I Now Pronounce You... part 1

Posted on Fri May 28th, 2021 @ 6:38pm by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Black Watch asteroid base
Timeline: MD5
2539 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

As Kara hurried off to find Lily, Mattias stepped closer to Malakai, clearly having something to say. "Malakai, a word?"

Malakai looked at Mattias, "Sure." Yet inwardly bracing himself for whatever it was Mattias had to say.

The two men stepped off to a quiet corner and then, after taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Mattias looked up at Malakai and began. "Malakai, for the next few minutes, I'm not going to be talking to you as eith the X-O of this mission, or a warrior that has earned my respect. I will instead be talking to you as Kara's big brother and the man who has watched if and protected her since I was eight years old. Do you understand me?"

Several smart ass comments flashed through Malakai's mind as Mattias spoke of talking to him as Kara's big brother. However for the sake of Kara and for the whole family dynamics. He kept the comments to himself and answered with a simple "Yes, I do."

Nodding slowly, Mattias finally spoke. "Malakai, you and I have always had our differences. We've had a few altercations, some you've won, some I've won. However, the one thing we have always had in common, is that we both love and want to keep safe from dangers, Kara." He paused a beat then continued.

You've broken my sister's heart more than once, and I've always hated you because of it. However, seeing you two together now, I can see that you've changed. So, as long as you keep Kara safe, and happy, then you and I will be fine." He extended his right hand to Malakai.

Malakai listened in silence as Mattias said his piece. When he finished he spoke. "I did." He admitted "And I was wrong. I wish I could go back and undo the hurt I caused her but I can't. All I can do is move forward and tell you Kara means the world to me and I know she does to you as well and I will never break her heart again." As he finished he looked at Mattia's extended right hand and without hesitation gripped it in a firm handshake.

Once they shook for a few beats, Mattias held Malakai’s hand a few beats longer and said, with complete honesty and conviction, "Now that you're marrying her, if you hurt her again, we won't fight. I'll kill you." He didn't say any more, as he didn't think any more needed to be said. So, he released Malakai’s hand, and stepped aside to allow Malakai to go back to where they had been standing, then, he went off to find Kara. He had somthing to say and give to her.

Malakai nodded he knew Mattias was serious and he knew getting mad or argumentative would not help the situation. So he did the smart thing and answered "Understood."

Several memories started rushing through Mattias's mind. The day he first laid eyes on the sweet bsby that would become his little sister, the various adventures the pair had growing up on the Silver Linings, the tears in her eyes on the day he left for the SFMC Officer's Academy, plus many more warm memories. And now, his baby sister was getting married. He wished their parents could be here to see this. He just hoped that he would perform his last duty to her well...giving her away.

Kara was looking for Lily, she had to ask her if she’d be the one to officiate at the wedding.

Lily was in the gym area on the base. She was practicing her rope climbing. She heard footsteps coming down the hall and dropped to the mats, wincing as she let go of the rope. When Kara entered she smiled. "Hey"

“Hey Lily... I need you!” Kara smiled. “I’m getting married and I need you to officiate!”

What was it with people wanting her to marry them? Lily smiled however. "Sure, no worries."

As the two women in his life were talking, Mattias entered the small gym. He couldn't help but smile. Kara, Lily," he said warmly. "Are we almost ready?"

“I think so!” Kara looked at Lily.

"lead on you two." Lily waved them ahead as she reached for her jacket.

"Kara, wait..." Mattias reached out and gently took hold of her right shoulder. He then turned to Lily, reached out with his other hand and took hold of her left hand, squeezing it gently. "Li, would you give us a couple minutes, I need to talk to Kara real quick?" He brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles.

Kara looked at her brother curiously, standing where she was she waited to see what it was he wanted to say.

Lily nodded and left the room, she headed for her room to find a padd with the details she would need.

Once Lily had left the two alone, Mattias turned Kara ro face him and took both of her soft, delicate, hands into his rough, calloused hands. Looking into her eyes, he asked, "Kara, are you sure that you want to do this? That he is the one you want to spend your life with?"

Kara nodded enthusiastically. “We’ve has our arguments, been apart more than together but I know now that I need Malakai. I love him with all my heart and soul Matt, I need him!”

Sighing softly, Mattias nodded and, after releasing her hands, reached behind his back and drew his Ka-bar. Bringing it between the two of them, he rotated tbe blade towards the deck and, grasping the base cap located on the bottom of hilt, and twisted off the disguised end cap. Once it was off, a hidden compartment was eevealed inside the hilt itself. Mattias tilted the blade back upright, and a small package slid out into his left palm.

After resheathing the blade, he spoke as he carefully unwrapped the item. "Mom wanted to give this to you on your wedding day. It was given to me in her will, with instructions to keep it hidden and safe until today."

Reaching into the open wrapper, he withdrew a delicate platinum chain, from which hung, four beautifully cut diamonds, the largest, about a centimeter at its widest, the other three decending in size to about four millimeters wide for the smallest stone. Theye were mounted onto a thin strip of platinum that was slightly wavy.

Kara looked at her adoptive mother’s necklace, “Matt it’s beautiful... mum really wanted me to have this!?”

"Mom said that the stones represented your journey, following whatever path that life laid out for you." He undid the clasp and, after moving to stand behind his sister, slowly draped the precious gems around her throat and neck, closing the clasp in the back.

Kara ran her fingers gently over the necklace, it was the most gorgeous thing she’d ever seen. The fact that their mother had left it for her made it all the more precious.

Moving back around to stand in front of his sister, tears were quickly filling his eyes. "She would have been so proud of you, Kara. As I am now."

The whole emotion of the moment had Kara crying too, tears ran down her cheeks as she hugged her brother. “Thank you Matt, I’ll treasure this always!” She hugged him for a few more moments before letting him go and drying her tears. “I can’t have red eyes for my wedding.” She smiled. “You’ll give me away won’t you?”

Drying his own eyes as best he could, Mattias gave Kara a broad grin. "You have to ask, Little Girl?!" He pulled her into another hug. Then, moving her back out to arm's reach, he added, "Now, just because you're getting hitched, that doesn't change the fact that I will always be here for you. Anytime, anywhere. You need me, just call. I will move heaven and hell to get to you. Always."

Kara nodded. “I know you will, but that doesn’t mean I want you to fight my battles for me. I have to make my own mistakes and learn from them.” She sighed. “I know you plan to go back there Matt, but I’m forbidding you from doing so! The fight with those Klingons is over.”

Mattias didn't answer right away. Finally, he said, "Sure. It's over." Though he was thinking that it would only be over when every last one of them was sucking vacuum.

Kara gave Mattias a long hard look. “Don’t lie to me!” She grabbed his blade and with a wince ran it across her palm before handing it back to him. “Blood oath, you swear to me on our blood that you won’t go avenging what happened to me.” She held her hand out ready for him to copy her and shake on it.

He was suprised by both her speed and her actions. Then, seeing the look in her eyes, Mattias knew that he had no choice. Taking hold of his knife with his right hand, he laid the blade edge in his left palm. Then, his eyes never leaving hers, he closed his left hand around the blade and slowly pulled the blade free, blood dripping freely as he did so. He never made a sound, holding the pain inside.

Finished, he opened his hand, showing the deep slice. "On our blood, Kara Richardson, I swear that those Klingons will never fall by my hand." He grasped her cut hand and gave her a firm shake.

Happy with the shake Kara let go and quickly walked over to where the gym medkit was kept, pulling it out she picked up a dermal regenerator to heal both their wounds. Walking back to Mattias she gently healed his hand first. “I’m sorry I made you do that, I just needed to hear you say it.”

Mattias was quiet as Kara healed the wound on his hand. In a quiet voice he said, "I've never lied to you, Kara. I'm sorry that my actions caused you to feel otherwise." His eyes wouldn't meet hers as he spoke.

“No... I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have accused you of lying” Kara gently placed her fingers under her brother’s chin and encouraged him to lift his head. “I shouldn’t have hidden what happened to me... what could have happened would have been far worse but I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. I won’t dispute your concerns or advice anymore, that I promise you!” She finished healing his hand before holding out her own to heal.

Mattias looked up into Kara's beautiful eyes. Eyes that held so much amazement when they were younger. Now, he saw the pain, wisdom beyond her years, and pure love. Love for the boy who taught her. Love for the young man who left to defend her. Love for the man who will always be there for her. Taking the regenerator from her he ean it slowly back and forth over her wound. "Kara," he said softly as he watched what he was doing. "I am so glad that you are in my life. I can't even remember my life before you were there. I know I can be difficult and sometimes treat you as if I was your father. I just...I can't lose you, Little Girl! You are one of the halves of what's left of my heart! I don't make sense without you in my life!"

“Just because I’m getting married that’s not going to change” Kara smiled. “Speaking of which, Phoenix and Malakai will be waiting.” She smiled warmly. “There’s just one more thing I need to get.”

~ Ten minutes later ~

Stepping out of the door of her quarters Kara smiled as she did a twirl in a dress she’d been saving for a special occasion. It was ivory in colour, off the shoulder and ankle length just perfect for a wedding. “I’m ready, let’s go!”

As soon as he saw her, Mattias was awestruck. While he had never looked at her in any light other than a big brother/little sister, seeing her now, dressed as she was, that long-held view was shattered. In front of him was a full-fledged woman. "Kara...!" His heart caught in his throat. "Wow!! You're stunning!"

“Thank you big brother!” Kara kissed Mattias on the cheek. She’d never viewed him as anything more than her brother, except for a minor crush when she was younger. “Did I ever tell you I used to have a crush on you?” She blushed.

This news suprised Mattias. He had never known. "Really? When was this?" He held out his left elbow to her as he spoke. He wasn't even thinking about his actions, they just...felt right.

Taking Mattias’ arm Kara grinned as they started walking, “Oh around puberty! You were so popular with the girls, it was hard not to notice how handsome you are. I just consider myself lucky to be your sister.” She smiled. “I’ve got butterflies! I’m so nervous!”

Mattias actually giggled. "I had no Idea! I just figured you wanted to keep following me around like you always did!" He suddenly paused, turning his face towards hers. "Imagine if we.....Noooo!!" He giggled again.

Kara burst out laughing too, they were both still laughing when they met up with Lily. “Is Malakai Ready?”

"Sure, have him hogtied"Lily jerked a finger towards the groom.

Mattias took a deep breath. "Okay, Li. Get in there and when everyone is ready, we'll come in." He was smiling brightly as he spoke.

She nodded and headed in to Malakai

Malakai had changed, showered and shaved. He didn't have a suit onboard but he had put on a good, clean shirt and dress pants. Now he stood fidgeting from foot to foot, waiting for Kara. However when he saw her alongside Mattias he stopped and looked at her, She was beautiful! So radiant, so happy and he vowed to keep her happy for the rest of her life. "Wow." He said softly at the sight of her. A brilliant smile appearing on his face. He clutched the ring even tighter in his hand. He looked over to Lilly, "Wow." He repeated.

Mattias saw the look in Malakai’s eyes when he saw Kara. He knew then, in that instant, that Malakai would forever protect his little sister. For the first time since he haf known the other man, Mattias finally felt at peace.

Gripping Kara's hand a little tighter, he whispered, "Ready?"

Kara nodded as she looked ahead to see Malakai looking in her direction. “Let’s do this before anything comes up to ruin it!”

Smiling warmly, Mattias turned his eyes to Lily and nodded. Then, slowly, gracefully, the pair began the Bride's March up to where Lily and Malakai were standing. They passed the rest of the Black Watch group, now more than shipmates. They were friends, forever connected to one another by this glorious moment.

{TBC}