Damn right he was confused. This kid was young, maybe one year old? Starbuck wasn't good at estimating that sort of stuff. Anyway, Lani had never seemed the type to settle down at start a family. Starbuck, well, he had always been that guy, the one who was going to find someone he adored and build a life together. He wanted exactly what his parents had had. Things were just really screwed up right now, and it was starting to look more and more like Kat wouldn't be that woman for him. But that didn't stop him from wanting that life one day.
"Hi, Kamea," he said softly, giving her cheek a little brush with his finger as he smiled at her. She was still staring at him, and it did make him a little uncomfortable, if he was truthful, but he couldn't quite pin down the reason for his discomfort. He'd never been awkward around children before, he was actually really good with them, definitely the nurturing type.
Something was nagging at Starbuck's insides, and the feeling grew when Lani said Kamea was a year old. Starbuck had never been good at math, but he could add twelve and nine, and the number that resulted made it suddenly hard for him to breathe. His smile faltered and it actually looked like he was swaying a bit, struggling to stay standing. Still, he managed not to faint, but only just barely.
Instead, he stared at Kamea, examining her features. He was very quiet for about a minute, then he looked up to Lani. The question was in his eyes, but his throat had sealed shut. He couldn't ask it. In part, because he was afraid of the answer. But all the pieces fit, and why the hell else would Lani bring a little kid to this little reunion?
His hand was definitely shaking a little as he pushed back some hair from Kamea's forehead and watched her for a moment more, trying to collect himself. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice wavering and extremely soft.