Dinner with Friends

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 9:14pm by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Alicia & Savar's quarters
2228 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

With Soral helping to tidy up the kids toys, Alicia had started setting the table ready for Gary & Little Lia’s arrival. “That’s much better thank you Soral” she smiled warmly at her adopted Son. “You can do whatever you want to do now.” She turned her attention to Savar. “How’s dinner coming along?”

"You are welcome mother. It was not that difficult a task as Connor and N'vea had not strewn their toys everywhere. I will be in my room, reading. Should you need me, please call." He finished as he headed to his room. Savar watched the interaction between Alicia and Soral and was pleased with how well they got along. He was roused from his musing by Alicia's question. "Dinner is progressing with no difficulties. I confess I was unsure if Little Lia would like the Vulcan jumbo shrimp, so I also prepared some chicken... just in case."

Alicia nodded. “That’s a good idea Imzadi, I doubt Little Lia will have tried shrimp before. Though I could be wrong.”

"I do not feel you are wrong at all Alicia. Thank you for the compliment as well. I know you want this dinner to go off without any problems just as I do which I took the precaution of fixing chicken as shrimp especially Vulcan shrimp can take some getting use to. I believe you would call it an acquired taste." Savar answered.

"Indeed it is, I remember the first time you cooked it for me, I wasn't sure if I liked it at first." Alicia smiled. "It's definitely grown on me since then."

And how do you feel about it now Alicia that it has grown on you?" Savar questioned his wife playfully as they talked and prepared dinner.

“Well, it’s okay.” Alicia grinned. “I’ll eat it, but I wouldn’t say it’s a top favourite of mine. I’d never refuse it especially if you cooked it for me.”

Savar arched and eyebrow at Alicia, "I see. Indeed. Perhaps if I were to marinate the shrimp in a garlic butter sauce it would improve their taste and your opinion of them." He replied in a gentle joking manner.

“Nothing could ever improve on your cooking skills Imzadi” Alicia grinned. “If it wasn’t for you I’d never have tried any complex Vulcan dishes. I quite enjoy your cooking.”

"You are kind, and you are to be commended for trying Vulcan foods. However, I do want them more inviting and palpable to you. So, you cannot simply tolerate them." He finished by winking at Alicia; to let her know he was teasing with his last statement of her tolerating Vulcan food.

Alicia grinned, she loved being able to see and feel Savar’s emotional side, even though no one else besides their children got to witness it. “I love you Savar.”

Savar put down the utensils he was using and stopped his food preparation. He turned to Alicia and walked the short distance between them. Upon reaching her, he just looked at her, taking in her loveliness. Then he wrapped his arm around her in a loving hug. "I love you, Alicia. Thank you for being a wonderful mother to our children, as well as being a supportive and loving wife. Your love makes my life complete. I would be lost without you." As he finished, he bent his head forward and kissed Alicia lovingly.

Alicia returned his kiss, letting it linger before pulling back slightly. “I could do that all night, but if I do we’ll never get dinner finished.” She grinned, just then the door chime rang. “That must be Gary.”

"As could I my wife and I am not opposed to doing so." Savar replied. "Your statement is most correct in regard to dinner and the door chime. Why don't you answer it and I will put the finishing touches on dinner."

Alicia nodded and smiled as she headed for the door, opening it she motioned Gary and Little Lia inside. “Gary, Lia, welcome! Come on in and make yourselves at home.” She smiled warmly. “There’s lots of things for you if you’d like to play Lia.”

Gary smiled at Alicia, "Thank you for having us, Alicia." he answered as he looked at LL. "Thank you Miss Alicia." She replied dutifully before looking around. "Where are Connor and N'vea?"

"Right over there sweetheart" Alicia pointed to where a pile of toys was laid out ready for playing with. "Soral will help you if you need anything." she smiled warmly.

LL nodded and moved toward the pile of toys. "Thanks for having us, Alicia. Very kind and thoughtful of both you and Savar to do this."

“It’s the least I can do, after everything that’s happened you need to be with friends.” Alicia smiled warmly. “We’re always here if you need us.”

Gary offered a soft smile. "I appreciate that, and you and Savar are friends, good friends and it is nice to know you are here."

“How is Little Lia doing?” Alicia looked across to where the children were looking through the pile of toys she’d left out for them.

"She's coping. having a chance to get out and be with other children is great for her. Let's let her relax and just have fun." Gary replied as his eyes went to his daughter, sitting on the floor, going through toys.

“Of course” Alicia smiled warmly. “She can have lots of fun while we chat.”

Gary nodded, "I certainly hope she does. She needs this as much as I do. Can't stay sheltered in our quarters around the clock."

“That’s very true” Alicia nodded. “I’ve heard that you’ve both taken a shine to Cerese, I’m glad that you’ve been able to find Little Lia someone she can confide in if she needs to. Not all children confide in their parents.”

Gary nodded, "Your intel is quite good Alicia. Yes. both LL and I like Cerese. She and LL really hit it off. Oh, I hope LL would tell me everything, but I understand that there may times she finds it easier to talk to Cerese and confide in her."

“She’ll talk to you about it all when she’s ready, we don’t want to risk a relapse of Little Lia’s collapse.” Alicia offered a comforting smile. “Just be the wonderful father you are Gary.”

Gary nodded, "I hope you are right. I won't press her. I want her to always feel she can come talk to me about any subject. That I am always here for her." He stopped and looked around. "Say, what is that wonderful aroma I smell? It is divine."

“Ahh now that is the wonderful aroma of the food being cooked by my wonderful husband” Alicia smiled warmly. “Why don’t you tell him Imzadi.”

Gary nodded, "Good idea." as he walked into the kitchen, "Savar, I just have to tell you, if the food you are preparing tastes half as good as it smells, we are in for a wonderful treat."

Savar turned to look at Gary he was wearing a long apron that said, "Kiss the cook." he gave a short nod of acknowledgement at Gary's words. "I am pleased you find the aroma pleasurable and hope you will say the same about the taste." he looked to Alicia, "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

Alicia couldn’t help but grin at Savar wearing the apron they shared. “Wonderful Imzadi, thank you.”

Savar nodded, "If you will all take your seats, Refreshments are on the table." He looked to Gary, "Captain, I prepared dome chicken nuggets in case your daughter does not care for the other food that has been prepared."

"Thank you, Savar for your consideration. LL will try everything." Gary assured his hosts as they walked to the dinner table.

As everyone started settling down at the table Alicia organised food for the children, settling N’Vea into her high chair whilst letting Connor sit with Soral, & Little Lia as the dining table was only big enough for 4.

LL was quiet as she sat at the table. She liked Connor and N'vea though the girl was too little to really play with. She didn't know Soral, but he seemed nice. She looked to her Daddy and smiled at him.

"Is there anything I can do to help you and Savar, Alicia?" Gary questioned as Alicia got N'Vea in her highchair.

“Ohh err…could you help Savar with putting out the food for a moment please?” Alicia smiled warmly. “I won’t be long.”

Gary gave her a surprised look but it quickly passed. "Um sure thing." He replied and asked Savar what can I do to help you?"

"You may take the chicken nuggets and their sauce to the table." Savar replied as he continued to cook the shrimp.

“There you go sweetheart” Alicia gave N’vea a kiss on top of her head as she finished getting her ready to eat. “Now Lia if you don’t want anything we put you, then don’t worry, you just eat what you can okay?” She smiled warmly at Little Lia.

"Thank you, Miss Alicia, but I want to try everything besides Daddy told me it would be impolite not to try." The child replied with a smile.

“Not at all Lia” Alicia smiled warmly. “If there’s anything you’d like to try, then please ask.” She smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Miss Alicia." LL smiled back. She liked Miss Alicia and her husband even if he did talk funny.

Alicia smiled at Gary. “I’ve been hearing rumours that you’ve been spending time with…I believe her name is Cerese?” She offered a curious gaze.

"Miss Cerese!" LL popped up. "I like her! Daddy likes her too." She grinned.

"Thats enough from you." Gary told his daughter with a smile before turning to Alicia, "I see the ship's grapevine has been busy. "Yes, I have been with Cerese but nothing formal. Trips to the arboretum, feed the ducks, eat ice cream and all with LL along. She is LL's babysitter er her nanny after all, so it seems right to include her on activities."

Alicia nodded. “I wasn’t suggesting anything else, I apologise if it appeared I was” she offered an apologetic glance. “It’s good that you have the extra help.”

"I know you weren't, and I apologize for overreacting. Just nothing more to report than just what I said." Gary offered while LL giggled.

Alicia smiled. “Let’s get the food out and start eating, I’ve been looking forward to it.”

"Indeed. So have LL and I." Gary agreed as he pulled out a chair to sit down. It smells divine and it looks delicious!" He observed.

Alicia looked to Savar, “Is the food ready to be served up Imzadi?”

"It certainly is Alicia." Savar replied as he brought forth a tray of chicken nuggets in different shapes for the children along with different sauces to dip the nuggets if the chose to. For the adults he brought forth a tray of jumbo shrimp, some clam strips along with crab cakes. He went back to the kitchen to bring small bowls that were salads, with bits of shrimp and chicken intermixed with greens and assorted vegetables.

“Mmmm this looks and smells divine Imzadi” Alicia smiled warmly. “I can’t wait to try it!”

LL's eyes were wide as she looked at the jumbo shrimp. "Miss Alicia?" She asked timidly, "What type of fish is that?" Pointing at the shrimp with her fork.

“Ohh it’s a jumbo shrimp” Alicia grinned. “It must look pretty odd.”

"Oh, it does a little." LL replied as she continued to look at the shrimp, then making up her mind she said, "I would like to try it please Miss Alicia."

Alicia smiled. “By all means” picking up a small side plate she plated up a slightly smaller piece of Shrimp and passed it to LL. “There you go.”

"Thank you, Miss Alicia." LL replied as she looked at the shrimp, wondering what she was going to do next. It didn't seem right to pick it up with her fingers. Maybe someone would eat one first and she could see what they did.

"Little Lia." Savar spoke up, "if you would like to enhance, ah, that is add to the taste of the shrimp. there is a bowl of melted butter next to Alicia you may dip your shrimp in."

Alicia passed the bowl. “It makes it more buttery to taste, it’s delicious!”

LL's eyes widen at that. "Really? Daddy fixed me some popcorn, and it had butter on it and I liked that." He said as she stabbed the shrimp with her fork and then dipped it in the butter. She then brought it to her mouth and timidly took a bite after a few chews her face lit up in a huge smile. "This is good! Miss Alicia, you were right!" She said happily as she took another bite.

“I’m glad you like it Lia” Alicia smiled warmly. Looking around the table she thought just how lucky she was to have such a wonderful family, and friends.