A Christmas Wish

Posted on Sun Dec 25th, 2022 @ 9:11am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: TBD
3356 words - 6.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary was busy in the holodeck. He was setting up a Christmas program for Lia and himself. He was at his ranch. He had decorated the tree and put gifts under it. A fire was roaring in the fireplace. The house was decorated in Christmas wreaths. The fragrant smell of pine filled the house. A ham was in the oven. Two glasses and a bottle of wine sat on the coffee table in the living room. It was all quite festive. This was his favorite time of the year. A time to appreciate what you had in both loved ones and friends and to be thankful for them being in your life. It was also a time of reflection to think back on the past year both the good and bad, the highs and the lows. The friends and loved ones no longer with you, but always alive in your memories. To accept what had occurred, change what you could and move ever forward.

He wanted this to be a special Christmas for Lia. He knew she was disappointed in the news Sthilg had given her with telling her waiting to get pregnant. However, he hoped she knew that waiting did not diminish her one iota in his eyes. She was a most remarkable woman. He had a few special gifts for her under the tree, some dealt with her love for the Japanese culture. He looked around and nodded in approval. Tapping his combadge he spoke, =^= Gary to Lia, please come to holodeck 1.=^=

Lia was in fact not very far away, she was in Holodeck 2. Lia was visiting a very special Japanese Shrine. ZOJOJI TEMPLE, WHICH DATES BACK to the 14th century, is the main shrine of the Jodo-shu sect of Buddhism. The 600-year-old temple houses the mausoleum of the then-ruling Tokugawa family, including the remains of six shōguns. Visitors that wander the grounds of this historic temple will also come across a unique and somber space, the Unborn Children Garden.

This garden is filled with stone Jizo statues representing unborn children lost to miscarriages, abortions, or stillbirths. Some of the statues are decorated with clothes and toys to help families through the grieving process. It’s also a place to leave offerings for Jizobosatsu, the Buddhist protector of women and children, to assure the souls make it safely to the afterlife.

Once a month, Zojoji Temple carries out the Mizuko Kuyo, a memorial service available to anyone who’s had a pregnancy loss, stillborn, or perinatal loss. Participants make small red cloth pouches for offerings to their chosen “figure of compassion,” such as Jizo or even Jesus. The pouches are draped around the statue while incense is lit and the priest chants. The ceremony is short and simple, but powerful. The offerings are left in the prayer room for a month before being moved to a fence in the garden.

She had chosen this time to remember Angel and this place to do so, she had made her own red pouch and replicated a small Hina doll. Hina dolls are used to celebrate Japan’s Girls’ Day (otherwise known as Hinamatsuri), a festival that is celebrated annually, it wasn't March the traditional month for the doll but Lia had wanted Angel to have a doll. Lia was in fact praying when Gary's call arrived, =/\= "Lia to Gary, I'll be there shortly. Lia out."=/\= Standing up she now bowed towards her chosen "Figure Of Compassion", tears ringed her eye's and slowly made their way down her cheeks. "Good bye my little one." The song "The palm of a tiny hand" played quietly in the background, Lia had adopted it as Angels song.

Gary was putting the finishing touches on decorations, checking dinner, wanting everything to be just right for the most important and special person in his life...Lia. He could dote and splurge on Lia as they didn't have any children yet and he immediately felt guilty as he thought of Angel their daughter who had died as a newborn. He looked heavenward and spoke, "Sorry Angel and you are an angel. I wish you were here with us. We miss you very much." A pause as his eyes got moist. "I may not show it or say it, but I love you and miss you very much." As he finished Lia's reply came in. =^= Sure thing Lia, see you shortly. Gary out=^=. As he finished, he went back to double checking the decorations and dinner. Satisfied all was perfect, he instructed the computer to begin playing Christmas music.

Making her way to Holodeck 1, Lia could hear Christmas music. *Gary you dozy bugger, what are you doing? Holding a Disco?* she thought. She now entered and stopped short, "What the hell? Someone has been very busy, are you expecting a VIP?" Lia now crossed to where Gary stood and kissed him fully on the lips, "You should tell a girl when you do something like this, I might not have been dressed right." She was in fact dressed in a full Japanese Kimono, bright blue with cherry blossom around the bottom. Her Tabi socks and Geta Sandals just peeking out from under the hem, "I was visiting a special place to remember a special person, hope you don't mind?"

Gary chuckled and returned Lia's kiss and picked a glass of wine and handed it to her. "There's no special way to dress Lia though I do like this kimono very much. I like the combination of colors." He paused for a moment. "You were remembering Angel. I think about her and remember her too. You could have asked me to go with you and we could have remembered and talked to her together. She was my daughter as well and I don't mind." Gary said softly and left it at that.

"Dinner is in the oven and should be done." He spoke to pierce the silence. "Dutch apple pie is in the fridge." He continued. "Come sit on the couch with me and enjoy the fire and the music. Take a load off and relax."

"I wanted to ask you to come to the Garden, but couldn't find the words. I didn't know you missed Angel as much as I do, sorry maybe next year we can go together. The Garden is a very magical place, with a unique atmosphere." Slipping her sandals off she crossed to the couch, "Oh what wine is this? It's got some kick to it, wow." She placed the glass down, "Any chance of a Sake?"

"I'd like us to go together next year, it would be nice for us to all be there as a family." He smiled at Lia's comment about the wine. "It's Sauvignon Blanc. I'm glad you like it." His smile grew at Lia's request for Sake. "Of course, all you have to do is ask. I have some nicely chilled in the fridge. I take it you would like a glass?"

A giggle escaped Lia, "The wine would get me tipsy way to quickly, so yes please can I have a Sake. And I promise if I go to the Garden next year, or sooner. I'll let you know and aske you to join me, ok hunnybunch?" Another giggle now escaped from Lia, "Yep, dat wine is way to much for this girl."

Gary shook his head at Lia, kissed her softly and got up to get her a glass of Sake. "Sure thing, sweetie pie." He bantered back to her. It seemed the wine was too much for Lia. He returned with her wine and surprise for her a plate of Dabo chicken. which he placed in front of her. "Here you go Lia sweetie, one glass of wine and a plate of Dabo Chicken along with some sauce."

"No, no more wine. I require Sake, but you can leave the chicken. Did you make any Dango? or Onigiri?" Lia's mind was already fuzzy, and the word wine meant only one thing. But it was the one thing she didn't want, so why was Gary giving it to her? "Are you trying to get me drunk Husband of mine?" She smiled and blew Gary a kiss, "Because that's not a nice thing to do, you know that don't you?"

"Okay, no more wine and I'll leave the chicken." He said with a grin. "As for Dango or Onigiri you will just have to wait and see. As for getting you drunk, absolutely not wife of mine. I was just thought it fit the holiday mood and yes, I know it isn't a nice thing to do. Forgive me. I want you awake not past out on the couch." He grinned at her.

Lia squinted at Gary and pointed at him with her finger, "I know what men who get girls drunk do with them, and I'm not that type of girl. And how can I forgive you? I mean, it's Christmas after all. And I love you, you old bugger."
She lent over and gave Gary another kiss, "Anyone ever tell you, you taste nice?"

Gary looked at Lia, a blank look on his face, "You do? Mind telling me?" He grinned at her and started laughing. "Oh, I know you are a good girl. It's easy to forgive as you said it's Christmas. I love you too Lia. I love you very much, my Japanese Lady." He chuckled as he said his next. "No, one ever said I taste nice, you are the first and thank you."

"So when do we start the feast? I mean I can smell the food, and my belly thinks my throat is cut. So bring it on, where's me chopsticks?" Getting ufrom the couch, Lia turned and looked at Gary, "I'm the luckiest girl in the universe, and it's all because of you."

"Right now if you like. I'll bring your chopsticks and some fighting irons for you as well as we have ham, biscuits, mashed potatoes, a green bean casserole. He shook his head, "I think were both extremely lucky to have met and fallen in love and I wouldn't change a thing."

Lia gave Gary another smile, "You say the darnest things to me, and yet I still wouldn't trade you for the world. A few years ago and I would have strangled you, but now I'd kill anyone who laid a finger on you." She looked around for the table to eat on, "Say am I going blind, or are we eating off the floor?"

"What did I say now?" Gary asked, a confused expression on his face. "I feel the same way if someone laid a finger on you Lia. " He chuckled, "No you aren't going blind and we aren't eating off the floor. I haven't brought the table in yet. Give me a minute and I'll have it in here."

"Go get the table, in fact do you want me to help bring it in?" Then she remembered what she was wearing, "On second thoughts, with this outfit on I'd be more of a hinderance than a help. I'll get the drinks ready as you set table and bring on the food, that ok?"

"Sounds like a first rate plan to me Lia." Gary smiled at her, "This is why we are such a good team. We work so well together." He headed for the kitchen to bring the table in and get it set up. "Hey, no nibbling on the food." He teased her. Knowing Lia couldn't resist nibbling.

Almost caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Lia swore under her breath. "I won't touch a thing, well almost not touch." As she stole a biscuit, and nibbled it quickly.

Gary came out the kitchen and walked up to Lia and without a word, kissed her deeply. He held the kiss for a few seconds and when it broke, he leaned back to look at her. "You ate a biscuit." He grinned at it. "You are incorrigible." he teased. "A first class nibbler."

"Nibbler? Me a nibbler? I was simply being polite, the food was there I was here and for me that equaled a biscuit. I didn't want you to think I wasn't going to eat your food, very impolite that is." She finished with a big grin on her face, "I'm right, ain't I? I'm right?"

Gary laughed, laughed in Lia's face. "You are a chronic nibbler!" He teased as he wrapped his arms around her. Oh, I agree it would have been very impolite for you not to eat my food, but we know that isn't going to happen because you are a nibbler and can't stay away from it and yes, you are right."

"You sir are not treating your guest correctly, where is the food you promised?" She glanced about and then back at Gary, "You promised food and a good time, I see no food." Then unable to stop herself, she burst out laughing. "I may faint from hunger, or perhaps that with the booze is your dastardly plan for me?"

"You sure are an impatient guest." Gary bantered back, "Demanding as well. "Go sit down before you fall down, and I'll bring the food to you. You bring the drink. I don't want you passing out from hunger. Though if you passed out from drink, then I could have my wicked way with you." He said before bursting out laughing.

Turning and picking up the two Sake glasses, she walked back to the table and placed both them and the bottle of Sake on it. "Drinks are now ready my man, but your wicked way will have to wait. I'm starved!"

"Hmmm. I'm patient, I can wait." He grinned. "Food is coming right up." Gary announced as he opened the oven and brought out a perfectly cooked ham. He took it to the table and returned to the kitchen and brought a plate of honey rolls and the green bean casserole and two baked potatoes. He placed one potato on each plate and began to carve the ham. "Eat up my starving guest." He told Lia as he took the tongs and placed some ham on her plate.

Looking at the ham, Lia licked her lips. "And you remembered the Honey rolls, but I think I could manage another baked potato." A wicked grin now graced Lia's lips, "Or I could always be bought with another slice of ham."

"That's what I like. A woman who knows what she is worth." Gary answered as he placed his baked potato on her plate and sliced off some more ham and put it on her plate.

Lia replaced Gary's potato back on his plate, "I said potato or ham, not both. Plus I wouldn't want my husband to think I didn't love enough to return his spud, and I do love you Gary Taylor. You old rogue."

"Oh." He grinned at her. "I would never think that Lia my dear. You may be a nibbler, but you do share." He lifted his glass, "To you Lia Taylor, I love you so very much. Each day my love grows for you. Thank you for all you do for this ship and crew but mostly for what you do for me. I love you very much Lia."

Lia smiled then raised her own glass, "And here's to you Gary Taylor, for all that you do for everyone else. BUT especially for being you, I love you, you old bugger. Never change and thank you for simply being here for me, you'll never know what it means."

Gary clinked his glass against hers. "Thank you darling, I won't change. Oh, I think I know. I know what you being here for me means to me. I would be lost without you Lia."

Eating her ham, Lia nodded. "All I have is you, so if you ever left I be lost also." She placed her fork down, "Enough of the sad talk, lets celebrate. Do you want another Sake?"

"You're stuck with me Lia darling." Gary answered after swallowing some ham. "Yes, I believe I would like another Sake if you please." As he cut another slice of ham.

Pouring them both another Sake, Lia smiled to herself. *After this is over, we'll get down to practicing again*, she thought. "Here ya go Husband of mine, and lets hope we have a better year next year."

Taking the glass of Sake, Gary nodded as he looked across at her, "Lia, my daring wife. As long as we're together, it is already a good year."

"Romantic whisperings was always your good point, lets finish this meal and then work it from there ok?" Lia smiled as she spoke,and moved closer to Gary.

"Then I shall endeavor to drive you wild with my romantic whisperings Lia my sweet." Gary bantered as Lia moved closer to him. "But as you suggested, finish this marvelous meal first then we can move on to other even more enjoyable tasks."

Reaching Gary, Lia kissed his cheek. "Other enjoyable tasks? Now what might they be?" Lia laughed as she spoke, "Are you becoming a mind reader now Captain??"

Gary shook his head, "I'm a captain now, mind reading comes with the territory my darling." He finished with a laugh.

"Well Captain, as I have finished my meal. And only have my Sake to finish, what say you to a little bedroom adventure?" She rose and taking her glass, finished it in one. "God helps those who help themselves, but God help those who get caught helping themselves." She turned and walked a short distance, "Computer open." The doors to the holodeck opened and Lia passed through, she turned in the corridor and spoke. "I'll see you in the Tea House Captain, unless your busy that is." Lia slowly turned and headed home, a smile playing on her lips.

Gary watched Lia leave the holodeck and head towards their quarters. A smile played at his lips. "I sure do love you, Lia Taylor. I would be lost without you." He whispered. As he headed toward the holodeck arch. "Computer end program." He ordered and as the ranch vanished from view, he headed home to Lia and their quarters. "I wonder if God helps those who are helping themselves while helping others to provide help for themselves." he mused and shrugged his shoulders. Lia was waiting.

At the Tea House, Lia went and poured two Sake. She then stood and waited for Gary to arrive, in her hands a tray with the Sake upon it.

Gary arrived moments later, smiled at Lia who was his better half in so many ways. He took a glass of Sake with one hand, with the other he gently wrapped it around Lia's waist. "I love you Lia Taylor, today, tomorrow and for all time." he whispered as he kissed her.

"And I love you too Gary Taylor, now shall we enjoy our very own Christmas presents?" She drank her Sake and placed the tray and glass on the replicator, "You can do the unwrapping, I'll let you." She entered their bedroom and stood waiting for her husband to undress her.

Gary finished his Sake and placed it on the tray. He followed Lia into the bedroom and stood facing her. "You know what the best part of Christmas is? Unwrapping the presents and getting to enjoy them." He said with a grin as he undid Lia's sash and let her Kimono fall open exposing her. "Beautiful." He whispered as he brought her close and embraced her. Kissing her passionately.

As Gary embraced her, Lia allowed herself to relax and enjoy the sensations she was now feeling. "I get to unwrap now, so here goes." She undressed Gary and then lay on the bed, "Computer lights out!" As darkness engulfed them she spoke, "Well don't just stand there, join me." Lia now hugged Gary tightly to her as he joined her on the bed.

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

Captain Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium