Uncle Jamie
“Uncle Jamie!” A little girl yelled, running over to him. She had black hair, pulled back into a small ponytail, and freckles splattered across her cheekbones. James smiled and knelt down so she could run into his arms and hug him. “Hey Lani. How ya doing bug?” He asked, standing with her in his arms. “Good! Mommy says I get to stay with you for a week this time! Then, I’m gonna go visit Ms. Bella and Carly!” James’s eyebrows shot up, and he looked at Alice. “Really?” Lelani nodded excitedly. “Yeah!” James smiled at her. “That’s great bug. Hey, how about you go find Keith? I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
She nodded and he set her down, letting her run down the hall.
Then he turned to Alice. “Really? Rehab, again?” “Last time, I promise.” She said, and James sighed. “Alice, that’s what you said last time. And this is, what, the 6th time? That I know of.” He said, crossing his arms.
“James, I promise. I’m going to get clean this time. For real. Bella is gonna be checking in on me, and I’m getting a new agency, and I promise, I’m gonna really try this time. For Lelani’s sake.” James gave her a skeptical look, and she frowned. “I promise James, I’m trying. I swear.” He hummed nonchalantly. “Okay. So, you’ll be back in a week?” She nodded. “One week, that’s it. Then I’ll be back.”
Keith came over with Lelani holding his hand. “Alice.” He said, giving her a curt nod. “Keith. Nice to see you alive and well.” “Wish I could say the same.” He responds dryly. “Lani, go say bye to mommy.” James instructs. She runs towards her mother, hugging her waist tightly. “Bye mommy. Love you.” Alice smiled softly. “Love you too baby. Be good for Uncle Jamie.” she instructed. “I will.” Lelani promised before running back to James and Keith. Alice waved and turned away, heading back onto her ship. The door closed behind her, and the ship soon took off, flying into the wormhole as they watched silently.
“Alright.” James said, pickin Lelani up. “Let’s go meet the others.”
The others loved her.
“My god James! Why didn’t you tell us you had such a cute niece?” Nadia asked, booping her on the nose. Lelani laughed and swatted her hand away. “Honestly, I didn’t know until part way through the war. She’s only four.”
“Wait, you didn’t know your sister was pregnant?” Hunk asks. “No, I knew, but it was when the war started, and she wasn’t at the Garrison. And our relationship was... Rocky, for a few years. I only found out it was a girl later. I tried to bring them to the Garrison as soon as possible, but Alice wouldn’t have it. But I’ve been able to visit a lot, and do video calls.” James answers.