Posted by Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in New Orleans - Bordeaux Ranch - Here Comes the Bride Take Two

Posted by Lieutenant Christopher Robins (Stellar Cartographer) in New Orleans - Bordeaux Ranch - Here Comes the Bride Take Two

Posted by Lieutenant Alexandra Robins (Xenobiologist) in New Orleans - Bordeaux Ranch - Here Comes the Bride Take Two
Lexi looked at herself in the mirror. Anyone in the room could see she was wearing almost the same expression she had at nine AM when she was planning on marrying Toby. The look on her face was one of deep thought. So much had gone wrong and yet her she was were everything was going right. Ian had said he would work miracles. Lexi trusted him but it had been hours since she had seen him.

A soft knock on the door pulled her attention from the mirror as Lexi turned to see her future sisters-in-law enter the room. “You look beautiful,” Jaime said entering the room with Meghan following in tow only at a much slower rate. Walking over Jaime stood behind Lexi and admired her in the mirror as Meghan found the first seat she could occupy and put up her feet.

The dress had been repaired from the dirt and snags of the tree incident. Her hair was not in the tight bun but a looser style where half was up and the other half cascaded down her shoulders. Around her neck was a single teardrop aquamarine pendant that Chris had given her long ago. “Thank you,” Lexi smiled at her. “I just feel like....like I should have a different dress or something to make it special and unique. You know something that is going to make him say wow she looks beautiful,” Lexi confessed what was on her mind. “He has seen me in this dress but,”

“But nothing,” Meghan said. “Don’t get in your head. I don’t think you ever see the way Chris looks at you. You could come in a paper bag and he would act as if you have never looked better; however, we do have something if you want it,” she handed Jaime a box. Walking over to Meg, Jaime opened the box and took out a white shoulder-length veil. It was not something Lexi would readily have picked out yet had a nostalgic quality. Jaime, however, answered the question Lexi had on her mind before she even asked it.

“Way back in the 1940’s my great great great something grandmother Judith was a war bride. She had know our great great great something grandfather Paul for years and when duty called Paul left but not before marrying her the day he shipped out,” Jaime said carefully removing the veil that was in Lexi’s hair and replacing it with the one in her hands. “As insane as this sounds we have used this,” she leaned around to look at Lexi’s face, “when the bride wanted to, for ten generations of women marrying into the family. I wore it and so did Meghan. No pressure but we would love for you to wear. Weddings are about the two people getting married but also about traditions,” she pulled the lace around Lexi’s shoulders as they talked. “Besides we were gaggling Jewish wedding traditions. In the Christian faith, it is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding day. In the Jewish faith, the man is supposed to Bedecken the Bride. So Meg and I thought we could do it for him. Kinda like a hybridization of the two faiths.”

While the veil was archaic, it seemed to fit the dress Lexi wore perfectly. Turning around she hugged Jaime tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered to the woman.

==========
At the Altar
==========

Lexi couldn’t stop smiling as her father took her arm and her mother took the other. Behind the doors, Chris was waiting for her. Any reservation she had about getting married today disappeared as the doors opened. To Ian’s credit, the wedding venue was far more beautiful than the place she picked in San Francisco. Instead of being indoors, Ian had found a breathtaking spot on the river just behind the restaurant they would use for the reception. Large weeping willows, like the river bed on either side creating a canopy for her to walk down. Somehow, they had also created a force field floor so that everyone attending was seated above the flowing water without getting wet. The sensation was like walking on water as Lexi and her parents started down the aisle.

Kelly turned, like the rest of the people gathered for the wedding, the second the music started playing to see the bride. She was a sucker for weddings. As Lexi began the processional, Kelly tapped her comm badge and silently connected to Jacen. =/\=Your name is officially Miracle Jacen. I will be expecting far more after seeing what you did in four hours. Drayke you have been slacking on me.=/\= Kelly clicked off the connection. Her Irish engineering chief would have plenty of time to profess he could not so do something later.

The setting sun allowed both light and the first glimpses of Polaris to shine in the night sky. A deep sense of relief filled Lexi seeing it in the sky. She had zero doubts about the man she was going to marry. She had a lot of concerns about how the logistics of it would work on a starship so far from home with a child. Candles lining the aisle cast soft glows which seemed to make the area more ethereal than real as the Garfield’s walked towards the altar. There was almost too much to take in so Lexi stopped looking around the second her eyes found Chris. He had never looked more handsome or nervous. Her smile grew a bit larger as she locked eyes with him. Lexi always got lost looking in his eyes. Maybe Chris, if he looked hard enough, would see a strength in hers that said she would love him until the stars he loved so burned out in the heavens.

Leaning next to Ian Chris whispered as they watched Lexi come down the aisle, “How did you get your Jacen to do this… is he a wizard?” Chris said, the view had been near intoxicating as he saw, everything fit perfectly.

“Something like that, he is also a bit of a bastard… you’ll like him.” Ian replied back as the pair began to straighten up as the two got closer.

Sliding her hand into his, Kylie gave Noah’s a small squeeze. “She does look beautiful,” Kylie remarked at Lexi passed.

“Yes, but she could not hold a candle to you ever,” Noah kissed his wife. “And for the record, this wedding will stick in my mind forever because those two knuckleheads not only decked me but gave me a criminal record. I am just happy I got with the only sane one of the group.”

Ruth bucked her hips for the tenth time in the last three minutes babbling like crazy. Whatever was going on, Chris had a far better view than she did. Unfortunately, the woman named Aunt Jaime had a death grip on her.

“I am so glad they got their stuff together and worked it out,” Meghan leaned back in her seat. “He was never as happy as when he talked about her.”

“He was also never as terrified as he looks now,” Jaime joked. “You know that means true love. Right now he is thinking about his future with her and he doesn’t have a clue,” Jaime let out a small laugh and kissed Ruth’s cheek. She had been through so much with Paul and as the XO’s wife, it added a whole other level to a relationship. Lexi and Chris would figure it out. As she watched Lexi pass her and head to the altar one other thought passed through her head. “I wonder who outranks who.”

“Baby,” Levi spoke softly as people smiled and nodded as they passed, “all I ever want is for you to be happy. Marriage is not easy. There are ups and downs, happiness and sadness but as long as you love your spouse, there is nothing you can’t face together,” he gave his daughter the only advice he had. Lexi and Chris would experience so much in their life together. All Levi Garfield could do was hope the man he was giving his daughter to would love her like no other. Reaching the altar, Ester embraced her daughter and then took a seat in the front row. Levi took a long second and held his little girl for the last time. Turning to Chris he put Lexi’s hand in the young man’s waiting at the altar.

“Chris I am giving you one of the most precious things I have. Take care of her. Promise me that I can go to bed every night and know she is safe and loved with you,” Levi asked in a gentle tone.

“All I have ever wanted sir was to be able to make your daughter smile, and feel like she is the only woman in a room. I plan to continue making her feel as happy and loved for as long as I hold breath.” Chris said to Levi as he took Lexi and helped her up. The Rabbi who specialized somehow in joint Christian and Hebrew weddings seemed to be ready but Chris caught someone in the audience that he just couldn’t get his attention off of.

Hell ooooo. I am pretty sure I should be up there with you, Ruth went noodle like. Just…give me…a ....second, she muttered trying to get down to her mommy and Chris.

Lexi

“Before you say more Rabbi… one second… the whole party needs to be up here.” he said as he smiled as he looked at Lexi, he came close to her as he took the veil as he moved it over her head as he saw her fully as he felt everything melt in him. Leaning in he began to whisper in her ear before her nods let him know she agreed.

Lexi watched Chris acting out on the request he made of her. The one reservation she had about him now seemed almost embarrassing and showed just how far in the past Chris and Lexi lived in regards to each other. Chris always proclaimed that he was unsure about how Lexi felt towards him. That was an immature teenager just making excuses. Lexi never told Chris he had a child because she hid behind the false idea the man she loved was still nineteen and the idea of family and fatherhood was a death sentence. Lexi could sling the coward and Chris could sling the vacillating lover as reasons it took ten years to get to where they were standing. The truth was only they were responsible for this instead of external events.

“I know this is very unorthodox, but let’s be honest today hasn’t been the most orthodox to begin with. There is someone, very much part of this union that I feel needs to be up here, Jaime… can you bring Ruth here?” he asked his sister in law as she seemed shocked as he addressed her as she got up with Ruth in tow as Chris waited for her to make the journey up.

“Chris I am not sure this is the best idea,” Jaime whispered to him as Ruth almost bodily threw herself at Chris.

Of course it is. Do you see how I am dressed? I look like Mommy and the other girls up here so that means I should be up here, Ruth babbled excitedly kissing Chris with several open-mouthed kisses. Her reaction brought multiple laughs and chuckles from those seated watching the nuptials.

“I am not even sure how many know, maybe half of you, maybe less… at this point it’s hard to keep count…” he said as he held Ruth close as she began to nuzzle his cheek as her hands playfully grabbed his cheeks. “But this little one here I found out today is my daughter… our daughter.” Chris said as he looked over at Lexi smile plastered on his face.

Baby I think only you never knew, she thought to herself. Lexi had never hidden who the baby’s father was. Just that she hoped they would respect what happened and not turn it into conversational fodder. To their credit, not one person whom Chris or Lexi felt close to ever broke her silent request to not bring up Ruth.

The low roar of audience happiness was enough to make Ruth look around. The view shocked her. More eyes than she had ever seen were focused on her. This stopped most of the wiggling as she looked back. Chris, she babbled and instantly settled in his arms. The sound of his voice comforted her. The feel of his arms around her little body made Ruth feel safe. As long as he was holding her, Ruth was okay letting the people look at them. Somehow Ruth knew, that Chris would not let anyone ever hurt her. Laying her head on his chest, Ruth looked back at the audience as Chris continued to speak.

“I don’t know what our future holds… but it feels right for the whole family to be here as we do this, as long as you can behave… you can behave can’t you little one?” Chris said clearly switching his focus to Ruth as he kissed her cheek before getting a better grip as he looked back at the Rabbi.

You are a good good man Chris, Lexi had to stop the urge to move closer to Chris and let him embrace her in his arms. *I know exactly what the future holds and as long as it involves you there is nothing we can’t take on together.

Ruth was rarely shy but standing in from of two hundred sets of eyes all looking at her was rather daunting. As long as you don’t put me down we are going to be okay, Ruth took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Some might have seen the gesture as Ruth being sleepy yet she was wide awake. She was just taking it all in.

Chris gently nuzzled his daughter as she stayed in his arms. He could tell how much she wanted him to hold her tightly as she glanced around wide eyed at all those around her.

I know what the future holds for us, Ruth looked up at Chris. It means you will be my daddy for real and forever, she pressed into his body. It means you get to come home with us, she rubbed her nose, and live with us and do all kinds of things with us. It also means I get to kiss you for real every night before bed and not that picture. Right daddy? Ruth liked the sound of the word Daddy a lot more than Chris. She knew people had names. She was Ruth and her mommy was Lexi but some names like Mommy and Daddy and although they were used by many people, they were special when you could call your own person that. Her mommy called Chris by his name and Daddy. Chris never said he wanted to be her Daddy but maybe just maybe he would like her to call him Daddy.

“I’m sorry… Father… sir? I confess Lexi never told me what you call a Rabbi outside of Rabbi but… whenever you are ready we would be honored for you to continue our union.” he said as he felt his world come fully complete as starlight seemed to fill the room as everything just felt perfect as it all clicked into place.

“Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson is fine son,” the Rabbi smiled at Chris giving him his name

Looking at the congregation Rabbi Schneerson began the service. “Friends, family, and loved ones, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Christopher David Robins to Alexandra Zelda Garfield. For those that don’t know the chupah is a Jewish tradition that demonstrates the couple’s commitment to establishing a home that will always be open to guests. They will need it because it took a lot of people to get them here,” Rabbi Schneerson let out a small chuckle. “This couple has been through a lot over the years to find love and happiness. Today they consecrate their love by giving themselves to each other before us and the eyes of God. As Christopher stated a few minutes ago, in a very unorthodox way.” The sound of chuckles rang through the group, each person having their own memory of how they got here. “Since we have skipped over a few parts I am just going to recap it.”

The subtle chuckles and soft laughter made Lexi blush. The wedding was supposed to be a mix of Jewish and Christian yet Chris had blown over a few sections due to both time deadlines and nerves. “Now from what I am told the groom’s sister bedeckened the bride. So I need to ask,” the Rabbi turned to face Chris. “This is the woman you are planning to marry correct because like we aren’t looking for the Abraham moment after the ceremony.” Whether or not everyone got the joke, was unknown but those that knew the story of Abraham marrying Sarah’s sister first because her face was shrouded in a veil were smiling.

“Yes… this is very much the woman I am wanting to marry… more than anything else in the world.” Chris said as he took a deep breath as he smiled at her, feeling his heart fill with love and joy in the moment in front of their families and friends.

“Good because I am not leaving this spot until my name is Mrs. Robins,” she whispered to Chris.

“Now that we have that cleared up, Chris would you mind veiling her for the duration of the chupah ceremony so that she has her privacy at this holy time,” Rabbi Schneerson smiled at the groom.

Chris helped with his free hand to put the veil back on her, Ruth reached out as she tried to help in her own way as Chris tried to prevent her from grabbing too much before she slinked back into the safety of his arms. Yes but you are doing it wrong, she yanked down not able to use the dexterity of her fingers like Chris. * I can still see Mommy, Ruth put her hand on Lexi’s cheek. Lexi reached her hand up and kissed Ruth’s palm trying to help Chris a bit. I am pretty sure Mommy wants to play peek-a-boo. I am a peek-a-boo champ and you should let me,* Ruth’s brow furrowed as Chris moved back far enough so that Ruth could not reach Lexi.

As the ceremony continued Lexi did not hear a word. The blessings and words from the Torah were a white noise as Lexi looked at her future husband holding their child. Everything she ever wanted was literally one step away from her. “Alexandra,” the Rabbi said softly realizing Lexi was lost in a daydream. His gestured to Chris clued her into what she was supposed to do.

Lexi handed her bouquet to Aubrey and slowly began to circle Chris. “So in a Jewish wedding I circle you seven times,” Lexi explained making the elliptical orbit around Chris. “It signifies we will have created a magical wall of protection from evil spirits, temptation, and the glances of other women. The other interpretation is that I am symbolically creating a new family circle. I think I like the last one the best,” she finished walking around Chris and took his hand as the priest began the Sheva B’rachot or Seven Blessings.

“Can we do some extra circles to be safe? It was a long journey here…” Chris said in a playful tone.

“No because there is no one ever that will make me take my eyes off of you again and I am pretty sure I have ways to keep your attention,” she winked at him. Just before moving away, Lexi tightened her grip on hand, “buuuuut it can’t hurt right. This will just become a dosido,” she moved slowly this time. Far slower than she had. She wanted Chris to get a long look at her and what would be his Mrs. Robins until he was old and gray. Lexi moved back to her spot and prepared for the part of the wedding that mattered. It was time to commit forever to each other.

Lexi took the cup of wine and sipped it before passing it to Chris as the Rabbi performed the sanctification of the marriage thanking God for the blessing he had bestowed on the couple. Ruth for her part was watching wide-eyed in Chris’ arm as all the pomp of the ceremony was carried out.

I like juice. Could I have some juice? Ruth pushed up slightly and reached for the cup Chris was holding.

I…I didn’t get any juice, Ruth looked up at Chris as he handed the cup back to the Rabbi.

“Blessed are You, LORD, our God, sovereign of the universe, who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony and peace and companionship.” The Rabbi began the service but Lexi could not concentrate on any of it. Her only thoughts were on Ruth and Chris. How she was lucky enough to find him and then make a baby as perfect as their daughter was a blessing just at the Rabbi proclaimed.

“Christopher,” Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson addressed the groom, “It is now time to place the wedding band on Alexandra’s finger and consecrate the marriage.”

Lt. Lexi Garfield

Chris followed the steps as he got Ian to hand him the ring from behind as he looked at Lexi and took a deep breath. “Before with do this… I know there is some traditional vows we often say but… I wanted say my own.” Chris said as he looked at the Rabbi to see if that was okay as he saw the nod.

“I thought you might,” the Rabbi reached out and patted Chris’ shoulder.

In the audience, one pair of eyes fell on Chris. She hadn’t been around a lot today but only because of the short news. Never had Tabitha seen her son look so happy. She made a silent prayer that this moment, as Chris looked at Lexi, would last forever in their marriage.

“Lexi… from the day I meet you trapped in an oak tree so many years ago I knew I wanted to be with you. You stole my heart, even if neither of us were aware of it. People came between us as we tried so hard to find us, every roadblock that could be imagined seemed to be thrust upon us as we tried to learn and understand what we were. Now, today in front of God and all our friends we realized what we needed most was just each other, and the barriers often were just something we made with our own scared terrified ineptitude.” Chris said as he shifted the weight of Ruth as she played with the scruff of his beard a bit before she began to suck her thumb in his arms quiet and soft.

“So, today after all we went through I wanted to promise you many things. I promise to always wear socks, even with sandals. I promise to always let you eat off my plate even if I really think you should just order your own food. I promise to watch horror movies even as you squeal in my arms. I promise to cover for you when you fall asleep and begun muttering to yourself about Asian men and fruit sticks and bowling alleys.” Chris paused as many in the audience seemed to chuckle, but some seemed almost perplexed as he spoke, unsure of what these vows even had to do with the two.

Vows were sacred and special but they were also deep and meaningful. Lexi could not help but smile as Chris promised her all the things that really matter.

“But most and foremost I promise to always put you first as we build our life together with our beautiful wonderful daughter. I promise to love you forever and never waiver in my devotion to you as the years go by and we grow older and older and find the teeth are not as strong, the hair is thinner and grey, and we just can’t move the way we used to. I give you all that I am, heart mind body and soul.” Chris finished as he took a deep breath as he smiled widely at her as he to put the ring on her finger.

Placing the ring on her finger was not as smooth as the movies with a curious baby half leaning forward to get a better look. To his credit and a little wiggling on Lexi’s part the ring slid to the position it would never leave on her left hand.

Once seated he gently rubbed her hand as he looked through her veil as he confessed his eternal love for her.

Christopher Robins

His touch was soothing, romantic, and erotic all in the same moment. The ring he had placed on her finger covered a spot that no one would ever touch again. One really thought about fingers being a sensual zone but the gentle way he was caressing hers sent goosebumps down her spine. The ring felt heavy on her hand. It was a good feeling though. Lexi somehow knew subconsciously she would never go sensation blind to it like earrings or a necklace does given enough time being worn. The weight would remind her every day of the promise she made to him. In a way, it reminding Lexi of the feeling of Chris’ fingers entwined in hers even when he was a full step away.

“And now for the bride to say her vows,” the Rabbi gestured to Lexi.

“I have no idea how to top that,” Lexi said with a stunned expression on her face the second she realized it was her turn. She had stood there just listening to him give her the world never thinking she would have to put into words just how much she loved him. She rarely liked being in the spotlight even though she was far from shy. Looking at Chris, Lexi searched his face until her eyes met his. In that instance, she forgot there were fifty people watching every move they made. The moment became small and intimate.

“Chris,” she started focusing solely on him. “I promise to kiss you every night before we go to bed and every morning before we start our day. I want my days to start and end with you until there are no more days to be had. I vow to honor you and love you each and every day of my life. When times get tough know that all you have to do is open your hand and you will find mine waiting to take yours. I promise to follow where you lead and trust that when the future seems unclear you have a path for us. Even though your shoulders are broad and strong to support me when I am weak, my love and faith will be there to support you in times of need or uncertainty. I can’t promise you a perfect future but I can promise you every day and twice on Sundays that the only future I will ever want has me and you in it.”

“I promise never to lie to you. I will share all that I am and all that I have until death does us part. Thank you for loving me and making me the best me I could ever be because the me without you is someone I never want to know.” Lexi let out the breath she was semi-holding as she reached out to place the ring on his finger. Oddly enough, she was shaking. The rush that was filling her body, knowing that the moment she placed the ring on his finger they would be bound together for life, was exhilarating and scary at the same time. Chris might have had to wiggle some but Lexi needed to hold his hand to steady hers. never had she ever wanted or loved something besides Ruth so intensely. It only took a second for the ring to nestle down on his finger. Looking up at him, Lexi smiled. “I love you hero,” she mouthed the words wanting to share this second with him and him alone.

Chris winked at her softly, “I know.” was all he said as he looked back to the Rabbi.

“This is usually the time we announce the couple as wed, however, Chris has asked that he and Lexi partake in the unity sands. My son,” he gestured to the groom who was smiling as if nothing in the world could ever make him sad again.

Lexi looked at Chris with an inquisitive smile. She was the woman. She was the one who had planned and dreamt of her wedding for years and yet here was Chris giving touches to make it special. The thought of him thinking about the day as much as she did made the gesture almost more amorous than the act itself.

Daddy are we almost done, Ruth squirmed a bit in his arms. She had sat long enough and all the excitement seemed to be fading. There was no more walking or music. Just people talking. The long-winded speech by her mom and dad had just about put her to sleep. She had also waited for what seemed like forever to go check out that floor. She loved swimming and from what she could tell under everyone’s seats as a place to play in the water. I don’t want to be up here anymore. Let’s go do something fun, Ruth glanced over at Lexi. If you don’t I will have to pull out the big guns. I will have to go noodle-like, she silently looked up at him. While adults had strength and agility on their side, they lacked endurance and fortitude. Ruth, and babies, in general, had endurance and fortitude in spades. Don’t test me, Ruth silently promised leaning in the direction she wanted to go letting her body start to lose rigidity.

“Well this part is something Meghan and Jaime had insisted I do. This mystery Jacen my best man Ian mentioned sure knew how to do everything.” he said as he came over to the table, which had a heart-shaped vase with two large vials of deep blue and dark green sand.

“This is kind of a silly ceremony in some ways, but I wanted to do this with you. The pouring of these sands represent our love and bond, and the mixing of our lives together.” Chris said as he offered his hand for Lexi to come with him.

Lexi let Chris lead her over to the small table with crisp white linens and three glass vessels. The large quartz vase that was polished so meticulously it appeared almost transparent. This frailty was an illusion though. The majority of quartz crystallized from molten magma making the substance far stronger than its more obvious cousin glass. The symbolism of this material and why Chris would have chosen it was not lost on her. They met under a tree. They fell in love in a cave in Nepal. Their relationship seemed delicate and fragile yet had withstood storm after storm growing stronger each time.

“I figured what better way than for all of us up here, with the beautiful little girl I am so glad I am the Daddy of, and her mommy my bride to be to start our life together. Not sure I ever seen this done with a little girl on their arm…” Chris said as he looked at Ruth and kissed her cheek once more in a way to comfort her in this long prolonged ceremony. “But I am sure we can do it, can’t we my pumpkin?”

Ruth turned her head looking at Chris. She wanted to go back to the part of Daddy, she heard Chris talk about there was sand involved. If sand or water entered the picture, it captured her full attention. They could easily go back to the Daddy part. Right now there were more pressing matters. I love sand. Mommy has a sand table back home and the beach is full of it. I can help. I am so good at pouring it out and making a pile Watch me, Daddy, Ruth said instantly perking up at something more interesting happened than adults standing around talking. Her hand reached out clumsily to grab the first bottle she could touch. Instantly Lexi’s hand held hers.

“Maybe you help Daddy do his,” she kissed Ruth’s palm and deposited the slightly pudgy hand securely into Chris’.

Ruth looked at her mom with a slight scowl and tugged a bit at her hand in Chris’ as Lexi picked up the green vial handing it to her husband. “I love this and I love your bravery,” she winked at Chris with a big smile.

Chris held up his vial, holding it over the vase as Lexi took her cue to grab hers as they began to pour in unison the sands, as the colors mixed and blended becoming something new and whole from their two lives meeting into one. As the vials finished and the vase reached the top Chris took a deep breath as he stood in front of Lexi looking deep in her eyes as music began playing as a video began to project behind there heads.

God all I want to do is kiss you. I am finally allowed to lip-lock you in public after twelve years and still need to wait. Or maybe not. What are they going to do, throw us out, she mused in her head? She was just about to throw caution to the wind. She was about to break the one moment you waited for simply because she felt like her body was about to explode with the wave of emotions she was feeling. One kiss would help her release some of the built-up energy. One kiss was all she needed. As Lexi rose on her toes ready to edge in Chris’ voice broke through the air.

---

The volume has a slight echoing quality which occurred in all candidate type moments. It was what made moments like this so real and intimate.

“She’s Lexi… well Alexandra but I am going to call her Lexi… she was amazing… got me out of so much trouble with that… whatever her name was at the restaurant.” came Chris’s voice as the video showed what seemed to be Ian and Chris sitting on a couch in their old apartment at Starfleet academy. Twelve years past and the smile Chris held right now seemed to shine on his face.

“Why are you filming this?” Ian said as he looked at the person filming, as a familiar voice could be heard from Kylie.

“Cause you promised me to let me document your life for my graduate thesis, and that’s what I am going to do,” Kylie zoomed in on Chris’ face. Undeterred he flashed her a huge smile that was playful but entirely forced. “Life of the daring, action seeking cadet and how he falls into reality becoming a respectable officer in four years. You are just too serious,” she snapped the camera on Ian for a second catching his eye roll and head shake before moving it back on Chris.

“Let her be, she’s kinda cute…” Chris said as he winked at the scene faded as a new image of Chris stuffing his back full of candy phased onto screen.

---

“He is not all that,” Lexi dropped to the couch pulling one boot off and then another. “I mean yes he is easy on the eyes but we both know easy on the eyes is trouble with a capital T. Never go with the hot ones. They know they are hot. That makes them more trouble than they are worth.”

“Only you went to have lunch with him,” Kylie pressed from behind the camera.

“Because he got me thrown out of class,” Lexi said. “He owed me an apology and a cannoli. I mean he promised cannoli and never delivered. That makes him trouble and unreliable,” Lexi held up to fingers. “I do not have time for that. And did you see the way he looks at you. His eyes are....are,” Lexi stumbled looking for the correct word to describe what she was feeling.

“Blue and dreamy,” Kylie added. There was enough of a hint of humor to her voice that one easily could imagine a grin on the filmer’s face.

“I wouldn’t have noticed past blue,” Lexi grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it to her chest.

“Then you didn’t notice his accent,” Kylie pressed knowing exactly what happened to most women the second Chris opened his mouth. “Oy’m sohry Oy daon’t spayk uyngel,” Kylie mimicked Chris’ favored pick up line. “That uhhh didn’t do anything to you,” she baited her friend. The accent was far thicker than Chris normally used but the point would have gotten across.

“Shut up,” Lexi turned bright red and covered her face before laughing and tossing the pillow at the camera.

---

“Okay… she likes peanut butter… so… that’s what I am going to give her… that’s not weird is it?” Chris said as he looked up at Kylie as she filmed.

“Don’t talk to the camera, just act natural.” Kylie chided as Chris smirked at her. “And no it is not unusual for a guy to spend ten minutes at the counter in the commissary buying up every bar of candy for a girl that ‘meh has her merits’,” Kylie recanted bits of a conversation which seemed to always revolve around Alexandra Garfield.

“I am gonna make her love this take five, it’s my favorite next to a Baby Ruth, if that fails always a buttercup… they never fail.”

“They never fail,” Kylie let out a bubble of laughter. “Is buttercups the new bottle of wine and flowers when you are wooing a girl,” Kylie zoomed in on Chris’ face. He may not notice it but when Robins got into a conversation about Garfield, he tended to lower his gaze or find a way to look at something else. This is not about the rise of an officer. It is about the fall of an officer…in love, Kylie mused knowing that Hitching Day, the day after graduation, got its name from all the couples that wed before transferring out.

“No one cares!” was heard from behind as Ian came into the frame as he grabbed the bag from Chris and zipped it up. Kylie could not help but snicker as the scene played out on camera. Of their little five-person posse, Ian was the ‘parent’ of the group. “Go, you are gonna be late… again. I am tired of hearing from deans telling me my roommate excels at all his courses, expect he never shows up.”

“Okay mom… I will so remember that.” Chris said as he leaned in to kiss Ian’s cheek before his friend punched him hard on the side of his shoulder.

---

“How do I look,” Lexi asked spinning around for the camera and her roommate.

“Like the Jolly Green Giant? How high are those heels? Can you even walk in them,” Kylie’s voice was a bit skeptical?

“Yeeesss,” Lexi rolled her eyes and went back to fiddling with her hair. “Its the Dean’s dinner for the Stellar Cartographer Award. Chris couldn’t get anyone to go. I mean I don’t blame them. Do you know how snoozeville that field is,” Lexi grimaced as she moved one lock of hair around her head several times that really didn’t look any different no matter where she placed it?

“You mean that dinner that is in the room off the mess hall? The room those guys play that game with the cards and the knitting club meets? That room,” Kylie raised her eyebrow. “You are dressed like you are going to the annual science awards banquet held at the Sapphire room every semester and in green. Dark green. I think it is called Kelly and I think that is Chris’ favorite color.”

“I don’t know and this is just something I found in the back of my closet,” Lexi replied a series of chimes rang through the room indicating someone was at the door. Lexi let out a deep steady breath but the smile on her face showed she was more than excited to go meet whoever was at their door. “I gotta go. Chris and I are grabbing a coffee before we go.”

“Chris is picking you up?” As Lexi walked by, Kylie reached out grabbing a small tag still attached to the dress. “Back of your closet,” she called out as Lexi left the room giving a very unladylike gesture that Kylie blurred out. They were in a church setting after all.

---

“That was in the back of my closet,” Lexi took Chris’ hand in hers. “It just so happened it was your favorite color.” Squeezing his hand, she let a small, mysterious smile cross her face. “Kylie was right on one part. I couldn’t walk in those darn heels. Had to hold on to you all night,” she laid her head on his arm briefly before directing her attention back to the screen.

Fading the scene moved to an image of Chris filming, it was cold and and mountainous as he looked at this screen smiling ear to ear. “They call it the north star pendant,” he said as he held up this necklace, the very same one Lexi wore right now “I don’t know maybe I am crazy… she is with Noah but… I know how to get back, we are so not lost… but I don’t wanna go back… so… well, let’s see what we can get into.” Chris said with a large grin as he moved the camera as Lexi could be seen trying to get directions from one of the local Nepal workers.

---

“I think I love him,” Lexi confessed into the camera. “He just makes me feel like I can do anything. There is never a problem he can’t solve and I feel like he listens to me.” Lexi toyed with a small bear in her lap that was a yellowish tan wearing a red t-shirt as she spoke. The tone was melancholy and it was the first time Lexi wasn’t laughing or happy. Behind her in her quarters on the USS Aquarius hung a picture. It was of a river traveling through a chasm under the moonlight. The colors were blues and blacks with a single boat rowing towards the moon in the background.

“I sent him a gift,” Lexi forced her tone to be perkier, “two dozen aquamarine balloons. I wrote a note on each one. Kinda a way to fix things after that night. He hasn’t said anything about it yet but I hope he will…soon.” There was no mistaking the desperate edge to her voice. “I just need him back.” Lexi looked for a long moment at the camera before her expression changed. “Why are you taping this,” Lexi asked with the first smile appearing on her face.

“Because one day I am going to show your love story at your wedding and you will be happy I have taped you over the years,” Kylie replied. “Even something like this.”

“So my wedding huh,” Lexi looked at Kylie like she was crazy. “I will just settle for having my best friend back.”

---

Scenes began to come and go as Chris the video showed the lives of Chris and Lexi unfold, each scene a mix of sweet and tearful as all the time they had loved, and fell out of love seemed to come to the front.

The scene now seemed to be through a door crack, it seemed recent from the scene as Chris sat on a couch with a sleeping Ruth as he looked at her.

“You should have been mine…” could be heard as the scene from just a few days ago played out. The look on Chris face seemed shocked, he had no idea Aubrey had filmed this. How did they get this to Jacen? How did they get any of this together in just four hours Chris wondered. Despite the roller coaster of emotions he couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as he glanced over at Lexi.

---

The scene was a medical bay much like any medical bay yet seemed to bring Chris and Lexi’s relationship to the same moment in time. Lexi was propped up in bed holding a bundle she was talking softly to, “You gonna wake up for me pretty girl? Come on lovebug. Wake up for mommy for just a minute?” A smile spread across Lexi’s face as she and her daughter had their first conversation. “You have your daddy’s eyes. Your daddy has the most amazing eyes. When he looks at you, whatever feeling you are experiencing is twice as much. Love, happiness, security. Your daddy is a good man. I love him so much. One day you will meet him and he is going to be so proud of you. He will take you out for ice cream and listen to your problems. Your daddy will be there every time you need him. My sweet sweet baby Ruth, he loves you more than he ever thought was possible and for the record. That is how you got your name.” Lexi let out a small laugh. “He always had baby Ruth and Reece cups on him at college,” Lexi leaned down kissing Ruth’s head.

The scene was one that had been played countless times and now seemed to have a million versions. This version was the best however of any. The drama of it was removed and the verbiage spoke as if Chris himself was taking the video as Lexi talked to their daughter. One could never erase the past but one could choose to look at it differently. This was the past she wanted to hand down to Ruth. Adults had adult problems but children needed the security to know their parents loved them more than life itself. Looking out into the audience Lexi mouthed a thank you to Kylie. She had given Lexi and Chris not a lie but a version of themselves that was always there to share with Ruth forever.

The screen ended here with an image Chris and Lexi would never know how it was taken. It was a perfect image of Lexi and Chris under an oak tree in the very dress she wore now embracing in a kiss. The dappled light that allowed sunbeams to streak the image as it was filtered to the earth through the leaves gave it an ethereal quality. Most people would just assume it was a staged shot from a wedding shoot yet only Chris, Lexi, and the one taking the picture would know it was from twelve hours earlier.

Lexi Garfield

As the video ended the couple moved back to the center in front of the Rabbi as Chris looked behind as he handed Ruth over to Ian as he took her gently in his arms. “I will be right back little one.” he said as he kissed the top of her head as he came back to face Lexi.

“It is at this moment I am proud to say the very words you two have wanted to hear for a very long time, I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Robins. You may now kiss the bride.” came the word of the Rabbi.

Moving Chris took the veil back off of Lexi, as he pulled her in tight as he kissed her deeply in front of all their family and friends as cheers and shouts began to shout and holler. As the lips broke Chris looked out, spotting Esther as she seemed to mouth ‘glass’ as she pointed down. Chris saw they had placed the shrouded glass under him as he smiled as he smashed it before looking back at Lexi as he offered her hand.

It was then, as they began walking down the music played, something simple and elegant for the couple as they retreated to the reception hall.

“L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don’t break it
Love was made for me and you”

Christopher Robins