So? What Do You Say?

Posted on Fri Dec 27th, 2019 @ 1:05am by Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor
Edited on on Wed Jan 1st, 2020 @ 11:56am

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary/Lia's Quarters
Timeline: After Christmas Celebration
2407 words - 4.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The party was over and a good time was had by all. Now Gary and Lia made their way back to their quarters.

"That was a nice party and seeing Tayalas is a plus. She is such an adorable child and you looked absolutely stunning
Imik made a good Geisha as well. That was inspired thinking on your part." Gary said as they entered. "You want something
to drink?"

Smiling to herself, Lia looked at Gary. "Imik has the size and stature to be a Geisha unlike me, and the Ojnas and Japanese share many similarities". She removed her sandals and sat on the floor, "Latte coffee please, I've had enough alcohol". Making herself comfortable she now glanced at Gary once again, "Your sounding broody Gary, anyone would think you wanted kids of your own".

"You sell yourself short Lia. You make a gorgeous Geisha." Gary answered as he went into the kitchen to get her coffee. Returning, he handed it to her. " One latte coffee. Do I? Maybe." He paused on what to say next. "I would love to be a dad but I don't dwell on it." He smiled at her, "What about you? I know you want children. Right?"

Shaking her head Lia responded, "I may want to be a Geisha, but I'm to old and to tall. Most girls start at fourteen, and get accepted a year later". She took her coffee, "Thanks, being a dad has massive responsibilities. As for me being a mother? Yes, but I'd have to know the father of my child or children very very well". She sipped her coffee, "Do you think a person has to be in a stable relationship to have kids?" Lia looked at Gary, her mind went back to when he said he wanted two boys. "Or can someone raise a kid on their own?" She took another sip, "Not that I'm ever going to be in that position, what with work and away missions and sneaky spy stuff. I wouldn't have enough hours in a day, I mean can you see me settling down?"

Gary sat down next to her. he didn't speak right away and when he did it was thought out and deliberate. "Your my Geisha then." He said before moving on to the next subject. "I think it certainly helps to raise children in a stable relationship. It's hard enough to make a relationship work when your an adult. Now that being said, yes a person could raise a child on their own. They would need an excellent support team to help but they can do it." He took her hand and looked deep into her eyes, "Yes, I can. I can see you settling down and being a fantastic mom." He said softly.

Lia giggled at Gary's answer to her being a Geisha, "Ok, I'll be your Geisha. Just don't go expecting perfect Geisha responses, even okasan thinks I need a lot more training". She listened to Gary as he spoke, and agreed with a lot of what he said. But when he took her hand and said what he did it caught her unawares, "Are we talking about the same Lia Holmes? Me settling down and being a mum?" She took a deep breath and looked Gary in the eye's, "Do you know something I don't? I guess Angel did hit me hard, but she would have needed a father. And I would tend to be looking overly hard at any poor guy that was the father, lets just say there would be NO repeat of my experience growing up!". She picked up her coffee and took another sip, hoping he wouldn't drop another bombshell on her.

He nodded, "Fair enough. You'll be my Geisha." He still looked at her, "Yes, we're talking about the same Lia Holmes. Oh, your tough, no mistake about that but I've seen your soft, nurturing side Lia and you would I repeat be a fantastic mom and while we're at it what's to say your children wouldn't have a dad. A responsible one? One who would love them and teach them what it means to be a man, if they are boys. You wouldn't be on your own Lia and I think or hope you know that."

"Just what are you getting at? What are you saying?" Lia could see Gary was hinting at something, she had a suspicion as to what. But they had never talked about it, not even once. "If you have something to say, then spit it out. Because I need conformation of what I think your getting at". Her mind was in turmoil, and her heart was in her mouth. As the Japanese would say, her heart was "dokidoki suru".

Gary smiled cryptically at her however his next action would remove all doubt in Lia's mind. He got on one knee and reached into his pant pocket and brought forth a small velvet box. "I got this when we were at DS9." He said by way of explanation. Then continued, "Lia Holmes I've loved you for a long time. We've shared good times and bad times but the worst times is when we aren't together. I want us to continue to share life and all it's adventures. I would be honored if you would continue as my partner in this journey. What I'm asking Lia is will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" As he finished he opened the box to reveal and elegant diamond ring in an emerald cut.

Her eye's popped and her mouth hung open, "Are you serious? You want me to.............what about Catlin?" Lia was now in a state of confusion, did she say no and hurt Gary beyond belief? Or say yes and tie him down to her? "I need to think, this is a big step. Are you completely sure about this?" She grabbed at her now empty coffee cup, "Yes, if you really want me". Her reply was almost whispered, just in case Gary had any second thoughts.

Gary stared at her, "Lia, I will always love Catlin but she is the past. You are the future and I want to live in the future. I'm absolutely sure I want this and you. No second thoughts." He smiled "Stick out your left hand." As Lia did, he slipped the ring onto her finger. "Perfect fit. Looks right at home there. "Now, once again what do you say?"

Holding her hand so she could see the light play within the diamond, Lia felt her eye's filling with tears. She replied with another whispered answer, "Yes, I do". She could say no more as the full weight of what was happening finally hit home, someone had finally asked her and she had agreed.

Gary smiled brilliantly, leaned forward and kissed her passionately. "Wonderful! You've made me very happy Lia." He saw her admiring the ring. I hope you like the ring Lia. I think it matches your beauty perfectly."

Lia shook her head, "No, it's more beautiful than that. And I love it, and you". Her voice never rose above a whisper, she didn't want to shatter the moment in case Gary changed his mind. Leaning forwards she hugged Gary tightly, maybe if she held on long enough he couldn't take it back. Now she would no longer carry the name Holmes, that stain would be washed away for good.

Gary peppered Lia with kisses, soft, kisses on her cheeks, lips throat. "You are as radiant as it is Lia." His arms came up to encircle her, "I will always love you Lia, always and forever and I will never give you a reason to question it." He kissed her again. "I just want to make you happy Lia."

She looked into his eye's, "I trust you, and I will always trust you. And I'm happy, if your happy". Lia allowed Gary to kiss her, as she had agreed to marry him it would be remiss of her to resist

Gary leaned back to look at her, "If I'm happy? Lia I'm ecstatic and I would hope you would be as well. Wait, are you having second thoughts? You shouldn't, I love you unconditionally. You need to believe and accept that."

Lia shook her head again, "What? no. I meant as long as your happy with us, then I'm happy with us. I might not be saying it right, but I hope your understanding what I'm getting at". She stood up and placed her cup on the replicator, "I'm overjoyed, but it hasn't fully sunk in yet. And I'm a little scared, in case you suddenly take up one of my offers to leave. You can't say I haven't given you that option, but now I'm concerned you may suddenly get cold feet and regret this".

Gary heaved a huge sigh of relief. "I understand. I do." He shook his head as he got to his feet as well. "I'm not leaving. I told you a long time ago. I don't cut and run. Your stuck with me Lia. Not cold feet. Full steam ahead. So get any ideas of me leaving you standing at the alter out of your head cause it ain't happening."

She walked over to him and smiled, "So just how do you intend to celebrate this happy union?" Lia placed her arms over Gary's shoulders, "I'm sure you must have planed that far ahead".

" You know me so well and I do. I have a lovely holodeck romantic getaway for us to use, with a romantic candlelight dinner at a French restaurant." Gary answered.

Lia nodded and then answered, "I like it, but if I could make one slight suggestion. Can we go to a Japanese Onsen? We've never done anything like bathing together before, and I always enjoyed the one in Chiba City".

"Sure, we can do that Lia. That sounds like fun and it will definitely bring us closer. I can change the holoprogram to be in Tokyo would that help?"

"Chiba City is close by Tokyo, so it sort of fits". She hugged Gary, "Thanks for that, are you sure you can handle being naked in public? That's what an Onsen is, a Japanese public bath house".

Great! I'll reprogram the holoprogram to make the appropriate changes. Yes, I can handle being naked in public. Don't sweat it." Gary answered with a smile.

Looking at Gary, she just shook her head. "I think I may have mislead you slightly, we don't actually share the same bath. Males use one side, females use the other. And there's a wall in between, but we do enter the building together. Oh and if I remember, there's a very nice bar just a few doors down".

Gary chuckled, "It's okay Lia. I still don't have a problem with it. We enter together, bathe separately and exit together and then get on with our romantic evening. it will be great. I'm looking forward to it."

"Right I'll sort out an appropriate Kimono, and when your all sorted we can go". Lia went to move then stopped, "Um, are we gonna tell anyone about us?"

"Sounds great." Gary replied. he looked at her a smile coming to his face. "Tell anyone? I don't think we're exactly a secret Lia."

Lia now playfully punched Gary's arm, "I meant about us getting married, unless your intend to keep it a secret". She crossed her arms then wagged her finger under his nose, "Oh the shame, a secret wedding. Who has the shot gun?" She could hold her laughing no longer, she now fell about laughing.

Gary couldn't help but chuckle at Lia's playfulness. "I hadn't planned on keeping it a secret Lia and there's definitely no shame in it. Captain should know and Liselle and Anje as well. Anyone else?"

Taking a deep breath, Lia tried to calm down. "I think a general announcement, so everyone knows. That way, they can decide to join in the celebrations or avoid them". She glanced at her hand, "Do you want the Captain to do the ceremony?"

"Well, a general announcement for everyone else. Oh! Gallia should know as well." He looked at her, "That depends on how elaborate a ceremony you want Lia."

"I want all our friends to know first, including Phoenix. As for the ceremony, just a plain wedding will do. I already have my wedding Kimono in my cabin, but I'll have to go to the Holodeck for some final training. There's something I have to do on the day, that may seem different to the normal things".

"I already said that the Captain should know." Gary replied. "Something you have to do other than get married?" He questioned.

Lia nodded, "Oh don't worry, this is strictly on my shoulders. All you have to do is be open to the situation, I promise you'll enjoy it and just maybe a little impressed". She looked at the floor, "It's a promise I made to myself, to show people I was serious about marriage. Don't ask, because I'm not telling".

"Lia. of course I'm open to it. It's important to you so it's important to me." He smiled, "Fair enough, I won't ask. I'll wait to be suitably impressed."

She looked back at Gary, "I'm gonna get changed now, so you better get your fingers busy". She blew him a kiss, "Met you at Holodeck 1 in ten minutes".

"Yes ma'am." He replied smartly. "I'll get right on it and see you at Holodeck 1 in ten minutes. Be prepared to have a great evening."

In her cabin Lia picked out her blue Kimono with the dancing cranes, she decided if she was going to Chiba City that's the Kimono which best suited. How was she going to handle married life? Could she handle married life? Only one way to find out, and she was going all out to try.

After Lia left, Gary left for the holodeck to reprogram in the changes to the romantic evening he had planned for Lia and himself. On the way however he thought just how lucky he was to have found love first with Catlin and now a second time with Lia. Just how lucky could one man be? He didn't know but he was sure glad.


Commander Lia Holmes
Chief of Security/Tactical
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium