Giving Gifts

Posted on Wed Dec 15th, 2021 @ 6:03pm by Lieutenant JG Miaxi Etaalu & Lieutenant Xalanth & Lieutenant Fulvia

1,123 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 111 - Merry Christmas from Starbase 400

Miaxi smiled to herself as she rang the chime at Xalanth's quarters. She knew he and Fulvia were off right now, and had something she wanted to give them. She clutched the bag she carried a little tighter. Although she knew them best of all the people aboard the starbase, she wasn't sure if they would like the gifts she had chosen. Still, she wanted to honor the holiday with someone.

Xalanth had been washing his mate in his quarter's communal bath when he heard his door alarm. Helping his mate out of the tube he quickly stepped in the dryer before grabbing his trousers and pulling them up before heading to the door.

Opening the door he gave Miaxi a warm smile. " Hello, there my friend how are you this fine day."

"I am well thank you. How are you?" Miaxi asked. "I was hoping to talk to you and Fulvia."

" I'm well. Would you like to come in?" The lizard asked politely.

"Thank you." Miaxi said. "I won't keep you long." she stepped inside and held up her bag. "I'm not sure how familiar you are with Betazoid holidays, but we celebrate one similar to what the Humans call Christmas. At least, in terms of gift giving." she added.

The lizard let out a slight chuckle. " My dear i'm a father to four girls one of whom is part betazoid of course i know about it. Besides my own people have a similar tradition. I'm sorry how hot it is in here by the way. This is the normal temperature of my home."

"I understand about the temperature." Miaxi said with a smile. "But I either forgot or didn't know about your half Betazed daughter."

" It's okay my friend you've not met Travla or her mother yet," Xalanth said as he lead the way to his room's couches and tables. Fulvia was already sitting there in a loose-fitting t-shirt and shorts. You could tell she was rather pregnant with an unmistakable bulge. Her smile was familiar as she saw her friend. " Hello Miaxi it's good to see you again."

"Hello Fulvia. How are you feeling?" Miaxi asked. "You're looking absolutely radiant!" She set the bag down.

" Better than i felt during the first time. Even if his next daughter like her sister loves doing summersaults. " the roman said with a grin as she nudged her bondmate slightly. " Luckily her father spoils me every chance he gets. "

Xalanth gave his mate a gentle reassuring hug.

"Summersaults huh? Sounds uncomfortable." Miaxi said, wincing slightly. "It's a good thing Xalanth is so devoted and hard to kill." she had known too many women who had lost their partners while still pregnant or with little ones. "Would you like to open your gifts now or shall I simply show you which is which, and you can do it later?"

Fulvia looked at her lizard bondmate. " Let's open them now. You know how fate loves to drag you away." Xalanth grinned in reply as he nodded to his bondmate. " Let's."


Miax laughed as she reached into the bag. "The price of working in security... although it seems working anywhere in Starfleet runs the same risk sometimes." she replied, pulling out a small package. That would be the bath salts for Fulvia. She had actually called home to find out from her mother what a pregnant woman might want, and her mother had suggested these specific ones. "This is for you, Fulvia." she said, then plucked another small gift from the top of the bag. It was a onsie she had picked up for the baby. "And I know the little one isn't exactly here yet, but I saw this and I couldn't resist."

A smile spread over the pregnant woman's face. Picking up the gifts she shone as she showed the lizard the onsie which born the words future starfleet officer on the front.

"And this is for you, Xalanth." she said, pulling out a rather large box. "I didn't know what to get you, but I knew you loved being a father, so I got you something for you to use with your new child." She had researched mobi wraps that could go around his clothing. The one she had picked had the added advantage of coming with an adjustable seat that the baby could lie in. It could be put in an included stand or carried around and stuck most anyplace it fit.

" Thank you my freind. " The lizard said as he looked over the gift. He'd certainly be needing it. " I have a gift for you if you'd like it. " He said looking over to one of the smaller rooms.

"I'm not going to say no. Thank you for thinking of me, Xalanth." Miaxi told him.

The lizard carefully lowered the package before disappearing into the room. After a short while, he returned holding a small bundle. " I haven't been able to fill it with kamlnk, but it should work just fine. " He said handing it over. Inside the packaging was a beautiful-looking flask seemingly made out of a single piece of a dark blue crystal. Judging by the marks it had been home carved as had the leather-like material that formed the straps. " It's a water flask of my people. It can hold water for weeks without losing a drop. " He said warmly. " We gift them to people will value as friends or family."

"Wow Xalanth!" Its beauty took her breath away. "This is stunning. Thank you very much. I will treasure it."

A smile spread over the lizard's face. " You should see some of the ones my grandfather could make. I'm sorry i couldn't fill it with Kamlnk as is the tradition."

"That's all right." Miaxi said. "I don't mind if you don't."

The lizard smiled as he offered his arms to hug his friend.

Miaxi moved in and gave him a big hug. "I never say no to a hug, my good friend." she told him. "I got a bunch of chocolate, fruit, and other snacks for the office. But I wanted to get you two something special." she added as they pulled apart. "Or at least a little more individual."

" They are wonderful gifts and we appreciate..." Fulvia began before wincing slightly. " Sorry little one vaulting again."

"I should go and let you rest." Miaxi said. "The joy is in the giving. I'm just happy that you will find them useful." she smiled. "I should go anyway. I'm on shift fairly soon."

" Thank you my friend and thank you for the gifts." Xalanth said giving her another squeeze before realising her.

"It's my pleasure Xalanth. I'll see you later." Miaxi said with a smile and turned to leave.

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