t want to go. She loved her but it was always an argument they were nothing alike.

“Don’t let her push you into anything,” Cyndi said “Mum just wants what’s best for everyone and we all know one day I’ll have to leave Star Fleet to take over as Queen, right now I’m happy where I am just as long as I don ‘t have anymore destroyed ships.” she took a drink of her coffee “Where’s your brother?”

“Sleeping.” Piper didn’t look at either of them. “I guess he is tired.” She knew why they had been up all night. She hoped Brent didn’t tell, he had a hard time keeping secrets.

“You think we should go back and wake him up?” Paul asked as he looked over to Cyndi. He had a feeling that they probably should wake him up, because if they didn't the Queen might throw fit.

Piper looked over to her mother to see what she would say. She hoped it was no but it was getting late and her mother believed in rising early.

Cyndi sighed “We probably should, I adore my mum but she also needs to understand I’m not ready to leave Starfleet and it will be years before that happens. When word reached mum and dad that the Amandora had been destroyed they were frantic with worry,” Cyndi looked at her daughter, over to Paul and a look at the stairs leading to the upstairs where Brent was “I don’t know what I’d have done if my family had been on it when i blew. Lives were lost, and that’s still hard for me to comprehend. The three of you are my world.”

“I remember that young lady I fell in love with, they couldn't wait to leave Starfleet. I told you Starfleet would change you.” Paul said with loving eyes, he knew just as well as she did that Starfleet was something they are both meant for.

Cyndi smiled as she looked at Paul, “I remember and I’m glad I stayed and didn’t give up. I’d not have you or the kids had I left Star Fleet. It’s where I need to be and want to be.”

Piper rolled her eyes. “I’ll go get Brent and be right back.” She got up from the table and gave them both a winning smile. “It will save you from dealing with his grumpiness.”

“I think our mushiness drove her away.” Paul said he held his wife close to his arms. He was grateful that Piper gave him a moment.

“I think you're right,” Cyndi said, laying her head on his shoulder “Have I told you lately how much I love you and how lucky I am to have you?”

“Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it.” Paul said is he continue to hold her close, but then they heard the wrestling sounds of a half woken child. Paul turned to look at his son.

Brent came in, his hair sticking up in different directions. He looked like he was barely awake and mumbled a greeting. “Morning.”

Piper grabbed him a plate and put food on it, setting it down in front of him. She whispered in his ear and he sat up and started to eat.

Piper sat down and took a drink. “I’m going to take a shower after breakfast.”

“I would strongly encourage it, good hygiene is a good thing.” Paul said as he looked over to Piper with a smile on his face.

Cyndi fought back the laugh at seeing her son’s hair, but couldn’t hide the grin “Rough night, Brent?” she asked, passing him a glass of orange juice and a glass of chocolate milk. Both of you look as if you’ve been up all night.``

“Very funny Mommy.” Brett said half annoyed, looking around the room wondering why they woke him up at this ungodly hour.

“Brent and I were up late.” Piper said quickly. “We wanted to spend some time together.” She gave her brother a warning look. “Now we have to suffer through today and we will sleep tonight. Promise.”

“Choices have consequences.” Paul simply said, knowing that wasn't really a response to that Piper or Brent would want to hear. “The important thing is you're up now, and we can get on with the day. The sooner we get through this the sooner we can leave.” Paul pointed out to his children.

“Okay.” Piper said and she turned and concentrated on her plate.

Cyndi looked at Paul “Leave? You mean leave for the Palace and seeing mum?”

“You know the longer we stay here the more she's going to try to convince you, to advocate for the throne and resign your commission with Starfleet.” Paul said he looked over to Cyndi.

“Why would she have to leave Starfleet, Daddy?” Brent asked if he looked over to his father. There had to be some reason, a reason he wasn't understanding.

“Grandmother thinks she is in charge of all of us and we are just going to bow down and do her every wish.” Piper said with a sigh. “Puppets in her little circus.”

“Your grandmother is the reason I’m in Starfleet. She encouraged me to join Starfleet as it would be good for me to learn new cultures so that when I have to come home and rule as Queen I’d be more in tune with things. Now that I’ve reached the rank of commodore she thinks I’ve gone high enough and wants me here. I’m not ready to leave Starfleet,and she knows it. Actually I think she’s kidding as she knows how dedicated I am to Starfleet. Had I not joined I’d not have met your dad and I’d not have the two of you,” Cyndi said looking at her family with loving eyes.

“So you're going to tell her no and we're going to leave?” Brent asked, not wanting to be forced by anybody.

Piper dropped the fork she was holding and opened her mouth, but her father shook his head slightly and she waited for her mom to speak.

Paul wanted to say something, but the question was really directed to their mother. And you don't want to speak on her behalf. Especially since this is a very sensitive subject.

“Yes I’ll tell mum no and we can leave, I don’t know where we’re going, I have received word that I’m getting a new ship, she’ll be delivered to Star Base Danvers as soon as I get word the base has been repaired and is ready for usage again. And as soon as I hear who the new CO is,”Cyndi said.

Piper looked at her parents. “Are we taking a real vacation where we go somewhere like an amusement park or do you mean when the ship is ready?”

“You really want to be around the press?” Paul asked Piper. On this planet, they were royalty. And word spread that Princess Cyndi Song was at the Royal Palace.

“No.” She pushed her half eaten plate away and started to stand up but sat back down, remembering the rules. “May I please be excused.” She glared at Brent when he laughed.

“No, you can lose the attitude sweetheart. We have not been to Klavor in many years. I'll do what I can to protect you, but we are here to see your grandma. This is important to your mother.” Paul said trying to be the balance between the mother and daughter. He was grateful Brent was taking a well.

Piper sat back and said nothing. She wasn’t happy her Dad was siding with them against her. She felt so alone at the moment.

“You’ve not seen your grandparents in three years, we’re going to the Palace to see them. There will be no press as your grandfather has taken care of it,” Cyndi said “You might even like seeing your grandparents. You know how much they love us.”

“Fine.” Piper said quietly. She didn’t have anything else to say to any of them. Once they were finished she would go change so they could make their grand entrance.

“Remember what I said about less attitude.” Paul said driving the point home.

“Yes father.” Piper replied. They wanted her to act like a princess she was going to.

“Thank you sweetheart,” Paul said with a warm smile. The scene starts to fade away

Cyndi looked at the kids and then to Paul “They’re planning a cookout, my dad is having a BBQ and when it comes to him it’s the best trust me. I’ll be ready to go in an hour.

The barbeque sounded good to Piper. Perhaps there wouldn’t be any pressure on her, she could have fun. She looked over to Brent. “Let’s go get dressed.” She was proud of him, he hadn’t mentioned their evening out.

“I wonder if they'll have hot dogs?” Brent asked as the scene starts to fade away.