Holiday Pressure

Posted on Mon Dec 16th, 2024 @ 1:50am by Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen M.D & Lieutenant JG Malcolm Beckett M.D.

2,017 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Happy Holidays
Location: USS Astrea
Timeline: December 3, 2389

Malcolm caught up to Kasper as he was finishing his rounds. "Hey, wondering if I could bug you about something?"

Kasper had to backtrack his steps as Malcolm caught up with him and put the small stack of padds under his arm while giving the other man a raised eyebrow, "Yeah, of course. What's up?" Usually, it would be him bugging Malcolm, not the other way around, so clearly something was up.

"I've been trying to think of what to get Eirly for Christmas. It's our first holiday together. I want to surprise her, but I don't want to screw it up. I thought you might have some ideas," Malcolm asked.

"Honestly, Mal, just keep it simple," Kasper replied. They had walked back into the main sickbay and he headed straight over to the replicator to get both of them a coffee. Once he walked back and gave Malcolm the other coffee, he added, "My sister has always been the selfless one out of the family and I know she will absolutely go out of her way to make sure you're smiling, like she used to do with our younger brothers during the holiday season." He sipped the coffee, "I know she'll be truly grateful for whatever you get her. I always get her a trinket that makes her face light up with a smile"

"That's the problem, mate," Malcolm said taking the coffee. "She always does so much. I can't just do a trinket. I have to think of something special."

"I'd say just something that comes from the heart, it doesn't have to be anything massive either," Kasper replied, leaning up against one of the consoles, "Something that represents the pure sunshine that she is? I don't know. She loves her baking, as you know, dancing, art... Maybe even do something for her that forces her to take some time for herself?" He knew that Eirly would love anything Malcolm got her or did for her.

"She hasn't said anything to you about what she wants or anything has she?" Malcolm asked.

"All she's said to me is that she's looking forward to spending it with you. Seriously, you could pick a single flower that reminds you of her, give it to her, and she would adore it," Kasper smiled at him. "I know she has something planned for Christmas Eve with you, but I'm not allowed to talk about that." He added in a bit more of a serious tone, "I've never seen her as happy as this before, so I'm thinking she's thinking end game with you."

"You're thinking, or she's said more? Dunnae hold back. I think you owe me more than a few favors by now," Malcolm pointed out.

"Okay, okay," Kasper replied with his hands up in defeat, "So she is in love you, and judging from your expression, you already know that. She's thinking end game because to her, you're perfect and everything she's ever wanted in a partner, and she also knows that you'll fit in with our family perfectly. You just wait until she brings you home to our parents."

He took a seat, "I don't know exact details of what she has planned for you, but I do know that it involves a holodeck, hot cups of cocoa and snow. Just please tell me you're not going to go breaking her heart, especially at her favourite time of the year."

"I most certainly wasn't planning on doing any such thing. Which is why I thought her twin brother might ken a thing about a perfect gift. Maybe I should ask Charlotte to come up with some reason to have a chat with her instead," Malcolm suggested. "You seem to be about as clueless as I am."

Kasper shrugged in agreement but then had a moment of clarity, "That's why Leif is the better person to go and see, ha ha. How about this: You know she loves food, right? Well, there's a baked apple trifle recipe that our mother used to make for her every year on our birthday, and I'm pretty sure I'd be able to get it for you. You could make that for her?"

"That would be good for a laugh at least," Malcolm replied. "I can some things, but I'm not touching your mum's recipe. I appreciate the help. Maybe I'll send Leif a message."

"Hey, Leif. You don't know me, but I'm Malcolm. I'm kind of dating your sister and I need some ideas for what to get her as a present," Kasper mimicked and laughed, "Yeah, he's gonna be skeptical as about that. Trust me though, the recipe I have in mind is really simple and no one, even you, could mess it up. Other than that, I recommend a nice perfume too. She loves wearing floral perfume."

"Okay, okay. I'll keep thinking. Or see if Charlotte has any thoughts. She might have some good ideas," Malcolm said. He didn't really have a good reason why other than they were both women.

"I believe it's my turn to ask what I could get Charlotte that says 'Hey, I know I messed up big time and I really don't want to be that kind of guy any more so please give me one more chance'." Kasper rubbed a hand over his face and groaned: she was doing his head in. "You know what? I'll figure her out later. Eirly is more important." He started walking over to the conference room, "Come on, I'll get up a video call with my mother, you can say hi, she'll give you the recipe and hopefully some more advice on what to do for her, ja?"

As Malcolm followed Kasper he looked around to make sure Charlotte wasn't nearby. Once he was sure they were clear he lowered his voice, "Are you still thinking about her?" He asked.

Kasper sighed again, "Of course I am! She's bloody stuck in my brain and won't get out." He pressed a few commands and entered some co-ordinates into the console to bring the screen up, "I think about that night we all went out and how... Look, I've never said the words I love before except to Eirly and our mother, but I feel like Charlotte could be that one person I want to say it to for the rest of my life."

"From one night? What do you even know about her?" Malcolm asked. "Does she know how you feel?"

"Well, I've tried to tell her, tried to talk to her but she hasn't wanted to see me outside of work hours, so that's a bit hard. Anyway," Kasper checked the time and knew that it would be approximately 1800hrs back home so just around dinner time. "Like I said: I'll deal with Charlotte later, what you and I are doing now is for my sister." Malcolm was right though: he didn't actually know that much about Charlotte.

The video switched on as the call was connected and a few moments later, an older version of Eirly appeared on the screen. Where Eirly had the brown streaks, Ingrid had white, but they had the same grey coloured eyes and the same face. Kasper smiled at his mother as she said, "Kasper? You don't usually call us, is everything alright? Has something gone wrong?"

He shook his head in reply, "Hi, ma. Nothing is wrong, don't worry. And before you ask, Eirly is fine. Actually," he cleared his throat, "She's the reason why we're calling. You remember Malcolm, don't you? One of the guys I was in medical school with? Well, he's here and I'll let him explain."

"Wait, what," Malcolm felt the heat rising in his cheeks. "Hello Mrs. Andersen, I didn't realize Kasper was actually calling. He was just talking about your apple trifle recipe." Malcolm fought the urge to shoot Kasper a look. He was feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden, like he was betraying Eirly.

Ingrid laughed the same way Eirly did, light and airy and full of joy, "It's nice to see you again, Malcolm. I'd be more than happy to send you over that recipe, it's her favourite, you know. But I'm guessing," she looked between both of them, "That, judging by the look on your face right now, my son just ambushed you with this call, right?"

"Ambush is a strong word. Well, since you don't get to talk to Kasper much, why don't I go take care of a few things so you can catch up. Thanks very much for the recipe. Good to see you again, Mrs. Andersen." Malcolm began to shuffle nervously toward the door.

She waved her hand in dismissal and smilrd warmly, "You're most welcome, but what's going on? I didn't think I was intimidating enough to make you nervous so there must be..." Her eyes widened at the thought that just suddenly clicked in, "Unless you fancy my daughter or you two are dating and you want to impress her these holidays?" She raised an eyebrow at the question.

"Maybe just a wee bit," Malcolm admitted feeling more and more like this was a terrible idea. "I certainly didn't mean to get her parents involved. I should know better by now than to take my eyes off of Kasper here though. Anyway. Kasper, I'm sure your mum would like to hear a bit about your life since joining the crew here." Malcolm tried hard to deflect the conversation.

Kasper coughed to get the attention back on him as he didn't want any of his own little secrets getting out in this conversation, "Okay! I think that'll do for now!" He looked between Malcolm and Ingrid and said to her, "I'll call you later on for a proper catch up, ma. And yes, I'll tell you what's been going on. Goodbye now, I love you."

Ingrid smiled in earnest, a quizzical look on her face before she sighed, "I love you too, son. I'll get that recipe sent through to you shortly. And Malcolm, it was nice to see you again. Give my best to Eirly. Oh, before I go: she loves watercolour art but will also love anything you get her regardless." With that, the screen went black as the video disconnected.

Kasper turned back to Malcolm, "Oh yeah, I forgot she likes art."

Malcolm shook his head, giving Kasper a disappointed look. "What did you bloody do that for? You think Eirly might be the one who decides to tell her parents that she's dating someone?"

"Speaking of which? Why hasn't she talked about me? I thought they were close," Malcolm asked, his tone changing from frustration to concern.

"Okay, I deserve that," Kasper commented as he looked down and took the nearest seat, "All I've mentioned to my mother about you has been mentioned in the last five minutes of conversation with her. As for what Eirly has said to her about, I have no idea. Once she was sure of things between you and her, I'm sure she would've had the conversation with our mother and neither of them let on."

He thought about it for a moment, "Actually, you know what? Take that up with her. I'm sure there would be a reason if she hadn't mentioned you yet."

"You... you give me a headache," Malcolm stated. "I'm going back to work. But if you're still pining over Charlotte you should just talk to her. It's been over a month since she found out you cheated on your girlfriend with her. I'm sure she's cooled off by now."

"I give everyone a headache, didn't you know that?" Kasper grinned as he watched Malcolm roll his eyes. "I'll see you out there soon.

Malcolm turned to leave the conference room.


==========

Lieutenant JG Malcolm Beckett, M.D
Medical Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC - Remy)

Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen, M.D
Medical Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC - Eirly)


The recipe in question: https://denmark.dk/people-and-culture/recipes/danish-apple-trifle

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