The Reunion

Chapter 19: Part 2/3

[Still Lance's POV.]

"Alright! Who's ready for Monsters and Mania!" Hunk shouted as he shut the space fridge. "The dough should be ready by the time I start making dinner." He smiled as he wiped down his hands. Letting out a chuckle as I shook out the flour from my hair. 

"Oh, man. I didn't realize how much fun baking was." Pidge spoke up, having a napkin to wipe off the flour from her cheeks, or maybe it was sugar? With a grin, I handed her a towel and said, "Good. Now help us clean up." Her smile fell, honey brown eyes staring at the towel then at me. With a huff she snatched it and grumbled. "Now I remember why I hate baking." 

A chuckle from Coran as he chimed in. "Ah, yes. The wonderful  joy of bonding over a delicate sweet treat. You know, my Pop-Pop and I used to work on the Castle when I was younger. Much like Hunk likes his cooking and baking, I was like that with the machinery and inworks of our precious home." He hummed, twisting the end of his mustache in-between his index and thumb, spacing out. Or daydreaming of those memories. "It's days like those I miss them most. But it is because of those days, those memories, that help make me who I am today." He looked at all of us, sharing a smile with glint of joy in his purple eyes. "I know I say this many times. But I am always grateful for have you five in my life, to have you as my family." 

His purple eyes landed on me as he added, "So I say this from the bottom of my heart. Should any of you need some assistance, of any sort, please feel free to call unto me." He perked up and held up a finger with much enthusiasm, head turning to look at everyone. "Also, I would like to know all the details on your adventures, diplomatic meetings, and your children. Seriously, I know human children are nothing like Alteans or Galrans that are adapted to space travel, so I would like to be notified when the children are coming! So I can zip on over!" He chuckled, bright orange mustache twitching with each word. The room bursted out into laughter. 

"Oh, you wouldn't have to travel far!" Cassius chipped in. I turned to look at her, confused while she spoke. "Lance is planning to move in with Mother and I, on Altea!" My smile dropped, as did my heart. 

"Oh?" Coran perked up, head tilting as he spoke with concern, or something in his tone. "I was under the impression Lance was to stay on Earth. With his family." Cassius waved a sun-kissed tanned hand at Coran. "Oh, that's nonsense. We spoke of it two months ago! Of course, that was before I became pregnant." She smiled, cheekily. With a gulp, I turned to see everyone was staring at me. Silently asking for confirmation, for an answer. But all I could feel was a sense of dread, cold. Empty. 

"Uh. I think you misheard - ." I sputtered out, then my saving grace spoke. "You know, Lance has a big family. And being human, they would know how to handle certain situations." I sent a glance at Hunk, with a tight smile. "As would my mother. She knows about Alteans, Lance would be there for all the human counterparts." 

"But I really think, Lance would benefit - ." 

"Don't be ridiculous. I know what I heard, and if anything he could go both ways." Cassius cut Hunk of. A snort filled the room. Jerking next to me, I saw Keith held a hand to his mouth and nose. After a tick, he wiped down to his chin. He noticed me looking and with a smirk, he shrugged and said "It's like she said... You can both ways." 

With a choked gasp, I slapped a hand over my mouth and stared at him. Then the laughs started. Pidge had snorted and threw herself backwards, falling onto the floor in her fit of laughter. Shiro shook his head held his robotic arm over his mouth with a grin hiding underneath it. Curtis refused to look up and instead smirked at the ground with his shoulders shaking a bit. Hunk, oh man, Hunk had bursted out laughing and leaned onto the counter before slowly sliding to the ground when he started saying, "Oh God. I can't breath! That was a good one Keith!"