The beat up but very functional car pulled up to the Hospital, Kettch, the Syrynykk got out, carrying a pair of Lowinn twins while Sara, the adopted one, trotted along next to him...Kettch went on in, deposited the children in the lobby with some klunky old toys and left Sara there to watch them while he
went off to find Garth...of course, it wasn't hard to find him, considering he was gathering up the last of his things from his hospital room.
�So, this is it, huh?� Kettch said as he stood in the doorway.
Garth nodded as he slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. �Yep old friend, this is it.�
The pair left the 5th floor room and hit the stairs to the lobby. Kettch sighed. �Seems like only yesterday...� The nykk trailed off
Garth let it go...he and Kettch would have plenty of time to reminisce later. They exited the stairs, and Garth went over and scooped up his twins.
�You kids hungry?� There was a resounding: �Yeah!� from all three. Garth smiled. �Then let's go get you some food ... its gonna be a long trip.�
Roan was playing hooky from the Compound, the Firehouse, the whole gang. She sat in the cafeteria, enjoying the quiet. For as long as it lasted. Roan's baby was rocking her. Playing indoor soccer, apparently. She had already eaten, after supervising the unloading of the lasted shipment she brought from the greenhouse.
And Erin, well she was up in pediatrics, rocking a baby with a silly little grin on her face. The baby was asleep. Erin's arm was asleep. She'd run out of things to hum, so she returned him to his crib and wandered out. She meandered down the stairs and exited into the lobby.
The Lowin group moved toward the lobby. They all grinned at Erin and said hello. She returned their greeting and asked where the party was.
Garth smirked. �About 200 miles away from here. But, for now, in the cafeteria.�
�Two hundred miles?� She frowned at that, but shrugged philosophically and headed toward the cafeteria. �You going on a trip?�
�I prefer the term...retirement� He set the kids at a table. �Now, you kids wait here. Kettch and I will fix you some plates.� The nykk and super-soldier moved to do just that.
�Retirement?� Erin and Roan said at the same time. �Like Permanent?� Erin asked. Roan smiled over at the kids, especially at the one named Sara. She was the young girl Roan had held after a kidnapping attempt. That was the same night she and Ricoh Gideonn had gotten together.
�Oh, hi Roan.� Erin said, a bit discombobulated by Garth�s casual statement about leaving. �Hi baby,� she added, waving at Roan�s tummy as if the baby inside knew. The woman Erin knew as Lucia, came into the cafeteria then and headed for her with a smile and a hello, giving Erin more to deal with all at once.
Kettch grunted cheerfully in answer to their questions. �Garth wants to live on a farm.�
Roan laughed. �Somehow, that's hard to picture, yet, surprising. This city isn't the best place for kids.� Since she had opened a haven for the kids too old for the orphanage, she saw first hand just how bad it could be out there. But then she�d been a call girl and she knew that on many levels.
Garth just grinned as if he had some great secret. �It�s a new adventure...a peaceful adventure...and you are so right, Roan.�
Erin continued to look puzzled at the entire concept of Garth Lowinn relaxing anywhere but especially on a farm. Not that there wasn�t hard work on a farm, with all that growing and hoeing and stuff� but �
Garth and Kettch set plates down for the kids, got them some water and then the two sat down.
�200 miles ... we won't see you much then, will we?� Roan said what was on her mind as well as Erin�s.
�I doubt it.�
Roan sighed. �I think ... I'm actually going to ... *miss* you, Garth!� She laughed softly, but sadly at the irony of that.
�And this is like, permanent? You aren't coming back?� Erin very nearly whispered.
�Honestly...no...I don't plan on coming back here,� He gave her a reassuring smile, �to live. But, I'll visit occasionally.�
That brought a slight grin to the young woman�s face. �Visiting would be good.�
�Well, hell, hon ... don't let it get TOO boring around here!� Roan protested.
He smirked. �I'm sure it won't.� Roan at a loss for further words, went for more coffee.
The Lowinn kids finished their meals...then without any prompting, they went and disposed of their used materials...Garth grinned at the well trained children.
Roan commented that they were �Good little soldiers.�
Erin sat quietly thoughtful during their exchange. Roan returned with coffee and sat beside Kettch.
Garth scooped up the twins, and stood up. Kettch reached into the floor and grabbed his friend's duffel bag...then stood as well, Sara stuck close to the big nykk. Roan tried to think of something to say to drag out the inevitable.
Then, Garth sort of shrugged. It seemed awkward with a 3 year old in each arm, but he tried. �It was a pleasure folks.� He said and the Lowinns moved for the door. �I've got some affairs to attend to before I leave town ... so...�
�Um,� Erin cast a glance at Garth and headed after him. �Hey...�
He looked at Erin. �Yeah, kid?� With his crown of white hair it seemed he had a right to call her that.
�Well.� She stopped not far from Garth. Looked at her feet, then back up at him. �Thanks.�
�You�re welcome, Erin.� He smiled. �I'd hug you if it weren't for the rugrats. It was always a pleasure. Roan, good luck with the baby and everything.�
�Thanks hon. All the more reason to come back...�
�Yeah, well, take care Garth.� She smiled at the kids, and at Sara. Were there tears in Roan�s eyes? Nah, must be the light. Erin watched the group walk out. Kettch tossed his toothy �nykk grin at them all and then they vanished into the lobby and were soon gone to face the future ahead of them. Erin sat down in a chair and rested her head on the table.
Roan muttered something about hoping he'd run into Bliss on the way out. She did NOT want to be the one to tell her that he was gone for good this time.
Erin sighed, head still on the table. �I hope he'll be ok.�
On her way out, Roan said, �He always is, eventually ...�
She lifted her head up to look at Roan. �Yeah? I haven't known him long.�
�Well, a lot has happened to him. But, he comes through it.� She smiled. �Like we all do. The only alternative is death...� She shrugged and shook her head at her own pronouncement. �Philosophy,� she quipped apologetically and rolled her eyes.
�Yeah, we make it through.� Erin raised a brow. �Philosophy? Oops, too much coffee Roan.� Her laugh was strained.
Roan nodded. �Definitely.� The look on her face said she needed to get home to her family before it was gone too� one never did know how long it would last in their world.
�Good night Roan,� Erin said as she pushed to her feet and watched her leave.
Roan�s �Night,� drifted back through the closing door.
