A secret long held

Posted on Tue Jun 29th, 2021 @ 7:14am by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]
Edited on on Tue Jun 29th, 2021 @ 9:20am

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Starr Quarters, Black watch base
Timeline: MD16 0730 hrs
1364 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Kara had sat and had a discussion with Malakai, on a matter that he was well aware of. He’d been her guiding light, her moral support and now he was her rock as she prepared to tell both Mattias and Lily something that she’d been hiding for the last two years. She’d sent them both requests to join her and Malakai now they just had to wait.

Malakai sat next to her, holding her hand. "Kara, it's going to be fine." He assured her. "Mattias and Lily are going to surprised to be sure but they both will give you their full support."

Kara squeezed her husband's hand. "I hope so Imzadi, I would like Ezri to grow up knowing her family even though she doesn't live with me. She deserves that much, it wasn't her fault she was conceived in such a... violent way." She already had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of what Mattias might say.

Mattias walked with Lily, as they approached the bunkroom that had been turned into the private cabin, on the base, for Malakai and Kara. "Do you know what this is about, Phee?" He whispered as they reached the door.

Phoenix gave a completely puzzled look. "Truthfully I have no idea" She said softly.

Hearing the door chime Kara took a deep breath. "It's open!" She offered a nervous smile as Matt and Lily entered. "Thank you both for coming" she looked at Malakai, then back at their guests. "We have something to tell you." She didn't dwell on answers she needed to get this secret out.

Kara picked up a PADD turning it for Mattias and Lily to see. On it was a picture of Kara holding a two year old part Klingon child. "The little girl on the picture is Ezri, she's... My daughter."

Phoenix didn't hesitate "Oh Kara, she is gorgeous." She said honestly.

Kara breathed a sigh of relief at Phoenix’s comment. “Thank you” her eyes fell on Mattias who was looking somewhat shell shocked. “Matt? Please say something.”

Mattias was trying to find words to say. Thoughts of that horrible day kept flooding his mind. Finally, the rational part of his brain started to regain control. "She...she’s beautiful, Kara." Tears started to stream down his face.

Kara leapt up and practically threw herself at Mattias, hugging him tightly she shed a few tears of her own relieved that he hadn’t yelled about her not telling him. Realising she was squeezing him tightly she stepped back offering a tears smile.

Mattias hugged her just as tightly. He was always worried that something like this could have happened, but, when she never said anything, he quietly put that fear away. "I'm so sorry, honey!" He whispered to her. "I'm so sorry that this happened...I'm so sorry that you felt you had to keep this from me." When she stepped back, he continued. "Little Girl, she is a part of you. Youare a part of me! She's family!! No matter how she came to be, she is innocent." He grew quiet. As he looked at the inage of a happy, beautiful little girl, he said, his voice cracking slightly. "I wish you had told me."

Phoenix put her hand on Mattias's arm and smiled at Kara. "I'd like to meet her." She said. Her eyes gleamed. "A neice to spoil is great."

Putting his arm around Phoenix's waist, Mattias pulled her closer. Nodding through the tears and smiling broadly, he said, "Yes! I want to meet her!! How else am I supposed to spoil her rotten?!" He chuckled softly.

Kara looked to Malakai. “Do you think your sister would mind if after all this I ask to bring Erzi to visit?”

Mattias looked at Malakai as well, hopeful for a good answer.

"I think Mallory would be delighted to see Erzi and you Kara." He said honestly.

Kara nodded. “I’ll ask her.” She looked to Mattias. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, after what happened I couldn’t face telling you I was pregnant. I confided in Malakai, he helped me through it all.” She held onto Malakai’s hand. “I wanted Erzi to have a life that I felt I couldn’t give her, so Mallory took her in for me. Erzi knows I’m her mother, although how much she understands at her age I’m not sure. I just... wasn’t ready to face up to the fact that I conceived her the way I did.” She took a deep breath. “I’m ready to be a mother now but I can’t just take her from Mallory, she loves her as much as I do.”

Phoenix nodded. "I can understand that" she said softly. "Tell us about her."

Kara smiled as she looked towards Malakai then back at Lily. “She’s one of the brightest two year olds you could ever want to meet, one hell of a tantrum thrower! she’s so loving it’s amazing. She’s taller than your average two year old due to her Klingon heritage, and I miss her very, very much!” Her smile disappeared as it was replaced with a teary expression.

"So like her uncle huh. Likes knives and such, no dolls or pretty dresses" Phoenix nudged Matt in the side with a grin.

Mattias reached out for his sister. "Hey, hey now. Shhh, shh, shh. It'll be okay, Kara." His voice was firm and full of love. "Once this mission is over, we all will be reunited with our whole family!" He looked up at Malakai and mouthed the words, Thank you. It didnt need to be said that he was thanking his brother-in-law for taking care of his sister and niece.

Kara looked up into Matt’s eyes. “I promise there will be no more secrets between us, never ever!”

Phoenix stepped off to the side to let them have their moment. She glanced at Malakai and inclined her head to the door in query.

Malakai caught Phoenix's nod and as Kara and Mattias were sharing a moment he stepped away and moved to Phoenix. Reaching her side, he spoke in a whisper, "Caught your nod Captain and see a question in your eyes. What can I help you with?"

"I was thinking we should leave them to it." Phoenix said softly.

"Agreed." Malakai answered simply.

Meanwhile Kara was still finding it hard to believe that Mattias wasn’t yelling at her. “Why are you not yelling at me?” She had a confused look on her face. “First I surprise you with the news I’m pregnant, now this and you’re not yelling!”

Mattias looked at Kara, a sad smile on his face. "While I know I can be difficult sometimes, what kind of monster would I be, if I yelled at you about this? This poor little girl is the result of a horrible event. An event that you have to live with the rest of your life. I always told you, I am always here for you. If you feel that this is what you need to do, you will always have my full support and understanding. My feelings aren't what are important here. You and Ezri are the only things important here."

Lily exited the room in silence.

Malakai was right on her heels.

Kara noticed Lily and Malakai leaving, she nodded as she looked at Mattias. “I’d like to bring her home Matt, but I gave her away knowing she would have a better life. She knows I’m her mother, though at her age that probably doesn’t mean much right now but as she grows up it will. I want her to know all of you, for you to be able to spoil her rotten!” She grinned.

Mattias grinned happily as he responded. "And you better believe, between the two of us, Phoenix and I are going to do just that!"

Grinning Kara gave her brother a big hug. This was truly one of the happiest days of her life.