Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek: An Unforgettable Evening, Part 1
Lael Rosek
((Observation Lounge, Deck 6, USS Chin’toka))
{{Time Index: New Year’s Eve, Evening}}
Serala: Okay, sure. :: she held Bean out to the other woman and allowed her to take the infant :: She loves the attention anyway.
Lael sat in a chair near Serala and accepted the infant carefully, smiling at her. For a moment, T’Saara looked as though she might cry. Brushing her fingers along the outer apple of the little girl’s cheek, she lowered her mental shields and projected gentle waves of calm all while bouncing the girl lightly on her knee as Serala had been moments ago.
Rosek: ::murmurs:: Mhrah, mhrah, ouye daeftan. Hwiiy gaenoh. Arhem dhat oallea. (There, there, beautiful girl. You’re okay. I don’t bite.)
Serala: Yes, my little gloryhound. She loves the attention, for certain.
Rosek: ::grins:: I think that’s relatively normal for babies in general. They crave stimulation and interaction, particularly with their caregivers. There’s nothing in this universe like the way those little eyes look at you and the way their little hands reach for you when they see you.
Serala: You are always welcome to come by and visit. You don’t need an excuse. But T’Prel is my sister-in-law, my husband’s sister, and she looks after Bean when I have to be away, so a babysitter isn't really necessary.
She chuckled, not in the least bit surprised. Serala likely had volunteers lining the ship’s corridors for a few moments with this precious little wonder. She pressed her lips gently to T’Saara’s cheek and blew a playful raspberry. When she pulled back, she saw the infant’s wide smile so she did it again, this time earning a giggle from the little one. A third raspberry and again, T’Saara laughed clapping her hands against Lael’s cheeks in a non-verbal gesture that she could have sworn meant again.
Rosek: ::smirks:: I may just take you up on that. ::turns to Serala:: My daughter, Maddy, has been helping out in the ship’s nursery. ::grins:: She was hooked from the moment she stepped in there and I’ve been told she’s very good with the young ones. I’m sure she’d love a playdate or two with T’Saara.
At the infant’s insistent patting of her cheeks, Lael blew yet another raspberry against the girl’s cheek and smiled affectionately. She’d nearly forgotten how at peace she felt with a little one in her arms. Despite the exhaustion, she’d always been eager for the times her alternate universe counterpart left Jax in her care.
Rosek: ::pauses:: I’ve heard Anjar Thoran is aboard. He has a daughter, Liara, who is a close friend of Maddy’s. In fact, he and his partner are watching Maddy tonight while Chythar and I are here. ::smiles:: Liara is very good with little ones also. I would be willing to bet the girls would make wonderful playmates for T’Saara despite the age gap.
Serala: I have no doubt, you are correct.
Rosek: ::inclines her head:: If you’re agreeable, maybe we can set up a time for the girls to meet each other and play.
Serala: Well, have you ever considered having another baby?
Her gaze wandered toward Chythar and she smiled affectionately. They’d talked about it a few times since adopting Maddy, but it hadn’t seemed like the right time to pursue it given that they were still adjusting to life as a family. After everything Maddy had been through, she deserved some time as the central focus of her and Chythar’s affections.
Rosek: ::gaze returns to Serala:: Maybe down the road, yes. ::smiles:: I’d very much like a son. ::smirks:: He’d likely be the spitting image of his father. Though I don't think Chythar would be adverse to another girl.
Serala: Well, I wish you well in that. I never knew how much of a blessing a child could be. Her father may be gone, but she eases the pain. And her youthful innocence lightens my heart.
As if summoned, Chythar appeared at her side. She smiled by way of greeting, not wanting to let go of the little one just yet.
Skyfire: I was supposed to get you one of those spiced Al-Leyan teas, wasn’t I?
Rosek: ::smiles:: You did, honey. An iced one. But… :gaze flickers to her mostly empty glass on a nearby table:: I wouldn’t mind a refill
Skyfire: I’ll get on that, darling.
Rosek: ::nods:: Thank you.::pauses and turns to Serala:: Would you like anything?
Serala: I’ll have a cup of aesohll please, with lemon.
Skyfire: Back in a minute.
She half-listened to the conversation, more interested in T’Saara’s toothless smile. Her gaze flickered to Chythar, wondering if it was too soon to discuss expanding their little family. Maddy was an easy child and was very independent. Though the young girl was still healing from some of the psychological wounds the recent past had left, she seemed to be adjusting well to their somewhat odd circumstances.
Serala: You really are good with children.
A wane smile crossed her lips. Between Jax, Elina’s little ones, and Dassa’s son Ayden, she’d learned how to play with them. She longed to share intimate moments like this with her own children. For so long, it had been about her career. A family of her own had fallen by the wayside. But the events of the last year had forced her to re-evaluate her priorities.
Her gaze flickered to Chythar, who was across the room retrieving drinks and her smile widened. He would make a good father. She still looked back with disbelief and humility at times on the conversation where they’d decided to adopt Maddy.
Though he’d been nervous about the commitment, he had really stepped up. In the months since, he’d proven himself to be a doting, dedicated father to their little girl. Finally, she had a family of her own and was gradually growing past all of the insecurities she’d had from her father’s absence.
Rosek: Thank you.
Serala: Well, Little Bean is pretty much all I have left of my husband. And she’s an only child. I worry for her when she gets older. She’s going to need a good father figure in her life.
Rosek: ::smiles:: I’m sure she’ll thrive. After all, she has several solid male role models aboard this ship alone.
Not a moment later, Chythar returned with a fresh drink, setting it down on the table beside her. She somehow managed to contain laughter as she saw Chythar look to their first officer, acknowledging the woman’s presence.
Skyfire: I apologize, I should be better at this by now. Doctor Chythar Skyfire, at your service.
She covered the chuckle by blowing more raspberries on T’Saara’s cheeks, then balanced the little one on her knee, clapping their girl’s hands together. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Serala smirk and rolled her eyes, then shaking her head.
Serala: Oh, I am nobody important, Doctor. Nice to meet you.
Rosek: Chythar, this is our first officer, Commander Serala. ::smiles down at T’Saara:: And this is her precious girl T’Saara. ::tickles under the infant’s chin:: Isn’t that right, sweetie?
Skyfire: A pleasure to meet you, Serala. :: Then, to Lael :: One Al-Leyan iced tea as requested.
Serala: Likewise, Doctor. I hope you brought my aesohll.
Skyfire: Response
She shifted the little one so that she was safely supported on one arm before taking a long drink of the iced tea sitting nearby. The sugar that Chythar had added brought out the notes of lemon he’d added to this particular brew, the cardamon providing a nice contrast.
Serala: Thank you, Doctor. It’s never a good idea to forget your First Officer’s tea… :: she threw him a playful grin before turning back to Lael :: By the way, Commander….Lael. I was wondering if you could swing by my quarters and adjust the environmental controls? My Romulan blood doesn’t like the normal ambient temperature of the ship. I would love to be able to get away to some warmth in my own quarters.
Rosek: ::chuckles:: I’ll take a peek tomorrow. ::smirks:: I seem to remember having to putz with the environmental controls in Commander Blake’s quarters aboard the Veritas. Something about her unique physiology being sensitive to the temperature in her quarters also.
The sound of glass being tapped drew her attention and she turned in the direction of the sound to find Mei standing at the front of the room. She sat the glass down and once again shifted T’Saara in her arms, focusing on Mei.
Mei’konda: Good evening, my officers and our guests. Thaank you for attending this paarty tonight. I appreciaate you all being here.
She grinned when she saw Mei reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulling out a few small boxes, then laying them out on the dining table next to him. It had been a rougher mission for some than for others. From what she’d read of the after-action reports, Lephi had been the one most greatly affected. Though she was glad they’d all come back relatively in one piece, she was also relieved that she’d finally gotten through a mission without being injured.
Mei’konda: At the end of the year, you were asked by Starfleet to return to a plaace where many of you have bad memories. Under the command of a new Captaiin, on board a new starship. It could have gone badly, but you all performed admiraably, and more importantly, I believe we improved relaations between the Federation and the people of the Republic. Most importantly, we all came back alive.
A smile turned up the corners of her lips. She really hadn’t done much with regard to diplomacy and it was the former crew of the Atlantis who had made the greatest sacrifice. Her gaze flickered to Serala. It was the place where the woman had lost and gained something in relatively short order.
She recalled the emotional struggle her alternative self had gone through thinking her Jansen dead and gone, left with a baby to raise on her own. She’d seen the pain in the woman’s eyes, one that she’d seen earlier in Serala’s. The pain of losing one’s spouse or partner was incomparable and was one she hoped to never experience.
Mei’konda: For that reason, Starfleet Command has approved my request to award every member of this crew the Diplomacy Ribbon. Congratulations, everyone.
Smiling, she clapped as best as she could with a baby in her arms. T’Saara seemed pleased with the new movement and squealed with delight.
Any: Responses
Mei’konda: First, I would like Commander Raga and Lieutenant Lephi to join me.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the two officers approach, both of them individuals she’d had the pleasure of working with relatively closely. Lephi had proven herself time and again to be so much more than another officer. She was confident that the young Ferengi had a bright future in the fleet.
Mei’konda: Commander, Lieutenant, for your efforts on the surface of Tibro IV and injuries sustaained while living up to Starfleet’s highest standards, you are both being awaarded the Purple Heart. Through the pain you suffered, you spaared others from suffering the same. Thank you for your serviice.