As the snowman-decorated paper is torn, a small, dark grey box about the size of a book is revealed. Tara might remember it as the box Leah picked up at the stop they made on their way home from the market. The removable top of the box has a texture to it. Little lines and bumps as if to emulate cracked leather. And in the center is a small engraving in silver metallic lettering that reads 'Mayra's Metalworks'.
#Leah'sHouse – January 31, 2021
Leah sucks in her lips, watching anxiously as Tara begins to tear the paper. For a moment it looks as though she's about to say something, but she remains silent for now.
Tara 's fingertrips brush across the top of the box, feeling the uneven surface. For a moment her eyebrows furrow as she tries to decipher the text, but it's a lost cause. She looks up at Leah briefly as if seeking confirmation before going to lift the top.
The inside of the box is padded and laying in an alcove in the center of the padding is a black, braided nylon bracelet. Adjustable with a clasp for a charm, it's the sort of inexpensive bracelet that could probably be purchased anywhere in the galaxy. But a quick glance is all it takes to realize that the bracelet isn't the real gift. Nestled below it is a rectangular charm. Silver with rounded, beveled edges. Hand made with the same care
as the box it's stored in. Etched across the charm with careful precision are letters that form a familiar name. 'Tara Mercier'.
Leah continues to watch in silence as the lid is lifted off. But, as most know, silence isn't exactly her strong suit and, soon enough, the silence passes. "Don't feel like you need to wear it or anything. I don't-..." she blinks, "...I mean, wear it if you want to!" she's quick to clarify, words tumbling from her mouth as they so often do. "I'm just-... what I mean is that I won't, like, be offended or anything if you don't."
she snickers awkwardly. It looks like she's going to continue rambling when she's cut off by her father clearing his throat.
Francois studies Tara as she opens the box, gentle smile etched into his features. As Leah begins to ramble, he perks a brow. The tactical throat clearing, and the glare it garners from Leah as she's interrupted, implies there's a point that Leah is supposed to be getting to.
Mendez sits up a bit straighter and takes a sip of his beer, brow furrowed as he watches the exchange.
Tara carefully picks the bracelet up to study it closer, tilting her head to look at the letters on the charm. There's an odd look on her face that's intterrupted by a blink as Leah starts to ramble. Her eyebrows furrow a little uncertainly as if wondering whether she should say something, but Francois' intervention makes her look his way before her attention returns to Leah, opting to remain silent as she tries to decipher her
Leah scrunches up her nose as she glares at her father, but his point seems to have been made and, after a moment, she relents with a sigh, attention shifting back to Tara. "We just-... umm-..." she swallows, wincing slightly as if worried about how her words may land. "I know it might not be the name you were born with, but-..." she pauses briefly, giving a sheepish shrug as her green eyes turn to the box, voice growing a little
quieter, "...We want you to know that you are a part of this family, Tara." she says, a small smile slipping back out. "Which is why dad and I have been talking and-..." she tilts her head to look to her father, causing the top of her hat to flop to the opposite side of her head as she holds his gaze, "...we'd like to make it official."
Francois gives a small nod of his head, looking from Leah to Tara. "But only if it's what you want, sweetheart." he's quick to clarify, which causes Leah to look Tara's way and nod sharply.
Tara listens closely as Leah speaks, that strange look back in her eyes. At the mention of her name her gaze returns to the bracelet, clutching it a little harder. Leah's final statement, and Francois' addition, makes her look between the two of them as her eyes start to tear up. She sucks in her lips, gaze falling slightly as she tries to speak, but no words come. Her expression is... almost cautious, like she's afraid to acknowledge
what she's hearing. There's a quiet exhale that hides the start of a laugh that never manifest, lips twitching a little, and then her attention is back on Leah and Francois. "...of-... official?"
Nathan watches quietly from the sideline, sat a little offset to Leah. The brief run up to a potential ramble episode has him on standby to try and divert her off course, but luckily her father intercepts that notion before. Instead, he peers over Leah's shoulder at the gift and his eyes widen just a little when Leah and Francois reveal what it means. He can't help the smile that creeps onto his face, a small well of
elation stirring in his chest. He gently touches Leah's back as Tara begins to tear up, a small motion of encouragement to the woman. To complete the moment for the three of them.
Sofia leans forward just a little bit more as the gift is revealed, the momentous occasion kick starting her own emotions. The significance of this gesture is not lost and she has to lean back and quickly stall the emotion welling up inside. She does not want to divert even a modicum of attention to herself, not now. This is their moment and theirs alone.
Thiago lack of a reaction seems to imply that he knew what was coming. Or just a further indication that his face is permanently stuck this way. One or the other. His attention turns from Leah to Tara as he awaits her reaction.
Francois gives Tara's stilted question a small nod, smile persisting as he studies the emotional young woman.
Leah's own smile widens as Tara seems to react positively to the offer and she nods a number of times. She sits up a bit, back straightening up at Nathan's touch now that the cat is out of the bag. "Official." she repeats softly. "So?" she asks, nervous snicker slipping out as she gives a shrug of her shoulders and draws in a deep breath, "What do ya say? Wanna be a Mercier?!"
Tara brings her free hand up to her mouth, the laugh that slips out turning into a sob halfway through as fresh tears roll down her cheeks - this evening is proving to have plenty of those in store for her. There's a series of rapid, stiff nods as she does her best to keep it together, sniffling and slipping the bracelet onto her wrist, a big smile crossing her lips as she rotates her arm, tears flowing freely now.
Nathan's smiles grows that little bit wider and he merely watches the elation radiate from the young woman. He hums a small chuckle and turns the smile to Leah, although she likely can't see it. That's fine, however. He shuffles a little back, leaving some room for the pair. Instead, he casts a quick glance to his sister and gives her a sympathetic look.
Sofia sniffles a little at the happiness that Tara is showing, the tears of joy infectious right now. She pays Nate little mind right now.
Leah gives a questioning nod in response to Tara's nods. "Yeah...?" she asks, her own eyes turning a bit glassy. She sucks in her lips, swallowing at the lump in her throat that had formed from the nerves over how Tara may react to the offer. She sniffs in an attempt at cutting off the tears threatening to escape, a stifled snicker slipping out as Tara slips the bracelet on. Rising onto her knees in a bolt of energy, she's quick
Mendez watches warmly, giving Francois a small, encouraging pat on the side from his position on the floor beside the older man.
Francois' smile is practically from ear-to-ear by this point and he blinks hard against the shine in his eyes. A short, relieved sigh leaves his lungs and he gives a low chuckle as Leah throws her arms around Tara. His gaze turns to Mendez and he gives a small dip of his head before shooting a glance Nathan's way. "I think that was a yes." he snickers, a bit of the emotion in his chest audible.
Tara lets out a surprised breath as she's wrapped up in a hug, but she's quick to return it, hiding her face against Leah's shoulder and she squeezing her tightly as overwhelming emotions find an outlet in the tears that stain her sweater.
Nathan turns his gaze up to Francois, the chuckle a little more audible now. "I think so too," he says with a dip of his head in return. Honestly, the emotion that was stirring around in this room was getting to him too. Especially given the trails and tribulations that the pair, and even he, had to face for this moment. Surviving impossible odds, fighting for Tara's very freedom, all of it led to this. And Nathan knew it
Francois' shoulders bounce with joyful laughter, looking as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. It's pretty clear that he and Leah have probably discussed this at great length.
Leah returns Tara's squeeze and presses a peck against her Christmas hat, another snicker slipping out of her. For a while, she seems content to merely be shoulder for Tara to cry on and a silence settles over the room. When she finally releases Tara, she sits back on her heels, sniffing loudly as she brings a hand up, tracing the edge of her lower eyelids with her thumb to wipe away the wetness. As she meets Tara's gaze, another
uncontrollable chuckle escapes her. "This is going to be a lot of work." she warns Tara, though her big, bright smile seems to indicate that she certainly doesn't mind all. How could she? As she said, Tara is family. Making it official? That's just a formality. But it's a formality that will allow Tara to have the same opportunities the rest of the galaxy takes for granted. Opportunities she deserves. "We're going to need to
get proper documentation-..." she begins to list off on her fingers, perhaps putting the cart before the horse in her excitement. "...apply for identification, Council citizenship. There's going to be lots of paperwork, phonecalls-..." she shoots a glance to her father as she continues to ramble, brow furrowing as something occurs to her. "...we're probably going to need to go to the Citadel at some point-..." she
continues, but before Francois can respond, her focus is already back on Tara, causing him to stifle whatever he was going to say with an amused shake of his head. He's clearly no stranger to her rambles. "...But I still have contacts in the Alliance that will vouch for me. And-... and I know that Wolfe and the Chief will speak on my behalf if I ask them to. And maybe-..." she winces as she looks Nathan's way, realizing
she's putting him on the spot but, despite that part of her brain that's telling her to pump the breaks and talk to him about this later, her mouth is already moving so this train isn't stopping. "...umm-... maybe you could reach out to Sandbeck?" she asks apologetically, "Just-... see if they'll offer a report on the work we did together...?"
Tara once again uses the sleeve of her sweater to wipe at the mess that is her face, still sniffling intermittently as Leah begins to speak, but she can't keep her smile away - at least not until the rundown of what they're going to need to do begins, at which point her expression turns focused, nodding along as she listens, trying not to let the flurry of information overwhelm her. There's a hint of concern working it's way into her face
over how much effort it sounds like they will have to go to, and her gaze briefly flicks over to Francois.
Nathan allows himself to join in on Francois' laughter, unable to help himself. He manages to pause and turn to Leah as she begins to run through her own internal checklist, perking an eyebrow as she lists the horrifying needs of red-tape and bureaucracy that they'll need to go through to get Tara's adoption offical. He does look surprised, however, as she looks his way and asks about Sandbeck possibly helping out. He
hums and looks thoughtful for a moment. "...might be able to do one better. I'm sure Rosie-... uh, the Lieutenant Commander will write up a report if we ask, but I'll see if I can't persuade her to help expedite the process. The rehabilitation team has channels with the Citadel to help with I.Ds and the like." He offers a smile and nod to that. It certainly did catch him off guard, but he sees no harm in asking
Mendez stirs, clearing his throat. "If there's anything I can do to help, you just say the word, Frank. I'll do what I can." he chimes in.
Francois gains an appreciative look as he levels his gaze on the large man beside him. "I know you will, Thiago." he says. He catches Tara's look and seems to pick up on her concerns. He flashes her that kind, patient smile. "We want to do this, Tara." he assures her.
Leah sucks in her lips, holding in a breath as Nathan speaks up. The dimples in her cheeks grow more prominent as he continues, giving away the big smile buried away. When he finishes she gives a series of rapid nods, a softness settling into her expression as her emotions threaten to get the better of her once again. But she manages to reign them in, mouthing a quiet, 'Thank you' to him before looking back to Tara, smile renewed.
Tara 's smile returns, albeit a bit shaky, still struggling to take it all in. She swallows as her attention returns to Leah, looking lost for words. For a moment it looks like she's going to speak, but all that comes out is a laugh, her smile widening as she dabs at her eyes again.
Nathan merely offers Leah a casual shrug and a small smile of comfort. He isn't sure if Rosie will agree at all, if he's being honest. Her dislike of him hasn't diminished over the years, but it sure as hell won't stop him from trying. Tara's laugh snaps him back from his thoughts and he breathes a small laugh himself. It's been one hell of a Christmas, that's for sure.
Leah snickers in turn, an automatic response to Tara's laughter. As she settles back into a more comfortable sitting position she sniffs, blinking at the lingering emotion. She passes a glance to her father, then to Mendez, his offer not having gone unheard. She shoots him a sincere, knowing smile.
Leah lets out a long, drawn-out sigh as she looks about at the others. She tilts her head downward as a bout of self conscious laughter spills out and she gives a small shake of her head. "Ooookay~" she hums, clapping her hands together as if calling for everyone's attention. "Now that we're past all-... that." she continues, the day clearly having been far more emotional than even she had anticipated, "...I think I recall
something about taking some pictures?" she asks coyly, scrunching up her nose as she passes another round of glances about, specifically lingering on Mendez who gives a deep groan.
Tara lets out a shaky giggle as Leah changes the subject - the kind of sound that comes with the lifting of heavy emotions. She sniffles again and glances off towards the corridor. "I-... I need to blow my nose." she admits with a gesture in the general direction of the bathroom, looking a little embarrassed.
Nathan shuffles a little closer to Leah and places a hand on her shoulder, smile bright. "Pictures sound like a good idea. Maybe after Tara and our photographer have taken a moment to themselves though?" He says, smirking at Tara before shooting a glance his sister's way.
Sofia has scrunched herself up into a little ball on her chain, sniffling as she dabs at the corners of her eyes with tissue as she looks at the scene before her. "Oh, shut up, Nate! It was a beautiful moment, let me have this!" She sniffles again, caught between a laugh and a joyful sob. "I'll be ready in a few momeeeents." And, with a sound not far off a trumpet, Sofia blows her nose.