Talking things Over Pt. 2

Posted on Wed Sep 9th, 2020 @ 7:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary's/Lia's quarters
2353 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Previously:-

Of course I think you should become Mrs. Taylor. We wouldn't be getting married if I didn't." He teased, "How about Holmes-Taylor? That's if you want to keep your last name." His smile broaden when Lia mentioned little feet. "There's no rush. Gives us more time together." Gary pointed out. I can handle it. I'll always love Tayalas. She is a wonderful child and she'll always be my Blueberry." he shook his head "A name? Um, I like Heather, Samantha, call her Sam for short and lets see Amanda."

A smile cam over Lia's face as Gary spoke of Tayalas, he loved kids and she would reward that love eventually. The names he stated fitted him exactly, old names solid names. Names she could live with, but what about boy's names? She'd never thought about boy's names, had he ever thought about boy's names? "What about boys'? Have you thought about boy's names? Because I haven't, and to be honest the only one that springs to mind is Hiro. He was Ayuki's brother, I met him once after she died.

Gary blinked at her. " Boy's names? Sure I have a few I like, Matthew, Mark, William aka Billy. Scott and Steven. Hiro is good as well." He answered Lia. He liked this conversation, them talking, picking out names for a child or children not even born. It was relaxing and enjoyable." He paused, "You know Ayuki is a good name for a girl as well."

Lia took a deep breath, "I made a promise some time ago, if I ever had the chance to give birth to a baby girl. She'd be called Ayuki, in honour of a brave and dear friend". She looked at Gary, "Angel would have carried that name, had she lived". She looked back at the floor, "I'm sorry about Angel, I gave you a bit of a rough time over her didn't I?" Lia now looked back at Gary, "I promise not to do that again, if I get a second chance I'll try and include you this time". It didn't need to be said, but Lia felt it had to be said to clear the air. So that Gary knew she didn't blame him any more, that in her own way she had moved on and forgiven him".

"Then by all means keep that promise." Gary replied steadfastly. I think your friend would love it." He grew quiet as Lia mentioned Angel the child they had who had died. The child Lia didn't tell him that had died and put in a coffin and shot into space. Then raked him over the coals over it. It had been a bad time. His eyes met hers, "You did but it's okay you were dealing with a terrible and deeply personal tragedy." A smile graced his features. "You'll get a second chance Lia and I would really appreciate you not doing that again." He raised a hand and gently stroked her cheek. "The rough time is water under the bridge. We've moved beyond that." He said quietly.

"I hope so, I don't think I could go through that again", she murmured looking back at the floor. Reaching out, Lia picked up her glass of Saki and took another sip. The rice wine seemed to calm her down, she looked towards Gary. "Do you really believe we get second chances? Before now if you asked me, I would have said no. But with things the way they are, who knows". Her mind turned over other subjects, and she pondered if they were worth bringing to the table. "How would you have felt if Angel had lived? I've often thought about it, and please don't think me silly. But I decided I would have asked you to marry me and given up my commission, just so I could have looked after Angel".

"I never want either of us to go through that Lia." Gary replied. "It was a difficult time." He cocked his head and looked at her. "I definitely believe in second chances. I never thought I would find love again and yet I did and it is wonderful." As he smiled at her. "How would I felt? Lia, I would have been the happiest man in the universe. A wife and daughter to love and cherish. Who wouldn't want that? I don't think you are silly, far from it. I think you would have been a wonderful mother and you will be one day and Angel would have been extremely fortunate to have you as will any children we have in the future."

His response made her stop and think, *Who wouldn't want that?* he said. Yeah who wouldn't, but did she want that? Did she deserve that? Lia sniffed as her emotions became heightened, "You sure know how to get to a girl, I don't know what kind of a mother I'd be. Probably over protective, because of past events". She suddenly realised what she said, "I don't mean you would repeat what my Father did, please don't think that. I just mean......." She stopped as she knew, the more she spoke the deeper the hole.

"You would be a wonderful mother." Gary repeated and then grew quiet as Lia sniffed, her emotions coming to the forefront. "Lia please. you don't need to explain." Gary said then stopped talking and brought her close to him. Hugging her tightly wanting her to know that he loved her and that together they could get through anything. That together they were unbeatable. He continued to hold her, wishing he could undo Lia's past but he couldn't. He could however do the next best thing and that was to make her present and future the best it could possibly be.

As Gary held her, her emotions slowly returned to normal. She nestled into him further, wanting to just let him absorb her. "I could get to like this, don't think it would work on the bridge. But I really could get used to this, I love you Gary Taylor with everything I have and am" She lifted her head and kissed him again, "I am sorry for what I said, I didn't mean for you to take the blame for my past". She reluctantly pulled herself away from him, "Look we have other things to talk about, you keep hugging me and we're gonna finish this little talk in the bedroom". She gave him a shy smile, and hoped he wouldn't take her comment the wrong way.

"I am used to it and no it wouldn't work on the bridge. Phoenix would be having a fit starting with a shake of her head , then a roll of her eyes, followed by a not so polite cough and then finally "That's enough you two!" he chuckled as he said it. "Lia Holmes. YOU are my life my world. I promise to love you forever." He chuckled again. "I can hug and talk at the same time." He teased. "I'm talented that way. Now what would you like to talk about next?"

Lia started to giggle, "You know Phoenix so well, but I don't think it would just be her". Moving back to the Saki bottle, she poured herself another glass. Turning she looked around the cabin, "I think we need something in here that say's you, and I don't mean the bed". She laughed as she remembered the talk they had over the bed, she wanted a futon but Gary wanted his western bed and Lia finally relented. "So tell me, without destroying our Teahouse, what do you want in here that say's you?"

"No probably not but the others would have the good grace not to say anything at least not directly." He looked around the cabin. "Hmmm, A horse would be messy." He joked as he thought on it. What did he want? He had been so focused on pleasing Lia. he hadn't thought of anything for himself. "A bar." He said after a few moments. " Just a little wet bar. Nothing fancy something that would blend with the Teahouse motif. Think we could arrange something like that?"

Then he stopped and thought some more. "Hold the on the wet bar. Let me give some more thought. I don't want to rush into anything."

As she watch Gary thinking, her thoughts turned to how she felt about him. Here was a man, who when she first met him was so pigheaded she hated him with a passion. Now she was about to marry him, *My how the universe turns* she thought. Lia now remembered a little thing the Japanese do, they have small bars in narrow lanes. These bars hold maybe five possibly six people, but Gary's bar would only need to hold no more than three. Looking around the Tea House she found a corner by the door, she could place the bar along side the wall with two bar stools facing it. The bedroom sliding door would be on the opposite side of the door and so wouldn't interfere with the bar, better still the bathroom would be close by. Once Gary had decided she would tell him of her plans.

Gary was in thought as various ideas ran through his mind and were quickly discarded. He thought of a cactus but no, didn't want him or Lia getting stuck with it's thorns. he thought of a picture of the ranch but no, that was just out of place. He thought of perhaps a display of Western items, cowboy hat, spurs, lasso. Quickly discarded as also out of place. He wanted something that was his but stayed with the wonderful theme Lia had brought to their cabin. He looked at her. She was a remarkable woman. She was attractive, smart, loving and fun to be with. She had been through a lot in her life and overcome it all and been better and stronger for it. Made him love her even more if that was possible. "Okay." He announced. "A small wet bar. I think that is what I want. What do you think?

Lia nodded, "I think it would work, and I have a place for it already". She crossed to the wall beside the door, "We'll move this small cupboard to over there by the window, it might be a little big but if we shave a few millimetre's off the bottom of the legs it'll fit". Lia then continued, "In Japan they have small bars called Izakayas, and that's what I'm going to create over here". She now moved her arms over the area indicated, "It'll face the wall and end just before the restroom door, you will be able to sit say two maybe three people at it. Below the counter it will have three shelves with sliding doors that will protect what ever alcohol you wish to place there, so how do you feel about that?"

Gary listened as Lia explained her idea for the bar. He was impressed by how well thought out Lia's idea was but then this was Lia and she never did anything half ass. When she finished he got up from the sofa and moved to where she stood. "I love it and I love you. I think that is an excellent idea." He walked around the area attempting to visualize it. He looked to her, "Two or three people will be perfect. I don't want a entertain the ship's company and I don't plan on having a lot of alcohol stored there. Some Saki for sure. Probably some rum and maybe a brandy and a couple of others. You said their called Izakayas?" Gary repeated. "What's that mean? Small saloon?" He joked.

Laughing Lia answered Gary, "Izakaya means Pub or Tavern, but really they don't even look the same. Normally you stay in one for about two hours, but since it'll be yours you can stay as long as you like". She listened to the alcohol he wanted and thought about it, "Sake I can get for you, anything else and I'll let you source. Your rum will be perfectly safe its not something I like, so when do you want your Izakaya?" Lia now moved back to Gary, "We've been talking for some time now, and I'm getting tired. Now we could continue talking in here, or we could do this in comfort and enjoy ourselves once we finish".

"Pub or tavern." Gary repeated. "I like it. Next I'll need a name for the Pub, which I'll put in lights above it. Okay on the alcohol. I'm sure I won't have a problem getting what I need." He smiled at Lia, "As to when I want it. I want it now." He laughed and continued on "However we both now that isn't possible so I want it when it's ready. I don't know how much is going to be involved in creating it or if any unforeseen problems might arise so no rush. Let's do this right." He nodded, "Lets continue this in comfort." As he looped his arm around her "and definitely enjoy ourselves later." He said with a smile.

With a smile on her lips Lia glanced at the area where the bar was to sit, "If you treat the designer nice, you'll have your Izakaya that much quicker". She allowed herself to be guided towards the bedroom, "I think you'd better put the lights out, I don't think we'll be needing them". She gave Gary a kiss, "Who knew a talk could end so delightfully, we'll have to do this again very soon".

"I plan on being extra nice to the designer." Gary answered as he returned Lia's kiss as they walked to the bedroom. At her mentioning the lights, he stopped and stepped out of her embrace to turn the lights off. That done he was back at her side. "Learn something everyday." He teased. "I'm definitely hoping we do this again very, very, soon."

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

 

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