Posted by Lieutenant Hannah Lori Asimina (Asst. Chief Medical Officer) in The First Day Of Forever

Posted by Civilian Jason Reilly (Assistant Director - Colonial Intelligence) in The First Day Of Forever

Posted by Lieutenant Hannah Lori Asimina (Asst. Chief Medical Officer) in The First Day Of Forever
Posted by… suppressed (31) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The alarm Jason set went off and, just for a moment, Jason couldn’t remember why he was 1- getting up at noon, and 2- why he was asleep to begin with. But as he stirred, the movement of the woman’s body next to his reminded him of the past fifty hours of his life… and how much had changed in that short time.

He looked down at Hannah and smiled. She was a vision… even as she snored. He shook his head and slipped out from her leg and arm draped over him with all the practice he had garnered over the years leaving just such a situation… but never before had he really not wanted to.

He moved silently down the stairs… and then caught himself. Shaking his head, he went to the kitchen and made himself a drink and then a ginger and lemon tea for Hannah. He didn’t know if her stomach would be upset, but after their ‘getting to know you’ session(s) the night prior, he wasn’t going to wake her unprepared. Moving back up the stairs, he went into his - their?- bedroom and sat on the bed, tea in one hand. He reached out and gently shook Hannah, making sure she would see him as her eyes opened.

Jason

Hannah was a light sleeper. Years of being alone in her own bed made her very aware of someone else in it. Two years of Daniel sneaking out for whatever reason had made her overly aware of the slightest movements. However she slept on as Jasin got up. It could be exhaustion from their ‘discussions’ or hormones, or more truthfully the effect of what was happening between them. Despite her worry and sense of unbalance, Hannah trusted him. So she didn’t stir until he woke her.

Her blue eyes opened instantly with recognition. The memories of the last 2 days were exceptionally vivid. She called out of work for him. She had a moment of that sense of time, where she knew this was her future. Waking up to Jasin like this every morning. It was shocking, but nit frightening. She didn’t move right away, having learned her stomach didn’t appreciate sudden movement anymore. Her hand slipped across the sheet and found his. “Hi.”

Hannah

He gave her hand a squeeze and then he let go and smiled. Hello, you. How did you sleep? he signed and held the tea out to her. I didn’t know if you would need it, but here is some g-i-n-g-e-r and lemon tea.

Jason

Oh wow. Her stomach fluttered, but not from morning sickness. It was an excited and nervous feeling. She sat up against the headboard. I slept…great. You? She took the tea and sipped it. She smiled slightly as she set it down and rested it against her thigh a moment. I feel okay, actually, which was surprising, but I like the tea, so thank you. He hadn’t needed to do that. She could have made it, but it was really sweet that he had made it for her. She picked the cup up and drank it slowly.

Hannah

He smiled and said Sleeping was good. Waking up was… unusual. But not bad. Far from it. He leaned in and left a linger kiss on her lips. Now we have about two hours till your appointment. Can I get you anything? And I hope you don’t mind… and he stood up and walked to the closet and opened it.

Her clothes from the spare room were inside. And I moved your bathroom things here as well.

Jason

His kiss was wonderful, she would willingly wake up to that every day. Hannah stared at the closet; it was like he had sort od read her mind. It wasn’t like she had a lot here, just a couple outfits and a uniform. They took up no room at all. That wasn’t the point of course. It was one thing to bring a bag for a weekend, for a few days, to stay in his extra room. This was not just an offer of but claimingmore. She shook her head, set the cup on the table beside the bed and got up and walked over to him. Her head pulsed slightly and subsided before really registering. I don’t mind. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Guess this means you still want to go with me.

Hannah

Anywhere and everywhere. he said. He set his hands on her waist and pulled her too him suddenly. He held her tight to him and then signed I don’t want you to wait to move till you come back. I want you to come back here.

Jason

Hannah’s arms wrapped around his shoulders as he held her. She suddenly knew, no matter what happened, she would miss this. The feel of his hands on her waist, the warmth that spread through her from his touch, the way her heart raced. That there was not enough more to prevent the ache his loss would leave. That realization shook her more than finding out she was pregnant.

Her hands rested against his chest for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. His words surprised her. Fear was inclined to say wait. Wait till after her appointment. Wait until he decided if the reality made him want to run away or not. That was fear talking though. Hannah couldn’t figure out why she was listening to it, why she was letting fear curb her choices. She had never been that way. She would regret not agreeing, she would regret telling him to wait, especially if her words made him change his mind.

Her hands smoothed over his shoulders and her tongue darted out with nervousness. “Okay.” She looked away and then back at him, Jason…please don’t break my heart.

Hannah

He looked at her for a long time before he mouthed simply I won’t. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, and for a long time there was nothing else but the two of them. Finally, he pulled back. Your appointment. Unless you want to go naked, we should get dressed. and he laughed.

Jason

Hannah held herself close to him as he kissed her. She kissed him back, and for those long moments she let go of the worry and apprehension. She smirked, I would prefer clothes. There wasn’t much of a choice in what to wear. There was the outfit she wore to have dinner with him, that first night…two nights ago. Oh that sounded crazy. Then the pair of jeans and sweater she wore the night before. She went for the jeans and sweater. It felt a bit awkward going into his bathroom, but she found her brush and tamed the mess, and brushed her teeth. Her head swam slightly when she stood up from rinsing her mouth. She sat on the bed to slip on her shoes and implants. Her alarm was sitting on the table next to the bed. She grabbed the larger pad and slipped it beneath the matress before she could think about it. She took the tea, drinking it as her stomach soured. “I think I should try to eat something,” she moved toward the stairs and the kitchen.

Hannah

“Go sit. I’ll get you something.” and he slid past her like water past fingers and went tot he kitchen.

Hannah paused on the stairs and watched him as he slipped passed her. She supposed it would do no good to insist she could do it herself. She went into the living room, that was all straightened and neat again. She took a seat and watched him over the back of the couch.

He thought for a moment and then snapped his fingers. He made her another cup of tea and then plated some of the ginger cookies from the restaurant last night. He brought them out to her and set them down and said “Here. After your appointment, we’ll go get something more substantial and then go get your clothes. Ok?”

Jason

“Thank you.” He really didn’t have to do that, but it was very sweet, and Hannah would admit it felt nice. Hannah grabbed a cookie and took a bite. She followed it by sipping the tea, until she had eaten the whole cookie. No longer empty her stomach felt normal. “Okay.”

They were going to do that now? Well today? She took another cookie and bit into it. Why not? Didn’t Alexis tell Hannah that even she knew where Hannah should be? Wasn’t that telling. “Don’t forget we’re cooking. Unless you want to wait till tomorrow.” She looked at the time. “We should probably go.” The penthouse was closer to the hospital than the complex, but it was still a few blocks away.

Hannah

Jason nodded and then cleaned up. He made sure they had everything and then he said Ground car or walk? Up to you.

Jason

Hannah was used to walking most everywhere. We can walk. It’s not too far. Hannah looked around and grabbed her combadge from the coffee table and affixed it to her shirt and then they took the elevator to the floor.

Most of the lunch traffic had thinned out around the building, but as they neared the hospital it got busier. The hospital was one of the largest buildings, area wise that abutted the square. It was short compared to others but took up several blocks in its own. People in scrubs and uniforms hurried about, but they all wore the purple lab coats with the Sacred Heart symbol over it. Hannah had only been in the hospital to work one day but she really liked it.

She led them through the main lobby and down the left hand corridor to the lifts and up to the second floor and a nurses station where she checked in for her appointment. There were several other couples waiting, running the spectrum of shocked to exstatic. Hannah led them over to take a seat away from everyone else. Hannah didn’t talk or sign much at all. Her silence wasn’t a reflection of Jason being with her, but more her own uncertainty about how she felt about…well, being pregnant.

Hannah

Jason didn’t push or make small talk. He let her be, and simply kept her hand in his at all times… sometimes giving it a reassuring squeeze. They sat for a few minutes and then the nurse came out and said “Hannah Asimina?” Jason patted her hand and then signed Want me to come with you or stay here? Its your call and I won’t be hurt if you need this one to be on your own.

Jason

Hannah looked up at the old Klingon woman, Ok’jiv, who called her name. Hannah turned to him as he patted her hand. Hannah squeezed his hand, No, I want you to come. She stood, holding onto his hand and followed the nurse into the back. The rooms here were much more comfortable than other exam rooms. It was all very surreal. Hannah had been here her first day on Oed because she’d had to be cleared by obstetrics before she was allowed to work. She had been too in shock to notice much. Yesterday’s meetings were filled with details and people. She lifted herself onto the biobed, leaving the chair for Jason. Ok’jiv raised the head so she didn’t have to lay flat. She gave what was supposed to be a reassuring smile to Jason but spoke to Hannah because she looked like she might be sick from nerves. “You are here because of nausea? Have you taken anything for it?”

“Ummm…the last time I took something was when I was here yesterday. Unless you count ginger tea.” She had access to a whole medkit she should have taken something, but she really hadn’t been sick when she called out. The Klingon gave a nod, “Some of the best medicine doesn’t come from a hypo. Just lay back and let the bed take it’s scans.” She turned to Jason offering her hand, “I am Ok’jiv. I am the head midwife. I met Dr Asimina yesterday. It is nice to meet you. You are the father?” In her experience most human women didn’t bring men to their appointments unless they were the father, but she could be wrong. If he was there was medical history they would need to collect.

Hannah

Reilly grinned and said “Non-biological paternal figure. We’ll see what happens over the next couple months.” and he winked at midwife. He looked at Hannah and smiled.

Jason

“DNA does not make a family, choice does,” she gave a nod and began pepping a phlebotomy hypo.

Hannah sat up and reached for the PaDD they had brought with them. “I have the medical info you were going to ask for.” Hannah pulled up a file and handed the PaDD to the woman. It was extensive and as complete as Hannah could make it, considering the gaps. Ok’jiv looked over it, “Thank you,” and then paused. She looked at Jason, “If you could wait outside a moment.”

“He can stay,” Hannah shook her head and smiled slightly at the nurse and then looked at Jason. “She just noticed the last entry in the medical file is 2 and a half months ago, and I’m here with someone else. She’s going to ask me if I feel safe at home and if I’m scared of the father. Standard questions when there are interesting circumstances and asking in private ensures the mother can speak freely if they aren’t safe. Standard procedure.” Hannah took his hand and looked at Ok’jiv, “Yes and no.” Ok’jiv grinned and patted her knee. “Good. Now what is not good is these readings. No wonder you are sick. You are very dehydrated, Hannah. I’m surprised you do not have a headache.”

“Oh…actually…” Hannah sighed. She knew this. She should have increased her water intake. Dehydration could have serious side effects on a baby. The old midwife nodded knowingly and while Hannah was lost in thought, went on to explain that Hannah needed to be drinking more than 2 liters of water a day. Which was hard when she couldn’t keep her meals down, and the risks of dehydration on her and the baby from headaches to birth defects. “I’ll be more careful.”

“I’ll push the water and make sure she is drinking.” Jason said.

The Klingon grinned at him and nodded. “Good, sometimes even doctors need help during all these changes.”

“Well I will go get an infusion unit and we’ll take care of it right now. So when you leave here you don’t have to worry about rehydrating, just maintaining.” She stepped quietly out of the room.

Hannah

Jason looked at Hannah and grinned. And here I thought it was you d-e-h-y-d-r-a-t-i-n-g me. and he laughed. He reached out and took her hand. “Get something for the nausea. That way you’ll be able to keep fluids down, okay? I’m no doctor, but I know my way around a med kit.”

Jason

Hannah laced her fingers through his. “I have it in my med kit…I just don’t have that with me…” She knew she needed more water. “It’s a nasty cycle. The nausea and vomiting makes you not want to eat or drink. Then you get dehydrated which then, if severe enough, makes your stomach more upset and you eat and drink less.” How did it get so bad in two weeks? The answer was, it didn’t. She had been sick the whole trip to Oed. She had thought it was grief, she was wrong. “I’ll ask her for something.”

There was a knock and then the door opened to admit Ok’jiv. She moved to the side of the bed and in quick order took a blood sample and then hooked up the infusion unit. It was cold as the fluids started. “Can I get a hypo for nausea to take home? So I don’t use up what’s in my emergency kit?” Ok’jiv patted her leg again, “Of course. You just lay back and relax while the infusion unit works.” She moved over to a cabinet and took down a small medical box. She put an empty hypo in it along with several vials. “This one for the nausea, 30 mgs every 12 hours. This second one is B6, 30 mgs once a day will help with the nausea too.” She closed the small box and handed it to Jason.

“Now, for the best part.” She reached up and turned a screen on and picked up a scanner. The screen was blank but the room was suddenly filled with a deep whooshing sound. It quickly resolved into a rhythmic pulsing. Hannah gripped his hand tightly as reality coalesced into something very tangible for the first time. “124. That is a very strong heartbeat, a healthy baby.” The midwife adjusted the setting on the scanner and moved it slightly, “Ah, there we are.” On the screen was a very tiny recognizable human. The skin was still mostly transparent, the head out of proportion to the body still. That would change in the next couple weeks. The arms and legs were thin and the hands and feet incredibly tiny. The facial features gave the impression of an old man or woman just yet. “The baby seems big on the screen, but it really is only the size of a small lemon right now. In another month we’ll be able to tell if it is a boy or girl.”

A massive pang of jealously gripped Jason, but his face remained serene. Yeah… great. Now I have to go see a Counselor. he thought.

The image disappeared as Ok’jiv checked the placenta and umbilical cord. Then she repositioned the scanner to show the baby again, the heartbeat a quiet rhythm in the background. The legs and arms moved in random jerks every so often and the tiny hands flexed. “I will leave this up while the infusion unit finished.” She pulled a blanket it out and draped it over Hannah. “If you need anything just press the button. I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

Hannah

Jason looked at Hannah instead of the image. He smiled at her. Well? How does this make you feel?

Jason

Guilty That’s all Hannah really felt. Guilt because she wasn’t excited, because she was angry at Daniel, because she had dragged Jason into this fiasco, because she had said yes to tea and then to dinner, because someone suggested she terminate the pregnancy and she wouldn’t, because this was her baby and she did want it, because that maternal instinct simmered under the surface but she wouldn’t acknowledge it, because she hadn’t told her parents, because it wasn’t Jason’s and she…they were altering his life and had no right.

She sat up, making the picture, that she wasn’t looking at either, distort and the heartbeat faded. She turned off the scanner and then got up just enough to reach the monitor and turn it off as well. The i-n-f-u-s-i-o-n pack is helping. She fiddled with the controls on the infusion unit, increasing the rate, and then sat crossed legged on the biobed. Sorry, I didn’t think it would take this long.

Hannah

Jason looked at her a moment and then said Guilty? Why guilty? and he took a breath. I feel jealous. Ugly jealous. It’s… v-i-s-c-e-r-a-l. I want that image to be of ours, not his. I know, I know… I’m going to far. But I promised I wouldn’t lie to you. and he sank back in his chair and shook his head.

Jason

The thing about communicating in sign was you had to pay attention, look at the person you were talking with. There was no hiding reactions by looking away. So he could see the guilty tears and she could see the jealousy. What had she done? Hannah shook her head, No. No, not to far. She looked down at her hands, the pack on her arm.

I’m sorry. I…understand if you want to leave. It was too much, no matter how she looked at it. I feel guilty because I’ve…d-i-s-r-u-p-t-e-d your life. Because I was selfish when I should have walked away when you asked me about dinner. Guilty because it’s not OURS and I want it to be.

Hannah

Jason watched her words and his heart broke. He saw the tears and could see the anguish… in her gestures and his own. He took her hands in his and gently set his forehead against hers. He held her hands for minutes there in the silence. Finally, he lifted her chin so she looked at him. He kept her hands in his and stared directly into her eyes.

“Hannah…” he began, “… I don’t know why or how we got here. I don’t really care, either. If I could go back in time and make sure you never met him, I would. And I would gladly step into that place. I want us to have had that history. I want us to have been together all the time you were with him. And gods above I wish that baby inside you right now was mine. But its not. And I’m not the one you have those years with. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to look at this child and not think about where they came from. I don’t know how I will be able to not see him in them and know that no matter what I do that I will never see me in their eyes. And I don’t know how I will be able to accept that the first child you had isn’t with the man you were supposed to be with all along… me.”

Short breaths was all she could manage. It was too much. He couldn’t do it. She understood, she wasn’t angry. She had told him it was a huge ask. And how she wished she hadn’t had to say anything at all. That she could have had time to know him, but it wouldn’t have been right to lie about it, for him to find out later. She never thought she would regret her time with Daniel, and now her perspective and view of life had changed so drastically because of Jason. How different, how right, her life would be if she had met him first.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “But I do know that I am going to do every last thing in my power to do all of that. Not because I want to be a father. Not because I want a family. And not because that is the only way I can be with you. Im going to do all of that because I want to be with you. And for that singular opportunity, I will take on all the rest. Because I-” and he froze for a moment. His pulse raced and he began to sweat a little. “Because…” His mouth had turned to sand, and there was a rushing sound in his ear. “Because I…”

“I am in love with you, Hannah.”

Jason

She was confused, had she heard him right? Were her implants malfunctioning? It took a moment before the words sank in. “I would change it if I could. I wish…I wish…” Hannah paused and breathed past the lump in her throat and tried to ease the knot in her stomach. “I wish I had met you first, that I could change it, that this was our baby, because I know that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” She closed her eyes but tears slipped out anyway before she looked at him again. “I love you, I’m supposed to,” she knew that without a doubt, “I’m guilty because I feel like I betrayed you, but I didn’t know you.”

Hannah

Jason smiled even as his eyes shone with barely concealed tears. “You didn’t betray me. You did nothing wrong. It was just the timing of everything that is so awful.” He closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. He opened them and said “If we could just have the last six months back…” and he shook his head. “I know without a doubt had I met you six months ago, we would be here right now. I know it… regardless of where you were or who was there then.” He took her hands in his. “You didn’t betray me… we just got our times wrong. And that we can work through… together.”

Jason

Hannah wrapped her fingers around his palms, then pressed their hands together and circled them. Together. There really wasn’t anything else she could say. They could embrace more and everything that came with it, or walk away. There it was again, that word. Hannah wanted more, but she wanted more with Jason. It always came to that. Jason was more. Hannah looked up at him as she lifted one hand and cupped his jaw, feeling the rough stubble. “We can’t go back.” Her voice cracked just a little. If only they could go back and change things. “We can go forward.” She kissed him briefly before resting her forehead against his and breathing with her eyes closed.

She stayed like that until their was a soft knock on the door. It was Ok’jiv coming to check on her. She noticed the emotional atmosphere in the room, and would have left except she saw where Hannah had adjusted the unit. She tsked loudly. “Hannah, you aren’t going to be a doctor who is a horrible patient are you?” She readjusted the infusion rate. “Let’s not shock your system by setting this too high.”

Hannah

Jason looked at the midwife and said “Can you make us an appointment for couple’s counseling? We have some… obstacles… we need to work through. And a counselor might help.” He looked at Hannah and signed Everything. Everything I can do I will.

Jason

“Yes, I can send them the request, and they will contact you to make an appointment.” She moved to the computer and tapped away for a moment. “How are you feeling now, Hannah?”

Hannah looked at Jason. Everything we both can do. Her head tipped to the side as she considered Ok’jiv’s question. “Thirsty and a little hungry. I still have a slight headache. A little cold.” A moment later a hypo with a helpful cocktail was pressed to her neck. “There, that should help, and if you’re cold, use the blanket.” She gave Hannah a look, it was one every doctor was familiar with because every nurse owned that look. She picked the blanket up where it had fallen when Hannah got up. Hannah muttered, “Yes ma’am.”

“I’ll be back in half an hour to remove the infusion unit and then you can go.”

Hannah

“Thank you, ma’am. We appreciate everything.” He took the blanket and wrapped Hannah up in it, tucking around everywhere but the infusion unit. “If you are hungry, we can go across the street. Or somewhere new, if you like.” He looked at Ok’jiv and said “By the way, the waiter at the Ginger Man said you hadn’t been in in a while. You are missed.” He looked back at Hannah and grinned and winked. You had other things on your mind that night, I think.

Jason

A deep rumbling chuckle sounded in Ok’jiv’s chest. “Oh, I am sure I am missed. Perhaps I will put him out of his misery in a week or two.” She left, leaving the door open and returned a short minute later with a small bottle. “Lemonade. Sometimes the citrus can help balance the stomach.” Then she left.

Hannah smiled a little as Jason tucked the blanket around her. She took the lemonade from Ok’jiv and opened it. It was refreshing. Hannah grinned, I did. Things that were quite distracting. Hannah leaned her head against his shoulder. The infusion of fluids was cold and now that they were getting into her system her skin itched a little. That would pass in a bit though. “There is a lot to try around here. We can keep exploring.”

Ok’jiv came back half an hour later and removed the unit. “Take it easy, use the medication if you need it. If your symptoms get worse, come back. Your next appointment will be in 4 weeks. It will be a long appointment, plan to be here a few hours at least.” She patted Hannah’s knee again. “Take your time, you can leave when you are ready.”

Hannah shrugged off the blanket. I’m ready. Do you have any questions before we go? She didn’t want him to feel like he couldn’t ask, like he could only observe.

Hannah

Jason smiled and asked her to turn off her implants.

Hannah gave him a strange look, but she nodded and reached up and took them off. Then he turned his back on her. She could tell he was talking, but she couldn’t hear him or see his face. She swallowed back anger, maybe it was a private medical issue he wasn’t ready to share?

He turned his back to Hannah and looked at Ok’jiv. “I need all the information you can get me on adopting a baby before it is born. I know it can be done, and I… we… need that. Send it to my personal comms. I don’t want Hannah to know until the last minute, right before she has to give her permission. Also… I want to ask a favor. If anyone… and I mean anyone… tries to come in here and access her file or anything related to her, I want to know first.” He tapped his communicator to her PaDD and his ID flashed: Jason Reilly, Deputy Director, Colonial Intelligence Agency. “Even if… actually… especially if… it’s anyone with Star Fleet Intelligence. Call. Me. First. I do not want Hannah having to deal with any kind of… issue. Will you do that for me… please?”

Jason

The longer he talked the more disbelieving Ok’jiv looked. She looked down at his identification with curiosity and concern. Was Hannah in some kind of trouble? Wasn’t that a Star Fleet issue if she was an officer. Was that why they were so awkward together? It was some kind of rouse? She nodded and tapped her PaDD, “That I can do. But the other I can not with out her consent.”

Her consent? He was talking about her. He was using her deafness to keep secrets from her. Just like Daniel used to do. She felt sick and dizzy and hot. She stood very suddenly, and he was close enough that her movement bumbed him hard enough to move him. She didn’t bother with her implants and she didn’t bother to sign. Her voice was controlled but angry. “How dare you. How dare you treat me like a half person, like I am not capable of taking care of myself. Of talking about me behind my back as if I am unable to,” she looked at the nurse, “give my own consent. You want something you ask me.”

Ok’jiv looked from one to the other. The request for counseling was a good idea. “I will give you some privacy.”

Hannah

Jason took a breath. He then turned and said “Hannah… I am sorry. That was not my intention, and you are right to be mad. I… I have a lot to learn.” He stepped away from her and sat down.

“I asked her to notify me if anyone tried to access your records. Especially if it was Fleet Intelligence. I know you believe he is gone and won’t be coming back… but I’ve been dead a few times, and here I am.” He took another breath. “There are two things I am worried about after having looked at Daniel’s record. One, he comes back. Unless you and I have done everything we can do to block any claim he has to you or the baby… well… Hannah it could get really ugly. And the second thing that occurred to me was that someone might take an interest in the baby due their biological father’s unique circumstance. So if anyone was going to try anything… I was asking the midwife to tell me so I could… intervene. And I didn’t want you to ja e to worry about all of that. Thats why I did that… a reason, not an excuse. And I’m sorry that what I did was not appropriate. This is all very new to me… and I’m going to make mistakes. I’m sorry, Hannah.”

Jason