Page 67 of Soaring and Saucy

“Here we go, fellas…” Tic-Tak announced, grinning, and made a grand show of putting his fake sword tip onto the ground before Stephanie, kneeling. Lance had picked up several of the plastic swords at a discount shop to complete their outfits and give the impression of being knights of the Round Table.

“I, Sir Tic-Tak of the Squadron, do hereby swear my fealty to Queen Stephanie…”

“Do we gotta say all that crap?”

“Shut up and learn something, Ohio.”

“I promise to be a loyal friend and provide wisdom should your child ever need it,” Tic-Tak finished dramatically, bowing his head.

Stephanie looked at Lance, her eyes shining with disbelief and wonder at this whole strange display. Before she extended a hand, playing along, and touched Tic-Tak’s brow. The man looked up, nodded, and moved away.

Orion and Jeremy, father and son, moved into place next. Both knelt before Stephanie once again – and Lance couldn’t have been more proud of his friends for helping him pull this off.

“I, Sir Orion of the Squadron…”

“And Sir Jeremy…” his son chimed in happily.

“My squire,” Orion adlibbed, grinning at his son before nodding. “We promise friendship and laughter to your child, hoping that it is blessed with quick wit and a lighthearted temperament.”

“That means no crying babies,” Jeremy added for emphasis and then started. “Oh boy! Mama’s here with the cupcakes!”

Lance couldn’t help the smile that touched him as he and Orion shared a look, before his quiet friend stood. Orion’s son had never referred to his stepmother as ‘Mama’ – calling her Cherry this entire time. Things were obviously changing for all of them. Orion walked over to greet her as Shellac plucked the box of cupcakes from the woman’s hands just before the family hugged quietly in the corner, sharing a stolen moment as Pasteur stepped forward.

“I, Sir Pasteur of the Squadron, promise to be a friend to you both, sharing the word of God’s love with your child. I am truly honored that you’ve asked me to stand in as the baby’s godparent.”

“You are practically family,” Stephanie whispered in a hushed voice. “You married us, and we are honored to have you as the baby’s godparent, my friend.”

Pasteur nodded, looked at Lance, and then stood, moving away to make room as the other members of the ‘Round Table’ made promises to the ‘Queen.’ Some were serious, some were jokes, but mostly, this was just for show for his Stephanie, and they all knew it. Things would change over time – deployments, change of duty stations, marriages, and more, would all affect them, but it was sweet that they were saying such things now.

As Moonbeam knelt before Stephanie, his wife got this strange look on her face.

“I, Sir Moonbeam of the Squadron…”

“Hang on,” Stephanie interrupted quickly, glancing at Lance. Her eyes looked frightened and alarmed. Her lips were practically gone from her face, pressed together so tightly they were impossible to see before she spoke in a strained voice. “Could someone get me a towel?”

“A towel?”

“Oh no…”

“Uh oh…”

“Why’s she need a towel?”

“Cause her water broke, you dolt. You fly an airplane – how do you not know basic stuff like this?”

“Because I’m not pregnant or getting anyone pregnant anytime soon.”

“Never say never…”

“Towel?” Stephanie reminded everyone loudly in a voice that brooked no arguments as her face looked pinched, looking directly at Lance. “I hate to cut this short, but we’re leaving.”

“Yup! I’m on it,” Lance began – hesitated- and then realized that they had an entire apartment full of people, some of which hadn’t arrived yet. Lila stepped forward and nodded.

“Go,” Lila instructed in understanding. She was staying with them for a few days before flying back to Louisville. “We’ll handle this and meet you at the hospital in a bit. I’ll get a ride from someone who knows the direction.”

Orion stepped forward.

“Go. We’ll take care of everything and lock the door behind us. Take care of your wife.” Between the two of them, the look in Stephanie’s eyes and the way her hands were clutching at her stomach was all the encouragement Lance needed.

---