Posted by Lieutenant Christopher Robins (Stellar Cartographer) in Two Weddings and a Honeymoon

Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in Two Weddings and a Honeymoon

Posted by Lieutenant Christopher Robins (Stellar Cartographer) in Two Weddings and a Honeymoon
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Snip
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

“Wait, how much,” Lexi asked the woman behind the glass window. “That is for all of us right?89.60 credits total,” she asked for clarification. There was no way Lexi could have heard the woman correctly. They were in San Diego on Earth in the Federation not some backwater planet run by Ferengi.

“No, ma’am. It is 89.60 credits for each adult, 79.60 for children 3 to 11 and 69.60 for kids younger than three for the two-day experience because you are not going to be able to see all the animals in one day,” the woman went over the cost once again. “So for 248.8‬0 credits, you can go to the Safari one day and the zoo the next. We want this to be an immersion experience.”

“I want it to be an I see a damn elephant and penguin experience in one day,” Lexi said a bit huffily. Why were things always so complicated. If they had just gone to the public zoo in San Franscico it would have been free but the San Diego Zoo was privately owned by OMAP. The experience was rivaled as second to none.
depending on what you choose. You only get one or the other.”

“Then it’s 56 credits each for an adult, 46 credits for children, and 36 credits for children under three but you only get a choice of one park so you need to choose between the zoo or the safari park,” the woman explained for the second time.

“How is that even fair,” Lexi groaned. “I mean look at the map. You have an aerial ride between the parks. Are you saying we can’t use the aerial ride because we didn’t get the park at the end of the ride?”

“No,” the clerk said slowly as if Lexi had a brain injury, “I am telling you that for 250 credits you get a choice of one visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. You don’t have to actually do only one park each day but you will miss stuff. Now if you upgrade to the annual pass you not only save money because that is 112 credits per adult or 174 credits total because you are married and brought your spouse,” she gestured to Chris, “but you can take your time. We have almost 5000 animals. The annual pass is a better value because for 263.6‬o you can come back anytime you want for a year,” the woman sighed hating why customers made this so difficult.

“But we only have today to go to the zoo,” Lexi wrinkled up her nose. Her head was starting to ache. This little excursion was going to be close to 400 credits by the time they were all said and done factoring in snacks and the gift shop. Money wasn’t tight but Lexi was on an income of one. Toby and she did not mix accounts and agreed not to in the future for the first year or so of marriage. Why she had suggested the zoo was starting to piss her off.

Lt. Lexi Garfield

“Hey, I got this buttercup, don’t fret.” Chris said as he stepped in front handing over his credit chip.

“Chris no you don’t have to do this. I got it,” she pulled her card out from her purse. “I just didn’t think it would be half a paycheck to see something like an animal. Use mine please,” Lexi reached around his arm only to see the woman processing the transaction. She couldn’t help but feel mad and in love at the same time. Her anger was that this should have been the perfect day. It should have been a day where she and Chris blew off work to spend the day as a family at the zoo. It wouldn’t matter who paid because everything between them was shared. Instead, it was a perfect parody. All the fun of a family outing but they were going to a hotel that night for her wedding instead of preparing for the next day of stinky animal fun.

“I’ll take the annual pass.” Chris said as he looked back at Lexi and smiled softly.

“Because,” Lexi looked at Chris confused some. “I thought you were taking a position with the Atlantis?”

“What? I mean I come to Earth all the time and it’ll give me something to do with Ruth. Maybe I can teach her all the animals, she can be like that really weird woman I meet at this conference once… Kalani Kane. That woman is like coo coo for animals, I here her boyfriend even made her a vivarium on their ship. Who knows maybe Ruth grows up and wants to name every animal in the known universe.” Chris said as the lady finished the transaction giving Chris the badges for the group and paperwork that went with his purchase as he took his credit chip back.

You want to see her again? Why? She isn’t your kid. She is a Schmidt not a Robbins. You should be more worried about finding your own kid that playing Dad with mine, Lexi spewed vicious words in her head. They were meant to try and make her conscious see that it was never going to work no matter how much she still felt for him or was she simply jealous? Chris was going to find out Ruth was his daughter sooner rather than later. The tickets would be handy when she handed her baby girl over for the weekend. The thought of losing even a second with Ruth was almost as painful as losing a future with Chris.

“I’m gonna push Ruth if that’s okay, I wanna take her to the wallaby exhibit. They are my favorite back home, all the cuteness of a Kangaroo but they won’t mug you for food when you go for a jog in the outback.” Chris said as he got behind the stroller as he took the reigns to steer Ruth as the group entered the Zoo.

Time went by in the day as exhibit after exhibit, with each items galore piling up on the stroller which began to look like a roving exhibit of stuffed animals that they had gotten for Ruth at each location. Finding a nice quiet shady place the pair settled down as Chris had left to get them some snacks. His arms seemed to be filled with treasure troves of food as slushies, giant pretzels, cotton candy, nachos, beer and more could be seen. The balancing act of all the food was something of a feat as he sat down at the table they had gotten as he settled in next to Lexi and Ruth.

“Okay, so what are we missing?” Chris said as he grabbed a piece of the giant pretzel and broke it off as he placed it in his mouth like a cigar as he pulled out the map and placed it across the table.

“Nothing, except for the two suticases Ruth is going to need to get all of this stuff home.” After relaxing and pushing her wedding from her mind, Lexi started to have fun by the first exhibit. By exhibit five she was living in her fantasy for the day. “Gimmie some of that pretzel,” she requested. Leaning over the table Lexi took a bite out of the pretzel hanging from his mouth not even thinking about what she was doing. That was until her lips brushed his. It was never meant to be a kiss. It was just meant to be a silly spontaneous action like when they were young and their only worry was passing a class or how fast they could run the mile for PT. Still the second they touched Lexi froze as if in stone. Any other time it would have been comical but with the cascade of emotions running through her, something made her not want to move. Her breath came in heavy bursts as her eyes met his.

Chris paused as his eyes got wide as he looked at her. He knew it wasn’t meant to be anything, as he took a deep breath. He wanted to get back to friends, he needed that for her and him to be able to get past all the hurt feelings.

Lexi’s heart was beating out of her chest. She wanted to get back to being more than just friends. She needed that for him and her to get past all the hurt feelings. She waited for him to make the next move. Whatever direction he took it, Lexi would follow and never look back. Please kiss me, Chris. Here…under the tree just like you did that night we got so drunk and pretended it didn’t happen. Kiss me and I will be yours forever. I have a lot on the line here. I know what my future looks like without you? Do you know or even wonder what your future is without me or the chance of not being with me? Do you care? A thousand thoughts jumbled around her head making her as dizzy as if she had kissed him full out in public under the dappled mid-afternoon light being filtered by the old oak tree.

Leaning in he kissed her cheek before giving a small chuckle. “You were always impatient when you wanted something,” he said as he looked over at Ruth who seemed to be just enjoying her moment.

“Yes my middle name should have been Patience,” she sat down slowly immdiately digging through her purse for a rubber band. She had to look anywhere but his eyes. She could not be the recipient of the happy, vacant stare she had seen Chris give the plethora of women who threw themselves at him like she just had. Thankfully Chris was already moving on. He had directed his attention to Ruth giving Lexi the space and time she needed to compose herself.

“This feels like our geolocation adventure, reading a map to find out where the heck we should head to next… let me tell you Ruth your mom is really bad at directions.” Chris said as he swallowed his pretzel before grabbing one of the cotton candies as he opened it and pulled a bit out and handed her a piece.

Gimmie,,gimmie, gimmie, Ruth grabbed at the offered treat and shoved it into her mouth. Just like her mother moments later, Ruth looked at Chris. Where did it go, she asked him with a stunned expression.

“She will tell you she knows how to navigate but she doesn’t, it’s why I think I decided to major in Stellar Cartography… cause she can literally not find a hole in the ground let alone a star system.” he said with a light and playful tone as he seemed to have a smile that would never fade from him in this moment.

Christopher Robins

“Whatever,” Lexi pulled her hair back into a ponytail as Chris chatted. Her chest felt heavy and the wrong word right now would break her. The longer she concentrated on pulling her hair up the easier it became to breathe. Each twist of the rubber band around her hair was figuratively sealing off the knot in her throat from rising higher. Nothing stopped Christopher David Robbins from what he wanted so he had to have not wanted the kiss. He broke it off. He tossed her bodily into the friendzone with the cheek kiss. She had lost him. Maybe this was what she had needed. Lexi invited him for the sole purpose of deciding whether or not to go through with the wedding. Chris had just made it clear he came to see her married off. She would respect his choice.

Mommy? Chris? Daddy Ruth ran through each of their names as her parents talked not directing their full attention on her. It went away and I didn’t get any, she watched Chris pop another piece in her mouth. Chris, her bottom lip shook. I didn’t get any, she repeated. The cotton candy had melted the second it hit her mouth as expected except Ruth expected more. Moving her jaws she could not find anything to eat so she began to cry. It was so yummy but seemed to disappear before she even got a chance to eat it. Mommy, she started to cry and reached up wanting one of them to make it better.

Lt.Lexi Garfield

“Hey hey hey little one, it’s okay.” Chris said softly as he pulled off a bigger piece and gave it to her. He knew if they went too far this girl was going to be bouncing off the wall but the way her little pudgy cheeks lit up as the sugar confection touched her lips made him smile ear to ear. “It’s yummy isn’t it little one?” he said softly as he leaned over and kissed the top of the little girls head.

Christopher Robins

Grabbing his ears, Ruth pulled him down towards her mouth. Her lips were sticky as was her face but she didn’t care. I love you so much. I love your special candy and toys. I love you and the pretzel. I love the magic candy. I want more, she kissed his face the only way she knew how: with the open mouth sticky drool pucker appropriate for her age.

“Apparently she likes cotton candy,” Lexi laughed seeing a bluish hue to the spots Ruth kissed Chris. Pulling a few wipes from the bag she waved them at Chris. “Just like a Visa. Never leave home without them.”

“Thank you buttercup.” Chris said with a soft smile as he couldn’t help but laugh to himself. Lexi had grown, in so many ways. She was a mommy now and that meant a new mentality. It suited her if he was honest as he seemed to get this dopey doe eyed look as he gazed at her. No one else ever got this look, every time it was only her that could illicit such a response.

The happy moment under the trees ended far faster than she ever wanted it to. The same happened with the zoo trip as her personal communicator began to ring off the hook.

=/\=Hello? Yes, this is Ms. Garfeild. Oh! Oh really,=/\= her end of the conversation went from perky happy to more urgent as she looked at her watch.

“Hello. Aren’t you a cutie,” a young girl about sixteen walked over to the table dressed in a campy version of someone from the Outback with the title GUEST SERVICES printed above her name.

“Care for a picture,” she held up a camera. “It’s free for annual members. Say cheese,” she didn’t give Chris any time to say no as she began to focus the shot.

Lt. Lexi Garfield

“Uhhh…” Chris seemed to pause, there wasn’t much time as Chris decided if he was going to get a picture he might as well make it something special. Ruth might not be his but the little girl grew so fast on him. She is everything he could have had, every moment he could have kept with Lexi if he hadn’t been so scared of being hurt. Snapping Ruth out of the seat he pulled her up and placed her in his arms as he pointed at the young girl. “She is going to take our picture little one, can you get me a large toothless grin, come on pumpkin.” he said softly to her.

Christopher Robins

Ruth’s eyes got huge as she heard the click, felt the release and rose into Chris’ arms. She did not listen to his request nor pay attention to anything other than the fact she was free. Free from the devil chair. The day now held such potential. Off to the side, she spied some kids running around the grass. I can do that, she said as Chris adjusted her in his arms. A honking from the left of her indicated the Penguin Ambassador of the Zoo’s Meet - N - Greet had arrived. Watching him waddle around Ruth wiggled saying I can do that as she pretended she was the penguin. Feeling Chris bounce her some she looked up at him. He was staring off into the distance probably dreaming about being a penguin just like her. There was something special between her and Chris. He was the best man she had ever met. Not worrying about where he was pointing Ruth pushed up against his leg so that she was standing on his leg instead of sitting. Knowing he would never let her fall, Ruth pitched herself forward so that her arms were around his neck and her head on his shoulder. You are my hero. I will love you forever,* she sighed.

The woman quickly snapped the photo and it was far better than anyone could have predicted. Chris had instinctively leaned his head towards Ruth giving what Lexi called the head hug. With Ruth on his shoulder, the photo caught a pure and perfect moment of a little girl wearing an expression of absolute happiness being held by her daddy and Chris one of perfect contentment. “Okay you guys are insanely adorable,” the girl said flipping the PaDD around so that Chris could see the image. “She has your eyes and your wife’s…everything else but she had your eyes. If you want a copy just sign here and here and put your contact information there,” she directed Chris. “If you don’t want the picture it’s okay just hit the X and it all goes away.”

As Chris completed the forms, he shifted Ruth back to a sitting position on his leg holding her firmly with one arm around her middle so that he could hold the PaDD and her. The soft breeze and the shade of the trees began to work its magic on Ruth. It was nap time and Chris had picked the perfect spot. Snuggling down next to him. Ruth laid her head on the side of his chest and found herself staring off into space. Sleep came like a sledgehammer knocking her out with one blow. There was no way she could keep her eyes open. Ruth’s blinks got longer and longer as Chris struck up a conversation with the young woman. By now Ruth had associated him with his cologne and she loved the smell of it. Nuzzling her head into his side, Ruth closed her eyes and went to sleep.

“Who was that,” Lexi asked finally coming back to Chris.

“Oh well, I have some semi-bad news. I have to pick up my flowers so can we…take a rain check here? Besides your hip growth seems to have fallen asleep.” Moving to pull her off Chris and put her back into the stroller, Ruth let out a bubble of tears. She was exhausted and so comfy and warm in Chris’ arms. Letting out a few cries she groped and grabbed Chris’ shirt. Burrowing her head into his neck she let her body melt against his.

FLORAL CREATIONS

Chris and Lexi arrived at the flower shop one hour after she had gotten the call. The trip here was not a laughter-filled but everyone was quiet after being at the zoo all day.
Lexi promised they would only be a minute as she left Chris with Ruth and disappeared with a clerk. While Lexi was busy paying and arranging delivery, Chris walked around the store with a sleeping baby on his shoulder. The smell of the shop had a strong scent of dirt and mulch. It felt refreshing as you inhaled it. So much of the city was glass, crystal, metal, and stone. The organic nature of the shop made one feel like they were lost in a jungle or deep in a forest as they meandered among the pots and containers teeming with various shades of green.

The shop looked like any typical flower seller in San Francisco except that this one had an outdoor area where they stored trees, bushes, and outdoor flowers. Bored standing in one spot, Chris and Sleeping Ruth began to roam. It wasn’t long though before he was approached by a woman wearing a graphic apron stating Gardeners Do It All four Seasons. “Let me guess you are with Lexi,” she asked bringing a pot of flowers into Chris’ view. “Tada, ” she said happily. “I went with a rainbow display of the pansies so the Golden Wattle contrasted sharply. I assume you are the one from Australia,” she asked arranging the national flower of Chris’ birth country with her fingertips making micro-adjustments.

“It took a bit of work but I got her bouquet to match her dress. Did she show you the bouquet,” the woman let out a laugh. “I am not saying she was a bridezilla but she was very specific with her criteria. She said she wanted the Himilayan poppy because it was the trip that changed her life, the Californian Poppy because California was where her life started, the Golden wattle because it reminded her of the man she loved, and the pansies because one night can change your life forever. Your wife is really into making up her own symbols,” she laughed happily. “I had my doubts about the combination. It took a while to get it all together but when I did, it was probably one of the most beautiful combinations I have ever seen much like this one,” she nodded to the jelly-like baby molded to Chris’ body. Ruth’s mouth hung open and every once in a while he would feel a small gently puff of air escape her lips and warm his neck. Every so often Ruth let out a small honking sound indicating she was dreaming and most likely laughing in the dream.

Lt. Lexi Garfield