Shrink Wrapped

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2020 @ 4:19am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Councilor's Office
Timeline: Current
2531 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Sitting on the bed Lia looked at her hand, Gary's engagement ring lay in her palm. She replaced it on her finger and stood up, she and Gary had an appointment with Lieutenant Kelea-Salik. Just what they were going to talk about was beyond her, but since the appointment had been made she would comply. Lia now entered the sitting room and found Gary standing where his bar was going to be, "It's no use just looking at that cupboard, until you move it and clear the space. Your Izakaya will never arrive, get my drift husband to be??" She hugged him from behind and kissed his neck, "I need the space, and you want somewhere to put your booze".

Gary chuckled and turned around to face her. "Drat. I was hoping if I thought hard enough I could wish the cupboard away and voila! The Izakaya would appear. Now you say manual labor is needed more importantly my manual labor." He leaned in an returned her kiss. "Not just my booze Lia, going to store your Sake there as well." He teased. "And yes drift is taken future Mrs. Taylor."

"Oh yeah, I forgot my Sake is going to keep your Rum company", she giggled as he sheepishly said her drift had been taken. She walked over to a small box on the coffee table, "I have the basic plan right here, but I need a little more information from you. "Do you want plain doors or carved doors?" A design had been on her mind for sometime, but if Gary wanted plain doors she would have to alter the plans slightly.

"Hey nothing but the best for this bar. I want, no." He corrected himself, "I would like carved doors. If that is okay with the builder." He joked as Lia walked over to the coffee table. "What have you got there?" He asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

Lia picked up the box, "The plans for a certain Izakaya, but as your not allowed to see them". She walked back into the bedroom, and a minuet later walked out. "Carved doors it is, but they're going to be surprise. So don't bug me to find out what the design is, ok". She blew him a kiss and smiled, he would bug her and both he and she knew it. "Right we'd better get going to see this councilor, don't want to be late. She'll be analysing us before we get there".

"Whatttttt?" Gary faked being hurt. "I think as this is going to be my Izakaya, I have every right to see them but as I also don't want to incur the wrath of the designer and builder. I will refrain from bugging you." He smiled. He nodded, "Right Counselor Salik, she's married to a Vulcan." He walked over to her, "Say Lia, those curved doors are you going to put any designs on them?" He had already begun asking questions.

She swatted his arm, "Hey, what did I just say?" She shook her head, "Your incorrigible, but just so your get yer butt moving. I'm thinking of putting a design on them, BUT no. I ain't telling what it is!!"

He chuckled, "A design? Really? Is it our initials intertwined in a heart? Or maybe some sort of animal design like a dragon?" Lia had just opened the door to more questions as they headed out the door.

Again she swatted his arm, "I'm gonna be a widow before I'm even married, if you don't belt up". She then kissed him and nestled onto his side, "One day Mr. Taylor, one day".

"No, no, can't have that." Gary replied. "I'll shut up about the Izakaya. I can wait." He wrapped an around her and returned the kiss. "I love you very much Lia Holmes Taylor."

Lia shook her head, "Taylor-Holmes, but only if your happy with it". She walked along side of him, "If your not happy with it, then it'll be just Taylor. I haven't really thought about it, but Taylor would have to come first".

"Lia. I want you to be happy. I was just trying to be respectful by adding Holmes in. I'm perfectly happy with Taylor, if you are." Gary replied. "This is a partnership and we're equal partners."

As they turned a corner, she stopped and looked at Gary. "You know what happened to me with my father, so that's why Taylor would be just fine. But if you were happy with his name attached to yours, then I insist it would have to be Taylor-Holmes. We are a couple, so I need your opinion as well as other people's. We both need to be happy with what we're called, I want your guidance on this".

Gary didn't rush an answer. This was important to both of them and their marriage. "I am aware of what happened with your father Lia." Gary replied somberly. "And if I had the power to castrate him I would but I don't. Nor do I want any part of him on our marriage, to soil it with his memory. So if it is okay with you, I would prefer you just take Taylor as your married name."

She now held up her hand, "This is our engagement ring, it signifies our union. So if we decide on Taylor, then Taylor it will be". She now held out her hand, "If you don't want to proceed any further, then you can remove our ring. I accept Taylor, do you accept me?" Lia now knew why they were going to see a councilor, an old problem had arisen and before it could tear them apart they would face it and beat it. Together. As she waited to see what Gary would do, she prayed. Lia Holmes wanted to get married to Gary Taylor, they both wanted it but could a name prevent it ever happening? She remembered their talk, the happiness the laughter. She wanted to keep that, "Times ticking Mr. Taylor, am I going to be just plain Mrs. Taylor?" She stood with a smile on her lips, she was sure with happy expectation.

Gary looked at her, "Lia, of course I accept you. I love you. Nothing will ever change that. I'm just trying to be respectful of you and your feelings concerning your father. He looked at Lia standing there, a smile on her lips and he loved her even more if that was possible. She was smart, stood her ground in an argument and as beautiful as any woman alive. She was also supportive of him but didn't mind to tell him when he was wrong. He put his arms around, bringing her close, "There is nothing plain about you Lia, nothing whatsoever. Never will be, so on that note future Mrs. Taylor lets go see the counselor."

"Yeah, I think she'll be getting concerned we haven't arrived". She allowed him to pull her close, he was hers and she was his. It had been decided, by both of them. The pair arrived at the councilors office, Lia rang the bell and with her future husband by her side she waited.

Alicia was on her first day back at work after having the flu, she was still feeling a little weak in the knees but all in all she was well enough to be back at work. Walking to the door she smiled as she greeted Gary and Lia, “Hi there, please come on in and make yourselves at home. Feel free to help yourselves to the replicator if you’d like anything.” She smiled warmly.

"Thank you Counselor." Gary answered as he stepped to one side to let Lia to enter the office first.

“Now tell me what brings you here to see me” Alicia looked at the pair waiting to see who would speak first.

Gary looked at Lia then to Alicia. "She does." He joked.

Looking between the other two, Lia now joined the joke. "Yeah crazy woman needs advice, on how to handle men. As if", she then giggled and pointed at Gary. "No seriously Alicia, we're about to get married. So we thought we'd come and get some pointers, and advice on married life. After all, you've already done it and have experience". She hugged Gary closer like some schoolgirl, was she subconsciously saying *Back off?*

“Congratulations!” Alicia smiled the warmest smile yet. “Please sit and make yourselves comfortable. So you’re looking for pointers? To be honest I think there’s a more to it than that.” She gave the two a look that said ‘be honest’ “Do you have any worries or concerns?”

Taking the offer to sit Gary did and waited as Lia did the same. Gary looked at Alicia, "To be honest no. I love Lia with every fiber of my being. I know the ups and downs of married life. The give and take. I'm prepared to do what is ever necessary to make this work."

Lia looked at Gary, "Except wait for your Izakaya, he's like a little kid at Christmas. Are all guy's like this?" She looked at Alicia, "I've never been married, so any tips?"

"Well, yeah there is that." Gary admitted sheepishly.

Alicia grinned as she looked at the two of them. “Tips ... just be open and honest with each other. Don’t keep secrets and don’t hide anything.” She paused. “For me honesty and being able to talk through problems, and to be there for each other is what’s important.”

"We're not to bad on the listening bit, but I think I'm a bit slow on coming forward with a problem". Lia glanced at Gary, "And he can be a typical male, if you know what I mean. If he has a problem, he tends to hold on to it himself to sort out". She didn't want to upset Gary but she knew he held on to things, it was part of his old fashioned outlook of him being a man and able to sort any problem out. Lia felt there were times he should feel able to come to her and talk, as they were now a couple and so both of them needed to open up even more to each other.

Gary sat and listened as Lia explained to Alicia about them and opening up when they had a problem. When Lia had finished he spoke up. "What Lia says is true. I do hold onto a problem and try to work it out but not because I don't want to talk about it but rather I think I can solve it myself. I trust Lia and her advice and input but there's just times I want to work it out myself."

Alicia nodded. "Then maybe when those times happen you should explain to Lia, help her understand that you need time to sort through what's on your mind. That way Lia can understand what's going through your mind and not worry. There's always the old saying 'A problem shared is a problem halved.' I'll admit it's not always true but a lot of the time it works."

With Gary admitting to holding on to things, Lia took his hand. "Just a heads up will do", she looked at Alicia. "I still have a few trust problems, but not with Gary. With other men, I feel I'm going backwards somehow".

Gary squeezed her hand softly. "You are doing fine Lia. Just take it slow and easy. There's no rush or time table to this. Go at your own pace."

“The fact that you’re trusting Gary enough to love and marry him says you’re definitely not going backwards Lia” Alicia smiled warmly. “As your husband to be just said there’s no rush, just take it slowly at a pace you’re comfortable with. If you need to talk my door is always open.”

"Guess I might take you up on that", Lia turned to Gary. "Just don't go and leave me, I've gotten used to you now". She looked down at the floor memories flooding her mind, of an old partner who died because of a mistake. Of her reluctance to trust, and of a slow and sometimes painful education with Gary as they both found out about each other.

Gary held her hand even tighter, "Hey. I'm not going anywhere. You are stuck with me for the long haul. So just get use to it." He teased, Though in reality he couldn't imagine going through the rest of his life without Lia at his side.

“Keep that up and you won’t need me” Alicia smiled warmly. “Just remember to be honest with each other and to be there for one another, there won’t be anything you won’t be able to overcome.”

Lia looked at Alicia, "We'll always need an ear to listen to us, sometimes we get way to involved with things, And need another person to put us right, I'd like it to be you". She then turned and smiled at Gary, this wasn't easy on him. Admitting he held on to things, it was a big step for him.

"Lia and I have always had an open line of communication." Gary told Alicia, "Even if it leads to a disagreement. Which is okay because we are talking and listening to each other. Plus, we never stay mad at each other." Gary smiled, looked at Lia and then back to Alicia, "Lia has helped me a great deal in being more open. She been patient, understanding and utterly fantastic."

She now nestled into Gary, "It's been a two way street, he's helped me in a number of ways. Some of which would have made most men, head for the hills. Something I think I've actually given you the chance to do". She giggled as she spoke, feeling safe in Gary's embrace.

Gary smiled and continued to hold Lia. "Hey, I know a great thing when I see it. You aren't getting rid of me." He said with a laugh, totally relaxed and at ease. Lia could do that to him. Just totally relax him.

“I wish everyone who came to see me had the outlook the two of you have” Alicia grinned. “I see no reason why your relationship and marriage won’t flourish. The two of you make a lovely couple.”

Glancing at Alicia, Lia just smiled. "It took three years, and a lot of heartache and pain to get here. Which is why I don't want to mess up, we've both been through a lot. I like to think we deserve a break". She looked back at Gary, "What do you think?"

Gary looked at Alicia, then to Lia as a smile spread across his face. "Couldn't agree more Lia. We've come a long way but the journey is just beginning and I cannot wait for it to get started."

Hugging Gary even tighter, she just smiled. *For me it started some time ago* she thought.

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium