EMAIL: Reconnection

Destiny,

It's funny you should email me now. I was just talking to Al about how I needed to give you a call or write soon since it's been so long since our last conversation. 

I'm not surprised Azalea wouldn't tell you anything - she's been told countless times that the work we conduct is confidential - even to you, so I'm afraid I can't spill any "juicy" details as of yet. Katrina is doing well, she's actually XO on my team. When I found out she was recruited to the program I moved fast to get her on my team. It's always nice working with people who you've worked with in the past and that you can trust as opposed to working with individuals you know nothing about - which I'm sure you understand. Alavair hasn't said anything negative about Azalea being on his team, although I did hear that she chewed out some Special Agent that was assigned to Hoover. 

Homeworld is different, to say the least. I miss Delta for the mere fact of where we were stationed. I never pictured myself living in D.C. but it isn't all that bad. The house I bought before Isaac was born is finally completely finished and it actually feels like a home now that Alavair is back. Isaac was a little scared of Al being around at first, but that lasted for all of two minutes before he took to him like Al had always been around. He loves his daddy and when we're not working the two of them are practically inseparable. I attached the pack of pictures we had taken recently. I took Isaac for his usual monthly pictures and I have to admit that these are probably my favorite.

As for me, I'm doing better. A lot better. Alavair being alive is something I thought would only happen in my dreams but here he is. Losing him was hard but he came back to me. He never stopped fighting and I wish that I could say I was the same way. Part of me hates myself for losing hope and believing he was dead, but I won't linger on those thoughts. I almost killed him the night he returned - instead of knocking on the front door like any normal person would he crept in the house and tried to sneak up on me. He was almost met with a broken nose and/or death. He's lucky that I didn't use full force.

You're not the only one who misses flying. I love being in charge of my own ground team again, don't get me wrong, but I feel as if us pilots will never truly be content with both feet on the ground.

How are things with you and Serenity?

All the best,
Ayden

Destiny,

You're telling me. I feel like every morning when I pick him up he's grown more adorable over night. I feel like he was just born yesterday, then I pick him up and it hits me that it's already been four months. At this rate he's going to turn eighteen before I blink again. I've been hiring a photographer every month to come take pictures - I think that she thinks I'm a little crazy with how much I've been spending on pictures but I want to have every month documented for his first year. It's really helped Al out too. He can look at them and feel like he was there for Isaac's first few months. I can send you some hard copies of his pictures if Serenity would like them. I have some of her and him sitting around here as well.

She really has come a long way. I wouldn't say it to her face but she was always one of my more promising students. I've always been so hard on her because I know there's potential there but if she's coddled there's no way that she'll ever reach it. I enjoy making her anxious, although I'm fairly certain that she would have spilled her coffee all over me if her friend hadn't come over to join the rest of the group when we were at Starbucks a few weeks back. Your sister is something else, that much is certain, but I'm waiting to see her excel even moreso than she already has.

It is really awesome - working with Katrina again that is. We've all been through a lot together and she was there for me every step of the pregnancy so having her watch my back on the field gives me a sense of relief. Don't count out the people at the SGC yet. I worked there for a few years and the friendships do come if you let them. Not everyone is stone-cold and distant. You have to work at it, get to know people. They're already going to count you out because they think you're "just a flygirl" but it's up to you to prove them wrong.

Alavair won't admit it but yes, Isaac does have daddy wrapped around his finger. Watching the two of them together is absolutely heart-melting. I'll attach a video for you to see. I took it last night when they were building a 'tower' out of Isaac's letter blocks. I never thought that I'd enjoy being a parent this much - most children annoy me to know end but then I look at little Isaac and all of that changes. I guess my dad was always right when he said that it'll all change when I have kids of my own, God rest his soul.

That's not good for a relationship, Des. Communication is key. You two need to talk to each other and he can't keep telling you that he has it under control. While that's all fine and dandy, he needs to let you in too so you know what's going on. Have you tried sitting him down and talking to him about all of this? I don't understand why you even need a court date to begin with. She's not from Earth - there are no records of her birth. I'm sure that there's someone in the SG program that is more than capable of changing a few records and adding hers in as your natural born child to make things easier.

How are things with you and Jon? I know that it's been a couple of years but are you completely over Kevin? Sometimes I don't even think that Al's over his death. He still misses him dearly and they were best friends - I can't imagine being in your shoes. I was for a little bit, so I saw how much pain it was, but was moving on hard? Do you still think of him even though you have Jon now?

Don't forget to tell Serenity that her Aunt Ayden misses her. I'll be sending her another model fighter jet soon. I found the perfect one this past week and I got one for her, one for Isaac, and one for another one of my favorite little guys.

All the best,
Ayden

Destiny,

I love it. I keep a copy of it on my phone to watch whenever I start to miss my boys. With Al leading a team here and Monica always being with Isaac when we're working - it's hard to find time to sit down and be a family together so moments like that are cherished. I had to scold Al for trying to bring Isaac into our bed. As much as I would love to cuddle with both my boys at night I learned from my brother that starting your kid down that road to sleeping in his parent's bed is one you do not want to go near. It means a lot that you're so supportive of our relationship and I think it's time I properly thank you for all that you've done. If it wasn't for you and Lola I'm not sure I ever would have walked down that aisle.

I think that teaching you how to properly intimidate anyone is one of the highlights in my life. It comes in handy. Alavair has a kid on his team (yes, another one that isn't Azalea) and he's scared to death of me. It's rather amusing. The moment I walk into a room you can see his posture get straighter, his face gets stoic, and he's as polite as a boy in church. He was intimidated by me from the stories I heard, then after I kicked his ass in the fighting ring it intensified.

Jamie is something else. It amazes me how a man who is that tough can be such a sucker for his wife and it doesn't even bother him. I've never seen a more functional couple in my life. He has his world where he's in charge and he's accepted that home is where she's in charge and it works out perfectly for them. They're definitely a couple to aspire to be. I hope you realize that the next time we're all actually on the same planet and decide to have a family reunion that you and Serenity are both invited. You're family, Destiny, you always have been.

I'm sorry that things have been so rough for all three of you. I hope that Jon comes around one day. If I can get Alavair to bend, then you can get Jon to. He just has to stop focusing on work long enough to pay attention and we all know how hard that is for all of us - not just him. You have everyone on your side when it comes to adopting Serenity - don't let some legal tape scare you. It'll all work out, I know it will.

I get that, I do. I'm glad that you were able to move on. You're right when you say that Kevin would have wanted you to be happy. He seemed like the type that would have stepped aside if he saw you had feelings for someone else. He was an honorable man. How is Mikayla? I haven't heard anything from her since she graduated the Academy with Azalea. I spoke to her at the graduation ceremony but then the emails stopped. Is she doing alright? And Mrs. Phillips - how is she? I'm glad that you have her. I wouldn't put too much thought into that being "weird" because it isn't. Kevin and you had a life together and if it wasn't for what happened you probably still would. Mrs. Phillips became part of your life and she still is - I think that's amazing.

That was what my hope was. We need another amazing girl in the air and who better than the daughter of a flygirl to fit that role? No one, that's what I say. You should start her on some private lessons soon. I had my pilot's license before I had my driver's license. She's so adorable - I'm impressed that she's memorizing so much. I can't wait to see her again and I know that Al will be excited to meet her. She's the cutest little thing. I can't believe how big she's gotten!

All the best,
Ayden