Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Wedding Bells- Neutral Territory

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Counter-Intelligence Officer) in Wedding Bells- Neutral Territory

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Wedding Bells- Neutral Territory

(snip)

Daggum’s face grew serious and he looked at Shara. “No, no bloodshed. Not a strong word or indelicate remark from anyone as long as Faye is here. And if there are things to hash out, indeed leave it until after we are gone or get it over with tonight and fake like you all are okay tomorrow. I don’t care. This is Faye’s wedding…” and he looked at each person in turn with a look that brooked no resistance, “… and it will be perfect. Are we understood, ladies and gentlemen?” And he nodded. “Good.” and the smile returned.

That was the whole point. Shara would handle it and it would be all smiles until there was an appropriate time to talk about it. Shara would prefer never, but if she had to, she had taken this long , what was a little bit longer?

“Your brother’s shuttle will arrive in five minutes. You want to wait for him here, or meet him in the garden? Your call.” he said to Shara.

Hammor

“I’ll wait for them here, why don’t you and Micah and Nadine head on over to the garden. Helpers should have the few tables set up and Faye cut flowers. Just have to throw on some tablecloths, stick some flowers in the vases, and make things look pretty.”

“I think we can manage that,” Nadine said. “Besides, I am dying to see this garden. Did she really design it herself? On a starship?” Nadine asked Daggum, falling in step her soon to be brother.

~Shara & Co.

Daggum nodded and said “She did indeed. And its really impressive.” and then he paused and glanced at Shara. He then looked at Micah and said “Since you know the way, why don’t you two head over and we’ll join you in a bit? Leave your bags here, I’ll get them to your quarters.”

Micah looked at the Orion and then shrugged slightly and said “Sure thing. I think I can get us there without too many detours.” and he grinned at Nadine. “I mean, gotta show you the sights, right? Not everyday you get a chance to take a peek under the hood of the flagship science vessel of the fleet, ain’t that right?” and he looked at Shara and said “Behave yourself, Wife. For a change.” and he leaned in and kissed her cheek while deftly squeezing a ‘lower’ cheek with his hand and stepping quickly away from any retaliation and grinning like a thirteen year old. “See ya in the garden!” and he took Nadine and began walking away.

“Uh huh,” Shara said, watching her husband lead their daughter away. Even those words as they floated through her head mystified her. it still seemed so surreal, but there Nadine was, flesh and blood and very, very real. It was so bloody wonderful that sometimes she felt overwhelmed by the sheer wonderfulness of the entire situation. It might have taken most of her life, but bit by bit she was becoming whole again.

As they left, Daggum looked at Shara and said “I kinda know the situation. And I decided maybe a buffer of some sort would be a good thing when you two meet. Besides… my wedding, my rules.” and he gave her a wink.

Hammor

“You’re sweet to want to protect them,” Shara teased, though she knew all too well that it would be herself that needed the protection. Her expression shifted, becoming uncertain, something Shara rarely showed in public. But if there was one person she knew she had to let in past the guard wall it was her soon-to-be son-in-law.

“I screwed up, Daggum. I know I should have just called Gavin myself, but… I couldn’t do it. Faye called me on it too. I don’t have a great reason other than it’s been so long and I’ve gotten used to not having to answer to anyone. But so much has changed. I’ve changed, and more than that I want to be different. Better.” She looked up at Hammor, regret in her blue-grey eyes. “For Faye, for Nadine, for you and Micah. And I guess I’ve not been sure Gavin could ever be in that list again. He’s got a lot of reasons to hate me, probably some valid ones too. And now I’m going to introduce him to a niece he never knew about.” She blew out a breath and stared at the forcefield that kept them from the cold harshness of space. “Not for the first time and probably not for the last I’ll say this about that woman you’re about to marry: she’s exceptionally brave. Much braver than I, in many different ways. Especially the ways that count.”

~Shara