Chapter 103: No intimate moments in front of me
It was around this time that Kellen’s Mom came rushing in, two laptop bags on her shoulders, a small paper bag on her arm, and a tray filled with drinks.
"Kellen sweetie, can you help me please?" Before he could move, an Esper rushed to her side in the blink of an eye.
"Let me help you, Mrs. Woods." She offered with a tired smile, and Mom didn’t fight her like Kellen almost expected. The Esper helped his Mom put all of her things down in the same spot she had taken up before, before disappearing back into the swarm of people in the room. She made her way over with the paper bag and the tray. Uncle Tom’s face broke into a smile.
"Ah, Ellie. I didn’t realise you were helping, but I should have known. You can’t keep your nose out of anything." It sounded like a dig, even as his Mom and Uncle Tom laughed.
"Oh, you know me. I can’t leave my children alone for a second. Speaking of, I got you an earl gray tea, and I got you one too, Rhys. I didn’t know how you would like it, so I got them to make it exactly like Kellen’s in case you didn’t like it." The Captain took the to-go cup with a smile, giving a slight nod in thanks.
"I appreciate it Mrs. Woods." The Captain looked over the label stamped on the cup and blinked a few times, same with Kellen as he took the cup. He’d forgone his usual morning ritual to be here, so having the tea was some comfort.
"Uh, Mom? It’s four am. How did you manage to get-" She pressed a finger against Kellen’s lips, her smile widening.
"Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the real answer to." She patted his cheek before turning to head back to her spot. "Oh, and Tom? I’m always going to be by my children’s side, especially if they are both going to get involved with the gates. My husband and I both agree that even if we are old timers, we will gladly offer up any information or connection we have to support them." It was a threat. Kellen knew it, and so did everyone else. Uncle Tom laughed.
"I understand Ellie. I’ve known that since you were stuck to Kellen’s hip as he was going through his original rounds of retesting." Kellen flinched at the mention, and the Captain wrapped his arm around Kellen’s waist, pulling him against his side in comfort. He leaned his head against Kellen’s shoulder, and for some reason that helped soothe the racing heart that bringing up his dark past awoke.
"I’m with Mrs. Woods on this. As long as Kellen and his sister continue to be on the front lines and want to help others, they have my support. As their Captain, and as their family." The Captain declared, and Sakura whistled. When Kellen glanced back at his Mom, he found her smiling at the Captain warmly.
"Well said, future son-in-law. Either way, I’m going to be over in my spot, trying to get any assistance we can from my international ties. The Ramses Guild has already been in contact." The newer, younger Captain’s seemed surprised by that, while Uncle Tom wasn’t.