And Young man makes Five?

Posted on Mon Sep 25th, 2023 @ 2:47am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD8
2163 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

The question had been on Savar's mind for several days along with the need to talk to Alicia. The question was did they want to adopt one of the orphaned children. If they did, they would be the parents of three children. Connor, N'Vea and the newest arrival. The child would be loved, there was no doubt about that but they have the time to devote to another child?

Alicia was sitting cuddling N’Vea, Young Connor busy doing some drawing next to them. With the ship’s school and nursery facilities limited now they were here on the surface she was trying to ensure Connor didn’t miss out on things he normally did there. She smiled as Savar stepped inside.

"Alicia." Savar greeted his wife. "I see the family is together and engaged in quality family time and that pleases me." He said as he knelt beside Connor and gave him a hug then stood and walked over to Alicia who he kissed before kissing N'Vea.

“Indeed we are my husband” Alicia smiled warmly. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

"Not at this time Alicia. I just would like to spend the time with you and the children for you all are my world and very precious to me." Savar replied as he sat in on of the chairs they had in their tent.

“As you are to us Imzadi” Alicia smiled warmly. “Connor has been working very hard, he’s made us some beautiful artwork too. Once we get back to the ship I’m going to frame it and put it all up on the wall.”

Savar looked at their son as he drew on some paper. "I believe Connor has the talent to be a very successful artist if that is what he wishes to pursue."

Alicia nodded. “I agree, but that is for him to decide when he’s older.” She gently ruffled Connor’s hair making him smile, before looking back at Savar. “Is there something on your mind Imzadi? I feel as though there’s a weight on you.”

"You know me so well Alicia. Indeed, I do have something on my mind. I was thinking of our earlier discussion of adopting one of the orphans."

Alicia gave Savar a curious look. “You’re still considering the idea? Do you have a particular child in mind?”

Savar nodded. "I am. I feel as counselors, we need to be at the forefront in providing homes for these children."

Alicia nodded. “My worry is that we already have two young children, how are we supposed to manage another child? As much as I would have loved to give you more children, I don’t want to deprive Connor or N’vea of attention.”

Savar nodded. "Your point is well stated and correct Alicia. I do not wish to deprive our children of the attention they require and deserve. We will not speak of it further. It was only a thought, a suggestion."

“No...don’t put it off Savar, you have a valid point.” Alicia paused. “I wanted to be able to give you more children, but we know medically that I can’t. If you want to offer a child a home then we can, we just need to plan properly for it.”

Savar shook his head. "Alicia. I know what you wanted and I know you cannot because of what happened. I do not wish to deprive our children of the attention they require. I wish this to be a mutual decision we all can support." He finished.

Alicia nodded. “If we’d have had more children then we’d have had to have managed then.” She paused. “Maybe we could foster one of the children? See how it goes before we make it permanent?”

"I am agreeable to fostering one of the children Alicia. In that way, he or she will at least have a home and someone to care about them." He paused and then continued. "We will foster a child if you are agreeable and see how it progresses." Savar replied.

Alicia nodded. “Then we should visit my father, he’s the one doing most of the coordinating around what’s happening with the orphans.”

"I think we should at least talk to him and get his view and opinion on the matter." Savar replied.

Alicia nodded. “Then there’s no time like the present, how’s about I give dad a call and ask him and mum over?”

"Well spoken Alicia and quite correct. Ask your parents over and we discuss it with him, while spending time together." Savar replied.

Alicia nodded and tapped her comm badge. “Alicia to Sthilg, are you and mum free to visit?”

Sthilg was sitting on the small sofa he'd managed to squeeze into his small quarters in the Medical tent. Hearing the combadge he turned to Deanna.

Deanna was sitting on the sofa enjoying Sthilg’s company when Alicia’s voice came over the comms. She gave him a curious look and nodded to say it was alright with her.

" We'll be right there." He said letting Deanna rise from the sofa before picking up their winter gear. " I wonder what they want usss for." He said zipping up his coat.

“No doubt we’ll soon find out Imzadi” Deanna smiled as she picked up her winter gear and put her coat on.

~ A few mins later ~

“Mum, Dad, thanks for coming” Alicia smiled as she made what room she could in the tent for Sthilg and her mother. “It’s nothing to worry about, we just need your opinion on something.” She looked at Savar then back at her parents. “We’re thinking of offer a foster home to one of the orphans, I believe there’s a Vulcan boy who lost his parents, and we’d like your opinion.”

" In my honest opinion, I don't think of anyone better he could have looking after him, but are you sure your up for it. You already have two children to care for." Sthilg replied honestly.

"Alicia and I wish to foster and possibly adopt an older child sir. As they are so often overlooked when it comes to adoption." Savar replied.

Alicia gave Savar a warm smile. “Age doesn’t matter, these children have nowhere else to go. I’ll admit I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to give Connor and N’Vea the attention they deserve, but with an older child that wouldn’t be such a worry.”

“If you’re truly sure, I’m happy to support you” Deanna smiled as she looked at her daughter and Savar.

"Alicia and I have talked about this and we are." Savar replied to Deanna.

“I expected nothing less Savar” Deanna smiled warmly at her son-in-law.

"Alicia and I appreciate your support, Deanna." Savar answered.

" Then who am I to ssay no." Sthilg said with a warm smile on his toothy face.

Alicia smiled as she looked towards Savar, then back at her parents. “We decided to foster first just to be sure we’re doing the right thing. Now all we have to do is meet the boy and see if he’s happy with the arrangement.”

" Sssplended." Sthilg responded. " You'll need to asssk one of the other doctorsss to do the paperwork for obviousss reasssonsss."

Alicia nodded. “Of course, we can’t have any claims of favouritism can we now?” She smiled warmly.

"I do not see why not. You are the Chief Medical Officer for the ship. In matters pertaining medicine as well as adoptions, your word is law." Savar replied and it was hard to tell if he was joking or not.

" If the federation medical board sssee otherwise and think I'm giving out favoursss i could losses my licence." Sthilg explained.

"Why would they think that? Are Alicia and I not qualified to be foster parents? Is there something in our files that would disqualify us?" Savar questioned.

" No, but given i am you adopted father they could have it disssmisssed as favouritisssm. " Sthilg explained. " I'll asssk Vissse if ssshe'sss willing to sssign it."

Savar didn't reply further. The CMO was Alicia's adopted father not his. He would follow the human term of discretion was the better part of valor, along with not wanting to cause Alicia to be upset with him. Though everyone seemed to forget they were thirteen million lightyears from home.

“I understand” Alicia smiled and nodded. “Vise will be just fine. We need to meet the boy that we’re thinking of fostering anyway.”

Savar simply looked at Alicia and nodded his agreement.

" Well let'sss go and sssee him sssee how he interactsss with the two of you." Sthilg said with a smile on his face.

Alicia nodded nervously as she looked towards her father.

"A most excellent idea." Savar agreed.

Sthilg waited till everyone had left the room before turning from the door. Reaching into his uniform he pulled the small cylinder from one of his pockets and unscrew it. Drawing the picture from the future a puzzled look spread on his face. A strange blur had started forming on one side of the image as if another being had started appearing on the right-hand side of the photo.

What was going on he thought to himself as he returned the photo to it's cylinder. Was history still being written?

Alicia paused to wait for her father, turning to look at Savar. “I have no idea why I’m so nervous Imzadi, it’s not like I’m not already a mother.”

"Perhaps because this is new for you and me. I do not mean being a parent as we both are. Moreso being a parent to a new child, one we do not know as well as we will. It is undiscovered country."

“That’s true” Alicia nodded. “I just hope we give a child in need some hope and a good home.

"We will do the best we can Alicia." Savar replied. "It will take all of us working together to ensure that happens."

Sthilg stepped outside giving them both a smile. " Sssorry about that left a padd in the bathroom." he added before gesturing them to start moving.

Alicia gave her father a curious look, granted being reptilian he wasn’t easy to read, but she suspected Sthilg had just told them a little white lie, not that she was going to call him out on it.

" Ssso what'sss the young mansss name?" Sthilg enquired trying to change the subject.

Alicia gave her father a shake of the head before replying. “Soral I believe, that’s right isn’t it Imzadi?” She looked at Savar.

Savar inclined his head as he replied to Alicia, "Yes, my love. Soral is the name of the boy we wish to foster."

“I just hope he’ll like me, he is used to having a Vulcan family after all.” Alicia offered a concerned gaze. “I guess time will tell.”

Sthilg nodded as he led the way to the mess tent. Stepping inside he gave a warm smile to the vulcan boy. Even with his vulcan nature you could tell he was going through his own personal hell. " Hello there Sssoral. How are you doing today." he said in his grandfatherly tone.

Soral gave the large lizard-like Doctor a look. “I am fine, thank you Doctor” his Vulcan mannerisms we’re easily hiding the pain the young boy was feeling inside. He looked towards Savar as he saw the older Vulcan enter the room. “Commander Savar?”

Savar nodded at Soral. "Soral. I would you like to meet my wife Alicia."

Alicia offered a polite nod. “It’s nice to meet you Soral.”

"Counselor." Soral offered a polite reply before his eyes drifted back to Savar. What brings you to see me Commander? The tone polite and even.

"Soral, Alicia and I would like to offer our home to you, to foster you that is if you are agreeable."

Soral gave Alicia and Savar a curious look before nodding. “That would be acceptable.”

"Excellent Soral. Let us gather your belongs, then we can proceed to our quarters." Savar replied.

“Providing you’re happy with that father?” Alicia looked towards Sthilg, he was after all responsible for the orphans in his care.

" Sssthilg is more than happy my daughter." Sthilg said giving her a gentle hug. If the future could be changed he could stop her from ending up in such a mess.

Alicia hugged Sthilg but couldn’t help but get a sense that he was hiding something from her, something buried deep. Though she could have been mistaken, reptilian’s were tricky to read. “There’s nothing wrong is there?” She looked up at Sthilg. “Nothing you need to talk about?”

" No, my dear nothing'sss wrong. In fact, i couldn't be happier" Sssthilg said honestly as he returned his daughter's hug.

{OFF}