Posted by Ensign Chloe Harland (Nurse) in Chloe’s Quarters - Guess who is coming to dinner

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Nathan heard Mara, and normally her small cries would make his heart melt more but he knew he had to try and fix what was wrong right now. Logan wasn’t grown but he was old enough to know when thinks had been off. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” Nathan said softly in his sons ear as he didn’t let go, keeping a hard grip he felt like if they ever separated this might all wake up as a dream.

Nathan Harland

“Mara stop,” Chloe’s tone became slightly sharper as she juggled the squirming toddler making her way to the kitchen. “Daddy is coming. You got to see Daddy and now it is Logan’s turn.” Setting down Mara in the booster seat, Chloe began to pull various items from the replicator and cooler unit.

“Come on Logan.” Nathan said as he placed Logan on the ground before offering his hand for his son to grab onto. He wanted to make sure Logan understood he wasn’t going to be leaving as the two walked over.

Logan gripped Nathan’s hand like a vice. There was no way he was going to let go. If his Daddy was leaving, Logan was going with him.

Slumping in her seat, Mara slouched so that her eyes were level with the tabletop and glaring at her mother. Now that Nathan was on the outpost with them, time was not necessarily of the essence. After finishing setting the table Chloe sat down and called the boys over. Reaching the table Nathan would see the meal was very different than what he remembered. While Chloe had said she made orange chicken, the reality was not the chinese entree but literally a piece of chicken that was dyed orange. This chicken breast was surrounded by orange colored green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, and bread the color of bright orange hazard cones.

“Uhmmm…” Nathan said as he looked at the meal as he eyed Mara then Chloe. “It’s… orange chicken.” he said as he nodded his head slightly at the sight of the meal. “I don’t remember this recipe…” Nathan said we a bemused chuckle as he pulled the chair for Logan as he let go of his hand before moving next to him as he pulled out the other chair meant for himself.

Logan looked at Nathan concerned for a second before locking eyes on his father. It was a hard stare making sure the man was not going to suddenly break for the door like an escaping criminal.

“Mara will only eat orange things so I have the replicator dye everything orange so that she will eat it.” Chloe stated matter of factly as if this was the most logical thing in the world. Picking up her fork, she pierced a bite of chicken and began to chew it.

“I like orange,” Mara said still slumped in the chair but now stabbing the chunked chicken with her baby fork. The food looked good except for the potatoes and green beans.

“That you do little one.” Nathan said as he took his seat, feeling a sense of peace and easiness as he settled into the table.

“Baby, sit up please,” Chloe said pouring Logan’s and Mara’s milk.

Chloe

Nathan Harland

Relaxing some, Logan leaned over whispering something in Mara’s ear. Her eyes got wide and then she wrinkled up her nose. “I like red too,” she announced looking at her brother.

“Logan likes red foods,” Chloe began to guess what the children were talking about. Mara let out a huge giggle shaking her head. Logan sighed deeply and looked at Chloe with an expression of pleading to understand. “Logan wants strawberries,” Chloe stood up ready to get what he wanted. She paused not sure if this was correct learning by experience a smorgasbord of food didn’t mean you might get it right. The laughter from Mara indicated that this family dance was still not right. “Logan wants apples? Spaghetti? Tomatoes,” Chloe rubbed her forehead as a small headache was starting to form above the bridge of her nose. She needed tonight to be perfect and right now her stress level was starting to peak.

“I want apples. Orange apples,” Mara sat up looking excited.

“Orange apples? Well aren’t you the epitome of having your cake and eating it too… and no you can’t have any cake ragamuffin.” Nathan said as he pointed his fork at her, certain that she was going to ask for cake next, orange cake he assumed.

“Honey we have dinner and I was wondering if you could tell me what Logan want’s,” Chloe asked again as Mara scooped up a chunk of chicken. Chewing it slowly, Chloe waited counting in her head. Mara was little and it was unfair that she had to constantly translate for Logan however the therapist had assured Chloe it could be worse and Logan could speak to no one in the family. Wracking her brain, Chloe began the daily guessing game when it came to communicating with her son. Looking at Nathan, Chloe looked like she was about to get emotional. The last thing she needed was for Nathan to see how hard it was managing the kids now. Taking a deep breath she opened her mouth to give her husband an explanation before Chloe’s face lit up. “Daddy’s shirt,” she pointed at Nathan looking at Logan with a smile. “You like Daddy’s red shirt,” Chloe repeated. Logan responded this time with a large grin. The tooth he lost in July just starting to grow back. He turned to face Nathan smiling as he gave Chloe a thumbs up. “I like his shirt too. Red is nice,” Chloe smiled happily at her son.

“Well thank you little man.” Nathan said looking fully at Logan. He knew Logan wouldn’t speak but it helped to look at him when replying to the things Mara said for him. It let him feel connected to the family while he still dealt with the trauma. In reality they were all dealing with the same trauma, adults sadly had more deadly ways of coping with drugs and alcohol. No one ever died form an accidental overdosing of muteness.

“So how was your first day,” she tried to start an adult conversation like they had in the past?

“Paper work, just paper work. I did have someone named from one of the local shops come by… nice lady… really loves her kids.” Nathan said, leaving it there as any farther could break his confidentiality vow, but he had to admit after all she said he wondered if he should be the one to keep seeing her. She seemed less troubled and more just trying to find ways to get her son married off.

Logan moved his chair closer to Mara and again whispered in Mara’s ear as she poked at a green bean. “I watch TB mommy,” Mara asked looking at Chloe. This statement brought a confused look from Chloe and caused Logan to toss an orange green bean at his sister’s head.

Nathan was taking a drink as he heard the request, that wasn’t something they often did while eating but part of him wouldn’t hate the idea.

“You or Logan,” Chloe looked between her kids. A second later she shook her head. “No just because Daddy is here doesn’t mean we aren’t eating dinner,” Chloe said gently.

Mara looked at Chloe and then Nathan. It was clear that even though she was a child, Mara knew how to take in a situation. “I watch TB daddy,” she changed the intonation of her voice to be more high pitched and question like.

“I don’t know either baby girl, but… I think that isn’t the whole story is it?” Nathan said as he tilted his head at Logan, he was every watching. Part of him was always observant, it was his job afterall.

Logan sighed and tossed another orange green bean at his sister drawing a scowl from Mara. “Mommy Wogan,” she pointed a finger at her brother in a pout. Closing her eyes and sighing, Chloe picked up her drink and chugged several large swallows using the time to think of a reply.

Chloe

“Logan… you want tv don’t you?” Nathan said, not needing a real response as he was fairly certain this was the case. “How about we watch Star Wars Episode XVI: In Search For A Plot after we finish this amazingly… orange meal?” Nathan said, the real title of course was none of the such, but considering that XVI was Logan’s favorite it was a great place to start, even if there had been more of those movies made than books in the bible.

“Settled then.” Nathan said as he made a small fist for his son to pump as the little guy eagerly fist pumped him as Nathan looked up and winked at Chloe as he reached over and placed his hand on top of hers.

Nathan Harland