Desert Nights

February 2030 - Oasis Springs, Nevada
Craig family - Bryant is 34, Madison is 34, Summer is 7, Skye is 5

Madison spends a lot time at the lab working hard on new developments she’s designed.

The military is asking more and more for new robotic tools. She doesn’t know why, but she’ll do the job she’s required to do.

The robotic tools in the lab are great coworkers and Madison always gives them a pat on the head as if she’s talking to a dog she’s trained. But she knows that on her own she’d never get the developments she’s designed put together as fast as she can with the robotic help.

There are some tests going on in the lab that Madison helps with when she’s not working in the machine room.

Another lab development that Madison isn’t sure what it will be used for, but she’ll do what she’s told for now.

Like Madison, Bryant stays busy at work too.

He’s determined to keep the city a safe place so he can be sure his girls can grow up without having to watch out for every little problem that could come in their way.

Bryant comes home some nights to find his family swimming in the pool. And he’s reminded just how much he loves seeing Madison in a bikini.

It may be February, but it’s still a warm night in Oasis Springs, perfect for a nightly swim.

***

Skye has some anger issues. She’ll start yelling at her older sister suddenly about the smallest things.

And then they’re friends again a few minutes later, Skye’s overheated mood now gone.

Back to playing together as if nothing ever happened.

It's a busy life working at the lab and then helping the girls with their homework at night. Sometimes Bryant's job at the police station might keep him out late if they're working on a big case.

And Suzie will call as much as she can, wanting to hear all about her daughter and granddaughters' lives across the country. "I'm going to come visit soon," Suzie says. "And then I'll go to Del Sol Valley to see George and his girls before going home."

Madison takes the girls over to Anna's house on their days off from busy schedules.

Anna and Madison spend the time talking about everything while the kids play together.

Right now their main topic of conversation is Anna’s pregnancy and whether she’s hoping for a boy or a girl. She’ll be happy with the baby, no matter what the gender is.

Outside, the kids are happy playing in the pool together.

Summer and Skye may have their own pool they swim in as much as they can, but swimming in someone else's pool is always even more fun.

Anna is still dealing with some bad morning sickness a couple months into her pregnancy.

Summer helps out Aunt Anna by cleaning up Landon’s potty while she visits. It's not exactly fun, but she wants to help out the grownups when she can.

***

Bryant gets a long awaited kiss from Madison when he comes back home to his girls after a long day at work. This is always the best part of his day.

Sometimes Bryant wakes up feeling like he’s failing at something in life. He works long hours, doing so much investigation and paperwork. His girls seem to be growing up so fast like he’s missing it.

Are Madison and the girls happy with him? Or is he failing as a husband and dad?

“Are you okay?” Madison asks. “You’ve been looking sad today.”

“I’m not sad,” Bryant tells her. “Just thinking that I’m not being a good husband and father. We don’t get to take family trips and things. I’m so busy at the station.”

“And I’m busy at the lab,” Madison says. “Nothing is your fault. And we’re doing great. You’re a great dad and husband.”

“You think so?”

“I haven’t chosen anyone else because they never won me over like you did.”

After work, Madison plays with her girls as much as she can. It reminds her of how much she loved playing with her dolls as a kid.

The girls are happy kids, Madison knows that. And she knows that Bryant really is a big part of her life today. She wouldn't be who she is and where she is in life without him.

***

Bryant arrives home from work to find his girls in the backyard. “Having a water balloon fight?” he asks when he sees their wet clothes and the bucket of water balloons nearby.

“Yes!” Skye says with excitement. “Play with us!”

“I need to change out of my work clothes first,” Bryant says.

Madison picks up a water balloon, grinning wide. “No, you don’t.” She throws the water balloon his way before he can object. The girls squeal with laughter, grabbing their own balloons to throw at their dad too.

“Tell me about the moon and the stars, Daddy,” Summer says later that night after the water balloon fight ended. “Is there anyone living out there?”

“Um, your mom is the scientist,” Bryant says. “I’m just a police officer.”

“Yeah, but you know how to tell a good story,” Summer says. “Momma talks about the boring science stuff.”

Bryant grins, feeling he really is an important part of his family.

————

Madison and Bryant still hold a special place in my heart!

I just now noticed that picture over their bed in a really odd place! I’ll have to go into their house and fix it before I forget. I don’t know what happened with that.