Chapter Text
One of Alicia's earliest memories was of her mother.
She found her alone in the attic of their house, staring out of the skylight at the night sky. She crouched down, encircled her daughter with firm, comforting arms and whispered in her ear to wish upon a star.
Even at the tender age of seven years old, Alicia was a sensible child; didn't see the sense in wishing for anything, let alone on something so very far away. But she saw her mother close her eyes and followed suit; thought of her happy family life, her friends. Smiled in such a way that was enough to satisfy her mother, who squeezed her tight one last time and then left her to her observation.
As she grew older, Alicia never forgot that moment; often found herself contemplating the stars, contemplating what she would wish for, should she ever find herself in a position to need to.
And then, on the eve of her twenty first birthday, her mother was killed by a drunk driver. And her father, her stoic ex-military father, just... fell apart. And she really, truly understood the power of their love, the strength of their connection.
For the first time, she wanted that for herself.
The night of the funeral Alicia and her brothers, still in their dress uniforms, held a toast to the wide open sky. They left her in peace, sensed her need for some time alone; as she watched them go she saw her CO and his wife watching her, concern painted over their features. They hadn't needed to come with her, had still insisted. And she was glad for their presence, despite the reminder of the recently broken happy marriage their linked arms and united front brought to her mind.
Turning away from the couple she looked to the sky. Located Polaris, still bright in the somewhat polluted darkness. And as she stared at its light, she wished. For someone to love her, the way her father loved mother. The way Taylor loved Ayani.
There were times in her life that she thought she might have come close. Miles, for one, though given the brevity of their initial relationship that sounded ridiculous to her even now. It wasn't for another ten years that her wish was granted, when Nathaniel opened his heart to her and she gladly stepped inside.
And then Miles returned to her.
She looked down at the two sleeping men in her bed, smiled fondly. Looked up through the skylight in her bedroom and found Polaris shining through, its light 85 millions years younger. Despite the different time stream, it had certainly done its job.
She nodded to it, whispered her thanks and settled back down to sleep.