06-08-2026, 12:24 AM
Alex looked down at his own clothes. As soon as they got back, he switched to his default "beach bum" look. He may have looked great in a fancy suit and certainly cleaned up well, but he loved his cargo shorts and a loose buttoned beach shirt, which typically had colorful images or patterns on it and gave him the look of an old surfer or a crazy scientist, though in truth he was both.
As Beno got more comfortable, he moved over and held loosen it a bit, though it was more of an excuse to ran his hands along her and be close to her as she spoke. He resisted pulling her as close as he really wanted to, but this felt like a conversation that they needed to have. He began to nod understanding as she got into it, but the first thing she said made his heart skip. He couldn't resist taking her in for just a moment more, savoring the feel of her in front of him and the way the dress was barely a barrier between his hands and her skin.
Finally, he smiled and replied, "I never thought I would be having a conversation like this again either. A child, that surprises me, but in a good way. Let's put a pin in that and come back to it though." He chuckled, "Parents...marriage...names...well, there's quite a bit to talk about there, but fortunately, it will mostly be pretty easy. Marriage in my family is mostly a legal status, an arrangement that covers the transfer of inheritance and so forth. Given your joined status, the only benefit there would apply to the children, which I would naturally make sure were taken care of in any case. It doesn't bother me about the name, as I respect the right of a person to retain their original name if they wish. Once again, it is a joined related thing anyway and I accept that as part of who you are and knew it going into this. Personally, I would love to go the marriage route, but it isn't a deal breaker and we only need to do the Betazoid version if you really want to. The important thing is having you in our lives, the rest is not nearly as important."
He chuckled, "Parents...My mother is a xenobiologist, but now works mostly to assist my father who works as an analyst with Star Fleet Intelligence, but as a civilian consultant not officially holding any rank, for reasons you might be able to imagine. Mostly, they ar eknow for their public work. As much as the federation prides itself on the lack of a need for money, my family has established an embarrassing amount of monetary wealth over the generations. I say embarrassing, because it is enough to make a Ferengi Grand Nagus blush and swoon. The purpose of that wealth is actually to help those on the fringes of the Federation. Money still can make a big difference for such people. That's also why my main research has always been centered on ways to help people with less access to higher technology. Our family's philanthropic efforts are known throughout the Federation. My personal investments are also rather unique, but maybe now isn't the time to go into all that. My parents might come across as a little snobbish at first, but they are actually rather accepting. I expect a raised eyebrow from my mother only from the fact that my first wife was Human and now a Trill. I might even get a sigh from her, but she won't actually say out loud that she always hoped I would find a nice Betazoid girl, but they are very accepting of Reyna and I suspect they will be impressed that you are a Joined Trill, setting you in an elite class in their eyes. You also hold an impressive rank in Star Fleet, which they will both respect highly."
Alex shrugged, "My mother will not be rude about it, but she will not be shy about looking at your thoughts and emotions, not as an intrusion, but to verify that you're honest in your intentions and feelings about me. She is the protective one. My father might look deeper than he should, but you'll never know it and he will never say anything unless you're actually a danger to anyone. His abilities are unique and I think you can understand why he has the job he does. dad is otherwise rather charming and will certainly approve in my taste in women, but he is always a gentleman."
Alex gave a long sigh as he considered for a moment, "Sometime, when you're ready for hearing more than you really want to know about the galaxy, we can talk about Cindy, the girls and...well...all that. We don't have to, but I imagine you're going to give in to curiosity at some point. It will involve a stiff drink and maybe some introductions, but in their own way, they are my children as well. Good or bad, they are likely to be my legacy after I am long gone. My intent was good, but only time will really tell."
He then wrapped his sizable arms around her and embraced affectionately, "So, I guess Reyna has made a pretty strong impression on you for you to now want to have a child. I'm impressed by how strong of a bond you two formed almost instantly."
Reyna came up and hugged them both from the side, more hugging their hips, but joining the conversation, "Dad, it's more than that. Something happened, like you and Cindy scanned for, but what at first seemed like something strange, became something important." She blushed, "When you guys are together, I can feel some of what you feel. It took me a bit to figure it out, but I finally realised that of all that was going on, it gave me something I never realized I was missing until now. It gave me hope. I never got to know mom, but that was more than a hole, it was a piece missing from me. Other than you guys, I couldn't relate to anyone and the depth of that loneliness was beginning to tear me apart inside. Then Beno came along and wanted to be my mom. I felt what you guys felt and realized that if my dad could find such love and happiness, so could I. Every time I feel that glow from you guys, it reminds me what I might be able to find when I get older. I can't put into words how that has changed my life. I've never known this kind of hope and happiness."
Reyna gave a loving sigh and hugged them both and as she did so, they both felt it radiate from her like she was a tiny furnace of emotion.
Alex smiled at Beno and repeated, "Like I said, quite an impression. Nice job, mom."
== Tag Beno ==
As Beno got more comfortable, he moved over and held loosen it a bit, though it was more of an excuse to ran his hands along her and be close to her as she spoke. He resisted pulling her as close as he really wanted to, but this felt like a conversation that they needed to have. He began to nod understanding as she got into it, but the first thing she said made his heart skip. He couldn't resist taking her in for just a moment more, savoring the feel of her in front of him and the way the dress was barely a barrier between his hands and her skin.
Finally, he smiled and replied, "I never thought I would be having a conversation like this again either. A child, that surprises me, but in a good way. Let's put a pin in that and come back to it though." He chuckled, "Parents...marriage...names...well, there's quite a bit to talk about there, but fortunately, it will mostly be pretty easy. Marriage in my family is mostly a legal status, an arrangement that covers the transfer of inheritance and so forth. Given your joined status, the only benefit there would apply to the children, which I would naturally make sure were taken care of in any case. It doesn't bother me about the name, as I respect the right of a person to retain their original name if they wish. Once again, it is a joined related thing anyway and I accept that as part of who you are and knew it going into this. Personally, I would love to go the marriage route, but it isn't a deal breaker and we only need to do the Betazoid version if you really want to. The important thing is having you in our lives, the rest is not nearly as important."
He chuckled, "Parents...My mother is a xenobiologist, but now works mostly to assist my father who works as an analyst with Star Fleet Intelligence, but as a civilian consultant not officially holding any rank, for reasons you might be able to imagine. Mostly, they ar eknow for their public work. As much as the federation prides itself on the lack of a need for money, my family has established an embarrassing amount of monetary wealth over the generations. I say embarrassing, because it is enough to make a Ferengi Grand Nagus blush and swoon. The purpose of that wealth is actually to help those on the fringes of the Federation. Money still can make a big difference for such people. That's also why my main research has always been centered on ways to help people with less access to higher technology. Our family's philanthropic efforts are known throughout the Federation. My personal investments are also rather unique, but maybe now isn't the time to go into all that. My parents might come across as a little snobbish at first, but they are actually rather accepting. I expect a raised eyebrow from my mother only from the fact that my first wife was Human and now a Trill. I might even get a sigh from her, but she won't actually say out loud that she always hoped I would find a nice Betazoid girl, but they are very accepting of Reyna and I suspect they will be impressed that you are a Joined Trill, setting you in an elite class in their eyes. You also hold an impressive rank in Star Fleet, which they will both respect highly."
Alex shrugged, "My mother will not be rude about it, but she will not be shy about looking at your thoughts and emotions, not as an intrusion, but to verify that you're honest in your intentions and feelings about me. She is the protective one. My father might look deeper than he should, but you'll never know it and he will never say anything unless you're actually a danger to anyone. His abilities are unique and I think you can understand why he has the job he does. dad is otherwise rather charming and will certainly approve in my taste in women, but he is always a gentleman."
Alex gave a long sigh as he considered for a moment, "Sometime, when you're ready for hearing more than you really want to know about the galaxy, we can talk about Cindy, the girls and...well...all that. We don't have to, but I imagine you're going to give in to curiosity at some point. It will involve a stiff drink and maybe some introductions, but in their own way, they are my children as well. Good or bad, they are likely to be my legacy after I am long gone. My intent was good, but only time will really tell."
He then wrapped his sizable arms around her and embraced affectionately, "So, I guess Reyna has made a pretty strong impression on you for you to now want to have a child. I'm impressed by how strong of a bond you two formed almost instantly."
Reyna came up and hugged them both from the side, more hugging their hips, but joining the conversation, "Dad, it's more than that. Something happened, like you and Cindy scanned for, but what at first seemed like something strange, became something important." She blushed, "When you guys are together, I can feel some of what you feel. It took me a bit to figure it out, but I finally realised that of all that was going on, it gave me something I never realized I was missing until now. It gave me hope. I never got to know mom, but that was more than a hole, it was a piece missing from me. Other than you guys, I couldn't relate to anyone and the depth of that loneliness was beginning to tear me apart inside. Then Beno came along and wanted to be my mom. I felt what you guys felt and realized that if my dad could find such love and happiness, so could I. Every time I feel that glow from you guys, it reminds me what I might be able to find when I get older. I can't put into words how that has changed my life. I've never known this kind of hope and happiness."
Reyna gave a loving sigh and hugged them both and as she did so, they both felt it radiate from her like she was a tiny furnace of emotion.
Alex smiled at Beno and repeated, "Like I said, quite an impression. Nice job, mom."
== Tag Beno ==