Sunday,
July 24th. 2050.
Shouts and crashes
reverberate through the door to Elise's room causing Baby Lilla to wake and
start crying. Lifting the baby from the bassinet, Elise rocks her in her arms.
"Now who could be making such a racket? Shall we go see little miss?"
Heading towards the door,
Elise presses the opening mechanism. She has only moments to take in the scene
of chaos and disorder before a small blur slams into her, little arms wrapping
around her. A muffled sound emanating from the region of her waist.
Looking down she sees a
young boy clutching her tightly, his face tightly pressed into her.
"Jeremiah come
here!"
"I won't! I won't! You
can't make me!" The muffled voice shouts from Elise's waist. She can see
Dr Lewis storming over to their location, the look on his face so thunderously
angry that Elise bursts out laughing. Dr Lewis, so surprised by her outburst,
stops in his tracks. Hypo spray hanging limply from his hands he stares at
Elise's laughing form. The young boy latched at her waist lifts his head,
looking at her curiously. "Are you okay?" He asks, his arms still
tightly latched to her.
With tears streaming down
her face from the laughter, she starts to hiccup uncontrollably. "I'm
sorry hic but the look hic on your face hic." Mindful of Lilla, Elise lifts one hand to wipe away the
tears, face still beaming with repressed mirth as the Doctor approaches her.
"Stand still, I'll cure
that right up." The boy clutches tighter to Elise, slowly edging his way
around her until he's on the opposite side from the Doctor. "Don't let him
hurt me." His head peaks around her waist as Doctor Lewis changes out the
hypo capsule, pressing it to her arm. "There we go."
"Ah, thanks Doc."
She grins, handing him Lilla. Turning her attention to the boy clutched to her.
"Hello, Jeremiah isn't it?" She ruffles his honey blonde hair.
Loosening his grip she holds his hands, kneeling in front of him. "What's
got you so frightened sweetie?" His eyes dart from her to the Doctor then
back to her. She giggles and then smiles. "Oh hunny he won't hurt you.
He's just a big old teddy bear."
Wide scared eyes stare at
her. "But, but, he said he was going to shoot me." He whispers to
her, his lower lip starting to tremble. Pulling him into her arms, one hand
still stroking his hair, Elise looks mutely up at Doctor Lewis still holding
Lilla. The nonplussed look on his face almost drives Elise into paroxysms of
laughter again.
"I would never!"
He says. "I merely wanted to give the boy a shot of iron. His med scan shows
a slight case of Anaemia."
"See! I told you he
wants to shoot me!" Jeremiah ducks his head into the crook of Elise's
shoulder, wriggling in her arms as though trying to burrow into her body, his
slight form trembling in fear.
"Jeremiah?" Elise
says in a soft voice to the trembling child in her arms. "Did you see what
Doc did to stop my hiccups?" She points to the arm the Doc used the Hypo
spray on as he timidly looks at where she's pointing. His head slowly nodding.
"That's what he meant sweetheart. He's not going to shoot you. He's just
going to prod your arm with his machine. It'll make you feel so much
better." She smiles at him, her hand going back to stroke his hair.
"If you like you can cuddle me while he does it." Looking at the Doc
she grins. "And I'm sure he's got some sweets hidden somewhere. We can
tickle him afterwards till he gives up the information." She grins wider and starts tickling him with her
free hand.
Jeremiah giggles, that
childish exuberant giggle that only lasts for only a few short years. "I
give, I give." he squeals, still giggling. Lightning quick Doc Lewis
strikes. In and out before the boy even realizes he's had the shot. Turning,
leaving the giggling boy and laughing Elise he excretes a lollipop from his private
stash.
"For the bravest boy on
the ship." He says, producing the lollipop from behind his back with a
flourish. Jeremiah looks at Elise, asking for tacit permission. She nods and he
eagerly takes the sweet treat.
"Now Jeremiah, what do
you say to Doctor Lewis?" She admonishes as he happily licks the lollipop.
"Thank you for not
shooting me Doctor." He says impishly.
Elise lets out an
exasperated snort and frowns at the boy in her lap. "Jeremiah! You say
thank you right now."
"But I did!" He
wines, limpid eyes staring at her defiantly.
"Little boys with no
manners don't deserve treats...Hand it over." Holding out her hand, she
frowns at Jeremiah, flexing her fingers in a giving motion.
He pouts, and turns to
Doctor Lewis. "I'm sorry Sir. Thank you for the lolly."
"You're quite welcome
Jeremiah. Why don't you go back to your bed and enjoy your prize." He
says. Jeremiah jumps up, giggling as he runs for his bed. Holding out his hand,
Doctor Lewis helps Elise to her feet. "I believe this little bundle of
gurgling joy is yours m'dear." He says, handing Lilla back to her.
"Now, follow me."
Entering her private med
room, Elise lays Lilla in her Bassinet and turns to Doctor Lewis. "What's
going on Doc. Can I finally get out of here?" She asks curiously as she
watches him set the rooms privacy settings.
Ushering her towards the
bed, he encourages Elise to sit. "I need to speak with you." He sits
next to her on the bed, looking at Lilla in her bassinet. "You were really
good with Jeremiah. Would you consider taking on another minor by any chance?
Just like with Lilla, he has no family on board. And, it's unlikely we'll find
any for him. All of the other unattached children have been situated with
either a distant relative or someone of a similar type."
Elise stares at the Doc
surprised. "Temporarily, right?" She asks him.
Doctor Lewis squirms on the
bed, his gaze remaining on Lilla. "Not, exactly."
"we're leaving aren't
we? She asks. Finally looking at her, the Doctors rheumy old eyes twinkle.
He nods. "I knew you
were a bright girl Elise. But I never said we were leaving." Holding a
finger to his lips he makes a shushing noise.
Taking his cue, Elise
changes the subject. "What happens to Jeremiah if I don't take him
in?" She asks.
"I've been given
permission to set up a bunk like room for the older orphans. All of them are
teens, he'd have to go in with them if I can't find anyone else to take
him." Sighing, he continues. "I really don't want to do that. There's
only one other person the boy seems to have taken to, and he's a member of the
ship's crew. I could place him with someone else but given his precocity I
really don't think it will work."
As though coming to a
decision she nods. "Okay Doc. I'll take him in. He's a sweet child."
She smiles. "He reminds me of my brother. I am going to need bigger
quarters though. I really can't stay in such small quarters with two small
children."
"Of course dear. There
are still some family quarters, I'll see to it later today. You should be able
to move in tomorrow. It will also allow you some time to bond with
Jeremiah." He hugs her tightly. "I know you're alone Elise, and
you've taken on a lot of responsibility for a young woman." Moving from
the hug, his hands clasping her arms. "I'll always be here for you. I'd
like you to consider me like a grandfather. You hear me lass?"
She smiles at him, nodding.
"I'd like that." She says.
Pulling her into another
hug, he sighs. "You've a strong heart lass."
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