Pre-natal Exercise

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:08am by Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith & Lieutenant Alexandra Alves MD
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:44pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Before the Wedding

ON:

After all the turmoil concerning the murder and the other shenanigans involving the Breen and the station, Alexandra finally had some time to spare. Which meant that she could finally fulfill a promise she made to Krysia, who seemed to be getting quite wary of the extra weight she was carrying - no surprise, when one is expecting twins. Back when she was pregnant with Veronica - she was so young back then, it seemed like if that happened eons ago, in another life -, the doctor regularly exercised her body, using a special workout routine, a combination of exercising and yoga. It was the perfect way to keep fit, especially as she was used to a physically active lifestyle. She promised Krysia to show her the workout method, which might happen to be useful to her as well.

Alex walked into the holodeck, which turned into a recreation of the Copacabana beach, the famous seaside venue in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro. The perfect place for some exercising, she thought, as she took a few steps in the warm sand, wearing light-weight sports sneakers. Other than that, she only wore a pair of sunglasses, short yoga pants, and a bikini top. She programmed the weather to be humid, and around 27 C / 81 F, which was the average for June or July in Rio, so it wouldn't be so exhausting for Krysia to exercise here, as it were in the 40 C / 104 F temperature the city usually has during the winter months.

Krysia arrived at the Holodeck, she'd chosen to wear a loose fitting cool top and shorts while she still had room to fit in her current pair of shorts. She was looking forward to spending time with Alexandra, learning some tips to keep fit whilst pregnant. Walking inside she smiled as she saw Alexandra. "Hey, I'm glad I chose the right clothing for this lovely setting!"

"Hey!" Alex turned around to see her friend walking in. "You look awesome!"

"Thanks!" Krys smiled as she greeted Alexandra. "So do you! I wasn't sure exactly what to wear do I just put on what I thought would be best."

"Don't worry." she shook her head, then picked up a large aerobics mat and put it down, spreading it on the ground. "It's a perfect attire for our little exercise." she smiled. "Alright. So, when I was pregnant with Veronica, I learned some special aerobics techniques to make myself stronger and healthier during that period. It's a great way to reduce pain, improve your muscle and manage weight gain." she explained.

“Well considering how much weight I’m likely to gain during this pregnancy I’d like to make sure I keep fit. I have a feeling that given how much I’m already showing I’m going to have a fair sized bump before these two make their appearance into the universe!” She grinned.

"The best way to do that is exercise." Alex nodded with a smile. "Let me show you." she pointed at the mat. "We should start with some light warm up."

"Okay" Krys nodded and watched Alexandra as she started a demonstration.

"Alright. First, let's do some ankle rotations.", the doctor said, as she stepped on the mat, inviting Krysia to follow her.

Krysia smiled as she stepped onto the mat and followed what Alexandra was doing. She used to feel silly doing anything like this but at least it was just the two of them with no one else to see.

"Just a few more." Alex said, as she watched Krysia performing the same moves as she did. "So, how's the soon-to-be happy dad?" she asked with a smile.

"James is exstatic!" Krysia's smile beamed. "I don't know if you've read his file, but James lost his wife and daughter in tragic circumstances. The two of us met under strange circumstances, you see...." She paused. "It seems I'm almost some kind of reincarnation of his wife, the first time I saw her photograph it was like looking in a mirror!!" She grinned. "The funny thing is I felt drawn to him from the first moment our eyes met. All I know is I'd be lost without him, he's my world and I'm not sure I'd have the strength to go on without him."

"I didn't know that." the doctor replied. "I've never believed in love at the first sight, but you might change my mind." she said, as she started doing another warm up exercise. "Now let's do a few easy squats."

"My mother always used to say that the universe would find a way to fix its mistakes. I never believed that until I saw the photograph of James' wife." She copied what Alexandra was doing as they talked. "I think I'm the universe's way of correcting the loss he suffered, others might call me crazy for saying that."

"I must admit, I've never believed in that either." Alex said. "But who knows, you may be right." she smiled. "Maybe one day, I find someone like that too. Until then, I'm a little bit skeptical."

“Can’t say I blame you!” Krysia smiled. “Alexandra did you read the reports about the bubble universe that a lot of us were stuck in?”

"I heard about it from various people. But I've never actually had the time to read the reports." she admitted.

“It’s just...” Krysia paused what she was doing for a moment. “Plenty of so-called experts would say that events never happened, for those of us stuck in that bubble it was all very real. We lived our lives, at least some of us did. I had children and and a grandchild as well and when we were brought back to the point where we left it felt like....well, like our lives had been torn apart!! My children never existed.” She sighed. “What scares me is that when I had my daughter, it almost killed me! I suffered a massive bleed but I was saved.” She offered a nervous smile. “It’s just hard not to think of that now I’m pregnant, admittedly I wasn’t carrying twins then and this is real life not life in the bubble.”

"It must've been a truly horrifying experience." the doctor said with a sincere nod. "But as you said, it was only an illusion. You shouldn't let that haunt you. You and both your babies are perfectly healthy. Given the unusual nature of your pregancy, of course, we should be very careful. But I don't think you are in any kind of danger."

“That’s just it...I know!” Krysia sighed. “Doctor Ashshy believed that I wasn’t coping with being back so-to-speak, I’m beginning to think that maybe he was right. I spent time mourning a family that didn’t exist but to all of us who were there, it was real and it always will be!” She shook off her feelings and offered a smile. “So what’s next?”

"I don't think I'll ever fully understand what you guys have been through in that 'bubble universe'." Alex said. "But you should treat it the same way as you do a 'real' loss. You can never fully overcome it, but you can move on. But hey, I'm just a surgeon, but a counselor." she shrugged with a gentle smile. "Alright, let's do some arm warm ups."

Krysia nodded as she looked to Alexandra, it was nice to have someone there that didn’t think she was crazy for believing that events in the bubble happened.

"Your babies will be perfectly healthy." Alex said with a reassuring nod. "Trust me." she then stopped and took a deep breath. "Okay. Warm up is over. Take a minute to relax, and then we start the real stretch."

"The real stretch!" Krys looked at Alexandra with a grin. "Why do I get the feeling you've been taking it easy on me so far!?"

"Don't worry." she smiled. "You should always keep in mind to never overdo any exercise. If you feel exhausted, always take a break." she explained.

“Oh don’t worry I would!” Krys grinned. “Just out of curiosity what birth options are there? Am I confined to a bed in Sickbay for the birth of the twins or do I have other options available?”

"Well, I would recommend sickbay, so I could keep you under close watch during the whole time." the doctor replied with an honest glance. "Would you rather prefer giving birth in your quarters or someplace else?"

“To be honest I’m not sure!” She shrugged her shoulders. “I was just thinking out loud really. I guess the safer option would be Sickbay but I’d like it to be a private area out of view of general comings and goings. Not that it matters right now.”

"Of course. I understand. Absolutely." Alex replied with a friendly nod, knowing very well what Krysia was talking about. "You can get your very own little space, separate from all the other rooms. It'll be only yours, we can even decorate it the way you'd like to, make it feel familiar and comfortable."

“That would be great” She nodded and smiled. “Anyway enough medical talk! You brought me here to get away from Sickbay not spend all your time talking shop!”

"Right. Right." she smiled. "Besides, we're here to move not to talk." With that, Alexandra started the core part of the exercise. "This is a basic cardio workout routine. First, stretch your arms."

“Okay let’s do this!” Krys stretched her arms as she’d been instructed to do before waiting to see what Alexandra had in mind next.

"Alright. Now, let's do some shoulder circles. Afterwards, we continue with weights." the doctor explained. "These exercises make you more flexible, and can ease pain."

Krysia nodded. "Is there anything you wouldn't recommend or anything in particular I should avoid when trying to get fit for this?" She looked at Alexandra curiously. "What if I feel up to doing lots if exercise but end up overdoing it? Not that I'll probably feel like doing much once this bump gets bigger!" She grinned as she motioned to the small visible bump she was starting to show.

"As I said, you should always look out and never overwork yourself." she replied. "Only do as much exercise as you feel safe for you and the twins." she said.

“Of course” Krys nodded. “Owen has plans to take me to meet our father, when we get chance to get away! I’m quite looking forward to it. My mother has always been pretty vague about him, I’ve asked but she’s never told me a lot.”

"Oh. I didn't know that." the doctor said. She was now curious about Krysia's backstory. "It must've been hard never knowing your father."

"It was harder being part of a people that considered me to be somewhat inferior in some ways. They weren't even sure I'd develop telepathic abilities due to being half Human. I'm one of very few Drax hybrids, we're all somewhat frowned upon! My mother was on an Ambassadorial trip when she met my father, she was going through a time of heightened pheromones and Owen's father just happened to be the man that she fell in love with. She didn't want him to feel responsible for me so she never told him, plus the fact that they were never likely to see each other again!"

"Oh. I see." Alex nodded, as she listened to Krysia's story. She never knew that about the counselor. "Your people doesn't seem too inclusive."

"As soon as I learned of my Human family I set out to find them." Krysia smiled. "I spent years following Owen from ship to ship once I got through the Academy. He never knew who I really was until I came aboard the Pandora."

"That must've been weird. I mean... for both of you." she said.

“Yeah it was! There I was telling my mentor and friend that I was following him around because he was my brother!” She grinned. “Typical Owen took it in his stride and welcomed me to the family!!”

"That's awesome." Alexandra smiled. "I grew up having two younger siblings. I always felt I should be responsible for them. For better or worse."

"I didn't and still don't expect him to be responsible for me, I just wanted to be a part of the family I knew was out there. I just hope my father will accept me the way Owen thinks he will."

"He will." the doctor said with an encouraging look. "You're a great person, and I'm sure he'll be proud of you."

“I certainly hope so!” Krysia grinned. “Listen to me! The counsellor having a personal crisis of her own!! Speaking of which did I...ask you to be my bridesmaid?”

"Ah, you know the old saying... doctors make the worst of patients." Alex laughed, then she suddenly stopped when she heard a peculiar word. "Bridesmaid?" she looked at Krysia surprised. "Well... of course!" she smiled warmly. "I'd be glad to!"

Krysia’s smile beamed. “Excellant!! I’m also asking Aeryn to be my bridesmaid as well. James and I want to be married as soon as we can, I want to be married before I’m bursting at the seams!!”

"I have to find myself a dress to wear." she smiled. "I didn't wear anything fancy for years."

“Well there’s no specific dress code so whatever you think would be appropriate” Krys smiled warmly. “I can’t wait to be Mrs Smith!!! I am thinking about going double barrelled though Kaleri-Smith has a certain ring to it.”

"Oh, well... I never really wanted to be Alves-Kiley. Or Kiley-Alves?" Alex grinned with a shrug. "At least, it was easier for me when we divorced. I didn't have to change my name back."

“That must be horrible, having to get divorced?” Krys looked at Alexandra. “I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

"Honestly? It was bad, but it didn't really shake me." she replied. "And Nathan? Well, he was finally able to concentrate all his time and energy on the true love of his life. Warp field theory." she shrugged with a sarcastic grin. "It took a much more serious toll on Veronica, unfortunately."

“Of course” Krys nodded. “Has she spoken to anyone about it? If it helps I’d be happy to talk to her, on or off the record. I don’t mind either way.” She smiled warmly. “I think my motherly instincts are really starting to through now I’m pregnant!”

"She did, of course. Mostly to me. But she also talked to professional counselors in the past." Alex said. "She's fine. She finally started to like this new ship, and everything. She's already made friends. But you know... she just misses her father sometimes. Or any father." she explained. "Maybe you can try." she agreed. "And don't worry. Motherly insticts are just the beginning." she smiled.

“Of that I'm sure!” Krys grinned. “But I know it’s what I’ve always wanted. I’ve always loved children, I’m ready to be a mother.”

"Kids are awesome." Alex nodded with a smile. "I think we can agree on that."

“Definitely!” Krysia nodded enthusiastically. “I intend to enjoy this pregnancy and enjoy being a mother even more.”

"Being a mother can be the greatest fun ever." the doctor grinned. "Besides all the hard work and painful struggle." she winked.

"Well the mist painful part is yet to come but I can do it!" Krysia grinned.

OFF.