Decompressing

Posted on Tue Jun 2nd, 2026 @ 10:03am by Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Civilian Skylah McBride [Lalor] & Gunnery Sergeant Liam "Swede" Reece [Reece]

Mission: Interlude
Location: USS Elysium, Arboretum
Timeline: MD 1 / 1715 hours
910 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After their duty shifts were over, Samaire and Liam collected Skylah and made their way to one of the happiest places on the ship that the little girl had...

The giant oak tree, located in the ship's arboretum.

While Liam and Samaire sat in the grass, leaning against the base of the mighty tree, Skylah moved about the upper branches like a happy little spider monkey.

Letting out a contented sigh, as he held his wife against his chest, Liam whispered softly, his right hand resting gently on Samaire's belly. "How are you two feeling, my love?" He whispered softly into her right ear, right before he gently kissed the side of her neck.

Samaire smiled and said "We are good. The doctor is happy with the situation. They gave me a due date as well" Sam added as she looked up at Skylah above them.

"Oh!?" Liam replied quietly, but full of excitement. "Are you in to tell me, or will I have to torture you for the information?" He started nuzzling the side of her neck, in that spot that drove her wild.

"Around the 13th December this year" Samaire smiled. "A babe before Christmas would be rather special."

Liam gently squeezed Samaire in his embrace again, as he whispered, "I can't think of a better Christmas present, sweetheart!" He kissed the side of her head, then inhaled deeply, taking her sweet scent as he did so. "You're going to be the best mom ever!"

"Why thank you sir" Samaire laughed. "And you are already a wonderful father."

Liam smiled as he glanced up into the tree, spotting Skylah having fun amidst the foliage. "I would do anything to keep Little Miss," he slid his right hand protectively over Samaire's belly, and this little angel, safe from all harm." The fact that he had already nearly burned to death saving Skylah, back during The Crossing, proved that fact in spades.

"One day, we will show them Earth again. And we will take our new child to the lochs near our home." She said softly.

This elicited another loving squeeze and kiss from Liam. "Sounds perfect to me. I think, when we get home, we should cash in all the leave we have saved up and just disappear into our home, shutting out the rest of the world for a bit."

"Sounds perfect to me. I have about 5 months leave saved up" Samaire said with a smile. "Not to mention the Long Service leave I have after being in the fleet so long."

"I haven't taken any leave since I transferred to Elysium from Falkirk, so I'm sitting at nearly six months total right now." He snuggled his face against the side of her head as he chuckled softly. "If we aren't careful, we'll end up not wanting to come back from leave."

"Hmm, it's a consideration." Samaire admitted. "Believe me, I have considered it. Before this last mission. I was thinking of looking for a colony posting, but I love this ship."

Liam nodded in agreement, then replied. "Though my brothers are here, and I'd hate to leave 'em, my family's -you, Sky and our baby- safety is my main concern.' He paused a beat, then continued. "We've been extremely lucky so far. Perhaps it would be best to transfer to a colony assignment, or even a starbase. It's certainly something that we will have to consider thoroughly together "

Samaire nodded. "When we get home." She said it like a prayer. They both knew there was little chance of them getting home but it was still kept as a positive in their minds.

Liam nodded quietly, then gently rubbed Samaire's belly for a few beats, enjoying the truth that the new life they had created was growing just under her skin. "I love you, sweetheart." He gently kissed the side of her head .

"I love you too" she said. Then she looked up the tree. "When do we tell her?"

Following her gaze up into the canopy of the large oak, Liam grinned softly as his eyes caught the movements of the little girl that was currently the center of their lives. "Why not tonight at dinner? I'm sure she would be very excited to learn about it."

"Hmm sounds like a good idea. But let's not tell the family for a few more weeks. I do not want to jinx it."

Liam considered the request, then asked softly, "Would Sky be able to keep it secret?"

"I think so. " She paused. "Fine, i will invite everyone for dinner. I will book out one of the ship dining rooms. More room."

Liam twisted slightly to look down into Samaire's face better. "I wasn't meaning that, sweetheart. I agree that we should keep it to ourselves, at least till the second trimester. I was only asking whether you felt Sky could keep the excitement hidden till then."

"Its going to be hard for her to keep it a secret." Samaire said calmly. "She is a kid."

Nodding in understanding, Liam thought back to how he was at that age. "Then perhaps we should wait to tell her too. What do you think?"

Sam nodded. "I think so. It will be our special secret."

Liam smiled that special grin that was reserved for only Samaire, then gently kissed her temple again. "I love you, wife." He murmured against her skin.

She smiled and snuggled down to enjoy the afternoon.