Never enough Pink

Posted on Tue Jul 16th, 2019 @ 5:03pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD

1,102 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 98 - A Raid on Peace
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD4, 1630 hours

"I don't understand..."

Doctor Reid glanced down at the medical file which had just been placed in her hands, her confusion evident as she made her admission. Like everyone, Elle Reid knew of the resident orphan. Yet she had not actually set eyes upon the newborn before. Which made the sudden decision all the more unexpected.

One hand resting on her very pregnant stomach, she turned her attention to her fellow physician. "I thought you were her primary?"

Doctor Corrigan didn't so much as glance up as she signed off on the final few reports that been waiting on the desk. "I was," she confirmed, "but while I'm off the station I need someone to watch over her and I can't think of anyone better."

"Wait," Elle said, holding up a hand as she backed up the conversation, "off station? When? For how long?"

"Later tonight. If not, there is a transport leaving tomorrow morning. And for a few weeks," Carolyn told her, checking the time and realising it was running short. "Dr McLintock will keep an eye on everything until Dr Hades is back but I’d like you and Mendez to support."

"Of course.... And Hades knows about this?" Elle asked slowly.

"He does," Carolyn assured, pushing the problem of what to do about Hades away as she returned to the matter at hand.

“Hope's condition has been stable, so honestly, it is just daily vitals or heading to the ward if the nurses need you. Freya Ross will visit, stays with her in the ward but helps with feeding that kind of thing. The nurses know all about it so it will be fine. And make sure we keep trying to find her family," Carolyn added firmly.

She thought for a moment before adding, "And I know Mendez can be a nightmare to work with, but beyond that, he is a brilliant surgeon. Just try to make sure he doesn't scare off all of the medical students. I swear he thinks it's hilarious to scare the living daylights out of them."

Elle grinned "I had noticed."

"Other than that, take it easy, try the Kava Root and maybe he or she will be here when I get back," Carolyn grinned as she headed for the door.

"In that case, definately hurry back," Elle laughed.

**********

"Mind some company?" Carolyn asked as she entered Hope's room, her eyes moving to the display over the grip as she studied the vital signs out of habit. When she glanced down she noticed a tiny teddy bear had appeared in the corner of the crib. That was new. "Is it just my imagination or is there even more pink than before?"

"Very definitely more pink!" Freya grinned. "I couldn't resist bringing the teddy for her."

"I suppose you cannot get enough pink," she grinned, watching as Hope slept peacefully. An empty bottle on the arm of the chair explained why. Fed and changed she was clearly quite content to sleep away a few hours. "You seem to be taking to this very well," she complimented.

"Thanks!" Freya smiled. "I'm not quite sure how I'll react when I don't have Hope to come here to." Her smile faded a little.

"I wanted to let you know that Dr Reid will be looking after Hope for a little while," Carolyn told Freya, "but you are still free to visit whenever you want to. I've noted it in her file and the nurses all know you will be around."

"Aren't you going to be here?" Freya looked at Carolyn concernedly. "You're not leaving are you?"

“Just for a little while,” Carolyn assured her, watching Hope sleep.

"Going anywhere nice?" Freya smiled. "Just taking a break or do you have specific plans?"

“Home to Dublin,” Carolyn told her.

"Well I hope you have a nice break!" Freya smiled warmly. "After everything we've been through I'm not surprised you want to get away for a little while."

“Thank you,” Carolyn said with a small smile.

“And you, Trouble, I fully expect you to be with your family by the time I get back,” she warned, her voice quiet as she addressed the sleeping baby. “You are far too cute for this place. Okay, I should get moving. There is a lot still to do. Is there anything you need before I go?”

"I don't think so." Freya looked down at Hope. "I just hope they do find her family before I get so attached I can't let go!"

“They are trying but it can take time,” Carolyn reminded her, pushing away from the crib and headed out, “we just need to have a little faith. Night Freya. And remember to not overdo it, okay?”

"I remember!" Freya grinned. "Enjoy your break Carolyn!" She let Carolyn get just through the door before suddenly calling her back. "Carolyn! Wait!"

Almost at the nurses station, Carolyn did an about turn. Returning to Hope’s room she frowned, “something wrong?”

"Sorry...." She offered an apologetic smile. "Can you....arrange for Hope to come home with me? just temporarily until they find somewhere for her to go. It isn't fair for her to be stuck in Sickbay all the time."

“That isn’t something I can just do,” Carolyn told her, “but we can request it and start the process. Have you discussed this with Kaden?”

"Can I let it be a surprise?" She looked almost pleadingly at Carolyn. "It'll be good practice for having a baby of our own. I don't think he'd mind." At least she hoped so.

“Freya, you can’t just surprise him with a baby,” Carolyn warned her. “That is unfair to both of them. And what if it ruins the progress the two of you made?”

She took a deep breath, considering. “Go home, speak to Kaden. Bring him to meet her. And then, if it is what you both want to do, sit down with Dr Reid and go from there. I’ll speak with her on my way out but I have some more stops to make.”

Freya nodded. “I’ll arrange it with him tonight, as soon as I leave here.” She looked at Hope.

“Don’t worry, she isn’t going anywhere and she will have Kaden wrapped around her finger.”

“I hope so!” Freya grinned as she looked at Carolyn.

“You know so. Take care of her, and you.”

"Goodnight Carolyn" Freya smiled as she looked at Hope. One thing was certain, she couldn't wait to be a mother.

Without a backward glance, Carolyn left. She had one stop to make.

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