Family meeting Part 2

Posted on 15 Mar 2020 @ 4:39am by Lieutenant Commander True Keading & Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Civilian Eddie Reynolds

Mission: Mission 3 - Whom gods destroy ...
Location: Reynolds quarters
Timeline: MD7
1350 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Previously on Family Meeting Part 1

"So we all have a lot of emotional baggage from things that have happened in the past and somehow we have to learn how to either let that go, or carry it with us in a way that isn't detrimental to the group or anyone one particular person in it."

And now the continuation ……………………………



"I'll make a start," Jon said. He was big enough to do that at least. "Eddie your right. I'm sorry. I will hear you out more. But that still doesn't mean your getting a pet. Charlotte if I have made you feel like I was being disrespectful to your position as Eddies mother I apologise. It was not my intention but I will ensure that all future incidents involving Eddie, you will be informed. This is new territory. Its not easy to navigate."

"I'm not apologising," Charlotte said firmly. "True and I have already had words on our situation. It is too difficult to be friendly with you. But …" she looked at her son. "I will try behave better, for your sake."

True nodded, It wasn't exactly perfect but at least maybe this would mean Charlotte would stop accusing her of things. "Alright, accepted." She wasn't sure what else to say. Why did she find it hard to speak when she could so easily listen to others?

Jon knew from what True was feeling that she had more thoughts on the subject. "Say what you really need to say love," Jon said simply. He placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. Charlotte didn't look impressed. Her face was a mix of anger and hurt in his direction.

True thought about asking Eddie to leave but knew he would not take that well. "It's just . . . well. Being the new person in a family is not easy. I came in to a situation that hadn't been resolved. While I feel this has helped I just want to remind everyone that I am not the cause of it." There was perhaps a bit of anger at Jon as well, for allowing this to have gone on as long as it did without confronting Charlotte.

"Shes family," Charlotte said. Quieter this time. A little defeated.

"Shes family. Shes not going anywhere as far as I am concerned. I love her. I'm sorry you are struggling with that but Trues right she isn't the cause of anything," Jon said defensively. He could sense True had some anger in his direction now. This was part of what he had been afraid of happening with Charlotte deciding to get involved so negatively.

"I'm sorry our marriage disintegrated. I moved mountains to get you on my ship and I have gone against my mother and the courts decision on full custody, to keep us all in the same place so that yours and Eddies relationship didn't get damaged. I never imagined in doing that, that you would decide to try hurt future ones of mine. So the sniping at True and accusations need to stop Charlotte."

"She said she would try," True said. "All we can ask. I just wanted to get that off my chest." Everyone in the room seemed really quiet now. "I think that's good enough unless anyone else has something to say?"

"Lets all try," Eddie said in an attempt to cut through the tension. "And not just for my sake but because we are adults …. well I'm getting there and if we cannot be nice, we can at least be civil. Thats what you both always taught me."

True couldn't help but give a tiny smile at that. Eddie was so cute sometimes. "Thank you Eddie, that's good advice." True stood up and realized she was still clutching her tea which was less than warm now. She downed it anyway. "Thank you all for coming."

Charlotte rose, leant over and kissed her son before saying, "I think we will discuss this bond thing another time when emotions are less strained." Somehow this woman had got her ex husband to reprimand her, her son to insist on an apology to her and now had just dismissed the family meeting in which the main issue "Eddie" was not being sorted.

"John, Counselor," she said curtly heading out.

There was a long silence Jon scratching his head not sure if that had gone well or not. He was settling on not if True was mad at him. Eddie suddenly bit into a cookie. "Well no one yelled," he shrugged.

"Yeah," True said, taking in a deep breath and letting it out again. "I think the bonding meeting should include Tia's parents, but I'm not sure Tia would profit from the meeting. She's a little shy to begin with and she feels really bad about what happened, even if she had no control over it."

"Actually True, " Eddie said remembering his stuff off his chest. "I think you should leave that decision up to Tia. At least ask her if she wants to come." It felt like adults suddenly making decisions for them again without them getting any input.

True seemed to think about it. "You are right, I will ask her. But, you have to understand Eddie that even though you may think you're grown up, you are still a minor, both of you so it's your parents job to decide what they think is best for you."

"I'm not asking to make the decisions. I just want to have my thoughts considered in the decision making process. You don't need to remind me I am a minor and to listen to my parents. Yup thought we turned a corner earlier but evidently not…." he threw his hands up in the air, grabbed his cookies and disappeared into his room feeling like he had now been told off.

Jon still hadn't said anything. He watched his son storm away. "Hes locked the door. I wouldn't bother just yet …. why are you mad at me?" he asked suddenly.

True sighed and reached up to rub one of her shoulders. "I'm not, not really. Maybe I was. Just an irrational emotion. Frustration that all of this hadn't been dealt with before I came into the picture. But maybe it would have happened anyway." She shrugged. "I'll get over it."

"What hasn't been dealt with?" he asked confused.

"Residual hurt feelings, I guess. I was just upset that I was the source of her anger. But like I said, moment has passed." She gave him a small smile.

"You're not the source of her anger. That's me. Its always going to be me because I hurt her.

She's decided to make you a target for her anger. I didn't realise she would behave quite as badly. I mean I figured she would likely try scare you off with the … "cheating" but she failed and I was upfront with you with all of that beforehand. I didn't think she would go in on you for me not communicating with her at speed. So I guess I owe another apology. I'm sorry in that getting together with me has made you a target," he told her.

True walked to him and wrapped herself into his arms. This was what she craved most about being with him, his strong arms wrapping around her and taking all of her worries and thoughts away. Being with him physically was a lot of fun but this is what really reset her soul. "Don't worry about it," True replied. "I've already let it go."

Jon nodded holding her in what he hoped was a comforting manner. He couldn't help worrying that although True had let things go, this wasn't the end of things. "I'll try keep things in better check," he said simply.

She nodded. She was sure he would put a lot more effort into it and that was enough for her.

OFF:

---

●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda


●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda