Mother’s-to-be

Posted on Wed Nov 25th, 2020 @ 1:44am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 4: Episode 3: Guided by Starlight
Location: Mess hall
Timeline: MD1- LATE AT NIGHT
2316 words - 4.6 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Alicia yawned as she walked into the mess hall, it was late and she didn’t want to disturb Savar or Connor so she left a quick note, just incase Savar woke up, and went for a walk. She was hungry as well as tired so she’d headed for the mess hall to get herself something from the replicators or what was left of any cooked dishes the chef had made earlier. She was just settling down with a tray of various goodies including a plate of cheese and crackers, fresh fruit salad, and the chefs special a chocolate eclair, when the doors opened and Heather walked in.

“Not you too?” Heather stifled a yawn. “I thought I was the one who had fun sleeping!” She walked over to the replicator and got herself a bowl of Frosties with ice cold milk topped with a small amount of extra sugar. Walking over to where Alicia sat she took a seat. “I wonder if this is normal for pregnancy?”

"Who knows" came the voice from the door way. Dressed in a pair of baggy track pants and a very oversized sweater with Starfleet Academy on it, hair down and bare foot, the captain wandered in. "I know why I am here, what is your excuse ladies?"

“Couldn’t sleep” came the response almost in unison from both Alicia and Heather, they both giggled as they looked at each other. Alicia looked at Phoenix, “I didn’t want to disturb Savar or Connor so I decided to go for a walk”

“Likewise” Heather nodded. “Not that I’d disturb Fernando anyway, he sleeps like a rock! What about you Captain?”

"Soccer tournament in my stomach." Phoenix grumbled. "And Miran is having a sleepover with Raye. And they are not quiet.." Phoenix headed for the replicator

“I know how you feel” Alicia grinned. “This little one has a hell of a kick on her!”

Heather nodded in agreement as she tucked into her Frosties, she was enjoying every spoonful.

Phoenix studied the menu and sighed, "I need to make sure i update the replicators to produce n’epbah." she said sadly and then replicated a small serving of strawberry ice-cream.

“What is n’epbah Captain?” Alicia looked at Phoenix curiously as she picked up a spoon and started eating her fruit cocktail.

" N’epbah is a furry fruit with an extremely sweet taste. Is made into a fruit drink and a hard candy. The candy is known as n’ep. It is a Favorite of most children on my homeworld and I am finding myself craving it. It is hard to get exported, the candy is but in limited amounts and the vendors are banned from selling it to me." she shrugged. Phoenix sat at the table with them. "My mother craved them when she was pregnant with my sister."

“Is there no other way of getting you a supply?” Heather looked at Pheonix curiously. “Or is there an alternative we could find you? Have you tried the Betazoid fruit on offer? There are some very sweet and tasty varieties on offer.”

"I tried Utta berries... I threw up. I even tried Jumja.. and the human sweet Toffee. They don't like them." Phoenix sighed. "I am glad they like ice cream and strawberries... it works for now."

Alicia nodded. “Utta berries are kind of strong, they’re quite pungent but I have to admit I love them. The thing I’m finding is that I’m craving more in the way of Vulcan dishes. This little lady takes after her father in more than just the Vulcan ears!” She grinned. “My father showed me her images during my check up. Seems my blood pressure is up though. I’ve been prescribed a selection of herbal teas for now, to see if they bring it down.”

Phoenix crinkled her nose. "Camomile is hard to swallow" she admitted. "So have you picked out names yet?" she asked both of them.

Heather shook her head. “Not yet, we haven’t found out the sex as yet I asked not to be told until Fernando and I have talked about it. I think I might already know, the downside of being part Betazoid. Not that I’m relying on my instinct though.”

Alicia nodded in agreement, “We know we’re having a daughter but we haven’t chosen a name as yet. I need to put my head together with Savar and see what he likes. How about you? Have you chosen names?” She ate some more of her fruit, finishing off the last of what was in the small dish.

"When I met them a few years ago... their names were Liam and Liselle." Phoenix said softly. She smiled. "But those names belong to two teenagers who grew up on a planet where their mother died in fire. I am thinking of William and Elizabeth. Human names I guess some would call them, but my great grandmother was Elizabeth Penelope and her brother was William. A family connection. And I have had to think faster than you both." Phoenix said with a smile.

“Indeed” Alicia nodded. “They sound logical choices.” She paused and grinned. “Heavens I sounded just like Savar then didn’t I? The way Vulcans bond has a very influential effect on both sides, I’ve picked up some of Savar’s Vulcan instincts and mannerisms. It takes some getting used to.”

Phoenix grinned at that. "Habits are easy to pick up from a partner"

“That they are” Alicia grinned as she considered eating the chocolate eclair next. “I never thought I’d come home from that mirror universe with a son. I was busy criticising the mirror me for being Taylor’s woman and she turns out to have just been doing what she had to do to survive.” She paused. “I think Taylor had her killed.”

“I never met my counterpart” Heather relaxed back in her seat. “I heard word that the Doctor conducted some kind of experiment on her but I never heard if she survived or not.”

“I met her” Alicia smiled. “She brought Connor to us, seems she was part of the resistance movement. She was also Savar’s woman in their universe. Strange how things can be so different.”

" I tell you that I was not surprised by my duplicates lack of spine."Phoenix muttered. "I think she got taken by the Resistance."

“Well I’m just glad it’s all over” Heather smiled. “This whole baby thing ... the fact that I’m carrying the baby of a woman who was mistreated by his mirror counterpart, it hasn’t been easy for Fernando but he’s trying his hardest and I can’t fault him for that. He’s extremely supportive and for that I’m very grateful.”

“Likewise” Alicia nodded. “Connor has not just Savar, but Gary has stepped up as his father too. Plus there’s auntie Jess and auntie Arri” she grinned. “Now there’s grandad Sthilg too. I have a whole new family group!”

Phoenix had heard about the former teacher since her departure but she kept quiet on it. "I am just counting down the days until I can go back to running every day. I have been told to stop."

“How long do you have left now Captain?” Alicia looked at Phoenix curiously.

"27 days" She replied. "So just under a month. Feels like forever."

“Does it really feel that bad towards the end?” Alicia looked at Phoenix curiously. “I’ll admit I do feel like a baby space whale and I’ve still got several months to go.”

"For me, its the inactivity. Oh go for walks, but limit your time working and no running," Phoenix grumbled. "And I have no one to take it out on."

Heather smiled. “I doubt Fernando would appreciate me taking anything out on him.”

“I doubt Savar would take any notice of me if I did” Alicia grinned. “That Vulcan Logic of his wouldn’t take offence.”

"Yeah well." Phoenix shrugged. "You will have them in easy reach when the time comes"

Both women nodded and Heather looked towards Phoenix. “That’s true, if you need someone to be there for you Captain, I’ll volunteer to be there to help you.” She smiled warmly. “I’m a nurse, I’ve been at a birth before so it’s not like I don’t know what it’s like.”

"Thank you, My sister has all but told me she would be there." Phoenix smiled. "And if things go well, maybe even my mother will be here"

“In that case I’ll just be there to offer medical support” Heather smiled. “I’ll still be working then.”

“That’s the one part I’m dreading” Alicia relaxed back in her seat. “The whole giving birth part!”

"I highly recommend not looking up birthing videos on the subspace network" Phoenix said "They are more graphic than I remember the event being. I was present with Miran was born."

“Ohh I won’t!” Alicia grinned before eating the remainder of her food.

"That said, the more i research,.. the more i consider the Bajorans having a great way to do it. Total calm and tranquility. I think there is something in the incense they use."

“That’s possible” Alicia nodded. “It might be worth some research. “According to my father my little one is quite special, she has two hearts! One is like mine and the other resembles Savar’s. The only downside is it’s pushing my blood pressure up.” She knew Heather knew all this but Phoenix didn’t and as her CO she needed to know anything that might affect members of her crew.

"Your father?" Phoenix asked. "I was not aware that your father had come on board Alicia."

“Ohh, err actually ... my birth father died a few years ago, around the same time I lost Kal and my baby. I was talking about Sthilg.” She smiled warmly. “Sthilg has no family left so I suggested he become part of my family. In return he adopted me.”

"Ah ok." Phoenix nodded as her brain caught up. "I am sorry I was unaware."

“I’m sorry I should have told you” Alicia offered an apologetic smile. “We have submitted all the necessary paperwork to Starfleet to make it legal, you should get a copy too.”

"Maybe it went to Commander Taylor, I have been" here Phoenix grinned "Giving him some of my paperwork."

Alicia grinned. “Maybe. Actually Gary .. Commander Taylor, has been wonderful in accepting Connor. After everything that happened to all of us I wasn’t sure he’d be comfortable with it, but he’s accepted Connor like he’s his own.”

Heather sat quietly eating the last of her cereal as she listened to the conversation.

"That's good." Phoenix replied. "And dare I ask about Lia?"

“Lia ... is struggling a little but we’ve talked and come to an understanding.” Alicia smiled warmly. “I have no intention of making her feel left out."

"She has, had a difficult time of it." Phoenix said softly as she stirred the now melted ice cream. "I hope things get better for her now."

“As do I” Alicia nodded and smiled. “Just so you know Captain, I’ll be cutting my work load on the advice of my father. I need to be on light duties only so I’ll be delegating some of my duties and clients to Tate and Savar.”

"Of course. Totally understandable" Phoenix said. "How many weeks will you take off after your child is born?"

“Now that’s a good question” Alicia paused. “I hadn’t thought of that, I guess it depends on how the birth goes and how long I can stand being cooped in quarters without going insane!” She grinned.

"Hmm yeah that about sums it up for me as well" Phoenix said with a smile.

“It gives me something to think about as well.” Heather smiled. “I also need to consider my military career. I don’t want to be risking my life out in the field once I’ve got a child to look after.” She frowned then looked at Phoenix. “Is it possible for me to transfer to Fleet from the marines?”

"Yes," came the reply. "You may have to take some classes, but you can do that here, we have the onboard academy. I don't seen an issue really,"

“Really?” Heather smiled the biggest smile yet. “And I’d still be able to keep my position as Head Nurse?”

"Somehow I doubt anyone is going to argue with the CMO of this ship about who his head nurse is." Phoenix quipped.

“Thank you Captain. At least maternity leave will give me time for ample study for classes. I’d like to be ready to return to work afterwards as Starfleet personnel instead of marines.”

"Just make sure you tell the Major, I am not allowed to run and I do not want her gunning for me," Phoenix said as she considered eating the melted ice cream.

“I will I promise” Heather smiled warmly. “How soon can I start on those classes?”

"As soon as you apply and get accepted. Won't take too long. Commander Taylor will be able to assist." Phoenix said with smile. Then she yawned, just managing to cover it with her arm. "oh dear.."

“Looks like you’re ready for bed Captain. In fact I think we should all get back.” Heather smiled.

“Agreed” Alicia stifled a yawn.

Phoenix nodded. "Agreed." She stood, bowl in hand. "Have a good night the both of you."

“Goodnight Captain” Alicia smiled as she stood ready to leave. “Sleep well Heather.”

“Good night both” Heather smiled as they all headed on their way.

{OFF}