My Meddling Mother Part 5 (END)

Posted on Tue Jan 30th, 2024 @ 3:21pm by Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox & Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell & Lieutenant Commander Anna Bagwell & Lieutenant JG Jaxon Ruveer
Edited on on Sun Feb 4th, 2024 @ 7:25pm

4,475 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Episode 118 - "It's About Family"
Location: Dee’s mothers residence
Timeline: Current

"I don't know why I'm so nervous?" Jaxon said as he stood right outside the front entrance to Dee's childhood home. It was a lovely place, and a lot nicer than his current house. His mom was just for lack of better terminology a commoner. Any wealth didn't have much status outside of the Trill homeworld.

Eat them you wonder if they're part of it has to do with social economics because they were slightly a higher class of family and his own but mostly he wasn't sure if the mom was going to like him.. he is already kissing their daughter and he hasn't even met them. With a mom approve of the relationship he wondered.

"You're going to be fine. Trust me. " Dee replied as she opened the front door, stepping inside, followed by Jaxon.

"Mom" she called.

"I'm in the next room dear. Not so loud. I'm not deaf yet. " She said as she came through into the hallway. She saw Dee and then was distracted when she saw Jaxon.

"Oh, who is your handsome gentleman, Dee.?" Her mother asked.

"Mom, this is Jaxon Ruveer. He's, (she paused a second) my boyfriend.

Her mother's eyes lit up. "How wonderful. Hello. No need to be formal, please call me Lucina, or Luci for short. "

Jaxon was taken by her sudden announcement, that they were dating. Given the fact that they kissed one another, he knew they had grown close over this trip. It didn't bother him at all. If anything it took the stress away from him officially asking her out and facing the potential of rejection. "It's a pleasure to meet you Luci, you have done a remarkable job raising this lovely lady."

Before Dee could comment, her mother laughed. "Flattery will get you anywhere, Jaxon but thank you for the compliment. Deezell has become quite an amazing young woman and she is also the first in our family for over three generations to be joined, regardless of the circumstances. " Luci replied.

"There is nothing wrong with the circumstances though is there Mom," Dee commented.

"Of course not, Dee. I know you hadn't considered applying to become an Initiate and that your first few months have been somewhat challenging but as with all things you put your mind to, you have come through so well. "

"Thanks, Mom. It was a rough few months but I had my friends around me to help me. "

"Your father will be arriving around the time your friends come for dinner. " Luci remarked.

"That's great. You're going to love Dad, Jaxon. He's quite a character."

"Is he here?" Jaxon asked. He was curious to meet her father. Her mother was a big sweetheart.

"No, not yet. He will arrive when Ezekiel and Anna do, around 18:30. " She advised.

---

Anna walked alongside Zeke, thinking about the time they had alone today. They had barely been able to keep their hands off each other, a leisurely afternoon where they enjoyed being together.

Then, Zeke had surprised her with another dress. She thought it was funny considering he was the one who thought she owned too many clothes as it was. Anna thought it was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. And the icing on the cake was the pair of shoes to go with it. Zeke knew her taste and he knew what looked good on her.

“I hope this goes well,” Anna said as they started walking up the sidewalk to the front door. “I want this to be perfect for Dee, so if I start putting my foot in my mouth, pinch me.” Anna knew that was ridiculous to say but for some reason, she was nervous and doubting herself. It was Zeke who was unusually calm.

"I will try to keep that in mind," Ezekiel said, knowing that wasn't an unusual request from his lovely wife. He could tell by her tone that she was nervous about this even, almost as nervous as she was about their wedding. He grabbed her hand, to try to reassure her.

Anna loved Zeke’s support. He was the only one who ever knew when she was nervous. Anna wouldn’t show weakness to anyone else.

"Cannot wait, for this dinner to be over. So I can have you all alone to myself." Ezekiel said as he gently stroked her hand with his fingers. It was almost time to enter.

“I agree,” Anna said with a smile. “But Dee invited us and I believe it would be an insult to her mother. We will probably have a good time.”

"I'm not doubting that, and I'm happy and excited to meet her family but this is our honeymoon. I do want to spend some time with you just the two of us, well three of us." Ezekiel said as he put his hand on her belly for a brief moment.

“So would I,” Anna replied. “But it isn’t looking very promising.” She smiled at Zeke. “As long as we’re together I am good. I love you more than anything.”

"Oh no we're going to make time, I'm thinking all day tomorrow at the resort is just you and I," Ezekiel said with a big grin on his face. He knew Jaxon would want time with Dee as well.

Anna smiled at him. A part of her hated that they had to ‘make’ time but she knew Zeke was trying. “That sounds like fun! I would like that.”
As they reached the door, she pressed the buzzer. “Show time.”

Ezekiel just smiled, he had nothing to add. He reached for her hand. He needed a little support. He was not of meeting new people, but knew how important this was. And he also wanted to be close to her.

"Do you think someone will answer today?" Anna said after several minutes. "Or did we come at the wrong time?"

"Be patient my love, this is a big place.:My guess is there in the kitchen preparing," Ezekiel said thinking to himself it would make the most sense.

“Okay,” Anna said as she looked around at the immaculate lawn. It was a beautiful home. “This is a nice home.”

---

Dee and Jaxon were already at Dee's family home, helping her mother set the table and sort out the chairs.

"This is going to be nice having company for dinner" Dee's mother exclaimed. "Not had this much company for a while." She added.

"I think you will like Anna and Ezekiel. " Dee replied. "Good people" she added.

Jaxon didn't want to take this moment away from Dee. She appeared to be having a real mother-and-daughter moment. He listened as he continued to set the table.

"Jaxon" Dee exclaimed to get his attention. "Ezekiel and Anna should be arriving soon, can you see you can see them from the front door? " Dee asked.

"I can," Jaxon said as he started to walk towards the door. He managed to get a couple of spots on the tables pre-set up. As Jaxon was going towards the door, he heard a knock at the door.

Jaxon started to smile. "I believe they have arrived." He wasn't sure if Luci or Dee wanted him to answer the door or to wait for them so he decided to wait for their verbal cue.

Dee came over and opened the door. "Hey, guys, you made it. You look great, both of you. Come on in. " Dee said greeting the newlyweds.

"Thank you, Dee, your family has a lovely property." Ezekiel said with a big smile on his face." It was one of the few times you ever smiled in his life, it felt unnatural to him but he was trying his hardest.

"Thanks" Dee replied.

"Mom, these are my friends and newlyweds Ezekiel and Anna Bagwell. "

"Welcome to our home and congratulations on your marriage. Dee tells me you chose Trill for your honeymoon. That's wonderful. I have prepared some of our traditional dishes for you to try. If either of you have any dietary allergies let me know so I can suggest which dishes might not be wise. I would hate to cause an incident on your honeymoon. " Luci replied.

" I don't have any allergies, however, I prefer non-alcoholic beverages with dinner," Ezekiel said with a smile on his face. He wanted to honour Anna's request not to talk about the pregnancy until she had a chance to tell the USS Falcon who happened to be their friends.

"That's not a problem at all. We tend to have a selection of fruit juices to choose from. Especially that fabulous fruit from Earth, pineapple. " Just as Luci finished, the hallway door opened and Dee's father, Odan, appeared.

"Sorry for the delay, that brother of mine can certainly talk. The meeting went on much longer as a result. " He exclaimed. "Oh, we have guests. Luci let me know you were all coming so let me see if I can work out who is who. " He turned to the newlyweds who were standing close together. "I am guessing you must be the honeymooners, Ezekiel and Anna," he said. "I am Odan Timurs, Deezell's father," he said holding out his hand.

"It is nice to meet you both," Anna said with a smile. "Thank you for having us over for dinner." She looked at Dee's mother. "A glass of juice will be fine."

Ezekiel reached out to shake his hand, he thought the man was nice enough and the mom was also a nice person he could see where Dee got her wonderful personality from."I have enjoyed my time here on your beautiful Homeworld." Ezekiel said with a sincere look on his face.

Jaxon smiled as he reached over to shake the father's hand of the girl he was now dating. "It's an honour to meet you sir, I am Jaxon Ruveer." He wondered if he should say that they were dating. He wasn't sure if she needed to break it to him easily or if he was going to openly accept it.

"Ah hello, Mr Ruveer. Do you work with Deezell aboard that huge Starbase? " Odan asked.

Anna stood beside Zeke and watched as they spoke. Her mind wandered off to her friend's back on the base. She wondered how they were all doing. She smiled to herself imagining Aubrey working nonstop on the Falcon and the others trying to drag her off.

"I do sir come on one of the pilots, that's actually how I came back to Trill. I am the acting Helmsman for the USS Saratoga which is in orbit."'Jaxon said with a warm smile on his face.

"Oh, the Saratoga you say. Hmmm. If my memory is correct, she is an Akira Class starship isn't she?" Odan asked.

Ezekiel debated about saying something, but he decided to remain silent. The question was directed to his helmsman. He decided to listen on while reaching out the hold Anna's hand.

Jaxon smiled as he went on to say. "Yes sir, she is in Akira class starship she is a dream to fly."'he said, thinking to himself she might be a 30-year-old ship but she was a lot of fun to fly. She piloted it like an escort vessel but she carried fighters like a carrier would. Officially just classified as an escort carrier.

"I see. One of the more beautiful-looking ships, in my opinion, Mr Ruveer. Don't get me wrong, I love working for the family business but I do have a love for starship technology and I am thrilled that my daughter gets to work with all these amazing ships. " Odan replied.

As they talked, Anna slipped out the side door, seeing a beautiful garden. She had felt a little claustrophobic, probably a side effect of her pregnancy. A slight motion of the air felt good as she stood on the patio and looked over the garden. Her hand went to her stomach as she wondered if they were having a boy or a girl.

Dee suddenly realised that Anna wasn't with them, so whilst the men were still discussing ships, she went to look for Anna. She didn't have to search long before she noticed her outside in the garden.

As she approached her... "Are you okay Anna?" She asked.

“I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful garden,” Anna admitted. “And I needed some air, I am finding that this baby needs a timeout now and then.”

"Thanks. The garden as you see it today is mostly work done by me and my mother but it's overall design is over 200 years old and I can't think of a more tranquil place to take a time out in. I guess it's too early to know if you're having a boy or a girl?." Dee asked.

“No,” Anna said with a smile. “We haven’t discussed it yet, I am not certain I want to know, I think I might want to be surprised.” She saw Zeke walking over. “Isn’t it beautiful out here?”

"Yes, it's very lovely out here." Ezekiel thought, wondering why Dee would give up Paradise just a joint Starfleet and mundane-looking walls and a station full of sterile-looking colours. "Makes it hard for me to want to go back to the station knowing how beautiful this place is."

"You can't quite see it from here but at the bottom of the garden beyond the trees is the river that flows through the valley. It cuts through the garden so we have a bridge over it to a small area with a summer house. Want to take a look? " Dee asked. " Guests often stay there when they visit. " She added.

“Would we have time?” Anna spoke up. “I know your mother is putting dinner on I don’t want to delay on our part.” She looked to Zeke for his thoughts.

"Hmm, probably not. " Dee replied. "Maybe after dinner," she added.

Ezekiel thought about it for a moment, and then he eventually had to say this on the matter. "I believe we would have time, but we don't want to disrespect your mother she went to all this hassle just for you Dee."

"That's very considerate of your Ezekiel. Let's head back inside and then if we have time after dinner because my parents like to talk and get to know new people, we will go to the summer house for a coffee." Dee replied.

"Please lead the way. I prefer my friends call me Zeke." He called out as he motioned with his hand for Dee to lead them to the dining room area. It would be the best place to wait for her mother.

Anna moved in beside Zeke and waited for Dee to take them in for dinner. She was starving. Even though she had eaten earlier it felt like she hadn’t all day.

Dee leads the group back into the house and to the dining room. "Please take a seat and I will go help my mother dish up," Dee replied as she headed to the kitchen.

Jaxon joined Anna and Ezekiel at the table, the three of them waited for Dee and her family to come back, he could hear that they were all working hard in the kitchen. He then turned his attention to Anna and Ezekiel. "I want to thank you both for allowing me to pilot the Saratoga to my home world," Jaxon said with a grin. This opportunity allowed him to get close to Dee. Plus it was nice to see his family.

Ezekiel debated about saying something, but he was still trying to contemplate what he wanted to say when he looked over to Anna. It looked like he had something on her mind that she wanted to say as well, so he would just go off of her lead.

“We are glad you came along with us,” Anna said sincerely. “The trip has been quite enjoyable having you along as well.” She paused. “I apologize for my attempt at matchmaking. I am retired now.”

"Why are you sorry?" Jaxon asked confused, he was grateful to her. There was no doubt in his mind, that she played a part in him and Dee, getting together.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Dee and her mother were finishing dishing up and would be soon coming back out from the Kitchen. By now the amazing smell of her mother's cooking was wafting into the lounge. The doors then opened, as Dee and her mother brought in the starter, a traditional Trill soup called Hahslay. Dee put a bowl in front of everyone on the table as her mother put the large pot in the centre with a ladle.

"Guests first" her mother exclaimed as she picked up Anna's bowl ladling a decent amount into it and then placed it back on her mat. She then went on to Ezekiel, Jax, Dee, Odan and then herself.

"Enjoy," she said. "This a traditional soup from this province, called Hahslay. I hope you enjoy it." Her mother continued.

“I am sure it will be wonderful,” Anna said as she picked up her spoon and dipped it in, bringing it to her mouth she tasted it. “This is good!” She said with a smile.

"I have not had a bowl of this in a long time," Jaxon said as he could smell the savouring aroma illuminating the dining room area.

"It smells wonderful, thank you for preparing this," Ezekiel said trying to sound all proper and etiquette.

“We appreciate the invitation for dinner,” Anna added. “It is nice to get to know all of you as well.”

"We have always enjoyed meeting friends and colleagues of Dee ever since she went to Starfleet Academy. There weren't any issues in adjusting to the more confident person she became as she went through the academy and graduated. But her being joined, was a bit of a challenge. " Odan replied.

"Possibly more for me Dad. " Dee replied with a smile.

"No really? You don't say?" her father replied, laughing.

"Oh" Dee exclaimed. "I knew I had something to tell you," she said turning to Ezekiel and Anna. "It seems that the Guardians of the Caves of Mak'ala are aware that I am here, as in Vox and have requested I come to see them. So, if you are still interested, you can come with me tomorrow for a tour of the caves. "

Anna looked over to Zeke to see what he thought about going. She was up for whatever he wanted to do. The caves sounded interesting but this was their honeymoon.

"I would love to go to the caves, what about you Anna?" Ezekiel said, hating putting his wife on the line there but he did not want to speak on her behalf without consulting her.

“That sounds like fun to me,” Anna said with a smile and then looked to Dee. “We would like to go with you.”

"I will let them know to expect guests. I may have to go with them elsewhere for a private chat so one of the guardians will look after you till I get back. " Dee commented. "It's nothing to worry about, it's just the guardians can ask some odd questions and often communicate directly with the symbiont as well involving a minor ritual," she added.

“I’m fine with it,” Anna said. “We are explorers by nature so learning more while we are here is what we hope for.” She smiled then. “As well as a wonderful honeymoon.”

"Excellent. I will sort it out. " Dee replied. Once they had finished their starter, her mother brought in the main course. This, again, was a traditional dish that had many names, depending on which province you were from. Here it was called Trahnoa. The best way to describe is, somewhat like chicken but with a citrusy and spicy overtone.

"Hope you like this. This is my favourite dish. " Dee commented.

Jaxon was curious to try her favourite dish. He smiled as he looked at her, then looked down at the food. The presentation was incredible, if the presentation was any indication the food should be phenomenal.

Ezekiel was also impressed with the presentation of the food. "May I?" Ezekiel ass, he didn't want to get in any trouble if they had any spiritual beliefs before eating a meal. On Earth, it was customary for some Christians to pray before they eat he wasn't sure if her family had some similar tradition or another tradition and he didn't want to be disrespectful.

Anna sat waiting as well. Maybe they prayed to their god or something. She didn’t want to mess anything up or cause an upset.

Dee's mother looked a little confused. "Mother, I believe humans often give thanks before a meal. Similar to our blessing. "

"Oh, I see. Ezekiel, please go ahead. We could then show you our blessing if you wish. " Dee's mother responded.

"Please call me Zeke all my friends do." Ezekiel started to say. He went on to address her question. "I would love to see this blessing." He said he was curious what kind of blessing it was.

"My apologies Zeke." Dee's mother replied. She turned to her daughter. "Why don't you give the blessing to our guests? " She added.

"Of course. " Dee replied. "Please hold the hand of the person to your left so we have a complete link. " She asked. Once everyone was holding hands, Dee recited the blessing in native Trill.

"Quo ulo vroaisoja vi cho heeja quo oug umja ulo ogolmurai tulugohar geh chyuc quelrja quo voremt geh umja sura feno."

She then turned to her friends, after they stopped holding hands. "A rough translation of the blessing would be 'We are blessed by the food we eat and are eternally grateful to this world we belong to and call home. "

"That was a beautiful blessing," Jaxon said what a warm smile on his face, it was sad that most people didn't do blessings anymore, especially in Starfleet.

"Thank you, what a wonderful message. This world is a beautiful place, the food is incredible and the people are wonderful." Ezekiel said, thinking what else he could say and respond to that wonderful blessing. He wanted his message to have some kind of meaning behind it.

“We are having a wonderful time here.” Anna continued. “I am so happy Dee invited us along.”

"Your friends, Dee, are wonderful and of such good character." Her father commented.

"Definitely" her mother chimed in.

"I know. Thank you, Zeke. I am glad you liked the blessing." She turned to Anna and smiled. "Anytime. I hoped you would enjoy visiting my home world."

Once they had finished the main course, Dee's mother disappeared to the kitchen to bring out the dessert.

"Dessert time. My favourite part of a meal." Dee commented with a smirk on her face. I have always had a sweet tooth. Come to think of it, so did Azrel and Lerani. If this dessert is what I hope it is, Azrel once made it for Captain Faust of the USS Midway back in 2268. He liked it so much, he asked her to teach the ship's chef to make it. "

Anna was curious as to what the dessert would be. There weren’t very many foods she didn’t care for. “I have a sweet tooth.” She confessed.

Dee's mother reappeared into the dining room with the dessert, in a rather large bowl. Dee smiled from ear to ear when she saw it.

"Oh yeah, now that there is a dessert," Dee explained. She then turned to Zeke and Anna."This is a traditional dessert called Glyuhro. It's kind of like a Trifle on Earth except its fruits are all grown on Trill and so it has a very different taste. Normally, it would contain alcohol but my dad is on a medication, temporarily of course, which prohibits that. So, this is an alcohol-free version. " she added, giving Anna a slight wink.

"Would love to try it," Ezekiel said as he looked at Anna. He had never tried a trifle before. There was a first time for everything.

Jaxon had sat back and listened closely. When he was younger he had Glyuhro. However, it had been a few years since he had tried it last. He remembers in the past that he liked it.

Dee dished out the Glyuhro into several bowls and put them in front of everyone around the table. "Enjoy," she said as she picked up a spoon and started to eat her dessert. A smile appeared, almost immediately, on her face after the first spoonful. She then heard a bleep from her communicator. She checked the screen.

"Fantastic. I was able to book us a shuttle ride tomorrow to the Caves of Mak'ala so you get an aerial tour on the way there. I hope that's ok. " Dee advised.

“It is fine with me,” Anna said as she looked over to Zeke.
“What do you think?” She didn’t want to just assume he would be on board with it.

Dee waited patiently to see if Zeke would be up for the trip by shuttle. It didn't make it any quicker but she thought an aerial tour as they went along, would be fun. She had received a note from the Guardians about her check-up and it wouldn't be a full one, just the basics and a chat.

Zeke just smiled as the scene started to fade away. He could not wait for tomorrow, to experience the caves up close and in person.

Anna put her hand on Zeke’s and smiled as well. She was enjoying their honeymoon. She would remember this forever and how special it was for both of them.

The four friends visited the Caves the following morning, taking a breath-taking ride in a shuttled which gave them a fantastic view of the beautiful landscape of the Trill homeworld.

But like any trip, whether it be a holiday or a honeymoon, eventually the adventure would come to an end and work and duty would be once again calling them back.

Dee would have to wait another year before the new Hub was built before she would be called to open it as they still intended to name it after her, in recognition of her help in resolving the issues between the action group and the Provincial Council through her creative ideas on how the Hub could be so much more.

The group made they're way back to Starbase 400, aboard the Saratoga.

END OF STORY


Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell
1st Marine Division Commanding Officer
Starbase 400

Lieutenant Commander Anna Bagwell
Chief Medical Officer
Starbase 400

Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox
Assistant Chief Engineer
Starbase 400

Lieutenant JG Jaxon Ruveer
Flight Control Officer
Starbase 400

 

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