Apartment 6, Residential Complex T-4, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
11 Aug. 824 A.S.
Erik allowed the kids to run off, after which he took just a few steps inside the apartment. He chuckled at the idea of a day on the beach. Thinking back, he hadn't been to one in a few months now. "I figured I'd get them out. It's a perfect day for it." "Sounds like a plan." - he smirked. Then as Doreen offered him a drink, he kindly refused "I'm afraid I can't stay. I'm already slightly late for a board meeting..."
Erik motioned for Peter's attention, then smiled and explained "Make sure you listen to what doctor Naggar says, please." Naturally, his son nodded in understanding but quickly lost interest and ran back to Ben. Erik turned to Doreen and went on snickering "Honestly, it's not the kids I'm worried about..."
As he was headed out the door slowly, he added, for Doreen to hear, "I'll be working 'till eight today, so I'll come pick Peter up sometime after." - then he shouted - "Have fun, boys!"
All the while, Peter would grow increasingly excited because of Ben's enthusiasm, so he forgot all about the box he came with, leaving it somewhere on the floor. He took a look at himself and thought out-loud "At least I don't need to change. I'm already in shorts."
The Beach, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
The three of them got to the beach without incident. A picnic lunch was packed with plenty of food and drink for all as they claimed a spot close to the tropical waters of Yuma. Peter was fitted with swimming muscles while Benjen, who could swim fairly well, just ran into the water with Peter at his side. Joining the fun, Doreen ran into the water with them. All three of them splashed each other and just acted like children. The water was refreshing and she just sat in it, letting the waves run into her chest. Both Benjen and Peter took turns splashing her and each other. Anyone who would watch wouldn't have guessed her to be a medical professional by the way she was acting. Plenty of others were also enjoying the beach on this fine day and besides some exchange of greetings and a couple of cat calls aimed at her, they had some time to themselves.
Together, they didn't build just a sand castle, they built a sand fortress, complete with a moat and satellite castles. It was made so that the ocean water wouldn't get to it but provided enough water to keep the moat full. The children took it seriously, carefully sculpting shapes into the sand. It was enough to show care in work but still evident that two children and a non-technical mother built it.
Once finished, they took a lunch break and another swim. It truly was a great day for the three of them.
It wasn't the first time, however, that Doreen had watched another child besides her own but it was the first time that she had taken another child to the beach. While they played, she sat and watched. She could only smile in silence as she watched. She didn't know a lot about him but she knew that he had lost his mother. Since the arrival of Benjen into his life, one wouldn't be able to tell. She saw a sweet little boy who was loving life.
"Doctor Naggar," he asked at one point, "Can I have some soda?"
"Of course, Sweetie," she answered almost motherlike and handed him a soda. He stood next to her and enjoyed it while she herself enjoyed a seltzer.
As it was getting later in the day, the Coronado sun was setting. Together, they watched it fall into the ocean. They would arrive back at her apartment before darkness set in and well before Erik was supposed to arrive. With two children in her home, she didn't want to shower and leave them unsupervised. All she could do was wrap herself into a silk robe she once received as a gift from a Kusari friend.
For dinner? She made up a simple dinner of spaghetti and meat balls with some garlic bread.
Apartment 6, Residential Complex T-4, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
11 Aug. 824 A.S.
Before dinner, Peter sheepishly asked Ben to come to the corner where he left his box. "Uhm, Ben..." - he began, in a low tone - "I brought some of my toys here. Dad told me you and youL mommy are still new in the city." He opened the box, then picked it up and held it towards Ben, so as to give it to him. "They are youLs now."
Inside the tiny container there were multi-colored children's gadgets: small hover-balls, some action figures, a small chess set, and a few other things. Peter's gesture was quite simple-minded. He thought his friend might not have brought any toys when he moved on Yuma, so he decided to give some of his own, considering he had plenty.
Erik arrived once again, just a few minutes after Doreen and the boys had finished eating. After being let in, he didn't take more than three steps before Peter jumped to hug him and started blabbering away, really fast, "Today was gLeat! We swam a lot and we played ball in the water and we built a sand foLtLLess and ..."
Erik caressed his son's head and interrupted him "That sounds amazing. You can tell me all about it when we get home."
Doreen watched as Peter told his father all about the day with a huge smile on her face. She knew Erik had a long day and wanted to get home so she kept things short between them.
"We all had a great time today," she told him, showing a few pictures off of her datapad to him. "I'm betting he sleeps quite well tonight. Peter is a great kid and I would love to take them again when possible."
She looked at Erik, "Thank you. We enjoyed that." Then she paused, "Um, do you need to get back right away? Can I get you anything?"
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No child had ever given him anything. Anything that Ben had was something either his mother got him or he was able to purchase on his own with his allowance. He was used to not having a lot so when Peter gave him a bunch of his toys, he was stunned. "Th.....thank you," he told Peter. "Are you sure about this? I mean, these are kool but are you sure?" A tear started forming in his eye.
Apartment 6, Residential Complex T-4, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
11 Aug. 824 A.S.
"Of course i'm suLe." - Peter had replied with a wide smile. "You're my best fLiend now."
Peter had a few other children to play with from time to time, mostly from the neighborhood where he lived, but none were as fun as Ben for him. They were always head-strong and interested in action. Ben was... gentle, much more peaceful, a trait he probably took from his mother. Such is the innocence of children in the end... friendships form in the blink of an eye, some to last days... some to last lifetimes.
"We all had a great time today" she said. While Erik was looking at the pictures, he nodded "I'm sure you have." "Um, do you need to get back right away? Can I get you anything?" "A glass of water would be nice. I guess I'll give the boys a few more minutes before i take Peter home." - he smiled, just barely, taking a seat in the kitchen. He looked at Doreen with tired eyes and asked "By the way, how are things at the hospital?"
Apartment 6, Residential Complex T-4, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
She put some ice in a tall glass, filled it with water and then handed it to Erik, "Here you go."
She across from him, still not having changed from her day. Glitters of salt from the ocean could be seen on her skin. "By the way, how are things at the hospital?"
"They're going well, thanks," she answered. "We're able to handle local outpatient stuff when things aren't so crazy. Most of those pilots from the last assault will be discharged tomorrow."
"And how about all that research? I find it intriguing," she countered.
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"You're my best fLiend now."
Benjen had never heard those words before...from anyone.
"Really?" he said, "I've never been anyone's best friend." He then smiled, "Well, you are my best friend, too."
He then brightly smiled and yelled, "We're best friends!" The two of them started cheering and yelling, all of which could be heard by their parents in the other room. Doreen looked in that direction and just gave a kind laugh.
Apartment 6, Residential Complex T-4, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
11 Aug. 824 A.S.
"And how about all that research? I find it intriguing,"
Erik smirked at her question, then replied lousily "Most projects, including the nanite one, are on the right track..." He was obviously exhausted. After sipping all the water from his glass, he rose up and sighed "We better be going." - he then spoke louder but with a kind tone - "Peter, come on, it's late."
Needless to say, the boy wasn't thrilled about having to depart, but he conformed slowly... and a deep yawn was a clear sign he was also tired after a long day of entertainment.
A few goodbyes later and after the kids hugged it out, Erik and Peter were soon on their way home.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
late evening 11 Aug. 824 A.S.
After Erik and his son arrived home, they both got ready for bed. Still, through all the yawning, Peter couldn't hold himself from telling his father all about the day he had. They spent almost half an hour smiling together about Peter's little adventure and the realisation of his new-found friendship. They probably would've stayed more, but exhaustion brought both of them down and they were soon asleep.
New Thessalonica Hospital, Surgical wardA Few days later
No new mass casualties had come in over the past several days. To Doreen, it must be either a lull in activity or that the Republic was winning. The time was used to handle a back log of outpatient surgeries, everything from an appendectomy to a fixing a hernia. A few people with illnesses came for fluids and medicines as well. Typical everyday life in the Republic or at least, it's what she would like to see.
Some medical research was also conducted. With the introduction of the Rejuvenator, she had an active role in it's set up. It was still a ways out from operation but it was hopeful. She also had time to make interest on the work being done with the flora of Yuma's islands. It was no secret that she wanted to live on one of them. Spending most of her adult life in apartments and condos, she wanted a home of her own. She was banking credits for such an endeavor. On occasion, she would walk to where Erik was lecturing and quietly listen. She liked a man who used his brain instead of his brawn.
Benjen? He and Peter were hanging out almost daily even if it was for but a few minutes a day. They never fought and wore each other out much to the approval of their parents. Doreen was once told by a stranger, "Your children are well behaved." She just smiled and thanked them, not wanting to admit that only one was hers. She found her attachment to Peter growing and treated him as her own. She would often just sit and watch them play.
General Hospital, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
morning of 14 Aug. 824 A.S.
As it is only natural, the capital city of the Republic has a large oval building designated as it's general hospital. While not as huge and as well-equipped as any of the hospital islands (New Hippocrate being a prime example), it is a place for the general population to mend less severe wounds or illnesses.
On this morning, Erik was silently sitting on a chair in one of the hospital's hallways. Dressed casually, he was just reading some news on his holo-pad, while tapping his left foot slowly. In one of the nearby rooms there was a pediatrician's office and it was time for Peter's yearly check-up. Although he was as healthy as it gets, Yuma was still an untamed planet and it was common sense for everyone in the population to make sure they don't contract any undiscovered viruses. Thus, Erik was now waiting for Peter's examination to be over.
Doreen had just finished washing up after an outpatient procedure. She didn't know that Erik was within ear shot when she was giving instruction to a nurse.
"She's stable," Doreen told the nurse, "at least now she won't have all that abdominal pain. Give her just enough to keep the edge of the pain off and page me when she wakes up."
"Yes, Doctor," replied the nurse. Turning around, she noticed a foot tapping just around the corner. She was curious.
"Erik!" she semi-shouted, "I didn't know that you were here." Once she found out that Peter was getting a check-up, she just gave an upward nod and a simple, "Ah!"
"Well," she continued, taking a seat next to Erik, "I didn't know that he had an appointment today but then again, I never saw the pediatric schedule today either."
She looked him curiously, "You look anxious. What's up?"