Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Stars, Stories, and Cherry Pastries

[Natasha Schell]

((Richards-Dakora Family Quarters Deck 6, USS Artemis))

 

Natasha shifted the two stuffed animals into her palms, holding them out with a small grin, she admittedly agonized over this decision far longer than anyone would expect.

 

Richards: That is really sweet. Thank you.

 

Cole: Yours, though… I’ll need to borrow your replicator for that one.

 

Richards: It’s right over there. Help yourself. 

 

One of her babies started to let out small cries, just before Sam scooped them both up and began to rock them slowly with a slight bounce that was instinctual to anyone familiar with soothing babies. Natasha smiled at that as she walked over towards the replicator. She knew Sam would have motherhood down.

 

Cole: Looks like they are making themselves at home. ::tapping through the menus:: how are you doing?

 

Richards: Oh yeah, they seem to be adjusting well. As for me… I’m figuring things out as I go. 

 

Natasha smiled as she found she was able to access her personal replicator menu from here. She tapped a few buttons giving Samantha access and set the replicator to prepare two.

 

Cole: I remember taking care of Juno, when Mom and ::exhaled sigh:: the Commander, would be away on field research or assignments. It can be overwhelming, but ::looking at the babies:: also rewarding.

 

Natasha noticed Sam peek around her as she bounced the babies.

 

Richards: So… What is it?

 

Cole: This is a family recipe that has been entrusted to me by my Aunt Rea, though I’m still not sure if she’s related by blood, fate, or some classified paradox. She just… appears when she knows I need her. But trust me, one bite, and you’ll understand why we don’t ask questions.

 

Richards: Now I’m even more interested!

 

Cole: ::stepping to the side as the replicator finished with a flourish of her hand:: Ta da …My Aunt Rea’s Cherry Pastries, topped with Whipped Cream of course.

 

Richards: Gifts like this and you’ll have to stop by more often.

 

Cole: Would you like me to hold one of them, so you could eat?

 

Richards: If you want to take Mr. Grump here, I can set Leera down in her sweet little chair that her uncle Nathan took forever to put together.

 

Carefully, Sam passed the small boy over to Nat and then rested Leera down in a high tech, state-of-the-art, anti-grav, bouncy chair that was nearby and turned it on. Slowly making motions similar to what Sam was previously doing. 

 

Cole: I will happily entertain Mr. Grumpy::making popping noises and smiling::

 

Richards: ::Grabbing one of the pastries and taking a bite:: Oh… My… ::Covering her mouth with her hand:: Nat this is incredible! 

 

Cole: Aunt Rea claims she stopped a war once with them, I like to believe she has.

 

Natasha glanced at Sam as she took another bite, before giving Aven her full focus, smiling at him as he watched her hair bounce as she swayed and rocked him gently.

 

Richards: You just have the one sibling? ::Taking another bite and gesturing towards Aven:: You’re pretty good with him. 

 

Cole: The only one I helped raise. After Mom and the Commander divorced … he got the family he wanted. So I do have two half-siblings, but I rarely see them.

 

Richards: Response

 

Cole: Juno, they're great. They want to design starship interiors. I might let them help decorate my quarters. ::making a silly face at Aven, using a playful voice:: Or maybe they can pick out a plant. What do you think, hmm?

 

Aven giggled, which made Natasha laugh too, a bright, honest sound.

 

Richards: Response

 

Cole: There’s nothing better than a baby’s laugh. Well, unless you hear it in an empty corridor. Then it’s horrifying.

 

Richards: Response

 

Tags/TBC

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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4