Chapter 66

Two months later

Nathan and Kristin were now settled in their new home in New Cape Quest. It was still along the beach, and so it reminded them of their island. They were getting ready for a very important day. Kristin was in the bathroom, fixing her hair while Nathan was adjusting his tie and making sure his suit looked just right and muttering his speech to himself.

A moment later, Kristin came out of the bathroom and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Don't worry, you'll do fine," she assured him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Nathan turned to her. "I hope so."

"We'll all be right there with you," she said. "You'll do just fine. No one's expecting perfection; it's a difficult day."

Before Nathan could say anything, they heard the front door slam.

Kristin gave him a smile. "See what I mean."

And as if on cue, they heard Michael calling to them. "Hey, where are you guys?"

"Up here, Dear," Kristin called to him.

And, in response, they heard small footsteps running up the stairs. "Hey, Grandma, Grandpa," Michael greeted them.

"Hey, don't you ever knock?" Nathan teased.

"Well, Dad told me to come and see if you two were ready," Michael explained. "Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie and Mom and Dad are all waiting."

"We'll be down in a minute, Dear," Kristin told him. Then, she pulled on his suit jacket. "My, don't you look handsome."

Michael gave her a smile. "Thanks, Mom says I look grown-up."

"You do," Kristin agreed. "Now, go tell them we're almost ready. Grandpa's just perfecting his speech one last time."

"OK," Michael replied, running out of the room, back down the stairs, and slamming the door shut behind him.

Nathan jumped slightly at the door slam. Then he turned to Kristin. "And you're still happy with the idea of living three doors down from them?" he teased.

Kristin laughed softly. "You know as well as I do that you wouldn't want it any other way, and neither would I. And, Katie and Ben are just around the corner…it's just perfect."

Nathan nodded. "And, Lucas'll be staying with us for the weekend, don't forget."

"I haven't," she replied. "I know he and Tony found an apartment, but I wish he would've taken us up on our offer to let him stay here until the new seaQuest is built."

Nathan smiled. "But, I think he just wants to be an adult. You seem to forget, he is almost thirty."

Kristin sighed. "Perhaps, but it doesn't seem that way." She grabbed her purse from the bedside table. "Well, are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Nathan replied, offering his arm to Kristin, leading her down the stairs, and going to meet the others.

Half an hour later, they were all outside UEO headquarters.

"Déjà vu, huh?" Ben muttered to Kristin and Katie.

Kristin nodded. "A little," she admitted. "Why don't you all go find a seat, and Nathan and I will meet you in a minute?"

Katie and Ben and Robert and Heidi gave questioning looks.

"Are you sure?" Robert asked.

"We'll be in a minute," Nathan promised.

After they'd left, Nathan said, "How did you manage the first time?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue. But, once you get inside, and you realize you're surrounded by friends and family who'll support you, you'll find it's not as hard as it seems."

Nathan nodded, somewhat shakily. "I'm glad we're having a memorial service for all of our fallen crewmen, but I'm just not sure how I can face the ones they left behind, their families."

Kristin gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll be right here with you, I promise. We'd better go inside," she urged, seeing more people file through the entrance."

Nathan took a deep breath. "Let's go."

So, the two walked through the front gate, through the building, and into the back, along the pier. There were rows and rows of chairs set up, just like the first ceremony that Kristin had attended. In the front, there was a small stage with a podium surrounded by flowers. Then, next to the flowers were several photographs: one of Miguel Ortiz, one of Wendy Smith, one of James Brody, one of J.J. Fredericks, and one of Heiko Kimura, all people who had perished in the years that seaQuest patrolled the waters. They were the reason for the service, a way to honor them and preserve their memory. And, next to the photos was a small stone wall. In Memoriam was engraved in large, bold letters. Then, beneath that, each of the names of the fallen along with their ranks and the years served were listed. It was really lovely and tastefully done.

Once inside, they saw several familiar faces. "See," Kristin whispered. "Everyone's here to support you."

Nathan sighed and nodded. He still felt butterflies in his stomach, but maybe it wouldn't be as bad as he thought it would be. Before he could say anything more, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Cap!" Manilow Crocker exclaimed, holding out his hand. Then, he gave Kristin a cordial nod. "I'm so happy you were alright; when seaQuest disappeared…" He put an arm around Kristin's shoulders. "Well, that was a hard time for all of us. It's only too bad we had to meet again under these circumstances, but at least most of the crew is still alive and well."

Nathan gave him a smile. "Thank you, Crocker. So, what have you been doing with yourself then?"

He turned and called, "Honey."

A lovely brunette turned and walked into Crocker's waiting arms. "I'd like you both to meet my wife, Christine," he said to Nathan and Kristin.

Kristin raised a pleased eyebrow and extended her hand. "So lovely to meet you," Kristin gushed. And, with that, she put her arm in Christine's and led her away. "Why don't we let the men talk for a bit while we get better acquainted?"

"So, you found love again?" Nathan said once they were alone.

Crocker smiled. "That I did, Cap. You know, I never thought I could love anyone after Helen, but…" his voice trailed off. "Well, I suppose you know all about that. So, you and the doc got married?"

Nathan nodded. "We did, and we're very happy, I might add."

"You look that way," Crocker noted. "And, I heard about reuniting with your son. Congratulations."

"Thank you; and I found I have a grandson and daughter-in-law besides. Do you have any children?"

"Well, you know, Helen and I never did, but Christine," he said, looking back at her; she and Kristin must have been having an intriguing conversation because she was smiling and laughing, "well, she has two sons. Her first husband passed away. I love my two stepsons like they were my own, raised them from their early teens. They're nineteen and twenty now. They're both enrolled at the academy. They want to follow in my footsteps. And, well, Christine's a schoolteacher; she teaches second grade. And, I've opened a small family owned restaurant near our home in Indiana-seafood, of course."

"Wow," Nathan replied. "I'm really happy for you."

"You and the doc should come visit us some time."

"No doubt, the women are already planning that as we speak," Nathan noted, casting a glance towards them. Then, he patted him on the shoulder. "Well, I'm sure we'll speak more later on. See you later."

"See you later, Cap," Crocker replied as Nathan moved back towards Kristin.

"You having fun with your new friend?" Nathan asked her.

Kristin said goodbye to Christine and walked with Nathan back towards the front where Robert, Heidi, and the others had found seats. "I'm so happy for Crocker, and Christine is so lovely. We really need to take a trip to see them soon."

Nathan laughed. "I knew you were going to say that." Then, he added, "As soon as the new seaQuest is finished, we will."

After finding their seats, former Chief Shan, who was also now married with children of his own approached the group and said his hellos too.

After that came former Admiral Lexington Smith, Wendy's mother. Nathan had expected it to be difficult to speak to her, but actually, telling her about Wendy's adventures on seaQuest seemed to make Lexi happy.

"I love hearing about what a wonderful person my daughter was," she told him. Then, she gave him a hug and a small peck on the cheek. "You don't know how happy you've made me," she whispered. And, with that, she went to find her seat for the ceremony was about to begin.

Former Secretary General Noyce began the ceremony. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to remember a few brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. Each one of these brave men and women served on seaQuest, and even though a new seaQuest is being built, we don't want the memory of these men and women to drift away. We want to honor them, remember them, and be able to move forward because of what they have done. And, that is what this day is about."

After his speech, an older Cuban woman came up to the podium, Miguel Ortiz's mother. She said a few words about her son. After that, former Admiral Lexington Smith spoke about Wendy. Then came Lieutenant James Brody's wife, Erica; even Brody's son, Adam, said a few words about his father. It was very touching. By the end of the ceremony, every fallen crew member had had loving words spoken about them.

Then, came Nathan's speech. Being the captain who worked with most of the fallen crew members, they had approached him to say something. Kristin gave his hand a squeeze. Then, he stood, took a deep breath, and approached the podium.

He nervously cleared his throat and began speaking into the microphone. "In case some of you don't know, seaQuest was my brainchild. It's one thing to create a submarine, but I'll tell you one thing. A submarine is nothing without its crew. I had the pleasure of working with most of the men and women we're honoring here today, and it was not only my pleasure, it was my honor." Then, Nathan went on to tell a small anecdote about each member, a time when their braveness and their honor shone through. And, when he was finished, then he said, "Being a former captain, I've been saluted countless times. But, now it's my turn to salute you." And, he gave his most solemn salute. "We will never forget."

Then, Captain Hudson took the podium to give his own speech. And, after that came the readings of the names and a gun salute.

Later that afternoon after the ceremony had ended, the senior crew members, and the Bridgers and the Kriegs all went to Nathan and Kristin's house for a small get-together.

As they sat around the table, Robert said, "That was one hell of a speech, Dad."

"Would you believe he was sweating bullets beforehand?" Kristin teased gently. She put a reassuring hand on Nathan's arm. "But, he had nothing to worry about. It was wonderful."

Nathan blushed. "Well, memorials aren't the most festive occasions. I'm sure you can understand my worry."

"Well, hopefully, this is the last memorial service we'll need to attend for a while," Ben noted.

"I intend to make sure it is," Hudson promised. "At least from the seaQuest end."

"Happier times are ahead," Lucas interjected. "I know they are."

And, no one could argue with that logic. Even though the seaQuest had lost a few dear friends, it now seemed the danger of anyone else passing on was slim. The world was at peace, at least for the time being. And, the new seaQuest would help ensure it stayed that way, although it would be several months before it was finished.

As for Nathan and Kristin, it was wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends, something that was now an everyday occurrence. And, by the time their meal was finished, and people started going home, Katie, Ben, and Charlie, Robert, Heidi, and Michael, and Lucas all were still there.

"Could I spend the night too?" Michael asked hopefully. He and Lucas had become close, and Michael loved spending time with him.

"Why don't you let Grandma and Grandpa have a break?" Heidi suggested, worried Michael might be over-staying his welcome.

"Oh, he's no trouble at all," Kristin assured her. "In fact, Nathan and I would love to have him stay over."

"Charlie too," Charlie blurted. "Charlie sleep too." She held out her hands to Kristin, and everyone chuckled.

"Oh, Sweetheart," Kristin said, placing a kiss to her cheek. She looked at Katie and Ben. "You'll have to ask your mother and father."

Ben and Katie exchanged a glance. "Well, actually, we were going to talk to you about that."

"About what?"

Ben spoke first. "We were hoping you might take Charlie for the weekend…"

"Because we need to clean out our spare room," Katie finished.

"It seems we're going to need the space," Ben added. "Because-"

"We're pregnant," Katie finished.

Everyone cheered and congratulated them.

"Of course, Charlie can stay for the weekend," Kristin assured her. Then, she turned to Charlie. "Isn't that exciting? You're going to be a big sister."

"Big sister Charlie," Charlie repeated.

Later that evening, Kristin and Nathan sat out on their back porch, watching the water. Everyone else had gone home, and the children were asleep. It was just the two of them. It had been a long journey to get to where they were now, but it was worth it. They quietly held hands, not needing to say anything to one another. Then, they walked back inside, quietly walked up the stairs, and checked on the Charlie. The little girl was sleeping like an angel. They gave her a quiet kiss and then entered the room where Michael and Lucas were sleeping. Kristin and Nathan lovingly pulled the covers up over them and gave them each a kiss.

Then, Nathan led Kristin to their own bedroom. Once there, he put his arms around her.

"You know, Mrs. Bridger, you're absolutely right. This is just perfect."

She laid her head on his shoulder and nodded. "And, I wouldn't trade it for the world."

The End

A/N: Wow, it has been a long journey, hasn't it? Well, I hope you enjoyed it because I worked really hard on this story. It's been my baby for so long, but now I have to let it go. But, not to worry; there will be more stories from me. I promise you that.

I'd like to thank you all for reading. And, I'd like to give a very special thank you to Lynnp, chaos56, and hecticlife, who have been my most vocal and constant supporters throughout this story. I don't think I could have done it if not for their lovely reviews…so a huge thank you to all of you.

Also, if you have read and enjoyed, a review or two would be greatly appreciated. I always want to know what my readers think, so please take the time to review. It would really make my day. Thank you.