Family Time (Fells & Lea)

[Leanna Mazal]

[Apartment]

After a fun filled day and with Ari in bed, Lea was glad to change into comfortable clothes, before settling on the bed. She knew that Fells planned to contact his family and would be there to not only speak to them but also to support her beloved.

However when he asked if she had thought of any names for the baby, Lea smiled as she answered him. " There is one that I quite like and that's Aven, it's a Betazoid name but whatever we decide, I would like to include my Dad's name Jac if we can".

It was definitely important to Lea to remember her late father in some way, but for now her attention moved to Fells as he told her that his parents where home. Listening when he then explained the reason why he hadn't spoken to them until now.

" I understand Babe, I'll be here to help you through it" she said as she reached out with a reassuring hand.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[bedroom]
"I'm not sure what to expect...but cetrainly not the kind of understanding that you show me."
He stated very matter of factly.
It actually took Fells some getting over himself to push the dial button. He could feel his heart rate pick up when he heard the ring. Yes, he was very nervous.

It was his mother, who answered the video call.
Her surprise was very obvious because she hadn't seen her son in years.
The woman had become a little older but she was still beautufil with light blue eyes and long grey hair. A very natural lady.
"Fells!" Her hand flew to her mouth.
Noise could be heard in the background. Someone rummaging around.
"hvernig hefurðu það? Ég hef ekki séð þig svona lengi!"
For once in his life he did not know what to say so he simply stated.
"Já, of lengi." Of course he was aware that Lea would not understand them now, but right now it was all about his mother.
"Fyrirgefðu." His voice was cracking up as he looked down at his lap.
"Af því að þú gleymdir okkur?" Her eyes looked straight at the screen.
"No, I didn't forget you." He answered in a low voice.
"Ég skammaðist mín."

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

His matter of fact answer, was to be expected due to what he was about to do and all Lea could do was, be a reassuring presence. She had never really be in this type of situation but understood its importance to her beloved especially with the baby. In fact the discussion about names could wait as he plucked up the courage to call his parents. Staying close but out of the screen for now, until it was time for her to be introduced and whilst she didn't understand the language, could pick up on the tone and emotions behind the conversation.

Even his body language wasn't difficult to understand as she placed her hand on his thigh, squeezing it reassuringly as she took notice of Fells' mother with her light blue eyes and long grey hair.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Bedroom]
He felt the supportive touch on his thigh, which gave him some reassurance as the conversation continued in Icelandic.

"Sure you are ashamed. You should be, Fells. What you've done was wrong but you paid for it."

Suddenly his father sat down next to his mother. The man looked just like his son but innhis 70ies. He had fair skin and grey hair but dark eyes.
"The question I nevee got to ask because you decided not to contact us anymore is...."
Fells wanted to explain himself but remained quiet.
"Have you actually learned something?"
His stare was hard and it was easy to tell how ferocious his father could be.
"They can put you in prison or on a onely planet but only fill your heart with hate....make you a worse person. What have you become, son?"
Fells swallowed hard. He wasn't used to this kind of directness anymore.
"I understand what I've done wrong and deeply regret it but I also hate them for leaving me to die."
A moment of silence passed.
"Will you act upon it?"
"No..."
Fells briefly looked at Lea who could read the whole Icelandic conversation in a small translator box on the bottom of the screen if she wanted to.

"I've got good reason to be a better man." He switched to English now and waved her over.
"About a year ago a doctor contacted you from a Starbase. I was too sick to speak to you. It's not that I didn't want to. But she cured me and I rejoined Starfleet. I came to Starbase Columbus where I met Lea."

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

His response to her reassuring touch, was felt emotionally, wanting him to draw strength as the conversation continued. In fact she never let go as Fells spoke to his parents, noticing how much he looked like his Father. Gaining further understanding rather than just the emotions involved as she saw the translation on screen.

However as he looked to her briefly, she smiled, especially when her beloved switched to English  and wanted her to move closer. Taking a deep breath as he spoke about her, then moved so that his parents could see her properly.

" Hello, I'm Lea, it's good to meet you both".

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Bedroom]
Both parents inspected her trying to figure out who or what she was.
"Hi." His mother said, then His father as well. "Hello. Are yiu his girl friend?"
His father knew that women could be a powerful source.
"Yes, she is. Has been for almost a year even though she knows what I've done. You can speak freely."
His father nodded. "That's good. Secrets are no good"
Then he turned his eyes on Lea. "And you don't mind?"
It was hard to believe. "We're his parents and we still struggle with it."
That gave Fells heart a sting. He never wanted them to suffer because of his bad choices.
"I'm sorry about that. I never wanted it to impact on you...or Lea."
"People talk....they call you names...."
Fells averted his gaze because once again he was filled with regret.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

The way they inspected her, was to be expected and yet quickly realised that she hadn't introduced herself as much as she had thought. Still given the nature of the conversation, it was understandable as Fells then confirmed his Father's question.

Feeling the regret within her beloved as they spoke of how they still struggled with what he had done and how he hadn't wanted it to impact on any of them.

" I don't mind at all, as I could see how it affected him, how he's worked so much to learn from it, to make changes and want to be better" she replied softly.

" Besides, I believe in second chances and I love your son dearly, we're stronger than ever, we live together and .... she paused and looked to Fells.

" Would you like to tell them?, or should we tell them together?.

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Bedroom]
He was far from ready. He was thankful for her words...how she explained that he had changed but he couldn't possibly tell them the good news just yet. His throat was tight with emotion.

"It's nice to hear that from you, Lea. And I'm grateful he found someone who accepts him. Are you getting married?" His mother asked.

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

For a moment Lea wasn't sure how his parents would react to what she had said. However when they did, she knew it was genuine, although at his Mother's question, she could be just as honest with her.

" Not quite, although when that day does come, I would be extremely proud to be his wife" she said sincerely as she looked to Fells.

His emotions were evident, as was his thankfulness for what she had said. So Lea decided to be the one to speak but first there was something else that she needed to be honest about.

" Actually there are a couple of things that we wanted to tell you, the first is that I have a 3 year old daughter, named Ariana, she adores Fells and I couldn't ask for a better Father for her".

Lea then paused, looking at Fells once more, before continuing. " Which brings me to the second piece of news .... I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant with Fells's son".

[Fells Halgerdur]

[bedroom]

Again the subject of marriage was breached which left Fells even more uneasy. He had no intentions of getting married, not even with a child on the way because he simply didn't feel it was necessary. For him it was an old fashioned idea, not more. But he knew Lea wanted to.

He let that slip as she moved on to tell his parents about their children.

His fathers face was stoic while his moms expression changed to more friendly.
"Really?" Her cheeks turned a little rosy at the idea of becoming a grand mother, even if the child was far away.
"That's wonderful. I honestly never thought this would happen, especially not after he disappeared." The past years had been anguish and despair for his parents, first the punishment, where he simply dissapeared from everyones radar and his parents could not locate him anymore. Then the alien bug.
"Seems like your life has finally taken a good turn." His father stated without much emotion.
"You could say that." Fells agreed. He knew his dad and the little emotion, he usually showed.
"That's good news, son."
"Yeah, all of it actually. Me and Lea have been together for almost a year and at first I thought I couldn't have a serious relationship, especially not with her daughter involved, but then I started liking Ari and she let me in.It felt great. I never thought I'd appreciate that kind of responsibility but it is nice. That's why we decided to have a baby together."
"You'd better put your money where your mouth is. They all depend on you."His dad warned, so he assure him. "I'm planning to."

His mother adressed Lea again. "Did you seperate from Aris father?"

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

The fact that Fells didn't add his own thoughts to the question of them getting married, hadn't gone unnoticed but Lea knew it was a touchy subject. As much as she would love for them to take that step, knew that it might never happen.

Still that wasn't important right now as they had the baby to focus on. So as his parents reacted to the news, Lea smiled happy that it had been positive. She could see it and sense it, especially as Fells spoke with them and that made it that more special, especially listening to what he had to say.

Even his assurance after his father issued a warning made her appreciate him, that little bit more. Her love for the man beside her, evident, before his mother asked about Ari's father.

" I did, for a very good reason, he wasn't the man I thought he was and I definitely made the right decision to leave. I got to build a new life and thanks to date, I got to meet Fells and we have a great life together".

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Bedroom]
"That's wonderful." His mother commented. "What a great change for you both. I'm glad you found each other." She had a good feeling about them.
Fells had never seemed like a family man to her. He was an adventurer but children could ne just that.

"Thanks, mom. I never thought I'd actually find myself in this kind of relationship, yet here I am. Lea is just so open minded and welcoming...she makes it possible."

His father wasn't convinced though.
"Has your sentence been suspended? Or how xan you be so sure that you'll be able to bring up a child?"
Of course his father had the same sceptical thoughts. "They rescued me from that planet...there was never a real sentence, now nobody knows but Lea and the doctor, who called you."
His father wrinkled his forehead because he understood the risk in that.
"I really hope it all works out for you."
His wife gabe him a light swat, then turned back to Lea. "Tell us about yourself."

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

" I'm glad we found each other too" Lea replied sincerely after Fells's Mom had spoken and Fells had thanked her. Looking towards her boyfriend for a moment as he continued, smiling happily at his words.

Then when his Father still appeared to be sceptical and not convinced, she could understand why, before Fells once again reassured him. His next comment was only reasonable given his earlier thoughts. Although as his wife swatted him, it reminded Lea of her and Fells, before his Mom asked her to tell them more about herself.

" I own and run a bar on the station as well as several other business ventures, including a Freighter, named the Red Phoenix and I'm also training to be a nurse".

[Fells Halgerdur]

[Bedroom]
"It's actually more like a restaurant." Fells felt the need to add. He was sobproudcof the creations there and the food from all over the galaxy.
"Lea only uses fresh, real food and we get it from all different planets to cater to most species."

They weren't used to these kind of interests of his son, who had been a career focusses, somewhat greedy thrillseeker.

It wasn't surprising that most girls didn't stay thanks to a lack of common interests.

"So you're into cooking and food now?" His mother asked.
"You start getting interested in that when you live of nothing...." He dryly commented.
" I appreciate real food and Lea showed me a few interesting things. I actually appreciate a lot of things she does."

Suddenly his father started to grin. "Women can do crazy things to you.....Lea, you arevprobably aware of who our son is....sometimes I wonder if he knows it himself because he's so much more than he believes. You'd know that by now."

[Leanna Mazal]

[Bedroom]

The way Fells added to what she had said about the bar, made her smile, especially as his mother asked if he now had an interest into cooking and food. Looking towards her beloved as he answered her, happy to hear him say all of that.

When his Father then grinned and commented, Lea understood what he meant. She had always seen Fells's true worth, even when he didn't believe it himself.

" I do and I've always seen it within him, even when he doesn't believe it, but at the same time, I'm patient and when he does realise, it's an experience we share together".