Moving In

Posted on Mon Mar 5, 2018 @ 11:25pm by Lieutenant JG Daniella Blake & Warrant Officer William Fontaine

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Dani's Quarters
Timeline: MD 31 || 2030 Hours

After the meeting with Operations to get his quarters changed, the Cusacks and bringing several small things to Dani's place - now their place - he looked over at her and smiled as he approached her. "I can't believe it," he said. "We're finally together."

Dani sat on the couch with their son in her arms. She'd already bathed him and got him ready for bed, and now that he was eating, it wouldn't be long before he was settled in for the night. Their schedule was going to take a little time for William to get used to, but she knew he'd get there. "It seems a bit hard to believe, but we are, and I'm happy about it," she said, smiling up at him. "It's good to be back. I feel like I'm home."

"Home," Willie echoed with a smile. "I never really called any place home since I joined Starfleet. Now, though...there's you and Alexander and now me. That's what really makes it feel like home."

"We aren't going anywhere again," the petite woman assured him.

He settled down next to her and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Did you really mean what you said earlier about how you felt about me?"

"Feel," Dani corrected him and turned her attention to him after checking on the baby. "And yes. I meant every word of it."

"I have a question for you," Willie started. "If you had the capacity to help someone realize a dream, would you do it?"

The blonde haired woman looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well... I suppose that really depends on what the dream was. There are some that I might be capable of accomplishing, but may not feel comfortable doing. Why? What's up?"

"There's someone on board who wants to have a baby, but she wants to go about it via artificial insemination," he said. "I was talking to her and she seems to think I'd be a good candidate, but that was before I knew about Alexander."

Whatever she was thinking flew out of the proverbial window when she heard what he said. That was something that didn't even register on Dani's radar, and she wasn't entirely sure what she should say. A large part of her didn't like the idea... not even a little bit, but there was another part of her that knew he had a heart of gold and would help others in any way he could. This, though... this was a pretty huge deal.

Dani took a moment to form an answer in her mind before actually speaking. "That's a pretty big deal," she said, looking down at Alex to avoid making eye contact. "But, if you want to do it or not... is entirely up to you. You've always had a big heart, and have always wanted to help out those who need it... neither of which are bad things... but it's not for me to decide."

"I know...and this was before I knew about Alex," Willie said, sounding like he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. "I mean, I know a little about the person who wants it, but at the same time, it feels like I don't know anything at all. There's ten point eight million different types of sperm in stasis in Medical, so why me?"

"You're gorgeous," she answered, but got serious for a second. "A baby... even as a donor... is a huge deal. It's something that needs to be thought about... planned out... and time needs to be taken to get to know all parties involved. Then... there's taking into consideration what role you'd want to play in a child's life if any. We aren't talking about loaning someone a few credits to get them through until theirs are loaded. We're talking about donating biological material and creating life. That's... a really big deal."

"It really is and I'm not certain if I'm ready to take on another role like that," he said. "Especially not after I just learned about Alexander. I certainly wasn't expecting him, but I did help create him and I'm not going to shirk my duty to him in any way. I was shocked to learn that I was being considered after one meeting and met with the couple again before I came here."

"I don't want to sway your decision. This is yours to make, and yours alone," Dani said. "Take some time to think about it."

"I plan to, but this is every bit your decision as well, Dani," Willie said as he reached for her hand. "I love you, Daniella and I want to be a parent to Alexander and a partner for you."

"I love you, too, but this process began before you even knew Alex and me were here, and that makes it your choice," she pointed out. "Whatever you decide won't change my feelings for you."

"And we started another process over a year ago," he reminded her. "One which is now sleeping."

"Not quite, but he's close. He's still eating," she said, smiling down at the baby who chose that moment to give a sweet little baby sigh. "I'd say another five minutes, then he'll be out like a light."

Willie looked down at the little boy and smiled. "You're so cute," he said. "Would you like Daddy to read you a bedtime story?"

Dani smiled and turned toward him "I think that's an amazing idea, and a new tradition for you two to have."

"Although I may need to access the computer for some decent bedtime stories. I only know naughty ones thanks to you," Willie said.

"You're terrible," the petite woman said with a smile to show she was joking. "After we put Alex to bed and you've read him his story, do you want to see the video of his birth and my pregnancy?"

"You recorded and documented everything?" he asked. "I'd love to see it. Have you eaten yet?"

"I tried to document as much as I could," she confirmed. "As for dinner, I ate some toast about an hour or so ago. Dinner's are normally quick for me."

"Toast isn't dinner," Willie said as he got back up. "Do you want some country fried steak, hash browns and gravy?"

The young mother shook her head. "No, thank you. You go ahead, though. I'll grab something once he is settled. I haven't quite mastered doing things with one arm or hand just yet."

"I'll feed you, honey, so you don't have to worry about that," Willie told her as he went to the replicator. "Baby Alex needs nutrients from you and toast don't have what he needs."

"A grilled chicken Caesar salad sounds really good, but how are you going to eat if you're feeding me?" Dani asked.

He ordered the country fried steak for himself and the grilled Caesar salad for her and drinks before he came back. "Easy, silly," he said as he sat down. "I'll give you a bite, then I'll take a bite."

Dani reached for her drink and took a sip. "I'm supposed to be the one looking after you, so this is going to take some getting used to," she said with a smile. "But... you're off the hook for now. He's asleep. Let me get him settled, then we can have dinner." She leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, then rose to her feet and made her way to the bedroom to get the baby situated.

"And here I was looking forward to putting something in your mouth," Willie told her as she moved to put Alexander down for bed.

When she was done, Dani walked back into the living room and laughed. "Hey... if you really want to feed me that bad, you can. I need all the rest I can get before I officially start my shift tomorrow."

He picked up her bowl and stabbed a forkful of chicken and salad and offered it to her. "Does that mean you don't want to relive the past a little?" He asked with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"I'm surprised you haven't tackled me to the couch yet," she said, taking the offered bite with a grin.

"You need energy," Willie responded as he took a bite of his own food and a drink before he got another bite for her. "Besides which, Alexander was having dinner and I wouldn't have wanted to deny him."

Dani took the second offered bite, chewed it, then swallowed. "You wouldn't have been able to. He's not much of a cryer, but when he gets going, he's loud enough they would hear him in the bridge."

"Which we wouldn't want," he said as he cut his steak up and took another bite. "How many times has he done that?"

"Only once," she said, picking a crouton off of her salad and popping it into her mouth. "I was taking a shower, and he woke up to have his diaper changed. I guess I wasn't quick enough, and he let me know it. When I made it to him, he was twelve shades of red, and I felt so guilty afterward. He even slept with me for a week after that."

"Aww," Willie said as he offered her another bite of her salad. "I bet he was really happy after that. Does he sleep all night other than a feeding or diaper changes?"

"He's getting there," she said, taking the bite and covering her mouth as she spoke. "You'll learn his routine fairly quick."

"I'm sure I will and I'm looking forward to it," Willie assured her. "I adapt quickly."

"You always have," Dani pointed out, taking her fork from him so he could finally eat. He was too busy worrying about her and wasn't paying enough attention to himself, but that was the kind of person he was. Selfless. "Eat. I don't want you withering away on me."

"Wither away," he laughed. "I'm five foot ten and weigh one hundred and eighty-five pounds. I don't think I'm going to wither that fast." He dipped some hashbrowns into gravy and took a bite.

She couldn't help but smile. "Trust me... I know."

Willie finished his hash browns and leaned back to look at her. "You're a great woman, Dani. An amazing woman, and I'm very lucky that you came back."

"This is where I belong, and I would have been back a lot sooner if Starfleet would have approved my transfer sooner," she said with a frown. Her frown soon disappeared as she turned her attention toward him and a smile formed. "You know how the saying goes... It's better late than never. I'm happy to be back, but I'm even happier that you and Alex have one another now."

"And we have each other and Alex," he said as he reached for her hand. "You've shown me more than almost anyone else, Daniella and that makes me love you even more."

Dani gave his hand a squeeze and leaned forward to kiss him. "I love you, too, William. We're a family. We always have been," she said softly.

Willie returned the kiss and smiled. "Daniella Blake, you're going to make a straight man out of me."

"I somehow doubt that," the small woman said, taking the final bite of her salad. "Why don't you finish up your dinner while I brush my teeth and get ready for bed? Like I said, you don't have to stay in the other bedroom if you don't want to. I've got a pretty big bed."

"I'm good," he said as he got up. "I don't eat that much anymore." he got up and reached for her bowl. "I'll join you in a minute."

Dani smiled and made her way back to the bedroom where she turned the bed back, then made her way into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She still couldn't believe she was back, or that William was here. But most of all, she couldn't believe she confessed her feelings to him and he returned them. That made her feel complete.

She rinsed her mouth and put her toothbrush away, then reached into the shower to access the water feature. As great as the sonic shower was, sometimes a girl just felt like being spoiled, and this happened to be one of those times. That, and she needed a few minutes to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

Willie recycled the dinnerware, then went to the case he had put his clothes and toiletries in and got his silk pajamas, razor and tooth cleaner out, then headed to the bathroom. When he saw it was occupied, he went into her room to wait because he wasn't certain how she'd feel if he just went in.

It wasn't much longer before she was coming out of the bathroom with a blue silk nightgown on that made her blue eyes pop even more. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled at him. "You could have come in. I wouldn't have bitten you," Dani said, gesturing for him to head into the bathroom. She reached for her brush and began to run it through her long blonde locks.

"I know, but it's your first night back and I didn't want to appear to be a rampaging lunatic," he said as he got up. "You look beautiful. Can you spare my presence for a few minutes?"

"Thank you," she spoke as she nodded her head. "I can, but only for a few minutes. Any longer, and I'll send for a search party." Of course, Dani was joking. She settled down on the edge of the bed to finish working on her hair. "We can watch the video and look at the pictures tomorrow if that's okay?"

"That's fine with me," Willie told her before he took his toiletries and pajamas into the bathroom with him. There, he quickly showered and shaved, then brushed his teeth. Before he got dressed, he looked in the mirror and turned left and right. "Damn, ain't you sexy. Now don't you go blowing it with her or I'll throw your pretty ass out an airlock."

While he was in the bathroom, Dani settled into bed and pulled the covers over herself before she tucked her arm under her head. This was the beginning of a new life for her and Alex, and she was super excited about it. "Don't lay it on too thick and mess things up with him. He deserves to be treated like the amazing man he is."

He came out wearing his purple silk pajamas and looked at her with a smile. "Computer, run Fontaine Playlist Four."

The strains of a bluesy song started to play and he struck a pose before he started to sing.

"Everybody wants somebody
Everybody wants somebody to love
Someone to love
Someone to kiss
Sometime to miss, now
Someone to squeeze
Someone to please
And I need you you you
I need you you you."

"You seem to be in a great mood," she said, smiling at him from her spot on the bed. For as long as she could remember, he sang to fit his moods, and that was one of many things she appreciated about him.

"I am," Willie said as he went over to give her a kiss. "I have you, you, you."

Dani returned the kiss and smiled up at him. "You are the most amazing man ever," she said, reaching out to take his hand into hers. "And, I think you should get into bed and relax with me."

He slid into bed with her, his pajamas making the transition a bit slippery but he seemed to have it down to an art and struck a sideways pose when he got into position. "Like this?" He asked her.

She laughed and shook her head. Oh, how she missed him. "You're too much, you know that?"

"Are you calling me fat?" Willie mock moaned. "It's my butt, isn't it? You can tell me. I drink too much hot cocoa and it's settled down below. Oh no. What can I do? I can't give it up."

"Your butt is perfect," she said with a giggle.

"You're just saying that," he said as he turned over and raised his behind into the air. "Look at it. You can see it from Earth!"

"Goodnight, William," Dani spoke with a smile as she rolled over onto her side. The young woman loved his antics, and if she didn't do something now, she'd be up all night laughing. That wouldn't be so bad if she had the day off, but considering it was her first official day back, a day off wouldn't be coming for quite some time unless something came up.

Willie flopped back over to face her. "So soon?" He asked.

"Well, it got your attention, didn't it?" the petite woman asked.

"It most certainly did," Willie replied as he leaned in to give her a kiss.

Dani smiled and returned the kiss. "That's what I wanted to do, so it's mission accomplished."

"More?" he whispered in her ear as he pulled her to him.

"Now is not the time to be talking," she said before leaning in to kiss him again.

===Later===

Willie lay in the tangled sheets with Dani in his arms and gave her a look of pure adoration. "You are amazing," he said. "And this time, I wasn't drunk and will remember it."

With her head in his chest, Dani smiled up at him. "It was every bit as perfect as I knew it would be. Thank you, William."

"There's no need to thank me," Willie said. "I'm just grateful that you're back in my life. I've never met a woman like you."

"Well... you never gave yourself the chance to, but that's okay. You had to wait for me to come along, and I'm not going to complain even a little bit," she said with a smile. "Of course, I always thought I never had a chance with you. It took a lot of courage on my behalf to even try."

"I'm glad you did, you courageous, beautiful woman," he said as he ran a hand through her hair and down her back. "Will you be my, beautiful, courageous woman?"

Dani raised herself up on an arm and leaned in to kiss him with a smile. "Absolutely."

Willie returned the kiss and wanted to make an announcement to the entire ship, but didn't want to leave her or wake their son up. "I love you, Dani," he said.

"I love you, too, William."

"Should we check on Alexander before we get some sleep?" He asked. He really wanted to see his son again, but he didn't want to leave her.

"Yes, we should," the petite blonde said as she kissed him, then slipped from the bed to pull her robe on. There was no way she was going to pass up the chance to gaze down on the face of her beautiful baby boy, nor would she deny him the chance to do the same. "When he wakes up, you can get him if you'd like to. Maybe take a crack at changing him?"

Willie got up and put his pajama bottoms back on and headed out of the room. "I may need to watch a few times to see how it's done," he said quietly before he walked into their son's room and he looked down at him. The face that was a blend of him and Dani. A perfect, peaceful little angel.

"The computer can always give you help, too," she whispered. "Just in case I'm not available to help you out with it."

"What does the computer know about changing diapers?" Willie asked.

"What does the computer know about cooking?" Dani countered. "It's a database that holds information on just about everything. Why wouldn't it know how to give help on changing a diaper?"

"Good point," he admitted softly. "If I can clean an infected wound, I can change a diaper."

She smiled. "See? A diaper change is a cake walk in comparison."

"Come on, beautiful," Willie said. "Let's go to bed. "He'll be awake before we know it."

"Don't I know it," Dani said softly before leaning down to kiss their son. Without any further hesitation, she made her way back to bed and settled down. "Goodnight, William. I love you."

He did the same, then headed back with her and crawled under the blankets. "Goodnight, Daniella," he said. "I love you, too."