A family connection

Posted on Mon Oct 26th, 2020 @ 8:56am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Season 4: Episode 2: Rest And Relaxation
Location: Taylor’s quarters - Pacifica
Timeline: Whenever
2453 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

With everything slowly getting back to some assemblance of normality Alicia made her way to see Gary, a wide awake young Connor gurgling away happily in his pram as he played with a rattle she’d replicated for him. Arriving at the Quarters Gary and Lia were in here on Pacifica she pressed the musical door chime and waited.

A moment later the door slid open and Gary was standing there. "Alicia. This is an unexpected surprise as you brought Connor as well."

“Commander” Alicia smiled as she greeted Gary. “I hope I’m not intruding on your peace and quiet? I thought I’d bring Connor to visit.”

"Not intruding at all. Lia and are just sitting here trying to decide on what we want to do first. Please come in and we'll continue this conversation like people who have some sense."

“Thank you” Alicia smiled warmly as she stepped inside, parking the pram to one side out of the way she picked up Connor and his toy before walking over to the large carpet space the room had and placing him down on the floor where he could roll around and stretch out. “You have to admit the rooms here on Pacifica don’t disappoint!”

"No, they definitely don't disappoint." Gary answered as he looked at Connor chewing on his toy. "How is Connor doing?" He asked by way of making conversation.

“Oh he’s settled right in!” Alicia grinned. “The doctor has given him a clean bill of health, he’s a happy little guy.” She smiled warmly. “It’s so strange, one minute I find out I’m pregnant and the next I’m handed a 12 month old baby and told I’ve been chosen to be his mother.” She shrugged her shoulders. “The mirror me wanted her son to be safe, she surrendered Connor and her life.”

"It helps that you look exactly like your mirror Alicia. Makes the bonding with Connor easier." Gary observed.

“That’s true” Alicia nodded. “I bonded with him the minute I set eyes on him.” She paused before asking what she hoped wasn’t too awkward a question. “Are you happy to share in parenting side of things with Connor? I know you’d rather forget your mirror self but he needs his ... more or less, biological parents.”

"I can never forget what he did Alicia, the lives he ruined and took without a second thought." Gary replied bitterly. "You getting Connor was one of the few good things to come out of this. "Yes, I'm fine sharing parenting of Connor with you."

Alicia nodded and smiled. “That’s good to hear. What about Lia?” She noted that Lia wasn’t currently around. “Will she mind? I don’t want to end up driving a wedge between the two of you over this.”

Gary smiled. "Lia, I believe is like most women. She wants to be a mother and this will help whenever we have a child of our own. So, no I don't think Lia is going to mind ."

Alicia nodded. “That’s good. Right now we all need this break, but I hope Starfleet doesn’t keep us here too long just being off the ship is going to make it all the harder for settling back onto it again. Anyway enough shop talk! I brought Connor here to see you, so feel free to have fun with the little guy!”

At first Gary didn't move but then he slowly got down on his knees and then was laying beside Connor. he made a note to take Connor over to Gallia, Kara and especially Tayalas. So she could meet and have a new friend to play with.

“We can make some arrangements for when you want to have Connor, once you’ve had time to talk to Lia. It’ll give Savar and I break for a little while, I’m going to need it once this pregnancy gets into full swing” She grinned.

"Of course Alicia." Gary replied as he whispered to Connor who responded with coos and laughter.

Alicia grinned as she watched, it was so sweet to see Gary and Connor together. “Will Lia be back soon? I was hoping she’d have some time with Connor too. If needs be I can leave him with you for a little while.”

Gary rolled to look up at her, "Should be back any minute and I want her to bond with Connor." He looked at the happy little boy crawling on the carpet. " Connor is going to have the largest and best family around filled with lots and lots of love."

“He will indeed. There’s also Jess, she’s taken quite a shine to Connor and I owe her for her help on the slave planet.” Alicia sat back in her seat and relaxed. “To be honest I’m grateful for all the help, morning sickness is starting to kick in and it helps when I’m not feeling the best.”

"That's right. I meant no slight when I forgot Jess. I think she and Connor are going to be great for each other. He will have an aunt that adores him and as he grows he will adore her. It's win-win."

Lia now entered and saw the happy couple with the small child, Gary had once again found himself another child without informing her. *Doesn't he know or care how this affects me?* she thought. A forced smile and a equally forced move put Lia at the edge of the small group, "Oh sorry, I wasn't aware we were expecting visitors". Stupid comment for an awkward situation, but Lia's brain wasn't fully functioning.

Gary wasn't stupid. He knew that look and that tone. Lia was upset and he could about what. The small child crawling on the floor. He got to his feet quickly and moved to her, "I didn't know either Alicia just came by with Connor." He explained. We'll have to take him to see Tayalas so they can play together." He suggested.

"Connor? Is that his name?" She looked at Gary, "Yes I suppose he and Tayalas would enjoy that, and no doubt you would be able to join in". The last part said more than little angry, she bit her lip. "Why don't you both take a walk over there now? I have to clean this place up any way, and it's easier if your out of the way". She turned and took her shoes off, a habit she couldn't stop even though this wasn't her home.

"Lia. what's wrong with you? " Gary said trying to keep a tight rein on his own temper. "Connor was the MU Taylor's and Alicia's son. Would you prefer I, we left him there? He wouldn't have lived five minutes. And why are you cleaning up a resort room? Let the hotel staff do that."

She moved back from him, "What's wrong with me?" She looked at the small child on the floor, "Tayalas, Connor, how many more times will you remind me of my inability to produce children?" She took a deep breath and began to tidy up, "Cleaning helps me forget what we've just been through, what some of us are still going through. What I want to forget, because of my stupidity".

"You can't be serious. Is that what you honestly think I'm doing? Nothing could be further from the truth. You are number one in my heart and nothing and no one is going to change that. Not Tayalas, not Connor. I'll love them with all my heart but are first in it. You always are. I'm sorry you can't see that." He looked at Connor and picked him up, handing him back to Alicia. "Thanks for bringing him by Alicia." He then turned and went into the back room, shutting the door behind him.

Lia looked at Alicia, "Please sit down and wait a while, this shouldn't take long". She walk to the door and entered, closing it behind her she faced Gary. "You have a guest out there, in fact you have two. Now we can do this later when we're alone, or we can do it now in front of your guests". She moved further in to the room, "I suggest we do this later, and you and Alicia take a walk and talk about Connor. After all he is related to you, in a weird way". She pointed at the door, "Now get out there and stop making the poor girl feel she's to blame for our lack of communication, plus you know your determined to be apart of Connor's life. Don't blame him because of me, he's an innocent remember".

"I don't blame him, I don't blame Alicia. I just don't understand how you could think so poorly of me. That I would deliberately go out of my way to bring a child here to make you feel bad. That isn't the case at all and you should know it. As for our so called lack of communication, when have we had the chance Lia? We haven't had five minutes to ourselves." He stood and moved to the door. " We will talk." He promised and left the room.

She now sat on the bed and began to cry, *We'll never have time* she thought. Wiping her eye's she sniffed back the tears and stood up, but never re-entered the room as she didn't want Alicia to feel bad.

Alicia had seen and felt Lia’s response to having Connor around, her fears about young Connor coming between Gary and Lia were confirmed. As much as she wanted to talk this through now obviously wasn’t the time, when the two of them disappeared into the bedroom to talk she quietly picked up Connor and placed him in his pram before leaving a simple note saying she was sorry and that they’d talk later before she quickly and quietly left the apartment.

Coming back into the living room, Gary saw Alicia and Connor were gone. He saw the note she had written and sighed. This whole thing was going to hell in a hand basket. This was the absolutely last thing he wanted was Alicia to feel Connor was an imposition. He walked over to the couch and sat down. "Great, just great." He muttered.

Lia heard Gary mutter so went back into the sitting room, "Well don't just sit there, go get her back. Or the two of you can go see Tayalas, and get the two kids introduced. Saying that, Connor is a bit younger than Taya so you might have problems". She stood looking at Gary, "I need time to get over our visit to hell ok, kids are the last thing I need right now for more than just what you might think". Lia crossed to the door and pointed outside, "Now move your butt and go talk to the girl, she must be feeling a bit low right now".

Gary rose silently and walked to the door. Reaching it, he bent down and kissed Lia's cheek. "You are always first in my heart and in my head." Then he was gone and down the corridor hoping to catch Alicia before she got too far.

Fortunately Alicia hadn’t gotten very far, she was dithering about not too far away wondering whether to go back or not. Seeing Gary she offered him an apologetic glance. “Commander I ... I’m sorry! I don’t want to be in the way.”

"Alicia, I promise you that neither you or Connor are in the way. So put that out of your head. This is something I'll work out with Lia. it doesn't affect my relationship with Connor or you. Now, that being said please call me Gary in situations and circumstances not involving rank." He finished with a smile.

“Okay Gary.” She smiled feeling more relaxed. “Maybe I should speak to Lia? See if I can put her mind at rest?”

"You can try. I wouldn't do it right now. She might feel we're forcing all this on her." Gary explained and continued. "Lia needs to work this out in her head. I've told her repeatedly she's first in my heart and my mind."

“Is there a reason why she’s so angry about this?” Alicia looked at Gary curiously. “I don’t want to upset her or make her feel left out.”

"Lia was pregnant with a little girl and suffered a miscarriage. It scarred her deeply and she still has issues with it. Plus she's been told she has to wait at least a year before she/we can try to have another child. I really think this just reminds Lia of what she is missing but that's wrong she can still be a major part of Connor's life." Gary finished.

Alicia nodded understandingly. “I’m so sorry, I completely understand, I lost a baby too so I know how she feels. I’m just blessed to be carrying Savar’s child now. I’ll give her some time and have a talk with her.”

"Thank you Alicia. I think Lia having another woman to talk to who has been through the same thing. Will be a definite help." Gary replied letting out a breath of relief.

Back in their quarters, Lia sat in the floor and thought about Connor. Could she handle having such a young child around her? Gary, as usual was all for it, but had even he thought this fully through? She glanced at the door expecting the pair to return, but it remained closed. *Must be talking things out*, she thought. She now stood up and crossed to a small trinket box she had placed on the table, inside was a small silver locket in the shape of a baby. Angel was inscribed on one side, clutching it she thought of her daughter. *I'm sorry, but I need to remember you. Because I was all you ever had*, her thoughts meandered through the short time from being pregnant to loosing Angel. She placed the pendent back in the box, had Gary seen it? Who knew, but this was her physical link to her daughter. But she needed to fill a void in her soul, that void was to have a child and raise it in joy and happiness unlike her own early life. She wanted another daughter, but Gary wanted a son. Either would do, but first she had to wait and get better.

{OFF}

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant Alicia Kelea
Chief Counsellor
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium