Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell[Katra Station - Deck 22 - LDU] (October 17th)Lt Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Labor and Delivery Unit] (October 17th)
Rayek smiled and bent nearer to gaze at his newborn son as Tess introduced him. "I-jol au, aihsa a'rhea." (*translation: I love you, young dear-heart) he murmured towards the precious life that Tess had given him to cherish and protect.
He turned to his wife and kissed her damp brow tenderly, before following her example and nodding his thanks towards both Dennix and Ensign Fuller. "Yes, thank you." Later he would also need to thank Keshara, who he could hear across the screen being tended to by Dr. Kumar, for providing the loophole through which his son could be deemed a citizen of Meridian, protecting him from any unfounded claims on the child by the Romulan government. Despite his firm direction that the baby was NOT to be announced to the new Romulan government at the H'dl Aefvadh Rayek was leery of someone not abiding by his and Tess' wishes.
When Dennix mentioned the waiting room full of people, Rayek chuckled. "I'll go speak to them shortly." he offered.
"That would be perfect. Perhaps you can do so with the baby when Tess has to deal with the afterbirth? It shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes. Then it's back here for both Momma and baby to rest." the doctor suggested. Rayek looked to Tess questioningly. He would stay for that as well if she preferred. The others could continue to wait.
At Dr. Fuller's question about the baby's name, Rayek looked to Tess as she somewhat answered. It wasn't surprising that Tess had changed her mind about her preferred name.. that was the whole point of not deciding until the actual birth. He noticed her looking to him to get his impression. Honestly he would be happy with whatever name Tess picked, but if she were looking for his suggestion...
He turned his gaze to his son, who came into their lives so unexpectedly, whose presence Rayek knew was going to turn his whole-world upside down. "If you seek my suggestion, e'lev.. it would be for Fvienn. But that could be just a father's boastful pride."
Not long after Ensign Fuller indicated it was time for him to take the baby and leave Tess to 'finish up'. Reluctantly he did so, gently accepting the baby from Tess' hold. His first time holding his son! It was a euphoric moment for the Romulan. He leaned down and kissed his wife tenderly. "I'll just be in the waiting room if you need me, e'lev."
He then stepped around the privacy screen. Keshara and Dr. Kumar had left the delivery room at some point, but Rayek had been too unaware to notice. He then stepped through the doors holding his son, smilingly presenting him to the world.
When Jayce suggested that Rayek took the baby away from her - even for something like 10 minutes - it felt unbearable to be separated from her baby. But she didn't want to deny to Rayek the joy of showing off his son to the others that were waiting outside. She'd have time to see their happy faces later.
"Yes, go ahead. I'll be fine", Tess said and watched as Rayek gently took their little son from her, her eyes glued to the small bundle.
She was very curious if Rayek would think the same as her for the name and her smile widened when indeed, he thought the same like her.
"I agree. Fvienn it shall be." Tess kissed Rayek back and nodded beore she would watch him leave while she stayed to bring the birth to an end.
NPC Rahul Skuyanhjin/
NPC Tamonar Skuyanhjin/
NPC Lt. Fabiano Moreno (Science)
[Katra Station - Deck 22 - LDU Waiting area] (October 17th)Apart from the news that his daughter had gone into labor, Fabiano had also discovered that even Rahul and Tamonar had come to Katra for the occasion of the birth of their nephew. It had left the man who usually never was lost for words, quite speechless. Fabiano would not in his wildest dreams have thought it possible that Rahul would ever leave Ba'ku. Their relationship had temporarily improved when they had been on Ba'ku for Rayek's and Tess' wedding, but it had gone downhill again after Tamonar had - in not the best moment and way - revealed to Tess, Rahul and Benjin that he was indeed their brother.
That relationship had not improved again even as they left Ba'ku again. To see him here now had Fabiano bring his hopes up that they might develop a good relationship in the end. After some tense moments at the beginning the ice broke quickly for despite the tension Fabiano genuinely was happy to see both Rahul and Tamonar. Although it was noticable for Fabiano that Rahul seemed to be a little overwhelmed, for which the Italian couldn't blame him.
Not long after they had arrived, a group of Romulan women joined them. Fabiano recognized Phara t'Movel. The woman and Tess had become quite close over the past months. He recalled that they wanted to do some kind of Romulan 'baby-welcome' ceremony but he didn't know the details. However, the Romulan women rather kept to themselves, which Fabiano assumed was only normal for them. Romulans didn't really show a natural interest in connecting with others unless it served some purpose for them.
When the minutes turned to hours - which was to be expected - Fabiano had suggested to get something to drink and even eat for them if the 'boys' were hungry. During that Fabiano heard the story of how they arrived at Katra, surprised Tess and probably even caused her to go into labor. Fabiano tried to alleviate Rahul's concerns that they might have done harm to Tess or the baby.
The group had noted with surprise when first Ensign Kumar and then a woman - which Fabiano recognized as the Meridian councilwoman Keshara - with Lt. Wessex in tow entered the room in which Tess was. Tamonar had asked concerned if something was wrong but Fabiano knew as much as they did. Shortly after that, Lt. Wessex had exited the room by himself again and Fabiano had taken the opportunity to ask the man if something was wrong.
After they had been somewhat assured that there was nothing to worry about, it was not long after that when the doors opened once more and Keshara and Ensign Kumar emerged from the room. Fabiano stood up and looked at the doctor curious, suspecting he might have helped Tess with the child birth. Kumar was grinning widely and didn't really want to spit it out, then the doors opened once more and Fabiano's eyes went wide at seeing the small bundle in Rayek's arms.
"Mamma mia", he breathed with a stunned smile and it didn't take long for Rahul's and Tamonar's attention to be directed at Rayek too.
"This was quick!" He had expected to wait at least three times as long.
"Was it a normal birth or did the tech help? Is Tess alright?" Though he doubted Rayek would leave her side if she wasn't okay. He then stepped closer, flanked by Rahul and Tamonar to take a look at the minutes-old baby. A thin layer of dark hair covered the little head.
Rahul smiled widely for the first time in a month.
"What's his name?", he asked, his eyes glued to the little boy.
"He's got Tess' nose!"Tamonar seemed to hold himself back a little. He just looked at the newborn baby with a small fond smile.
NPC Cadet Benjin Moreno (Flight)[USS Healy - Bridge] (October 17th)The past couple of hours Benjin had been on pins and needles. News of his sister having gone into labor had reached him just as they had boarded the Healy to go on patrol. Now he eagerly waited for news on how things were going.
In the meantime they had detected a vessel approaching the Trialus system. They seem to have found what they had been looking for.
[USS Katra]
“Prepare coordinates to meet the incoming ship in the Meridian in the Trialus system..Warp 6 Helm,” Kal ordered. He had ordered cause Ferris seemed to be quiet. Figure this was a test. If not. Court Martial will be fine.
Go above Warp 6 would be like a rushing warrior going into combat. They would not want to give them the first impression.
“Engage!” He said. That felt good.
“Ops continue scanning for anything,” he added.
At Kal's order, Benjin nodded and plotted an interception course by calculating the route the incoming ship seemed to have so the Healy would meet them on that route.
"Interception course plotted, sir. Approaching at warp six", Benjin reported.
Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell[Katra Station - Deck 22 - CMO's office] (October 21st)[Katra Station - Deck 22 - CMO's office] (October 21st)
"I didn't want to go without saying bye, at least to you, and hoped to have a peek at your little bundle of joy. He's gorgeous, Tess!" Hrafn breathed.
"I'll have to be careful or I'll get broody again and even though I'm visiting Nevir, I think we'll avoid any more! Won't stop me spoiling this one.." she offered a finger to the baby to see if he would catch and hold it, like he had already got hold of Hrafn's heart just with his eyes.
"Mentioning which I come bearing gifts... from the kids for you..."
The redhead popped a basket onto the desk.
"They say that the chocolate cigars are for Uncle Rayek, and the teddy is for baby. I've had a large supply of diapers, and all the gubbins for the most pleasant of tasks..."
Hrafn chuckled after pulling a face and pointedly looking at the adorable bundle's butt, he wasn't smelly at that point but it was something all parents had to face at some point!
"...and a nice bunch of flowers, to your quarters, I've asked them to check with you as to when to deliver, explaining about baby sleep times and all that. Thankfully the proprietor is a new Dad himself and with heavy eyelids he did mutter something about 'Oh yeah... totally appreciate that one' through a yawn,..." she chuckled.
"And some alcohol for you and Rayek for when you can unwind and relax. I made a gift for baby but so often the parents get left out! I know they've got the baby but you've got 18 years or so of hard work! Not to mention the pregnancy before hand! I've left a gift and card for Dr. Yona, it's his birthday on 9th November and arranged for cakes - cupcakes, cream cakes to be delivered from the French bakery for him and the staff. However, I have asked Henri the proprietor to check with you, or whomever is in charge and on duty on the day, or next in command if that happens to be Ta-Li himself, to ask exactly where to put them since I don't want to tread on your toes or get them in trouble." the CSO said with a smile.
"I figured he deserved them after giving me my new knee..." she flexed the said joint experimentally. "So far seems to be fine, I'll update after a week to DS9 then a further week to the Discovery!" she chuckled.
"And yes, I'm taking the kids, they haven't seen their Dad in a long while... and when they did it was a rather traumatic time. Well, I have to get on and finish packing, and unpacking... the twins seem to want to take every toy they possess!" she chuckled. "You've got it all to come to, hopefully this little man will give you nothing but joy! Be happy Tess, congratulations and..."
Hrafn moved round so she could get to the side of Tess so not to squish the baby too much but to gently include him in the hug. She squeezed Tess gently and lent her head briefly on the CMOs shoulder.
"I won't lie, I'm gonna miss this place but more particularly the people. And yes, you too little man, but your Mommy and Daddy need to get to know you more before Auntie Hrafn steals you away for lovings and her miscreants want to play with you!" she chuckled and bent to kiss the forehead of the baby.
"Do you have a name for him yet?
When Hrafn complimented her child, saying that he was gorgeous, Tess couldn't help but grin proudly.
"Thank you for saying so." She watched interested when Hrafn offered her finger to the baby - and sure enough, the tiny hand opened and the small fingeres curled around her big one.
Hrafn then announced gifts for them and Tess' face lighted up.
"Oh that's so sweet of you!" She took the basket from Hrafn and looked at it, trying to figure out all the items that were in there.
"Thank you so much! I'm gonna open it with Rayek later." She listened as Hrafn explained what item was for who and Tess chuckled when she said she's got some alcohol for them.
"That is really something I have missed. We have a bottle or two of sunerry wine from our wedding in our quarters that are untouched as yet", she giggled.
When she told her of Ta Li Yo-Na's birthday and the things she had prepared, Tess smiled.
"Oh, of course, that is not a problem. I'll be the last to spoil that. And I'm glad your knee is fine now. He did an excellent job."The mentioning of the last time the Falleg children had seen their father and descibing it as a traumatic time, Tess could only agree. The Dosi attack had been traumatic for her, too. She still often thought of Len'Ar. Shaking off the grim thoughts Tess focused on Hrafn again - who was moving and about to hug her. Smiling, Tess leaned into the hug and curled her free arm, where the baby would not be in the way, around Hrafn's side.
"Thank you. And you travel safely!"Rubbing the baby's back gently while Hrafn spoke to him Tess looked up when she asked for his name.
"Yes, we named him Fvienn." It was prononced similiar to 'Vienna', just with a sharper 'v' sound at the beginning or rather a mixture of 'f' and 'v' and without the 'ah' at the end.
"It's Romulan and means 'strength' or 'force'. Since that was kinda what the birth was like." She chuckled.
