Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Orbital Platform- Unexpected Reunions
She once again shot Roger and then Caridee an expectant glance. Neither seemed to notice, or perhaps to be more accurate, they were ignoring her prodding. It had been much the same since they had mysteriously told her they were all leaving her apartment and no she would not get to know why until they got there. There was no help from her security contingent and the brief conversation with Cort told her he knew what was going on and that he wasn’t going to spill the secret.

Eela was exceptionally curious, and more than a little surprised at the secrecy, given recent events. Roger had just assured her that this was likely a good surprise but she would have to decide that for herself.

Agent Mangioni led the way through the Orbital Platform on the CCDA side (which gave her no additional clues other than this wasn’t a ‘Starfleet’ thing. They were in a part near the customs area where people arrived but Eela couldn’t recall having been in this section. They seemed to be in a side corridor.

And then it hit her. Or rather, the presence of someone hit her so strongly she drew in a sharp breath and stopped. She knew who was in one of these rooms, and they weren’t alone, but it was hard for her to wrap her mind around.

Caridee stood before her and took her hands in her own, smiling softly. “I know, you’re confused. It’s okay. It started out as a whim of an idea that I tossed your way over subspace that one day after your arrived on Oed. You looked like you wanted to believe it could happen, and so I asked. I got a yes, but given how unpredictable everything could be, it was like it was with Roger: we didn’t want to say anything ahead of time just in case it didn’t end up happening.”

Eela’s heart was thudding in her chest and she turned her gaze on Roger. “You knew all along too?”

Roger nodded. “Yes. And I think after everything lately, maybe it’s even more special and important. But it’s up to you El. If you don’t think you can do this, see him, you don’t have to. We can give you time to get used to the idea and talk about it later. It’s your choice and he knows this too.”

She looked back at Caridee and squeezed her daughter’s hands before letting them go. Her feet carried her forward and Chuck gestured to the door. She gave him a nod and stepped in.

In the meeting room were two people: a tall dark skinned person who seemed Human at first glance, and the person who had been on her mind for awhile now. He hadn’t changed much since she had last seen him at Dee’s baby shower. He was nervous though, and the person with him seemed to radiate encouragement. “You’re here,” she said, forcing her force to be audible, tears blurring her eyes.

He gave her a beaming smile. “Hey Mom,” Jourin said.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

It was hard to say who moved first, but it was Eela who threw her arms around Jourin and held him tightly, letting the tears flow. There was too much to say for them to be able to say any of it just now, but it was clear that there would be time for that later.

When they finally parted, Eela moved her hands to his face and held him. He smiled through his tears and nodded. Letting her hands drop, Eela was aware that Roger and Caridee were in the room with them, but her attention was now fixed on the mystery person.

Jourin shifted from one foot to the other. “So… a lot of things have changed,” he said.

“Clearly” Eela deadpanned. That her son was involved in a same-sex relationship (an assumption she would clarify when it was appropriate was definitely a new development, but it also helped her frame some of their last interactions better. Not entirely, but at least a little bit.

“This is my partner, Sibusiso Adegoke.”

Eela broke into a grin and stepped forward, holding out her hands. “I am so glad to meet you. Be welcome here on Oed, to my home.”

He reached out and set his hands in hers and beamed, radiating surprised happiness. “Please, call me Sibu. And I am so glad to be here and to meet you finally, Eela,” he said in a thick accent. “Jourin has told me a great deal about you.”

“Of that, I have no doubt,” Eela said with a snort before she frowned and dropped her hands, casting a glance between the two men. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound critical.”

Jourin shook his head. “No, it’s a fair reaction. I understand.”

Eela drew in a deep breath and turned halfway back to face the rather smug conspirators. “Let me guess… you had extra special help on this one too.”

Caridee grinned and nodded. “Yes. He cleared a couple obstacles that might have made the timing not work out.”

She was overwhelmed and there were certainly some stronger feelings to deal with later, but right now, she was just happy and wanted to enjoy this feeling again. Before she could though, there were practical matters to deal with first. “Right, so you’re here for Batarael, which is wonderful. But, without getting into topics we’re not ready for, I don’t know how much you know or don’t know. But it’s important that we establish something very clearly.”

Jourin nodded. “Of course. What is it?”

Eela steeled herself. “There is a restraining order against your father. Neither of us can have contact with each other for one year, and he is permanently banned from the system without prior approval, which let’s face it, he’s never going to get so long as I live on this planet. This restraining order is between the two of us, but it affects those who are with me too. Also, I don’t want what I do with others to get back to him. He doesn’t get to know about my life though mutual connections. If you’re going to be here with me, you’re here with me. Is that understood? I don’t want to create issues right off the bat, but this is non-negotiable,” she said firmly.

Jourin’s expression was sombre and the undercurrent of his mood regretful. He stepped forward and took one of her hands in between his. “I know what happened and later I hope we can talk about it. I also know that there are things between you and I that we need to sort out, and I am here in part to do that. I made that decision before we knew that he had been here. My being here is because…” He paused and chocked back tears. “Because I’ve been doing a lot of personal work in the last year. But I avoided the most obvious topic: you. I’ve missed my mother and I’m trying to unpick how it all went so… weird. We can’t fix that today, but know that I love you and we are here to celebrate Batarael as a family, as it was meant to be. I do have contact with him, and he does know I am here, but that is all. And that is all he will know. Okay?”

With her free hand, Eela wiped stray tears from her cheeks. “Uggh! I swear I’d like just one emotionally steady day, but clearly that is not going to be today!”

Roger chuckled. “You’re making up for all that steadiness over the years.”

Eela laughed and Jourin let her hand go, though he looped his arm through hers. “It’s been going around I hear. And, I’m really sorry to hear about Dash.”

She patted his arm, tucking those emotions safely away. Eela couldn’t deal with her feelings about Dash just now. “Thank you. Well ,now what? What was next in this grand little plan of yours all? Hmm?”

Caridee grinned. “Well, we have accommodation sorted for them-“she held up her hands in anticipation-“and yes, they are getting a CCDA detail. But given the Vren and everything, it makes the most sense for the Lieutenant Governor to bring her additional guests down now that they have cleared Customs.

She just shook he head in amused disbelief. “Well then, let’s get this show on the road. Oh, and Sibu, I trust you already realize how much trouble this family is.”

“Yes. It’s rather lovely, all told,” he said with a smirk.

Eela stared at him for a moment and then snorted. “Yep, you’re going to fit in just fine.” She blew out a breath. “Alright onwards.”

They stepped out of the room and met up with her detail (who she shot a dirty look at), and they all made their way back to her secured shuttle. All safely ensconced, Eela told her team, “Let’s go the long way back. Give them the grand tour of Oed, shall we?” She sat back and looked at the four adults. All they needed was Kian and Alais here and everything would feel perfect.

After everything lately, she’d take this small slice of joy happily.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.