dad, sup? (Largo)

University life had gotten busy again as the last of the summer schoolers were learning their fate and the regular students he was expecting were getting enrolled ready to start round the same time as Estella was going to school here. That was arranged for sure and she wasn't going to be packed off to boarding school. Staying local would be good for her and Kyle at least.

Estella was directed to his classroom which was empty for now and that led to his little office where he had an iced tea and taking a break from work. Lessons plans were completed but he still had to go over what they found in the summer dig Estella had taken part in. So on his desk was his computer where he looked over the digital photographs that were taken and there was enough evidence of an early settlers graveyard above a dinosaurs one. Something he's get to tell his daughter when they next get a chance to properly talk.

Hearing her call again he came out of his office to see her. "Hello Estella. We might be onto something with the dig you were a part off" he cheerfully said.

Estella Vasquez

"Let me show you this first" he asked and then added "its always like this before a term starts but not quite as busy here as it was in other jobs". He did want to show her the pictures as being part of a dig you only really seen a small part of it. Seeing the pieces put together was the result of everybody's input.

"There are dinosaur bones deeper down but the ground penetrating radar picked up what I initially thought was foundation digging closer to the surface. It was an early cemetery roughly dating between 1600 and 1650. Judging by the finds that survived like crucifixes, coins and jewellery I think it was a Spanish settlement we didn't previously know about; quite small and being inland it was going to be stumbled upon". It also seemed they didn't do too well so either left or died on the island.

He paused to observe what Estella would make of what he said and showed her. The photos did show still partially covered skeletons at the time and there being five medium depth graves.

Estella Vasquez

Looking back at his little queen who sounded interested he started with this first. "We certainly did and those will need further work but we also found a piece of the recent past too. It's a set of Spanish graves dating back to the pirate era. Two men, two women and a early teen child. I'll show you". Skeletons and bodies didn't freak him out but these would be properly reburied in the Catholic Church grounds once they were fully excavated. He did have respect for the dead after all.

"I'll have to head back to the site with a team and get them totally unearthed ready for burial in hallowed ground but look at the finds that were there". The pictures he was showing her were of silver crucifixes, bits of clothing that had survived the centuries under the ground and even lead musket balls. "People were here the time the pirate ship sank but I think this could have been a small group that went out on their own to make a farm. What is now the old town was the original settlement. At least it started as a Spanish town".

He sounded excited about these finds. It looked like there was finally evidence for the date of the town being established once tests had been made but Estella did have another question.

"Your mom is getting furniture with a guy? We divorced but are still co-parents so I am happy for her. And yes a lack of time once school starts isn't anything new; it was same when I went to high school" he replied with a smile. Then an idea hit him "Do you have all your school things in yet? If you don't we can go to the mall and get family time in before I see the stacks of books and yards of fabric".

He was getting feelings for Ula as they got closer but he still did get to see Betty from time to time.

Estella Vasquez

Estella took a seat and then declared she had something to tell him and he was the first person to hear it. She was also sure he wasn't going to like it but he'd know for sure once he heard it. So looking back at her he said "I'll know my thoughts on the subject once you tell me" in a soft voice. If she thought he wouldn't like it it might be bad but he wasn't one to rush into figuring out a solution; there was always one.

"So you think the guy is being forced into it? I feel sorry for him but your mother will find a way as well" he added.

Estella Vasquez

Estella sounded quite serious and that wasn't usually the case. So he replied to his daughter "I'm here and I'm listening. So what do you need to tell me? You don't normally sound this serious".

He didn't want to even think of the possibilities yet. Jumping to a conclusion was bad and hearing it from her would give him thinking time.

Estella Vasquez

Estella was blunt before when she had something to say and that wasn't going to change. Then came the news. His first grandchild if things ran their course. He could also see why she wanted to tell him before he mentioned this to her mother.

She also had a firm plan whatever her parents had to say on the matter. So he paused after he listened closely and then replied softly. "You won't be on your own. It's not an ideal situation but I'll do as much as I can to help you with your baby and my grandchild".

He meant this and she would at least have him in her corner. Kyle seemed like a sensible boy so he figured he could at least deal with the situation. Her mother was another question to be answered.

Estella Vasquez

Largo knew this wasn't an ideal situation nor was it even close to ideal timing. His daughter was about to start a new school but he'd figure out a way to make sure her education wouldn't be impacted that much. After all he had taken a class of summer school at the university and got most of them through it; the ones who hadn't simply hadn't tried or slacked off so badly they couldn't make up the grades.

"You certainly can do that. Designing baby clothes will be a first for our family but does Kyle know yet?" he posed. Estella seen this as her challenge to deal with and father and daughter weren't much different from each other. "You'll still have help if you need it. I mean that" he added supportively.

Estella Vasquez