xp_logs | Nathan and Moira, Saturday afternoon

Nathan and Moira get Rachel ready so that the three of them can head out for lunch, and discuss Moira's plans to commute via-Gulfstream to Muir. Clearly, this is something they've discussed for long enough to be perfectly comfortable with the arrangement. (See, Scott, workaholics can find a balance.)

"I've been looking up jet lag remedies for you," Nathan said mischieviously from the changing table, where he was currently taking care of Rachel's latest dirty diaper. "Then I remember that jet lag hardly bothers you. Which is something I've been jealous about for years, in case I've never mentioned it..."

Moira smirked from the other side of the room, up to her elbows in a pile of half-pint laundry, thankfully all of it clean. "Aye, out o' all my concerns wit' this, jet lag is th' least o' it. It must be my coffee, really." She did frown a bit, after a second. "I am a wee bit worried about Rachel an' jet lag but I guess we'll see."

"Well, it's not like you're going to be taking her with you every week." The two of them had worked out the most rational schedule possible, after some discussion. Nathan had been rather entertained to be the one arguing for more time for Rachel in Scotland. But he didn't want her growing up too American, after all. "Hopefully she inherits that freakish ability to be unbothered by it from you - eyes away from the baby powder, devil-child," he said severely to Rachel. She giggled.

Glancing over at the pair, Moira pulled a face which made Rachel laugh even more. It also distracted her even more from the baby powder and she went back to folding laundry with a satisfied air. "I'm verra much 'opin'. I'll be tryin' ta alternate th' weekends spent 'ere an' there, makes it more fair on everyone involved. Did I tell ye 'ow thrilled me uncle is?"

"No, but I figured he would be," Nathan said, making more faces at Rachel to keep her distracted. The giggling became constant. "And really - having the Gulfstream is going to make this as easy as humanly possible. You work half the week at Muir, half the week here, travel between the two in the lap of luxury - and don't feel like you're abandoning either set of responsibilities." He gave her a tolerant, amused look. "You should have bought a plane a year ago. Think of all the stewing you would have saved yourself."

At that, she stuck her tongue out at him. "Hrmph. Ye're right, though, I should 'ave. I'm surprised I dinnae give meself an ulcer th' way I've been worryin' about it. Because while Curt is more than capable I know 'tis a big responsibility ta run it, especially wit' it growin' th' way it 'as lately. But I dinnae want ta leave th' infirmary so short staffed an' I dinnae want ta rush Jean inta anythin' she's nay ready ta get back into."

"I suspect she'll be back to work before too long," Nathan said thoughtfully. "She and Amelia will be able to hold down the fort for half the week, then you can help out while you're here and keep an eye on powers training... it'll all get done, and handled. No one's going to drop the ball." He gave her a quick smile. "And the kids will get further evidence for just how much you care about them, that you're willing to commute back and forth to Scotland to make sure they continue to have the benefit of your expertise."

"'Tis a bit o' a commute, tha's true," Moira teased, running a hand along an outfit that Rachel was quickly growing out of. "I've put a lot inta them an' I dinnae want ta stop tha'. A lot o' those kids are growin' up now, makes me feel old."

"You'll be able to cut the usual travel time in half," Nathan pointed out. They'd had this conversation before, of course, but he liked to reassure himself that he wasn't indeed letting his wife put herself on a schedule that was going to drive her into an early grave. "Since you can fly right in to the airstrip. Plus the plane itself, between its cruising altitude and its speed... the commute's going to be the least of it, amusingly enough. The key," he said severely, looking around at her, "is to make sure that you do factor in days off." Hence why he was going to be doing his almighty best to come along one week a month, at minimum. They could restrain each other's workaholic tendencies.

"Vacation, time off? Wha's this ye speak of?" But she was smiling when she joined them at the changing table, an arm going around Nathan's waist and her other hand playing with Rachel's hair. "Nay, I'll remember ta take some time off. Between ye an' Paige remindin' me, I dinnae stand a chance."

Nathan grinned, dropped a kiss on the top of her head and then finished putting Rachel back into her clothes. "There, stinky girl," he said as she sat up, cooing at him. "All changed. You tell Mom you're going to love traveling in her fancy plane a couple of times a month, and love getting fussed over by Uncle Billie and Aunt Anna even more..."

Groaning, she looked horrified. "She's goin' ta be so spoiled by those two," Moira said. "Anna is nay wantin' children right now but she's certainly lovin' playin' with Rachel. And Billie says tha' it makes him feel younger. An' then they give 'er back."

"It's very good that she's going to be spending more time in Scotland," Nathan said firmly. Even if it only really worked out to a week or so a month, he was very happy about that. "Good that you will again, too, and not just because of the Centre." He kissed her on the cheek. "Part of me wishes I could run Elpis from Muir, but..." Well, that wasn't entirely true. A small part of him did, and maybe at some point in the future, a few years down the line, he would. Right now, he had other responsibilities here as well.

"'Tis better tha' Elpis is 'ere," Moira echoed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Especially given who yer employees are, though Rahne would probably love ta be in Scotland more. I dinnae think she'd want to be there permanently, all o' 'er friends are 'ere. I'll 'ave ta let th' kids know they can come wit' me whenever they want as long as it doesnae interfere wit' their classes."

"Unfortunately, we can't move the UN," Nathan said wryly. "Ah, well. Maybe eventually." His eyes were twinkling as she looked up at him. "I do have world domination plans, after all. I'm going to win people over with love, compassion, and exquisitely planned aid projects with a high level of social benefit." She was going to burst out laughing at him any minute, she really was... "Weren't we going out for lunch?" he asked innocently.

Snickering quietly under her breath, she scooped Rachel up into her arms as the baby squealed. "Aye, we were. There's some cheesecake wit' my name on it, I do believe."

"Mmaah!" Rachel declared loudly, her big eyes sparkling.

Nathan shook his head at her. "You're not having any," he said, smoothing down her hair. "Your mother's hopeless cheesecake addiction is something you do not get to inherit."

"Says ye," Moira proclaimed, leaning down to nuzzle Rachel's nose. "She's goin' ta be jus' as addicted as 'er mummy, isnae tha' right sweetheart? An' then ye'll 'ave ta deal wit' bot' o' our cravin's when she's old enough."

"Oh, the horror," Nathan said amiably, putting his arm around Moira as they headed out of the nursery and towards the door. A beautiful Saturday afternoon spent out and about with his two redheads. Life, quite seriously, could not get any better.