What’s It Like?

Posted on 30 Jul 2026 @ 11:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler & Lieutenant T’Mari Rael

1,845 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Acceleration
Location: Geisler Quarters
Timeline: February 2391

T’Mari had a head full of questions, not that she intended to go pestering anyone in order to answer them. Being a parent was going to be a whole new experience, one she was looking forward to. She paused outside the Geisler quarters, she wanted to check in on Joey and maybe pick her brain while she was it. She took a deep breath and pressed the chime.

Joey walked out of the twins’ bedroom. She’d just finished straightening up—tiny socks paired, toys back in their bins, blankets folded at the foot of each small bed. It felt good to restore a little order, even if she knew it wouldn’t last more than a few hours once the twins were home again.

Alison and Jameson were currently with Eden—who was blessedly on a break from her coursework—had them entertained in the holodeck. Rico and Pequeño were sprawled on the floor nearby, the picture of lazy contentment, doing exactly what they excelled at: absolutely nothing and observing.

Joey allowed herself a small smile at the domestic calm. After everything—after captivity, after recovery, after relearning how to breathe without bracing—moments like this felt like gifts she no longer took for granted.

The door chime sounded.

Her head lifted automatically, a flicker of old tension tightening her shoulders before she consciously let it go. Time had passed. She was safe. Visitors weren’t threats anymore. “Come in,” she called.

T’Mari walked through the doors offering Joey a warm smile. “Hi Joey, I hope you don’t mind me dropping by? I need to…pick your brain, as the saying goes.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Joey said with a smile before brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re always welcome here, but now you've got me curious. What would you like to pick my brain about?”

T’Mari gave Joey a curious look. “What’s it like to be a mother? How do you deal with serving aboard ship whilst looking after your children?”

Joey blinked, just once, because of all the things she thought T’Mari might ask—that wasn’t even on the list. Her expression softened almost immediately, though, the surprise giving way to something thoughtful and warm. She shifted her weight, folding her arms loosely as she considered how to answer honestly without overwhelming the poor woman. “Well…” she began, a small, contemplative smile tugging at her lips. “It’s… a lot. In every direction.”

She moved a little further into the room, leaning lightly against the back of a chair as she spoke, gesturing for her guest to take a seat.

“Being a mother is the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s also the hardest. There are days when the twins are laughing and everything feels perfect, and then there are days when someone’s crying, someone’s not feeling their best, someone’s climbing something they shouldn’t, and I’m running on three hours of sleep and a prayer.”

Her eyes warmed with affection at the thought of Alison and Jameson.

“But even the hard days are worth it. You learn to stretch in ways you didn’t know you could. You learn patience you didn’t think you had. And you learn that loving someone that much… it changes you.”

She drew a slow breath, letting it out with a quiet laugh.

“As for juggling motherhood and Starfleet? It’s not easy. Some days it feels like I’m doing two full‑time jobs at once. But having support makes all the difference. Harvey, Eden, friends on the crew… they make it possible for me to show up for both my family and my duty.”

Her gaze softened further, understanding settling in.

“And not everyone has family on board. I know that. But a village doesn’t have to be blood. Sometimes it’s the people you work with, the ones who show up when you need them, the ones who care. Starfleet crews… we become family in our own way.”

She tilted her head slightly, offering T’Mari a gentle, reassuring smile.

“Congratulations, too, and I think you’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

T’Mari gave Joey a curious look before realising her question kind of gave it away. “Thank you. I guess I’m just a little shocked, I hadn’t even realised.”

“You’re welcome,” Joey said gently, a smile of understanding on her face.. “And believe me… I get the shock.”

She let out a quiet breath, a small, almost sheepish laugh escaping her. “When I found out I was having twins, I just about fell over. I was excited, sure, but I was also scared out of my mind. Two babies at once? Twice the responsibility, twice the worry, twice the unknowns. It was a lot to take in, because I thought it was one.”

T’Mari nodded. “I can imagine! I can’t even think about how I’m going to juggle everything, buy you make it look easy.”

“Thank you. Really. I’ll take that as a compliment," Joey said as she shifted her weight while she considered how to put the truth into words. “But I promise you, it only looks easy from the outside. It takes time to figure out a routine that works for you, your partner, and eventually your little one. And even once you find that routine…” She lifted a hand and made a playful little whoosh gesture. “Sometimes it just flies right out the nearest airlock.”

She smiled. It was meant to be reassuring, and she really hope that landed. “And that’s okay. It happens to all of us. Some days everything goes according to plan, and some days you’re improvising from the moment you wake up. What matters is that you keep going, keep adjusting, and give yourself grace while you learn. And don't be too hard on yourself.”

T’Mari nodded. “Sounds like my first year out of the Academy! Trying to get to grips with being an actual medical facility trying to help people who didn’t really want my help. It was a pretty steep learning curve. I’ve always wanted to be a mother, I love kids.” She smiled as she looked around. “I want a happy family life.”

Joey’s smile warmed at T’Mari’s words, touched by the sincerity behind them. “A happy family life… you’ll have that,” she said gently, and she meant it. “You already care so much, and that’s half the battle right there.”

She drew in a slow breath, her gaze drifting for a moment as her thoughts shifted to the realities of life aboard a starship. “Just remember… life in space comes with its own set of risks. Things you can’t always predict or prepare for.” Her voice stayed steady, but something flickered behind her eyes—an old memory surfacing whether she wanted it to or not.

The image of her clone—living her life, raising her children, wearing her face—hit her with the same cold shock it always did. A visible shudder ran through her before she could stop it, her shoulders tightening for a heartbeat before she forced them to relax again. These moments didn't happen often anymore, but there were instances that triggered the memories. The difference between then and now, though, she was able to move beyond them a bit easier.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories” T’Mari offered as she looked at Kennedy. “After everything that happened to you, I’m just starting to truly understand your feelings from a mother’s point of view.”

Joey shook her head almost immediately, a gentle, reassuring smile softening her features. “I’m okay,” she said, voice steady but warm. “Really. Those memories… they only pop up once in a while now. They used to hit me a lot harder, a lot more often. But with time, with support, with my family… it’s different now. Much more manageable.”

T’Mari nodded. “That’s good, it’s not unusual for memories of a traumatic event to stick around but you know that already.” She grinned a wry grin.

“Hey… I haven't really had the chance to thank you,” Joey said quietly, sincerity threading through every word. “For everything you’ve done. You, along with my family and friends… you’ve all been such an integral part of me getting to where I am now.”

“There’s no need, that’s what I’m here for. If I can help people back to a state of happiness then my role has it reward.” T’Mari smiled. “I do appreciate it though.”

Joey smiled. "If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate to ask them."

“I won’t I promise” T’Mari smiled warmly. “Actually how is Harvey doing in your opinion? I do need to drop in to see him anyway, but I thought I’d ask.”

The taller woman blinked, just a hint of surprise flickering across her face as she looked at T’Mari. She straightened a little, trying to recover a neutral expression. “Is something wrong?” she asked. Her tone carried genuine concern that she might have missed something.

“Absolutely nothing” T’Mari smiled. “I feel lax in not having checked a little sooner is all. I’ve had my head elsewhere for obvious reasons.” She smiled a wry smile.

Joey felt a bit of relief wash over her. "I will admit I was worried for a moment, especially given that he seems to be doing better. We both are."

T’Mari nodded. “I think you’re both doing brilliantly. I’m afraid Starfleet still requires me to send in regular evaluations at present, but I’m happy.”

“Yeah… they still check in from time to time,” Joey said. “Starfleet wants the evaluations, and that’s fine. I'm used to it by now, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to not having to do them anymore. "

“To be honest I don’t think you’ll be needing them much longer. After all I’m always here if I’m needed.” T’Mari smiled warmly.

"It will be nice to get back to life post clone, and once I'm released, I promise to come in for a session if I need one," Joey said as she managed a smile. "And that goes both ways. If you have any questions or need advice, don't hesitate to reach out. Also, congratulations again."

T’Mari nodded. “I will and thank you.” She smiled warmly before rising from her seat. “I’ll let you get back to enjoying some peace and quiet.”

Joey offered her another smile. "I don't know how much of that I will get, but I wouldn't trade the chaos for anything. Have a wonderful rest of your day."

T’Mari nodded. “I will, thank you.” With that she headed on her way.

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