*POV* Randall Franklin the 2nd
My office was stuffy and the headache I had been nursing since last night was growing stronger. I huffed out a breath after I read the same sentence the 3rd time without understanding a thing.
Rubbing a hand across my forehead, it felt warm. "Do I have a fever?" I wondered absentmindedly. It had been a while since I had gotten sick, so I guess I was in for a head cold. I wondered if Coral had gotten home safe.
Deep in thought, I didn't hear the knock on the door until it turned to banging. "Come in!" The door swung open and Major Fits stepped inside. "You busy?" I shook my head and pushed the papers in front of me to the side, more alert how.
"What can I do for you Major?" I stood and paid respect. "I have reason to believe we have a problem Captain?" He came closer to my desk and spoke low. Major Fits had never really shown an interest in me so this was new.
"Something I can help with sir?" He nodded. "Yes. Be careful, and watch your back- and keep a close eye on that girl of yours." His words made me wonder what he was even talking about, but I nodded.
"I will do my best." He had been in the room when Major General Reed had spoken to Coral.
He gave a quick bob of his head before leaving without another word. My head hurt still but now I had even more to think about then just reports.
I stopped by the medical wing before going to take up night watch on Coral, Dominic still hadn't come out of the medical endorsed coma that the doctor had put him in, in hopes he would heal more naturally.
The doctor's had decided that his wounds were acting unnatural, Doctor Rose had also decided that his wounds would need to be studied by more qualified doctors in the capital and Dominic would be transferred within the week.
I continued to think deeply on the matter until I reached Coral's front down. It had been fixed, I eyed the sparkling new door knob until loud laughter came from inside the house. I knocked and waited.
Lt. Green opened the door and smiled brightly. "Good afternoon Captain, would you care to join us?" I gave her a nod and walked into the house.
Green led me into the kitchen, Coral sat on the floor in a pile of fabrics of all colors, she looked up with a wide grin, that had my heart step a beat. "Oh you're here! Layla gave me some old fabric she had, isn't this awesome?!" She motioned to the silks.
Layla summers, smiled sweetly from her place on the couch, in her arms she held one of the twins. Beside her knee was her grandson Ralph he was playing with the other. "Randall, you know I couldn't help but come make myself at home." I returned her smile and walked to talk with my Lt. by the front door.
"Didn't I tell you she would be leaving soon? She isn't going to have time to sew." Green nodded. "I couldn't stop her. She insisted that she was going to be able to finish it in a couple days, and you said that they were coming for a couple days, so I gave in. She needs a little something to look forward to."
She was right. But she had also disregarded my orders. "Go inspect the barracks, with Dominic unable to, you have been put in charge of that." She hung her head. "Yes sir." She saluted with a click of her heels. Calling her goodbyes she left.
I gave a sigh and shut the door. My eyes landed on Coral as she stood to start picking up her fabrics. I caught myself staring and rubbing at my neck. And took a step into the living.
"So you have decided on the peach? I think it's an amazing fabric and it will last quite a while." Layla was saying. "Yes, that's what I have decided."
Layla set the child down, and smiled at me again. "I have heard that peach tones make blue eyes pop, hold it up by her face dearie. I want to take a look." Coral did so, moving closer so the older woman could see.
"I believe they were right! What do you think, Randall?" I was taken aback that she wanted my opinion, Layla motioned her to turn and face me.
She did, I stepped closer to see the full color of her eyes. Her eyes were a deep blue with flecks of green, she blinked and I glanced over at the fabric as my cheeks heated. "Hmm." I voiced, Coral's eyes grew impatient, as I stared at her some more waiting to see how she would react.
After a minute she tossed the fabric at me, her cheeks red. "Enough of that, I have decided on the style too, I just need those scissors!" She spun on her heel and matched over to search the couch.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "It suits you." She smiled, but kept her eyes on her hands. "I will help the best I can." Layla said while Coral took a peek at me from under long eyelashes.
I pulled a chair from the table and watched Coral lay out the fabric and start cutting. She seemed to know what she was doing but I couldn't judge because I knew nothing about sewing clothes.
She stopped a couple times to measure pieces up against herself before continuing. I started to nod back in my chair when she finally finished. "Done!" Layla gave a clap. "Nice, I will help you start it before Ralph and I take our leave." Coral handed a couple pieces of the fabric to her.
"Sounds good. I appreciate this." Layla waved her off. "You are making my day. I will have to come by again tomorrow." A pressure on my leg had me looking down at the floor, Lula looked up at me, then with great effort pulled herself up to stand in between my legs.
She held on for dear life with her small hands, and began to babble. My mind was groggy. I picked her up and settled her on my leg, she continued to babble as my eyes dropped closed, a cool feeling on my forehead, had me opening my eyes a little.
Lula was reaching up to place her hand on my forehead, she then pulled her hand away and leaned into my chest.
Her warmth, and presents were comforting. My head was splitting and I didn't know why. My eyes drooped close again.
I moved to stop her as Lula was pulled from my chest. "Wha?" I questioned, my eyes wouldn't open. "Are you feeling well?!" I heard whispered words beside my ear, as I held Lula close with a hand on her back.
I wanted to say I was fine but I couldn't get any words out of my mouth. "What was going on!?"