Baby Talk

Posted on 08 Sep 2014 @ 8:45am by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

1,643 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD09, 0800hrs

[ON]

A brief nap later, following Jaana's visit, T'Vanna woke to the shrill cries of her baby. "Shhhh," she soothed, picking up the screaming infant. "Are you hungry already?" she murmured, baring her breast and offering it to the baby. To preserve some modesty, she covered herself up with part of her bedsheet, also to avoid drawing much attention from any other patients. She was so engrossed with her child, that at first she didn't notice her new visitor.

Hidden behind a bouquet of flowers and a stuffed glommer toy, Oren felt his heart almost melt at the sight of T'Vanna with her baby. There was just something incredibly sweet and intimate about a mother feeding her baby that made something primitively protective rise inside him.

"Hello there," he said, keeping his voice below his usual volume so as not to disturb the pair. "I hope this isn't a bad time."

Looking up, the Vulcan woman looked briefly startled before smile spread across her face. "Ohhh not at all. Sit sit, don't keep standing. This'll only take a few minutes." She pulled the blanket back just enough for the El-Aurian to admire the little girl. "She was born last night, it all went quite quick really."

"Hello there," Oren said quietly, looking down at the baby in awe. He looked back up at T'Vanna. "She's perfect," he said. "Congratulations." He leaned back to give her some space once again. "I got these for you." He held up the bouquet. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just went with the symbolism. They're for good luck, health and prosperity," Oren explained before going to replicate a vase and some water. He placed it next to her bed and arranged the flowers to look more presentable.

"That's very kind of you." While he went to get the vase and settle the flowers, T'Vanna finished feeding her child. "Would you like to hold her?"

Oren looked excited at the offer. "Can I?" he asked, as if she hadn't just offered. "I'd love to!" Shuffling forward, he held his arms out in what he hoped was the correct way if his memory served him right.

Sitting up, she handed him the tiny child, carefully positioning his arms to what she felt was right. "Her name is Emmaline," she offered, smiling brightly, "and I named her after the doctor who delivered her too. "Tuula. Emmaline Tuula Murray. But no doubt everyone'll just call her Emma."

"Hello Emmaline," Oren said, looking down at the baby's cute little face. "Welcome." He gently rocked her, then remembered the toy. "Look what I got you." Oren took the toy and showed it to the baby. "It's a glommer. It's to keep you safe from all of these Tribbles. You can name it anything you want."

He looked up at T'Vanna. "How are you doing?" With all the attention being paid to the baby, Oren thought it was prudent to make sure T'Vanna still got the right amount of attention. The baby would get enough from its mother soon enough.

"Oh I'm fine, getting a bit tired of being stuck here, but I have to wait for the doctor to come and check in, and release me to quarters. Maybe even light duty. How about you? Busy day ahead of you?"

"I think everyone is having a busy day with these Tribbles around," Oren said, letting Emmaline grab his finger and squeeze it. He couldn't get over how tiny she was! It was amazing to thing that she'd grow up to be an actual person one day, with a job and relationships.

"How long before you have to return to duty?"

"Have to? I don't know, that depends on what the doctor says," T"Vanna replied, a little irritable. "If it were up to me, in a few hours. I can't have nothing to do, and when Emma sleeps, I have nothing to do." She watched him with her daughter. "You're a natural, you know that right? Father, I mean."

Oren smiled, but looked a little nervous. "You think?" he asked, looking down at the baby in his arms. She seemed to be dozing off.

Certain of her statement, the young woman nodded. "I do. And she's not crying is she? She feels safe with you, no doubt."

"She's just well fed," he said, not willing to agree with T'Vanna just yet. "But, I'd like to have a baby one day. Or... you know, a dozen." He giggled, blushing slightly at the admission.

"Well, given the life-span you El-Aurians have, no doubt you will. And you're always welcome to spend time with Emma."

Oren smiled. "Thank you. Like I told you before, if you need a babysitter, I'm here." At the mention of his life-span, he looked back down at the baby. As he realised that he'd actually outlive the small, fresh life in his arms, Oren felt as if someone had doused him with ice cold water.

Seeing the change in him, T'vanna reached out and touched his arm. "Oren, what's wrong?" she asked, concern creasing her slanted brows.

He looked up at her and shook his head, trying to shake the feeling off. "Nothing, it's just....Nothing. Do you want her back?" he asked, already holding her out.

"Sure." She accepted her daughter back, then placed the sleeping child back into her crib. "I'm sure it's not nothing...you almost went white on me. I thought you'd faint. Talk to me, what bothers you?"

Oren looked up at her, feeling uncomfortable at bringing up something so morbid about a child T'Vanna had just given birth to.

"I just...I realised that I'm seventy-five years older than Emmaline and I'll still outlive her by centuries."

"Oh, she'll probably outlive your average Human too...she has Vulcan genes and they tend to be dominant. And you look much younger than you are so you have that in your advantage. But yes...when she's old, you'll still look much younger than her." She smiled. "But who knows, maybe she'll grace you with her presence for several years. At least while growing up, right?"

Oren nodded, secretly glad that T'Vanna had taken the comment well. Talking about your child's eventual death hours after it's birth wasn't what most parents would consider polite.

"I suppose you're right. It was just a depressing thought. Sometimes I actually forget about it. Living for such a long time."

"Carpe diem?" T'Vanna smiled, reaching out to him again. "You'll be fine, and you'll live a happy life, doing whatever you love doing most." She nodded to the crib. "As will she."

The El Aurian smiled at that. "Of course she will. She's got a good mom who knows just what to say."

"Nah, I'm just making this up as I go. Besides, I'm talking to an El-Aurian here....don't you make people say the right thing at the right time?" She smirked at him as she spoke.

Oren chuckled. "Well that's because we know what people want to hear all the time," he supplied.

"Oh, do you?" T'Vanna challenged, smirking at him. "What do I want to hear now then?"

He didn't reply as he tried to gauge her emotional state to the best of his ability. It wasn't something he had honestly tried to do consciously before.

"You and Emmaline will be fine on your own," he finally said.

"Of course we will," she answered him, surprise registering on her face. "My parents are nowhere near, and I've no-one else. Husband wise, I mean."

"You'll find a way. You have friends," he told her with a reassuring smile. "Friends are usually more reliable than partners anyway," he added knowingly as he glanced at the sleeping infant.

"Seems that way." Her smile widened. "And so far, I seem to have two friends already."

The El-Aurian looked up at T'Vanna again, giving her a playful smile. "But I'm like, your best friend, right?" Oren asked with a mock tone of jealousy that seemed to fit his overall teenager-like appearance and demeanor.

Leaning over, grimacing ever so slightly, she kissed his cheek. "Of course you are!"

"Aww," Oren grinned before wrapping his arms around T'Vanna's shoulders and giving her cheek a kiss as well.

"Aww," T'Vanna echoed, blushing emerald. "Be careful...prying eyes might think we're dating. Don't want people to get the wrong idea, for both our sakes."

"What? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?" he asked in a stage whisper.

"Not at all. But you might not want to be seen with an 'older woman' you know," she grinned back at him. "Unless you want to create some gossip and see where it leads? You know...a little project..."

"Oh, you evil, wicked person!" Oren said with a bright grin, looking positively thrilled. "I think I just fell a little in love with you," he admitted.

"Oh did you now, well that might just work then." She pulled him closer, their lips touching. "Just an experiment," she reminded him playfully, "anthropology and intelligence combined. And the nurses are watching." Giving him all the room he needed in case he wanted to pull back, she deepened the kiss.

Parting his lips slightly to respond, Oren's hand instinctively reached up to gently cup her face, caressing her right cheek with his thumb.

"I might fall in love too," she teased, a little breathless after the kiss. "You should go now...don't want doc to come and chase you out."

"Alright," Oren agreed. "You take care of yourself, okay? Again, anything you need, just say so." Leaning over, he kissed her cheek again.

"Alright. I promise." She smiled back at him as she watched him go.

[OFF]

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Asst Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

&

Oren Idris
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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