Family Ties

Posted on Thu Aug 29th, 2019 @ 4:04pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD & Brigadier General Kaden Ross

1,367 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 99 - Exordium / Epilogue
Location: Ross Residence
Timeline: MD2, 1830 hours

For the second time in one day, Carolyn found herself hesitating outside of a door. While the reasons were different she wished it was something she could postpone. Yet it was best to do this now. Waiting was cruel. Even when the news was somewhat bittersweet.

Pressing the door chime she waited for someone to answer.

Ariana was relaxing on the sofa as Freya called out to whoever was outside the door.

When she heard Freya's voice, she moved inside. Her gaze swept the room, falling on Hope who was lying on a playmat, gurgling away as she played with a rattle and toys. Staring at her own reflection in one of the reflective paws on a teddy bear. In the past four weeks she had grown, her whole appearance one of health and her giggles and laughter filled the room.

"Hi cutie," Carolyn smiled as she crouched down beside the infant, offering her hand and watching as Hope wrapped her little fingers around one of her own. Glancing up at Freya she offered an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry to drop by like this but we just got some news. About Hope's family. I thought you'd want to know as soon as we did."

Freya's heart sank, her smile fading a little as she looked at Carolyn. "I...guess you've found someone?" She looked at Ariana who was observing the conversation. Funnily enough she too looked sad at the idea of losing baby Hope even if it was to family.

"Yes," Carolyn said softly, standing. Even Hope seemed to have quietened, seeming to pick up on the mood in the room. "I'm sorry, Freya."

Freya nodded as she listened, her eyes kept trailing off to Hope as Carolyn spoke almost wishing she'd taken the option Kaden had given her of fostering Hope with a view to adopting her. "How...." She held back tears. "How long do we have?"

"Two days at most. I wish it was different Freya, I really do. Whatever makes this easier for all of you. If it is better, we can take care of Hope in sickbay until then if you'd prefer? I just wanted to be the one to tell you rather than a stranger."

"Two days!?" Freya had held back for as long as she could. She sank down onto the sofa next to Ariana and instantly burst into heartbroken tears. She hadn't realised how much she'd come to love Hope until now.

Ariana put her arm around Freya's shoulder offering her friend some support. Even baby Hope was looking watery eyed at the upset her foster mother was displaying.

Carolyn said nothing, quite sure there was no words that could ease her pain at the news. "Hope can stay with you until then," she assured Freya. "But if it is too much, call me."

Freya took a few deep breaths as she got hold of her emotions. "No...I...I want Hope to stay for now. I'd like to be there when her family arrives. I want to make sure she's going to a good home." She knew Kaden would want to make sure of that as well.

“Of course,” Carolyn assured her. “I’ll leave you be. Bye trouble,” the later was aimed at Hope who was staring between the three women. Without another word, Carolyn turned and left. Once outside she released a deep breath, trying to swallow her own sadness at the thought of Hope’s departure. She headed for the turbolift, not wanting to go back to her quarters just yet. She needed to think.

Sliding off the sofa Freya dried her eyes as she joined Hope on the floor to play. She aimed to enjoy what time she had left with her even though it wouldn't be as long as she had originally hoped. She was still looking pretty red eyed when Kaden arrived home.

Kaden came in holding a stuffed teddy bear for hope and a set of baby clothes. “Hey, Freya, I saw on this on the promenade on my way home thought Hope look cute in it,” He held up the baby one piece showing it to be Wonder Womans outfit. “What do you think?”

"Ohh Kaden it's...it's..." She paused and looked at Ariana before bursting into tears again.

Kaden’s smile faded as he looked at his wife then the one piece he bought for hope. “So, you hate it?” He asked completely unaware what had transpired.

"Doctor Corrigan came to see us" Ariana looked at Kaden. "They've found family for Hope. They'll be here for her sometime in the next two days."

Kaden went from confused to outright shock. “No...no, so soon? I...didn’t think they...” He trailed off a feeling of devastation was building up inside him. Hope had started to grow on the Marine the kid found him flexing each of his pecks to the music played for her funny and her laugh was adorable. Kaden suddenly feeling weak in his knees collapsed in a nearby chair hanging his head.

Freya moved across sitting on the floor at Kaden's feet resting her head on his knees. "We....we still have that day maybe two!" She wiped her eyes. "It's enough time....to make some memories with her!!" She reached for the outfit. "Let's try this on her."

Kaden couldn’t help but feel his eyes tear up he began to break down crying as if he lost his beloved sibling or worse his pet cat Artemis. Who happened to sensed his owner was sad and ran up to him rubbing his body against his legs. Kaden reached down to pet his furry buddy on the head but it didn’t help much he was still sad to see Hope go. “I...I don’t want her to go...you guys that little tyke has grown on me.”

Freya lifted the small babbling bundle from her playmat and sat on Kaden's knee holding Hope as well. "I...I wish I'd said yes when you gave me the option of asking about keeping her now!" She cuddled the curious little bundle as Hope looked at both of them as though knowing something was wrong. "Perhaps it's mire of a reason for us to have a baby of our own."

Kaden wrapped his arm around Freya gently running his hand thru Hopes small tuft of hair. He wished Freya would of taken the offer when he asked but she was determined to have a baby of their own. But she seemed turned off to the idea he wanted to focus on Hope and hold off on having kids a little longer. “Listen, I wish you would of as well but you and these recent events we had finally got me to come around on kids was best we capitalized on it when we did.” He told her.

"I want a baby Kaden! I always have you know that!" Freya smiled as she looked into Hope's tiny eyes. "It's going to hurt like hell when I say goodbye to her but knowing we might have a baby of our own will help. Tests if you're still willing?"

Ariana smiled and nodded to both as she stood and left them to their private conversation. They didn't need her listening to what was being said. "If you need me I'll be in my room." With that the door swished closed behind her.

Kaden watched Ariana leave the room wondering when the time was going to be when she pop the kid out yet alone figure out how he was going to react. Leaning back in the chair he sat in silence for a moment watching Freya play with Hope. “Well, my mind hasn’t changed still I mean there are some concerns about it but I rather not think about it right now.”

"How's about you come and play with us?" Freya moved and put Hope on her playmat before holding her hand out to Kaden. "Enjoy the time you have with her now, you'll regret it if you don't."

Kaden took his wife’s hand as he sat up from his chair. “I don’t see why not.” He replied.

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