A little understanding

Posted on Mon Nov 9th, 2020 @ 1:26am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Season 4: Episode 2: Rest And Relaxation
Location: Pacifica, Alicia and Savar’s Quarters
Timeline: Current
1550 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Alicia was enjoying her time on Pacifica who couldn’t? It was a resort that made you want to enjoy yourself. Blue skies, pleasant temperatures, a private pool to every villa, sandy beaches, it was just gorgeous! She was sitting in the shade by the open bifold doors of their apartment, Connor was sleeping peacefully in his Moses basket not far away. She looked towards the door as the chime rang.

Having pressed the chime, Lia stepped back and waited for the door to open.

Getting up Alicia smiled as she opened the door. “Hello Lia, please come in.” She stepped aside allowing Lia access.

"Hi there Alicia, look after what happened when you called. I think we should talk, about Gary, Connor, and us". Lia looked at the woman and thought how she'd tried to help her once, "I haven't forgotten our little talk, we're thinking of having the ceremony here will you come?"

Alicia nodded. “I’d love to, is it alright to bring Savar along? I’ll arrange to have Connor looked after if it makes you more comfortable?” She offered a smile. “I’m sorry I ran out on you both, it wasn’t my intention to upset you.”

Shaking her head, Lia replied. "I think you'd better bring Connor with you, Gary will want to see him on the day. And of course you and Savar are invited, I can't have one without the other". She now handed a small parcel to Alicia, "It's a toy for Connor, and a box of chocolates for you by way of an apology".

“Thank you Lia” Alicia smiled warmly motioning to the sofa. “Please sit down. You don’t need to apologise, I wasn’t sure how you’d react to having Connor here. It’s been something of a shock to me too, gaining a baby and my own pregnancy.”

Glancing down Lia just smiled, "Your a lucky woman, but I know some who wouldn't think it a good thing. My reaction might have been a little much, but I don't think Gary quite gets where I'm coming from".

“May I ask ... is there another reason that you’re so worried?” Alicia made herself comfortable in the end seat of the sofa. “I don’t look at personnel files unless it’s for a counselling review so I don’t know if there’s a specific reason or not.”

Their eyes met and Lia took a deep breath, "Worried? I'm not worried as such, jealous is nearer the mark". She shifted to make herself more comfortable, "As for the reason, it's kind of a personal reason. And not one I normally talk about, its embarrassing and people tend to react and over compensate towards me".

Alicia nodded. “I didn’t want to say jealous, it seemed a cruel inappropriate somehow.” She smiled. “I won’t over react I promise you that. You can talk to me on or off the record anytime.”

"No jealous would be the right word, because you've got something I can't have". She pointed to Connor, "Your pregnant for a start, then your gifted another child. I can't have a child because of.............Well lets just say family problems and a lack of medical treatment, that has resulted in a non functioning result when related to pregnancy". Lia was hedging around, even now after telling Gary she just couldn't explain to strangers what had happened to her.

Alicia’s gaze softened. “Ohhh Lia, I’m so sorry!” She shook her head. “No wonder you’re jealous, I have everything you don’t. Aren’t you able to conceive at all?”

Lia glanced at the floor, "I can conceive, but I can't carry for all nine months. To much damage caused, the Doctor said wait a year and he would look and see if he could repair the damage. But he wasn't that confident, and if I'm honest after all this time and what happened with Angel. I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel, so sorry but your arrival just caught me unawares and I just lost it".

Alicia nodded understandingly. “From now on I’ll arrange a suitable time with you first.” She paused for a moment. “Have you ever considered a surrogate mother? Someone who can take over at the later point in your pregnancy and have your baby for you?”

"You make me sound like a ogre, but I'm not really. I just know what I can never have and it makes me a little cranky is all, but if you want to book ahead then please do". She smiled as she spoke, not wishing to upset or offend Alicila. "Surrogate? No I hadn't even thought about a surrogate, but then you hear stories about women who start out willing then change their minds. I don't think I could live with that, if I did conceive and then gave it away to someone else". Lia now looked at Alicia again, the look on her face made her stop and think. "Why are you suggesting surrogacy? Do you have someone in mind? Plus would the kid really be mine?" She glanced at the floor again, "And then there's Gary, just how he would handle it? I don't know if he would say yes, or come down on the side of it's just me rushing my fences again".

"A child via surrogacy would be yours, you would conceive normally or with medical help. Carry yours and Gary's child until a certain point then have a surrogate take over until your baby is born." Alicia paused. "If it's an idea you decide you want to explore then I'm willing to offer myself as a surrogate for you. It's obviously not something you'd want to rush into and I wouldn't be able to carry until after I've had my own baby anyway." She offered a smile. "Oh and I didn't intend to make you sound like an ogre."

Lia placed her hand on Alicia's, "Me and ogre's go a long way back". She giggled as she spoke, trying to show Alicia that she didn't object or mind to that definition. She listened intently as Alicia laid out her idea, "I thought a surrogate had to carry the baby full term? Can they transfer the fetus after say three or four months?"

"I think it's possible, yes" Alicia nodded. "It's something the doctor could tell you better than me. I just ... I'd like to do something for you, not out of pity or anything else just as a friend who cares and wants to help."

Lia looked at Alicia, "You? But you hardly know me, and it may not be possible". She sat and thought for a minute and then continued, "I would also need to really talk it out with Gary, as I said he might think I'm rushing my fences and not waiting for the Doctor".

"Well as I said it'll be at least eight months before my baby is born plus recovery time so that'll give you plenty of time to give the doctor a chance and to talk to Gary." Alicia smiled warmly. "There's no rush, it is just a suggestion."

"Maybe by then I won't need to take your generous offer up, but I'll keep it in mind. And Alicia, thank you very much. Not many people would offer that to someone they haven't known that long, will Savar be alright with you making that offer?"

“I hope so, I’ll talk to him about it.” Alicia offered a smile. “I know we haven’t known each other long but we have plenty of time to get to know each other. I’d like you to feel like you can talk to me about anything.”

Glancing at the floor, Lia nodded. "I'll remember that, but don't feel you have to work around me where Connor is concerned. Gary wants to be a part of his life, so let him be your guide when you visit. All I ask is you give me a heads up, so I can be prepared".

“Of course” Alicia nodded and smiled. “Just don’t feel like you have to say yes to us visiting if you’re not feeling up to it. I can always make other arrangements with Gary.

Looking back at Alicia, Lia simply smiled. "Connor comes first in this, and Gary would want it that way. Oh he may say I come first, but he's like a mother Hippo where kids are concerned. Get between him and his kid, and Connor is his kid in a way, he'll trample you to protect Connor". She stopped and thought for a moment then continued, "Please don't think he's insensitive, he's not. He's just over protective of innocents, I don't know why he's never said. So if he makes a time and date, we'd all best stick to it". Lia now stood up, "I'm due in the holodeck very soon, I'm seeing if my wedding Kimono fits or I need to alter it. Thanks for the talk, and I trust we'll see you and Connor very soon".

Alicia nodded and smiled. “Indeed you will.”

{OFF}

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lt Alicia Kelea-Salik
Chief Counsellor
USS Elysium