Miss you, Mama...

Posted on Tue Jan 25th, 2022 @ 6:31am by Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Captain George Charles [Reece]
Edited on on Tue Jan 25th, 2022 @ 9:23pm

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: USS Elysium, Sickbay, Isolation Chamber
Timeline: MD 12 (1.5 weeks into isolation)
1589 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

George had showered and given Hendor a bath. Afterwards, he dressed Hendor in a nice set of clothes, then got himself dressed in a nice suit. Once e eeything was ready, the father and son duo headed out of their home and made their way down to see Leilani.

When they arrived, they saw that the window screen was down, George had asked Leilani to do so, that it was a suprise. The two Charles men quickly set everything up. Well, George did most of the work, while Hendor supervised.

When the time was right, George sent Leilani a mental message, to open the screen.

Leilani was still recovering from her bout of Gorn flu but at least she was feeling better, opening the screen her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the two men in her life dressed up so handsomely for her. “Ohh my goodness! Look at the two of you!!”

Smiling warmly, George looked down at Hendor and nodded.

The small boy stood up on the stool that had been placed by the window for him. After placing both hands on the transparent aluminum, he said in a loud, excited voice, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!! I LOVE YOU!!" He then placed a big kiss on the surface as well.

Looking somewhat watery eyed Leilani knelt down at her son’s height returning the kiss on the other side of the surface. “I love you too Sweetheart! I wish I could be at home celebrating with you both, but this is...it’s amazing!!”

"Papa thought it would make you smile!" Hendor replied happily. "Oh! I made you a present!" He looked to his father, who handed him the wrapped gift.

"Put it in that tray over there, Son." George pointed at the feed tray that allowed food and other small items to be passed back and forth between the outside and the isolation chamber.

Nodding and smiling, "Hendor hopped off his stool and moved over to the tray that his father had pointed out. After putting the gift in the tray, George told him to push the tray into the chamber wall.

“For me!?” Leilani’s eyes twinkled as she took the wrapped box from its delivery point and placed it on the table in her room where Hendor and George could see her unwrapping it. Taking time and care to open it Leilani marvelled at the contents. She gently pulled out several drawings that Hendor had made of his new family and home, a PADD upon which appeared to be videos of Hendor playing and talking and, a separate file, opening it she found several love letters from George. “Ohhh my...” She wiped away a few tears. “Thank you so much!! I’ll sit down and watch your video’s Hendor, and I’ll read your letters too Imzadi.”

"Love you, Mama!" Hendor replied happily.

George put a tray of food into the chamber feeder tray that Hendor had just used. "We made you a birthday brunch, Imzadi." He pushed the tray back into the chamber, then moved over to the small table and, after making sure Hendor was set, sat down in his chair. "Thought we could eat together."

Leilani smiled and nodded, taking the food tray she took it to her food table which she wheeled closer to the divide between them. Pulling up a chair she sat down facing them. “I wish I was at home with both of you! I really do! Thank you so much for this, it’s wonderful.”

"You're welcome, Mama!!" Hendor replied happily.

"We both wish you were home with us as well, Imzadi." George replied, a look of love and longing in his eyes.

“Hopefully it won’t be much longer now Imzadi” Leilani smiled. “I’m feeling much better after the Gorn flu, I’m glad to say!” She paused to eat some of her birthday food. “mmmm delicious!”

Both Hendor and George smiled in response, though, Hendor’s was suddenly a little less bright.

Leilani noticed the change in her son’s demeanour. “Hendor Sweetheart, is there something bothering you?” She stood and moved to sit by the quarantine cell barrier to be closer to Hendor’s height. “If there’s something wrong you can tell us.”

Before Hendor could speak, George sent a quick mental message of everything that happened. He also added that Hendor was worried it would ruin his Mama's birthday.

Leilani returned a thought saying she understood but she thought it best that Hendor be allowed to talk himself. She didn’t want him to think they talked behind his back. “Talk to me little man, I want to hear what’s wrong.”

Hendor had started to frown slightly. "I'm sorry, Mama!" He said as his bottom lip started to quiver. "I got in a fight today. Mika pulled my hood off and called my a drone borg, then Skylah jumped on him to protect me, then another boy called her a time freak, and she jumped on him, then i kicked the second boy because he said mean things to my best friend." The rapid fire explanation came in between sobs. "I'm sorry, Mama! I promise to be good!!"

Leilani looked at George with tears in her eyes. “Now you listen to me little man, you’ve done nothing wrong! That...boy should not have treated you like that!” She offered a calming smile. “When I get out of here we’ll sort you you’re own little desk, with a computer and everything at home, would you like that?

Hendor thought for a few seconds and nodded. "Can...can Skylah have a desk too, Mama?"

“If your papa agrees I don’t see why not” Lani smiled as she looked up at George.

George nodded, reaching over to gently hold Hendor's right cheek. "I don't have a problem with it. We just have to see if it's okay with her aunt, bubba."
Hendor nodded slowly, still a bit upset, but, calming as both of his parents seemed to be as well.

“I’m looking forward to meeting this friend of yours Hendor, she must be very special.” Leilani smiled as she settled back in her seat to eat her birthday meal. “We’ll have a party after I get home, you can invite Skylar to that if you’d like?”

This made Hendor brighten up again. "I can, Mama?! Yay!! Thank you!! You're the best Mama ever!"

George chuckled softly. "Yes she is, bubba." He had love in his eyes for the woman on the other side of the transparent aluminum.

Leilani grinned. “Who? Me? Nah!” She shook her head and tucked into her birthday meal. “I’m just lucky to have both of you.”

Hendor beamed brightly as he smiled at his mother.

George smiled warmly. I love you, Imzadi.

Leilani smiled back. I love you too, always have, and always will.

As the family ate the birthday dinner, Hendor spoke more about how nice and pretty Skylah was. He seemed very excited for the possibility of spending more time with her.

George grinned softly as he looked at Leilani. Sounds like we've got a case of puppy love on our hands, Imzadi!

Leilani grinned. I guess we’ll just have to be careful how we handle it Imzadi.

Hendor looked at both of his parents, silent and staring at each other, smiling. "Are you talking in your heads?"

Leilani grinned as she looked towards Hendor. “Yes, we are Sweetheart. I’ll teach you how to hear mummy’s thoughts one day if you like?”

This idea made Hendor beam a bright smile again. "Yes, please!" He looked over to his father and asked, "You too, Papa?"

George chuckled softly as he reached over and gently held the right side of their son's face. "You bet, my boy. Once Mama is home, we will start working on it, as a family. Deal?"

Hendor nodded once and replied, "Deal, Papa."

Leilani grinned. “Great! Then it’s sorted.” She smiled at George.

George smiled in return. Then, the happy little family continued to enjoy their dinner, talking and laughing as they did so.

Finally, it was late. Young Hendor had his head on his father's shoulder as George held him, asleep, as he sat closer to the viewport. We both really miss you, sweetheart.

I miss both of you very much Imzadi Leilani smiled. Thank you for making this a special birthday. I wish I was at home with you both, but it won’t be long now.

George nodded slightly. Which inadvertently caused Hendor to squirm slightly in his sleep. George sent calming images into their son's young mind, then, after Hendor stilled, looked back at Leilani. I'd better get him to bed, my love.

Leilani nodded. It’s fine Imzadi, kiss him goodnight for me. Sweet dreams to both of you.

I will, my love. You try to rest and sleep too. Dream of me, Imzadi. I will certainly be dreaming of you. He winked at her and sent an image of them together. Then, after a brief image of love, he carefully stood, adjusting Hendor’s sleeping form upon his chest and shoulder. I love you. Good night, Imzadi.

Goodnight Imzadi, I love you too watching them go Leilani returned to her own bed ready for a good night’s sleep.

{OFF}