by -=/\=- Zanh Liis
81022.18
Hours After High Fashion
-=/\=-
Soundtrack: Home, by Michael Buble'
-=/\=-
-=USS Serendipity=-
81022.18
Hours After High Fashion
-=/\=-
Soundtrack: Home, by Michael Buble'
-=/\=-
-=USS Serendipity=-
Having ordered her dress and all the things she needed to go along with it, Liis finally ventured back into the place that she had been dreading to go ever since the day began.
Her own quarters.
She wasted no time in packing up her things; she would not be returning to these rooms again.
She tapped her badge. "Zanh to Blane."
[Yes, Captain?]
"Thomas, a couple things. First, did you get the time for the suit fitting from Keiran?"
[I will be present at the designated location tomorrow, thirteen hundred hours as ordered, Captain.] He replied with military precision and formality.
"Excellent. Now then, about my quarters..." She looked around her, "I won't have need of them after I return, and I'd like you to take on a project for me."
[Project?]
"Yes, I want you to convert the space into deluxe accommodations for the Reece family," she requested. "Seems they're going to be needing the room."
She could hear the grin in Blane's voice as he responded. [Aye, Sir. Did you want us just to rough it in or see to the details?]
"Oh, I have details in mind, down to the nursery color scheme." She explained. "I'll transmit my requirements to you soon. I'm about to head out, and I don't plan to be back aboard until after my honeymoon."
The last two words were unbelievable to her, even as she spoke them.
[Acknowledged. Did you want us to move anything out of the old place for you and into...] he hesitated.
"You can say it, Thomas. Into Keiran's? No, I don't have much, I'm taking care of it now. And Thomas," she paused, "Keep the reason for the work a secret, I do not want Dabin and February to know until it's completely finished."
[Understood. Anything else?]
"Don't think so. I'll see you at dinner tomorrow night, I think. Keiran won't tell me where that's going to be yet, so, you're on your own getting it out of him."
[Will do. See you soon.]
"Thank you Thomas. Zanh out."
She looked around her, one last time.
She closed her eyes, imagining this empty, neglected space coming alive again with laughter, music, and the sound of a thriving family.
At the thought, she smiled.
She lingered in the doorway, casting one last glance back before closing the book on the past.
"Computer," she called softly, "turn off the lights."
-=/\=-
A short time later she was pacing in the transporter room, back and forth before an increasingly nervous Crewman Andrew Parrish.
"Now?"
"No, Captain, not now either. Not for another ten minutes."
"Are you sure?" She came up behind him at the controls and checked the time herself. "Are you positive that thing is running?"
"Yes, Captain."
Just as she was about to question the validity of his confirmation, she heard her combadge chirp.
[O'Sullivan to Zanh,]
"About time! Hey, are you finished doing whatever it is you're doing down there so I can join you?"
[Anxious, are we?]
"Yes. Very."
His low laughter rumbled. [Very well. I better get you off of that ship before poor Mister Parrish has a nervous breakdown. See you soon.]
Parrish leaned over slightly, raising his voice and directing it at her badge, hoping to be heard before O'Sullivan closed the channel. "Thank you, Sir!"
Liis hopped up onto the transporter dais, duffel slung over her shoulder, shifting her weight from her heels to her toes. "Any day now, Andrew..."
"Energizing," Parrish sighed, happier to say that word than just about anything else he'd ever said in his life.
-=/\=-
Liis materialized on familiar land in County Cork.
The moment she breathed in the fragrant air, she felt a sense of excitement.
"Finally," she whispered, "I'm home."
She took bounding steps up the incline, wondering why the hell Keiran had chosen to set her set down on this side of the hill as opposed to the other.
As she reached the top, she discovered the answer to the question.
She became aware of something in the distance that hadn't been there the last time she'd been here.
It was difficult to make out in the dimming daylight. The sky was awash in purples, blues, and the last pink of the fading sunset; the moon not yet shining brightly.
The sight reminded her instantly why twilight was her very favorite time of day.
As she hurried on her way toward the newly built structure, suddenly its image became crystal clear.
She dropped her bag to her feet and stopped dead in her tracks.
She saw Keiran, standing on the front porch of the house.
Two lights were now shining brilliantly above him, one at either end of the expanse, illuminating his form.
Her heart began to pound; her feet rushed her forward.
Keiran met her halfway and picked her up, swinging her around.
"I don't believe it!" She exclaimed, dizzy as he set her down on the ground. "Whose house is this? Your brother's?"
She fought tears at the thought that he'd remembered to turn two lights on to greet her return to Ireland; certain that had been his surprise.
*Perhaps we'll even get to stay in this beautiful place over the next few days...*
Keiran marveled at the completeness of her misunderstanding.
It was a clear sign of the humility that her difficult childhood had sown in her; she never assumed that anything good that came into view in life was meant for her, but always someone else.
"Whose house? Whose house?" He laughed, kissing her face. "Your house."
Liis' smile disappeared. "What?"
""Tis your home, Liis. If you'd be willin' to share it with me, I should be quite honored."
She was rendered speechless, so after a moment of lingering silence he did what he considered the only gentlemanly thing to do.
He spared her the need of further attempts at conversation by kissing her, soundly.
Liis was so stunned she just stood there, unmoving.
The longer her silence went on, the more he began to worry.
"Do ya...not care for it?" He asked softly. He wondered if she was disappointed that it was not a reproduction of the house that he'd built her in the past.
"Are you kidding me?" She finally regained her senses all at once and hugged him close. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."
She regarded with awe just how the shade of blue of the exterior siding blended perfectly up into a steel gray roof. White shutters, trim and just a hint of the same gray here and there assured that whether it was day or night, the house would compliment the natural backdrop of the sky.
With the fine architectural details and the cylindrical tower structure at one end, it truly appeared to be a castle built in miniature.
"What's inside?" She asked excitedly, tugging at his arm.
"C'mon with ya. Have a look."
She squealed in most uncharacteristic fashion, and Keiran sighed with contentment at the sound.
"Wait, didn't you bring a bag with you?"
"Don'tcaredroppedit let's GO!" Liis exclaimed, taking off running and towing him, tripping over the toes of his own boots, behind her.
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-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012