Baby Shopping

Posted on Wed Apr 17th, 2019 @ 6:31pm by Splendora Sage & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

2,174 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 97 - Cultural Exchange
Location: Promenade, SB400
Timeline: MD 08 1500

ON:

Splendora had desperately tried to get Tom out of the brig but she couldn't. He'd be stuck in there for weeks. Her heart felt....as if it had been ripped out of her chest. With he appearance of Paul Tom would not be at peace. She wished she could help him, she wished he could let her but his insistence on keeping things to himself and his stubbornness kept her at a distance.

She sighed trying to shake things from her mind. She was meeting Ariana Monroe for a nice shopping trip and she needed to be on her game if she was to help the woman through her own pain. She buried her own pain deep where it wouldn't come out and rang the chime to Ariana's quarters.

Ariana had managed to get some rest and had almost forgotten about her planned shopping trip. As it was she'd awoken with the sudden realisation that she had to be going out. As the chime rang she answered the door with a smile. "Hi Spendora"

"Hello Ariana," she returned the smile. "Ready to go?"

"Definitely!" Ariana nodded enthusiastically. "I need the distraction."

Splendora laughed, "Then let's go. This will be fun!" They headed out. It did not take them a long time to reach the promenade. Within minutes of arriving they went down what was known as baby row. It was a series of shops dedicated to kids. Truth be told Splendora had always wanted to go down this row of shops. She would never be a mother herself but she understood the excitement of shopping for a baby. She lived, in a way, vicariously through her pregnant patients. She shared their excitement. This was the first time she was here helping a friend. "Where do you want to start?"

"Well the crib is already being sorted so I don't need to worry about that. Let's just browse and see what we can find that we like?" She grinned.

She laughed, "Sounds like a plan." They entered the first shop. "Oh my there certainly are a lot of things here."

"You're not kidding!" Ariana looked around in amazement. "If it helps to choose I'm having a girl." She smiled as she rested her hand on her bump. "So anything along those lines. I do need bedding for the crib as well as clothing."

Splendora smiled. "Sounds good. You take one side, I'll take the other and we'll meet in the middle and pick!"

Ariana nodded and headed off down her aisle, taking a slow walk she paused by things she liked picking up one or two sets of bedding for the crib to show Splendora as she went. There was so much to see, she could have bought it all but she knew it wasn’t a good idea to go crazy on things.

Splendora picked items from clothing to bibs to just fascinating little shoes. She smiled. Splendora had long ago given up on children an then she'd bet Tom...but would that ever happen did he want any. She tempered down her thoughts. Chances were he'd wake up one day and leave her so she would not try to plan a future. It would be too painful. She picked a few more items chasing away her broody mood and heading to the front that held a little area where she and Ariana could examine their picks.

Meeting up with Splendora, Ariana smiled at the selection of things they'd managed to amass between them. "Looks like we've chosen a nice selection of things!" She held hers up.

She grinned, "Can you believe these shoes?" She held up little tiny ankle high shoes. They were cream coloured with pink laces and purple hearts.

“Oh my!! They’re gorgeous!!” Ariana grinned at Splendora. “We’ll take those! They’ll do to grow into at a later time.” She held up her own things. “I found this bedding for the crib what do you think?”

Splendora smiled, "It's so beautiful!" They laid out several things and it soon became clear that they had a problem of picking out too much. Splendora laughed. "Well there is enough here for an entire army of babies."

"So how's about we choose some of these in bigger sizes?" Ariana looked at Splendora. "That way we have some items to grow into as the baby gets older!"

Splendora smiled, "Great idea." They sorted through things and soon had the child taken care of from birth to one. Splendora went over to a toy section and picked up a small stuffed Tarkazian Razor Beast. It was far from scary and kind of goofy looking. They walked over to the cash where a smiling merchant had latinum plums dancing in his head.

"Oh my! Well that certainly is a shopping spree."

"Well we did kind of go mad" Ariana grinned.

Splendora laughed, "Pack it all up."

The merchant packed everything and quoted them an outrageous sum. Splendora smiled, "Send the bill to Mind, Body, and Soul Healing."

Ariana looked at Splendora in surprise. "I can't expect you to do that Splendora! It's not like it's a small amount!"

"Now I won't hear of it. It's all on me you can buy us lunch." She smiled feeling happy she could do this for Ariana who had lost so much.

"Thank you Splendora" Ariana gave her friend a hug. "I won't forget this! Lunch is going to be a feast after this!!"

Splendora laughed, "Let's go drop these in your quarters and then we eat." She loved the smile on Ariana's face. It was the first time she'd seen and sensed joy she was glad that she could give her that.

Ariana nodded. "Sounds good to me!" picking up the bags they headed back towards Ariana's quarters. "The crib is being designed and made by Cameron Wayne, one of the business owners here on the station and my....boyfriend." Her smile beamed.

Splendora laughed, "Well now that is something to celebrate! I'm glad you are getting out there." She was genuinely happy for the woman. "Love heals all."

Ariana smiled the biggest smile yet. "I wasn't expecting to find love here but it seems love has found me! To be honest I find him...intriguing. He's come through adversity himself and he's carried on and made a name for himself. He may not be able to walk but in my eyes he's an inspiration to all."

She smiled, "Love is often unexpected but always welcome and rare so should be treasured."

"I do treasure it" Ariana smiled. "After losing Jonathon I never thought I'd find love again. I guess I was wrong!"

"Love is a power that is beyond anything. Betazoids believe that only love can truly heal." She sighed, "It can also turn one inside out." She smiled as they arrived back at the promenade after dropping off Ariana's bags.

"What's for lunch?"

"Mmm good question!" Ariana smiled. "I can eat just about everything at the moment! I'm a bottomless pit!!" She grinned. "You choose and I'll pay for whatever you like!"

"How about something greasy? We could have gone to Tom's but...he's in the brig." She said. The idea of him there all alone was eating at her.

Ariana felt the change in emotion associated with Tom. "Sure" she smiled. "Then maybe we can talk about Tom?"

She sighed, "He's in a bit of a pickle." She pushed her emotions away. "I'm sure it will pass. This is your day."

"Hey if you want to talk I'll listen over dinner." Ariana smiled. "Let's go get something nice and greasy!"

The laughed a ways and talked about the clothing and items they'd secured. Splendora turned to Ariana. "I'm glad we did this. It's really good to see you smile. I know how rough things have been." She thought a moment. "Have your senses fully returned?"

"No" Ariana shook her head. "It seems I'm permanently changed. All I can do is hope the baby hasn't been affected as well. If her neural pathways are damaged in any way she might never develop her abilities."

"Well that might be one option but you are full Betazoid right?"

"I was...yes" Ariana nodded. "Now I'm more comparable to a half Betazoid. My baby is half Betazoid and half Human."

"One thing I learned about senses is they have a way of coming back. A girl I went to school with lost all her senses and three years later they were back. Have you thought about seeking treatment on Betazed?"

"Perhaps once the baby is born. Strangely enough as much as I miss my full abilities I don't miss the permanent noise I used to have in my head!" She smiled. "It's quieter now."

Splendora smiled, "The quiet is nice." They arrived at the restaurant, were seated, and ordered drinks. Splendora turned to Ariana, "So tell me about your young man."

Ariana grinned. "Well his name is Cameron Wayne, he runs a mechanic business here on the station. We met on Cardassia, he was a true gentleman giving me a ride on his hoverchair to go shopping so I didn't have to walk!" She smiled as she thought back to the fun they had shopping. "He's making the baby's crib for me."

"That is so wonderful." She touched Ariana's hand. "Embrace this love. It's time you were happy. Joy...is so rare. Hold onto it."

"I intend to" Ariana smiled. "Cameron has faced adversity of his own, he can't walk. Yet here he is and he's made so much of himself against all odds. He inspires and amazes me Splendora! I want to make life special for him."

"That is love, true love. Just remember men tend to be dense." She laughed, "A friend reminded me that communication is important."

"I know" Ariana smiled. "I intend to let him know how I feel."

"Good." The food came and they ate both seeming hungrier then ever. They all bun inhaled the food and then ordered desert. During the meal there was companionable silence but an air of sadness hung over Splendora.

"Splendora, please talk to me!" Ariana smiled. "I hate to see you sad."

She sighed, "I'm just worried. Did you hear about the fight on the promenade earlier this afternoon?" She probably had. It was going around the station.

"Kind of" Ariana shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't really listen much to be honest. I only bother if I'm called in to help deal with things."

She sighed, "Well I was there. Tom was involved and he...." She shook her head. "I can't get the image of him bloodied and roughed up out of my head. I should have seen it coming. When Paul entered my shop I didn't know who he was then when I figured out which Paul it was .... I heard the commotion." She sighed, "They won't let me get him out"

"I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to help" Ariana looked at Splendora. "If the situation arises then I will do what I can to help. Call me if you need me!"

Splendora smiled, "It'll be alright." But was she trying to convince herself. She had other fears, other worries but she would keep those locked away. "So what looks good for dessert?"

"Anything Chocolate!" Ariana smiled. "According to the doctors I need the sugar!" She smiled.

She laughed, "I'm all for that." They ordered several chocolate items. When it arrived it looked life a feast for a king. "Oh my! We will be all sugared up."

"Trust me I need it!!" Ariana laughed as she picked up some chocolate cake. "Let's get stuck in and enjoy it!"

Splendora laughed and the two dug in and eat until every last piece was consumed. Splendora's eyes widened. I can't believe that we ate that much!"

"I have an excuse!" Ariana smiled as she patted her stomach. "I'm eating for two!"

Splendora laughed, "I'm just eating a lot." They paid the check and then walked. "Do you want to go for a bit of a walk or are you tired?"

"Sure why not" Ariana nodded. They were walking along when Ariana suddenly exhaled a breath and stopped walking. "Whoa...I think I overdid that sugar! A certain somebody is doing somersaults in here!!" She grinned at Splendora. "She has one hell of a kick when she puts her mind to it!"

Splendora smiled, "May I..." She indicated towards Ariana's belly.

"Of course!" Ariana smiled and nodded. "Trust me you won't miss it."

Splendora placed a hand on her belly and instantly felt the baby move. "Oh my!"

She laughed. "See what I mean? There's times I feel like she's trying to get out! Just fighting to be out in the big universe!!" She smiled warmly. "I consider myself very lucky."

"She will be a wonderful person and bring you great joy." She smiled and hugged Ariana, "I am so happy for you."

“Thank you!” Ariana smiled. “Shall we go for that walk?”

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