Found

Posted on Saturday, 8 April 2023 - 3:20pm by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Lobes & Liberties
Timeline: Prior to mission briefings

“… and pink roses everywhere. It was beautiful. Possibly one of the most romantic evenings in my life- at the very least top ten. But all through dinner, all through the performance at the symphony, I found it impossible to think of anything beyond ‘what if he asks me now?’…”

With a soft sigh, her mind clearly elsewhere, Laura Kingsley paused to take a sip from whatever concoction filled her cocktail glass. Several vibrant colours swirled and shimmered in the brief glimpse offered by the camera. “He didn’t, of course. Perhaps because he noted how distracted I was. Several times he asked if I was unwell and eventually I told him I was especially tired and called an end to our date early.

And once I was back home, and alone, I realised how I had felt almost like I was suffocating. The weight of the universe on my chest. Which,” Laura Kingsley added before pausing to take anothet drink from her glass before setting it down, “is ridiculous I know. It is hardly life or death. I can say yes, or I can say no. And either way life moves on.”

She sighed as she held the glass in both hands, staring off into the distance. “The irony is, maybe now he will completely reconsider and all of this worry is over nothing.”

Indeed, Alex Kingsley thought to herself. Yet her main feeling at that moment was relief. Despite the late - or rather early - hour, she was just relieved to finally make contact with her mother and see with her own eyes that she was okay. Of course her mother was a grown woman well able to fend for herself, yet she remembered how often in her life that Laura could also be a little… unpredictable and would let her mind wander in sometimes unimaginable ways.

“You look tired,” Laura commented as she lounged, shaded from the sun which made the temperature almost unbearable if you hadn’t lived somewhere equally hot. “What time is it?”

“0200,” came the reply, “it’s fine, I was awake. I’m just glad you are okay. I was worried.”

“Always worrying about your mother,” Laura smiled softly. “I’m so sorry darling, I didn’t mean to worry anyone. I just -“

“Needed some time,” Alex finished for her with an understanding smile. “He isn’t going to be angry with you, you know that, right?”

“He is a Vulcan, I’m sure he will quash any kind of anger,” Laura pointed out.

Alex offered a small smile, “I meant dad.”

She held up a hand to silence any kind of interruption, “please, hear me out. I can’t even begin to know what it was like for you to lose him, I imagine so much harder than it was for me. What I know is what I saw growing up. How much you loved one another and were the best parents I could have wished for. And he loved you so much. I realise that more now than I did as a kid. You were perfect together. And you both wanted to make one another happy.

I can’t believe for one second that he would want you to spend the rest of your life alone, not giving that crazy big heart of yours to anyone else. He knows he has a special place in it, that we will never forget him. But he never stopped trying to look out for us and to make both of us happy. And admit it, a certain ambassador has been making you happy.”

A small blush coloured Laura’s cheeks. “Perhaps.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t a big decision,” Alex told her gently, “and it is right to consider it. Just, don’t let dad be that reason.”

Laura fell into a deep thoughtful silence. “It feels like betrayal, as illogical as that sounds. It’s been a long time since I saw his face, heard his voice, held his hand.”

“I know,” Alex said softly.

“He would say I’m being silly,” Laura laughed, dabbing at her eyes as she shook her head.

“Probably,” her daughter admitted.

“The night he proposed, he had a single red rose in his hand,” Laura told her with a fond smile. “He knew I loved roses.”

“But wasn’t he aller -“

“So allergic!” Laura chuckled. “We ended up in the medical centre before he could put the ring on my finger. He planned this big speech with a picture perfect view? We ended up with him popping the question with him in a medical gown that didn’t quite fit.”

Alex had heard the story many times but listened anyway. She never tired of hearing the tales of how her parents met. They were so different in many ways, yet in others so alike.

“But you are right,” Laura added.

“It’s been know to happen.”

A small smile played at Laura’s lips. “He would be so angry at me. Not that he was ever angry at anything,” she sighed. “Surprise parties excluded.”

“Yes, he didn’t like those too much,” Alex agreed. “But you know what he loved? Your smile. Your laugh. And lately you have seemed so much happier than I know you’ve been in a long time.”

“The children help with that.”

“True, and I love that you love them so much. But you have your own life, your own path. As do they. And saying yes, if he asks that is, doesn’t meant losing them.”

“And what if Soral and you are no longer together?” Laura challenged.

“I think it would take hell literally freezing over for those three children to accept losing you,” Alex reassured her. “If staying on Vulcan is what you want, then we will make it happen. I’m sorry, I know it isn’t perfect.”

“You need this drink more than me,” Laura commented, taking a sip.

“Oh no, I think I’ve drank enough to drown my sorrows ten times over,” Alex admitted. “It surprisingly does not help.”

“You always were wiser than your mother,” Laura lamented.

“Sometimes,” Alex conceded with a grin.

“He loves you.”

“I know,” Alex assured her. “But he believes that I’ve given up on our marriage. That I’m not fighting for it. I don’t know… maybe he is seeing right through all of whatever the hell is me right now and knows a truth that I don’t?”

”Absolutely not,” Laura said with a firm shake of her head. “This has been a nightmare for both of you and you both need to deal with it in your own way. How dare he?! You take all the time in the universe if you need it. I assume he expects you to just go back to how things were? Does he forget you did not marry this other side of him? Oh. What I wouldn’t do to be there and give him a peace of my mi-“

“Mum,” Alex interjected. “No. I’m not a child, I will deal with this my way.”

Laura huffed as she sat back. “I still think he’s being unreasonable.”

“That we can agree with. Now go, find some coffee, stay away from any blonde lifeguards and call me later okay?”

“You know there is a rather adorable waiter -“

“Goodnight mother,” Alex interjected, rolling her eyes as she moved to end the call. “Love you.”

“Love you!” Laura called back with a wave just before the connection ended.

Alex sighed as she hauled herself to her feet and half walked half staggered to the bedroom and threw herself into the bed, asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

OFF

 

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