Siblings Time...

Posted on Fri Feb 23rd, 2024 @ 5:20am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Richardson Family Quarters
Timeline: MD 6 / 1632 hours
1145 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Kara stood outside the door to Mattias and Phoenix’s Quarters, she hadn’t really spent much time with her big brother since they’d gotten stuck in this region of space. With the nightmares that seemed prevalent onboard still happening, and Malakai not feeling well she’d left him to rest.

With Ezri at nursery, baby Matthew was cradled in her arms. She was still getting used to being a new mother, having originally given up Ezri to Mal’s sister after the events that led to her conception, she’d never really experienced motherhood properly before. She was hoping Mattias would be able to offer some pointers.

The door suddenly slid open and Mattias was standing there. "I thought I felt you nearby, Little Girl." He moved aside, allowing her entry. "Come on in. How's Mal feeling?" He leaned in and gave his little sister a soft kiss on her cheek, then his smile grew when he looked down at his infant nephew. "And how is my little buddy?" He gestured that he would very much like to hold the baby.

“This little guy is fine,” Kara smiled as she handed over her son to Mattias. “Your nephew has one hell of a set of lungs!” She offered a wry smile. “You know Mal, he hates being ill and right now he’s curled up in bed snoring his head off.” She stifled a yawn. “Between the nightmares, and this little guy...” she smiled at her son. “I’m shattered.”

Mattias lifted his little nephew up and gave him a little beard tickle, before settling him into the crook of his left arm. He then looked over at his sister. "Come in, have a seat, Kara. If you wanna take a little nap on the couch, I won't be insulted. Little Matty and his uncle can hang out."

"I may just take you up on that big brother!" Kara smiled warmly. "I thought the nightmares were finally over, but it seems they're not done yet. I know it's not just me, I've heard others talking."

Mattias nodded absent-mindedly as he was looking down into little Matty's face. "Phee and I have had a few ourselves. Tristi too. I'm not sure about Miran though."

Kara nodded. "I'm looking forward to when we get the hell away from this area of space, but I know that's not happening anytime soon."

Mattias nodded as he gently swayed with Matty in his arms. "Yeah. While I'm sure there are other dangers out there, the more space we put between us and the Thaih'ea, the better as far as I'm concerned." Suddenly, Matty started to squirm and make little noises of displeasure. It only took Mattias a couple beats to realise why. "Phew! Little Man just had a warp core breach," he joked. "Be right back." He carried his nephew upstairs to the nursery to change his diaper.

Kara couldn’t help but grin as she watched Mattias head off with Matthew, she had to admit she was glad to have Mattias onboard, he was the best brother any woman could want.

A few minutes later, Mattias came back downstairs, having cleaned and changed Matthew. He had replicated a new outfit for his nephew, one that was decorated in a tiny woodland camouflage pattern. "All clean and looking studly," he announced proudly, a loving grin on his face as he spoke.

“Ohh you bet he is! He looks so cute in that!” Kara grinned as she looked towards her son. “Actually I was...hoping you could give me some pointers. I didn’t raise Ezri, at the time I couldn’t cope with it. This is all so new to me, I guess I need some reassurance that I’m doing things right.”

Sitting down next to Kara, Mattias tried to consol his baby sister. "If you're terrified that you're gonna screw up, believe it ot not, that's a good thing! So long as you do your absolute best, everyday, for both you, and your babies, then you're on the right path. It's when you stop caring about how they feel, or care more about your own happiness, that's when you're in danger of being a bad parent. Hell, look at Dad. After Mom died, he turned to drinking and abandoned us to work through our grief with only each other."

Kara nodded offering a more relieved smile. “When I left Ezri with Mal’s sister, she made me promise that I’d tell Ezri the truth about who I was. I wasn’t sure at first, but I’m glad I did. I paid regular visits, letting Ezri get to know me. I’m glad that I was able to have her back, I want to be the best mum to both my children!”

While still holding Matthew in one arm, Mattias put the other around Kara's shoulders. He then pulled her closer, leaning in to kiss the top of her head. "And you will be, Little Girl. Of that, I have zero doubts."

Kara smiled the biggest smile yet as she lay her head on Mattias’ shoulder. “Thank you. Would you mind if I took you up on the offer of that nap?”

"Go right ahead," he replied. "Do you want to stretch out on the couch? Or use Miran's old room, now that she's moved out?"

“The couch will be fine” Kara grinned. “If I lie down in bed I’ll be there for hours! Mal will wake up wondering where I’ve gone.”

Mattias chuckled, then lifted his arm, to allow Kara to get comfortable. He stood and moved to the recliner and sat back down. Matthew was already fast asleep in his protective embrace. "Computer," he spoke softly. Lower illumination to thirty percent standard." He then looked over at his sister. "Go ahead and use the blanket on the back of the couch if you get cold. Want me to wake you in a couple hours?"

Kara nodded as she pulled the blanket down off the back of the sofa, putting it over her anyway. “Please! I don’t want to be in the way when Phee gets home.”

Mattias shook his head, smiling softly at Kara. "You won't be. Hell, she'll probably take little Matty here and kick me out!" He chuckled softly, knowing how much Phoenix cared about their nephew and niece.

Kara smiled as she lay her head on a cushion. “Thank you Matt, I love you big brother.”

Mattias grinned as he looked over at Kara. "And I love you, Little Girl. Now, close your eyes."

Kara nodded and lay her head down, closing her eyes she was soon sound asleep.

Mattias continued to smile softly as he watched his sister quickly fall asleep. He then spent the next few hours with his handsome little nephew.

~OFF~