Home on the Range (Challenge Mission)
Posted on Sat Feb 5th, 2022 @ 8:49am by Captain Gary Taylor
Edited on on Mon Feb 21st, 2022 @ 10:17am
Mission:
MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Timeline: 2397
1130 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure
OOC: How Gary's life might have been if he hadn't entered Starfleet.
Gary looked out at his empire though to anyone else it was just acres upon acres of grasslands that were currently populated with steers. he turned to his left and looked out at the corral that contained the horses. Swinging his head to the right he could see the birthing buildings for the steers and horses. As owner and CEO of Taylor Enterprises, Gary had built a multi no international company. That specialized in supplying the colony worlds with stock animals be it steers, cows, horses and even pigs. 'From one one thousand' his firm could and did meet those demands.
"Day dreaming Gary?" A voice broke his dream. Turning he smiled at his wife Catlin. "No just thinking though that is probably worse." He admitted with a smile.
"And just what are you thinking?" Catlin inquired as she came close and looped her arm around his waist.
"How lucky I am to have you here as my wife." He returned.
She chuckled and pulled him closer. Kissing his cheek. "I feel the same way.... you are lucky!" She giggled happily.
Gary laughed at her comment, Catlin could do that make him laugh, kick him in the butt when he needed it but she was always there by his side from bad times to good. She comforted him when his parents had died in a hover car accident and she had supported and worked hand in hand with him into taking a small ranch and turning it to a multi billion corporation. With branches across the globe.
Gary returned the kiss, "To think I wanted to go into Starfleet when I can see wonders right here on Earth and be with the people I love and not of dashing across the stars. Oh, I almost forgot, I booked us for two weeks at the Luna Hyatt."
Catlin squealed at the news "You didn't! Gary, I love you!" as she threw her arms around him and peppered his face with kisses.
"You said you wanted a change of scenery, so I figured this was a good one."
"It is." Catlin agreed but what about our orders to Mars colony?"
"Not to worry. We'll have the order filled. The animals in suspended animation for the trip."
"Gary Taylor. you are the best." Catlin announced.
" How right you are." Gary smirked playfully at her.
*Two weeks later*
"Gary, this is fantastic! Look at this view!' Catlin gushed as she stood in front of the huge bay window in their suite and looked back at Earth, "I know I told you before but thank you for this!"
"Catlin, you deserve this. You stayed with me when times were hard."
"Gary, I love you and of course I stayed, and I'll keep on staying we're a team."
"Well, you are President of the company and through your keen insights the company has doubled in just these last five years, and we've added hundreds of new employees."
"Gary, you don't give yourself any credit. You are the one who came up with the new breed of steers. Stronger, stockier able to withstand greater gravity and still have more meat on them. Without your knowledge of animals there would be no Taylor Enterprises."
She turned and walked back to him, "In fact I have a surprise for you." A coy smile on her face.
"A surprise? What are you talking about Catlin?"
She walked over to the closet, opened it and brought out a small, gift-wrapped box. Returning to him, she handed him the box.
"What's this?"
Catlin sighed theatrically, "Gary, no questions open the box."
He did as she instructed and carefully unwrapped the box. When the gift wrapping was off, it revealed a wooden box. Opening it he found himself staring at a box of cigars and a note that said, "For you Daddy, from your baby."
He looked at Catlin "Daddy? Does that mean.....?"
"YES! I am pregnant." Catlin confirmed.
He dropped the box and wrapped his arms around her and cried with happiness. They had tried for so long without success and now their dream had come true. He kissed her again and again. "Catlin, are you sure?"
"Of course, I am you big goof. I went to the doctors, and she confirmed it. I'm still in my first trimester."
"Come sit down, don't stand for so long."
"Gary, I am not made out of glass." Catlin protested.
"I know but I don't want you to overdo it and start cutting back on your hours you work."
"Gary, I will when the time comes and that isn't now.' She returned, "Now let's go and have a vacation to remember and we can discuss the plans I have for turning the extra bedroom into out baby's and the color schemes I have in mind."
'Whatever you want Catlin."
"No, it your baby as well and you have a say in this." As she pulled him to the bed, and they fell on it. "This our heir Gary." She whispered. "I want them to go to best schools, learn the business and of course be happy and healthy."
"Of course, Catlin."
"Listen, if I start going wild with ideas. I need you to take a stand and jerk me back."
"Catlin, I....."
"No Gary. I mean it. You indulge my whims and I love you for it but with our child I don't want them to be a spoiled brat and it's up to you to make sure they aren't."
*Five years later"
Daddy! Daddy!" A child's voice rang out through the house. "In the study!" Gary answered. A moment later a beautiful little girl with brown hair and blue eyes, the spitting image of her mother was standing beside him. "Daddy, are we going horseback riding today?" Gary chuckled at his and Catlin's daughter. "Did I say we were Katie?" The child bobbed her head excitedly, "Uh huh! You said, Me, Mommy and you would go on a picnic and Mommy was going to ride Cinnamin and you were going to ride Vic and I could ride Toby."
"Well, if I said it, we're going to do it."
"Yay! Thank you, Daddy!" Katie replied as she danced from foot to foot.
Gary smiled at his daughter just as Catlin came into the room. "So you've been told?"
"Indeed, I have. Have packed a picnic basket?"
"Done and done. Mr. Taylor."
"You are so efficient Mrs. Taylor"
"Damn right."
Gary stood and hugged the two most important people in his life and smiled. His dream of a good life and family had come true. Life didn't get better than this and he thanked the fates for allowing this to happen.
Off
