Isn't It Nice to Be Home Again?
I DO NOT own Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs or Sei Jushi Bismarck, they are owned by their respective animation companies.
The Price of Peace
Chapter 36: Isn't It Nice to be Home Again?
"I'm glad that Dr. Izumi allowed you to come home, Saber," Elaine says as she takes his plate from in front of him. "I know Lady Amanda has hated not being able to have you around. Perhaps seeing you on a more consistent basis will improve her mood. She has seemed a bit down lately."
She has had an unusual amount of stress to deal with, Elaine," Saber replies sounding a little defensive.
"And she has held herself together well, you should be proud. I know your parents would have been," Elaine says trying not to anger him. "I'm just worried about the physical toll this is taking on her. Between just having the twins, and having to nurse them, and then all of the other excitement around here, I'm actually surprised that she hasn't dropped from exhaustion."
"Aye," Saber says quietly, as he swirls the tea around in his cup, not really wanting to drink it.
Elaine studies him for a moment when he gives such a short reply and then pulls a chair up beside him. "What is troubling you?"
Saber shrugs and releases a heavy sigh. "A lot of things, Elaine," he says quietly.
Elaine sits silently waiting for him to elaborate.
Saber, realizing she's not going to just allow his brief answer stands up. "We need to talk elsewhere, I don't care to have someone walk in on this conversation."
Elaine nods and stands up slowly.
Saber turns towards the study and stops. "Perhaps I should talk with Amanda first, or maybe with both of you at once would be best," he says thinking aloud.
"Well, she is upstairs, would you like to go there to talk?" Elaine asks.
"I think I would rather still talk in the study. Why don't you let Thomas know that the three of us will be in the study, and I'll go see if Sarah and Robin would mind keeping an eye on the girls for a bit. Then I'll get Amanda and we'll meet you there."
"Of course, Saber," Elaine replies casting him a nervous glance. She then heads towards their quarters in search of Thomas.
Saber heads into the sitting room where Colt, Robin, Alex, Sarah, and Fireball are all sitting and talking while the boys play on the floor nearby. "Good, you are all mostly here," he says as they look up when he enters the room. "I have a favor to ask."
"Sure," Colt says. "Whatever you need."
"I have some things that I need to talk to Elaine and Amanda about. Would you mind keeping an eye on the girls for us?"
"Sure. We can do that," Robin and Sarah reply together.
"Do ya need us to go upstairs with you?" Colt asks.
"No, if they are asleep, I'll just bring the monitor down. If they are awake, We'll bring them down here to you," Saber replies.
"Okay," Colt replies.
"Thank you," Saber says and heads upstairs. He enters the room to find Amanda sitting in the rocker with Moria on her lap playing with her. "How are you feeling, Love?" he asks quietly as he closes the door.
Amanda gives him a weak smile as she looks up briefly from watching Moria. "Tired, but a little better since you've come home," she replies honestly.
Saber nods and carefully leans down and scoops up Eryn, who is laying on a blanket on the floor playing with her feet. She squeals as he picks her up, cradling her against him. "Hi there, little one," he says softly, getting a coo in response. He smiles at her and looks over to Amanda, noticing that she looks more tired than she is trying to let on. "I've asked Robin and Sarah, and the others if they would mind watching them for a little. I'd like to speak with you and Elaine privately if you are up to it," Saber states watching Amanda closely for a reaction.
Amanda swallows hard, her stomach forming a nervous knot, but she nods and slowly stands up. "I've just fed them, so they may need changing before too long, but otherwise, they should be fine," she replies quietly. "Am I okay dressed like this?" she asks.
"You're fine, Love. I just don't want you having to try and care for them while we talk. Think of it as a small break," Saber replies. Amanda nods as she grabs the diaper bag and they head downstairs. After leaving the babies with the others they head to the study and find Elaine already there, waiting patiently in a chair. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Elaine," Saber says quietly. Elaine nods and Saber and Amanda come in and sit on the small couch across from her. The three sit in silence for a few minutes before Saber finally figures out how he wants to start the discussion. He looks to Elaine, "Did Amanda tell you about our encounter with Sincia that day she came to see me at the hospital?"
"Yes, she was rather upset about the incident when she returned home, so she took me aside and we talked," Elaine replies with a nod.
Saber turns to Amanda, who nods in reply to his unasked question. "Upset is putting it mildly, as I'm sure you know," she says quietly, eliciting a small smile from Saber.
"Well, that was not the last I saw of her, although I wish it had been," Saber says with as little emotion as he can, getting shocked looks from both women. "She came to my room at some point during the night. I was asleep and felt a presence in the room. I felt threatened, so I carefully moved so that I could surprise the visitor by turning on the lights suddenly, hoping to temporarily blind them."
"She came into your room in the middle of the night?" Amanda asks while trying to control her anger.
"Yes Love, she did," Saber replies calmly. He sees an outburst forming and holds up a finger to her lips, "Please, let me finish before you get so wound up," he says quietly. She nods and visibly relaxes a little and he continues, slowly removing his finger from her mouth. "I was actually shocked when I realized that it was her in my room. I was angry that she was there. I almost hit the call button and had her removed, but she claimed she was there to apologize for her outburst earlier."
"Good. She should have apologized. She was out of line," Elaine says harshly.
"That isn't exactly what happened," Saber replies quietly.
Elaine eyes him suspiciously. "Saber, you di-"
"I can not believe you would even allow such a thought into your head, Elaine," Saber replies harshly. "Of course I didn't do anything to compromise my relationship with Amanda. She is the only woman that I have ever been in a physical relationship with." Elaine has a slightly shocked look, but recovers quickly, giving a look of guilt for her thought. "I love Amanda, and I told Sincia just that. She said some pretty harsh things, some aimed at Amanda, and some very pointed accusations at me about how I supposedly duped her into breaking off the engagement. At first I was ready to call security, but after she said what she did, I went off. I said some things that were true, but that I should have left unsaid." He turns so that he looks directly at Amanda, "I want you to know that I have no regrets with you, Amanda. I know that the way we met was less than ideal, but I do not regret that we met how we did. I am a better person for having known you," he says quietly. "I felt that both of you should be aware of what transpired, so that if anything ever comes of it, it doesn't come as a surprise."
Amanda nods. "I am glad you told me, Saber. If I had found out through hearsay, I might have been far more angry about it. I wish I had been there to hear what was said though, it might have proven to be good entertainment," she says finishing her statement with a small smile.
Saber chuckles, "Or in physical violence," he adds with a smirk.
"You're one to talk. She is lucky that you weren't armed," Amanda replies.
"Aye, she might have had a sword at her throat in the dark."
"We would have known just how brave she was then," Amanda says with a chuckle.
Elaine stands up, "So do you think she will show up around here again?"
"No, I don't think so," Saber replies after a few moments in thought.
"What if she does?" Elaine asks. "Do we just turn her away."
Saber sighs, "Let's not borrow trouble. If for some strange reason she does come here, we will deal with it then."
Elaine nods. "Are we done then? I need to see about dinner."
"Yes, we're done, Elaine," Saber says quietly.
Elaine takes her leave from the room, slipping out quietly and closing the door behind her.
Saber leans into the back of the couch and closes his eyes, running his hands across his face feeling suddenly more tired than he did minutes before.
Amanda moves beside him and rests her head on his shoulder, out of habit he places an arm around her and sighs. "Are you all right, Saber?" Amanda asks concerned.
"I will be. I'm just tired, as I'm sure you are," he replies without opening his eyes.
"I am glad that you told me about Sincia, Saber. I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing for you to do. I can tell that it upset you."
"I'm not even sure how she found my room to be perfectly honest. I was in a supposedly secure area," Saber replies exasperated. "I'm still a bit upset about Elaine's remark too."
Amanda manages a small smile, "She has become rather defensive of me since the girls were born, I know you wouldn't do anything to compromise what we have, Saber. So I saw the humor in it, even if you didn't."
"I suppose it is mildly amusing, but it was not the time or place to say such a thing," Saber says gruffly, making Amanda chuckle. "I think that if she is acting like this to try and win you back, she's going about it all wrong. Something tells me it wouldn't work anyways."
"Amanda, the things she said...it was how she talked so bad about you that angered me. I can understand her saying things about me, but she was basing her opinions on what Sean told her, not fact, and that is what made me so angry. I told her that she could only hope to be as good a woman as you."
Amanda looks up surprised. "You actually said that?" she asks in disbelief.
"Perhaps not those exact words, but yes," Saber replies while trying not to laugh.
"If anyone said something like that to me, I'd haul off and hurt them."
"Sincia is not you, Love. I don't think she could actually stoop to physical violence."
"So you're saying that violence is stooping to a low?"
"No. I'm just saying it isn't her style. She believes in verbal attacks, as opposed to physical confrontations. I rather admire that you seem to possess a diplomatic streak, as well a the ability to physically defend yourself. When you went off on her the other evening, you were far more diplomatic about what you said that what was about to come from my mouth. I had my chance later, and I tried to be proper about what I said, but obviously it went out the window by the end of the conversation."
"I wish I could have at least heard what was said," Amanda mutters.
"I was rather upset after she left. So much so that I almost grabbed my cell and called you to talk about it."
"I wish you would have," Amanda replies.
"I then thought better of it when I realized what time it probably was. I knew you were already on the verge of exhaustion, so I figured I would just talk to you about it now."
"I suppose that it might have woken the little ones up too, which would mean that Elaine would have gotten up, and then Thomas, if he heard my phone ring through the monitor, and God only knows who else would have gotten up to see what was going on."
"Hence the reason that I reconsidered the decision to call you," he says pulling her against him.
Amanda relaxes in the embrace and before either one realizes it they have fallen asleep. A knock on the door causes Saber to stir a little, but starts to quickly drift back off. The door opens and Commander Eagle comes in with Elaine, stopping when they spot the sleeping pair.
"Perhaps we should let them rest, Elaine," the commander says quietly.
Saber realizes they aren't alone in the room and forces his eyes to open. Looking around, everything is blurry for a moment, then he sees Commander Eagle and Elaine turning back towards the door. "What time is it?" he manages to ask before the two get out the door, causing them to return to the room.
"It's almost dinner time, Saber," Elaine replies.
"We've been here almost three hours?" he asks in shock, suddenly more awake.
"Yes, and now we know why," the commander says with a chuckle. "Obviously you both needed a rest."
Amanda stirs from the voices and looks around. "We're still in the study?" she asks groggily as she tries to move, realizing how stiff she is.
Saber moves a little so that they can both sit up better and nods. "Yeah. We both fell asleep I suppose when we were talking," he replies. "Elaine says dinner is almost ready."
"Oh. I'm sure that the girls need feeding again by now. I'm sorry," Amanda says quietly.
"They have been fed. We used some of the stored milk. I assure you everything is fine," Elaine says.
"Thank you, Elaine," Amanda replies as she stands up. Saber stands up slowly beside her.
"I suppose we should go and talk with everyone before dinner," Saber says. "I'm sure by now they all want to know what is going on."
"I sort of told them that I figured you were discussing last night's events with Amanda and Elaine. It raised a few questions, but no one seemed to want to press the matter," Commander Eagle replies.
Saber nods and they head out and have dinner.
A couple months go by uneventfully. Saber and Amanda are sitting outside watching the girls play on some blankets enjoying the lack of excitement when Colt comes out followed by Robin, Fireball, April, Alex, Sarah, Elaine, Thomas, Commander Eagle, and Dr. Izumi. Saber looks up to see the group coming towards them, "Is something wrong?" he asks almost dreading the reply.
"Yes, there is," Elaine says eying the couple closely.
"What?" Saber asks.
"We've been discussing things and have unanimously decided that the two of you need to get away for a couple of days," the commander says. Amanda immediately goes to protest and he holds a hand up. "We are perfectly able to care for your children for two days. We have their milk, diapers, and anything else that they might need. Your children are healthy, so a couple of days away from you shouldn't do them any harm and could do the two of you a wealth of good. I don't think either of you have truly relaxed since before you got married."
"And for once, the two of you are in fairly decent health. I think the mental break is a good idea," Dr. Izumi states, getting a nod of agreement from both Thomas and Elaine.
"But we've got no place to go," Amanda finally says in protest.
"Lady Amanda, do you not think that you can afford a holiday someplace? Find a nice inn or something in a nearby town. You can still be close enough that you can return should we need you, but far enough away to finally relax," Elaine says.
"How long has this plotting been going on under our noses?" Saber asks trying to hide his amusement.
"We started talking about it approximately a week after you came home from the hospital this last time," Elaine says.
"I see," Saber says flatly. He looks to Amanda who is obviously trying to find some objection and shrugs. "I don't think they're going to let go of this, Love," he says almost apologetically.
Amanda sighs in defeat and nods slightly. "I suppose they aren't giving us much choice, are they?" she asks glancing over the group standing before them, noticing the amused looks on several faces.
"Apparently not," Saber replies dryly. "Have you already booked us a place?" he asks in a mocking tone.
"I was actually going to suggest your parent's vacation cottage to you, sir," Thomas replies.
"Vacation cottage?" Saber and Amanda ask at once.
"Aye sir, It is about three hours to the northwest of here," Thomas replies. "I have a nephew that cares for it that lives close by. I called him to inquire about how it fared after the last battles, since I knew some of that area had been damaged. He told me that your lands there were fine and that he had just recently given the house a good cleaning. He had recently rented it to some nobles who needed a place to stay while their home was rebuilt. I told him it was fine. He called yesterday to tell me that they have vacated the premises and that everything is once again in order. I can easily call him and ask him to get some groceries and such ready for your arrival."
"I believe we are capable enough to buy our own necessities, Thomas," Saber says obviously amused. "How come I've never heard of this cottage before?" he asks curious.
"Well, you've been there before, although you were a rather small thing. Perhaps two or so. You almost drowned in the lake nearby, and they didn't take you back after that. But your parents would take a holiday there once a year at least. Don't you remember that?" Elaine replies.
"I remember them taking holiday, but I don't remember the places they went. I remember that I usually stayed home with the two of you and the tutors, so that I wouldn't be lacking in schooling. I don't remember nearly drowning as a child though."
"Well, you were really little, so I'm not surprised that you are unable to remember, Saber," Elaine says quietly.
Eryn starts crying and Amanda gets up and picks her up, cradling her against her to calm her. After a minute, she quiets down and Amanda places her against her shoulder gently bouncing her to soothe her. "I suppose it might be a good idea to get away for a couple of days. Someplace other than a hospital would be nice," Amanda admits quietly. "When are you suggesting that we leave?" she asks looking to Thomas and Elaine.
"Perhaps tomorrow?" Thomas offers. "It would give my nephew time to be sure everything is freshened up, and the two of you time to pack and such before your trip."
Saber nods. "Are you amenable to this, Love?" he asks Amanda.
"You ask as if we have a choice, Saber," she replies with a chuckle. "Something tells me that we don't."
"Aye, so I suppose we should go and get ready then," he replies as he scoops up Moria into his arms. "Let's lay them down and then work on packing a few things.
"Okay," Amanda replies. They take the children and head up to their room.
Colt chuckles, "I was hopin' they'd put up a fight a little more."
"I think they saw that they were clearly out numbered," Fireball says.
"And out gunned," Colt adds with a grin.
"So where are we going to let the babies sleep while they are away?"
"We will keep them in our room. At least until I set up Lady Amanda's old room as an official nursery," Elaine replies.
"Is that what they were going to do?" Sarah asks.
"I don't know, but it's what is going to happen, at least until the children are old enough to be further away and have their own rooms."
Colt laughs, "You are quite devious, Ms. Elaine."
"If we didn't intervene, they'd have them in their room for the next year. They are nearly old enough to start eating solid foods exclusively, and drinking whole milk, so I don't see the need for them to remain in the same room with them any longer," Elaine replies. "The babes will be six months in just another week. It is time, whether their parents are ready or not."
Commander Eagle laughs, "I see why Saber's parents were so fond of you. You aren't afraid to tell them what they don't want to hear. Something that the couple in question undoubtedly needs."
"We'll help get the nursery set up while they're gone. It'll be fun," Robin says with a smile.
The group continues to discuss their plans for a while before breaking off to do various things throughout the remainder of the day.
