Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Counter-Intelligence Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Counter-Intelligence Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
In the large central bed, of the large crew garden space on Deck 4, a few volunteers were busy following a list of instructions left by one Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway. In the same open space where she had received her Decoration for Valor and Gallantry, and where she had received her hollow third pip, a wedding would take place.

She had spent last night making the garlands that were hung between the four pillars of the makeshift dance floor, and one large rectangular table was off to the side where everyone would eat. Another couple of tables would be for food, and a small round one held the wedding cake. She had requested chocolate from Harv, and maybe a layer of vanilla for those that didn’t like chocolate, but other than frosting that tasted good that was white or pale green, she didn’t care what it looked like.

In the trees surrounding the clearing, lights had been hung, creating an enchanting space where the intimate event would take place. Faye had figured it best that they keep things simple, without fuss, and so the Tracken-style ceremony would take place on the dance floor.

“Did she say where the candles were going?” Ensign Rickman called out.

“Yeah, on the tables. They’re going to finish the rest of the decorating, though, so you can leave them there,” Lieutenant Kahf replied.

~Pre-wedding Prep Crew

Nadine was much like the fifth and sixth graders she taught. Eyes wide, she was constantly turning and stopping, taking in the details of the Manhattan. “I can’t say I’d prefer living on a ship like this, but it is amazing. I always thought starships would feel sterile, but it’s not. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s a warm feeling here, oddly for a place made of metals and other materials.”

If roaming the corridor with Micah had shocked her, it was nothing compared to the moment they stepped into the Garden on Deck 4. Nadine’s mouth dropped open and they hadn’t done more than take two steps in. “No way. This is on a starship? And Faye designed this?”

~Nadine Wells, Sister

Shara and Gavin wandered through the large heavy doors to the garden laughing about an old memory from when they were really little and the ease between them was genuine.

Nadine turned at the sound of her mother’s laughter and eyed the pair with a lopsided grin. “So far I’m not seeing any damage and you both look intact.”

Shara spun herself in a slow circle to prove it was so and tossed a wink Micah’s way when she faced them again.

Meanwhile, Gavin had stopped abruptly and was taking in the garden with wide eyes. “When you said garden, I was picturing the classical little arboretum with a quaint little path and places to sit. This was not at all what I imagined.”

“Right?” Nadine said with a laugh. “My sister is such an overachiever. At least in some areas.”

Gavin followed the voice that led to the face and then his mouth dropped again. Shara almost went to doing the introductions but was intently watching her brother’s reaction. Gavin stepped forward and offered his hand to Nadine. “You don’t have to tell me who you are. I’d know you were Shar’s daughter if we only passed briefly in a corridor. It’s really nice to meet you Nadine.”

She grinned as she shook his hand. “And you are definitely Gavin, the younger brother. And my uncle. Faye and I have mused during our last conversation about just how much family we suddenly found ourselves with. It’s wonderful, if a little overwhelming at times. A good kind though.”

“I hear you,” Gavin said. He looked over at Micah and studied the man for a moment, before offering his hand to Micah too. “Shar never let people in lightly, and without consideration. Welcome to the family, such as it is.”

~Shara & Gavin

Micah took the hand in his and gave it a firm but not aggressive shake. “A pleasure, Captain. I’ve heard a lot about you.” and he let go and looked at Sha. “You two getting along, or do I need ta’ break my new brother-in-law’s jaw for good measure?” he asked with a grin and a wink towards Nadine. Micah had reviewed Gavin’s full file when it was decided he was coming. It was clean… for the most part… but nothing outside the norm. Some fights and such years ago, nothing truly egregious. All in all, he seemed solid… and that was something their growing family was lacking at the moment.

Micah

Shara grinned. “We’ve buried the hatchets, or at least enough of them that the bride will be pleasantly surprised, don’t you worry. Come on, the wedding will be over here,” she said leading them away from the entrance and towards the large central bed. The right side of it held the wide open space near the pond and you got to it by passing through a set of rose arbours, the path leading to the other side, with an off shoot that looped around the far right of the area towards something a secret garden space.

As they group arrived, a piano was being moved carefully into place where a podium rested on the side of the dance floor. “You be careful with that!” Shara called out, grinning at the volunteers as they paused to take in the family.

“Don’t worry, Commander, wouldn’t dream of scratching it.”

She tossed a look over her shoulder. “Not mine, just on loan. Faye told me to bring my guitar too. I think I’m being covertly drafted.”

Nadine chuckled. “Shara Calloway, Wedding Singer,” she said, spreading her open palm across in front of her. “I can see the marquee now.”

Gavin grinned. “I’m glad to know you still play. At least one of us inherited mom’s talents.” Shara just snorted.

~Shara & Co

Shara gave a lopsided grin even as she cast her gaze elsewhere. She figured Daggum would be along anytime now with her sister-in-law and niece. Sister-in-law and niece! It still blew her mind even though it hadn’t been new news to her for sometime now. But family on paper was very different than family in reality.
A familiar sensation burned on her skin and she turned her head to find exactly what she assumed it was: Gavin staring at her. “I’ve been with Intelligence for twenty yeas, Gav. I know when someone has something to say that they’d like to burn into my head. Spit it out.”

Gavin was surprised but chastised himself for being caught off guard by her ability to cut through the noise. Of course she could. Her life and career demanded it. Inhaling deeply, he blew it out knowing that there was one thing they had to deal with before anything else good could happen. “Dad’s got six months, maybe a year, but that would be a stretch. Liver failure. They grew him a liver about ten years ago and he was good for awhile, but…”

“He started drinking again,” Shara said flatly.

Gavin nodded. “It’s end-stage and he’s refused other measures.”

Unreadable expression on her face, Shara just shrugged. “And what? What has that got to do with me. His choices, not mine.”

“Yes, true,” Gavin said softly. “But… time is a strange thing Shar. It runs out before we can always figure out what we want to do, what we need. I just don’t want you to miss out on an opportunity.”

Her brows rose. “For what, closure? I wrote that man off and out of my life a very long time ago. I don’t need closure.”

“You so sure?”

It would be easy to lash out here, express her feelings, but Shara knew if she did that it would be hard to compartmentalize and focus on the happy occasion they had gathered for. So she did what was so often required and stuffed down all those feelings and memories into the darkness, closed the lid on a box and tapped it shut.

“No one has to decide anything today,” Nadine said, watching her mother intensely. “But if you do go, I’ll go with you.” Shara’s head snapped to her daughter’s, gaze questioning. “You’re not the only one with baggage on Midos,” she said with a sad smile. “I have my own questions to ask, and I think I deserve those answers in person.”

Shara sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“Best you’ll get outta her right now, my man. Don’t push. Trust me. She’s a biter.” Micah said in a stage whisper, eliciting a laugh from some of the Manhattan crew that overheard.

Nadine smiled as Gavin smiled softly at his sister. Yes there was anger for things done and said, hurts that couldn’t be taken back, what she still didn’t know and he hoped to somehow convey was how proud he was to be her brother. Especially knowing what he knew now, what he refused to allow himself to see when he had been younger, impetuous and naive. He could admit those faults freely, having carved a hard path towards a more kinder and compassionate way of being. Becoming a Captain had helped a lot in that regard, and the rest had been in the process of watching his father self-destruct one glass of whiskey at a time.

~Shara & Co.

Daggum and his impromptu entourage arrived a few quiet moments later, laughing and smiling; Daggum in the middle and one soon-to-be relation on each arm. He was pointing out things in the garden, including the mushroom house he designed and Faye built. He looked at the assembled group and said “Excellent… neither Shara or Micah have killed anyone yet… or caused them to wet themselves in fear. Joy… it’s a wedding day miracle.” and he laughed even as Picklesimer glared a hole in his chest. “Easy there, Dad… people might think you don’t like me.” and he grinned at Micah who, try as he might, couldn’t keep a straight face and laughed along with him.

Daggum and Micah