1 + 1 = 3?

[Judah Lesan]

Calise's transport touché down early, by two hours. Apparently time was made up in flight, but that's how it always was. She was excited to be back, and even more excited to see Hutch. It had been a few weeks, she'd been working, and now she had some credits to keep herself afloat. It wasn't that Hutch couldn't help her out, but she never wanted to be a mooch. Despite her feelings for the man, she was still independent, and wouldn't be living under his roof without helping to pay for her stay.

She whipped out her data pad and tapped a quick message to her latest employer thanking them for the job, and to let them know the credit transfer had been complete. Then she grabbed a taxi speeder. She knew where Hutch might be at this hour of the day. Sprucing up her make up a bit, and waving her hair out she got out of the cab and tossed the driver a credit chit.

Calise walked into his favorite bar, where he liked to go for drinks, he wasn't at the bar. She sighed and pulled out her datapad and shot Hutch a text.

***Got back early and didn't see you at your spot. Working late? Heading home to get a special dinner going***

[member="Dirks Hutchinson"] [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

 

[Alleycat]

Dirks tried to keep his mind focused on the security reports before him, but it was nearly impossible not to think about the reunion with his Spiran beauty The way the two lovers had left things before [member="Calise Novar"] took a short-term gig with her former employer, she would move in with him upon her return to Ceto. But since then, life had taken on a strange twist of fate. The bachelor had become a full-time father to his late friend's daughter. [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] had been left an orphan and Dirks had stepped up to offer the young girl a home and someone to care for her. It hadn't been an easy transition for either party, but Hutch and LIttle Red were managing and doing pretty well as a team. Now how to add Calise to the mix… He still needed to find out how she stood on this matter as the Rendili hadn't broached the subject with her. It just wasn't something done over the comm or thousands of parsecs away.

A ding on his datapad brought the security chief out of his personal musings. It was Calise and she was already on planet… heading home to fix dinner! For one, the Rendili had moved from his previous bach pad to a nice house that was a more appropriate place to raise a young girl. And two…. Norah was there with a nanny, who watched the preteen after school for him two days a week until he got off from work.

*** Calise… Missed you so much! Wait there at Jackson's. Order me my usual. Be there in ten. Can't wait to taste those sweet lips of yours.***

The dark-haired man quickly closed down his office data station, then was out the door on his way to the pub, telling his secretary to go home early as well. When he walked into the sports bar, Dirks made a straight beeline to their table where the long legged brunette sat waiting for him. No words were needed as lips did all his talking… well at least for the first few moments, then he sat down next to Calise.

"Force you are a sight for sore eyes,… I have a lot to tell you, but first, how did your job go?"

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Dirks Hutchinson"] | [member="Calise Novar"]



Today had been after school practice for the school Limmie team. Sweaty red hair stuck to her forehead and neck as Norah carried her backpack and dufflebag down the street. She was still clad in her "Lady Typhoons" practice uniform, not wanting to bother staying at school any longer. Norah had been on the limmie team back on Laekia and thought it was best to try to continue here on Ceto. Maybe it would make her life seem more normal.


She was walking to the new place Hutch had bought. A nice house several blocks down from the Dashiells. It wasn't ocean front like where Makai lived but there was a great ocean view. She even had her own bathroom now...granted it was the hall bathroom but it was only her and Hutch living together.


Shoulder sore from hauling her duffle bag with gear and school clothes, she was thankful to be rounding the corner to the house. She could spot the nanny standing in the doorway waiting on her. Hutch had hired an older, more experienced woman to watch her on the days he had to work late. Norah liked her despite the fact she felt old enough to handle herself alone.


"Hi Miss Almira." Norah was walking up the walk to the door now, Almira holding it open to her. Once the redheaded girl was inside, the door was closed and the older nanny started to speak.


"I made a snack for you, your favorite....fruit dip and assorted goodies. Go shower and change and it will be ready for you."


"Yes ma'am."


Dragging her bags up the stairs, Norah was glad Limmie practice was only two days a week.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Calise was already heading out the door when her datapad chimed. He wanted her to stay? He must have been almost off, or was ditching early. She grabbed a table, ordered them a papa's favorite pizza and a basket of wings. Two cold ale's were to arrive when Hutch did, but the waitress had to deal with the lip locking they were doing. Someone was excited, his kiss had said it all.

"I hadn't noticed that you missed me," she winked, and planted another kiss on his lips. "The job was good. I thought I was gettng hired for my gun, but turns out they needed me to slice into a few systems. Corporate espionage can be fun, but glad it's over. These guys meant business, and a few times I thought they were out for blood."

Her booted foot reached across under the table, and glided gently along the back of Hutch's leg. She leaned across the table and smiled at him. Her hazel eyes looked into his as she popped a loose green pepper in her mouth from the pizza.

"So, what's new with you? How much happened while I was gone?

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]

 

[Alleycat]

"Well I'm very glad you're home then," Hutch smiled, popping a black olive into his mouth just as playfully with one hand well his other was placed under the table atop [member="Calise Novar"]'s tone thigh and gave it a rather sensual squeeze. He meant that too… her being home. Since becoming a family man the former womanizing merc had been thinking thoughtfully about the future; their future.

A hearty sip was taken of the cold brew before Dirks responded to the dark brunette's question.

"For starters, I bought a house so no more apartment living for us, that is if you are still wanting to move in permanently with this beach bum? It's a three bedroom, 2.5 bath, ocean view… great neighborhood near where my boss lives. Oh and [member="Judah Dashiell"] would like to meet you and discuss the possibility of working for Salacia as an IT specialist… So I'd advise you to update that resume of yours, darlin'."

The Rendili winked, then grabbed a slice of the pizza. He took a couple of bites and washed it down with another swig of ale, then wiped his mouth off.

"Cali… I also took in my good friend's daughter after she died tragically in a work-related accident. I knew Dells from way back in my Rebel Alliance days, and no the child isn't mine. But, I'm all [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] has. She's a sweet girl, red wavy hair and freckles, just like her mother. I just couldn't let her go to some orphanage or someone who she didn't know. I hope you understand… and won't run from me because of this. I think you two would get along well. Little Red is kinda sassy like you," Hutch grinned, bracing for a slug to his arm.

 

[Judah Lesan]

He bought a house? What was going on? Calise listened carefully as she listened to everything Hutch said. Calise didn't know what to say. When she left him, she certainly did not expect to return to him being a father. What he was doing was very noble of him. It was right, and well, responsible. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of the Rendili. Calise couldn't be more proud. She just wasn't sure if she was cut out to be a "mom," especially to a child that had been adopted by a man she didn't know super well beyond their intimate interludes. Her gut had always told her Hutch was a good guy, maybe even the right one, but was she ready for a kid?

"Well, I'd be lying if I didn't say that was totally unexpected, and I'm freaking out a little," Calise said calmly. "I always thought I'd have a ring on my finger, and married before I'd have a kid in my life."

She sighed and took a sip of the ale. Suddenly the pizza wasn't as appetizing as it had been before. News like this, not that it was bad, always turned an appetite until it was resolved. Calise finally manged a smile, leaned over and kissed Hutch on the cheek.

"She comes with you though, and I was coming back so we could give us a try. To be honest I was coming back to see if this had a permanent potential, Dirks. Taking this girl in, Norah, it only tells me what I already knew about you. You're the right kind of guy, Hutch. I could see myself having a family with that kind of guy, and I guess, well, in a way, I do now. If you still want me to move in, and be your girl I'm not going to change my mind. I just hope Norah likes me."

Calise kissed Hutch on the lips.

"You're a good man, [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]."

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Calise Novar"] | [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]


Clean and showered, Norah placed her smelly cleats outside on her balcony. She didn't need the grass stained shoes to stink up her entire room. Images of her mother dotted the room, along with some of her and her grandparents as well. Hutch had let her paint the room a soft lilac to match the bedding she had brought from home --from Laekia.


There were no messages on the datapad sitting at the desk. Norah had been in contact with Theo Heavenshield and [member="Coci Heavenshield"] , Theo's mother. The boy was friendly and Norah was a little short on friends, so it was good to keep in contact with a friendly face. Mrs. Heavenshield was helping teach her about archaeology and giving her assignments to do. When Hutch visited Silver Sanctum space, she normally went with him to continue her new Jedi Temple education as well.


It was fun and certainly more challenging than her boring new school.


Bounding down the stairs, Norah went to the kitchen and snagged a piece of fruit and her dip. Miss Almira had also put out a few pretzels for her to eat with it too. The nanny was putting dishes into the dishwasher when Norah came to sit with her in the kitchen.


"Have a good day? "


"It was okay...I got hit in the head with the ball at Limmie practice."


"Oh dear. Do you want me to look at it?"


"Coach said I was fine...it was embarrassing though...new girl getting hit the head. " Norah grabbed another piece and munched for a moment. "Is Hutch working real late?"


"No idea dear, he hasn't contacted me."

 

[Alleycat]

Whew… That went easier than expected.

"Well you're a good woman, and I'd be be worried if you weren't a little freaked out. Thanks for being honest with me," Hutch smiled back, then took her hands into his. "I can't promise when, but someday I'd like to give you those other things. For now, I have my heart and my home to offer along with Norah."

Dirks kissed her again, then nodded his head towards the food.

"How about we get a box for the left over pizza and ribs, then take it back to the house. I'd like for you to meet Little Red, if you're up for that. I told her a friend of mine was coming to visit and would be staying with us, but I didn't exactly tell her the details so we should play things by ear. I'm still feeling my way through this fatherhood maze."

[member="Calise Novar"] [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Look at you handsome, thinking about getting me a ring," Calise squeezed his hand and winked.

She nodded when he suggested they get the leftovers home. The best way to get this done was to do it. Calise was coming to move in, not visit, and if this didn't work tonight, if the news went south, then things might get tough. Calise's heart was in her stomach and throat all at the same time. How was that even possible? This was uncharted territory for both of them, and Calise was more nervous than she let on. Her future with Hutch was riding on this. She didn't get another first impression, but Calise had to try for his sake, because the woman knew she had fallen for the Rendili, and hard.

"You bring the bike, or did you have to trade it in for a mini-van?"

Calsie was teasing him now. She leaned into him and whispered.

"Get me home loverboy. Time to meet Little Red."


[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]

 

[Alleycat]

"Force no… I still have the bike, though I keep it on the ship. With the house and kid came a speeder, and that's what I have tonight. It's a good thing I got a raise otherwise I wouldn't be able to pay for all this "fam" stuff, though to be honest it's been worth it. I can't imagine not having Norah in my life, nor providing a possible future for us."

Okay, he was going way deep there, deeper than ever before, but the Rendili couldn't help himself. Calise brought this side out of him. It was totally scary for the former womanizer, but exciting too. Before they left the sports bar, Dirks sent a quick text message to Miss Almira that he was on his way home and bringing his friend with him.

"You don't have to tell me twice, Let's go," Hutch grinned, then grabbed the luggage stashed nearby the table and lead Calise to the sleek four-door speeder outside parked on the street.

It only took about fifteen minutes to make the drive out from the city to where the house was located along the coast line, but back from the beach front. Dirks pulled the speeder into the garage, then leaned over and gave Calise a 'confidence' kiss before getting out and grabbing her bags from the trunk. Upon opening the front door that lead into the living area, he called out.

"Norah… I'm home, and I would like you to come meet my friend please."

[member="Calise Novar"] [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Dirks Hutchinson"] | [member="Calise Novar"]


After her snack and questioning from Miss Almira, it had been back up to her room for homework. Norah was the type of kid who liked to knock most of it out before dinner. The faster it got done the sooner she could read her vast collection of books or work on the archaeology assignments the Heavenshields were sending her.


Sprawled out in her bed, Norah was fairly certain she heard yelling downstairs. Sounded like a animal. Hutch must be home. It seemed a bit early for him to arrive. Sometimes she was already getting ready for bed when he was hitting the door home.


Bounding down the stairs, Norah only heard the last word of 'please'. There was a mental shrug, not knowing what her new guardian wanted. Hopefully she wouldn't have to drag herself upstairs for something stupid, like a towel or extra roll of toilet paper.


In the kitchen she found him holding bags with a woman coming up just behind his frame. Eyes glanced between the bags, Hutch and the new woman in the home. Eyebrow raised slightly as a few scenarios went running through her head.


"Hi Hutch and....Hutch's friend"

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Well here goes nothing," she said taking Hutch by the hand and walking in behind him slightly.

Her heart was racing. What was going to happen? This was all really happening and now! Calise waited quietly, and smiled when she saw the young girl bound down the stairs. She seemed cautious about it all, andhe mind was running. Calise could tell, she had been laid to know those things. She could never know what a person was thinking though.

When the girl walked up, she squeezed his hand. Putting on a smile, Calise let go and walked up to the red haired girl. She offered her hand, which seemed awkward to do, but what else was she supposed to do.

"Hi, I'm Calise."

Calise was nervous.

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]

 

[Alleycat]

The nervous feeling in the Rendilil's gut was worst than when Rogues took on the whole of the Imperial navy by themselves at Alderaan, but that was a lifetime ago. This was now and Dirks needed to make things go smoothly here for his girls.

"Hey, kiddo… " Hutch answered, flashing one of his big smiles at the preteen, then he set the luggage off to the side to be taken upstairs later and the food boxes on the kitchen's island.

"This is [member="Calise Novar"]. Cal, this is [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]. Little Red here is quite the Limme player. You all set for the big game this weekend?"

​Dirks was impressed Calise took the initiative there. That was a good sign, hopefully, of things to come.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Dirks Hutchinson"] | [member="Calise Novar"]


Norah reached out and shook the womans hand in response. Eyes went between the woman and Hutch once more, brow furrowing slightly. The new woman, Calise, seemed a little nervous about the entire venture. Hutch simply looked like he was going to vomit in their clean kitchen at any moment.


"Nice to meet you."


No need to say her name...clearly Calise seemed to know about her. Norah was fairly certain that Hutch probably filled the woman in on her 'situation'. The redhead hoped he didn't bring the other to act as a mother figure to her. It was going to take a little time on Norah's part to figure out exactly why Calise was here. Judging by her reaction, Norah had to guess her and Hutch were at least slightly more than friends.


"I'm ready, just not used to the team."

 

[Judah Lesan]

Well it seemed to be going well. Calise called down a bit, and wasn't about to treat the pre-teen like she wasn't aware of the situation between her and Hutch. Yes, Hutch had filled her in, but had Hutch filled Norah in on the nature of the relationship he had with Calise. The two had just spent part of their dinner talking about marriage as part of their future.

Calise grabbed the food from the island and opened it up. She was starting to get her appetite back, and thought to offer some of the food to Norah. Knowing Hutch, Norah had been eating this stuff as a staple in their diet. She adored the man, but he had been quite the bachelor. It wasn't a bad thing, but sometimes guys didn't think about meal planning. Even Calise could be that way. Being single for most of her adult life meant she only had herself to think about. Still it was more natural to think of food for everyone.

"The food is still hot, and it all comes from Hutch's favorite spot. We always order more than we can eat ourselves. Why don't you help us finish it off, and tell me a bit more about yourself. Hutch is important to me, and you're important to him, so that makes you important to me. Besides, we women have to make sure Hutch is throughly made fun of."

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]

 

[Alleycat]

"Give it a little more time, kiddo… I'm sure things will work out, especially if you handle the ball like I saw you doing the other day when I picked you up. You're quite the little attacker on offense," Hutch complimented proudly, then loosened his tie.

"Tell you what, girls… I'm going to go tell Miss Almira she can leave, and change out of my work clothes. Go ahead and start in on the food. I won't be long," the Rendili smiled, then picked up the suitcases and scurried down the hall which would take him past the laundry room where the nanny was, then to the stairs.

Dirks only dilemma was which bedroom to put Calise's things in when he got upstairs; his or the guest bedroom. He so wanted his Spiran beauty to stay with him, gods it had been way too long, but maybe they should go slow for Norah's sake and have her stay in the other. Decisions, decisions…

[member="Calise Novar"] [member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"]

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Dirks Hutchinson"] | [member="Calise Novar"]


"Thanks Hutch"


Norah beamed at the compliment, nodding as he said he was going upstairs. She stood awkwardly before going over to the fridge and grabbing a drink, coming to sit at the bar stools set up around the kitchen island. The food was piping hot and waiting in boxes. The slight redhead put down a napkin and piled a few pieces of food in front of her, eager to dig in.



"How long are you staying?"


Norah bit into a piece of pizza, bright blue eyes staring straight at Calise. To say she was a little protective of Hutch was an understatement. They had to look out for each other.

 

[Judah Lesan]

When Calise watched Hutch head up the stairs, she was thinking she didn't want him to leave her alone. He knew what happened when girls got left alone together when a guy was involved. While they weren't fighting over Hutch, they both did want a piece of him. Whoa, that sounded bad in her head. Yeah, watching Hutch walk up the stairs with the nicely shapped behind of his reminded her exactly how long it had been since they had been together.

The question caught Calise off guard. This girl didn't pull her punches or hide anything. How was Calise supposed to answer that? If the job took, then she was around for good as long as Hutch wanted her to be. They had both made up their mind on that score, she was certain anyway. They'd left things there before she left, and seemed to still be there after the bar.

"Well you don't beat around the bush do you? I'm not sure to be honest. I'm sure you picked up that Hutch and I are more than friends, and we've known each other for about 5 or 6 years. A couple months ago we were discussing our future, and my look for work. I have a lead here with Mr. Dasiell it seems. If I get the job I'll be here for while."

Calise grabbed a couple of the ribs and took a bite of of one of them. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled.

"The idea is we are going to see how things work, so we'll see. He's important to us both isn't he?"

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Calise Novar"] | [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]


Norah listened carefully as she ate. Of course she had suspected more between the two already, especially after the way the dark-haired woman watched Hutch walk up the stairs. She wanted to roll her eyes but refrained from doing so, it seemed Norah was already off to a shaky start by asking her question. Sadly she got the blunt gene from her mother and it just came out once in awhile. Couldn't help it.


Taking a wing from her napkin pile, Norah chewed thoughtfully, mulling over what Calise had said. Going to see how things work...but she had known Hutch all these years. Brow furrowed, Hutch had never mentioned this woman before. There were no images of her around the house that she had seen, nothing before they moved either.


To say she was a little skeptical was an understatement.


"Oh, okay." Taking a long sip of her drink, she finally answered the last bit of the question. "Hutch is really important to me"


More than you know, she added in silently.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"I know, and someday I'd like to be there too, but for now I'll take what I can get, even if it means we are just friends for a while, or your loudest fan cheering for you at your games."

Calise knew better than trying to even come across as trying to step in where her mother had left a hole. Sure she was at an age where Norah would need a woman in her life to talk about female issues. Hutch was certainly not going have any good advice in that department. Calise chuckled inwardly as she imagined how some of those conversations would go between them. She ate her food and took a drink of water, suddenly conscious about her drink choice in front of Norah. Yeah this was going to be an adjustment for her too.

"So why don't you tell me a bit about yourself. Simple stuff, favorite color, favorite food, favorite thing to do when not in school. I'm pretty sure you've got a lot of interesting bits and pieces to yourself. We all do, and that's the fun in getting to meet new people. I'll tell you how I met Hutch even. Boy do I have a couple of stories about him that you might find quite entertaining... might even give you some leverage with him later if you need it."

Why not give Norah some information to use at her advantage. Every girl needed leverage from time to time to negotiate some freedom. Dads were well intentioned, but sometimes it did get to be too much and way overboard. Calise had no clue how Hutch was going to handle the boys when they started coming around, and they would. No matter how much a dad didn't want it to happen, they always came around.

[member="Norah Kitts-Castillon"] [member="Dirks Hutchinson"]