A Happy Family Is But An Earlier Heaven

Posted on Wed Jul 6th, 2022 @ 3:28am by Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Lieutenant Seth Travis

Mission: A Trip to Middle Earth
Location: Travis Quarters/Sickbay USSWashington
Timeline: Pre holodeck adventure.

Shoniara tucked Shasta up into the bed that had originally been their spare bedroom. It seemed impossible that her daughter, her resurrected daughter was here but here she was. A creature of flesh and blood that recognized Shon as her mother. Shon had tried to push her a little on where she had been for the past five years but Shasta did not seem to know. The last thing she said she remembered was being with Mark in a bright light and then as if in an instant back in her mothers arms. Shon needed to know so may things, was she really her daughter, how old was she in reality? Shasta had told her that she was still eight years old, the age she was when she died. She did not look any older than Shon had remembered. Sickbay was where Shon wanted to be right now with Shasta working through ……..working through what? She thought. Was there some celestial religious force at work? She heard the door to their quarters open and she walked through to where Seth stood. “I missed you” she said and kissed her new husband as though she had. Seth I have something to tell you.”

Seth smiled as he kissed Shon in return. "I missed you too and I'm glad your back safe and sound." He tilted his head t one side, "Something to tell me? Okay sweetie, what is it you want to tell me.? I'm all ears."

Shon took his hand, “I have something to show you” she said quietly and pulled him towards the bedroom. “You will not believe this, in fact I do not fully but that little girl in the bed is Shasta, my child, my dead child. They played with my mind Loki and Hela, on the mission. They told me they couldn’t restore her too me but I asked and then…here she is, the same 8 years old that died in the fire all those years ago.” She looked at her husband. “Say something?”

Seth stepped into the room to get a better look at the sleeping girl. She certainly favored Shon in appearance. He looked at Shon, "I...I don't know what to say Shon. This obviously wonderful news to have your daughter returned to you and I am thrilled for you. You say you asked, and they did it, just like that? You didn't have to give up or agree to anything?"

“She told me there would be a price and she would claim it when she wanted to. Seth I need Sam to examine her, make sure she really is my daughter, she may be a construct of some kind, but she feel so real, just like I remember her before..before I could not save her from the fire.” She took both his hands in hers, “what does this mean for us, you and me?”

Seth accepted what Shon said about a price to be paid. "I see, so we wait. Not crazy over that but I suppose we have no choice or say in the matter." His hands turned to grip hers. "What it means to us, is that we're now the proud parents of a little girl and that we accept her as that with no questions asked and love her for all she is worth. We'll deal with whatever the price is if and when it comes up. For now, we love your, our daughter."

Shon held Seth as her tears of gratefulness ran down her face. How had she gotten so lucky in finding such a good man. She looked up at him. “It will be a long road” she said between sobs, “there are so many things we do not know. How will she understand the changes in her life? I have not even begun to talk to her, to tell her what happened after she died, how do I tell her she even died? or even that it was years ago. There used to be an old Earth saying ‘be careful for what you wish for,’ “ she sagged against him. “I need to sit down.” She walked to the couch and sat head in her hands. “I am sorry, I did not even ask about you day my love?”

Seth moved to sit next to her on the couch. "It will be a long road." He agreed. "She may not even like me or worse resent me as I am not her real father. However, we'll cross that bridge when get to it." He squeezed her hand, "Some advice, don't anticipate. If your daughter asks, then you tell her, and I would be very careful in saying she died as that could unforeseen problems." He smiled at her, "Dull, compared to what you have been through my love."

She sighed, “you are right, I will not say anything to her unless she asks. I hope Sam will look at her tomorrow. For now I just want to go to bed and lie in the peaceful dark. Will you come to bed after you’ve eaten? I want to be with you.”

Seth smiled and nodded. "I think that is for the best Shon. Also having Dr. Howard look at her or even having one of the nurses to a simple checkup is good." He leaned forward and kissed her softly. "I will have a quick supper and then spend the rest of the evening with you. You need some attention as well my love."

She turned on her way to the shower, “and I need to give you some attention Seth.” Her eyes full of promise and love. As Seth ate she had a shower, dried herself and climbed into the bed. The sheets felt cool and the feel of cleanliness infused her. She stretched out and yawned her mind full of the last mission and the dénouement. She listened as her husband moved around and she waited.

Seth had a roast beef and Swiss cheese sandwich and a glass of milk. When he finished, he placed the dishes and glass in the recycler and sat back at the table and thought of what Shon had told him. Her daughter was brought back. That in and of itself was quite a fear but now Shon and he were left to be parents which was going to be another amazing feat. He hoped and prayed the child liked him (he didn't even know her name!) However, he had meant what he said when he told Shon they would love her, and he would love like she was his own. After a bit he got up and headed to the bedroom and Shon.

Despite her attempts to remain awake Shon had begun to slip into slumber. It was only when Seth slipped in beside her did she wake. She yawned and stretched herself out beside the length of his body. Her hand caressed his back as she kissed him gently.

Seth moans softly at both Shon's tender kiss and her soft caress. he rolls over to face her. his eyes alive and happy. I love you Shon Travis, now and until the end of time."

She looked at him with love and lust in her eyes “you are everything to me my husband, let us be one tonight.” She began to kiss his face, his chin, his chest until she disappeared under the sheet. She heard him moan as she reached his groin.

Seth groaned as Shon worked her magic, first showering him with kisses before she disappeared under the sheet and continued her magic. He rolled as he felt rising proof of his desire for her. " With every breath, I love you more and more Shon." He whispered. "Let me show you how much."

“MOMMA!” Shon was having a very happy dream Shasta was alive and calling for her, she smiled in her dream and when a hand pushed her shoulder and woke her she sprang up confused that her dream appeared to be alive. Then she remembered as she saw her daughter before her rubbing her eyes.

“I was having a bad dream that I was in a fire.”

Shon lifted her up and placed her on her knee and held her. “Shush, it’s fine my love, it was only a dream.”

As she rocked her daughter Shasta stopped and pointed. “Who is that?” She asked as she saw Seth tangled in the sheets.

Seth heard Shasta's voice and thought *Great! Just great, wasn't ready for this conversation this soon* However he rolled to look at the girl, "Hi, I'm Seth." he said brightly, ready to see where the conversation went next.

Shasta seemed to think for a while then, “you have a nice face” she said then without waiting for an answer “are you my daddy now?” Shon looked at him a slight wry smile on her face.

Seth smiled at the young girl, "Why thank you very much. You have a nice face as well." Then sharing a look with Shon, he continued. "Yes, I am."

Shasta looked at him, what do you do? My mummy is a doctor, she is very good at it and…”

“Shas, it’s the middle of the night and I am sure Seth doesn’t want all these questions…” Shon remonstrated.

“Seth, s E t h,” she spelt out phonetically. “Do you cuddle?” She asked him.

"It's alright Shon." Seth answered and looked at Shasta, "I'm a diplomat and I'm very good at my job as well." He said with a smile. He frowned slightly at Shasta's next question. " On occasion I do."

Shon, who had been trying to shake her head, gave up and shrugged her shoulders. “She loves to cuddle” she said.

“Yes I do, and I can tell what sort of people they are by their cuddle, will you cuddle me?” Shasta demanded.

Shon sighed.

"I think you just want to get into bed with us." Seth smiled at Shasta but yes, I'll cuddle you." He said as he opened his arms to her.

She took herself out of Shon’s cuddle and jumped into the middle of the bed and into Seth’s arms. “I like the middle of the bed, it means two cuddles at once.” She placed her cheek on Seth’s. “Scratchy,” she announced. She sniffed, “nice smell.”

Shon let out a giggle, “I’m sorry!” She mouthed to her husband.

“Now for the cuddle” the little girl said.

Seth gave an answering nod and smile to Shon before returning his attention to Shasta even as his arms closed tenderly around the girl. "Let's wait for your mother to get back under the covers as well. She may want to give you some cuddles as well."

“I certainly do” she said as she swung her legs back into the bed and snuggled down tickling her daughter and making her laugh. Tears began to fall from Shon’s eyes as she remembered times long ago. She put her arms round Shasta drawing her inwards feeling that soft warmth she had thought was long lost to her. The warmth of the bed and the nearness of the ones she loved took her down into sleep her exhaustion manifesting itself. “I love you both more than my life” she whispered as she fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Shasta put her finger to her lips. “Shush” she whispered to Seth, “I knew mommy needed her sleep.”

"Such a smart little girl." Seth whispered, "Now, it's time for you to go to sleep as well."

Shasta yawned and smiled, “I’m going to love my new daddy.” She said as she nestled between Shon and Seth. “Now it’s time to sleep.” She ordered and fell asleep.

"Thank you sweetheart." Seth said softly as he kissed Shasta on the forehead. Closing his eyes, he wondered how he ever got so lucky.