Retail relaxation

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2020 @ 3:30pm by Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Corrigan MD & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

2,473 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: Various
Timeline: MD2, 0600 hours.

Curious, the small puppy explored the collection of bags and packages nestled in the corner of the room. Tail wagging, the inquisitive soon disappeared from sight, only the rustling of bags giving any sign of where she had gone.

“Those aren’t for you, Bow,” Carolyn Corrigan chided gently as she reached in and plucked the wriggling puppy from the shopping. She heard the whimper and sighed, reaching in to the one she had brought back from the star base during her first trip to the station yesterday afternoon. She lifted out a toy, “this is though ...”

Kneeling down on the floor she set down the toy and the puppy, grinning as she watched Rainbow sniff and begin to play. Leaning back against the couch she smiled, recalling her visit to the station with Ariana...


USS Mercy, 1500 hours, MD1

Having enjoyed the first evening in a very long time with her family Ariana made her way to Carolyn's quarters to see if her friend would like to take a trip across to the Starbase to go shopping. Arriving at the door she pressed the chime and waited for Carolyn to answer.

"Come in!" Tossing the ball for Rainbow, Carolyn glanced up as the door slid open. "Hi! Feeling any better?"

Ariana smiled warmly. “Hi and yes, thank you. I’ve slept and I’ve eaten a ton of chocolate ice-cream too!” She shrugged her shoulders. “This baby will grow up a chocolate lover for sure!”

"Is that a bad thing?" Carolyn grinned. As Rainbow came racing across the room into her lap she stood, "what brings you by?"

“Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to go baby shopping?” Ariana grinned.

It was not at all what she expected. "I take it you want to take a trip?" she reasoned, given that shopping was not a thing to be done on board a medical ship.

Ariana nodded. “We can go over to the station, do some shopping for our babies and spoil ourselves too. If you want to that is?”

"Just let me change and set out some food and water for Rainbow," Carolyn told her. "I'm not sure how much shopping there is to be done on the base. Don't get too hopeful."

“Well anytime away from being cooped up here will do. Hades has me working pretty hard on passing the bridge officers test so I could use the break.” She offered a smile.

"Fair enough. Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you in the transporter room," she promised.

“Take as long as you need” Ariana grinned. “I’ll wait for you there.” With that she headed for the transporter room.

Eleven minutes later, Carolyn entered the transporter room with an apologetic smile. "Had to fight to get my shoe back," she said by way of explanation for the delay. Together they stepped up onto the transporter platform, "lets go shop."

Ariana nodded enthusiastically. As they materialised on the Starbase Ariana looked at her friend as they stepped off the transporter PADD and started walking. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? I know how hard it is losing your husband. I was a wreck for a long time after losing Jonathon.”

Carolyn nodded. "I'd rather be doing something," she said by way of an answer.

“I understand” Ariana offered a smile. “Being alone is the worst, if you ever need some company you’re always welcome to drop by. We can always put on a movie or just sit and talk.”

"Thank you. I'll be okay," Carolyn promised. "To be honest, everything has been so busy that when it really hits me, it's usually the middle of the night right after another nightmare... but it'll get better. It kind of has to, right?"

"It will, eventually." Ariana smiled. "I won't lie, it won't be easy and it won't be quick to happen and there will still be times that you do or see something that you think you must go back and tell Richard about. There's times I still do it even though I have Cameron." She paused. "Just remember the good times it'll help."

"It is one of the benefits of having my memory back, some of those memories I wouldn't wish on anyone but Harris, it's like he is right there," Carolyn confided with a small smile.

"Keep hold of those memories my friend, treasure them." Ariana smiled warmly. As they walked they came across a small shop with both maternity and baby clothes as well as some baby essentials. "Shall we go and look? I do still have some of my things from when I had Stacie but it's always fun to look for more."

With a nod she followed her friend inside. While small, every space was utilised, from clothes to equipment. Baby pink, soft blues and white the predominant choices for the baby clothes and accessories. “Too cute,” she grinned as she held up an outfit. Searching some more she hesitated at one with a design declaring ‘daddy’s little princess’ before quickly moving on.

“My sister bought so much when she was pregnant with her first,” she told Ariana. “But they have a huge house.”

“Well you don’t need to go mad, if I didn’t need it you could have borrowed some of my things. Mostly you’ll need a Moses basket or crib, the replicators can dispense the milk or you can breastfeed. There’s obviously clothes, nappies but again all things the replicator can dispense if necessary. You won’t need load of toys to start with, maybe just a few teddies. It’s up to you really.”

“I can have anything you buy taken to your ship,” the girl serving offered helpfully, “my mom makes a lot of these herself, so made with lots of love!”

“Thanks,” Carolyn offered with a smile as she moved on to another section with a small collection of clothes already in hand. She stopped, turning back to Ariana. “Wait... isn’t buying things so early bad luck?”

She could see her friend trying to gauge how to react and grinned, “Kidding.”

Ariana grinned. “I was wondering! Trust me when you see some of the baby things you can get you’ll wish you had a large house to put them in! I still have a pile of things that Splendora bought for me when I was expecting Stacie. Some of them might come in handy and depending on what I have this time if the baby is a boy and you have a girl I’ll probably have clothes you can have.

“Thanks but it’ll be fine. And my grandmother will probably go overboard. She likes to buy forgiveness.”

She may not deserve it but she was very shaken by what happened to you.” Ariana could hardly believe she was sticking up for Carolyn’s grandmother. “Maybe in time she can earn some trust again.”

“Only because she sold her soul and will never die,” Carolyn muttered under her breath.

“I have no intention of defending your grandmother’s intentions, she was wrong and I don’t blame you for being angry.” She offered an understanding smile. “Let’s just forget about her and enjoy ourselves!” She pointed to a shop they were approaching. “This looks like a good place.” She stopped to look at the small window display showing baby goods, clothing and some maternity wear.

“Let’s check it out and then find somewhere to eat,” Carolyn suggested.

"Agreed" Ariana smiled. "I could eat a horse! There's definitely nothing wrong with my appetite, how about you?"

“It’s been okay. No cravings yet - a music store!” Distracted she wandered towards a unit just two doors away, studying the window before ducking inside. Where the last store had been well organised and everything in a clear order, here it was ... well, chaotic. Save for a stand dead centre of the room. Baby shopping forgotten for the moment she inched closer, “is that an Imperial Grand?!”

“It sure is,” a strange voice confirmed, the owner coming out from the back room. “My pride and joy.”

Carolyn walked around it slowly, drinking it in. She saw Ariana hovering nearby, “sorry. It’s just, not many of these exist let alone on a starbase!”

“It’s a Bösendorfer,” the man added, and on seeing a need to elaborate he added, “one of the finest makers of grand pianos. They developed a design - this design - which went beyond the standard eight-eight keys, quite wonderful and the sound! Oh it was wonderful!”

“You maintain it yourself?” Carolyn asked.

“Just finished tuning it this morning. Care to give it a try?” He asked in a whisper.

“I couldn’t -“

“Oh, go on! After today it goes back behind a force field for another month,” he smiled. “Besides, do you know the last time anyone knew what it was?”

“No...” she conceded.

He sighed, “neither do I.”

“I’ll be quick Ariana, I promise,” she vowed, sliding onto the bench. She could smell the rich wood, all polished and gleaming, the ivory keys begging to be played. She studied them, considering before she grinned and began to play the same tune she had taught Ariana weeks before. Only now it wasn’t just a voice, the chords flowed into a rich melody, warm and enchanting. Ending on one low, powerful note that seemed to carry through the shop.

Ariana was routed to the spot, the song had become a lifeline for her too when she found her abilities overwhelming. Just thinking back to their time on the First Federation planet brought tears to Ariana’s eyes, especially after the news about Adari. For a few moments she was lost in the melody, simply staring into space.

“Well, you are more than welcome back next month,” the man declared with a warm smile as he offered a hand to help her up from the stool and off the platform. “I don’t think I’ve heard that piece...”

“My mother loved to just play, do her own thing,” Carolyn told him, “I just have a good memory.”

“And talent my dear,” he enthused. “Your friend seemed very taken with it.”

Carolyn glances at Ariana who seemed a million miles away. “Ariana?” She asked, touching her friend’s arm. “Are you okay?”

"Wh ... What?" Ariana shook her head and gazed at Carolyn wiping away a few stray tears. "Sorry your tune ... It just reminded me of being back on the planet that's all." She offered a smile. "I didn't mean to spoil it, you play beautifully."

“Come on,” Carolyn decided, ushering her towards the door, “you probably need food.”

"That I agree with" Ariana smiled. "I want to hear you play again sometime though."

“Ha! Your hormones are messing with you,” Carolyn teased as she led Ariana towards Tiffany’s. “The food here is amazing.”

“Then if you’re recommending it, that’s good enough for me!” Ariana smiled warmly. “I’ll admit I could eat a horse!”

“Okay,” Carolyn grinned as they found a table, “one horse, coming up.”

Ariana couldn’t help but giggle as she took a seat. “Trust me you’ll find the old eating for two saying is perfectly true! Just watch the calories if you want to keep your figure.” She smiled.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Carolyn vowed.

“Just enjoy it, pregnancy is an experience that amazes me!” Ariana smiled.

“I’m trying,” she promised.

“Carolyn... I’m sorry!” Ariana paused. “I’m so full of having Cameron and Stacie home that I didn’t stop and think about how you’re feeling. Forgive me!”

“Don’t be! It’s the way it’s meant to be and Stacie is lucky to have you both,” Carolyn assured her.

“Thank you my friend” Ariana offered a smile. “I just wish Harris was here with you.”

“Me too. But it is what it is,” Carolyn shrugged.

Ariana nodded. “He will never be forgotten Carolyn, not ever!” She smiled warmly. “How’s about we order something completely indulgent and to hell with the calories!”

“You pick, then I won’t feel guilty,” Carolyn smiled. “If it contains chocolate we can’t go wrong.”

Ariana nodded and ordered. “Two of your most indulgent chocolate desserts please!” She grinned at Carolyn as the waiter nodded and headed off to get their desserts.

“I’m going to end up in a diabetic coma,” Carolyn concluded.

Ariana grinned. "If you do then I most certainly will. The amount of chocolate I've had lately is beyond belief!!"

"Yeah, I need to find alternatives to chocolate," Carolyn confided.

Ariana laughed. "There's never a true alternative except maybe ice-cream! There's always other flavours of ice-cream!"

“I guess,” she conceded with a grin, “if they have absolutely zero chocolate left.”

Ariana grinned. "We think too much alike you and I, you help to keep me sane you know."

“A sure sign of being in trouble,” Carolyn observed, sticking her tongue out. “You have lots to keep you sane. Stacie and Cameron, not to mention baby number two.”

"You are right there!" Ariana grinned. "I'm looking forward to an uneventful pregnancy this time, I hope!" She paused. "I just hope there's no complications this time, I'm not sure I could cope with another loss."

“I’m sure it will be fine, we’ll take good care of you.”

"I know! Just me bring a worrier!" Ariana smiled. "Besides you have your own baby to concentrate on."

“Yeah, that’s still... surreal,” she replied. “When Ha.. when he told me, I was so sure he was lying to me. I still look at the scan every day just to be sure. And then, of course there is Rainbow.”

Ariana nodded. “You have them both as a reminder of Harris. Treasure them, in time the pain will subside.” She sighed. “Anyway lets just enjoy ourselves and forget the wallowing for now!”

As if on queue two deserts were set down, “enjoy!”

“Wow,” Carolyn breathed as she stared at it. “Death by chocolate and then some!”

She lifted her desert spoon and grinned at Ariana as she prepared to take a bite. “See you on the other side!”

Ariana grinned. “Unless I see you first!!” She grinned the biggest grin yet.


Present time

“Okay tiger,” Carolyn sighed as she stood, “be good. I’m going to hide all of those bags so no hunting for them.”

Rainbow barked, still too absorbed with the new toy. Hoping the hiding place would be safe enough she made sure there was plenty of food and water before she made her way to sickbay. It was going to be a long day, she could feel it in her bones.

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