STF

Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells

Posted May 11, 2022, 2:03 p.m. by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) (James Sinclair)

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

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Faye Calloway (Counter-Intelligence Officer) in Deck 4 Garden- Wedding Bells
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

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.

If there was anyone who could crack through the walls and make her laugh, it was the man she had eloped with under the influence of moonshine, and found herself not regretting a damn second of it. She playfully punched Micah in the arm all the while giving him a tender look. “Don’t tell them all our secrets, dear.*

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

Shara and Nadine laughed as well and Shara, shaking her head, gestured to the wedding location. “Come on, Faye’s left me a list, and I mean a list of things to be done for her, and I quote ‘so I can stop fixating on all the damn details and actually enjoy things today’.” She grinned. “I think we can help the bride out with this.”

And thus, issuing the bride’s instructions, they set to work.


All the details looked after, bouquets (handmade by the bride) delivered to the necessary people, and the final decor set on the long dining table, the reception area was set, and so too for the ceremony.

An arbour covered in flowers that looked very much like Faye had swept about the garden plucking flowers and greenery on a whim and woven it into the wooden structure, sat before the dance floor and would be removed after the ceremony. A loose aisle had been creating that veered off the garden path, It would be where Alex stood at the ‘top’ of the circle, Faye and Daggum before him, and their friends and family would close in from either side of the aisle to form a circle, surrounding them with love. Cheesy, yes, but also a tradition from Tracken that Daggum had liked.

It was late afternoon and all the wedding needed was the guests, the officiant and the couple of honour.

~Faye Calloway

Nadine made her way to the garden and smiled at the signs they had put up to point people down the right paths. Cheesy signs that said ‘Happiness this Way’ and ‘Love Gathers Here’. It was so contrary to Faye’s normal demeanour that she couldn’t help but be delighted.

In a dark purple shift dress, Nadine wandered down the paths to the wedding site and smiled as she saw Gavin, Taleel and Lahala chit chatting near the arbour. “Beautiful day for a wedding!” she called out, knowing it was entirely silly given they were in a climate controlled space on a starship.

“Indeed it is,” Gavin replied warmly to his newfound niece.

~Wedding Guests

A slightly British-accented voice said “And knowing the nature of the bride and groom, I doubt any being in this or any other universe can anticipate what chaos we could be in store for.” Alex was in his full dress uniform and smiling. He approached the group and said “I saw Mr. Pikelsimer coming in behind me, so I would imagine the festivities will be commencing soon.” He looked at Gavin and nodded, extending his hand. “Captain. A pleasure to have you aboard. I hope I can show off the Manhattan a bit before you go.”

Cochrane, CO

Gavin grinned. “I’d love that. It’s an impressive ship from what I’ve seen and I still am having a hard time wrapping my mind around this garden. It’s something else.”

“All credited to your niece and her leadership. This wouldn’t exist without her.” Alex said with a smile.

“It’s nice to know that there are quiet and beautiful spaces on starships,” Lahala said.

“Captain Cochrane, I’d like you to meet my wife Taleel, and my daughter Lahala.”
Taleel, beamed, her ebony eyes taking Alex in intently. “It’s an honour to be here.”

“The honor is ours. Faye is more than just a member of this crew, she is an irreplaceable part of it. To have so many of her family here from so far shows just how special she and Daggum are.”

Just outside the garden in the corridor, Shara was walking with Faye and Kiama when she saw Micah. “Do I get something special if I whistle at the good lookin’ man before me?” she said, picking up her stride, her grin wider than he might have ever seen it before.

~Faye, Shara & Co

Micah looked back at Shara and grinned and said “You get a slap on the ass if you direct that at Cochrane and not me, Wife.” He offered her his arm and looked at Faye and Kiama. “Best lookin’ weddin’ party ever.” and he leaned in and gave Faye a kiss on the cheek. “Radiant… thats what you are.” He leaned back and said “Okay, lets go and get you hitched.”

The assembled guests and wedding party were all there… except for the groom. Cochrane looked around and said “Has anyone seen Lt. Cmdr. Hammor?” People looked around as if he might suddenly materialize when the doors were heard to swish open and a loud, deep voice said “I’m here! Sorry! Last minute issues, but its all handled.” and the massive Orion OPerations officer came into view… and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Faye.

“Gods above, Faye…” was all he could get out before Micah moved over and elbowed him in the side. “Your mouth is open and your bride is waiting, goofball.” Daggum shook his head and walked to the group who was starting to form the circle.

Alex took his place at the head of the circle, and two aisles were formed for Faye on one side and Daggum on the other. Alex looked around and said “Is everyone ready?”

Cochrane


Posts on USS Manhattan

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9