by Lt. February Grace
Stardate 80109.00
Following The Happiest Place in the Universe
--=Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa =--
Stardate 80109.00
Following The Happiest Place in the Universe
--=Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa =--
Dabin and Bru had their dance, which was followed by an enthusiastic round of applause from everyone present in the Grand Lobby this evening.
They had their celebration dinner, which was followed by the presentation of a pale pink, fondant-covered wedding cake made in perfect, miniature scale.
Unable to imagine anything that could make this day more amazing, February's heart was so full that she could not speak.
Dabin was content to simply walk with her, holding her hand and listening to her sweet, unspoken thoughts as he took her away from the bustling main lobby.
A small orchestra was playing in a dedicated alcove on the second floor, filling every inch of the space with bright, charming music. He sought out a quieter, more secluded spot now with a specific purpose in mind.
Outside the sound of crickets chirping and children laughing as they splashed in the nearby quiet pool brought a smile to Bru's lips. She looked all around with wonder, wanting to hold on to every moment they had left here. To take in every single thing about this place.
She wanted to remember for the rest of her life and in exact detail just how flawless this experience had been. How delicious the food tasted, how beautiful the songs sounded, and how incredible Dabin Reece looked when he smiled at her tonight.
Dabin was pleased that her mind was so busy, so distracted by her surroundings and the emotions they created. Her current state of mind helped him with the important business of keeping one last surprise from her; one he had intentionally saved until the very end of the night.
He led her by the hand down through the perfectly manicured grounds and toward the ferry dock. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, creating yet another memory that February knew she would cherish when thinking back to this night.
A small but beautiful pavillion, which emulated the style of all the other structures around it, stood alone at the water's edge ahead of them. Dabin guided her into its foyer and then back outside through a second set of doors.
Finally they had arrived.
February found herself standing on the elegant wooden deck that surrounded one of the hotel's most extravagant restaurants, Narcoossee's.
He could have brought here to dine tonight. Yet, he had chosen what was a more sentimentally appealing spot to him, the open and airy Cafe, instead. Truth be told, he also chose the Cafe because it was brighter and more centrally located, and he was having the time of his life proudly showing off his bride to the people who were coming and going.
Knowing how much February loved it there, he knew he'd made the right choice.
The last dinner seating of the evening had already taken place inside and so the lovely, long white wooden benches that skirted the deck were deserted. The ferries had stopped running for the night, and the only noticeable sound was that of the Seven Seas Lagoon gently lapping against the pier.
Lights sparkled across the water, illuminating the resorts situated on the opposite shore. Also visible in the distance was majestic Cinderella Castle, as she sat high atop her hill in the center of the Magic Kingdom. Glimmering with strands of delicate, twinkling lights, the castle remained dressed up for Earth's winter holidays, now at an end. She was wearing her Christmas best.
As they reached the farthest point of the deck, Dabin held his hand out, palm raised upward, gesturing gallantly for February to sit on the bench before her. She gently lifted up the skirt of her gown just a little, to allow her the maneuverability to do so without stepping on the hem.
*I can navigate a starship anywhere you want it to go with little or no room to spare, but getting around in this dress without ripping it is a full-time job. * She thought, and Dabin laughed gently.
"You'd never know it." He said with an admiring shake of his head, remembering what it was like to be a woman and suffer through such finery. "You make it look effortless."
He was about to ask her if she was having a good time, but he realized that he didn't need to.
He next thought about asking if she was truly happy, but he already knew the answer to that question, too.
So he settled at last upon sitting down beside her on the bench and wrapping his arm around her.
Even though the night air was warm, the strong breeze coming off the water made February shiver a little, and Dabin removed his tuxedo coat and placed it over her shoulders. He adjusted the collar just so, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
February smiled and gazed out into the water, as the motion of his hands brought back a memory clear as day, and it amazed her to think how different this moment was from their actual marriage ceremony, which had happened so hurriedly and in such a desolate place.
--=Flashback: Stardate 71008: Yensul V=--
The sun was just rising over the mountainous drifts that had formed overnight, where the landscape had been merely flat plains of endless snow before.
The surface glittered in the pink, purple, yellow and orange light of the dawning day, and the small group of travelers finally ventured out from the edge of the tunnels as the wind seemed to begin to die a little, and the last darkness of night was chased away by the sun.
Stars were still visible as February turned and looked over her shoulder, and as cold as it was here, she was still struck by the scene around her. Everything seemed carved from glass, or chiseled from diamonds.
As unforgiving as she knew this environment was, at this moment it was also unspeakably beautiful.
She walked arm in arm with Reece as they journeyed a short distance from the caverns, and once they were out of sight of the others they'd left behind there, Salvek nodded to Reece.
Reece reached up and removed the scarf that obscured most of his face, and February began to lower the hood of her parka. He stopped her, pulling it tighter around her instead and fastening the strings into a bow beneath her chin so she'd stay warm. As he did so, he noticed something about her coat that he hadn't the night before in their hurry to leave the Alchemy. It was in actuality, not white as he'd previously thought. It was pale pink. He smiled.
*Pink?* he thought to her, clearly amused.
*I had to replicate it anyway,* she thought back. *So I thought, it didn't take any more time to pick a color so why not pink? Of course if I had realized I was going to be married in it, I'd have chosen differently.*
*No,* Dabin reassured her. *It's perfect.*
Wanting to keep moving so they could get started on repairs to the ship as soon as possible, Salvek gestured to the pair that he was ready to begin.
Kellyn stood beside Dabin, acting as his 'best man'.
Salvek wasted no time in getting to the point, which suited Grace and Reece just fine. His eyes settled on Dabin.
"Do you, Dabin Reece, take February Grace to be your wife in accordance with Federation law?"
"I do." Dabin declared without hesitation, holding February's gloved hands in his.
Salvek nodded, and turned his attention to Grace.
"Do you, February Grace, take Dabin Reece to be your husband in accordance with Federation law?"
"I do," February answered Salvek, and Reece's expression was one that she could never have deciphered if not for his thoughts.
Thoughts that revealed his breath had been stolen away by the sound of her saying those words aloud. He was happy, truly happy about this, she could feel it as clearly as she could feel her own happiness.
*I love you,* She thought to him, and his voice echoed in her head, repeating the words back to her instantly.
"Then, as both February Grace and Dabin Reece have freely consented to this union, I declare by the power entrusted to me as current Commanding Officer of the USS Alchemy that the Federation recognizes that they are now married."
He blinked several times in quick succession, and then added in his usual monotone, "Congratulations."
Dabin took February's face into his hands and kissed her softly.
--=End Flashback=--
"Had that day been the very last of my life," Dabin whispered, having relived the moment with her as her thoughts played out, "It still would have been the happiest, February." He kissed her softly on the cheek, and February smiled.
"Mine too."
"There's one thing more I need to do, so that I can consider today a complete success." Dabin announced, as he let go of her hand and reached down, patting one of the pockets of his pants.
For a moment a look of panic crossed his face, then he had to laugh. "I forgot. It's in there." He gestured to his jacket. February was feeling much warmer now and took it off, handing it back to him, puzzled.
The look of curiosity on her face changed instantly into one of shock as Dabin pulled a small, black velvet box out of his jacket pocket.
"Do you remember earlier today, when you were singing that number with the Dapper Dans?"
"Which one, the first one or the third one?" February laughed at the memory. She'd had such a good time singing with the Main Street barbershop quartet after she and Dabin had stopped for ice cream, and they with her, that one song had turned into a short set.
"The first. When I said I needed a power cell for the holocam?"
"Yes, then you came back and took our picture. Why?"
"Well, while you were singing, and becoming an "Honorary Ding-aling. . ." He giggled, remembering how they'd given her a little paper card stating that she was an honorary member of their troop; even though she hadn't participated in the bell-ringing portion of their program.
"I went on a mission, and I enlisted the aid of a very helpful Cast Member to pull it off. They came through for me and on the way out of the Magic Kingdom while you were getting those mouse ears personalized for Arie, I was able to make a very special purchase from Uptown Jewelers."
He pried open the lid of the box and took February's hand in his. Hers was shaking as he gently placed the delicate gold wedding band on her finger.
February stared down in amazement. The ring contained a channel set row of princess cut diamonds, which caught the moonlight and glistened just as the snow had the morning that they were married. Dabin wrapped both of his hands around hers and explained why he'd chosen this exact ring.
"I know that on Earth, you grew up with Terran girls all around you, and that they talked about the tradition of wearing wedding rings and dreamed out loud of the ones they'd have someday." He whispered.
February closed her eyes, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She had never told him this, he must have read the thoughts as she'd remembered them, at some point since they had fallen in love.
"I also know, though I cannot fathom why, February Grace, you were convinced that you would never receive such a romantic gift yourself."
*I didn't think anyone would ever love me, really. * She thought, unable to form the words.
Dabin kissed her tears away.
"This ring is not just a symbol of our marriage to all the men you meet, though it is a happy benefit to me that it serves as a big ol' sign that broadcasts the message 'back off, pal, I know she's hot but she's taken,"
Bru laughed through her tears, watching distant lights reflect brightly in his eyes as he continued. "I went for just the one band instead of the traditional set with the engagement ring, because, well, you proposed to me and our engagement was. . ."
"Brief?" She laughed even harder and looked away bashfully, still unable to believe she'd asked him.
"It was about as long as I could stand." He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face until her eyes met his. "This ring is not just a promise that I'm going to love you for the rest of my life, February, because I've already taken that vow and I mean to keep it."
Reece had never been this serious about anything in his life, with the exception of the time he asked her if she was certain that she was willing to accept the banishment that Reassociation would bring; knowing that unless something changed in the future that they could never go home again.
"See, look at it," he pointed toward the setting itself. "There are eight diamonds in this ring. One for each Grace host that came before you, and one for you," he explained, leaving February even more curious and puzzled than ever. Fortunately he did not keep her waiting long for the rest of the story.
"The eighth diamond symbolizes a promise that I made to myself a long time ago, but that I want to be absolutely certain that you understand, February. That stone represents the promise that I will never give up, until somehow, some way, I figure out how to make things right for you with the Commission and at home. Until I can be certain that Grace will get another host, after." He stopped, not wanting to think about what would have to happen to her in order for Grace to require another host.
"My research into all that's happened to us, all that was seen and done on Trill. If it takes the rest of my life, I will build it all into a case that will be presented to the Commission at the proper time, and I give you my word that I will not ever give up. Not until I know that the part of you that will always remember this night, and can make sure that it lives forever, will go on living long after we're gone."
February threw her arms around him and held him close.
"I love you, Dabin. No matter what happens, I have no regrets, and I would risk whatever the future may bring again and again, to be with you this way." She kissed him slowly and deeply. Afterward, he reached into his jacket again, took out a crisp linen handkerchief, and dried her eyes. Then he dabbed it at his own.
She stood up, and she watched as he put the jacket back on before standing and taking her outstretched hand.
"Walk me back?" She asked, glancing at him shyly. The skirt of her gown rusted softly as she turned slightly from side to side, waiting for him to make his move.
*I have a better idea,* Dabin thought, and instantly he swept her up off of her feet and into his arms.
February placed her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder as he carried her back toward the threshold of their room, number 103 on the first floor of Sugarloaf Lodge.
------------------------------------They had their celebration dinner, which was followed by the presentation of a pale pink, fondant-covered wedding cake made in perfect, miniature scale.
Unable to imagine anything that could make this day more amazing, February's heart was so full that she could not speak.
Dabin was content to simply walk with her, holding her hand and listening to her sweet, unspoken thoughts as he took her away from the bustling main lobby.
A small orchestra was playing in a dedicated alcove on the second floor, filling every inch of the space with bright, charming music. He sought out a quieter, more secluded spot now with a specific purpose in mind.
Outside the sound of crickets chirping and children laughing as they splashed in the nearby quiet pool brought a smile to Bru's lips. She looked all around with wonder, wanting to hold on to every moment they had left here. To take in every single thing about this place.
She wanted to remember for the rest of her life and in exact detail just how flawless this experience had been. How delicious the food tasted, how beautiful the songs sounded, and how incredible Dabin Reece looked when he smiled at her tonight.
Dabin was pleased that her mind was so busy, so distracted by her surroundings and the emotions they created. Her current state of mind helped him with the important business of keeping one last surprise from her; one he had intentionally saved until the very end of the night.
He led her by the hand down through the perfectly manicured grounds and toward the ferry dock. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, creating yet another memory that February knew she would cherish when thinking back to this night.
A small but beautiful pavillion, which emulated the style of all the other structures around it, stood alone at the water's edge ahead of them. Dabin guided her into its foyer and then back outside through a second set of doors.
Finally they had arrived.
February found herself standing on the elegant wooden deck that surrounded one of the hotel's most extravagant restaurants, Narcoossee's.
He could have brought here to dine tonight. Yet, he had chosen what was a more sentimentally appealing spot to him, the open and airy Cafe, instead. Truth be told, he also chose the Cafe because it was brighter and more centrally located, and he was having the time of his life proudly showing off his bride to the people who were coming and going.
Knowing how much February loved it there, he knew he'd made the right choice.
The last dinner seating of the evening had already taken place inside and so the lovely, long white wooden benches that skirted the deck were deserted. The ferries had stopped running for the night, and the only noticeable sound was that of the Seven Seas Lagoon gently lapping against the pier.
Lights sparkled across the water, illuminating the resorts situated on the opposite shore. Also visible in the distance was majestic Cinderella Castle, as she sat high atop her hill in the center of the Magic Kingdom. Glimmering with strands of delicate, twinkling lights, the castle remained dressed up for Earth's winter holidays, now at an end. She was wearing her Christmas best.
As they reached the farthest point of the deck, Dabin held his hand out, palm raised upward, gesturing gallantly for February to sit on the bench before her. She gently lifted up the skirt of her gown just a little, to allow her the maneuverability to do so without stepping on the hem.
*I can navigate a starship anywhere you want it to go with little or no room to spare, but getting around in this dress without ripping it is a full-time job. * She thought, and Dabin laughed gently.
"You'd never know it." He said with an admiring shake of his head, remembering what it was like to be a woman and suffer through such finery. "You make it look effortless."
He was about to ask her if she was having a good time, but he realized that he didn't need to.
He next thought about asking if she was truly happy, but he already knew the answer to that question, too.
So he settled at last upon sitting down beside her on the bench and wrapping his arm around her.
Even though the night air was warm, the strong breeze coming off the water made February shiver a little, and Dabin removed his tuxedo coat and placed it over her shoulders. He adjusted the collar just so, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
February smiled and gazed out into the water, as the motion of his hands brought back a memory clear as day, and it amazed her to think how different this moment was from their actual marriage ceremony, which had happened so hurriedly and in such a desolate place.
--=Flashback: Stardate 71008: Yensul V=--
The sun was just rising over the mountainous drifts that had formed overnight, where the landscape had been merely flat plains of endless snow before.
The surface glittered in the pink, purple, yellow and orange light of the dawning day, and the small group of travelers finally ventured out from the edge of the tunnels as the wind seemed to begin to die a little, and the last darkness of night was chased away by the sun.
Stars were still visible as February turned and looked over her shoulder, and as cold as it was here, she was still struck by the scene around her. Everything seemed carved from glass, or chiseled from diamonds.
As unforgiving as she knew this environment was, at this moment it was also unspeakably beautiful.
She walked arm in arm with Reece as they journeyed a short distance from the caverns, and once they were out of sight of the others they'd left behind there, Salvek nodded to Reece.
Reece reached up and removed the scarf that obscured most of his face, and February began to lower the hood of her parka. He stopped her, pulling it tighter around her instead and fastening the strings into a bow beneath her chin so she'd stay warm. As he did so, he noticed something about her coat that he hadn't the night before in their hurry to leave the Alchemy. It was in actuality, not white as he'd previously thought. It was pale pink. He smiled.
*Pink?* he thought to her, clearly amused.
*I had to replicate it anyway,* she thought back. *So I thought, it didn't take any more time to pick a color so why not pink? Of course if I had realized I was going to be married in it, I'd have chosen differently.*
*No,* Dabin reassured her. *It's perfect.*
Wanting to keep moving so they could get started on repairs to the ship as soon as possible, Salvek gestured to the pair that he was ready to begin.
Kellyn stood beside Dabin, acting as his 'best man'.
Salvek wasted no time in getting to the point, which suited Grace and Reece just fine. His eyes settled on Dabin.
"Do you, Dabin Reece, take February Grace to be your wife in accordance with Federation law?"
"I do." Dabin declared without hesitation, holding February's gloved hands in his.
Salvek nodded, and turned his attention to Grace.
"Do you, February Grace, take Dabin Reece to be your husband in accordance with Federation law?"
"I do," February answered Salvek, and Reece's expression was one that she could never have deciphered if not for his thoughts.
Thoughts that revealed his breath had been stolen away by the sound of her saying those words aloud. He was happy, truly happy about this, she could feel it as clearly as she could feel her own happiness.
*I love you,* She thought to him, and his voice echoed in her head, repeating the words back to her instantly.
"Then, as both February Grace and Dabin Reece have freely consented to this union, I declare by the power entrusted to me as current Commanding Officer of the USS Alchemy that the Federation recognizes that they are now married."
He blinked several times in quick succession, and then added in his usual monotone, "Congratulations."
Dabin took February's face into his hands and kissed her softly.
--=End Flashback=--
"Had that day been the very last of my life," Dabin whispered, having relived the moment with her as her thoughts played out, "It still would have been the happiest, February." He kissed her softly on the cheek, and February smiled.
"Mine too."
"There's one thing more I need to do, so that I can consider today a complete success." Dabin announced, as he let go of her hand and reached down, patting one of the pockets of his pants.
For a moment a look of panic crossed his face, then he had to laugh. "I forgot. It's in there." He gestured to his jacket. February was feeling much warmer now and took it off, handing it back to him, puzzled.
The look of curiosity on her face changed instantly into one of shock as Dabin pulled a small, black velvet box out of his jacket pocket.
"Do you remember earlier today, when you were singing that number with the Dapper Dans?"
"Which one, the first one or the third one?" February laughed at the memory. She'd had such a good time singing with the Main Street barbershop quartet after she and Dabin had stopped for ice cream, and they with her, that one song had turned into a short set.
"The first. When I said I needed a power cell for the holocam?"
"Yes, then you came back and took our picture. Why?"
"Well, while you were singing, and becoming an "Honorary Ding-aling. . ." He giggled, remembering how they'd given her a little paper card stating that she was an honorary member of their troop; even though she hadn't participated in the bell-ringing portion of their program.
"I went on a mission, and I enlisted the aid of a very helpful Cast Member to pull it off. They came through for me and on the way out of the Magic Kingdom while you were getting those mouse ears personalized for Arie, I was able to make a very special purchase from Uptown Jewelers."
He pried open the lid of the box and took February's hand in his. Hers was shaking as he gently placed the delicate gold wedding band on her finger.
February stared down in amazement. The ring contained a channel set row of princess cut diamonds, which caught the moonlight and glistened just as the snow had the morning that they were married. Dabin wrapped both of his hands around hers and explained why he'd chosen this exact ring.
"I know that on Earth, you grew up with Terran girls all around you, and that they talked about the tradition of wearing wedding rings and dreamed out loud of the ones they'd have someday." He whispered.
February closed her eyes, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She had never told him this, he must have read the thoughts as she'd remembered them, at some point since they had fallen in love.
"I also know, though I cannot fathom why, February Grace, you were convinced that you would never receive such a romantic gift yourself."
*I didn't think anyone would ever love me, really. * She thought, unable to form the words.
Dabin kissed her tears away.
"This ring is not just a symbol of our marriage to all the men you meet, though it is a happy benefit to me that it serves as a big ol' sign that broadcasts the message 'back off, pal, I know she's hot but she's taken,"
Bru laughed through her tears, watching distant lights reflect brightly in his eyes as he continued. "I went for just the one band instead of the traditional set with the engagement ring, because, well, you proposed to me and our engagement was. . ."
"Brief?" She laughed even harder and looked away bashfully, still unable to believe she'd asked him.
"It was about as long as I could stand." He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face until her eyes met his. "This ring is not just a promise that I'm going to love you for the rest of my life, February, because I've already taken that vow and I mean to keep it."
Reece had never been this serious about anything in his life, with the exception of the time he asked her if she was certain that she was willing to accept the banishment that Reassociation would bring; knowing that unless something changed in the future that they could never go home again.
"See, look at it," he pointed toward the setting itself. "There are eight diamonds in this ring. One for each Grace host that came before you, and one for you," he explained, leaving February even more curious and puzzled than ever. Fortunately he did not keep her waiting long for the rest of the story.
"The eighth diamond symbolizes a promise that I made to myself a long time ago, but that I want to be absolutely certain that you understand, February. That stone represents the promise that I will never give up, until somehow, some way, I figure out how to make things right for you with the Commission and at home. Until I can be certain that Grace will get another host, after." He stopped, not wanting to think about what would have to happen to her in order for Grace to require another host.
"My research into all that's happened to us, all that was seen and done on Trill. If it takes the rest of my life, I will build it all into a case that will be presented to the Commission at the proper time, and I give you my word that I will not ever give up. Not until I know that the part of you that will always remember this night, and can make sure that it lives forever, will go on living long after we're gone."
February threw her arms around him and held him close.
"I love you, Dabin. No matter what happens, I have no regrets, and I would risk whatever the future may bring again and again, to be with you this way." She kissed him slowly and deeply. Afterward, he reached into his jacket again, took out a crisp linen handkerchief, and dried her eyes. Then he dabbed it at his own.
She stood up, and she watched as he put the jacket back on before standing and taking her outstretched hand.
"Walk me back?" She asked, glancing at him shyly. The skirt of her gown rusted softly as she turned slightly from side to side, waiting for him to make his move.
*I have a better idea,* Dabin thought, and instantly he swept her up off of her feet and into his arms.
February placed her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder as he carried her back toward the threshold of their room, number 103 on the first floor of Sugarloaf Lodge.
Lt. February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
(and Newlywed)
USS Serendipity NCC-2012