Reunion

Posted on 25 Mar 2016 @ 2:25pm by Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lian Zhao & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas

1,644 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Starbase 84
Timeline: MD11 - early afternoon

ON:

[Starbase 84]

Materializing on the Starbase, Min contained her emotions as best she could but inside emotions were turning over like a boiling pot as the moments came closer to her reunion with her daughter. 'Their' daughter she corrected herself, holding Jared's hand as she tried not to let tears form in her eyes. She knew she was going to fail and she felt herself tremble as Jared held her.

"I'm sorry Jared." She whispered in her husbands ear.

"And what do you have to be sorry for Min?" he asked her.

"Nothing. Everything." Min buried her face in his chest. "I just want to hold Lian in my arms and never let her go."

"I know what you mean, "I want to hold both of you and never let go."

Min gently stroked her husband's cheek as she pulled away, sniffling a little, but smiling, "You mean three of us. You did impregnate me on our wedding night if you will recall." Min gave Jared a quick peck on the cheek before she wiped the tear away. "Now let's go get our daughter shall we?"

"I do remember," Jared said with a slight chuckle, "I remember quite well as a matter of fact." He took her hand as the moved forward.

Following Jared, the two of them walked silently through the corridors to the care center where the Galileo children were being looked after. As they entered, a young lady smiled over at them. "Min & Jared Nicholas. If you'll follow me please, I am sure you wish to get reacquainted with your daughter."

"Absolutely," Jared responded, but he held back ever so slightly so that Min would be the first face Lian saw.

Min followed the lady as they went into the nursery area. As they entered, Min could see Lian was being held by another lady and she had to force herself to not race over there and snatch her daughter back.

The lady must have guessed when Min's eyes set upon Lian as she quietly stood and carried the sleeping child over to Min. "You must be happy to see your daughter again." she remarked.

Min nodded, choking back more tears as she looked down in her daughter's peaceful sleeping face. Taking her daughter into her arms, Min gently stroked the child's little cheek, tears streaming down her face.

Jared moved to Min's side, one hand wrapping around her waist, he kissed her briefly on the cheek and whispered, "It's okay my love, we're altogether now."

Min looked up, smiling as best she could. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"It was our pleasure Min. We're just glad you got back in one piece to see her again." The nurse turned to the receptionist. "Unless the parent's want to review the care logs, I think it's safe to release Lian to them."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Jared said, "as long as she's healthy and there are no issues. I think we just want to take her so we can spend time with her, let her get to know us all over again."

The nurse nodded, "Of course. We'll forward her records to your ship's medical team for her file." She smiled at them, "Now both of you scoot."

Jared looked deep into Min's eyes, "Are you ready?" he asked.

"I think so." Holding Lian close, Min followed Jared out of the care center and into the bustle of the main station. "Can we find somewhere quiet Jared, doesn't have to be secluded but somewhere I can nurse Lian. I think we both need that right now."

"Of course," Jared responded, there's a couple of nice restaurants, I'm sure wouldn't mind and We could use holosuite. I've got a new program, an English garden,we could try."

"Sounds fun. Lead the way." As they started walking, Min paused. "Jared? Do you want to hold Lian. I'm sorry I just glommed onto her when we got there, didn't give you a chance to hold her."

"Don't worry dear," Jared said as they walked, "but I would like to hold her later. You know after the two of you have a chance to catch up and bond."

Min nodded, "Let me get her nursing again and you can hold her after." She kissed her husband, grateful he understood her need to bond with her daughter.

"Of course dear," Jared said as they reached the holodeck. "You sure the garden is okay."

"It's fine. We're on a holodeck so anywhere quiet and peaceful is fine." She glanced down at Lian, who was squirming a little in her arms and starting to make yowly noises because she wanted Mom to feed her.

Jared opened the holodeck and the small family stepped inside. He quickly downloaded his program and the orange and black grid was almost instantly replaced by green grass, bright sun, and a cool breeze.

Min looked around, enjoying the open space, the breeze and sun. Fake though they were it was far better then being cooped up in the tin can they called home.

"Hey," said Jared, half to himself, "this isn't bad. I was going mostly on some research I did, but it looks pretty realistic. I'm going to to take a look around like you take care of the little one. I'll be back in just a few minutes.

Min nodded, letting Jared wander off as she turned her attention back to Lian who was squirming and pawing at the breast just out of reach. "Your hungry little one. Or just happy to see Mom and Dad." She remarked as she adjusted her shirt, easing Lian up against her chest.

Jared strode the grounds for ten minutes letting his wife and daughter reunite, before he returned. "How are my two favorite girls doing?" he asked.

Min looked up when she heard Jared's voice. Lian was contently suckling on her mother, eyes half closed like she was sleepy. "Lian is peaceful. She hasn't let go since I sat down." She motioned for her husband to sit down beside her. "How are you doing Jared? This last mission was, wow."

He sat down beside her snuggling close. "The last mission was impossible" he said to her, "but we pulled through it somehow. Did I tell you I love you today?"

Min leaned her head against Jared. "No but I like to be reminded." She let out a sigh, "Are we doing the right thing Jared? Expanding our family while assigned to a Nova class ship? These aren't exactly family friendly ships and after the last mission, I wonder if we are not better off transferring to a larger ship, one that is better suited to a growing family like ours."

"I like the Galileo and that it's a science ship. But I love you. And if you want to transfer to a different ship, I'm okay with that."

"I'm not sure honestly Jared. I like the Galileo as well but for a pure science vessel we seem to get all the trouble assignments. And I'm not sure how the command staff will react when they realize I'm pregnant again. I'll be over 20 weeks along when leave is over, just over half way. I don't know if I can hide that, not with twins."

"Then let's be proactive. Let's go to them together and share our concerns. They seem to be pretty fair. Maybe they'll even have a solution."

"That is the smart thing to do. Own up to our choices. I didn't do that years ago and look what happened. Holliday accepted me on the basis I'd truly changed." Min kissed Jared. "Though that meeting isn't going to be a cake walk by any means."

"No it won't the last time I met with them I'd done something stupid myself. Did I tell you about it?"

"You got in trouble for getting laid by the bartender in the lounge when it was closed if I recall. Nearly got kicked off?"

"Not exactly, but close enough it was the chef in the kitchen. I'd been here like a week."

Min smiled. "Seems so long ago now doesn't it? About the same time I was busy trying to convince several admirals that they should me back into Starfleet. And now look at us, married, a daughter, two more on the way, and both doing what we love." She winked. "And who."

"Oh, that's for sure. I haven't thought of, you know, another guy, or woman for that matter. I'm really glad we have a family now. Though I'm not so sure how the higher ups will feel."

Min adjusted Lian, sliding her shirt back down and handing the now fed little one to Jared to hold. "Higher ups are fine with families on ships, just not the smaller ones. If we were on a larger class like a Luna or Nebula, this wouldn't even be a concern."

Jared took the infant, being sure to support her head and held her up to his shoulder, "Which is why we need to talk to them and possibly find a ship to raise our family."

"Yeah. Right now though I think I just want to get as far away from the Galileo as we can. Go spend leave on earth, maybe find a quiet place we can hide for a couple months. After that we can talk to Holliday & Saalm, then see where we want to go from there. If we end up off the ship, it won't be for doing anything wrong this time."

Still holding Lian, Jared smiled and leaned over and kissed his wife. After the kiss broke he said, "No it won't. Let's hope we don't have to move at all."

OFF:

JP by

Lieutenant Min Nicholas
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

&&

Lt. Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

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