I Do - Part 1

Posted on Sunday, 5 July 2020 - 10:47am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Earth, Australia
Timeline: 2393 - MD 02

{ON:}

And soon the wedding day came. He was married already but he felt a sense of nervousness that overpowered his calm. He stared at himself in the mirror. He had never thought this would happen. He'd had relationships but never had he felt as if this was right, preordained by divine powers that were not to be meddled with. What drove the point home to him was his birthmark which seemed to send a humming sensation over his skin. He felt a sense of rightness and peace and a joy that he could barely contain. Then there was the love he felt. He'd loved before but not like this. For the first time in a long time he was happy.


GROOM QUARTERS

Soral heard the doors to his room open. He looked over as Laura entered. He was quite frustrated as he was having trouble with the bow tie of his suit that consisted of black pants a light pink top and a white jacket with a black bow tie. "I cannot tie this." He simply said.

With a kind smile, Laura Kingsley crosses the room to stand in front of him, shooing his hands away so she could help. “My husband often said bow ties were the work of the devil,” she confided with an affectionate smile. “There! How is that?”

As she spoke she stepped aside so he could see in the mirror.

He was surprised how with ease she had fixed what he had been struggling to for a while. "Perfect." He said.

Everything, the woman thought inwardly, was coming together perfectly. She had walked the short distance to the beach where guests were assembling. While she had ‘reigned it in’ a little, she wanted nothing less than a perfect day for her daughter and son-in-law. The setting was picturesque, sun sand and sea a beautiful backdrop. Temporary decking had been added to accommodate seating for guests, a wedding arch decorated with delicate white and pink flowers and a bar where those waiting could enjoy drinks both before the ceremony and afterwards while the wedding party had pictures taken.

“I appreciate you doing this, Soral,” she told him, adjusting the collar of his jacket in a motherly fashion. “I know my daughter would have been far more stubborn about this if you did not want today to happen.”

"It is important." He turned to look at Laura "You are her mother and I would do great dishonour to both you and her if I allowed our quiet ceremony to stand. A wedding is more then the promise of two people. It is a family being united. You are now my mother as well and I wish to honour you."

"You are not what I imagine when I think of Vulcans," Laura mused with a warm smile. "I am glad she has you and I'm delighted to have you join our family. Now, I should check in with Alex - unless you need anything else?"

He shook his head. "No. My sister will be here soon."

"Then I shall see you in twenty minutes," Laura smiled as she fussed a little more with his jacket before heading for the door. "Oh, and you have some visitors waiting in the kitchen to walk you over."

"Thank you." He bowed slightly.


BRIDE QUARTERS

Standing before the full length mirror, Alex took a deep breath to fight the sudden nerves. It was ridiculous really. She and Soral were, after all, already married and she was absolutely sure of his love for her. Hearing the door open she watched her mother’s reflection come into view. She saw her stop, looking ready to cry before regaining her composure enough to speak.

“You look so beautiful!” Laura declares as she came up behind her daughter, “the dress ... stunning! I’m so glad it fits. Here, let me get the back...”

For the next few seconds she worked with care. A blend of satin and lace, the cut of the dress complimented her daughters figure while promising to not be too warm. She fussed with it for a few moments longer before she was satisfied that it was perfect. “I almost forgot!” She declared, moving to pull a small box out from under the bed.

Prying it open she began unloading the contents. The first a hair clip decorated with pearls. Slipping into place where Alex’s hair was already pinned up, she smiled. “Grandma Reid’s. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. That was your Something Old.”

“And this is your Something New,” she added, taking Alex’s hand and slipping a pearl bracelet around her wrist. Next came a necklace, with a pendant containing a picture of Laura, Andrew and a baby. “Wear this today so he is with us. Your Something Borowed.”

“Mum -“

“Shhh, I’m trying not to be emotional,” Laura interjected. “And your Something Blue,” she added as she she held up a blue garter belt. “You’ll have to explain that tradition to your husband. Do you want me to put it on or -“

“I’ll manage!” Alex interjected as she snatched it. She looked in the mirror, smiling at her mother, “thank you. For all of it. For always being there when I needed you.”

Laura smiled, fighting tears, “what are mothers for?”



GROOM QUARTERS

Soral turned as the door opened again. He was relieved to see Mac and Kaito enter.

Both stood with similar amused looks. "I thought that you were never going to get married," Haru Kaito Hernandez said as he entered. The tall man with raven hair and dark chocolate eyes said. He smiled his eyes crinkling. Kaito was three fourths human and one forth Vulcan but his ears still showed his Vulcan heritage. Kaito had always been at ease with himself and it was something that Soral admired. Here was a child of three worlds. His mother an Earth woman that hailed from Spain and his father a half Vulcan and half Human with Japanese ancestry that was obvious on his youthful face. But his eyes hinted at darkness.

"Is everything alright?"

Kaito looked away. "Sure."

A Lie. Kaito never lied.

"What has happened? Is your sister well?" He'd known she was ill.

"Yes. Sobo died," he said using the Japanese word for grandmother.

Soral's own eyes widened as did Mac's.

Mac placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder. "I am sorry my friend."

Soral walked over to the man. "My condolences on your loss. I grieve with thee," and he did. Kaito's grandmother had welcomed both him and Mac and treated them like family. "Why did you not call us for the funeral?" He asked.

"It has not occurred. It is set for the day after tomorrow."

Mac looked at Soral. He hated that his friends wedding was tinged with sadness. "We shall both go," he said speaking for himself and Soral knowing that it was important to all three.

Kaito smiled a little. "Sobo always said that you would be married first and that it would be a wild warrior woman with flamed hair."

Soral hadn't thought of those words a long time and Kaito was right. His grandmother had predicted that reading his fortune in the lines on his face and the shapes of his ears. "I have not thought of that in a long time."

Mac laughed. "Yeah well she got one out of three. Remember what she said for me? I would marry a difficult woman who was exuberant and full of life. She would talk endlessly and be a force to be reckoned with and a mind that would surpass anyone I know."

Soral didn't laugh. As far as he was concerned, now that the description had been laid out he was sure it would happen. Kaito's grandmother had a gift that not even he would deny. As Mac spoke Soral hid his grin. Eyelaya's image floated into his mind and amused him. "Imagine that." He said.

Just as he was about to say something the door opened again and T'Mari entered along with a woman he'd met on Vashti, Liviana, if he recalled.

What he didn't notice was Kaito and Mac staring at Liviana as if they'd seen a ghost. Beifly Soral wondered why she was here? Had something happened on Vashti?

T’Mari walked over to her brother. “Look at you! I never thought I’d see the day you’d look like this for a woman. I’m proud of you Soral, very proud.” She looked to Liviana. “I understand you’ve met Liviana before?”

"She is one of the nuns on Vasti. Qwot Milat."

Liviana looked away. Why had she agreed to this?

“Actually ...” T’Mari looked at Liviana then at Soral. “Liviana is also something more ... Soral, Liviana is your sister, your twin sister.”

Soral staggered back a little as if struck. "That is impossible."

Mac and Kaito stepped forward. "Um...maybe..."

Soral cut Mac off. "She is Romulan I am Vulcan. She looks nothing like me."

Kaito looked at T'Mari as if to say 'are you serous?'

T’Mari hated to see Soral like this. “Soral ... your mother was Romulan. You are my half brother and Liviana is my half sister, she’s your twin, you feel the connection you know you do!”

He stepped back shaking his head. "No."

Mac sighed. "It's true. Liviana told me just months ago. I saw her on Vashti and she looked... well like a Romulan version of you."

Liviana stepped forward finding her voice. "Our mother was of the order. She ... left you behind and took me with her to Romulus."

"No!" For the first time there was panic.

“Soral ...” T’Mari stepped toward her brother. “You know I would never purposely hurt you, but you had to know!”

Soral's mind raced with so many emotions...anger, hurt, betrayal, joy, pain, curiosity confusion. He could feel his heart racing.

Kaito, always sensitive to those around him. Stepped forward. "This was not the time." He gave a nod to Mac and pulled Soral in the hall shutting the door. "Listen to me! Focus on your wedding. Forget this for now. We'll get it all sorted." He was a little angry on his friend's behalf. "Soral."

Soral did the only thing he could he reached for the link with his wife to ground him.

Kaito took hold of his friend's shoulders. "This is Alexandra's and your day. Set all of that aside. Do not bring a cloud on this day."

Soral sighed feeing a little more at ease. His mind was still racing but he used his Vulcan strength to push it aside. It took a few moments to regain himself. "I am not going in there."

Kaito sighed. "I understand. Let us get you out there. Focus on Alexandra."

Even the mention of his wife calmed him. "You are right." He straightened a little. Soral headed towards the front door slowly.

“... let me,” Laura was saying as she slipped out of her room and closed the door firmly. She was about to enter the other room when she caught sight of Soral, looking relieved as she hurried towards him. “Are you alright? Alex was worried, she said something was wrong?”

Soral looked at Laura. "All is fine. I have just received some... unexpected news."

Kaito smiled at the woman. "You must be Laura. I'm Haru Kaito Hernandez. I'm a friend of Soral's. It will be alright."

Soral sighed. "He is right. All is well." He looked towards the room where his wife was. "Is Alexandra ready?" He would not let the news his sister delivered ruin Alex's or Laura's day. He seemed to get better hold of himself.

“Oh, most definitely,” Laura assured him.

T’Mari was stood with Liviana not knowing whether to attend Soral’s wedding now she’d almost ruined his day. “Excuse me ...” She looked to Liviana. “I need ... some time alone. Stay here, I’ll come back.” With that she headed out of the room.

It seemed like both bedroom doors opened at the exact same moment. Laura turned, chiding her daughter, “back inside! It’s bad luck! Don’t give me that look young lady.”

Her attention shifted to the newcomer. “Oh! Hello. I don’t think we’ve met...”

T’Mari stopped and looked at the other woman. “I’m T’Mari, Soral’s sister.” She offered a polite nod.

Soral's eyes had landed on Alex. His breath caught as he looked at her. The others, they stopped existing for him. He just stared at her. She was beautiful. Almost otherworldly. An ephemeral vision.

Kaito smirked and elbowed him. "You might want to breath there buddy."

Alex concern faded now that she could see him and see that, physically at least, he was unharmed. She opened her mouth to say something before her mother stepped between them. "It is bad luck. You all need to be ready for us, you have ten minutes." And with that she all but shoved her daughter back into the room and firmly shut the door to emphasise her point.

T’Mari was pleased to see Soral’s reaction to his bride. She had to admit she did look beautiful. She took the moment to fade into the background, she’d almost ruined Soral’s day. She slowly and quietly stepped outside.

Mackenzie had followed her out. He had Liviana in hand. "Alright my two sisters of mayhem. Let's get you seated. We'll talk about your timing later."

He hurried them to the beach where chairs were set out.

T’Mari took a seat next to Liviana, if it wasn’t for hurting Soral she would have left and let him have his happy day without further worry. She just didn’t want to hurt him further by disappearing before his wedding.

Kaito had come out. He looked down at the two women. "It will be alright. Just enjoy your time here. After the wedding Mac and I will speak to him. He's...just a little stressed." Kaito snorted. "At least you brought him a sister. Can you imagine I that was a long lost child?" He laughed at that preposterous idea.

“Yes just imagine!” T’Mari looked at Liviana then back at Kaito.

To be continued...

{OFF:}