Destined | Christopher Pike

Chapter Forty Four

"Ready?" Chris asked Emma as she finished zipping her bag.

"Very." She confirmed and he took her bag for her.

Their leave had finally arrived and Emma could not have been more excited. She would finally get to spend some time alone with her husband and also see his house. While it would only be for a few weeks, she would take all the time she could. However, part of her was dreading the leave. She had arranged to meet her biological father for the first time for lunch and then for dinner they would be having dinner with her parents. The last dinner she had with her parents didn't exactly end well. She had a feeling tonight wouldn't be any better.

All and all, she tried to remain positive as her feet hit Earth for the first time in months. A large grin was plastered to her face. As much as she loved living aboard the Enterprise and seeing other planets, there was really nothing else like home. The non recirculated air was a bonus. She would be meeting her biological father at some upscale restaurant that was only a few minutes walk from Starfleet's base. Emma would have preferred to go home and change, but her jeans and blouse would have to suffice.

She was extremely nervous. She didn't even have to say it for Chris to know. She had not sat down since they arrived at the port. She kept messing with objects in their room. She would barely talk and Chris had noticed her biting her bottom lip a few times. There were a few times she thought about backing out, but she knew she would regret it. Eventually, Chris reached out to gently squeeze her hand and kiss her temple. It was enough to break her out of the trance she was in.

"It's going to be fine." He assured her. "I promise. If you want to run, then I'll come up with some sort of excuse for you."

"What if he doesn't like me?" Emma asked as they walked.

"I doubt he won't like you. You're a very likable person. Except in the mornings." Chris teased her.

"What if I'm a disappointment?"

"Em, you're not a disappointment. You're a Starfleet officer. You're smart. You're married to the most amazing husband in the world."

Emma giggled at the last statement. "Okay. Let's get this over with."

The hostess at the restaurant was nice enough to let them leave their bags by the front door so they would not have to lug it through a crowd. Emma felt guilty about asking Chris to come with her. She was an adult. She needed to be able to do things along, but she needed him there for some reason. She supposed it was because she felt safest around him, not that she was worried her biological father would hurt her, but she needed him there for support. He agreed without a single complaint.

The restaurant was full of people which was to be expected since it was lunchtime. Luckily they were able to tell the hostess they were meeting Thomas Kingston and she took them right to their table. Emma's feet felt heavy with every step towards the table. When she finally laid eyes on him, she found herself unable to walk. He was sitting down with glasses on, looking over the menu. He had a simple button up shirt on. His hair was the same color as Emma's except his had more gray in it.

"It's okay. I've got you." Chris whispered and reached out to touch her lower back.

She glanced up at him with a lovingly look. "I know."

When she took another heavy step towards the table, Thomas finally saw them. Emma's throat went dry. Her palms began to sweat. For a second neither one of them said a word. They just took each other in. He had a kind face. The kind that made him approachable. Crow's feet were prevalent at the corner's of his eyes, but he still looked to be a handsome man. She could some of the same features on her own face. He stood up from the table and almost knocked his glass over. He was nervous too which made Emma feel slightly better.