Lullaby (Roll call solo post)

Posted on Wed Jan 3rd, 2024 @ 6:45am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Lalor-Richardson Quarters
Timeline: MD 4 / 0146 hours
899 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Mattias and Phoenix were sleeping soundly in their bed, when the sudden soft whimpering, coming from the baby monitor, woke up Mattias instantly. As it was his night to get up for their babies, he slowly slid out from under the blankets, careful not to wake Phoenix. Once out, he slipped on a pair of athletic shorts and an olive drab green tank top with the SFMC logo on the center. Quietly, he padded out of the master bedroom and made his way to the nursery, where Elizabeth and William slept. He knew, from the sound of the whimper, young Elizabeth was awake, more than likely she needed a bottle and a fresh diaper.

Entering the nursery, he smiled a soft, warm smile as he spoke soothingly. "There she is!" He moved to Elizabeth's crib and lifted her up into his arms. "What's all this noise, my angel? Hmmm? Do you have a dirty booty?" He lifted her slightly and sniffed, getting his answer. "Oh! My poor little baby-girl! Don't you worry! Papa's gonna get you all cleaned up!" He then carried her over to the changing table and got to work cleaning her up. Then, after she had on a clean diaper and fresh pajamas, he grabbed a warmed bottle of milk, which was replicated from the sample Phoenix had given to the computer after the twins were born.

Moving over to the comfortable rocking chair in the room, he sat down and started to gently rock back and forth as Elizabeth ate. While she did so, Mattias spoke softly to her. He wasn't really talking about anything specific, just talking in a soothing voice so she could hear him. When she finally finished her bottle, he put is aside, then repositioned her up, putting her over his left shoulder, while he sang a soft lullaby that he had learned from David so many long years ago. He gently pat her back till she burped, then slowed the pats to the gentle rhythm of the lullaby.

"Down at the station,
Early in the morning.

The engineer is checking on
All his trains.

He oils all the wheels up good,
So they can roll down the tracks.

Then you'll hear the whistles go,
Toot!
Toot!
Toot!"

He continued to repeat the lines several more times, until he felt her finally go limp from sleep in his embrace. As he stood up carefully, he continued to sing and gently tap her back, swaying softly as he moved back to her crib.

Carefully putting her back down, he pulled her blanket back up. He smiled ad he gazed down at her, a look of pure love in his eyes. "Good night, my angel. Sweet dreams." He kissed the tips of his fingers, then placed the kiss on the side of her head.

Turning to check William, Mattias saw that Elizabeth's twin brother was watching Mattias quietly.

"Well now," Mattias whispered with another loving smile. "Aren't you living up to your name, huh, my little prince?" He reached down into the other crib and lifted his son up into his arms. "You know that the original meaning of William, is silent warrior?" He gently kissed the top of William's head, then repeated the process of cleaning, changing and feeding him, like he did for Elizabeth.

Once William was asleep, Mattias returned him to his crib with the same level of tenderness as done for his sister. Mattias then then wished him sweet dreams and placed a kiss on his head as well.

For a few moments, Mattias stood there, quietly smiling, as he looked from one infant to the other. His heart burst with love and devotion for the both of them. He would do anything for them, anything to keep them safe. He silently swore that if any of those slavers even looked their way, he would pave the space lanes with their blood and entrails. He would not fail to protect his new family.

Not like he had done for his first.

Feeling the pain start to boil up in his chest again, he quietly left the nursery before waking his babies, and made his way downstairs, to the kitchen. After pouring himself a strong drink, he sat down on the livingroom, infront of the holographic fire, and sipped his cocktail, as he stared into the flames. Tears started to fall from his eyes as he allowed the pent up pain to release some. Even with the indescribable love and happiness that he had now, he was always in pain over the loss of Saundra and their little boy, Charlie. It was a pain that he knew, would never go away. At best, with the love from Phoenix, the twins, even Miran and Tristi, all that would happen, was the pain would start to soften over the remaining years of his life.

Finally, nearly two hours after he woke, he quietly crawled back into bed with Phoenix. Feeling his warmth return, she snuggled back against him in her sleep. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close and then gently kissing the top of her head.

"Amin mela Ile, Phoenix," he whispered softly to her. He then laid his head back and closed his eyes. In moments he was back in a deep slumber.

~OFF~

*Translation*

1. Amin mela Ile - I love you