Home » The Archives » Chapter 14 » New Beginnings
| Re: New Beginnings [message #2216 is a reply to message #2215] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 21:41   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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TB Pilot
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Lana coughed on the lemonade she had just taken a sip of. Recovering, she looked across the table at Dianne. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Well, my son, Gordon, currently holds the world record in freestyle--he won Olympic medals for both that and the butterfly strokes." She paused. "He's still a fast swimmer, especially in freestyle, though he no longer competes--for more reasons than just staying incognito. I think he'd like the challenge of training another swimmer to his level or beyond."
She glanced up at the balcony, where Gordon and John could be seen, both wearing swimsuits, with towels around their necks. "We could ask."
"If he would be willing that would be a relief for me. Aaron's already qualified to go to the trials to determine the World Team. It would be a shame if he couldn't go." Lana made a mental note to talk to Gordon before they left this weekend. "What about IR? I mean, what have you told the younger kids? How did you tell them? Vince has already cleared telling Aaron the truth about the move before we leave Hawaii if he takes the position. Neither of us are sure about Lea though."
Dianne laughed. "In Tyler's case, he knew before I did! He saw Thunderbird One launch one night, but put it down to a dream." She sipped her tea again, and put the glass down, turning it around and around on the table top. "Once I knew about IR, I insisted that my kids be told. It wasn't fair that they not know, and it took a lot of pressure off of Jeff and the boys."
"Trying to hide something this big from people who live here 24/7 is extremely difficult. Hell, even trying to hide it from frequent visitors is hard. My mother found out on her own, and didn't tell anyone, which was an accomplishment on her part."
She picked up the glass again, and drained it. "My kids have been able to keep the secret, even when they've gone visiting family without us. We've impressed them with the importance of it. Other than my mother, none of my other family members know, and that's due a lot to the kids."
"Still, it's a lot to ask of a five year old," Lana commented, still unsure. She nervously started tapping her polished nails on the table top. "What if she accidently let something slip?"
"Hmm." Dianne paused for a long moment, looking very thoughtful. Finally, she said, "You're right, it is a lot to ask of a little one. But anyone could accidently let something slip, really." She caught Lana's gaze. "How much exposure to IR's activities has Lea had up until now? Has your family made a big deal of what we do when it ends up in the news?"
Lana ducked her head, a little embarrassed with what she was about to say. "Honestly, I'm not even sure she knows what IR is. Sure, a news story with them has gotten mentioned here and there around her, but current events aren't a topic we discuss in depth unless it directly affects Hawaii. Guess it's the native Hawaiian coming out in us."
"Then, perhaps, it would be best to just tell her that this is 'Daddy's new job'," Dianne suggested. "If it's put to her as something not terribly interesting or special, she's probably less likely to say anything... at least, until she understands that it's important not to say anything." She smiled. "Perhaps the 'native Hawaiian' background will help us out here."
Lana smiled, glad her hostess hadn't taken offense to her and her family's lack of interest in their organization.
"Lea's more of her father's daughter, so I wouldn't hold your breath on that."
Lana picked up her lemonade and took another sip of it. She wasn't use to opening up this much to someone she had just met, but given the situation, it wasn't something she could discuss much with those close to her.
"I know Vince will only do this if I'm okay with it. He tends to put us before himself. Always has; I guess that's probably one of the reasons I fell for him," Lana said, finally deciding to say what was really on her mind. "If it wasn't for my accident, I know he'd still be with the Navy. As much as he's trying to act nonchalant about this position, I know he really wants it." Lana fell silent, not sure how to continue.
Dianne winced at the last statement. "Yes, I can understand that. When we brought Jenny on board, we didn't tell her at first because we felt she'd really want the position because she'd be helping, you know," she crooked her fingers to indicated quote marks, "International Rescue. We know that what we do is looked at as glamorous, and exciting. Vince doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would look at it that way, but as a challenge, yes. He seems that way to me. But there's also a lot of danger, and sometimes even monotony involved." She chuckled. "You should see the boys when we have a long spate without any rescues. They can really get on each other's nerves."
She paused. "It's good that your husband is looking toward his family's well-being first. Tell me, if you said you didn't want him to take the job, what would he do?"
Lana didn't have to think twice about that question. She knew what Vince would do. "He'd turn down the offer."
"And how do you think he'd react to doing that?"
It was another easy question for her. Something Vince had said in a therapy session during her recovery came back to her. The therapist had asked him how he felt about resigning his commission.
"I'm going to miss the Navy," Vince had said. "I enjoy what I do. Enjoy being in a position to help others. To be a part of some cutting edge technology. To be a part of something that makes a difference. However, my family is more important to me. They've supported me in what I wanted to do over the years despite sacrifice. Now, I guess its time for me to make a sacrifice."
"He'd view it as a sacrifice that he needs to make for us," Lana said. Suddenly all the doubts she had over the decision melted away. Yes, there were still things that needed to be worked out, but she knew they could do that by sticking together. He had made a sacrifice for them three and a half years ago and left a career he loved to be able to support and take care of his family. "He's been putting us in front of his wants for the last three and a half years. Maybe now its time we returned the favor." Lana slowly looked around the area, taking in her surroundings. "I think we could be happy here. I think its about time for me to do something for the man I love."
*** End Flashback ***
"Sure, I'm getting a bit panicked with all that needs to be done," Lana told him, pulling herself away from the memory. "But second thoughts, no. I told you before, if this is what you want to do, then the kids and I are behind you one hundred percent. We'll be together and that's what's important."
Vince reached over and put his arm around her shoulders. He felt relieved by her answer, knowing he was asking a lot of his family.
"Have you told Aaron about you know what, yet?" Lana asked.
As she had told Dianne, Aaron would be told the truth about the move before they got to the island. They had chosen to hold off trying to explain things to Lea until after the move. For now, she knew what they had told the rest of their families and friends, they were moving to New Zealand to be close to Vince's new job with Tracy Industries.
"Not yet. Going to do it when we take that night dive tomorrow evening. Along with breaking the news about his new coach to him."
Lana smiled. She was happy when Gordon had agreed to coach Aaron. It meant her son wouldn't need to sacrifice his dream because of the move.
"He's going to be ecstatic!"
Neither one of them had a chance to say anything else, as an enthusiastic count down began in the living room. The adults joined in with the teenagers.
"Five... four... three... two... one, Happy New Year's!"
As the fireworks on the television special started, noise makers sounded in the Crenshaw's living room.
I sure hope they don't wake up, Lea Lana thought even as she took another sip of her wine. It was a new year, and the beginning of a new adventure for her family and herself.
*Flashback written in collaboration with Tikatu
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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