Welcome to the family

Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 8:49am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Sthilg/Starr shared quarters
Timeline: MD4
2651 words - 5.3 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

With the all clear from Sthilg to return home where she could rest away from the confines of Sickbay, Kara smiled as she settled into bed her son in his crib at the bedside. “No one has had chance to let Mattias know yet have they?” She asked as she looked in Malakai’s direction.

Mal looked at Kara as she rested in their bed. She had never looked lovelier. Their son slept contently in his crib. "By anyone, you mean me and no I haven't at least not yet. But I will, I just want to make sure you are okay Kara." He explained as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

Kara nodded. “I’m okay, just tired more than anything else. I’ll admit it worries me that Ezri will feel left out, but I’m going to do my best to reassure her that she won’t be.”

"We'll both work to make sure Ezri won't feel left out. Tell her she has a new 'job' watching over the little guy." Mal replied. "She'll like that responsibility."

Kara nodded. “See I knew you were a good father!” She smiled warmly. “I’d like Matt & Phew to see their nephew before word gets out about the latest arrival. Would you give them a call for me please?”

Mal smiled, "Well, I hope I am Kara. I know you will be and are a great mother. As for calling Phee and Matt, sure thing, I'll go by their quarters and give them the news firsthand."

Kara nodded. “That’ll give me time for a rest, having a baby certainly hasn’t gotten any easier even with modern technology.” She grinned a wry grin.

"Of course Kara, you need to be well rested for when Phee and Matt come over to see you and the baby." Mal agreed.

“I can’t wait to see Matt’s face!” Kara grinned just thinking about it.

"I'll go over to their cabin and deliver the happy news in person. I'm sure you will have lots of visitors shortly after that." Mal answered. "I need to get some cigars and hand em out as well."

“The old tradition of Cigars huh?” Kara smiled. “If that’s what you want to do Imzadi.”

"What would you suggest Kara?" Mal asked interested to hear what she thought.

“Ohh...I wasn’t knocking the idea Imzadi” Kara smiled. “It’s wonderful, I’m just dying to see Matt’s face when he sees Matthew.”

Now Mal nodded. "His head is going to get even bigger Kara. I pity Phee though, she has to live with him." He said with a laugh.

Kara couldn’t help but giggle. “He’ll never know if you don’t get going. Don’t worry we’ll be fine while you’re gone.”

Even Mal was grinning. "Are you sure you are alright Kara?" Mal didn't like leaving Kara especially not after she had just given birth.

“I’ll be okay” Kara nodded. “I’ve got everything I need to hand, I can always call if I need you.”

"Okay. Make sure you call me if you need me sweetie." He said as he leaned over and kissed Kara tenderly. "I love you." He whispered.

Kara returned Malakai’s kiss. “I love you too, always have and always will.”

Mal nodded. Kara was the best thing to ever happen to him. He loved her totally and completely, ferociously. He was very protective of her and Erzi and now their little boy Matt.

After leaving Kara and replicating a box of cigars (to begin with) Mal headed to Phee and Matt's quarters. He hoped they were home. *This should be interesting* He thought as he pressed the chime, holding the box behind his back.

A few beats later, the doors slid open and Mattias was standing there. "Mal," he said said with a grin. "What brings you to our humble, temporary, abode?" He stepped aside, allowing his brother-in-law to enter the small cabin. While most of the crew had started to return to their old quarters, as they were repaired, Phoenix and Mattias had agreed to have their quarters repaired last. "Phee, Mal is here!" He called to the other room in the small, two room cabin.

"Hi Matt." Mal replied with a smile of his own as he stepped into the quarters Matt and Phee were using until they could return to their old quarters. "Any idea on when your old quarters are going to be repaired?" He asked making small talk until Phee showed up and he could tell them both the news he had and was busting to tell them.

"Engineering says probably by the end of next month," Mattias replied. "Unless they get to it ahead of schedule."

Mal nodded, "Here's hoping they can get to it sooner than that. I know you both can't wait to get back to your old quarters."

Mattias nodded and grinned slightly. "While we both don't need a lot of space, it is home, so yeah, it'll be nice to get back to it." He then noticed that Malakai was holding something behind hid back. As he was about to ask, the door to the twin's room slid open and Phoenix walked in to join them.

Phoenix came out with a smile. "Hey Mal," she said brightly. "Are you okay?"

*Finally. * Mal thought silently as Phoenix entered the room and greeted him brightly. "Hi Phee, I am great." As the smile he had been trying to hide spread from ear to ear. "I, um, wanted you both to know that you are an aunt and uncle." He paused for a heartbeat as he looked at their faces and then continued. "Kara, gave birth a little while ago to a baby boy! I wanted you both to be the first to know." He finished as he brought the box from behind his back that held the cigars.

As soon as he heard the great news, Mattias beamed brightly in joy. "Mal! That's awesome news!" He stepped forward, embracing his brother-in-law, actually lifting the larger man up off his feet a couple inches.

After putting him down and releasing Malakai from his embrace, Mattias asked, "How are they?? Does the little man have a name yet? And...when can we see them?" He knew that he was peppering Malakai with questions, however he couldn't help himself, due to his excitement.

Mal was grinning from ear to ear, grinning foolishly. He was so darn happy. Once Mattias had put him down and released him from his bearhug, he brought the box of cigars front of him. "Here, take a cigar Matt! You too Phee!" He said offering then both one. "Now in answer to your questions. Both Kara and the little guy are resting and doing fine, and You can go and see them both right now. Kara knows I was coming to give you both the hews and is expecting you both." He paused saving the best for last. He nodded. "Yes, he has a name......" He deliberately dragged it out. His eyes on Mattias. "His name is Matthew; we're going to call him Matt." As soon as he said it, he waited for Mattias's reaction.

Taking the offered cigar, Mattias listened intently to each word that Malakai said. When he heard the name of his new nephew, his grin seemed to threaten to split his face in two. "Oh, Mal! I'm honored by this!" A few happy tears started to roll down his cheeks.

Mall was silent, he just stood there watching Mattias's reaction and seeing his happy tears, he knew he and Kara had made the right decision in naming their son. "It was an easy decision. I know you'll be a great uncle and Phee a great aunt."

Phee held the cigar gingerly, she was not really one for such things, so much so that Mattias knew better than to smoke around her. When Malakai spoke the news she grinned broadly. "Congratulations! How is Kara doing?"

"Phee. you can give your cigar to Matt. I know you aren't a fan of them. I was just being polite. As to how Kara is doing. She's tired but in good spirits. Her labor took a long time and it took a lot out of her. But there were no complications. Which is wonderful. Plus now being able to hold Matthew and bond with him is doing wonders for her and just what she needed."

Mattias reached over to Phoenix and held his hand open, silently asking for the cigar. As she did, he looked back at Malakai. "That's wonderful, Mal! Would it be okay if we came down now to see them?" While he was excited and eager to see both his baby sister and his new nephew, he also wanted to respect the home that she and Malakai were making for themselves.

Mal nodded happily. "Please. Kara is expecting you and anxious for you both to see her and the little guy. She is looking forward to your company. So, go. You don't want to disappoint a new mom." The last said with a laugh and a broad grin.

Mattias practically beamed with happiness. He then realised something, which brought a tear to his eye. "Holy shit..." he said softly. "In all the excitement, I completely forgot!! Little Matty has the same birthday as his cousin did!" A few more tears ran down his face, but they weren't entirely sad ones. "Charlie was born on this date!" He looked over at Phoenix, drawing strength from her as they stood there.

Mal was silent as Matt spoke the sobering news about his little boy Charle. who had been brutally murdered with his mother. He instantly felt bad for having Matt remember the date. Not that he wouldn't but not now.

Phoenix touched Matts arm, reassuring him with her touch. "Charlie would be proud to have a new cousin." she said calmly. "Now, is Kara up to visitors?"

Mal's face brightened at Phoenix's questions. "She certainly is! She's expecting the two of you to be the first to see and hold the baby. I like I said best not to disappoint a new mother."

Mattias let out a quiet breath when Phoenix consoled him. Nodding to her, he reached up and gently squeezed her hand. Then, turning back to Malakai, he smiled softly as he replied. "Well then, let's go see the new prince!" While there was a touch of sadness in his eyes, his voice was filled with happiness.

"What are we waiting for? Kara is waiting to see both of you and Matthew is waiting to see his new aunt and uncle." Mal replied proudly.

The happy trio then made their way down tobthe quarters that Kara and Malakai shared. As they walked, they talked and laughed about the newest member of their family. When they finally reached their destination, Mattias and Phoenix followed Malakai inside.

Mal moved quickly to the bed, "Kara honey, I brought Phoenix and Mattias to see you and Matt. You ready for some good old fashion being fawned over and the oohing and aahing Matt is going to receive?"

Kara offered a tired smile and a nod. “You bet I am! I can’t wait for Matt to see his nephew!”

"Well darling, you can get to see his look firsthand as he and Phoenix are both eager to the little guy." Mal replied proudly.

Hearing his sister's voice, Mattias felt his heart skip a beat. He gave Phoenix's hand a tight, excited squeeze. As they stepped into the doorway, he looked inside the bedroom, seeing one of the most beautiful sights he could remember, hid baby sister holding her newborn son. "Hey, Little Girl," he said softly, happy tears in his eyes. "I hear there's someone who wants to meet us?"

Kara nodded as she smiled at Mattias, the tears in his eyes suddenly made her remember what day it was. It was the birthday of her beautiful, happy little nephew, his son, Little Charlie, who would have no more birthdays to celebrate, thanks to the animals that had ended his innocentlife, so many years ago.. “This is your nephew, Would you like to hold him?”

Giving Phoenix's hand another gentle squeeze, Mattias then released it and stepped closer. Reaching down, he carefully took hold of the newest member of his family. After carefully tucking Matthew into the crook of his left elbow, Mattias started to sway softly as he gazed, mesmerized, down onto the face of his nephew.

As he reached over with his right hand to gently touch Mattew's cheeks, the newborn reached up and took hold of his finger. This touch caused Mattias to let loose a few more happy tears and take in a ragged breath. "Hi, bubba!" He spoke softly, yet excitedly. "I'm your Uncle Matty. We're gonna be best buds!" He then dipped his head down, and gently kissed Matthew's forehead. He then paused, closing his eyes, and inhaling a deep breath, taking Matthew's scent into his nostrils.

Kara watched watery eyed as she enjoyed seeing Mattias with his nephew. To see Mattias so happy on such a solemn day meant the world to her.

Phoenix moved to Karas side and kissed her cheek, "Congratulations Kara. He is beautiful."

“Thank you Phee” Kara smiled wearily. “It took longer than expected for Matthew to be born, births in subsequent pregnancies are usually faster. We got there in the end though, thanks to some dancing!” She grinned at Malakai.

From his position, Malakai could see Kara and Phoenix talking and Kara grinning at him. Lord knew what she told Phoenix. He smiled brightly at Kara and blew her kiss. She was so amazing, and he was so thankful for her being his wife. She had put up with his shenanigans, remained faithful until he finally got his act together, settled down and married her. God! He loved her so!

Phee grinned at Kara. "And No video evidence? Gee, next time then." She straightened and looked over at Matthew. "I am sure he is going to be spoiled by his uncle."

Hearing his wife's words, Mattias stepped closer, carefully handing young Matthew to his ain't. Once Phoenix had their nephew secure in her arms, Mattias put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently, as he retorted. "Yeah, like I'm gonna be the only one to spoil this little man!" He turned his head slightly and kissed the side of Phoenix's head.

"He's perfect!" Mal said proudly as he beamed at his and Kara's son. He figured Matt would stay in Phee's good graces until at least 16 and even then, she wouldn't come down full bore on him.

Phoenix ignored her husbands words and rocked her new nephew. After a bit she handed him back to his mother. "We should let you rest." she said.

As much as Kara was enjoying the company of her family she was feeling extremely tired. “Thank you Phee, as much as I’d love to spend more time with you both I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to stay awake.” She offered a sheepish smile.

Phee smiled and nodded "Understandable" She took Mattias's arm. "We shall leave you both to it. Come on Matt." She waved and tugged her husband to the door.

Mattias allowed his beautiful wife to pull him along, as his eyes stayed glued to his baby sister and her new son for a few seconds longer. "Love you, Little Girl. And congratulations again, to the both of you. He looks perfect!" He smiled at both Kara and Malakai before he and Phoenix finally stepped out into the corridor, the door sliding shut behind them, leaving the newly enlarged family alone in their bliss.