Lost children

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 8:16am by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Maria Garabaldi
Edited on on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 8:22am

1,106 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 95 - Helping Old Friends
Location: Promenade SB 400
Timeline: Day 10 0830

Finally having a small break, Jaca had agreed to watch the store while she ran out to get some things for the apartment. Roberto, she thought was going to stay there and play with the Selhat.

But instead he wanted to come along. So she took him along, his smaller hand in hers as they walked along.

She had been distracted slightly by some very lovely fabric that the salesman was trying to sell her by explaining how it brought out her eyes.

Normally such flattery would get a rolled eye, but the fabric was quite nice.

Roberto slipped out his mother's hand and his eyes were drawn to the flashy shiny lights, from a holocenter. He couldn't quite read what it said but the lights were so interesting. So he wandered in to the crowd.

Having arrived back onboard from the USS Falcon Ariana was walking along the rows of shops when the movement of someone small amongst the crowd caught her eye, she paused for a moment to try and catch a glimpse again as she saw a small child who appeared to be alone. Moving through those gathered she followed the direction eventually catching up with the child who was starting to look distressed.

“Hey...” she smiled as she knelt down, “are you lost?” as the small child nodded she looked around seeing an ice cream vendor nearby she quickly went and bought him an ice cream before sitting on some nearby seats with him. “Can you show me where your mummy is?”

Roberto had lost track of mommy, the 'oh god where's mom' panic had started when the nice lady had come over and got him ice cream, which was awesome. He was still silent, he may have ice cream but she was still new. He was overwhelmed.

Maria however had not realized Roberto had run off. Until the little voice in her head commented, he was remarkably quiet for a 3 year old, especially one who got bored easily. She also noticed her hand didn't have his in it, and he had dropped Mr Targ. She picked it up then looked around. Where was he? First was nervous, "Roberto?" She caleld out and began to walk away from the puzzled merchant.

Seeing the Holosuite emporium she headed that way calling his name, now starting to get concerned. He should have popped out by now and with this large crowd it made her very worried he had gotten lost. Or hurt.

"Roberto?" she called out again looking through the crowd for her son.

Ariana’s Betazoid senses picked up on distress, the distress only a frightened and concerned mother could feel. Then she heard the voice in the distance, “So you’re Roberto?” she smiled at the little boy as he ate his ice cream “stay right there, DO NOT move I’m going to get your mummy.”

Walking through the crowd Alicia gently placed her hand on Maria’s arm “Excuse me” she smiled, “I’m Ariana Monroe, station Counsellor... I know where your son is” she motioned for Maria to follow her to where Roberto was busily finishing off his ice-cream.

Maria startled at first, focused on looking for Roberto, but then she heard what the woman said, it sunk in. Roberto was ok.

She exhaled and then turned, "Oh...." Then a pause, "Thank you so much. Counselor. I swear turn my back for a second...." Then she paused, "Sorry I'm Maria Garabaldi, I'm new here."

"It's nice to meet you Maria" Ariana smiled as she led her to Roberto watching as the two were reunited. "I can only imagine how I'll feel if that ever happens to me!" she grinned as she rested her hand on her bump.

Maria looked the other woman, yep she was far along, maybe over 3 months. Her mom and doctor both told her that people carried differently. "Well congratulations." She bgan, "How far along?" Maria asked.

"I'm just short of three months... twins" she smiled, "I just wish my husband could be here to see them. He passed away just over a month ago" her smile faded a little, "I hope you don't mind me getting Roberto an ice cream?"

"Oh not at all." LIttle stinker, but an ice cream today, ehh not worth the fight. Poor woman was going to have twins anyway, that was enough work, and alone.

She then spoke, "I lost my husband on the Heirophant when I was 3 months with Roberto. That was 3 1/2 years ago. I still miss him every day."

“I’m sorry to hear that” Ariana looked at Roberto then back at Maria, “it looks like you’ve coped admirably, I onky hope I cope as well once the time comes. Have you ever thought... about meeting anyone else?”

Oh if you only knew, Maria thought, her 'coping' was basically, keep it together for Roberto, do it for him so to speak, but dumping 50 pounds of baggage on someone she just met seemed to be a bad idea, "I don't honestly know." She admitted, "Some days, yes other days, I can't even picture it."

Ariana nodded, "I can understand that it's.... Difficult isn't it?" her thoughts went to Marcus she missed him when he wasn't around but things between them were starting to feel awkward when they were together.

"Very difficult ." Maria agreed, "But my great aunt once told me, remember the good, remember the bad, and you'll never forget him." they finally arrived and Roberto stirred from the bench and ran over to her, "Mommy!" After they hugged he started talking real fast, a stream of consciousness that included he met a nice lady he got ice cream and he saw the big room like where he went with nano, her dad had taken him to a holosuite to play some play adventure program where he got to be superman.

"Sounds like you've had a busy busy day." Maria smiled, "Did you thank the nice lady for the ice cream."

He tried to look virtious but he had then he toddled over and hugged Ariana's legs, "Thank you."

Ariana couldn't help but grin from ear to ear "You're very welcome Roberto" she looked down at him, "just no more wandering off from now on okay?"

"Okay." He moved beside his mother and stood there quietly.

Maria put a hand on her son, "Again thank you so much."

"My pleasure" Ariana smiled warmly it was nice meeting both of you." with that she headed for her office, she no doubt had quite a pile of work waiting to be caught up on & appointments to organise as well.

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