by Zander Blakeslee
90317.2230
After Operation Pink Sanity
-=Blakeslee Quarters, USS Serendipity=-
The doors to the Blakeslee family quarters slid open and Zander stepped in, followed closely by his wife. He glanced around and smiled. It seemed like forever since he had last been here, and he had never been happier to be back.
Immediately his legs were incased in the loving embrace of his children’s tiny arms and legs.
“Daddd'sss baaaaack!!!” They both cheered with joy.
He struggled to break the boys hold on his legs and kneeled down, scooping both of them up into his arms and hugging them tightly.
“I missed you both so much!” He whispered to them both as he kissed their foreheads in turn.
He continued into the living space of their quarters, carrying the boys with him. He refused to put them down, even to the protests of Samthia, who worried about his numerous injuries that were not completely healed. She recalled how grave his injuries were and how he was almost lost to her. She was determined not to lose him to Sickbay again.
Feeling his legs getting weak, Zander flopped onto the couch while still holding both of the boys. They laughed and giggled, happy to have their father and perpetual playmate back. They wiggled and tossed as Zander began to tickle each in turn.
Samthia’s happiness at having her husband and her children’s father back was evident by the broad smile that showed on her face. Zander could feel her happiness and relief from were he sat, roughhousing with his sons.
Still enough was enough and Samthia was not going to have Zander returned to Sickbay because his was playing with his sons. She clapped her hands and got the attention of the trio on the couch.
“Boys, your father is still sick and the doctor told him to rest and not to strain himself so he can get better.” She explained. Her voice was as always melodic and soft.
“Now go and get washed up for dinner.” She ordered as she peeled the children off one at a time and patted them on their bums to get them moving.
They both walked off to the bathroom slowly, obviously chagrinned to have their play interrupted by mom, and both were sure that dinner would be something they hated, like Andorian peas.
“I would swear they both grew two inches and gained five pounds since I last seen them.” Zander commented as he struggled to regain his breath.
Samthia looked with concern on her husband. She could hear the wheezing in his lungs clearly. He had overexerted himself.
“My One, you should not be straining yourself. Doctor Hartcort instructed you to relax and not to overexert yourself.” She lamented.
Zander grabbed her wrist and pulled her small frame to his lap and kissed her passionately reveling in the all too familiar sensation of physical contact with a Deltan.
When he finally broke the kiss, he smiled devilishly at her. “I can’t exert myself… at all?”
She returned the smile then kissed him again. She slowly stood and pulled him up from the couch. “No, not at all. I’ll have to do all of the work.”
She released his hand and returned to the kitchen to put the meal on the table as Johannes and Thomas ran from the bathroom and took their seats.
Zander stared at his wife for a moment longer. “Damn, it’s good to be home.”
-=Later=-
[So, are you sure that the doctor was confident in you ability to breath? How about humidity? What did he tell you to set it at?”]
Zander rubbed his eyes. “Mom, I am sure that he would not have released me if there was any danger. Humidity? Are you serious?”
The image on the screen of Helva Blakeslee showed a mixture of concern for her son and contempt for whatever crackpot Starfleet doctor treated him. [Yes! If it is too dry you might need an inhaler.]
“I’m fine, and I am sure the humidity is fine too.”
His mother crossed her arms and sighed. [I just don’t want you to be neglected because some Starfleet doctor wanted you out of his Sickbay so he could go and play the back nine at Pebble Beach while the ship was in port. Maybe I should come up.]
“NO!” Zander practically shouted.
Helva’s brows furrowed together. [Why not?]
Zander sighed. “There is no need to take time away from your research. I am fine. Samthia is here, and Doctor Hartcort is not off the ship, so if anything should happen he’ll be here.”
The look on his mother face was anything but convinced. [Will you come down and visit then?]
Zander sighed. The worry on her face was more then he could bear. The pain that she went through with his father and Starfleet was still very evident. She obviously feared for her son.
“Sure, in a day or two. The boys would be ecstatic to see their grandmother.”
[What about you? Won’t you be happy to see your mother?]
Zander smiled. “Of course. Just do me a favor and don’t mother hen me,” he smiled. “I need the boys to feel that their father is strong and what happened is not a big deal.”
[Oh Zander. It was a big deal. You should not… hide the reality of the dangers. You understood when… what happened to your father.]
“I was older. A lot older when dad was injured.” He shook his head. “Even then I did not handle things well. I don’t want the boys to have to deal with anything that deep now. They can stay oblivious for a while longer and just be kids.”
There was a long pause, as neither cared to continue the conversation down the unhappy path it had veered.
“Let’s meet at the house on Friday,” Zander finally spoke. “I’ll contact the property management folks and have them open it up and get a fire going. We’ll have a big meal and get together.”
There was a pause. [Yes. That sounds wonderful.]
“Ok then. We’ll see you in a few days. Make sure you pack warmly because it’s winter up there,” he smiled. “I’m fine mom. Love you.”
[I love you too, son.]
The screen went dark.
Zander spun around in the chair and looked over at his wife who was still cleaning up the table. “Honey pack up the winter clothes, were going on vacation for a few days.”
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Commander Zander Blakeslee
Chief Security Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Commander Zander Blakeslee
Chief Security Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012