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Julian wandered in from the bedroom with tousled hair and knee-length Starfleet Academy shirt askew. “G’morning.” His jaw cracked open in a yawn, but before it even finished he was turning his head to the other figure in the room. “Oh. Hi, Ziyal.” He looked down at his bare knees and feet. “Sorry, I didn’t know we’d have company.”Ziyal tittered. “It’s fine; I’ve seen you in less.”“Right. That time on the beach.” Julian strolled over to the sofa and kissed Garak on the cheek. “Mm. You smell delicious. What are you working on there?”Garak stopped stitching and set the patterned teal fabric into his lap. “We’re finally finishing Leeta’s wedding dress. She and Ziyal have worked up something of a surprise.” He beamed proudly over at their guest.Ziyal glowed back. “Well, since she and Rom had to get married in a hurry, I thought it might be nice to have an informal wedding that included the fun aspects but with all of the stress out of the way. More like a party. She thought it was a great idea! So after the baseball game, she’s going to surprise him with her dress and a custom holosuite program.”Garak moved the fabric onto a side table and pulled Julian around to plop in his lap instead, legs dangling over the arm of the sofa. “Ziyal’s even taken charge of the preparations. She’ll be sending out invitations this evening.”“That’s terrific!” Julian flopped onto his back, feet kicking in the air, and bent his head back to look at her upside down. “I didn’t know you were interested in party planning, Ziyal.”“Well I’m really not,” she confessed sheepishly, smoothing out the blue chiffon she’d been working on. “But when we started discussing venues, I just had so many ideas that I got sucked in. We’re making the program from scratch, so it’s actually a lot like art.”“It is art,” Julian reassured her with vehemence. “You’re creating a three-dimensional scene. I can’t wait to see it.” He looked back and forth between the other two. “I am invited, right?”“Of course!” Garak rolled his eyes and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You and Leeta may not be a couple any more, but you’re still very good friends.” “True. And Rom’s my friend too.” Julian shook his head. “You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but he’s got such a wry sense of humor. Especially when it comes to talking about Quark.”Garak snorted. “I believe it. Who wouldn’t, with him for a brother?”“Does he really?” Ziyal’s eyes got big. “Rom's usually so quiet around me.”“That’s just because he’s shy at first and still getting to know you,” Julian explained. “But he’s one of the best friends a person could have. If you ever need someone in your corner, he’ll be there. He really stands up for what he believes is right.”“Leeta’s so lucky.” Ziyal relocated to the other side of the sofa, bringing her part of the dress along. “I hope I can meet someone like that for myself some day.”“What about Jake Sisko?” Julian asked, ignoring the huff from his partner. “He’s sweet. And creative, like you.”Ziyal shrugged. “We went on a few dates and had some fun. And probably spent too much time complaining about our dads. But I think we’ll make better friends. Honestly, I…” She began twisting the fabric, then realized what she was doing and stopped. “I think I might be more interested in girls.”“Really? Well that’s fine.” Julian reached awkwardly over his head to pat her arm. “There’s lots of nice girls out there. We can help you find one.”“My dear…” Garak set a hand on his knee and made a pained face. “She may not want our help.”“No, no, that’s fine!” Ziyal glanced at both of them and then away. “It’s just that my father wouldn’t approve. He always wanted me to marry a boy who belongs to a powerful family and have lots of babies.”Julian mumbled a few things under his breath that applied much more to Federation values than Cardassian culture while Garak tried to be diplomatic. “There’s always adoption.”“I know.” Ziyal’s voice was small. “But I’m not sure I even want kids. And I know I don’t want to marry for power, I want to marry for love. Like you two.” Her eyebrows flew up. “I mean… I know you’re not married, but you’re pretty serious, and you seem really happy. And you get each other. I want something like that.”Garak and Julian’s eyes met, going gooey. They linked hands, which Garak brought up to press against his lips. “If this is what you want, then I hope you do find it someday. I’m eternally grateful that the dear doctor saw something in me that he deemed worthy.”Ziyal turned sideways to prop her elbow on the back of the sofa, chin in hand and stars in her eyes. “I wish you two were my dads instead of… him. I love him and all; he’s got his good traits, but.” She sighed. “I’m so much more comfortable being here. With you. With Elim inviting me over for ikri buns when I call him after having a bad dream, so we can talk and work on Leeta’s dress for a distraction. With Julian taking me to the holosuites to play his spy games or dance in Vic’s lounge. Just sitting here together and not having to worry about what I’m wearing or how I’m sitting or what I say.”Julian extended his other hand, and she took it. “You’re a wonderful girl, Ziyal. You deserve only the best. We’re here for you if you need us.”Leaking a few tears but smiling with relief, Ziyal sniffed. “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”Garak carefully averted his eyes from the t-shirt that was falling down (or up) Julian’s thighs. Oh dear, he didn’t appear to have any underwear on. “On that note, do you need our help with setting up the party? We’re both fairly busy with our wartime duties, but we’re more than happy to assist whenever we have the time.”“Definitely!” Julian let go of Ziyal’s hand to shake out his arm. “Sorry. The angle was making me lose circulation. But yeah, I love parties! And I’m sure Felix could give me some advice on how to help you with the holosuite program.”Ziyal tossed a scrap of taffeta over his face, laughing when he began to sputter. “That’s really nice of you, but I think Jadzia’s got most of it under control.”Garak smiled, but Julian groaned, rolling the scrap up to huck back at her but missing due to the angle. “Of course she does. I should have known she wouldn’t be able to keep away. Just watch out that she doesn’t take over. Jadzia’s a real party-planning monster.”Ziyal shook her head. “No, she’s been great about letting me be in charge. She says this project is my baby.”“She does have her own to worry about now, doesn’t she?” Garak let go of Julian to retrieve the wide swath of velvet brocade he'd been stitching, pretending to examine it for flaws in order to conveniently cover the human's very bare legs before something else was exposed. “How far along is she now?”“Just finished her first trimester.” That was Julian, who was already plucking at the textile. “This is scratchy.”“Your poor, sensitive skin,” Garak clucked sympathetically. “Maybe you could go put something on to cover your… legs?” He looked down at a particular location meaningfully.Julian frowned but caught on a second later. “Oh. Yeah.” He sat up, careful to make sure the shirt continued to cover everything it was supposed to. Rounding the couch on Ziyal’s side, he stopped and put his hand on her shoulder, kissing the top of her head. “We’re always glad to have you over any time. It’s starting to feel like you live here.”“Indeed.” Garak resumed his sewing. “I know that you already have a father. But do feel free to consider us your… uncles.”At his pronouncement, Ziyal tossed her dress piece aside and bounded across the couch for an exuberant hug. “I’d love that.” She gave him a shy peck on the cheek. “And I love you guys, too.”“We love you also!” Julian called out from the unclosed bedroom.Garak briefly shut his eyes, opening them to reveal a glossy sheen. He patted her back. “You’re a blessing, my dear.”Ziyal let go but stayed nearby. “I know how important family is to Cardassians,” she commented quietly. “I’m glad to be part of yours.”Before Garak could reply, the pair sensed they weren't alone anymore and turned around.Julian was standing in the doorway (fully dressed this time) and holding up a camera. “Sorry, couldn’t help it. I didn’t record anything, I promise. Just snapped a picture.” He walked over to show them. “See? It was really sweet.”Ziyal took the camera in both hands and stared at the screen wistfully. “Could you send it to me so I can have my own copy?”“Of course.” Julian accepted the camera back and turned it off. “I was thinking, though. I’m not sure how I feel about being ‘Uncle Julian.’ It just doesn’t roll off the tongue. What about Eamm? I’ve always been fond of that. It’s Arabic.”Ziyal sounded it out. “That works. Actually, it’s perfect! I’ve been meaning to ask you about teaching me how to write Arabic script. It’s so pretty that I’d like to try incorporating some into my paintings. I love the curls and sweeps and how the dots are like little diamonds."“Okay, sure. For now, though, I really need some breakfast. I know you two already had ikri buns, but does anyone want to go to that new Bajoran-Human fusion place that opened up? I’m dying for a kava leaf omelet.” His stomach grumbled in agreement.“Groat cakes and moba juice do sound awfully good. I’m in!” Ziyal draped her project over the back of the sofa and stood up to accompany him. What about you, Uncle Garak?”“Thank you, but I think I overindulged on ikri buns.” Garak patted his belly. Two pairs of beseeching eyes implored him from opposite sides. “Oh, alright,” he acquiesced. “I suppose I could have a cup of alva nut tea.”Julian helped him off the fluffy cushions and pulled him in for a grateful smack on the lips. “Thank you for joining us, love. Just for that, I’ll pick up a bottle of their Jalanda Midnight ale.”Garak turned a little blue. “I did enjoy the last one we shared.” Growing lost in each other’s eyes, several mutually enjoyable memories flashed by in their heads.“Ahem. C’mon, you two lovebirds. You can get up to your shenanigans after we eat. I’ll go bother Kira when we’re done so you can have the place to yourselves.” Ziyal opened the door and stepped out. “Probably a good thing I don’t live here,” she mumbled under her breath in the hall, “they never stop flirting!”“I heard that.” Julian set the camera on a countertop and headed her direction. “You know, I’ve also heard the restaurant has some really cute waitresses.”Making sure he was beyond Ziyal’s line of sight, Garak swatted Julian's rear. “No matchmaking. Let the girl dine in peace.”“But what if there’s someone who’s just right for her? Another artist. Or a singer. Since they have a job, we know they live here on the station. And Jadzia can snoop around the grapevine to make sure they’re not involved in anything questionable or shady.”Ziyal popped her head back in. “Hey, how come 'questionable and shady' is okay for you but not for me?”Garak let out a genuine, heartfelt chuckle. “She’s got you there, my dear.”Huffing, Ziyal flounced back in and looped one gentleman on each arm, tugging them towards the door. “Come on. If you take any longer I’m going to be ready for lunch, too. I could actually go for some hasperat. Or a taco. Or mapa-breaded jalapenos. Or…”She continued on, leading them down the hallway while Julian and Garak mouthed things conspiratorially behind her back. All of a sudden they both leaned in at the same time, sweeping her off her feet and over Julian’s shoulder. Ziyal shrieked. “What are you d- Let me down!”Vilix’pran and his brood paraded by on the way to their own quarters, casting flabbergasted looks at the spectacle.“Nothing to see here. Just a family heading to breakfast,” Julian informed them, entering the turbolift with his struggling load and almost tipping over.“Dr. Bashir is teaching our young friend the benefits of letting blood rush to your head,” Garak added. “It’s a new technique he’s been refining.”The ‘prans blinked their eyestalks in befuddlement and kept scuttling.As soon as the doors to the lift closed, Julian let Ziyal down, only for all three of them to collapse into laughter. Seated on the floor with the good kind of tears streaming down her face while Julian bent in half with his hands on his knees and Garak coughed with guffaws against the wall, Ziyal couldn’t help thinking that this was one of her favorite mornings ever, and that she couldn't wait for many more to come.