Changing Winds

Part 8

By Yuki Wildstar

 

 

 

 

 

He raced into labor and delivery and straight to the nurse’s station. He tried to catch his breath and said, “No, Nov, Nova Wildstar!” the minute they called he ran out of his office and straight to the hospital one mile away.

 

The young girl behind the desk smiled, “She’s been asking for you. Come on I’ll get you a gown to wear.”

 

He walked into her room and could hear the sound of his child’s heartbeat. It sounded like the ocean waves and he could see her laying on her side trying to sleep. He walked closer to her and grabbed a chair and placed it next to her. He touched her face and she opened her eyes, “Hey there gorgeous. How do you feel?”

 

“Okay, I guess. They gave me something for the pain. But they’re going to stop soon, I’m only at 8 centimeters they want me at 10.”

 

“Do you need me to get anything?”

 

“Ice, just ice.” She tried to smile.

 

He kissed her gently on the forehead and ran to get her some ice chips. When he returned her doctor stood over her checking her chart and vitals. “Hello Doc. How is she?” he placed the cup of ice chips next to her and watched as he looked over her chart. “Is everything alright?” his silence was starting to scare him.

 

Doctor Perez smiled at him, “No everything is just fine. No need to worry. She’s on schedule. Her cervix is dilating as normal. The baby will be here pretty soon. I see you got her some ice chips, keep them coming. We want her hydrated. This time tomorrow you will be a father.” Her doctor had kind eyes and he stepped in easily from her ordeal back in the states. Nova and Derek like him instantly. “I’ll be back once she is at 10 and then you’re going home with a baby.” He sat with her for 3 hours more before her labor pain became more intense. Her contraction were seconds apart and he called to the nurse to find her doctor. Doctor Perez walked in, check her cervix and smiled. “It’s time.” He began to give orders to the nurses and Derek watched as the room turn to chaos. Nova laid on her bed in pain as sweat pour down her head. He took a towel and wiped her forehead as she concentrated on her breathing. His heart went out to her. It was an experience to see his wife take labor on, he was in total awe. If only he could switch places and bare her pain so she wouldn’t have to go through it. Doctor Perez sat in front of her like a catcher waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball. He looked up once and awhile and cheered her on. “Push Nova, Push!”

 

Nova sat up and scream in pain, pushing hard with every deep breath. Derek held her hand as she squeezed hard. It sent pain up his arm and he thought she would break it. “Baby, my hand.” He said in pain.

 

Nova looked at him with fierce pain and slapped him hard. “FUCK YOUR HAND! Try pushing this out!” He let go and stepped back. He looked at the nurses and the doctor as they all laughed.

 

Doctor Perez chuckled and said. “She really doesn’t mean that, kind of.”

 

“The hell I did!” She snapped back. “Shut up and get it out!” she screamed once more as pain shot through her whole body.

 

“Derek, get back in there and cheer her on.” Her doctor ordered.

 

With caution Derek stepped closer and touched her shoulder. He didn’t think holding her hand would benefit him. She reached for his hand and pulled it down from her shoulder, once again she inflicted pain. “Baby push. Come on push.” He cheered enduring what pain she gave him. An hour later he heard the cry of a baby as her doctor held him in his arms. He peeked down to see a small infant with wild dark hair. His heart sore to see his son come into the world. “It’s a boy, baby. We have a son!” he said excited.

 

Nova laid back breathing heavily giving him a smile. “Give him to me. I want to see him.”

 

“Just a minute Nova, we need to cut his cord. Commander would you like to do the honor?” Doctor Perez said as he handed Derek a scissor.

 

Carefully he cut the cord and watched as they place their son on her chest. Nova cried as her son snuggle into her skin. Derek’s heart burst with pride. He kissed the top of her head and whispered into her ear. “You did great. I love you more now than ever.”

 

“What are we going to name him?” she asked feeling exhausted.

 

“I don’t know. What were you thinking?” he asked.

 

She smiled wide and then looked at their son. “I would like to name him after your brother and father. Alexander Wildstar.”

 

“I would like that very much. Hello Alex.”

 

 

 

 

6 months later .  .  . .

 

 

Derek took in the sights as he drove back to their new home above the surface. They manage to get a three-bedroom apartment since they were both officers in EDF and the Star Force. Their view from their apartment was breath taking to look over the city lights at night. He was content with his life. He and Nova were married and they now had a child. His pride and joy, his son. He made his way to their apartment and notice she wasn’t home yet. Quickly he took off his jacket and began to make dinner for them. She walked into the apartment 30 minutes later looking exhausted with their son. “Rough day?”

 

“That’s an understatement. I just can’t wait until everyone is up on the surface. But until the Hospital is completed, I have to make do with the over load.”

 

He smiled, “sorry that it was a bad day. I’ve started dinner. How’s my little man?” he took their son from her arms so she could unwind.

 

Her face softened to see him with his son. He was a proud father and every chance he got he would spend time with him. “The girls at day care just love him. I swear I think their waiting for him to turn legal age to date him.” Which made him laugh. He kissed her gently and smiled at her. “Let me go change him and get out of these clothes.” He raised his eyebrow and leer at her. She laughed. “That’s after dinner.” She said over her shoulder as she walked towards their son’s room.

 

It was quiet night in the Wildstar residence. Nova placed their son in bed and they sat on the couch snuggled in each other arms as they watched a movie. Since television and internet has not been established on the surface, they brought an old Flash drive and looked to see what there was to see. “So how does tomorrow look like?” he asked.

 

“Probably the same. Why?”

 

“Just wondering if you like to have lunch tomorrow. I have a meeting in the morning and well, I’ve heard rumors of orders coming down again for space.”

 

“How long do you think they are handing down?”

 

He sighed, “I don’t know, 3 months, 6 months maybe a year.”

 

“A year? You think they will give out a year’s tour. I mean every star force member already did their time for a year. You think that they will do it again?”

 

“We have to wait and see. In the meantime, we should start making up for some future lost time.” He kissed her gently.

 

 

 

 

Nova waited in the restaurant high above the city. She looked out to see that the Earth on Great Island was turning green and soon everyone would be up on the surface to see the sun and finally move out from the dark caves of the underground cities. She smiled to herself knowing that her son will grow up feeling the sun on his face. She turned to see him walking towards her, a smile on his face to see her there. He leaned down, kissed her, took the seat across from her and took her hand in his. “How’s your day going?” he asked her.

 

“Same ole, same ole. Anything?” she asked curious as to what they talked about before their long night of love making.

 

He took a deep breath and huffed. “Yea, I got orders today.” She looked on with concern. It was the hardest thing he would have to tell her, but he was already schedule to leave in a month. “12 months.”

 

Her eyes widen “A year?”

 

“Sorry, I wish I can get out of it. But I can’t. It will be my first official command. I have to do it if I want to make Captain.” He said. He could see the tears build up in her eyes and squeezed her hand slightly. “I know baby, but it will go quickly. We thought we’d never get back from Iscandar, but we did and the time went so quickly. The only thing I’m going to regret is seeing Alex walk and talk. He will be a whole year old when I get back. I’ll miss his birthday, and his first words.”

 

She heaved back her tears and spoke with a quiver in her voice. “I’ll record it all and send it to you. When are you leaving?”

 

“A month.”

 

 

 

 

One Year Later . . . . .

 

 

She stood on the dock and watched as families hugged and greeted their love ones back. She felt someone hand on her shoulder and turned to see Eager standing next to her. “Hey Nova!”

 

“Eager! I wasn’t aware you were on this mission with Derek.”

 

“No I didn’t get the pleasure. I was just meeting a friend on her return.” Eager said.

 

Nova smiled. “How’s it going with that.”

 

He just grinned and said, “So far so good. She’s seems like the right one this time around. Helps that she understands our lives since she is in EDF.”

 

“That’s great.” She looked on as more people got off ship and it seem like it was taking him forever.

 

Eager watched as she looked on and Alex ran around fussing. “Maybe it’s better that you and Alex go on up to his quarters. It’s gonna take a while until he’s through with wrapping things up. And it’s hot out today. I’m sure Alex here will get fussy.” He said looking at the little toddler that he was a handful for her. He ran around her with so much zeal. “Come on I’ll get you on. I still have some kind of pull.” He walked her up the gangway and spoke to the officer on deck. He motioned her to follow him and escorted her to his room. “I told one of the guards to inform him you’re here. I should go, Amy is probably wondering if I stood her up.” He said. She thanked him and he raced out to meet his friend.

 

Nova looked around his quarters, he was never one to be tidy. She started to help put his things in his sea bag while Alex ran around his room. “Alex please don’t touch that.” She chastised her son for touching his father’s computer. She raced to him and he laughed as he crawled under his bunk. Nova laugh as she tried to get him. She went down on all four as he laughed at his mother trying to catch him. “Come here Alex. Come on baby, your father will be here shortly.” She took hold of him and they both laughed as she pulled him from underneath his father’s bunk. She bounced him on his father’s bed and he squealed with delight. He held something in his hand and she reach out to take it. “What do you have here.” She giggled. He handed it to his mother and she held it up. It was a pair of women underwear. All she could do is stare at it and wonder what happened while he was away. Each passing moment she felt anger build up. Derek Wildstar walked through his door twenty minutes later ready to finish packing and head home. His son stood in the middle of room and his face lit up to see him standing there.

 

“Alex,” Wildstar was in awe to see how big he got. Alex Wildstar stood there looking at him and then raced into his mother arms. He turned to her and felt sad that his son didn’t recognized him. Nova sat on his bunk with an angry look and a pair of women underwear hanging on the tip of her finger. His face went pale and she finally held them up.

 

“What the hell is this!” she finally snapped, “who’s are they and why are they in your room?”

 

The blood drain from his face and she knew. “I can explain.”

 

She picked up their son and said. “Don’t bother. I’m out of here.” She walked out the door as he tried to get her back. Without stopping she walked straight to their car and placed her son in his car seat.

 

“Nova, please wait.”

 

“Go away.”

 

“Nova please, I,”

 

She turned and slapped him hard. “I said go away!” she yelled as she burst into tears and hurried to open her door and jump into the driver seat. She slammed the door hard and tried to turn on the car. Her hands shook so hard she had to take deep breaths to calm down. He stood there looking at her, his heart breaking that she found out. Finally, she got her car started and sped off. He lowered his head and went back to his quarters to finish packing. He walked through his door 2 hours later. He found her on their bed crying. Alex laid next to her sleeping.

 

“Nova?” he said in a low tone as not to wake his son. “Can we talk?”

 

She looked up and rolled her eyes. “Just go, please.” She whispered.

 

He took her hand and pulled her up while she hit him on his chest. He brought her to the living room and sat down. “Nova, please can you let me explain.”

 

She sat back and folded her arms, “okay go ahead and explain.” She said with sarcasm.

 

Her stare made him feel uncomfortable and he began to fidget. “Well, um, gosh this is so hard.”

 

“I see, well that explained it all. I was such a fool to think something happened.  Good night Derek.” She walked into their room and grabbed a pillow and blanket and walked back to where he sat and threw it on the couch next to him.

 

He looked at the time and it was only early evening. “Are you going to bed already? I think we really need to talk.”

 

She sighed and turned to him, “I gave you the opportunity to explain, so what is it that you want to talk about.” She was furious.

 

“Nova, it was a mistake. We both realized it the minute it happened. We both regretted it.” She stood there and listened. “I love you, Nov. Please, please forgive me.”

 

“Okay, sure, I forgive you.” She said in a nonchalant way. “If it was a mistake, then, sure I forgive you. Why don’t you just forget about sleeping on the couch. We can go in the room and fuck our brains out and then all is forgiven.” She didn’t realize she was now screaming as tears of anger ran down her face. Suddenly she picked up a glass and threw it at him. He sat there stunned and lost for words. Taking a step back and a deep breath she composed herself and said. “Good night.” And walked out of the room to be with her son in their room.

 

Morning was extra quiet. She avoided his stares by keeping busy as she got her son ready for day care. He watched as she moved around the apartment and felt the coldness. “Nov, are we going to live like this?” she looked up and shot a look of daggers. “I hate when you give me the silent treatment, you know that drives me nuts.” She snuffed her nose in the air and finished packing Alex things. She grabbed her keys and headed out the door. The next few days were the same. Every night he walked on eggshells around her and she kept quiet and busy as not to look in his direction. Days later, he came home and found her waiting for him on the couch. She was dress for dinner and he smiled to think that maybe she was now going to give him a chance. She stood up, wearing a red dress that hung low in the back showing her curves. Her makeup flawless and a pair of three inch stilettos. She looked beautiful.  “Are we going out?” he asked.

 

“No we’re not, I am. I have a date with an old friend. I’ve already bath Alex and fed him. He should sleep through the night.”

 

“Through the night, are you staying out all night?”

 

“I’m not sure, all depends on if we hit it off.” She said nonchalant. She grabbed her car keys, kissed his cheek and walked out the door, leaving him stunned.

 

Going out with who? He thought. It made him angry that she was being shady and making him wonder if she was getting back at him for what he did. Of course she is, Wildstar. Do you think that she is just going out with girlfriends? His night was long and restless. He stayed up most of the night waiting for her to come home. By 4 am that morning he drifted off to sleep to wake up at 730 for his son to make breakfast. He tried not to worry, he left serval message on her cell and begged her to call. She never returned his calls. She strolled through their door at 11 in the morning looking exhausted and disheveled. She smiled to see her son on the floor playing with some toys while Derek sat on the couch trying to focus on something on TV. He jumped up and stood facing her. “Where have you been, I’ve been trying to call you all night!” he snapped. “You had me worried.”

 

She smiled down to her son and picked him up. “Hey there, I missed you last night. I hope you had a nice time with your father?” she spoke as if he wasn’t there.

 

Father! Since when does she call him Father? “Nova we really need to talk.” He tried hard to sound patient.

 

“Not now Derek, I had a long night and I’m exhausted.” She walked to their room and then into their bathroom and washed her face. She gave herself one last look and began to take off her clothes. He stared at her body. She still looked great. He found himself get excited, but his anger prevented him from getting too excited.

 

“Aren’t you going to tell me where the hell you were?”

 

“Out with a friend.” She sang and slipped into their bed naked.

 

He walked out fuming to her attitude. If it were one of his crew, he would have him doing pushups and cleaning the cannons and wave motion gun. But this was his wife. The woman he loved and respected. How he hated her right now. He turned to see his son on his leg and he forced a smile. “Guess it’s just you and me kiddo. Why don’t we head to the park and then you can take your nap and then Dad’s going to make dinner for all of us.” He picked his son up, dressed him and then headed out the door. He returned 2 hours later to find her still sleeping. He wanted to wake her up, but he needed to stay calm. He didn’t want to fight with her. Especially in front of their son. It killed him that she went out and was vague to tell him with who. You deserve it Wildstar, you cheated on her. So why not returned the favor. It was a long year for him. He managed to talk with Nova and their son every other day until communications went down. He was feeling lonely and depress that he couldn’t talk with her or ask her how their son was. She always sent him pictures of him and videos of the things he did. But a whole month and nothing. ‘Sir it’s not us. There are some systems down around Earth. They are working to repair them. Your wife’s area was effect.’

 

‘Thank you, lieutenant, please keep trying.’ He told him. It was a few days later his third in command came to him about an issue that accord on night shift. They talk on and off before and after their shift about the day’s work it was late into the evening when she came to him, her eye’s puffy and red. He usually keeps professional when it comes to his men and women, but he could tell she was upset. ‘Are you alright?’ he asked her.

 

Commander Poe was his age, thin, athletic body with dark black hair and striking blue eyes. She forced a smile and tried to shrug it off. ‘I’m okay. Just,’ she trailed off.

 

He stood up from behind his desk and pulled a chair out for her. ‘Commander I know that it can get overwhelming but just.’

 

She looked at him confused. ‘Sir, I can handle my job. Its more personal.’

 

‘I’m sorry, anything I can do?’ he asked.

 

‘Yea, do you know a good divorce attorney?’ she tried to joke, then burst into tears. He hated when women cried, he never knew what to do.

 

‘I’m so sorry.’ He tried to console her.

 

‘It’s okay. I guess it was coming. He hated that I left so often. And this hitch was the camel that broke his back. Doesn’t help that he was sleeping with my friend and neighbor from some time now. And the worst part is that he wants full custody of our daughter! He thinks its best that she lived with him and her because it was more of stable home. I can get visitation whenever I want. Can you even image! He cheated and I get visitation of my child. I gave birth to her and because of my choice of job I surfer to losing custody.’ He listened as she went on and on about her marriage and he felt bad for her. Every night after she would lean on him for support and advice. Each night after she left, he felt alone and depress not knowing what is going on back on Earth with his wife and child. It was almost three months without communication when he hit his breaking point. It was a frustrating day for him, and he needed to hear her voice. But with communication still down on Earth it made his day worst. Every night Poe and he spoke, he fell, deeper and deeper into her stories about her life with her soon to be ex-husband. He needed his wife, and she wasn’t there. It was late when she came to him crying that he finally filed for divorce and custody, and she received the paper through their mail system. He held her as she cried in his shoulder. She was lonely and wanted to be wanted. Slowly she leaned up and moved closer to his lips. He didn’t stop her, and he leaned closer to her lips. It’s been a long time since he was with his wife and since the communication system was down in her area made him miss her. He wondered was she as lonely as he was or was, she having an affair like Poe soon to be ex. Was he going to get the same mail. He tried to reason in his mind but the fact that so many come home to face a divorce he was sucked into the what if. Within minutes they were both in his bunk making love. He woke up with guilt washing over him. Poe laid next to him still asleep. He slipped out of bed and made his way to the bathroom and prayed that she was gone when he came out. He stayed in his bathroom as long as he could and found her sitting at the edge of the bed finishing dressing. She looked up and then looked away quickly. ‘I should go.’ Derek nodded and stayed silent. ‘Derek,’

 

He put his hand up and said, ‘let’s just pertain this never happened.’ She agreed and left his room. 4 days later the communication came up and he felt his guilt come up. He put on the best poker face he could but when he hung up, he felt horrible as to what happened with him and Commander Poe. Since that night on ship, he avoided her like the plague and she never bother him again. He walked back through the door and found her still sleeping. He placed his son in his playpen and began to make dinner. She woke up past 7 pm and stretched out. It was a long night and the minute she walked through the door he pounced on her. She wasn’t in the mood for a fight. He had no room to integrate her about who she was with. He cheated and then tried to cover it up and pray she never find out. Women always tend to leave their mark where they slept, and men are foolish enough to think that they can hide it.

 

She made her way into the living room and saw her son playing in his playpen. She smiled wide and race to pick him up. “Hey there handsome, sorry I wasn’t home last night. But I’m here now.” She kissed him and blew into his stomach making him laugh out loud. Derek looked on with a smile as they played. She looked up and gave him a slight smile. “Hey.” She said.

 

He stared into her eyes and then his smile left. He turned back to finish making dinner. “Dinner is almost ready, if you’re hungry”

 

“I’m starving. Thank you for making dinner.” She said as she put their son down. He stayed quiet. “How was your day with Alex?” She asked as if nothing was wrong. He slammed a plate on the table and looked at her with anger. “Is something wrong?” He huffed and turned his back towards her. She shrugged her shoulders and decided to go back into to the room. She could hear him slamming things and talking under his breath. They sat staring on and off at each other, him in anger, she with a smug look. After dinner she put their son down for bed and walked back into the living room where he sat fuming. “What’s the problem?” she asked as if confused to his anger.

 

“You know damn well what is wrong. Where were you last night and with who? And don’t tell me a friend.” He snapped at her. She just stared at him, and he could feel himself grow more agitated. Taking a deep breath, he knew he had to calm down. It would only make her shut down and not tell him anything. “Nova, I’m sorry that I betrayed our trust. I never meant to hurt you.”

 

“But you did!” she snapped. “Do you think it was a breeze here with Alex. I worried, Derek. I worry that something goes wrong that you don’t come home to us. Those months I couldn’t get in touch with you I worried even more! I worried that I would have to raise our son alone. You know I missed you also. I wished that they never sent you out. But I waited for you! I WAITED! I didn’t run into the arms of the first prick that show me a little attention! Although I’ve had a few. So, remember that! I still have officers and doctors coming on to me every day, but I love you. And would have never betrayed you for a one-night thing.”

 

“So going out with someone would make things RIGHT!”

 

“No it wouldn’t but now you know how I felt when I found someone else’s thong in your room. How did it feel thinking I was with someone? Did it tear your heart out? Did it make you feel like someone ripped your heart out? Did IT?! Because that’s how I felt. And the worst part is that if I didn’t find them you would have taken this with you to the grave. Did you at least use protection?” He looked away. She could feel her blood pressure go up. “So, there can be a possibility that she may come back into our lives and say, SURPRISE! Guess what! You’re going to be a daddy again! Well, I feel totally at ease to think that will hit us. The fact that you might have a bastard child out there makes me just thrilled.” She slammed her hand on the table and got up. “And since you’re so hard up as to who I was with last night. It was Doctor Sophia Regal. Who happens to be married to General Donald Regal, he was in the states and she like me, missed her husband very much. We talked all night and drank a little too much. I stayed at her house instead of being here with YOU. So, you can rest your mind, I wasn’t with another man, though I did give it a thought. But then I told myself I’d be no better then you.” She took a deep breath and stared him in the eyes. Tears building up she stood close to him and said as she touched his face. “Despite all that, I still love you. But right now, you are not on my best list. Good night Derek. I have to work in the morning. Please just don’t be here when I get home. I need to think as to what I want to do with us.” She kissed his cheek and walked into their room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued . . . . . .