Henry's Conundrum (Part 1)

Posted on Fri Oct 16th, 2026 @ 4:11am by Ensign Henry Taylor & Tessa di'Orion

960 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Interim 3: Subspace Drift
Location: Henry's Quarters
Timeline: After Phosphorus Phamily Phoundations

Henry felt like his feet were made of lead. He could barely lift them by the time they'd gotten back to his quarters. He sat down, pulled off his boots and ran his hand through his hair. "How are you feeling?" he said, looking at Tessa.

"Hungry!" She remarked jovially, but the look on his face told her that something was wrong, very wrong. It wouldn't be medical, because he was one to always make sure that was seen to, "I can wait for a few minutes though, it's not that big a deal." She stepped up to him and placed her hands on his cheeks, leaning over and giving him a very gentle kiss, "What's wrong, Henry, did I do something bad?"

At that, Henry's head snapped up and he pulled her to him, holding her tightly. "Not at all," he said. "You are nothing but good. I'm just...dealing with some unexpected feelings." He sighed and let her go, stretching a bit. "It's been a long day. I could use a sonic shower. What say we get cleaned up, and have a meal, and toast to the good news." He put on a smile and held her hands.

"Want me to join you in the shower?" Tessa's eyes lit up, "I'm sure I could cheer you up a bit in there! Then we'll replicate a large meal, after all, I'm eating for three apparently and I won't have to worry about limiting myself."

In spite of the turmoil he was feeling, Henry couldn't help but smile. "If you think you have the energy," he said. He suddenly scooped her up and held her in his arms, kissing her as he carried her into the bathroom.

By the time they'd emerged, Henry's mood had indeed risen, among other things, but he still had a bit of a haunted look in his eye he couldn't quite shake. He slipped some clothes on and laid down on his bed while Tessa poured through the replicator listings, deciding what she wanted. "Eating for three," he said to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. He only hoped the replicators could keep up.

"It never occurred to me that I'd even ever possibly have twins." Tessa said as she continued to scroll through the menu, "They really are rare back home and it just literally out of the blue." She settled into the Italian part of the menu and made her selections, constantly looking from the menu to him, worried despite their recent activities. "I'm going to up the levels in the replicator, they can go up about thirty percent more before it really hurts the taste too much."

"Don't sacrifice your palette too much," Henry said. "If your appetite does pick up, and heaven help us if it does," he teased, smiling gently, "then you'll want the food tasting its best." He looked at her thoughtfully. "Speaking of, what's 'normal' for a pregnancy on Tial? Human women sometimes get nauseous in the morning, or have a heightened sense of smell. Is that true for your people?"

"You know? That's a good question. I've been a part of birthings in the past, one of the things that's 'good to know' in case of complications and all that. Plus, small hands and arms means that if there's a breech birth, it's easier for me to assist in turning the baby." She thought about things for a few seconds, "I honestly can't remember if anyone told me that they had issues... It was a long while back, but so far I haven't felt any nausea and I don't think I smell anything different. I'll try to pay more attention to things and if I feel or sense anything different, I'll make sure to mention it."

Henry nodded. A month away from Sickbay was suddenly daunting. The thought of why they'd be away, and their upcoming destination brought the cloud back over his face and he lost his good cheer for a moment. "Well, we'll have plenty of time to chronicle things as we travel," he said, lying back down.

This was the second time he’d been despondent, but clearly it wasn’t her, but had to do with her. She put the PADD down and moved over to the bed that he’d laid down on, perching herself on the edge and placing a hand on his chest, rubbing it gently. “What’s on your mind, Henry? Something’s bothering you and it has to do with me. I love you, you can tell me anything.”

He put his hand on her thigh and rubbed it gently. "I know," he said. "It's...it's not something I'm terribly proud of. And it involves my father again."

“Him again.” Her thoughts went back to what he’d said about his father previously, but it wasn’t much to go on, but it had been enough to give her a poor impression of him, “What’s is it about him?”

"He's got some very...well, antiquated views about family, marriage, et cetera. Having children before marriage is something he greatly frowns upon. It caused a serious fight with my sister when she got pregnant. It's...it's why I haven't been home in so long. I really screwed it up."

“How so?” Tessa just instinctively knew it was time to just let him talk, not to dismiss the silliness that this ‘marriage’ thing was once again, it wouldn’t help. “I can’t imagine you causing a major issue.”

Henry made a sour face. "Because I'm the one who follows the rules," he said. He sat up against the headboard and looked at her. "I was eighteen. It was my first visit home from the academy..."

TBC

 

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