Wedding Bells - part 1

Posted on Tue Jan 30th, 2024 @ 10:54am by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant Commander Anna Bagwell & Commander Sarah Rodgers & Lieutenant Samuel Carrington & Lieutenant JG Dustin Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Aubrey Miller & Ensign Suki Solwick & Ensign Leland Trizur

3,504 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: Various

Location: Personal Quarters of Ezekiel Bagwell

Ezekiel was stressed. Today was the big day, they were just hours Way from the biggest moment In his life. He was there with his parents. "Relax, will you." Jasmine said, as she walked over to him.

Dustin grinned as he looked at his captain and friend. He had just now decided if he got married it would be a quiet affair, with close friends and a simple ceremony. “She is right.” He said with a smile. “What could be better than marrying your best friend and the love of your life?”

Ezekiel surprised, this is the first time Dustin had offered suggestion to him but then again this wasn't the typical chain of command event. this was a wedding. He was nervous and rightfully so. At some point he felt like his wedding was a political statement as much as Union between two loving people. "You have a point, you all do just not every day you get to marry the woman of your dreams this and your soulmate. I just want today to go perfectly.

“It will.” Dustin said. “You and Anna have got this. It’s the day you have been waiting for.”

"Should have married her sooner, our lives have been pretty chaotic on this station but in a good way." Ezekiel said has he looked over to his parents and then back to Dustin.

“Everything happens for a reason.” Dustin said and he believed it. “You knew when the moment was right and this is it. Before you know it, this will be over and you will wonder what you were nervous about.”

Ezekiel found comfort in his words. It was very rare to find a man so young with so much wisdom.

"The Lieutenant is correct." T'Vol suggested. It's fail the emotions that doesn't end portray his own message was correct, it was accurate. He had a better understanding of how Ezekiel felt. And it was very strong especially since they were in close proximity to one another.

Ezekiel wanted to change the topic, with a smile on his face he said. "So glad you get over here to support me today." He looked everybody with a big grin on his face.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Dustin replied honestly. “You and Anna are family to me and I know I speak for the others as well.”

"We have been through a lot together, getting to know you guys has been a great honor can't wait for the Falcon to be ready to launch again." Ezekiel called out feeling very proud of his people how they were helping him during his wedding.

“I may be new to working with you.” Leland spoke up. “One thing I have learned is I want what you two have when I get married.”

"Aren't your marriages arranged?" Sam asked wondering how that worked? To him it seemed very strange. His culture gave up on that barbaric ritual.

“It is true they are.” Leland replied. “But it doesn’t mean we don’t want some of the same things. Most relationships in our culture have more than just a promise between them.”

"What do you mean by that"'Sam asked. He really didn't understand Betazeds traditions. From the little information he knew he assumed it was some old custom that should probably should have been an outlawed centuries ago for whatever reason their society contin ued. He was hoping that Leland would shut some light.

“There is this misunderstanding that because our marriages are arranged we don’t have strong feelings.” Leland explained. “I’ve been told before that our bond forces feelings we may not naturally have. That isn’t true. Most of us want to love our parent and have a connection that way as well.”

"So you don't believe that you're bonded to someone?" Sam asked very confused by his answer. His answer is almost circular and logic you really didn't make sense to him.

Leland sighed. “I am bonded to someone. And I take that seriously and I will marry her but along side that I also want friendship and love between us.”

"Heading out this bond is true it seems like you're taking a leap of faith, is that how you would describe it?" Sam ask getting a little too involved into this questioning.

"Ease up a little Sam." Ezekiel said thinking that he was pushing a little too hard, they were there for his wedding not to start a fight. He wondered who would respond first Sam or Leland.

“I don’t mind.” Leland said to Ezekiel. “The only way to understand is with knowledge. Believe me, the thought of getting married your way seems strange to our culture.”

"How so?"' Ezekiel asked, as he took the bait from Leland. He never looked at it from Betazeds perspective. He wanted to learn more.

“We know at an early age who we will be with.” Leland explained. “Our matches are carefully set and nothing is set to fate. It is I conceivble to think of having to date many different women to find the one I want to be with. Instead we have been loyal to each other our entire lives.” He thought for a moment. “No offense we just have different cultures.”

"That is fascinating, it took me a long time to get to the point of marriage with Anna but it wasn't because of a lack of interest just leaving work with one crisis to another and we finally said enough is enough for married and the Admiral has been gracious enough marry us." Ezekiel started today say as he started thinking about his situation with Anna.

However he was also thinking about what Leland had just said and even though they didn't have similar cultural beliefs there's one thing that he knew from the moment that he met her. He knew he was going to marry her and that he would want to marry her. Call it a gut feeling call it intuition call it fate. Whatever it was he knew deep in his heart.

Dustin listened to the conversation and thought though they both made sense he was happy with how fate had brought him and Aubrey together. He made a promise to himself to talk to Aubrey about their future.

“I believe that all our cultures work well..” Leland said to Ezekiel and really everyone in the room. “If you remember, there were arranged marriages in your history and I am certain not everyone in my culture follows the arranged marriage either.”

"If you want we can change the topic but I was more interested in your bond with your potential partner and how that works?" Ezekiel said knowing that he had a particular bond to Jasmine and T'Vol. There was some in his family thought he would marry Jasmine at some point in their future they were really surprised when he got into a relationship with Anna after many years of being single.

“I am fine answering any questions you may have.” Leland replied. “I believe it helps to understand our differences if we discuss them. What would you like to know?”

"How does the bonding work?" Ezekiel asked, and deep down he wondered why did not feel a romantic interest in Jasmine. Where bonds different s across species.

“It started when we were born and our parents chose for us to be bonded together.” Leland explained. “We are raised and Typically when old enough to be married we go through a ceremony and then we bond telepathically.” Leland took a deep breath. “Some are content with their marriage being simply that but others have broken the arrangement choosing to marry their Imzadi.”

"That is fascinating, do most Betazeds go to body merry their bond mates?" Ezekiel asked. He sometimes wonders what it would be like to be linked it to his mind but then part of her house in his class that he wasn't, of who she is was really intoxicating too him. However most recent years he felt like he was really getting to know who she was judgment simple observation and living with each other.

“Yes.” Leland replied with a nod. “Breaking an arranged marriage is difficult. Both because of the bond at young age and the embarrassment it causes to both families. An arrangement is considered and honor. It isn’t easily walked away from.”

"How do you know if the bones going to be true years later when you meet again, this whole thing fascinates me." Ezekiel said wondering if he was shed a little more insight.

“The bond is from within.” Leland tried to explain. “It isn’t something that “just” goes away. And a lot don’t even try. They hold a close relationship with that person but marry their Imzadi.”

"That is fascinating, I appreciate you taking a moment to answer my question." Ezekiel said has he looked over to Sam.

"It's almost time."' Sam said has He adjusted his tie in the mirror. He was excited and nervous at the same time, being the best man while his girlfriend was the maid of honor meant that they were going to be up on center stage with the bride and groom.

"I know, and we'll head out shortly." Ezekiel said as the scene fades away.

---

Location: Personal Quarters of Sarah Rodgers

Aubrey was getting ready to tap on the intercom to the Commander Rodgers room. She hated the fact that she was running late, with one arm she had the dress and the other she had all the makeup she was going to need to get ready. Aubrey tapped on the intercom.

“Come in!” Sarah called out and smiled when Aubrey came in. “I am so glad you are here!” She said as she came outof the bedroom and whispered. “Anna is a little nervous.”

Aubrey felt so embarrassed, and she saw Sarah. Luckily Anna wasn't available at the moment or maybe she was just hiding in the bathroom area. "I'm so sorry I'm late."

“It’s fine.” Sarah said with sympathy. “What wedding ever gets started on time? We have time for you to get dressed. It will be fine, trust me
“ She felt for Aubrey.

"Very kind of needed to say Commander." Aubrey and she quickly started to look for an area to set her dress down so she can start changing. "Do we know who's doing our hair?" Aubrey asked, hoping they had enough time still. She was running a little late because I have a meeting that went longer than it should have. Even though she had brushed her hair earlier she didn't think it would be appropriate for the wedding.

“Our hairdresser is on the way.” Sarah replied. “You can change in that room.” She pointed. “Anna is coming out in a moment. She needed to take five minutes she said.”

Aubrey didn't skip a beat, she gently picked up her dress and headed towards the room. Deep down she was thinking about her relationship with dustin, would they have a big fancy wedding like this or would he be something small she wondered. But who is she getting there won't even engage if they were still in the dating process. And it kind of scared her to think about the fact that she could marry him this is something that she was interested in? Deep down she'd leave yes, but she really wouldn't know until the question was asked.

After a few minutes are we walked back out, and headed towards Sarah and Anna. She didn't want to make this woman about her but she helped the dress look good, she thought it fit her well.

“That looks stunning on you.” Anna spoke up. She smiled at Aubrey. “I know Sarah told you that I was nervous but I gave myself a pep talk. What’s to be nervous about? I am marrying my one and only.”

"Thanks but if we're being honest that wedding dress was made for you." Aubrey said that she was in my area the craftsmanship on the dress.

“I was really crazed when I looked for a dress.” Anna said with a smile. “I wanted it to be perfect and then once I got it I had Sarah hide it.” She smiled as she looked to Zeke’s sister. “Sorry but your brother can find anything!”

Margaret laughed. "Probably why he's the commander of Special Operations Bets Group." Margaret said in a teasing voice, he had a snarky like personality cure I like her brother she had a sense of humor.

“I wouldn’t change a thing about him.” Anna said honestly. “We are perfect for each other.” She smiled. “It’s not marrying him that is making me nervous it’s the whole huge wedding with all those people here.”

"Don't worry about them, focus on him." Aubrey suggested to her. It was all she could think of.

There was another arrival at the door as Ariana arrived to join her friend. As the door slid open she greeted everyone with a warm smile. “Sorry I’m a little late, bit of a long story I’ll tell you later!” She smiled warmly.

“Come in Ariana!” Anna said with a smile. “I am so glad to see you! We are all ready, just waiting for you. The hairdresser is on her way.”

“Good job I got here when I did then” Ariana grinned. “We can’t have the bride being held up on her wedding day!”

“Hi Ariana.” Sarah greeted her. “You look fantastic in your bridesmaid dress. I am so glad that Anna let us have some say in what we wore, aren’t you?”

"Counselor it's good to finally meet you I've heard so much about you." Aubrey said I feel like over to ariana, she knew from listening to conversations of Anna and Sarah talking about her and about to break time she was on the falcon for a few select missions. But in all that time she never really had a chance to meet the legendary counselor.

“It’s nice to meet you both” Ariana smiled warmly, then looked towards Sarah to answer her question. “It’s a tricky decision really when choosing bridesmaids dresses, Letting your bridesmaids choose their own would be a nightmare for some women!” She turned to look at Aubrey. “I hope everything you’ve heard about me is good.”

"Of course, we have work together before but we've actually never met each other outside of working on the Falcon. I should say congratulations heard you had a baby not too long ago." Aubrey said to her wondering what would be like to be a mom, so far this stage of her career she and not yet taken that step with Dustin.

Anna smiled. “Her baby is so cute. I’ve threatened to run off with the little darling a few times but I know Arianna would track me down.”

Aubrey smiled, but staying quiet. She had to see this baby, but right now would not be the time obviously. She can see the true connection between Ariana and Anna.

“I am scared of babies.” Sarah admitted. “They always cry when they see me. It’s like they know I will drop them or something and don’t even ask me I change a diaper, I have no clue. I’d sooner be in charge of the bridge during a fight to the death.”

Ariana smiled. “I’ve always wanted children, my daughter was one of twins but I suffered a miscarriage and lost my son. It was a miracle I didn’t lose my daughter as well. Then I met Cameron and now we have our son as well, though Cameron is wanting a big family so who knows how many more there may be in our family in the future.”

“Zeke and I are looking forward to being parents.” Anna said with a smile. “Though we haven’t discussed how many yet or when we want to start, I would like at least two.”

"Cute, I'm thinking just one for me." Aubrey said that she's not sure if she wanted to go through two pregnancies. She heard how bad the first one could be through rumors mainly.

“And I can be the favorite Aunt who spoils them all.” Sarah smiled. She really did, deep down think about children but she was concerned she wouldn’t be a good mother.

“Now that is good practice if you’re worried about having kids, that way you can give them back!” Ariana couldn’t help grin. “Seriously though, It’s an amazing experience.”

“I bet you’re the one who has a lot.” Anna laughed at Sarah’s look. “What do you think Arianna or Aubrey? It’s usually the person who doesn’t want them that ends up with a football team.”

Aubrey grinned as she saw how uncomfortable Sarah was with the whole conversation. She had no doubt that her commanding officer would be an excellent aunt and a mother if you were supposed to be but she also respected her enough to accept her answer. "I believe on the time is right it'll happen for me and Dustin." Aubrey said with the warm smile on her face.

“Sam and I haven’t even discussed the future.” Sarah confessed, thankful to Aubrey. “Being in the wedding makes me think about it.”

"I want to marry him. He needs to ask me." Aubrey said. It felt good to come out and say it.

“I can’t imagine being with anyone but Sam.” Sarah agreed. “And I know he feels the same we just need to talk about it.”

“Just pick the right time to do it” Ariana smiled warmly. “It’ll make it a whole lot easier.”

"Weren't you scared boy when he first asked you." Aubrey asked as she looked to Anna. Even though I agree you know she wanted a merry Dustin, the idea is still scared her.

“No.” Anna shook her head. “For one Zeke and I are already living together and…” Anna smiled. “We are connected in ways J can’t explain but marriage completes us.

"I felt like you're going to say something more, but I'm not going to pry, I can see what you do have is very special." Aubrey said with a warm grin on her face.

“You were meant to be” Ariana smiled warmly. “Soul mates find each other, and the two of you are true soul mates.”

“Thanks.” Anna said with a mysterious smile. “Zeke is my soul mate. If so couldn’t have him I would be single the rest of my life.” She smiled at the others. “I am ready to get this moving.”

“In that case let’s get you there to marry your fiancé” Ariana smiled warmly.

Anna looked up as there was a knock on the door. Looking up she smiled when Vice Admiral James K’Temoc Bremer walked in. She looked around. “It’s time!” Suddenly all the nerves faded away. Anna was looking forward to this, even all the fanfare that Zeke’s position required faded away. She was marrying her soul mate and best friend. Anna smiled widely as the scene faded.

OOC: shall we make a part 2 for the ceremony?

Sammi: yes. I am waiting for an answer from Mike on discord for when Anna walks down the aisle

J: let's not post this just yet, and I want to apologize to you Mike for not being able to get a chance to come in here and actually start. The back story kind of took on a life of its own.

Sammi: Anna will be walked down the aisle by Vice Admiral James K’Temoc Bremer, so I am all set.

J: let's ask Mike when we should post this cuz I don't know if you want to have more of the staff right there daily tasks before we take over briefly with the wedding. I am very proud of all of us and we have done a tremendous job with this so far and I can't wait to start part 2.

Sammi: sounds good ask away oh Colonrl Bagwell

J: I believe you were trying to type out "grammar"" and "Colonel." I am not sure, but logically it makes sense.

Sammi: hahaha you know me and my fast fingers typing. I added an end to Anna’s portion so it’s set when we know what we’re doing.

Bremer: Can we save this for the end of the episode, to end it on a high note cause most of this episode will be dark and kinda sad. We can go started on part 2 when ready and save it as well.

J: that works for me we can start part two but like this part will save it until closer to the end of the mission.

 

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