Meeting the Family

Posted on Thu Nov 17th, 2022 @ 9:03am by Nollel Livaam (*) & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein

Mission: Elsewhere
Location: Earth, Brooklyn, New York
Timeline: after Holoworld
5074 words - 10.1 OF Standard Post Measure

As much as he loved getting walk through his old neighborhood, Burnie felt a growing apprehension with each step toward his parents' home. He loved his family, but he also knew they could be a lot - the one girl he'd brought home back in the Academy had been overwhelmed and broke up with him not so long after. Though that might have been as much because he got too absorbed in building a competition racing shuttle, or at least he kept telling himself that, since he was bringing Nollel, who had even less experience of New Yorkers and the particular subculture his family occupied. He really wanted this to go well. He couldn't imagine they wouldn't like her - she was amazing, after all - but liking wasn't the issue. Swamped and nearly drowned in well-meaning if overly invasive questions was.

At least she'd had a few days in Paris to enjoy visiting art galleries while he testified to the committee looking into the Holoworld disaster, so she was coming in having had time to relax and unwind. On the other hand, would that be out of vacation straight into live fire? He momentarily regretted not asking Kali to come too, but she wasn't necessarily adept at running interference and bringing a quasi-chaperone would have been a little weird. Besides, for some odd reason she'd had plans to visit Iceland after her deposition.

"Okay, this is it," Burnie said, indicating the restored brownstone where his family resided. "Just be prepared. The place looks small from this angle but it's bigger than it looks and..." he expelled a breath, "...I have a lot of family in the borough and chances are most of them have turned out to meet you, so it's going to be packed. If it gets to be too much, give me a signal, okay?"

Whilst his thought were on over whelming her and scaring her off Nollel’s thoughts were on not being good enough for him. She was taking in everything eagerly but there was some overwhelming feeling in her stomach was twisting her stomach into nerves. “Well it cannot be anymore packed than the Louvre.” She said brightly as she saw someone watching from the window. “But I do believe we have been spotted.” She pointed to the small figure in the window and waved to them.

Burnie glanced up and smiled. "That's my niece, Sophie. We probably have about two minutes before she alerts the whole house. Just be prepared. I haven't been home in awhile, and it's been even longer since I brought someone home with me."

“Come on let’s go before they come out to retrieve us.” She suggested taking his hand in hers and tugged him up to the stairs.

He headed up with her but sure enough the door opened the moment they reached the landing.

"Mike!" His mom reached out and pulled him into a hug, and then pushed back, holding him in front of her. "You look thin, are you eating?"

"Mom..."

"Let the boy be," his Dad chuckled, and gestured for them to enter. "Come in, and introduce us to your young lady."

Taking Nollel's arm, and saying a silent prayer that this would go more smoothly than he expected, Burnie lead her into the foyer. It lead to a narrow hall and stairs, but both were packed with waiting family. "Mom, Dad, ...everyone... this is Nollel."

"Welcome, Nollel," his Mom said, smiling graciously as she ushered them toward the living room. "come have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Or eat? You must famished after a long journey."

“Hi… everyone.” Nollel said softly taking in everyone and how everyone looked her over taking in everything about her. It was not overwhelming but did add to the feeling of being sized up. She squeezed Burnie’s arm offering him some reassurance that it was all okay. “I would love a drink but let me help?” She offered.

"That's not necessary," Burnie's mom demurred, though with an approving smile for Nollel's good manners. "Though if you'd like to select your own drink from the replicator, you're more than welcome to come back to the kitchen. You can help yourself to some food then too. We have quick a spread." She laughed softly. "I'm sure Burnie warned you: family gatherings always involve a lot of food."

"Enough for an army. Or two," Burnie agreed jovially. That part he was looking forward too - real food, homemade or ordered from the local deli. In the past he'd had to try to escape visits with only a small bag of leftovers. This time 'Oh, take it, it will only go to waste' was going to be met with 'okay, thanks' (he was kind of looking forward to the surprise on various faces from that) and anything not immediately perishable was going into crates to ship back to Rosie.

“I…” Nollel glanced to Burnie and grinned. “I had forgotten that replicators exists everywhere off the ship.” She said blushing wildly as a few of his family looked confused at the mention of somewhere that did not have replicators available all the time. “Usual?” She questioned Burnie as she rose from the chair to get a drink seeing where the replicator was located.

"You'll see," Burnie replied, leading her back toward the kitchen and dining nook, both now set up with extra folding tables to hold the array of food. The two closest held lox and bagels with all the fixings, including at least three types of cream cheese, a tray of various cheeses and crackers, smoked white fish, various savory kugels, green beans with almonds, latkes, tabbouli salad, four styles of hummus with pita chips, as well as raw veggies trays. Another held all manner of desserts, from cookies to cakes to pies to sweet kugels. In a rare nod to those who kept marginally kosher the meat dishes were on a separate table: roast beef, corned beef, chicken, rye bread and condiments for sandwiches, including several loaves of challah, and there - the thing that really made Burnie's mouth water - his aunt Miriam's brisket. "Before you grab anything else, try this," he said, loading a heaping portion of the brisket onto a plate and then offering a forkful to Nollel.

From anyone else ‘you’ll see’ would be a threat but the way the man lit up as he led her to the kitchen left her feeling nervous that she was going to be overwhelmed by it all. And as soon as she saw it she was. “Wow…” was all she could get out as she took in everything. It was an amazing spread and more than enough to feed everyone and more. She had not been part of a large family and Stratos city dwellers definitely did not do anything like that at all.

Burnie held the fork a beat longer, surprised she hadn't taken the offered bite, then noticed her expression. Completely overwhelmed - he didn't know how far this might be from normal for Ardana, but even for earth, his family could be a lot. He put a sympathetic hand on her arm. "It's okay. Take a deep breath. People are going to push things on you - point of pride to have visitors like their food after all - but no one expects you to eat it all." He gave her an encouraging smile. "This is what we call 'buffet' or 'family style' on earth, so just take whatever you want for now. You can come back for more anytime." And would probably be urged to, but he didn't say it since she was already resembling a deer in headlights.

The small blonde nodded and pulled her eyes away to look at the man and what he had been attempting to do before she had gotten distracted. “I am okay. I just do not think even the ship has ever done anything quite so large. Your family have worked so hard.” She put her hand over his for a moment before looked in interest at what he had been trying to offer. It looked delicious and she picked up the form before taking a bite making a happy noise. “Amazing. Who made it?”she asked putting the fork back to resist taking more of his food.

Burnie smiled at her reaction - he knew she'd love it. Everyone did. "My Aunt Miriam - great-aunt actually, my grandfather Max's sister - she used to run the kitchen in a restaurant downtown, so everything she makes is good, but her brisket is legendary. I spotted her out in the den, so you can tell her yourself," he lowered his voice slightly, "And maybe get the recipe. She doesn't usually share it, but since we're going back out into space, far from home..." He glanced up *almost* innocently. There were jokes playing on stereotypes of how guilt was applied in his culture and while he personally had largely rejected using or responding to it, that didn't mean he was above applying that lever for a real prize like the brisket recipe.

Nollel grinned relaxing as she put a roll on her plate and turned to him listening to his accent become more pronounced every seconds that he spent on earth. “Ah I understand now why you wanted me to come home with you now instead of just staying in the ship. You want me to assist in getting the recipe.” She teased him.

"Not the only reason..." he pursed his lips, tipping his head side to side, then grinned and winked at her. "But it certainly doesn't hurt." He began to add potatoes to his plate when a streak of 6 year old barreled into the room, colliding into him and wrapping her arms around his legs.

"Uncle Mike!" the curly headed girl exclaimed, looking up at him eagerly. "What'd ya bring me?"

"What did I bring you?" Burnie laughed, setting his plate down safely before reaching down and grabbing her firmly. "A rocket ride!" he replied, boosting her up above his head, which earn a eddelighted childish scream.

The little girl applauded as he swung her around to a seat on his hip, but then resumed the expectant stare. "What else?"

"Sophie!" A somewhat frazzled woman, slightly shorter but clearly resembling Burnie, hurried into the room, casting an apologetic glance at Nollel. "I'm sorry. She usually remembers her manners, but my kid brother," her eyes slid to Burnie, "tends to spoil her so she's been set on hyper all day waiting for him."

"I'm not a kid," Burnie objected, straightening a bit to emphasize the height difference, then flashed a grin. "I just enjoying playing one, especially when I'm around her," he explained, ruffling his neice's hair affectionally. Then remembering his own manners, he turned to Nollel. "Nollel, this is my 'big' sister, Ellie, and her daughter, Sophie."

Nollel smiled as she watched Michael play with Sophie. She always knew he was good with children but watching him with his family was a big eye opener to a side she has not gotten to see yet. Nollel put down the plate she had been loading and held out her hand to the woman and smiled. “Your daughter is adorable.”

"Thanks," Ellie replied, shaking her hand briefly. "I'm glad you think so because she's probably going to be attached to him most of the evening," she chuckled. "I hope you want kids, and don't mind the father being one of them."

"Little early," Burnie cut in, widening his eyes at his sister, then quickly reached into a pocket. "Oh, look, was this what you thought I'd bring?" He waved a short wand in front of Sophie that shot out a multicolor stream of sparks.

"Yes!" Sophie cried grabbing for it even as her mother's jaw dropped in horror. "Mike, you did not -"

"Relax, El, it's holographic," he assured, handing the wand to Sophie as he set her down. "Every fairy princess needs a sparkle wand, right?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Sophie spun, creating a virtual cyclone of colored sparkles. Then, possibly catching a long-suffering look from her mom, beamed up at him. "Thanks, Uncle Mike!" then at Nollel. "Thanks, Uncle Mike's girlfriend!" before running off to show everyone her new glitter powers.

Nollel nodded at the little girl wanting to tell her about the colours as she had helped design that part but she was dumbstruck by the question. “Well I am not exactly human… so I am not… very much early.” Nollel said panicking at that question being brought up so early in the visit. She coughed a little awkwardly not having considered until that exact moment if they were even species compatible or anything. Maybe they was a question for Cassie when they got home.

"No worries, dear," an older woman said assuringly as she emerged from the kitchen. "You're humanoid, so I'm sure it will be fine. His cousin Tamar married a Romulan and they have two little ones now." She smiled at Burnie. "When the time's right, you can ask my David, he's expanded his practice to fertility now."

“Um…” Nollel looked at Michael and paled.

"Yeah... uh, thanks, Aunt Debra, but we're fine," Burnie answered with a somewhat strained expression. He was very much regretting not prepping Nollel better on what to expect. After all, did it really matter if she ran away screaming before or after the visit? "I'm not looking to start a family any time soon. I'm still a kid myself, right, sis?"

Ellie swallowed a laugh at the SOS clear on his face. Normally she might leave him hanging a bit longer, but Nollel seemed nice, and she was with her brother, so she deserved some pity. "That you are." She looked over at Nollel. "Sorry. You're the first person Mike's brought home in years, so people make assumptions. Including me. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

“No it is just that we’ve been dating a year and something we have not discussed or considered.” Nollel said regaining the composure now that someone else was taking pity on them. She grinned at Michael seeing how strained he looked. “I am sure that Michael is more uncomfortable than me.” She teased just a little.

"Probably," he admitted with a half-joking smile. "But I'm more used to it."

"Then you should come home more often - to build up your immunity" his mother joked, bringing two glasses from the kitchen. "Your favorite high sugar and caffeine soda," she said handing one to Burnie. "I thought you could maybe do with some wine, dear," she said, offering a glass to Nollel. "I know this family can be like walking into a whirlwind. About 40 years ago, I was in the same position, though I at least grew up on earth so I had a better idea of what I was getting into."

Nollel could not help but feel thankful for her boyfriends mum walking in and handing out the drinks that had been forgotten about thanks to the mention of children. “Thank you. It is only a little overwhelming we do not have such big families on Aradana.” She admitted taking the the glass of wine and taking a sip. It was good flavour and almost like Michael might have mentioned her favourite style of wine.

"Ours isn't all that big," Mom explained. "The immediate family is just me, my husband, Mike, Ellie, and of course her husband, Joe, and Sophie. But Mike's grandparents live in the city, and so do several of their siblings, their children and grandchildren, which makes for a crowd. And then since Mike hasn't been back for so long, some of the relatives from Chicago and LA and even Israel decided to come in. Do you not do extended family gatherings on Ardana?"

“Very small family units.” Nollel said smiling still as she saw people hanging in the doorway watching her and Michael. She glanced over at her boyfriend and smiled still, they were kind despite being overwhelming. She could feel the love in the room. “A lot of my species spend all their time pursuing art and culture it does not leave much time for families.”

"How extraordinary," Mom replied. "I don't know whether to be jealous or sad. I've always wished more humans would care about art and culture, so yours sounds like a dream - except for having little time for family. Mike has probably told you I'm an art historian and I love art, but part of the joy of it is sharing, especially with family."

"He must have missed out the art part of being a historian as I was not aware," Nollel admitted with a small smile in the man's direction. "I should show you some of the art from Ardana some time that I grew up with. See what you think about it all." Nollel did not want to blow her own trumpet on her former life of being an artist right then and there but maybe there was something that could build a relationship between them both.

"You should show her your own art," Burnie insisted, latching onto the idea of pre-empting any other questions by directing both of them to discussing art. How had he not thought of that angle before? Mom could talk art for hours and no one else would be able to get uncomfrotable questions in edgewise. He might not be so lucky, and possibly wouldn't see Nollel again until morning, but otherwise it was PERFECT. "Nollel is an artist in her own right. Though she had the classical education on Aradana to fill you in on their art history."

"How marvelous!" Mom smiled, obviously pleased, and maybe a little proud that despite all appearances, her son had found an appreciation for art - or at least for a woman who was an artist, but then even if he'd only fallen for someone like his mother, how could she not feel good about that? "I'd love to see some of your work, and of course, compare Aradanan art modalities to earth's."

“Oh… um… I was trying to not show off or mention it.” Nollel admitted blushing deeply. The blush was pronounced on her face thanks to the pale skin and hair but she took a sip of the wine and handed it to Michael to go go and retrieve her bag to find a PADD.

“Pretty sure that won’t help you cousin.” A voice called from somewhere in the other room followed by laughter but it was all good natured even as Nollel returned a PADD in one hand and a box in the other.

“I did not want to assume anything but I made something for you if I ever got to meet you properly other than a passing glance on a holo call.” Nollel admitted holding out the box with a small vase inside that had been decorated with earth flowers and imagery. She had not even mentioned it to Michael that it had been for his mum of all people.

"Oh, my dear, that was not necessary, but thank you." Mom opened the box and beamed a smile as she carefully lifted the vase, almost as if it were a valued museum piece. "This is your work? The use of color and naturalist impression is exquisite. Is there an Ardanese term for your style of art?"

“Not that I have ever been able to translate. But I believe it is similar to the Romanticism style with a focus of emotions among many other things.” The woman admitted with a shy shrug. “It’s traditional to give a gift of art.” Nollel said glancing to Michael nervously.

"A wonderful tradition - so much better than bringing a bottle of wine. We'll treasure this." Mom smiled, then waved to her husband. "Milo, you must see this. Look what Nollel has brought us."

Burnie's father pushed his way through the onlooking family and examined the vase, then beamed at Nollel. "It's beautiful. Reminds me of a Garmash." The observation was made with a quick glance at his wife, who nodded.

Realizing that Nollel likely had no idea of the reference, Mom quickly explained. "The Garmashes were Romantic Impressionist painters in the later pre-contact period. I'll have to show you some of their work - they were both atists and painted together as a couple. The story goes that Michael Garmash fell in love with Inessa at their first meeting and then wooed her by painting her image all around the city surrounding her house -on the road, on the walls of buildings and the walls of her apartment staircase. He spent the night painting, and he was arrested first by the city police, but they decided they couldn't punish someone for true love."

Burnie sighed inwardly. Thanks, Mom, no pressure living up to that level of romantic...

“Sounds adorable. I would love to see more of their work. Sounds like a really interesting story.” Nollel let out the breath she had been holding as she waited for reactions around the base. She moved back to Burnie and squeezed his hand seeing the look on his face. If it was stressful for her it must be stressful for him as well. “You offered me a chocolate fountain after our first date rescuing Gregnol. That’s a much better story than painting someone’s image. Much more our style.” She whispered.

Since he could practically feel his cousins' smirk about his lack of both romantic and artistic talent from across the room, Burnie had been trying to work out parameters for a fireworks display roughly resembling Nollel, so at her response his heart warmed so much he might practically be glowing. She is so absolutely perfect. If not for how clearly uncomfortable she was with the questions about anything long term, he might have dropped to a knee right there. Instead, he squeezed her hand and mouthed 'Thank you'.

"You guys are sooo cute!"

"Hanna..." Burnie cast a look at one of his younger cousins.

"But you are!" the teen girl was nearly bouncing in place. "When you do decide to get married, can I be a bridesmaid?" She looked imploringly at Nollel. "Please?"

Nollel steadied her nerves with the glass of wine and realised that teasing back might be the best way to respond. “Thank you. Of course if we do and your parents let you go to the edge of universe sure.” Nollel said making the girl pout before she winked at her.

“Well that will never ever happen.” The girl said looking unimpressed.

"Surely you'd come back," Ellie said, frowning at Burnie and Nollel. "It would break Bubbie Rose's heart to miss it."

Burnie suppressed a grimace. "Uh, how about we go sit down and eat and talk about literally anything else?"

“Uh sure.” Nollel said noticing the teasing had gone the wrong way which was as far from what she wanted.

"Fine," his dad chuckled. "Nollel, you should probably meet the grandparents before getting guilt tripped about disappointing them," he added, tipping an eyebrow at his daughter. Just because she'd had to have the big synagogue wedding to make everyone happy, didn't mean she had to force that on his younger brother.

“Your family are amazing.” Nollel whispered as she was practically pulled into another room to meet grandparents. “Can see why you are just as amazing.” She added nudging him to prove the point. They might be a lot but it was worth it for him.

"Amazing is one word for us," he chuckled, eyes rolling slightly but with a smile for the compliment.

As they came into the next room, they were motioned over to a group of older people on the sofa and loveseat by a petite white-haired woman. "Mike, come here and hug your Bubbies."

Burnie dutifully went and bent over to hug her, the other older woman on the loveseat, and then the man next to her. "You look good. Ship work has kept you strong," Abe Burnstein said, squeezing his grandson's arm.

Grandma Mary smiled and looked up at him expectantly. "So, are you going to introduce us to your young lady?"

Burnie ducked his head at the familiar prod for social graces, and reached back to bring Nollel up beside him. "This is Nollel Livaam. Nollel, these are my grandparents, Abe and Mary Burnstein, and Rose Engel."

"Bah, so formal," Rose flipped a hand and then reached it out to clasp Nollel's. "You can call me Bubbie - it means grandma, in case Mike forgot to give you a little course in Yiddish before dragging you in here," she joked, albeit with a brow cocked at Burnie.

“It is nice to meet you all. He did not but I do not mind. It’s all an experience after all. Never been to earth before.” Nollel said pleasantly taking the offered hand bending down to her a little more so she would not need to reach out so far.

"Sit, sit," Grandma Mary said, patting an open spot on the sofa. "And don't mind Rose," she said with a teasing look toward the other grandmother. "She's a linguist and looking for an excuse to talk your ear off over languages. But your first time on earth! I understand you were in Paris first. What did you think of it?"

Nollel took the offered seat with a nod of gratitude turning towards the older lady. “I was reading up on it and saw an old quote that said a walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life. It was certainly unique. Photos and holograms do not do it any justice. Have you been there?” Nollel wondered thinking on her hours just getting lost in the art galleries.

"Oh, yes, several times," she replied, exchanging a glance with her husband. "Max and I met while interning at UFP Ministry of Justice."

"I have as well. My daughter did a year's study there, so there many trips to visit," Bubbie Rose added. "But if your love is art, you should have Mike take you to Japan before leaving. The styles are quite different from most of what you probably saw in Paris, but the aesthetic of traditional art from that side of earth is truly worth experiencing."

Nollel glanced at Michael and grinned. Her love was him but her passion was art but she was not going to tell a room that was already planning their wedding. “Maybe if we have enough time before we head back to work.” She said not overly sure how much time he wanted to spend with his family. She was just going with the flow if she was honest and had only come along as Gregnol had refused to let her stay behind when he knew how much she wanted to see Earth deep down.

"We could maybe take a day or two," Burnie said. Much as he loved his family, an excuse to not stay too long had definite merits. And he was sure Nollel would enjoy it. "Not a full tour, obviously, but enough time to see the highlights in Tokyo and the maybe area around Fuji."

"You could always do real tour for a honeym-- Oof!"

"Oh, sorry, El," Burnie said with a thin smile. "Didn't realize you were so close to my elbow."

"Play nice, children," Dad admonished half-jokingly. "I hope siblings get along better on your world, Nollel. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

“I have younger siblings.” Nollel commented smirking into her glass as she had not missed at all any of the comment. “I believe siblings are similar on quite a lot of planets but my relationship with them was quite different as they are a lot younger.” Nollel said with a shrug. She had not thought about them in a long time since she had been disowned.

"Well, your family isn't so small then," Burnie's Mom said delightedly. "If you're that much older, you must have gotten a lot of experience with children."

“I would not say that.” Nollel said glancing to Michael as she realised that the subject was leading towards children again. The man was going to regret bringing her anywhere near his family at this rate. She was not feeling so smug now as she took another sip of the wine.

Burnie wore an uncomfortable expression, but it was not because Nollel's presence was leading to these questions - he'd have been inundated with htem if he came just by himself - but because she was being put on the spot again. Yeesh, Mom, is you want grandkids maybe don't scare off the few women I ever bring home "Not everyone gets forced to watch younger kids," he put in. "I'm older than Dan and Abby's horde but no one ever had me babysit."

"Because we prefer not coming home to a five alarm fire," a man resembling Burnie's father remarked dryly.

"Hey, I've only ever started one little fire."

"Inside a house," his sister corrected. "And that was because I watched you like a hawk after that 'liitle' incident." She cast a sympathetic look at Nollel. "I don't know how you put up with him, but I will understand if you don't want any kids like him."

“Oh well…” Nollel started before regaining her confidence. “We met because I might have caused an explosion on his ship many years ago.” She admitted proudly. She was not ashamed of what she did even if everyone else in her family did. “So I think in that respect we are pretty set to teach safe fire management.”

"See? A match made in heaven!" Bubbie Rose crowed, a twinkle in her eye as she reached up and patted Burnie's arm.

He suppressed a chuckle. If the family stories were true, she and his late grandfather had also been drawn together by a fascination with things that could burn you, though in their case it had been hacking and code-breaking.

"Have to admit, when I heard she blew up a cargo bay, I had to meet her," he said, casting a fond smile at Nollel.

Ellie facepalmed. "If you two ever do have children, I am NOT babysitting."