Family Time Interrupted

Posted on Fri Sep 26th, 2025 @ 10:30pm by Lieutenant Nicholas Reece [Reece] & Lieutenant Cassia Cavendish

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium, Cavendish/Reece Family Quarters
Timeline: MD 2 / 1900 Hours
1395 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After a long day at work, split between the Intelligence Department and the Academy Annex, Nicholas finally made his way home. Upon entering the quarters his family had been assigned, he stopped just inside the door and smiled warmly at the scene before him. Cassia was slowly dancing with their daughter, Bryleigh, in the middle of the living room, as Cassia softly hummed a gentle tune.

Ever since they had found their baby daughter during their rescue of other captured Alpha Quadrant personnel from the Thaih'ea, it was as if they had been given a second chance at being a happy family. Nicholas had taken hold of the idea and protected it, and them, fiercely.

"I will never get tired of seeing this beautiful scene," he finally said softly, the expression of love clear on his face.

Cassia spun around making their daughter giggle. She laughed and smiled at Nicholas. "You look tired, Love". She moved to greet him, their daughter giggling in her arms.

Nicholas opened his arms and wrapped them around his family. "I am, but, being here with you two is the best salve in creation." He kissed Cassia first, his lips lingering on hers for a few enjoyable seconds. He then turned his attention to their daughter and smiled a big grin at her. "You might just be prettier than your mama, baby-girl!" He the leaned in and tickled the right side of her neck with his five o'clock shadow.

Bryleigh giggled and patted his face with her hands. "Papa!" She said, one of her few words.

Cassia smiled and watched her daughters delight at her father's presence.

Nicholas gently took Bryleigh from her mother's arms and started to gently spin with her, as he continued to kiss and tickle her.

Cassia grabbed the holocam and began recording. She had been doing everything to make sure they had memories that they would be able to share with their family back home when they finally got home. She was feeling so blessed. Their daughter had banished so many bad memories that their life was perfect. Well, as perfect as it could be, so far from home.

As Nicholas continued to gently spin around, he caught sight of Cassia recording he and their daughter. With a a warm, loving smile, he stopped his spin and angled Bryleigh's face towards her mother and the camera lens. "You are absolutely right, my sweet Bryleigh, your mother is the most beautiful mommy that ever was!" He moved to Cassia's side and wrapped his free arm around her back. "And we are both very lucky to have her in our lives." He then leaned in and kissed Cassia on her lips.

Cassia kissed him back as she felt her daughter's hands pat her hair as she giggled in her father's embrace. "Hmm," she pulled back. "I think tomorrow we should go to the arboretum and spend time in the paddling pool area," she suggested.

Nicholas nodded as he replied. "That sounds like an excellent idea!" He then looked down into their daughter's small face and asked, "Do you want to go to the pool, sweetheart?"

Watching Bryleigh giggle back at Nick, Cassia relaxed against Nick and rested her head on his shoulder. Their life was going the way they wanted it. "This is just perfect" she whispered.

Hugging Cassia against his side, Nicholas replied, he voice full of love, "There is no where else in the entire universe, that I'd rather be, then right here, with my two beautiful angels."

"Hmm," She smiled and then said, "okay, hand her over Dad, bath time before bed."

Nicholas gave their daughter another gentle kiss on her forehead, along with another hug, before finally relinquishing his hold on her. "While you get her ready for bed, I'll get us a couple drinks and get some soft music playing. Any preferences for either, my love?"

"Surprise me" Cassia called back as she carried Bryleigh to the bathroom. She was humming softly as she went about preparing the bath and settling Bryleigh into the warm water. The bath took about 15 minutes to complete and then when Bryleigh was dressed and her hair brushed, Cassia came back out with her and placed her on her play mat. "Five minutes, Daddy, before she goes to bed."

When Cassia had returned with Bryleigh, now clean and in her cozy pajamas, Nicholas had already poured them both two glasses of Risian sparkling white wine, and had a selection of soft jazz playing over the hidden speakers in their quarters. He sat down next to Bryleigh and played with her, stimulating her mind with the silly toys that were in the playmat.

Cassia sat on the couch with the glass of wine and watched them. As she sat there she contemplated the scene. "I think your mother will loose her mind when we get home." She said softly.

Nicholas looked up and smiled. "Oh, definitely, but in a good way." His smile faded as he continued. "I'm sure, right now, she's inconsolable."

Cassia nodded. "Well just imagine the party we will have."

He grinned at that thought. "Oh yeah. When we were lost, she had three sons, a new daughter in law and a new granddaughter," he said, the last part referring to his baby brother Liam, his wife Samaire, and her niece, Skylah. "And when we get back, she'll have three sons, at least two daughters in law, and at least four grandchildren!" He smiled brightly. "It'll be the party of the century!!" He chuckled, then kissed Cassia deeply, before coming up for air, and gently pressing his forehead to hers.

"I think I should put our little princess to bed," he whispered heavily, a familiar hunger starting to fill his voice.

"Hmm, good idea," she whispered. "We can see about adding to the family."

This response caused a huge grin to cross Nicholas' face. "Be right back. Why don't you go slip into something a bit more....fun?" He replied, more heat and desire filling his voice. He kissed her again, then paused for her to say goodnight to Bryleigh, before standing.

Cassia watched them go and then sipped the rest of her wine before heading to their bedroom. She knew Nick's weakness well.

Before putting their daughter down for the night, Nicholas cleaned her up, changed her diaper and pajamas, then gently rocked her in his arms as he softly sang a few lullabies to her.

When Bryleigh was finally asleep, Nicholas carefully set her down into her crib. It was one of the new safety designs, that automatically shifts into an all-enclosed escape pod for the infant inside. Following the Crossing, the Commodore, having had her own twins saved by their cribs, had them replicated and issued to any parent who wanted them. It was the first thing Nicholas had put in Bryleigh's bedroom, when they were moved to larger family quarters.

Once she was inside and comfortable, Nicholas stood there for a few moments, just watching his little princess sleeping. He knew, without hesitation, that he would give is life to keep her safe. He would also kill anyone who threatened her. She would meet her grandparents, if it was the last thing he did.

Finally, after a few more minutes of love-filled, silent observation, he activated the holo-nanny, lowered the lights, then quietly exited her room. Once the door was closed, he placed his right palm flat upon its cool surface, as if he could feel her presence on the other side of the panel.

Cassia sighed and came up behind him. "She is safe. We are here. Come to bed love."

Letting out a sigh of his own, Nicholas turned and faced the love of his life. After wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close to him, whispering softly as he gazed into her beautiful eyes. "I am the luckiest man alive."

Cassia smiled and kissed him. "Yes you are."

The two kissed again, then, in a show of playfulness, Nicholas started to chase Cassia around their quarters, the two of them laughing softly, until finally, he cornered her, or she allowed him to corner her, and he scooped her up into his arms. As they kissed again, he carried her into their bedroom, the door sliding shut as he gently laid her down upon. Their bed.

~OFF~