Return to Life...

Posted on Mon Jan 17th, 2022 @ 5:46pm by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Earth, Various Locations
Timeline: TBD
1660 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

As they grew closer, Mattias and Saundra started to discuss more serious matters. Though Phoenix was never far from his thoughts, Mattias remembered the agreement they had made, back on the Monty. They would live their lives. If Fate brought them back together at some point, they would let things be as they would be.

So, for now, he focused on Saundra Willmingham, the woman who had been by his side through every one of the surgies that he had had to endure, so that he was rebuilt.

Finally, after months of surgeries and recoveries, he was finally released from the hospital, to begin the next stage of his recovery. Physical therapy to retrain and rebuild his weakened body back up to the level of physical fitness that he held prior to the mission.

It would be difficult, abusive, work. However, he was determined to get back to his fighting physique.

However, all of that would wait for now. Tonight, the night that he was released and he was taking Saundra out on their first real date, he had something more important in mind.

Standing, though with a cane and a medical exosuit to aid in his movements, outside Saundra's front door, he suddenly felt very nervous. Feeling the reassuring weight of the small box in his inner pocket, he took a deep breath and pressed her doorbell.

Saundra opened the door with a warm smile. "Hello Mattias" she said. "Please come in"

Seeing her smile warmed Mattias's heart considerably. "Hi!" He said, feeling a little happy nervousness. Slowly, he entered her apartment. "You look beautiful!" Up until that point, he had seen her in scrubs and regular clothes only. He had never seen her all made up. It took his breath away at just how beautiful she was.

Saundra blushed as she stepped back to let him in, pushing her hair back from her face. "Thank you." She said softly.

For a moment, he stood there, transfixed by her beauty. "Oh!" He uttered as he snapped back to the present. "These are for you." He presented the dozen red roses that he held in his left hand to her.

"oh.. thank you" She said as she took them, burying her face in the flowers. "They are beautiful."

Seeing her smile, Mattias felt a warmness in his core. "You're welcome. If you're ready, we have reservations to get to."

"Let me put them in water Matt."

Nodding. "Sure." He then stood there, trying to look calm, even though he was a ball of nerves inside, Mattias took a few deep breaths while he waited for Saundra to return.

Two minutes later she returned picking up a black wrap. She wrapped it over her shoulders, it draped down over the dark green dress she was wearing.

Mattias felt his heart swell again, seeing just how gorgeous this woman was. Moreso that she was willing to be seen with him. He counted himself very lucky indeed. "All set?"

"Yes, lead on" Saundra smiled and linked her arm through his.

Mattias led Saundra out into the gorgeous, clear, night. There was a shuttle pod, parked, on the street in front of her home. After helping Saundra in, Mattias climbed in behind the flight controls. "Here we go. Short little hop to the restaurant.

About twenty minutes later, they had landed and were walking up to Blackstones, a high-end steakhouse, located on Long Island, on the East Coast of North America.

Escorting Saundra up to the large double doors, Mattias smiled and said, "I hope you're hungry. The food here is to die for!"

"I am actually hungry" Saundra replied with a warm smile for him.

Mattias smiled warmly as he led Saundra to the hostess desk. After giving his name, they were led to a cozy circular booth, which could easily hold six diners. The hostess pulled the table out to allow them to enter easier.

"After you, my love," Mattias said softly.

Saundra took her seat and watched him take his seat. "thank you." she said softly.

Mattias smiled warmly. "I'm the one who should be thanking you, my love. Afterall, you could be here with anyone of your choosing, and you chose me."

Saundra blushed at that.

===Little Over an Hour Later===

Dinner had been delicious, as had dessert. Now, the pair walked together through a nearby park, the night comfortable and clear. As they neared a bench, Mattias suggested that they sit and relax for a bit, enjoy the evening air, before continuing with the night.

Saundra nodded and leaned into him as they walked towards the bench.

Once they were sitting down, Mattias put his arm around Saundra's shoulders and held her close. "What a beautiful evening, eh?"

Saundra nodded and relaxed against him as they looked out at the park.

A few quiet moments later, Mattias took in a deep breath, to steady his nerves, and asked, "You know what would make it even more beautiful?" He gently moved Saundra and slid down onto his right knee in front of her, pulling the small box from his pocket. "Saundra, the time we have been together has been remarkable and I'd not want to spend it with anyone but you." He cracked open the box, revealing a glistening diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"

She stared at him and her mouth dropped over. "y-yes.."

Smiling brightly, Mattias slipped the ring onto Saundra's finger. Then, after gently kissing her hand, he got back up and sat next to her again, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply. When they finally came up for air, he whispered softly to her, "I love you."

She smiled and snuggled against him. "Love you too"

After a few moments, the happy couple started to make their way back to to the shuttlepod and flew back home to Saundra's apartment. Along the way, Mattias made a call to his baby sister. "Kara, you there?"

Kara wasn’t alone when Mattias’ call came through. She motioned to her boyfriend Malakai to be quiet and stay out of view as she answered Matt’s call. They didn’t get along. “Where else would I be?” Kara grinned as she looked at Mattias via the subspace link. “What’s up big brother?”

Mattias smiled warmly when he saw the smiling face of his little sister. "Well," he began, his grin growing as he spoke. "What would you say, if I asked you to be in a wedding...between Saundra and myself?"

Kara’s smile practically shone. “Are you kidding!! I’d say a very definite YES!! I’m so happy for both of you Matt!”

Mattias smiled happily. "Thank you, Kara! Here, I think Saundra wants to say something to you."

Saundra smiled. "Kara, would you be my bridesmaid please?"

Kara smiled and nodded. “Saundra I would be honoured!”

Mattias's smile practically glowed. He moved back into the frame, and kissed Saundra happily. "See? I told you she'd jump at the chance!"

Saundra laughed softly and relaxed in his arms. "I will contact you later with more details" she promised Kara

“I’ll look forward to it!” Kara grinned as she looked at them both together. “You make a wonderful couple.”

Mattias smiled and said, "Thanks, Kara! That means a lot. So, okay, like Saundra said, you'll get more info as it becomes available. For now, I think we're gonna go celebrate some more! Will you be able to stop in for a visit soon?" He knew she was on assignment somewhere, just couldn't remember where. He felt that they had been lucky to catch her at home. "You just popped in to your apartment to get a few things before shipping back out again?"

Kara nodded. “You know me. I like to chop and change my books, and other things whilst on layover. It’s the only chance I get.” Out of view she was holding onto Malakai’s hand, she planned nothing more than a night of passion, and alone time with the man she loved.

Malakai smiled and squeezed Kara's hand, blowing her a kiss as he did so thinking of the night of passion to come.

Had Mattias any inkling that Malakai was with Kara at that moment, he would've gone through the roof. The last time his baby sister had dated the man, the breakup had been very painful. Because of the pain he had caused Kara, Malakai would need to be very careful, not to seen by the Marine sniper. "Well, next time you are home, the three of us are having dinner, no excuses, okay?" His face was beaming with happiness as he spoke to Kara.

“Do you seriously think I’d miss out on that!?” Kara grinned. “I’ll be there, and that’s a promise!”

Mattias grinned happily. "Okay, Little Girl. It's a date! Now, I'll let you go so you can finish up what you are doing. Have a safe trip, Sweetheart! Big Brother loves you, always!"

Kara grinned and blew a kiss. “Love you too big brother!”

Mattias gave her a wink and a smile, then the screen went black, as he closed the comm channel.

Once the channel closed Kara turned her attention back to Malakai. “Now, where were we...” She grinned as she threw herself at him.

Malakai wrapped his arms around her. "Why sweetheart, we were just getting ready to enjoy ourselves." He said with a wolfish grin.

Back in the shuttlepod, Mattias put the controls on autopilot, then turned his seat towards Saundra, spreading his arms. "C'mere, honey."

Saundra laughed and slid into his arms.

As soon as she did, Mattias wrapped his arms around her frame and held her against him. "I love you so much, you know that?" He gently kissed her after he finished speaking.

She blushed and nodded.

He smiled and then kissed her, as the shuttlepod continued on its programmed flight back to San Fransisco.

~OFF~