Precious Memories

Posted on Thu Mar 21st, 2019 @ 8:29am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary'a Quarters
Timeline: Just before leaving for Trill
925 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary had retired to his quarters but was restless and he knew why. Rising from the couch he headed for the holodeck. Arriving he addressed
the computer. "Computer, run Program Catlin apartment 1." The computer replied instantly, "Program running. You may enter when ready." Taking
a deep breath, Gary entered the holodeck and stopped and looked around. He was Catlin's apartment and this was the night he asked her to marry
him. He could hear her puttering in the kitchen. He was still standing there when she came back into the living room. She stopped short when she
saw him. "Gary! You surprised me, not that I'm not happy to see you." Her green eyes sparkling in delight, "What brings you to my door? As if I didn't
know." She giggled. "What? Oh, I just wanted to see you." He stammered. She crossed to him instantly, took his hand and led him to the couch where they both sat. "Is something wrong? IS Commodore Appleby giving you a hard time in his tactical analysis class?" He shook his head, "No, nothing like that. I just wanted to see you." He answered vaguely.

She leaned in, cocking her head to one side and looked at him. "Are you alright? Your acting funny." She placed a hand on his forehead, "Are you sick?" She answered her own question, "Nope. No fever." He laughed nervously, "Catlin, I'm fine really." She shook her head, "Nope. Not buying it. You act distracted, like something else is on your mind." He sighed "Catlin..." She held a hand up, "I'm going to get a drink. You want one? Might help loosen your lips and get you to talk about whatever is on your mind." He nodded, "A rum and coke please." She jumped off the couch, kissed his forehead, "Be right back." As she headed into the kitchen. He watched her leave, her lithe figure sashaying away from him. Once she was out of sight, he fumbled into his pocket and brought forth a small velvet covered box and opened it and gazed at the diamond ring inside. It was an engagement ring, Catlin's if she said yes. He heard her coming and he quickly shut the box and shoved under a pillow.

"One rum and coke for you and red wine for me." She said as she sat back on the couch. Sipping her drink, she peered over the rim of the glass and sighed expansively. "Gary! Your driving me nuts. What is it? You can tell me anything. You know that right?" Her eyes searching his face. "I know." He answered meekly. "What's that!?" He pointed out her window. Catlin turned away to look. "What? Where? I don't see...…" She didn't finish as she turned back to him as Gary was on one knee in front of her. "Catlin, I do know I can tell you anything but this something I want to ask you. I love you Catlin. I love you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow and I promise to love you for the rest of your life. Your the best thing that ever happened to me and I never want to lose you. Your my soulmate Catlin." He opened the box for her to see, "What I'm asking is will you marry me?" Her reaction was priceless, She looked at him, then at the ring then back at him. Her hands coming to her face as a startled gasp left her. "Gary... I." She stopped and shook her head, "YES! YES! YES" She yelled as she threw her arms around him. "Wait. Let me get your ring on." He told her as he slipped it on her finger. "Gary, it's beautiful." She whispered, tears filling her eyes and running down her cheeks. I love you Gary. Forever and ever. for all eternity." He kissed her softly."Not as beautiful as you." He answered truthfully. "You are a charmer Gary Taylor. " She quipped as she pulled him up so she could wrap her arms around him in an intense hug. "Sing to me Gary." She whispered. He thought for a moment and then he nodded and began to sing. "Maybe, I'm Amazed" By the Beatles as he waltzed Catlin around the room. Lost in the magic of the moment and the precious memories of a woman he continued to love.

Baby, I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
And maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
You hung me on the line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Baby, I'm a man
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh
Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand
Baby, I'm a man
And you're the only woman who could ever help me
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.