Hidden truths

Posted on Wed May 15th, 2024 @ 5:43am by Lieutenant JG Summer Wyse & Lieutenant Magnus Volsung

1,411 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: A marathon not a sprint
Location: Counsellor’s Office

Summer stood staring out of the small window her office had, looking out into space as the ship made its way to whatever destination they were heading for now. She never thought leaving behind Tyrus would be so hard, but at the same time it appeared to be a kind of blessing in disguise.

She looked down at the PADD beside her, she’d been keeping meticulous records of her monthly cycle along with the results of two separate tests and it appeared she was indeed pregnant. The last thing Ty had said when he’d discovered he was somehow pregnant was the fact that he was glad it wasn’t her, that he wasn’t ready to be a father. At that point she knew she couldn’t tell him, though if he’d remained onboard she would have had to. In many ways this was so much simpler, but also harder for her, she was going to be a single parent.

Her train of thought was interrupted as the door chime rang.

Magnus had decided to go and see Summer. There had been some changes, with the First Officer leaving, the end of shoreleave. Things that happened naturally, yet it made Magnus think about Summer. And wanting to check in on her. He had tried to spot her in the mess, the usual place they'd go to socialise. But she had been nowhere to be seen. He had waited until she was on duty before he went to her office, checking with the ship's computer to make sure she didn't have a session, before ringing the chime.

Summer smiled as she looked up sensing the familiar presence of Magnus outside the door. “Come in Magnus!”

Magnus smiled, his eyes warm as he walked in. He was always amazed at Summer's abilities. Betazoids were...fascinating.

“Before you ask, I sensed it was you.” Summer motioned for Magnus to sit down. “What can I do for you?”

He sat down, watching her before he gave her a gentle smile. "I am not here for me," he said, his voice quiet as he held her eyes. "I came to see how you were, Summer." There were things unsaid. But she had told him about her and Ty. With the First Officer now gone, abruptly too...he worried about her.

"Me?" Summer offered a smile. "I'm..." She paused. She was going to say fine but that would be a lie. She sighed her smile fading a little. "I miss Ty, and I..." She paused again. "I'm pregnant."

He blinked, at the words, not expected the last part. He let out a breath and nodded, reaching out to touch her hand. He didn't ask things like who was the father, or when she found out. It didn't matter. Summer did. "Does he know?" was all he asked.

Summer shook her head. “Not yet, given Ty’s current circumstances I’m not sure if I should tell him.” She paused. “Last time we spoke he said he wasn’t ready to be a father yet, now here I am expecting his baby.”

He nodded as he held her eyes, a small smile coming to him. "What do you want?" he asked, gently. Because truthfully, it was all that mattered. What she wanted.

Summer gave Magnus a brighter smile. "I don't mind as long as he, or she, is healthy. This may not have been planned but I'm not unhappy about it either."

He nodded, his own smile widening. "Then congratulations," he said, his voice warm with emotion. It was clear she wanted the child, and that she was confident in having it as a single parent.

“I’ve always wanted to be a mother” Summer offered a warmer smile. “But I didn’t want to raise a child without the father being present, I guess I’m just going to have to get used to being a single mother.”

"You will be fine," he promised, watching her for a moment before he looked down. She always had the option of telling Ty at a later stage if she wanted. "Starfleet is good at supporting people."

Sky nodded. “I know, everyone on a ship is part of a big family. At least that’s what I always tell my patients.” She offered a smile. “I am grateful to have you as my friend Magnus.”

He chuckled as he met her eyes, holding them. "And I am grateful to be yours. I know nothing of children but regardless...you shall have my support, Summer."

“That’s all I can ask” Summer smiled warmly. “I guess this means I’ll be lassoed to the ship where some away party duties are concerned, and altogether once I reach the later stages. Guess that’s something I’ll get used to.”

"You know..." he looked at her, smiling as he watched her. "You can do most of the things pregnant that you can do now. Yes, at some point, it might be uncomfortable for you and you get the choice. Or, for away missions, it might be deemed too risky for you. But you can work, you can live...this is not the end. Maybe the end of drinking alcohol but..." he stook his head, grinning. "But at least the Doctors will be happy, they keep telling me not to."

Summer couldn’t help but grin. “I know that going on away teams isn’t the be all and end all of things, I just enjoy the thrill of being part of them depending on the circumstances of course. I don’t plan to turn into a hermit or anything just because I’m pregnant.”

"Good, because you shouldn't be," Magnus said with a small smile, holding her eyes. "I am...glad you are okay. I am sorry about Ty though." And he meant it.

Summer nodded. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure I should tell him, but...” she paused. “The more I think about it, the more I realise that it would be wrong not to tell him. I think I’ll make a call, what happens from there I guess I’ll wait and see.”

"I...if I was him, I would at least want to know," Magnus admitted as he met her eyes, searching them. "Even if I didn't do anything about it."

Summer looked into Magnus’ eyes. “Then I will, Ty deserves to know he’s going to be a father. Thank you for helping me to see that.”

He shook his head, slowly. "Wasn't me. You were talking it through, came to that yourself," he said quietly. "I am sorry he isn't here with you."

"So am I" Summer's smile faded a little. "I'll admit as much as I'm excited, I'm also scared of doing this alone." She took a deep breath. "But I'm sure you'll remind me that I'm not alone." She offered a more cheery smile again. "Magnus have you heard of the human tradition of god parents? How would you feel about being a god parent to my baby?"

He looked at her with surprise, a breath escaping. He had not expected it. It was a concept he was familiar with from home, although there everyone swore to protect and help guide the child. This was no different. "I would be honoured," he said, a small chuckle escaping at the concept. "I could show a child many...useless things in a world with replicators."

Summer couldn’t help but laugh, it felt good to laugh after feeling so uncertain about what the future would hold. “I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful god father uncle Magnus!” She grinned.

He chuckled at the words, raising an eyebrow. "Uncle?" the chuckle became a laugh. "I can live with it, although I suspect I will look more like a great-uncle by the time the little one can speak."

Summer looked at the time. “As much as I hate to have to say this, I have a patient due soon. How’s about we meet in the lounge later?”

"Sounds good," he stood, watching her for a long moment before he touched her shoulder. "You know where to find me if you need me, Summer."

Summer nodded and offered a warmer smile. “I do, thank you my friend.” Suddenly Summer was feeling a lot more optimist that no matter what happened she wasn’t going to face this change in her life alone.

 

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