Private Family Reunion

[Alexa Keel]

Holly Starstorm

---

Alexa sighed in contentment as she stepped off the transport. Stretching her arms up over her head, and feeling her muscles pop in release as she shuffled off the stiffness of the close confines. She still did not possess her own starship, so she had to rely on publicly available transportation. Which was uncomfortable and cramped.

But the uncomfy part was done, and she sighed, taking in the sight of the clear skies of Kaikielious, an agri-world in the core. Within reasonable proximity of Coruscant, but far enough away for the more localized news from that planet not to reach. Which was exactly why it had been selected by her father.

Hoisting her pack up onto her back she began making her way out of the spaceport, where she would catch a taxi to her father’s home. She felt a knot of worry begin to form in her gut, it had been many years since last she’d seen her family aside from her father who she kept regular contact with. Her mother and her sister were coming to visit. And it had been… nearly a decade since she’d last seen or heard from either of them. Apparently Father and Mother had wanted to heal old wounds, and they wanted to try and be a family again.

Why they’d decided to do it so late Alexa would never know.

She hopped in a Taxi and gave him the address, and immediately they were off. It would take a little while but eventually they would come up to her father’s home. It wasn’t a particularly grand building, but it was by no means a poor man’s dwelling. By now her father had made his way up to become a commissioner for the planet’s police department. A rather cushy job.

His home was large, more so wide than tall, all one story and boasting no extravagant furnishings. But it was clean, well made and spacious. Definitely enough for her mother and her sister to visit. She stepped out of the taxi, paid the driver, and made her way to the door. She wasn’t sure if her mother and sister had arrived before her or not. She wasn’t sure which would be better, if she had time to set her things down and shower she’d be cleaner. But if they were here first she’d have an easier time using those as an excuse to avoid it for a little bit longer.

She loved her family dearly, but she still had trouble looking any of them in the eye. The rift between them was ultimately her fault, and while she knew they didn’t blame her, she had destroyed the family they’d had together. And she could never reconcile that.

She finally knocked on the door. The tightness in her stomach making her breath hitch nervously. This was it. Time to face the thunder.

 

[Holly Starstorm]

Alexa Keel

---

Paula had arrived at the dwelling of her ex husband late yesterday afternoon. It was rather intense to see him after all these years but after many talks the two had decided they wanted to try to put the past behind them and be a proper family. That didn't necessarily mean they wanted to get their marriage back together, but more that they wanted to spend time with their girls. Paula didn't even know if John was dating anybody these days. After the trauma of losing Erin she had completely cut him out of her life, and he'd done the same. Neither one of them were who they used to be and it was just so much easier this way, but Paula missed her children, especially her eldest Alexa. Alexa had always been daddys girl and so she stayed behind with her father while Holly went to live with Paula after Erin's kidnapping. His and hers kids. Again it was just easier that way.

Paula was in one of the guest bedrooms just sitting on the bed, trying to ready herself for the evening when she heard the knock on the door. At least one of the girls was here. She took a deep breath and headed downstairs, wondering if John would answer the door or if he had housekeepers. Should she answer it? Were ex wives allowed to do that?

Meanwhile: At the Public Transport Station

Holly was agitated, which honestly was just a normal state of being for the woman. She did not want to be here at all but her mother had insisted on this ridiculous family gathering. Maybe it was for the holidays or something. Holly tried to explain that she had to work but that excuse never really went well with the others. They all seemed to resent her career.

Deciding to put the moment off as long as possible she went to the bus stop and waited. If she were lucky the bus would be late and she could stall. She wondered if her sister and her mother were already at her fathers new place. She could call but the thought just made her head hurt. This was not going to be a fun time.

 

[Alexa Keel]

Holly Starstorm

---

John, at the time of the knock, had been getting dinner ready for everyone. He and Paula had been separated for a long time, and he had agreed that it was best. However that didn’t change the fact that he loved his family deeply, all of them, even if they weren’t a part of his life anymore, he could never stop loving his ex wife, or the daughter he hadn’t seen in a decade.

He’d welcomed Paula in the previous evening, and despite the awkwardness of the whole scenario, he’d tried his best to be hospitable. He wanted to bridge the gap that had been made perhaps more than anyone else. He missed his family, he missed them all a lot.

And for that reason he never saw anyone else. He didn’t want to replace Paula with someone else. He didn’t want to have a new family. He wanted back the one he had before.

Hearing the knock he set down the spatula in his hand, letting the food fry on its own for a moment as he went to answer the door. He didn’t hire housekeepers, no maids, no one but him.

The door opened up for Alexa, who, upon seeing her dad smiled and leaned into a hug. She still felt guilty, but her father had been good to her nonetheless, and she couldn’t refuse a display of familial affection from him.

“Hey dad.” She said quietly. “Good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too sweetheart.” He said happily, finally pulling away. “Come on in! You’ll find your room is the same as you left it if you want to get settled in. And your mother is already here, I think she’s taking a nap in one of the guest rooms. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

“Thanks.” She said to him, adjusting her pack. “I’ll go drop my stuff off, say hi to mom then I’ll come down and help you with dinner.”

“Alright. Up you go.” John told his eldest, stepping aside and letting her walk past so she could deposit her luggage in her room. While he returned to the kitchen and continued to prepare their evening meal. Hopefully Holly would knock on the door soon. He’d been waiting to see her again for a long while.

Meanwhile: at the bus stop

Unfortunately for Holly, there wasn’t much to delay the public transportation on this planet. Unlike the chaos of Coruscant, there was nowhere near as much traffic here. So the bus would arrive at the stop on time. The vehicle coming in to land, its door opening and dropping a ramp to let off those who were disembarking, and let on those who were boarding.

She could skip this bus and wait for the next. If she truly wanted to avoid the family waiting for her.