Post # 12 - Home To Drogheda

Posted on Mon May 31st, 2021 @ 1:05pm by Lieutenant James McTavish

Mission: Character Development and A Mystery
Location: Earth
Timeline: Current

::ON::

After their conversation in the Holo Suite James had a great idea; since they were so close to Earth why not take shore leave and visit Drogheda and Inverness and surprise their families. Heather thought it was a great idea also; so they packed a duffle bag each and took a Shuttle to Earth.

[Drogheda, Ireland]

After they landed James gave some instructions to the Pilot “Thanks for the ride; today is Tuesday so Thursday pick us up at these coordinates in Inverness, Scotland at twelve hundred hours.”

“Will do Lieutenant, I'll be at these coordinates Thursday at twelve hundred hours for your pickup then” the Pilot replied. “Have a pleasant stay.”

When they exited the Shuttle they noticed that no one seemed to be around “Wouldn't the joke be on us if my parents were away somewhere” Heather said with a giggle.

“Not really, but there's only one way to find out” James replied. So the couple went up to the porch at the stone cottage and Heather opened the door.

“Hello, anyone home” she said in a loud voice. Soon Emma ran into the foyer and threw her arms around the both of them “Wow....what a nice surprise” Emma said with a big smile “How have you guys been.”

“Hi Mum, we're well thank you” Heather replied.

Then John came running out into the area “Baby girl....what a nice surprise” John exclaimed and gave Heather a big hug. Then turning to James he shook his hand “And you my boy.”

“Hi Dad, we're both fine” she replied “Don't you think I'm a little too old for 'baby girl'.”

John looked at Heather with a big smile “You'll always be my 'baby girl'; I don't care how old you are.”

“Please come on in and have a seat” Emma said “Can I get either of you anything.” So they all went in and sat at the Kitchen Table.

“No we're fine Mum, so have how you and Dad been” Heather asked. So the four of them sat and chatted about different things until supper time.

“How about I make a nice big pot of Cole Cannon for supper” Emma inquired. “That would be great Mum, we haven't had that in a very long time” Heather replied. So as Emma was making supper the chatting continued.

Then John had to ask “So, how's life on the Dunkirk these days.”

James looked at Heather and chuckled “Couldn't tell you Dad we're not on the Dunkirk any longer. I accepted a promotion as Chief Science Officer and was transferred to the USS Amandora and Heather went along as the new Biology Head” he explained.

“Good for you guys...is it a bigger Ship” John asked.

“Yes, it's a Galaxy Class Starship. There are four Labs on four different decks with Heather working in the Main Lab on Deck Five. Needless to say I'm getting plenty of exercise” James explained with a chuckle.

“Wow now that sounds impressive” John replied being quite pleased about their success.

Soon dinner was ready and they enjoyed their meal together while catching up on each other's lives. When dinner was over they went out into the living room and talked the rest of the evening.

It was getting late and Heather and Janes were getting tired. James got up from the couch “Tomorrow morning I'll have to make arrangements for transportation to Inverness so we can spend a day with my family. Sorry we can't stay longer but our time off Ship is limited” he explained.

Emma looked over at John then said “We won't hear of it; Dad and I will drive you to Inverness. He recently bought a new vehicle and has been wanting to take it on a trip anyway. That way we can see your parents, whom we haven't seen in a long time, and get to spend some more time with you” she concluded.

“That would be great” Heather replied “James as soon as we get up in the morning maybe you should call your Mum and let her know what's going on.”

“I will...well goodnight Mum and Dad see you in the morning” James said. So the couple went upstairs and went to bed. When they were in bed Heather turned to James “Thank you for today, it was so nice to see Mum and Dad again.”

“Your welcome sweetheart. You know, we need to check that tree in the morning before we leave for Inverness” he said and Heather nodded in agreement.

The next morning the couple woke and showered then dressed. When they went downstairs for breakfast, they were greeted with hot coffee, ham & eggs along with home fries. Then Emma brought out homemade scones as a treat.

Heather looked at her Mum “Your going to stuff us aren't you” she said with a smile. “Well no goes hungry in this house” Emma replied with a smile.

When breakfast was over James called home “Hello Mum this is James, how are you” he asked.

“Oh it's so nice to hear your voice....you sound close by” Eileen replied.

James just laughed “ I am...we're in Drogheda and thought we would come out to Inverness for a visit. Heather's parents offered to drive us out; they wanted to see you guys too. Is that ok?”

All James heard was a scream “William, James and Heather are in Ireland and coming to visit us. Of course that's ok....we can't wait to see you” Eileen replied.

“Good we'll see you in a little while” James said “Don't put yourselves out for us Mum, I know how you are.”

“Don't you worry about it James, can't wait to see you....good bye” she said then hung up.

John came out into the living room where James was “We'll be ready to leave in about an hour, if that's good with you.” he said.

“Yes that's fine Dad” he replied. So Heather and James packed their duffles then went outside to the old tree just to check.

When they went around to the back of the tree they were delighted to see their initials still carved into the tree. Heather gave James a kiss “Wow..look at that...they're still there.” which made them both very happy.

Soon the the vehicle was set and they were ready to go onto Inverness to visit James family.

::OFF::