Family query

Posted on Tue Oct 11th, 2022 @ 8:08am by Miran Lalor [Lalor] HRH & Tristi Richardson & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Colorado House
Timeline: 13th August 2397
1754 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The Colorado House was one of the favourite places for Tristi. She enjoyed being on a clean planet in a safe place. She was safe on the Elysium but she enjoyed being planetside a lot more.

She sat with her feet dangling in the pool. Summer was fading amd Tristi enjoyed the feeling of the water on her legs.

Inside the house Phoenix watched Tristi from the lounge room in silence for a moment. Then she glanced at Mattias "Are you sure about this?" She asked.

Standing next to his new bride, Mattias reached over and wrapped his right arm around her waist and nodded. "Yeah. It's the best thing for her. She needs a family, someplace she can always fall back to, when life gets too difficult."

"She has had a hard life already, I am in agreement that she needs us... but what if she does not want it?" Phoenix leaned against him.

Mattias turned his face towards Phoenix and gently kissed the top of her head. "We won't force her. We will tell her that, regardless of her decision...and it will be her decision...We will always be here for her, supporting and caring for her."

Phoenix nodded. "I have heard nothing from the Social worker around trying to find her biological family. They could still be alive..."

This was the one point that upset Mattias the most. If her parents ts were alive, why had they allowed her to be alone? Why didn't they protect her? In a determined tone, he responded. "We will tell her that as well. Though, between you and me, I hope they are never found. For if they are, I might be forced to have a few choice words with them." A soft protective growl rumbled in his chest as he clenched his fists, then relaxed them.

Phee nodded. "Get in line." She said softly. "I spoke to Miran, she has no issues, yet. But frankly she does not really get a say, she is not our child."

"No, but she does live with us. If we do this, we all do it together. Miran can't keep sniping at Tristi, or allow her friends to do so. If Tristi agrees, she will become Miran's niece. Miran will have to behave accordingly."

"She is currently undergoing a bit of a mind shift," Phoenix smirked. "Miran said she doesn't really care. That said, I am sure she will have a few adjustment issues."

"We all will, my love. It's a good thing the CO's quarters are so big, our family keeps growing." He chuckled slightly and turned his head to kiss Phoenix again. "Come on, let's go talk to her."

She smiled against his mouth. "Yes lets."

After they kissed, the couple headed out onto the back patio, making their way over to their young ward.

"Hey Tristi?" Mattias called out from the outdoor dining table that he and Phoenix were about to sit. "Can we talk to you for a moment, sweety?"

Tristi looked up from her contemplation of the water and nodded as she lifted her legs from the water and then got to her feet. "um... sure." she walked slowly over to the table. "Whatever Miran said I did, I didn't."

Mattias smiled as he pulled out a chair for her. "It's nothing like that, I promise. We just would like to discuss an important decision with you."

Tristi took the seat and looked at the two adults she had made a connection with months before.

Phoenix looked relaxed and calm as she sat beside Mattias.

"What's the decision?" Tristi asked.

Giving the young woman a calm, relaxed grin, Mattias answered. "If you would like, Phoenix and I want to legally adopt you and make you our daughter. We want to give you a strong family foundation from which you can build your life on." He dipped his head slightly as he continued. "We won't force you to do this, Tristi. Should you decide no, we will still care for you and be here to support you."

Tristi studied them both for a long while, dragging out the silence. "Why?" she asked after it drew out to uncomfortable levels.

Mattias gave her an honest, open expression as he replied. "Because we want to be your family, your safe place in the universe."

Phoenix nodded in agreement. "We know its a hard choice Tristi. And no matter what we will support your choice. "

Tristi nodded. She was thinking hard and then she said "Okay"

Mattias stole a glance at Phonix, before leaning forward slightly towards Tristi. "Which are you saying okay to, honey? That you'll think about it....or that you want this to happen?" He was careful not to let his emotions show, for fear of swaying Tristi in her decision.

"As in okay if it is what you both want i am okay with it." Tristi replied.

"But is it what you want Tristi?" Phoenix asked.

The teenager nodded. "Yes."

A huge smile blossomed on Mattias's face. Remembering that she still didn't like much physical contact, he went for what he knew she allowed, and reached across the table to gently hold her hand in his. "Phee and I will have the forms made up this afternoon!"

Tristi nodded "okay" she agreed. Then she looked at Phoenix. "And Miran?"

"She has said she is fine with it. She understands. That said she is not really thinking about this right now."

"Well technically, once the forms are signed and certified, Miran will be considered your aunt, as she is Phee's younger sister."

Tristi gave a wince. "Does that mean she gets to boss me around more?"

Phoenix shook her head. "No. I will make sure she understands."

Mattias nodded his head in agreement with Phoenix. He then smiled. "You're also now the big sister to the twins." He gave Tristi a happy grin as he spoke.

The teen gave a small smile back. She knew very little about being a sibling. She was not sure she was the best type of role model for the twins but.. "Sounds like fun," she admitted.

Mattias smiled and nodded. "Excellent!" It warmed his heart to know that the young girl would have a chance a good, normal, and safe life. "So, I guess the next question is, what would you like to do for the rest of the day, sweetie?"

"I.. am not sure, I like being here. Its quiet and nice" Tristi said honestly.

Nodding, Mattias replied. "Then we will stay home today. Maybe have some bar-b-que for dinner. Unless you'd like to try something else?" He and Phoenix both knew that Tristi was still underweight. Part of the issue was how she had been forced to live, back on Rigel X. The other part, she was still learning about all the different foods now available to her. It was undoubtedly very daunting for her to choose.

"No that sounds great, thank you" Tristi said.

"Good," Phoenix said. "We can go swimming later as well."

Mattias nodded. "Phee, while you get the forms, I'll get the food ready for dinner."

Phoenix smiled and stood. "Tristi? I know its going to be hard, but we are not going anywhere ok? And no more picking Kyian's pockets."

"Not my fault he leaves stuff in easy reach." Tristi replied.

"Tristi," Mattias emphasized with an arched eyebrow. "We do not steal. We especially do not steal from family. Tell us you understand."

"I gave it back" came the reply "I understand"

"Thank you," Mattias replied with a soft smile.

Later that evening, after dinner, the family: Phoenix, Mattias, Miran, and Tristi, the twins were up in their cribs asleep, were relaxing by the pool as Phoenix brought out the PADD containing the forms for Tristi's legal adoption.

She had already signed it and handed it to Mattias. "here you go" she said to her husband.

He took the PADD and, happily, signed his name in the spaces required. All that was left was getting Tristi's own signature, as a final and official agreement to the adoption.

Tristi took the PADD and stared at it for a long while.

Miran rolled her eyes. "just sign it already. I know you know how to write."

Phee clipped Miran up the back of the head. "Oh stop it."

Trisi ignored Miran and slowly wrote her name on the padd. Tristi. Simple. And done. She handed it back to Phoenix.

Mattias gave his sister-in-law a look as Phee smacked the back of her head. Then, when Tristi finally signed her name, he smiled at her and moved over to gently embrace her in a warm hug. "Welcome to the family, Tristi Richardson."

Tristi smiled and gave him a half hug, before retreating back into herself.

Feeling that she had had enough physical contact for now, Mattias respected her decision and released her, stepping back to give her her space.

Phoenix meanwhile went and picked up a tray with four glasses on it. She brought it over and handed out the glasses. "This once" she said to the two teenagers.

The glasses had champagne in them.

Mattias smiled, lifting two glasses and hand one to Miran, the other to Tristi. He then returned to the tray and grabbed the other two, giving one to Phoenix and lifting his in a toast, said, "To family."

Miran raised hers and repeated the words. "To Family"

"Family" Tristi said softly not sure about the beverage.

Phee smiled and clinked her glass with the rest. "Our family"

After they each had a sip, Mattias looked over at Miran. "Mir, as Tristi is now your niece, I want you to look after her, help her settle in, please. This is going to be a big change for all of us, and we all need to work together."

Miran nodded but she didn't say a word instead she sipped the wine. She would do as asked though.

For the rest of the evening, the growing family enjoyed the pool and some more food. At the end of the night, after Miran and Tristi had gone to bed, Mattias and Phoenix sat together on the large chaise lounger, looking up at the clear night sky. "I hope she is happy with us," he said softly, meaning Tristi.

"I hope so too." His wife replied as she snuggled into his side.

For the next few hours, husband and wife stayed out on the pool deck, enjoying the clear evening air.