Who's Coming to Dinner?

Posted on 09 Mar 2022 @ 5:19pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Civilian Eddie Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews

Mission: Picking up the pieces
Location: Reynolds quarters
Timeline: On route to SB21 for R&R
1261 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Dad, your wearing a shirt and..." the teenager walked out looking over the table. "Well there a set table and dinner. What's going on? No who is coming?" Eddie demanded.

"Well I want you to meet someone..."

"I knew it. I knew you were seeing someone again. Mum even knew it..."

Jon frowned. Why was Charlotte still trying to keep tabs on him. Eddie was still very sour and down from Tia leaving and his bond with her dissolving.

"Okay well yes and now I want you to meet her," he told his son.

"I liked True. I doubt she's a nice as True..." Eddie muttered as the door chime went.

He walked to the door and opened it. "You must be my dads new girlfriend."

"Ah, yes. Hi... I'm Harper." she said looking at him with a warm but slightly nervous smile.

The prospect of meeting Jon's son had on her mind since he'd said it was time. She'd never been with anyone who'd had kids before so this was new territory for her. She was a little nervous but how much trouble could a young man be? Hopefully none.

"It's nice to meet you, Eddie." Harper added.

"Dad, Harper is here," Eddie said stepping aside for her. The idea of opening up to a new potential step mother after being such a fan of the last one was difficult and his dad had just thrown it on him.

"Hi," Jon said walking over and placing a kiss on her lips. "So this is Eddie. My son. I hope your both hungry?"

"I'll be honest and say I've not eaten most of the day." she admitted. "What do you like to eat Eddie?" she asked trying to get to know him a bit.

“Everything,” Eddie said simply.

“That’s true,” Jon said. “But tonight it’s beef stroganoff and wild rice. Red wine for us, juice for him and fruit flan for dessert. How’s that all sound?”

"That does sound pretty amazing." Harper replied. " I haven't eaten all day." she added before turning to Eddie. "What did you get up to today Eddie? Anything fun?" she asked.

"School," Eddie said heading to the table. "It was boring. Can I replicate some garlic bread too dad? Do you like Garlic bread?" he addressed Harper.

"Oh okay." Harper said almost feeling like that was the conversation on that subject ended. Sometimes children could be quite short and sweet when answering questions. "Yeah, it's even better with cheese on it too." she smiled towards Eddie.

Eddie thought to his dad ~Okay she gets brownie points. Cheese is a good idea~

"School - I lost my best friend. Its not the same," he elaborated out loud sensing perhaps he had been a little rude there.

"Oh, that sucks." Harper said nodding. "When I was in school one of my friends, Suzie, just up and left quite suddenly. I felt quite sad for weeks but my parents kept making me smile, which I am sure your dad will do for you... and after a while new friends come in. Other than that... I think your dad should maybe give you a few holodeck privileges." she gave a daring smile and a twinkle in her eye could be seen. "I am sure you could take some other friend and have a good time."

“We’ll she was kinda more than a friend. We were supposed to get married one day, bonded,” he said.

Jon winched slightly. “You might have. Getting married is a long way off buddy. He’s not taking this bond suddenly disappearing well,” he explained to Harper.

Harper nodded. "Maybe we can find her? I'm more than happy to look and see if we can maybe set up a comm channel for you two." Harper offered sincerely. She wanted Eddie to not feel as he did. "Who knows... maybe this lucky girl will find her way back to you." She smiled softly at the young boy in front of her.

Eddie shook his head, "She just upped and left. Her entire family."

"Well Eddie her father got an offer of a promotion on another ship. I couldn't match it and keep him here," Jon said simply. "And if you want to speak to each other like Harper said, it can be set up."

"I'm not sure," he frowned. "I will think on it."

"How was your day?" Jon asked Harper.

For a moment Harper thought maybe she had made things worse. Her broke her heart to see a young person, anyone for that matter so upset over the loss of a friend or more... even if it was the a death a broken heart can be just as bad.

"My day was fine, nothing too exciting happened for a change." she made light of his kidnapping for a moment. "Everyone was where they should be, doing what they should. It was a lovely boring day." she smiled. "How was yours?"

"Sent someone on a secret mission, sorted out a ton of shore leave requests, spoke to 3 admirals. 2 of which hate me," Jon reeled off. "Mother called. Lets sit down. I'd say we are ready to eat here."

Harper blinked for a moment as she processed his day, rather more involved than hers for sure. She nodded as she sat down as food came into view on the table. "So, 3 Admirals?" she asked avoiding the mother comment. "Look at your big old important dad Eddie." she joked.

It earnt her a grin off the teenager.

“I can see you two are going to gang up on me,” Jon said sitting down and taking a sip of his wine.

Harper smiled, "It is easy to do. You practically give us so much ammunition. Better watch out Eddie, your dad may send us on a secret mission to the brig." she said with a little attitude.

"Well you're head of security," Eddie directed at her. "I bet you know all the secrets about ways to get out of the brig."

Jon nearly choked on his wine, not expecting his son to say that.

"Well... there is this little trick." she said leaning in to whisper in Eddie's ear. She could see Jon's ears rise as his face focussed on the pair. Eddie laughed a little as really all Harper was saying to him was that she wanted pretend to tell him things to make his dad's mind spin. For a moment she forgot he was a telepath, but it was still fun.

"You know now I want to send you on that mission just to see this," Jon said.

"Would you do that to little old me?" she asked rhetorically. "What if something happened to me?" she asked playfully.

"In the brig? Well if something goes wrong in the brig I would tear the chief there a new one .... oh wait ...." he looked at her laughter behind his eyes.

For a moment she thought to herself she might like that idea... but quickly shook it as there was a child present. "Well your chief will just have to make sure everywhere is safe then. I am sure they are up to the task." Harper spoke in the third person.

"Oh I wouldn't of hired them if I didn't believe that," Jon said simply. "Shall we eat then?"

"Hiring requires payment I think." Harper winked before looking at the food. "Yes, please. I'm starving!"

---

Ensign Harper Matthews
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda

Captain Jon Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Eddie Reynolds
NPC Jon Reynolds