Family reunion

Posted on Thu Apr 11th, 2024 @ 5:11am by Lieutenant Tyrion Faye & Teena O'Trei

1,716 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: Palingenesis
Location: Docking hatch

The past weeks has been lonely, and very...silent. Teena had taken the children to Betazed to spend some time with their grandparents. He was certain his own mother probably demanded some time with them too. She was a dominant figure who didn't take no for an answer, after all. He had known his younger sister would be meeting with Teena while on Betazed, and he had approved that meeting. After all the young woman had cared for Danya for a while, when he wasn't allowed to due to an assignment.

Anxiously, he watched the hatch, eager to be reunited with his children.

There was a chorus of "Daddy" as they stepped out of the docking hatch and spotted him. All four kids making a run in his direction.

Teena watched on in amusement as Ty was pretty much engulfed. She breathed in, taking in the station air. "Its good to be back," she said.

Another blur ran past as Liam walked up behind her. Cade had decided he shouldn't be left out it seemed and threw himself into the hug with his cousins.

"Uncle," he said with a smile.

Tyrion ruffled the older child's hair and smiled. "No one has called me that before," he chuckled as he drew all five children in his arms for a few seconds. "Now," he addressed his own foursome, "have you all been good? Not given your mother too much trouble?"

The oldest shook her head, her dark hair engulfing her faintly green skinned face. "We've been good," she answered as she took her little brother's hand, "just ask mother. We've been to see grandma, and Auntie Danielle came to visit too."

Tyrion nodded as he looked towards Teena. "How was your visit?"

"They were all very good. Danya and Liam were a huge help especially at bed times. Your sisters were lovely. They have sent some gifts for you. Lorena was in her element. She loves having all the grandkids around. Doted on them completely," she smiled.

"Mother was just glowing. She loves being a grandmother," Liam said. "I think it took her mind off the news about Jon." He put his hand out to his brother in law. "How have you been Ty?"

"Tyr, or Tyrion," the other Betazoid corrected as he took the offered hand. "Believe it or not but I have actually been quite busy with work." He smirked, "but I'll admit I did enjoy the quiet time when I happened to be home." His smirk faded. "What happened to Jon?" Had he missed something important somewhere along the lines?

"Tyr" Liam corrected himself. "Jon is missing in action or presumed dead. The Andromeda went down in a conflict. The ship crash landed on a planetoid they were investigating but the surviving crew report seeing Jon be beamed out of the bridge. They were in conflict with the Ce'tea."

~And Kaylee is now presumed not dead and her family having shafted ours~ Teena communicated telepathically just to him. ~Long story. We will catch up.~

"I'm sorry to hear that," Tyrion offered as he crawled back to his feet with five children still clinging to him. "Perhaps we should head home? Of course, you will stay with us until you are assigned somewhere to stay." It wasn't a suggestion, and he was sure that Teena would agree. "You are staying, right?"

Liam smiled. "Thank you. We are staying. I have an appointment with the new Admiral within the next hour. So hopefully I will have a new assignment and we won't have to impose on you long. I know space is limited as it is. But its very kind of you.

We will leave you for a bit now and hopefully come back with some better news," Liam said. "Son you wanted to see the promenade didn't you? We can walk that way to my meeting."

Cades eyes lit up and he grabbed Liam's hand as he gave Teena a quick one armed hug and they left them for now.

Teena watched them disappear into the crowd. "Its been a long trip," she smiled at Tyrion.

"Come on kiddos mummy can't wait to see our apartment again. And I bet you can't either. All your toys will be there waiting for you.

And Daddy can tell us all about what he's been up to and what's been happening while we were away as we head home. Anything exciting?" she asked taking two small hands offered to her, Tyrion with the other two.

"We seem to have been assigned a new commanding officer. I haven't met her yet, but gossip has it she's.." Tyrion paused, not quite sure how to address their late commanding officer. "Word has it, she's the commodore's mother. Which is odd because I was under the impression the Haistro's were orphans?" He shrugged. "Not that it matters, but we'll, she's the new boss "

"That's who Liam's gone to report too," Teena said stunned. "What an odd situation. How is the late Commodores brother handling all this? And Mel. What happened to Mel?"

"I don't know. She disappeared after Commodore Haistro's death, and noone knows where to. She took her daughter with her, that's all I know." He paused. "I'm glad you're home Teena, then at least some kind of normalcy will have returned to this place."

She smiled at him and nodded. "I know. I can't wait to be a proper family again and to get my shop back open. Contribute to things again so its not all on you."

"We've been over that. Equal partner and parents remember?" He smiled at her. "I'm sure people can't wait for your shop to be open again."

"I have some new ideas and Lorena is sending me over some new ingredients i bought on Betazed. I even managed to get some moon roses," she said excitably. There was an idea she had been wanting to try for a while but getting this flower was difficult due to its popularity. "I need to see Hiro about a greenhouse."

"And see Melinda about culturing it? I think she's visiting her brother on the planet below." He smiled, liking it very much to see her happy. "And uhm .. there's this Orion lady that's been enquiring after you... didn't you enjoy a romance with her for a while?" Despite his profession, he made a conscious effort to stay out of her endeavours. Including possible romantic ones as they had agreed they could have their own love affairs when they desired it.

"Really?" Teena said her mouth opening in a big O in shock. "It was just a couple of dates. She didn't know if she was going to be staying on the station. And well it hadn't got to long enough to tell her about our situation. I assumed I wouldn't hear from her again. Perhaps we could go out again. What about you Ty? Met any nice men during our absence?" she asked.

Pulling her PADD out where she kept her "lists" she added meet with Melinda to ask her how to care for the roses.

"No-one," Tyrion admitted, "I haven't been with anyone since we married. I haven't really been looking though, if I want someone it needs to be someone who can add to our family unit and accepts and acknowledges our situation." He smiled at her. "Someone who accepts, acknowledges and respects the presence of the mother of my children. Who knows... I'm not yet desperate enough to just get anyone into my bed, or get into anyone else's. But who knows if someone suitable comes along .."

"It will happen Tyr," Teena said positively. "There are people out there who will be able to be comfortable and supportive of our situation. And if they are not, they are not worthy of being part of our situation," she said softly.

"I know, but I'm in no hurry." Tyrion smiled at her. "It'll happen, when the time is right, and my guess is, right now it just isn't which gives me the time to enjoy what we do have." He gestured at the four children between them. "Three daughters, and a single son. That poor boy, he must feel so alone." He looked up at his wife. "Promise me one thing Teena....promise me we won't make him marry anyone of our choice. Don't do to him, what my mother did to me, to us."

“As if you have to ask,” she said seriously. “They can love who they please and live their lives how they wish. I only want happiness for all of them. And you.”

"Of course I have to ask. I wouldn't be surprised if our mothers try to pressure you. I mean technically, according to Betazoid laws, you are the head of this household and I got precious little say according to those same laws. They're archaic."

"Tyr," Teena said taking his hand and giving it a little squeeze. "There is no head of this household. We co parent and everything is equal and no I will not let them pressure me. If they try that we won't take the kids to Betazed again. You have a voice and a say in everything."

Having experienced otherwise all his life from the women in his family, it was no surprise Tyrion had his doubts even though he had no trouble sensing her sincerity. "My preference would be they never set foot on that planet again," he growled, "that they grow up here among diversity and equality. Who knows what poison our mothers feed the girls ."

"I can guarantee you Lorena span no poison. I was there the whole time. She was attentive and loving to all four sorry five," she had forgot Cade then for a second, "Grandchildren. And your mother did not spend any time with them. Only your sisters."

"Good." He studied the only boy among their children. "He deserves to be happy and make the same choices I was, once I wrestled myself free from the pressure. And we'll make sure he does." He forced himself to smile. "Come, people must be lining up already for your shop to open. You've no idea how many kept pestering me with questions of things I know nothing about."

She beamed at the thought.

 

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