Tayalas Meets Santa

Posted on Wed Jan 2nd, 2019 @ 2:17am by Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris & Captain Gary Taylor & Ensign Kara Hoffman

Mission: Season 2 Episode 3.A: Christmas cheer
Location: Christmas Party
Timeline: 2200 hours approximately
1520 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Having spent most of the evening skating, Gallia found herself exhausted but, fortunately, not bruised, thanks in no small measure to Kara's amazing ability to catch her with one hand while holding Tay with the other. Now though, having found food and drink, the time had come for something Gallia had been looking forward to, "Kara, don't ya think it's time we took Tay to meet Santa?" She asked, "Show him our good girl."

Kara smiled a big toothy grin, and clapped her hands together many times, excited. "Yes, yes! Most definitely! Oh I love christmas!" She exclaimed with fervour. Then Kara stopped and looked around. "Do you remember where he is? With al lthe excitement, I can't exactly...remember..." Her voice trailed off, and she gave a nervous giggle. "Well never mind, if we look around long enough we'll find him for sure. Can't exactly miss the elegant beard now can we?" She winked.

"Right!" Gallia said with a grin, turning Tayalas to face her, "Does my little snowflake want to see Santa? Does she?"

Tayalas began to giggle ferociously at her mother's question, cooing and blurting out, "Sana...."

"Oh... my God...." Gallia stopped in her tracks, beginning to tear up, "Did ya hear that, Kara? Her first word..."

Kara's eyes grew wide and she stood still, slackjawed. She blinked a couple of times before answering in shock. "y-yes...she...oh my." Kara stared at the young Tayalas. "Who knew, that tonight would be THAT night. I doubt we'll ever let her forget what her first word was, even when she's all grown up eh?" Kara winked and nudged Gallia, putting her arm around her shoulder and gently kissing Tayalas on her forehead. "What a wonderful night this is!"

"Aye, best night of my life so far." Gallia smiled, wiping tears from her eye.

Tayalas, looked from one woman to the other and smiled, "Sana?"

"Well, that sounds like a pretty solid request, doesn't it?" Gallia asked Kara, "Let's go find him, shall we?"

"Absolutely." Kara exclaimed. "Lead on, best mother in the universe."

Gallia blushed and smiled, "Let's go find us a jolly old elf then." She said, leading them across the room until she spotted their quarry, "Well, there he is! Look, Tay.."

"Sana!" The adorable child exclaimed, looking to Kara and repeating, "Sana!" as though needing confirmation that she had correctly identified him.

Kara looked directly into Tayalas' eyes, and leaned down, rubing their noses together lovingly. "Santa Tay! Let's go and see him our wee genius!" She widely grinned and kissed Tayalas' forehead.

Tayalas giggled happily, making Gallia feel warm all over; Kara was making quite a second mother to Tayalas, nothing could've been better for them both than finding her here. She wandered over and found Santa, "Excuse us, Santa." She began, "Have ya got a minute to see our baby girl?"

After helping to pass out the pips in the recent ceremony, Gary had ditched his Old Man Winter coat for Santa's red one. In addition he had gotten rid of his crown of icicles and put on Santa's trademark red socking cap. As Kara spoke he turned, he was in fine form. His eyes twinkled in delight and his voice boomed, "Ho, Ho, Ho! and who is this pretty girl?" He said looking at Tayalas.

The big man in the red suit was clearly the one they sought, causing Tayalas to clap her little hands together and say again, "Sana!"

"This is Tayalas Norris, Santa. Our little one." Gallia said without even thinking that it might make Kara panic, knowing she was no Selina, "And she's a right good girl."

Gary's eyes were full of delight. "Tayalas Norris is it?" He repeated as he stretched his arms out to take the child. "I can see that little Tayalas has been exceptionally good. Haven't you my precious one?" He cooed at her.

The man in red smelled familiar to Tayalas, even if she had no clue why. She laid her head on his chest, her arms as far around him as they could reach and said, "Sana..."

"She's a big fan." Gallia surmised, "Her first word, no less." I've never seen Tay take to people the way she has here, Gallia thought, place feels like a real home.

Gary held her to his chest, whispering softly to her as he kissed her forehead. "She's adorable." He whispered, "What would you like for Christmas from Sana, my sweet Tayalas?"

Tayalas thought for a second, before making a motion her mother knew well and saying again, "Sana."

"That means bear, Santa." Gallia smiled, her little girl wanted a new teddy bear for her very first Christmas.

"A bear you say? I think that can be arranged." As a sack appeared at his side. He opened it and rummaged around before pulling a brand new teddy bear, wearing a little cap that it's ears poked through that said 'I'm Tayalas's Bear." What do you think of that little one?"

Tayalas giggled and cooed, cuddling her bear, and grinning, "Sana!"

"Seems Sana's a bit like aloha for now." Gallia smiled, "Means everything."

Gary smiled and nodded, "Works for me." He said agreeably. "You have a real charmer here."

"Since the very first second of her life." Gallia began, "Never a problem gettin' her to eat or sleep, only cries when she's hungry or needs changin', not fussy at all. Best part? She's kept her poor mum from goin' insane. I dinnae think I'd have made it through this past year without her."

Gary continued to coo at Tayalas, he glanced at Gallia, "Children are a gift and a treasure. I know you love her and she you. You can see it."

Tayalas turned and looked Gallia dead in her eye and said, "Sana." In this case, Sana seemed to mean 'duh.'

"That we do." Gallia smiled, looking to Kara, then back to Tay, "Ain't felt this much love in a long time...."

"You all deserve it Gallia. The three of you are a great family. I'm very happy for all of you."

"Thank you, Santa." Gallia said, "And, while we're here, I wanna mention someone here I'm pretty fond of. Our XO, you should do somethin' special for him if ya can, he's a good duck."


Gary blinked at Gallia's statement/observation. He was surprised and touched by it. "Your XO? Hmmm. I see. I'm sure I can come up with something appropriate for him." He replied not missing her reference of ducking around.

"I'm sure ya can." Gallia nodded, "Most importantly, make sure he knows how well liked he is. A good sport with a sense of humor about himself is always a blessin' ta know."

Gary didn't reply right away. Gallia's statement had done what he had been in search of. It reignited his Christmas spirit. Made him see people did notice and did care. His voice conveyed his happiness. "I will make sure he knows Gallia. Something like this can't be kept a secret."

"Sana!" Tayalas exclaimed in agreement.

"Darling child. Never lose your sweetness." Gary said as he handed her back to Gallia but not before kissing her forehead one last time.

"Sana." Tayalas smiled, rubbing her eyes. It seemed this time 'Sana' meant 'Mommy, take me to bed.'

Kara stood behind Gallia, a wide smile on her face. Ever the faithful protector of both Gallia and Tayalas, she had her arms folded watching Tayalas and Santa have their moment. ~I'm so happy Tayalas is having fun!~ She thought, watching Both Tayalas and Gallia with equal affections.

"Well, thank you so very much, Santa." Gallia replied, "But I think we best get this one to her bed for a good night's sleep. We'll be lookin' forward to your next visit." With that, she turned to Kara, "Well, love, looks like our girl needs her bed, little tired meself. You ready?"

Kara nodded and put her arm around Gallia's shoulder. "Aye. Thank you very much, Santa!" Kara was very impressed with her commanders charm with children, she was glad to have such a caring Commander as him to do something so kind for her family. ~I'm glad we don't have commander ringoux from the Academy as our Commander, he'd never have agreed to dress in anything other than a starfleet uniform; and he scared kids without trying...~ She thought to herself.

Gary watched Gallia and Kara, it was quite clear they loved each other and little Tayalas. *That is what being a family is all about.* He thought, love, caring and support. They were quite lucky to have each other, to draw strength, lend support just be there for each other even if that meant just sitting together without speaking. He was happy for them and he was thankful for the gift their simple act of kindness towards him had produced. To give love and accept it unconditionally. Was that not the true meaning of Christmas? To love your neighbors? It had taken two fellow officers and their little girl to show him the way and he would forever in their debt.