EXETERRPG: (18 - 2200) - SS- CO LCmdr Trip Williams and Dir R&SE Ashlyn Williams

[Mark Howard]

Mission: The Flames of Purity

Day: 18

Stardate: 2445.09.18

(USS Exeter - Captain’s Quarters - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and
DR&SE Ashlyn Williams - 22:00)

“Well that was certainly a weird evening, huh?” Trip said as he and Ash
returned to their quarters. He made his way to the bed room and took off
his uniform jacket. He returned to the living space and kicked off his
shoes. “We have a daughter from an alternate future universe that’s my age.”

Ashlyn sat at her dresser, and wiped the make up off her face, depositing
the wipe in the recycler. She then removed the ear jewellery, that she now
often wore. It had caused a massive stir amongst the Bajoran Officers and
crew, some knew of the rumour of the hidden child, few believed it. So when
that child appeared amongst them on the Exeter the shock was palpable.

“I shouldn’t be shocked. You know that Aimee should only be 34?” Ashlyn
stopped, and held the earring in the air, her attention distracted for a
moment.

"Yeah but Dale at least remembered having Aimee. We got a 23 year old
daughter over night."

"There is a subtle difference i admit."

“I’m just remembering my life on Mars before the base reopened. It was
strangely normal, I almost miss it. Weird stuff has been happening to me
ever since we reconnected. I blame you.”

"Funny, earlier I told Ailynn I blamed marrying a bracken."

She slipped off her dress, and hung it back up on the hanger in the
wardrobe, before catching sight of her reflection, and turning sideways,
her hand resting on her abdomen. She then looked down, and started a mental
countdown to the day she’d probably stop being able to see her own feet.

"I mean, I've always felt a connection to her." Trip said as he poured
himself a glass of bourbon. He then sat down on the couch. "Genetically
yes, a version of us were her parents, but does that mean we are."

"Now I think about it, it was weird how she entered our lives, and how much
she clicked with Ailynn. Secret aside those two get on on such a deep
level.” Sighing gently, but happily, she removed the rest of her clothes,
and wrapped the silk robe around her tying it gently, before walking back
through to the lounge, and sitting back in her favourite corner. Layla gave
her a speculative look, and dashed over, tail wagging and hopped up onto
the couch next to them.

"I mean she feels like more of a sister than a daughter. To our son she'll
be more an aunt then a sister."

Ashlyn laughed gently. "Crazy Aunt Ronnie. He’s going to be a very lucky
boy.”

"But the thought of anyone hurting her makes my blood boil. The thought of
her being alone for years without us breaks my heart."

“I know.” She said, “Mine too. I mean, she’s been through so much already,
watched Billions die, sent back to a previous version of her gran, to stay
with until such a time that she could be with us. She’s had such a burden.
Poor Soul. I think we’ll all look out for her that bit more."

"Yeah…"

She took his glass off him, and sniffed it gently. “No fair.” She said,
handing it back, but snuggling in to his side. She giggled slightly “Gabe
has got rather a problem hasn’t he.”

"He better treat her right." He said with a laugh.  He took a sip. "I just,
who are we supposed to be to her? Am I supposed to be dad. Are you supposed
to be mom. Are we supposed to parent her? It's odd."

Ashlyn shrugged, “I’d say be what she needs to be. Mostly I think she
simply needs to belong to a family, a dynamic will develop on it’s own. I’m
too young to be Mom to a twenty something.”

"Of course you're a sexy mama."

“Flattery will get you everywhere. You know what I’m looking forward to
seeing Mum try to get everyone into the dining room at Christmas.
Especially by then, I’ll be taking up a but more room myself.”

"If we're home for Christmas.  It may just be us here. Well with Ailynn,
Ronnie, Rissa, and Gabe…" he paused. "Though he's technically not my family
so we can leave him out." He paused again. "Maybe."

Ashlyn frowned. “Mean. We’ll just open up the Starlight lounge, and dress
it up. I’m sure we can find a Tree somewhere.” Sighing deeply she smiled
happily. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made this girl from the wrong
side of 5th and Main.”

"You know, the feeling is mutual."

“I swear, Cerise Blake could walk in this room right now, and it wouldn’t
alter my mood any. I am happier than I ever was in my wildest wildest
dreams. As bizarre as my life has become, I wouldn’t change a single iota
of it in any way.” She lifted up and kissed her husband.

"Did you know Cerise ended up in Starfleet? Jimmy told me. They still keep
in touch. She was in a terrible accident. Had to relearn to walk."

“She made my life absolute hell. Not that she deserves that happening. I’m
surprised that she’d have the staying power to commit to the Fleet.
Learning to walk again though, do you remember how good she was at
gymnastics? I’ll bet that was hard on her. Anyway, enough of bygones. In
the morning can you have a chat with Ailynn? I worry about her, she’s a
strong thing, but she’s been through things a bit. Just make sure she’s
okay? She’ll tell things to you that she wouldn’t necessarily to me, just
to protect me from worrying I suppose.”

"I will don't worry."

“Thank you honey.”

"We should go somewhere with Ronnie when we get to Bajor. I think I'd like
that. Family trip."

Ashlyn nodded. “That would be lovely. Just us three. Well, three and a bit.
The Western Forest is beautiful this time of the year, there’s cabins that
are available."

"Computer play Trip Playlist 30." Trip said as the computer began playing
romantic instrumental jazz. Trip pulled his wife close. "Not gonna lie
babe, looking at Ronnie, Drew's in luck. Our genes make beautiful people."

“Yep. Your brains and my beauty, thankfully not the other way around.” She
giggled, and lifted herself onto his lap. “I’m kidding. You’re right. They
do.”

"Not that I had any doubt."

“He’s going to be a really lucky little chap. Going to have lots of Aunties
and uncles to look out for him.”

"Its crazy you know. Our family is truly bigger than we think. Thank the,
umm, prophets for that."

“Definitely.” She shifted on his lap, his arms around her. “And I wouldn’t
have it any other way.”


(Reply none)

(Posted by Will and Mark)
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