Security guard wind of where Florence's headquarters was located. I couldn't have Lawrence and her associates get arrested. They not only would be banned forever off this ship. But I would be linked because Florence was my wife and would possibly be banned myself.
Iris possibly would grow up without parents. Not to mention she would have no choice to make when she turned 10. She would be jobless. Maybe even perhaps homeless. I didn't want that for her.
So I risked my neck. I left the bridge and went directly home. I got on the intercom and got a hold of Florence. I told her that she needed to move, now.
Been security got to where the headquarters were. It was empty (thanks in part to me). In the security team came back to the break empty-handed. (Where I was waiting)
I asked my head security why there was no prisoner. My head of security just looked at me and said ", I'm sorry sir. But there was nobody there. It was empty."
Inside I took a deep breath and was relieved. But I had to say something. I acted as though I was disappointed in him. I told him this ", if you come back without them two more times, you're fired." I then turned and walked out.
I was so happy to see that my wife was playing on the floor with Iris. I just went over and hugged her right then and there. I was so relieved.
Florence just whispered in my ear and said ", I know. Everything is fine now. Thanks to your warning."
There were two instances like this. Somebody in security concluded that somebody in the Uprising was being fed information from the inside. But they didn't know who it was. There was even talk about banishing whoever was doing it.
When I heard this. I got all the more worried. Nobody can know that I was the one feeding the information, nobody. I was taking a huge risk. I was risking my career.
_________
I was eating dinner with my family one night. I was looked at me in Florence and asked ", when is this thing going to be over? (Emphasizing the word, thing)
Florence and I just looked at each other. Then I spoke up. "I don't know honey. But I wish they would end it soon."
Florence nighting in agreement. But, I could tell that she was shocked by my statement.
That night as we were going to bed. Florence just said to me ", I never knew you felt that way!"
I just looked at here. Then I said ", I have felt this way for a while. I've been risking my job to keep you safe and make sure that you don't get arrested. But if they ever find out that you are behind this uprising. I could be implicated as well as banished off the ship with you."
As we got into bed Florence just said to me ", I never ask you to get involved. That was your choice. Not mine."
I just said", I know."
Then she continued saying ", besides we are both in the snow. We always were. If you didn't want to be in this. You should have divorced me." (Then she smiled)
I loved Florence too much to ever do that. Besides, she was having my second child I would be a terrible human being if I ever decided to do so while she was pregnant. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
__________
Iris was nine and a half now. She still wanted to dance. To bring joy to people's lives. To be a ballerina.
It was time. Florence and I could not put it off any longer. We had to talk to iris. I didn't want to dash your dreams. But that was is what we were going to do. I wasn't looking forward to it. I wish we didn't have to do it. But we did have to. No parent wants to kill the dream of their child.
__________
Florence and I went to iris's room and announced our presents. When she welcomed us in. Florence and I walked up to her bed and we both sat down across from iris.
I was just looked at both of us and said ", what's wrong?"
Florence said ", nothing honey. We both just wanted to talk to you."
Then Iris said ", oh!"
I typed in and patted Iris on her foot and just said ", you did nothing wrong honey. Everything is fine. There is just something serious that we wanted to talk to you about."
Then Iris asked ", what?"
I tried to get the courage up to tell her. But I couldn't tell iris. So I looked at Florence after clearing my throat. Florence knew that I couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't break my little girl's heart.
Florence just sighed and then she looked at Iris and told her about Straights Law. Then she explained it and why it was created.
Prince Irish just looked at me and said ", I don't understand. Why can't I be a ballerina? Why can't I make people happy?"
Then the big question came. Iris said ", why can't I choose to be what I want to be? That law sucks."
I was just looked at me and I knew what she wanted to ask. I just looked at her and shrugged my shoulders.
Florence turned to Iris and said ", those people that are causing all that fuss. They want to change that law. They believe as we do that it should be changed."
I was just flirted out ", well I want to be a ballerina. I don't want to be a captain of a starship."
I knew at that moment that Iris understood what we were trying to say. Then she said to me "I'm sorry daddy. But your job seems boring. I want to do something fun with my life."
I just smiled and patted her little foot again and said ", it is fine honey you didn't hurt my feelings. But if these people don't pass this love by your 10th birthday. You might not get that choice."
That was when me and Florence hearts broke. Iris just said ", oh."
And then she began to cry. Florence and I just got up and slowly walked out of the room. So Iris could cry in peace.
Florence and I sat in the living room quietly for a while. Then Iris walked out of her room and walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. Iris then looked at me and said ", daddy, if I have to be a starship captain. I will be the best Captain ever. I will make you proud."
And also like last year Iris then turned and walked toward her room. I washed your walk away and then I said to her ", irish, you already make me proud."
That was when Irish turned and I watched that beautiful smile come across her face. It was her mother smile. The most beautiful smile on this ship.
