A little extra help

Posted on Thu Jun 1st, 2023 @ 9:33am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Command tent
Timeline: MD4 1800 hrs
747 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

With the paperwork filled out Emily made her way to speak with Captain Taylor, arriving at the command tent she stepped inside and made her way across to him.

“Excuse me Captain, May I talk to you?”

Gary looked up from a PaDD he was reading. "Emily! This is a surprise, please sit down. What can I do for you?"

Emily smiled politely as she walked across to a seat and sat down. She pulled out a PADD holding it in her hands. “I’ve just come from talking with Sthilg, I’ve decided to adopt one of the orphans a little girl called Leana Vai.”

A broad smile came to Gary's face. "That is fantastic Emily! Congratulations to you. Now, I'm sure you have another reason for coming to see me. so, what can I do for you?"

“Actually I need someone to sign off on the adoption papers.” She handed Gary over the PADD. “I thought I’d ask you if you’d mind signing for me?”

Gary took the PaDD and looked it over. "A three year old." He noted. " You know small children require extra care and attention. Are you sure you can give her the attention she needs with your work schedule Emily?"

Emily had been dreading questions but they were ones that needed answering. “If I have to I’ll drop back on my hours, I’m a surgical nurse so unless there’s an emergency that needs me, I should be available more than the other nurses.”

Gary nodded, satisfied with her answer. " And what about love Emily? Are you sure you can love Leana like she was yours?"

Emily nodded enthusiastically. “Ohh I can do that! George and I are orphans Captain, I know what it feels like not to have a family. I’ve always wanted to have children, I couldn’t until recently but thanks to Sthilg I can now. I don’t want to wait years to have a family, I want to be a mother now and Leana needs that.”

Gary nodded again at Emily's explanation. "What of your support group Emily? That is just as important as your role of being a mother. Do you have people you can count on to watch and care for Leana, if you are called away or for some reason unable to care for her?" He asked.

“I thought about that, I have George and Leilani but they’ve already got Hendor and their baby on the way. Plus George has to concentrate on his recovery.” She paused. “If I had to I’d arrange to leave Leana with one of the other mother’s, or with the nursery group.”

Gary smiled, "Very good Emily. Sounds like you have your bases covered. One final question. Are you ready to be a mother?"

“Ohh I’m very ready!” Emily nodded and smiled. “I’m just about to go and organise an extra bed in my tent for Leana, I’ve also been looking after Hendor for George and Leilani so she’ll have company when he visits.”

Gary was pleased with Emily's answers, She was sincere and excited and more than that she wanted to be a mother, to have a child to love and cry with and watch grow. "That sounds good Emily." He replied as he looked at the PaDD and then to Emily. "Oh, one thing. Put Lia and I down on people to help you look after your daughter." He said with a bright smile as he signed the PaDD.
Congratulations Emily, you are a new mother."

Emily’s smile practically shone. “I will, and thank you Sir! Thank you so much!!”
She wanted to jump up and down for joy but she restrained herself from doing so.

Gary smiled broadly. "You are welcome Emily." He then made a show of looking around the empty tent except for the two of them. "If you feel like screaming in happiness. Go right ahead. Now's the time for it."

Emily grinned. “I would but err...” she blushed. “I’ll do my happy dance when I get back to the tent.” She stood ready to leave. “Thank you again Sir.”

Gary chuckled at Emily's answer. "As you wish Emily. You had your chance." He teased and then added, "Make your happy dance a good one. You deserve this."

“I will I promise” Emily grinned and turned to head on her way, she had a lot to organise.

{OFF}