We Are Gathered Here Today

Posted on Mon Jun 7, 2021 @ 9:12pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Captain Madelina Weisz & Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes

Mission: History
Timeline: Six Months Later

Michael had been through Starfleet's version of hell for months after the Triumphants last mission and there was only one thing left for him to do while still in service to the fleet. He sat down at the desk in the small office that he had been more or less shackled do and composed a message.

"To, Mas..delete. To Thomas Barnes and Madalina Weisz," he began. "I hope all find you both well and still in need of the last request that you asked of me before you departed. It is and still would be my honor to both of you to perform your marriage ceremony if you are both still interested. Sincerely, Michael."

He checked it over, then sent it to the private civilian address that Maddy had given him after she and Tom had departed the ship.

***

Maddy made her way out of the kitchen and wiped her hands over her leggings when the alert came through there was a message waiting. "Now... who could this be?" She wondered out loud and settled down in front of the terminal to read it. "Tom! Tom! Come here!"

Tom was sitting in the living area, working his way through several news updates on a padd when he heard Maddy's excited voice. "What's going on?" he asked, rising to join her by the terminal.

"Look," the redhead began pointing at the screen. "Michael sent us a message. He said he'd be honored to marry us if we were still interested." She looked up at her future husband with a smile. "What do you think?"

"What's to think about?" Tom countered, smiling. "We've been intentionally holding out for him all this time. I say it's high time we tied the knot."

"You're right. There's nothing to think about. I'm going to send him a message back," she said, then began to compile a return message to their former CO. "Michael... we would be honored to have you marry us."

When he got the message, Michael felt that he had a purpose for the first time in months and quickly composed a reply. "I'm on Earth right now, but can meet you wherever in the Alpha or Beta Quadrant. All my best, Michael."

The redhead turned her attention up to Tom and relayed the message they'd gotten back from Michael. "The Alpha or Beta Quadrants are our limit. I know our families will want to be there. Where shall we have the ceremony?"

"My mother's still based on Earth," Tom stated. "My dad's been out of my life for decades, so no need to bother there. And my brother is off working for some dilithium refinery near Xehea. So, I guess Beta Quadrant works for my side. What about yours?"

"My mom is still on Earth, too, and so is Michael. I'll make arrangements with Michael for them to hitch a ride to whichever location we choose," Maddy said, then began to think. Her father was no longer with them, and her two brothers were out in the Alpha Quadrant somewhere. Maybe she'd be able to give enough notice that they'd be able to show up. "What do you think about Risa? We can make a vacation of it with eve for a few days or so, then travel together for a while after?"

"I think Risa is a good idea," Tom confirmed. "Good place for a honeymoon too, and then we can start a joint t-shirt collection."

"Then, let's make that a reality," the redhead said, relaying the newest information to Michael. She let him know the day, time and location and that both their mothers would need to ride with him.

When he finally got the return response, Michael was a bit surprised to learn that he'd need to ferry their mothers as well, but he was an Admiral for the time being and he had one last obligation to his crew and he'd move a planet if he had to for those particular ones. He sent a message to verify it, and a request for a meeting location for their mothers and began to make arrangements for a fast ship.

Maddy looked up to Tom once again. "We're all set. Looks like we're finally getting married." And, it was clear from the smile on her face that she was super excited about it.

"About time too," Tom said with a smile all of his own. "I finally get to shed my Barnes and become Mister Ice Queen!"

The redhead looked up at him and blinked before she started laughing. "Mister Ice Queen, huh? And here I was going to take your last name."

Tom chuckled. "Well, we've got a few days to hammer it all out," he smiled. "But for now, we've got to pack and get our hind quarters to Risa!"

She smiled. "Go ahead and get started. I'll be there in just a few minutes to help," Maddy promised. "I'm going to make arrangements for our mothers to get to Michael, then make ours to get to Risa."

* * *

A few days later, the big day had arrived everyone had gathered on Risa. Family members from both sides were enjoying the impromptu reunion, and both mothers were trying to get to know one another for the sake of their children.

Tom, meanwhile, was preparing for the ceremony. Though he had intended to resign, he found it difficult to completely resign and retire. Instead, he'd been furloughed, and still technically a Master Chief. This allowed him to wear his dress uniform for the first time in several years. Being a Master Chief, he was still limited to the blue tunic covered with gold ribbon and accents. A single yellow band wrapped around the cuffs of both sleeves, and yellow Operations piping lined his collar.

He looked into a nearby mirror, straightening his uniform. He had no idea what Maddy would be wearing, especially since she insisted he not find out before the wedding.

* * *

In her suite, Maddy finished slipping on the white sheath gown that hugged her every curve, then looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her fiery red hair was swept up in an updo with wispy tendrils framing her face and flowing down the back of her neck. She leaned forward to touch up her lipstick, then put in a pair of diamond earrings that had been passed down throughout many generations. "Today's the day," she said, looking herself over with a smile. "I get to marry the love of my life and best friend."

There were no nerves, and she hoped he wasn't feeling any nerves, either. But, it was almost time for things to kick off. With an even brighter smile, Maddy grabbed her bouquet of wild flowers and made her way to the area she was supposed to wait in until the ceremony was set to start.

* * *

The Admiral was wearing his white dress uniform and fussed with the collar a bit as he prepared himself. "One last hurrah and then I can put it all behind me," he said to no one. He finished straightening up, then headed out into the hall where he would be officiating the ceremony in front of their guests.

About the same time, Tom exited the anteroom where he had dressed. He certainly found himself thankful for replicators and transporters. He'd purposely worn clothing to the building that he didn't want to keep, and was able to fully donate its materials to the recycler. This left him with only the dress uniform that he wore.

"Admiral," Tom greeted.

"Call me Michael," Michael said. "Today of all days. Are you ready, Tom?"

Tom didn't know if he could ever call the Admiral by his first name. But this was not the time to debate it. "As ready as I could ever be."

Michael checked his collar, as always just a tad too stiff and uncomfortable. "Shall we start the ceremony?"

Tom nodded his agreement. "Time to get the show on the road, indeed."

The Admiral tapped a console and the wedding march began and the four lights changed to the colors that Maddy and Tom had picked and the holoemitters came online to set the scene with the little touches that reality couldn't provide.

Maddy took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she took a step toward the sensor that opened the door. This was it. She was about to marry the man she loved... the man who had become her best friend, but now, the nerves were starting to creep in as things from the past started to roll through her mind.

She closed her eyes and took another deep, calming breath. Tom was definitely different. He was everything she could ever hope for and so much more. And had you married either of the others, you wouldn't be marrying this man today, she reminded herself mentally as her eyes opened again to fix on the man waiting for her near Michael. Things always happened for a reason, and what happened in her past brought her to where she was today.

A smile formed as she stepped forward, then she took another, making her way toward her future. A future she couldn't wait for.

Even Tom's cybernetic eyes were overwhelmed by sight of his soon-to-be-bride walking down the aisle. The smile on her face, the brightness of her blue eyes, the meticulously designed dress that hugged her body in all the right ways, and the brilliant red hair that perfectly captured her personality.

His lip quivered slightly as she approached as her sheer beauty dumbfounded him, weighed down also by the magnitude of this moment. As much as he enjoyed and relished this moment, Tom had only one regret. They should have done this sooner.

Michael's green eyes lit up at the sight of Maddy looking so beautiful but quickly glanced down to make sure that he had everything. He would have offered to walk her down the aisle, but he was officiating. He gave a warm smile as she joined them at the podium.

"Maddy," he said warmly. "I'm honored you and Thomas chose me for the greatest moment of your lives. Thank you."

Maddy swallowed a lump in her throat and smiled toward Tom with unshed tears in her eyes, then looked to Michael. "Thank you, Michael. There is no one else we would want to take part in such a special moment in our lives."

"Do you and Tom have your own vows?" Michael asked them as the music finished.

Tom nodded to Michael before turning fully to Maddy. He took a moment to relish in her appearance once more, though he kept his gaze fixed on her vibrant blue eyes. His cybernetic eyes focused as well as they could on her, though the image he was presented was somewhat crude. Centuries of ocular implants and technology still could not produce a perfect image in someone's brain.

He could, however, detect her respiration, heat levels, and even heart rate. From what he could tell, she was just as excited and nervous as he.

"Maddy, when we first met, I had no idea the journey that we would be taking together. We have faced dangers in the deepest parts of the universe, and witnessed the brightest and darkest corners of our own personalities. Through it all, you've been at my side. Until I met you, I was happy, content to be forever a free agent. But now, I cannot imagine life without my best friend, and my partner in crime. I promise to never give up, never surrender, and most of all, never abandon my love for you. I'm ready to face the final frontier, our lives together, with you by my side."

Maddy listened as Tom recited his vows. Oh, did she love the man standing before her, and they were one step closer to forever together. Now, it was her turn to speak from her heart. "Tom, you have taught me that two people joined together with respect, trust, and open communication can be far stronger and happier than each could ever be alone. You are the strength I didn't know I needed, and the joy that I didn't know I lacked," she began, pausing a moment to take a breath when her voice cracked. "I promise to love you for who you are, and for who you are yet to become. I promise to be patient, and to remember that all things between us are rooted in love. I promise to nurture your dreams and to help you reach them. I promise to share my whole heart with you, and to remember to show you how deeply I care for you, no matter the challenges that may come our way. Today, I choose to spend the rest of my life with you."

Michael listened to both of them and was honestly touched. He had known Maddy since she was in Security and then she became his trusted Executive Officer and a friend. He had seen her successes and her failures, but this moment by far was her crowning achievement.

He hadn't known Tom long, but the man had fought tooth and nail for what he believed in, and Michael knew he would fight just as hard to be the husband Maddy needed.

"Do you have rings?" he asked.

Tom glanced over at Michael for a moment, his eyes as wide as they could possibly be. The rings? How could Tom have forgotten the rings? He thought about it quickly, wondering if he'd left them on the changing table, or in a pocket of his other pants...

Pockets. Starfleet dress uniforms were notorious for being pocket-free, yet Tom remembered visiting a tailor two nights ago to have a pocket sewn in. He reached inside the pocket, located just inside the other flap of his uniform jacket, and withdrew the two rings. He handed them to Michael for him to use.

Maddy saw the panic in Tom's eyes. Did he forget the rings? Maybe she should have kept his, but there was only one place she could have kept it safely, and retrieving it would have been quite awkward not only for herself, but everyone else witnessing their special moment. She was just about to go into full blown panic mode until he produced the two items that would symbolize their union. She breathed a mental sigh of relief when they were handed over to Michael. The former Captain was another step closer to forever with the man she loved.

Michael watched Tom's expression and then Maddy's and thought he'd have to use the replicator for rings for a minute. When Tom pulled them out, he breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Tom, you may place the ring on Madelina's finger."

Tom took Maddy's hand, smiling as he did so. He found her ring finger where their engagement ring already sat, ready for the wedding band to be placed in front of it. He did not insert the ring fully, but instead first said, "With this ring, I thee wed." Tom then slid the ring fully down.

"Madelina, you may place the ring on Thomas' finger," Michael said as he smiled, feeling the love between the two of them grow with each second.

Maddy smiled toward Tom once she had the ring, then took his left hand into hers. "With this ring, I thee wed," she said, sliding it into his finger as she spoke the words.

"By the power vested in me by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets," Michael solemnly intoned. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Tom didn't need any permission, but the nudge was helpful. It was about a split-second after Michael said those words that he realized what it was he was supposed to do. A big smile appeared on his face as he took one step toward Maddy. They weren't too far apart, but there was enough space to make holding hands quite an effort. His left hand, armed now with the wedding band, rose next to her hand and gently placed itself under her ear so he could hold her head in a loving manner. He stared into her eyes for a second before engaging in one of their most passionate kisses they'd ever shared.

As cheers and applause erupted from the few guests that were present, Maddy found herself returning the kiss. Their first as husband and wife with many more to follow. It was official. She was now Missus Thomas Barnes. A name she planned to wear with pride for the rest of her life.