Lost, But Never Forgotten

Posted on Fri Feb 15th, 2019 @ 5:15am by

1,051 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: What Stalks The Night
Location: Starfleet Academy Courtyard

This mission had be full on, distracting, intense and in some ways conflicting. Mark always tried to be the strong type, the pillar of strength, the rock that grounded his family in turbulent times but there came a price for that, himself. Mark did what his Brother did, he bottled up his woes, he stored all his aches and pains away to release in private so to not shatter the image Ayla had of him.

When Ayla came into his life everything had changed, he knew how lucky he was to find someone given at the time he was a marine and the baggage that came with that was high for anyone wanting to be to be involved with someone in that profession. While he understood that the same could be said for anyone in the service, he knew marines could be a bit reckless, a bit gung-ho and with an attitude or passion for the SFMC, risks came with it.

Mark gave up that life instead slipping into the shoes of Chief Tactical Officer, he did so willingly and while at times he missed it, his family came first. At Ayla's uttering he would surrender his commission at the drop of a hat for her and his family, they came first and made no effort to hide it. While he didn't let that get in the way of his duties, he wouldn't budge from that outlook.

Mark sat on a bench overlooking the harbour, the rain coming down upon him as he sat, staring at the craft fly by, the ships slowly transit letting wind of power ferry them off in what ever direction their destination lay.

There was an ache in his heart, an ache caused by the loss of his daughter Marcie. So young, so innocent and snatched away.

From his soaked pocket he pulled out a dark red cloth, unwrapping it he produced a small golden plaque, a little over an inch in height and approximately 4 in length on it held a name, date and a small engraved image of Marcie. Rain drops splashed against its polished surface, a thumb traced the image of her as he thought about the memories he had of her.

He remembered when she curled up on his chest on the sofa as he lay, holding her with his hands to make sure she didn't fall. Remembered how she would protest when he'd come into contact with Ayla and she would scamper over to break them apart. The memories of picking her up after his shift and she would sit on his shoulder holding his hair as he walked.

A small chuckle as he remembered feeding her, a bit for her, a bit for him. God it tasted awful. A sniffle as he wiped his eyes as he smiled, remembering as the two girls pounced on him and he went to the floor. How they sat upon him victorious for when Ayla got home.

He thought back to when he came home and Ayla was on the bed with a book, Miracle to her left, Marcie to her right nestled on Ayla's arms being read to but the three had fallen asleep. She like her sister had brought so much to his life and when she was snatched away it tore at him like no other wound had ever done in his career. For all his skills, talents, attributes, for all the technology in today's era there was nothing to do but watch as she slipped away.

"I miss you.....so very much."

A sob rocked him as he sat, soaked, filled with pleasant memories and the torture of her passing.

He remembered the anger he felt in the Turbolift when Ayla called herself defective and suggested he find another. His words to her ringing strong as they had the day he spoke them. "Do you think so little of me, so lowly of me that you'd think I'd want someone else just because of this. Let me tell you something sweetheart and you better listen damn well with those big mousian ears of yours because I'm only going to say this once.....I love you for you. I can't change the past but I can damn well stand here and tell you that I'm going to stay here for the future. Now I'm going to be here, I'm still going to keep loving you and if I'm being frank I plan to give Miracle a baby brother or sister. I will not let this tear us up, the real question is....are you?"

That as he recalled was the first time he stared Ayla down as he let her have it, he had spoken truth, plainly, laid it out on the table for her. He remembered watching her face as his words almost struck her like a slap. She had pushed him, she saw his resolve.

"So young, so much to give little one."

He could only wonder the kind of woman Marcie would have grown up to be, while she didn't have the stronger features as Miracle did, she still retained some to notice a strong similarity to Ayla. In years to come he would have been sure that both daughters would give any male a run if Ayla was anything to go by but that was not to be, Marcie was gone and her absence was felt every day. There were times when Miracle would do something just like Marcie would have. He sat wondering what to say to Ayla, since her passing things intimately have been difficult and he understood why but it wasn't for lack of wanting, he had told her straight that he'd provide Miracle with a baby sister or brother, but how would he tell Ayla the want was very real?

He had hoped that with this little down time that they were permitted to enjoy that Ayla and himself would be able to sit down and talk, really talk, but even as he sat there now looking at the wet golden plate of his daughter, a stark reminder of what was missing he couldn't help but he wrought with the sadness and sorrow of her absence. His own tears indistinguishable from the rain as the water raced down his nose and cheeks.

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