A Great Family

Posted on Sun Jun 23rd, 2019 @ 2:24pm by Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant JG Thav Th'ovohrot

Mission: Fractured Fairy Tales
Location: Lakeside - the Artan family Fortress
Timeline: 2396, after the Tribunal

The Hera's chief engineer let out a slight winch as she lowered herself to the ground. Her pregnancy was starting to show now as her belly was slowly growing in size. It wouldn't be long now before they would have to finish the process and transfer the two eggs to the Anear of her quad.

She leaned against Thav as the two dangled their feet into the fortress lake. He and Oribiar had become quite important to her life in such a little time that it was still a slight shock, but she truly did love the two.

"You okay?" Her security officer asked as he held her tight allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. She felt safe here. Nothing could hurt them.

The lake in question was one of the more remote destinations to relax in at the Artan Orbital Fortress. While the Hera was docked there, the crew was free to take advantage of the amenities of the massive and lavish station. The station was not unlike a resort and was large enough to have a number of natural habitats among its other many pleasures. One of them was this spacious and serene lake environment.

And that remoteness was likely the rationale that allowed the two Andorians to notice their shipmate, and the Hera's chief flight control officer, Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox, taking in a jog around the other side of the lake, heading towards them.

It was clear that the red-headed Romulan was lost in thought, small earbuds in place, with a faraway expression as she ran in a form-fitting pair of black leggings with an emerald green streak going up the legs and a matching green Sports bra with a floppy, wide-necked black t-shirt draped over it all. She almost ran by before noticing the pair as she slowed down to a light jog and tapped on the earbud to turn them off.

"Commander, Lieutenant... sorry to disturb you. I didn't notice you were here." the almost perpetually anxious pilot said as she stopped near them.

"Dox I'm off duty, you don't need to use my rank." Thex said softly as she moved her feet in the lake. It was quite clear her pregnancy was becoming tiring for her.

"It's nice to meet you Lieutenant Dox." Thav said still keeping a firm grip on Thex.

A bit more nervous now, Dox replied with an awkward chuckle. "Sorry. It's... a hard habit to break." In the many months since joining the Hera, the chief engineer was the senior officer that the young pilot was still the least comfortable around. But it was something she wished to change.

"It's nice to meet you too. Well, again. We talked briefly at the party, I believe. But... how are you both doing?" Dox added nervously.

"We're okay. Feel sightly drained from getting everything ready for the two girls." Thav said hugging Thex tighter.

"That's right, twins." Dox said, remembering what little she knew if their situation. "That has to be a lot to prepare for. I can't.. " As she spoke, she paused for a moment as she thought. "Um. I don't mean to bother you, but do you mind if I... uh... asked a question, Thex?"

"Off course Dox. Why don't you take a seat? " The Andorian said gesturing to the spot next to her.

"Thanks." Dox replied as she sat next to the quite pregnant chief engineer. "Well... I was just wondering... um... and I don't mean to pry, but you've really moved the stars to make this happen. Finding everyone and all coming together. How... how did you know you were ready? Ready to... be a mother, I mean."

A smile spread over Thex face as she let out a soft laugh. "Dox, I have no idea if I'm ready for this." She said her hand moving over her belly. "My own childhood was beyond shitty and the closest thing to a parent I know is a space jellyfish. All I know is I have the three people I love with me and we're going to do our best to give these two the best life they can get."

Looking slightly confused, Dox tilted her head slightly. "But you still made the decision and then sought out your quad and then had to go to Asa for assistance. So something had to tell you it was at least what you wanted."

"Mona... she really wants to have children. But I... I don't have any voice telling me that I want that." Dox admitted. "All I have is a voice screaming at me to be afraid." As she spoke, she gesticulated with her hands in an exaggerated shaking motion.

"It's rather hard to explain," Thex added. "I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone and every species. I always wanted children and one day I just woke up and decided if I wanted it I'll have to start making it happen. Have you considered going to the counselor about it if you're worried about what to do?"

Chucking slightly, Dox leaned over her knees. "I have. A lot. I mean, Asa's isn't exactly impartial where I'm concerned. They're my best friend, after all. Everyone tells me that I shouldn't worry. That everyone's convinced that they'll be terrible parents."

Then she leaned back on her hands and looked out over the lake. "When Mona talks about it, I can almost see it, though. Like it's already real. I can almost see them, if that makes any sense."

"We understand. " Thav chipped in. " Have you talked to her about it? "

"Yes." Dox replied, still looking somewhat distant. "We've talked... at length. She's giving me time and space to think about it, but I know how important this is for her. And... then more I think about it myself, the more it feels... inevitable. Not bad, just something where it's like they almost already exist and they're just waiting for me to get out of the way."

"If your feeling nervous I'm sure she'll give you time to get everything sorted out in your head," Thex said. "She's not going to push you into anything you don't want to do."

Figuring it was best to not go into details on just how strong mating urges apparently were for Miradonian's like Mona, Dox instead just nodded. "I... don't know that I don't want it anymore. I'm sorry. I know I'm all over the place. It's just... well obviously a massive decision. And honestly, we don't even know if Asa can make it happen with my copper based blood and all. I guess I just needed to talk to a few people that have made these decisions."

"It's okay it's a big decision. I'm sure Asa can figure something out and you could ask Hera for help. She might be able to do something." Thex suggested.

"If it gets to that, I'm not against it, though I don't want to tax her if we can manage it just with science," Dox added with a slight chuckle as she thought of something. "Although, considering that her influence tends to make people more fertile and the fact that Miradonians can have about FOUR chicks at a time, I don't know If I want Mona getting a cosmic boost in that department."

"Which, I guess, is another element that's kind of scary. The possibility that going into my first attempt at being a parent might very well be with four children all at one." There was a noticeable twinge of awkwardness in Dox's voice. "But... thank you for listening. I didn't mean to interrupt your vacation here, but I do appreciate you making a little time for my nonsense."

"Don't mention it Dox you can come and talk to us if you need someone to talk to," Thex said before a slight grin came across her face. "You know Andorians use to be able to have six kids at once"

The red-headed Romulan's eyes bulged wide as her jaw fell open. "Imirrhlhhse." She cursed in her native Rihan. "So, I guess two isn't that big a deal, proportionately. Plus, four parents to share the load has to help a bit."

As her expression returned to normal, Dox smiled and continued. "Well, if I haven't said so..." she said, looking at Thav, "I'm glad you all found each other. And I'm very glad you're all happy. Those two kids are going to have wonderful parents. AND a shipload of crazy aunts, uncles and everything else."

" Indeed. These two are going to have a great family. " Thex replied rubbing her belly slightly.