Not Waiting Another Moment
Posted on Tue Sep 24, 2019 @ 2:59pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Captain Madelina Weisz & Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal & Lieutenant JG Logan Hunter & Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes
Mission:
The Nanjing
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 1 0915 hours
Logan rose from the table along with the other officers. He took a hold of Kelani's hand as he looked towards Michael at the head of the table. "Sir, I would like a few moments with you, Captain Weisz and Master Chief Barnes. If I...if we may."
Michael looked at the CAG and the Chief of Science. "Yes?" he asked.
Tom was nearly out the door before he heard his name. He paused, backpedalled, and came to a stop next to Maddy. Tom's eyes surveyed the room, and he started to put thoughts together. Lieutenant Hunter and Commander Tetanal were holding hands. The ship was about to warp into certain destruction. This certainly couldn't be good... for Tom. Maddy had brought up the proposal once before. There was no way that wasn't going to pop back up after this.
Maddy was always the last to leave a briefing, most of the time, opting to hang back and talk to Michael for a few minutes before they both left to continue on with their day. Today was no different, though, she was a bit surprised that their CAG and Science Chief requested her, Tom and Michael remain behind. The redhead had an idea what this was all about, and while the timing could have been a better given what they were up against, they had their reasons. Still, she opted not to say anything just yet, wishing to give Logan and Kelani the opportunity to state the nature of their presence.
Logan looked to Kelani for a moment, the love and adoration clearly expressed on his face. He turned to Michael. "Sir, I would like for you to marry us right now. I don't want to wait any longer, not with what we may be going into." He looked at Thomas and Maddy for a moment. "Would you both consent to be our witnesses?"
Michael looked a little surprised, but it wasn't the first wedding he'd presided over and he was honored that they hadn't asked Admiral Breckenridge to perform it. "I'd be honored, Lieutenant. Commander."
Kelani’s face was glowing as she stood with Logan. She had not needed telepathy to know what her Imzadi had in mind—she had been thinking much the same thing herself..,
“Thank you, Commodore,” she said, a smile on her face. “I have never wanted anyone but you to perform the ceremony.”
Logan looked at Kelani. "I know this isn't what we had original planned, but I promise right after this mission we will reaffirm our vows." He turned to Michael. "Please sir. I don't want to wait another moment." He pulled a felt-covered box from his trouser pocket and opened it. He handed Maddy the wedding band meant for his finger and then the wedding band for Kelani's to Thomas. "Hope you both don't mind being Maid of Honor and Best Man."
Tom accepted the ring meant for Kelani with a smile and an approving nod. He made a conscious decision not to examine the ring lest some unfortunate glance ruin the moment that was being created. "It would be my pleasure," Tom admitted.
"I'd be honored," the redheaded Captain said with a smile as she accepted the ring meant for Logan's finger. It was easy for her to play this sort of role when it came to the matter of marriage. A role she would gladly accept, but being in the position of bride was a completely different story for her. She'd been there one before, only to have the groom disappear hours before they were going to take the official plunge. That definitely left a sour taste in her mouth as far as doing the deed herself. But, then, she turned her gaze toward Tom. There was not a single thing wrong with their relationship. She loved him, and he loved her, and as the saying went... if it wasn't broken, don't fix it.
Logan took Kelani's hand and faced Michael. This was it. He glanced at Kelani. "You ready Imzadi?"
Kelani laced her fingers through Logan’s as they faced Michael. Her smile turned soft and tender as she said, “I am indeed, my Imzadi.” She stood with Logan as they waited for Michael to begin the ceremony.
"Do you have your own vows?" Michael asked.
Logan looked from Michael to Kelani. He'd not prepared anything to say, but that didn't matter. He knew what he wanted to say. He spoke to Michael briefly without taking his eyes of Kelani. "I have my own sir." He took a deep breath. "I knew from the moment I met you in Rustic and Rarities that you were someone special. I knew that I was in love with you the moment we first danced at the King Louis Ball." He briefly turned to Thomas
Tom wondered why the Lieutenant was looking at him for a moment. Then he foolishly realized why. "Right," he muttered, doing his best to smile and play off the misstep, all while handing the ring meant for Kelani to Logan.
Logan turned back to Kelani, placing the ring on her finger as he spoke. "I promise to love you until the end of time itself."
Kelani’s eyes never left Logan’s face as she listened to his vow to love her
Until time ended. She spoke then, her soft voice filled with emotion as she said, “I also knew that you were something special when we met—an emptiness in my life was filled by you and I want that never to end. I promise to love you always—even after all the stars go dark, I will love you.”
Turning, Kelani asked, “May I please have the ring, Captain Weiss?”
"Of course," Maddy said with a smile, holding Logan's ring out to Kelani.
She took the ring from Maddy and slid it on Logan’ finger as she pledged her love.
Michael smiled and nodded. "By the power vested in me by the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss," he intoned solemnly.
Logan reached up and lightly brushed a stray hair from Kelani's cheek before leaning in and giving her a soft kiss that last several seconds.
Kelani softly returned Logan’s kiss, her mind gently touching his,~Now we are truly one, my Imzadi,~ she sent to him through their link.
Tom, maintaining his temporary duty as best man by keeping his gaze on the happy couple, blindly reached to his side hoping to find and hold Maddy's hand.
Maddy couldn't help but smile when Tom's hand found her own, her fingers slipping between his just before giving it a gentle squeeze. Weddings were always a happy occasion, and while she was allowing herself to be caught up in the moment, the reality of what they were going to be getting into would soon slap her in the face once more. "Congratulations."
"Congratulations, indeed," Michael said. "Computer, recognize Lieutenant Commander Tetanal as being legally married to Lieutenant JG Hunter on this stardate."
"Entry made," the computer responded.
Then the Commodore noticed that Tom and Maddy were holding hands and looking happy and while he couldn't retaliate over the bonsai trees, he had something else in mind. "Well, it looks like we have another happy couple here as well, so why not a two for one?" he asked as he looked at the Chief Engineer and his Executive Officer.'
Very aware of what the Commodore was seeing, Tom let go of Maddy's hand and looked to the Commodore. Shaking his head, he stated, "No, no. This is their day. It would be foolish to steal their thunder."
The redhead had fire in her eyes, but her face remained neutral as she looked at the Commodore. Oh, she was angry, but now wasn't the time or the place to beat her Commanding Officer within an inch of his life. And, only an inch, because he'd be able to come back from that to resume command of the ship. "Excuse me. I have work to do," she said, then looked toward Logan and Kelani once more. "Congratulations again. Thank you for allowing me to witness such a heartfelt moment." With that, Maddy turned on her heel and walked.
"Then dismissed and report to your stations," Michael said, ignoring the anger for the moment. He knew she'd probably lay into him later. "We depart in thirty minutes."
Logan nodded at Michael before turning to Kelani. "I'll see you later tonight Imzadi." He raised her hand and gently kissed her knuckles before heading out to brief his pilots on the upcoming mission.
