Wedding bells

Posted on Sunday October 2nd, 2022 @ 10:43am by Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: San Francisco. Earth
Timeline: Fifteen years ago.

The little chapel attached to St Francis was not packed by any meaning of the word. Just eight people sat at the front of the pretty little space chatting quietly as the evening sun shone through the stained glass windows. All but three wore the uniforms of Starfleet Academy apart from one who was dressed in an Admirals uniform.

Felice Dubois stood by the Altar self consciously playing with the hilt of her ceremonial sword and trying to stretch the collar of her dress uniform, which had been rubbing her neck since she put it on several hours ago.

As the organ gently played a minuet by Felix Mendelssohn it was interspersed by the sound of the ocean a few hundred yards away. The bride stood in the porch dressed in a backless Vulcan silk and lace long dress. The sinking sun behind her seemed to clothe her in a cloak of red and orange. A suitable colour also to mesh with the colour of the large Orange cat by her side.

There was no father of the bride, mother or nice uncle to walk the bride down the aisle, so Brutus had decided that he would do it. He and Felice had come to an understanding over a bowl of very fine tuna the day after she had asked Niali to marry her. Felice had looked into his eyes and promised him she would love and cherish his mistress for good or ill and that she loved him also. So, Brutus had approved of the match and the day had been arranged.

Niali gave a little shiver as the evening air grew colder and as the Till officiate and the French Minister stood together at the altar the organ began to play softly. She looked down at Puss and smiled. “Right then, are you ready?” Brutus looked up at her and then began to walk. Niall grasped the simple bunch of French lavender and Cotiche from Trill and began her walk.

Felice turned to see the love of her life walking towards her and smiled in readiness to receive her. There was a slight murmuring of approval as Niali passed the few gathered in the pews. As she reached Felice the music stopped and the short simple service began. As they gave their vows the last of the sun dipped below the waves and Niali gave a little shiver. A feeling of sadness washed over her which she quickly shrugged away. They kissed at last, the vows they had made still on their tongues. “I love you” Felice whispered in her ear. Niali smiled, “right back at ‘cha kiddo.” She said.

Felice had just graduated from the Starfleet Academy medical school and was due to begin her community internship in the city of Chicago. Just a few weeks before she had to leave they had been married. Niali had just been accepted into the medical program at the Academy and had six months before she could transfer to Chicago to be with her wife, so they made their forever plans as people do. The few weeks they had together they made many memories that would hopefully sustain them when they were apart. They discussed having lots of children eventually after a long career amongst the stars. Even the thought that they might be separated on different ships did not bother them.

Even the day Felice left they made memories. They went cliff diving by the San Francisco bridge and made love in front of the roaring fire in their apartment, reiterating their love and lifetime commitment to each other. Walking to the transport booth they said little to each other but held hands and as Felice disappeared in the blue sheen of the transporter Niali smiled with happiness at the thought of their lives together, full of love and promise that stretched before them.

Six months later they had been able to meet a few times, snatched hours, days and nights as they both worked. Felice had been transferred to a clinic for the poorer members of society in the inner city. She loved her work, helping people to a better life and healing their bodies where possible and helping them to a peaceful ending when she had too. Niali was studying hard for her anatomy exams and they had not seen each other for several weeks.

The anatomy room was silent as the dissection progressed. As always during this process Niali felt somewhat honored by the body before her, that the spirit that had once inhabited it had felt able to give their earthly shell to be studied in the hope that it might inspire and help teach a generation of physicians. Niali was just in the middle of the Trill blessing for the dead when she felt her shoulder tapped.

Surprised she turned to see her aunt dressed in her Admiral’s uniform before her. “I need to speak to you.” She said as they quietly left the room. “Is their a problem with the transfer?” Niali asked.

“I think you should sit down Niali.” Her aunt said gently. She shook her head.

“What’s wrong Auntie, tell me.” A darkness had seemed to descend around Niali’s soul.

Her aunt took a deep breath. “Felice was….was at her clinic when a young man came in demanding drugs. Felice tried to talk to him but he was determined and….”

Niali interrupted. “Is she hurt? I must go to her she will be waiting for me, auntie, please………”

“I wish you would sit down Niali.” She said.

Naili once again shook her head, her voice rising. “NO, NO, tell me is she badly injured?”

“I am afraid Felice is dead.” Her Aunt let the words sink in.

Niali sat, what……” she whispered her voice feeling like dried leaves cracking and breaking.

“The young man stabbed her, she could not be saved Niali they tried so hard but they could not help her. She died Niali, I am so so sorry.”

It seemed like long years before Niali moved. She stood. “I have to organize her belongings, there are things to do!” She announced.

“No, Niali you are coming with me, you are going to stay with me whilst we make the arrangements.”

Niali did not hear any of what her aunt said. All she could see was a beautiful woman suffused with grace and kindness, a woman she loved, her wife, walking towards her a look of love in her eyes with the sunshine behind her, arms outstretched.