Pre-Wedding Arrangements
Posted on Tue Nov 19th, 2019 @ 1:12pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis
Mission:
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: USS Majestic/Starbase 50
Timeline: after docking with SB50
1399 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure
Lhaes had rarely felt this nervous in his life. Of course, the captain couldn't marry them but her suggestion had somewhat baffled him. "An admiral?" He queried, looking at his fiancee while waiting for the call to connect. He couldn't recall ever having met the man, though from what he'd read, the man had quite a reputation…
“It’s not a performance review Lhaes, you’ll be fine. Jane can do the talking anyway.” At the words performance review she sort of snorted out a tiny bit of laughter and then looked to her daughter who sighed.
“I am so looking forward to this.” Jane mumbled.
The screen flashed for a moment and Admiral Harrington’s face came into view. Jane immediately smiled and straightened up.
"Captain," Neill nodded looking at the group behind the Officer, "what can I do for you?" he asked. He hoped she wasnt calling as a follow up to the news reports that were circling the recent media.
“I’m sorry to bother you Admiral, but I was hoping that Majestic could dock for a couple of days at the station. We have an unexpected event to celebrate. My mother is getting married . . . to my chief of security and well we were hoping the wedding might take place there so that certain family members can attend.” She wasn’t going to ask about him marrying them, that was their job in her opinion.
Stepping forward, the Romulan security chief cleared his throat. “Sir,” he started, clearly a little nervous at addressing a flag officer for something that might seem so trivial. “I am Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers, and I was hoping…” He paused, looking sideways at his fiancée for a moment. “I was hoping you would be willing to marry us sir..”
"Jane, the Majestic is certainly welcome to dock here, 50 will be happy to assist you," he could see the Commander was a bit nervous, "as to the other matter, I am not opposed but I would like to talk with both of you before I agree," he felt it was an odd request. He had no ties to the couple, so why ask him.
“Ah...the captain is not my intended sir, that’s where it gets a little complicated…” Lhaes drew Beatrice close to him. “I’m marrying her mother, and we’re all in agreement that it's a little awkward for them so we ah, would prefer a neutral party.”
Neil understood but still stuck to his guns, “I have no problem with the ceremony but I still prefer to meet the parties involved, in person, before I marry anyone,” he smiled. “But that can be taken care off, after you dock and get things settled here on the station. Is there anything special you’d need for the setting,” he asked?
Lhaes looked over at Beatrice. “Not really, do we? I think we’ll keep it small, for friends and family.” He watched his fiancée, watching her face to see what she was thinking. He didn’t really want a big party, not really keen on all the attention it would be drawing. He looked back at the screen. “I am looking forward to meeting with you sir, my sister has told me a great many things about you.”
“No, simple is good,” Beatrice replied, agreeing with Lhaes. She had already been married once before after all.
“And I you,” he commented, “just to set your mind at ease, I don’t plan on saying no. I just like to know the people I am going to bind for all eternity…” He smiled, “get with flight operations they will assign you a docking port and we will chat when you are ready.”
“Thank you sir,” Jane was relieved to have this conversation over with and to leave the room.
Lhaes nodded too. “We’ll come to meet with you as soon as we’re docked,” he promised.
Good to his word, Lhaes took his intended by the hand as soon as they boarded the station, and led her towards the Task Force offices on deck 7. Giving a quiet nod to the Officers on duty, the Romulan stopped at the Yeoman's desk.
"Here to see the Admiral," the Lieutenant looked up from her padd, "I mean, Commander, how can I help you," she was a bit surprised to see a Romulan in a Federation uniform.
Used to the suprised looks, the Romulan security chief nodded. “We’re here to see Admiral Harrington, he’s expecting us.”
"Ah yes," she looked behind her through the glass walls as Harrington waved them in, "looks like he's ready for you."
Giving her a polite nod, Lhaes offered his arm to Beatrice, leading her inside the office. “Admiral Harrington?” he called as the door opened. He didn’t offer his hand in greeting however as he led Beatrice inside. “Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers sir, and this is my fiancée Beatrice.”
“Hello,” she nodded with a smile. Not one for being shy she suddenly found herself unable to utter more words immediately. Finally a thought came to her. “I believe you know my daughter Jane.”
"I do, Captain Saulitis is a great Officer," he gestured to the empty chairs, "please have a seat," he followed them over. "And you both can relax, I would consider it a privilege to perform your wedding I've just made it a practice to meet the bride and groom first. Just helps me make sure we're all on the same page."
"Commander," he nodded, "I have to admit I am not as knowledgeable about Romulan wedding practices. Is there anything I should know, or something you'd like added to the ceremony? From your culture, that is."
“Oh, no, we’re not interested in any kind of Romulan ceremony. I think just keeping it simple is best. Right out of the book if you like. Jane will be standing with me, Lhaes has a few family members that might attend. Nothing to fuss over.”
The Romulan nodded in agreement. “Aside from the fact that I have no idea in regards to Romulan wedding ceremonies, we both would just be more comfortable with a human ceremony.” He chuckled a little. “The other option would be Betazoid but I’d rather spare people the embarrassment. My sister serves with you here on the station sir, I’d like her and her family to attend.” He looked over at Beatrice, reaching for her hand. “We don’t want it to draw a lot of attention,” he added.
"Small and personal, I can understand that, and we will definitely make sure your sister and her family can attend. Who is your sister?," he asked.
Eyes sparkling, the Romulan smiled. “Ensign Melinda Sommers, she’s a botanist on your staff.”
Beatrice briefly wondered at the reason for his smile but at least he was no longer crushing her hand in nervousness. “We'd prefer it just to be those invited. Our union is a complicated one and well . . . Not all might find it appealing.”
Lhaes nodded in agreement, while they waited for the admiral to continue. “We’d like to get married as soon as possible too…” Before anything could throw a wrench into their plans.
Neil was a bit confused, "it seems like we're in a bit of a rush, is something else going on here?" he asked. He knew weddings could be complicated and stressful, but their comments were a little unsettling. Things like appealing, a soon as possible, not inviting people; what were they trying to hide or run from. Neil couldn't help it, his career had taught him to be sceptical of everything.
“We just want things to be arranged,” Lhaes answered, sensing the confusion even if with little ease. “There might not be time later, there’s no underlying reason. We just want things to be formalized. We know people judge our relationship, but we’ve both been married before, and we are sure on how we feel. Why wait?”
"I can respect that," he understood, almost agreed. "Let's get it done, then." He nodded, "just work out the details of how and when, with my Assistant.".”
Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers
CTSO
USS Majestic
Rear Admiral Neil Harrington
Task Force CO
Poseidon Station
Captain Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic
Beatrice Benjamin
Jane’s Mother
Pnpc by Saulitis
