Part 3 Wedding
As if it were possible, Nogura felt Leelee clutch his arm even more tightly as they entered the chapel. He was somewhat puzzled by this show of nervousness from his daughter now. For, after all the passionate arguments that he and Katie had presented to her against this marriage, Leelee had steadfastly remained true to her choice of a mate. Privately, away from Katie, Nogura had spoken bluntly to Leelee about worse case scenarios regarding her future husband. He had studied her intently during that conversation, and not once had she shown a flicker of nervousness over the seedier aspects of his words. In fact, she seemed to be more determined than ever to have her way. She refused to be dissuaded by him or anyone else. Knowing his daughter well, Nogura had been convinced of her determination to go thru with this marriage with or without his or Katie's approval. So, with a heavy heart, he had come to accept the inevitable long before Katie. And with his love for his wife and daughter foremost in his mind, he had done what was necessary to help Katie accept Leelee's future husband.
All too aware of his own reputation as a formidable man, with a wry laugh at himself, Nogura wondered what his past and future adversaries would think if they knew he had been bested by this young woman at his side so long ago.
Feeling Leelee's grip on his arm relax, he looked down at her and saw her gaze directed at the altar. The smile that lit her face and eyes was all the confirmation he needed that he had done what was best. Yet, even as he saw her happiness, deep down inside he knew he still hoped that she would change her mind. If only she would give him the barest of hints that this was not what she wanted after all. Without hesitation he would calmly walk her back thru the chapel doors and take her home. But, he knew this was not to be, for Leelee loved her future husband as his wife Katie would say: "as if there's no tomorrow." Now saddened by the thought of how quickly time had passed from when Leelee was a little girl needing him to the transition of a young woman needing and wanting him, he allowed himself to indulge in memories as they took this walk to her future.
He had not wanted her. He had told Katie so; he would never accept this child. They had argued for weeks and he was not about to give in. Wasn't it enough that he had finally trusted a female again and had fallen in love with Katie? But for her to ask him to accept another female into his life, especially a child was too much for him. Unexpectedly the perfect life he had planned for himself, Michael and Katie had been turned upside down by this strange little child. He had dared to give Katie an ultimatum, it was either him or her, and Katie had to choose. Confident and sure of himself, he had been blindsided when Katie had chosen the little girl. Unashamedly, he had used all his skills in persuasion, personal experiences and his own son to try and change Katie's mind, but she would not budge and refused to see him anymore. Michael had been miserable without Katie and for that matter he had been even more so. Finally faced with the realization that Katie would be gone from his and Michael's life, he begrudgingly decided to accept the child. The little girl could come. But! It would be up to Katie to see to her care and any disruption she would cause in their future life as a family would not be tolerated. There had not been a day of peace in his house for months. It had taken all his control to stop himself from picking up the child by the scruff of her neck and beaming her somewhere far, far away from his well ordered life. Ah, but Michael and Katie were under her spell. Michael had taken to the child as if she were his long lost sister, and Katie, well Katie was hopelessly enamored with this "little fairy."
When Nogura looked at her, he saw a small undernourished child with enormous green eyes. She was silent and wary of others. She was still a baby and had few words and those she did speak were whispered, to whom she addressed. She trembled at slightly raised voices and unexpected noises, her enormous eyes looking ever fearful. He swore at any moment the child would shake herself right out of her own skin. But to his credit he realized; young as she was, she was brave enough not to cry out or run in fear. But what bothered him most was the challenged in her eyes when he came upon her and Katie. Nogura made it a point to know his opponents well, but how does one begin to understand the mind of a child, who is challenging you for the woman you love. Nogura knew it sounded silly, even to him, but that is what he saw when he looked into the child's eyes. She dared to challenge him for Katie's love! Her eyes told him; accept me and love me too, or lose Katie to me alone. Finally he told himself he was being ridiculous that the child was doing no such thing, but just the same he kept his distance from her. He must have put too much distance between them, for looking back at it Katie had began maneuvering the two of them together. It was little things first; asking him to buckle the child into the air car, help her cut up her food on her plate or lift her down from her chair, things that any normal parent or guardian would do for a child. But, they were never together for any extended period of time and slowly they progressed in this manner until the day of the fair.
The fair had been advertised for weeks and it was all Michael could talk about. Nogura and Katie had promised him that they would all go. Michael had pulled Leelee aside and told her all about the events, rides and food available at the fair. His story telling had left the little girl with wide eyed wonderment and Michael cheerfully told her his tales over and over again. Michael had taken to playing "fair" with her in their backyard and the child squealed with delight when he swirled her around, mimicking some unknown ride.
The day of the fair, was a beautiful day and Nogura was looking forward to spending this time with his son and wife. They had decided to leave late in the afternoon, in order to stay at the fair late enough to see the evening "light show," a mixture of old fashioned fireworks and modern day laser lights in harmony. Katie had made sure the children had taken a nap, although she had had a time getting Michael to do so. Nogura had busied himself with chores around the house until it was time for them to leave. As he was preparing their air car for the journey, he noticed Katie and Michael in deep conversation on the back porch. It looked to him as if Katie was giving Michael some type or instruction and Michael was paying rapt attention and nodding his head at her. As he approached them, their conversation stilled and before he had a chance to inquire about it Leelee burst out the back door. Smiling down at her, Katie quickly declared;
"Well now, I think we're all ready for a fine day together."
On their journey to the fair, Katie's happy mood from earlier in the day seemed to vanish. She was operating the vehicle and suddenly was being overly critical of the other vehicles and drivers around them. Muttering and mumbling about how they had ever got a license to operate them. Nogura sitting in the passenger seat could find no reason for her complaints. As they neared the area for the fair, she complained about the traffic and lack of parking spaces. After finding a spot and parking, they moved to the storage area of the air car for Leelee's glider. To Nogura astonishment it was not there, he knew he had put it in the vehicle, but it was not there now. Katie glared at him.
"Ya know Nogura; I don't think it would have pained ya to remember the child's glider, being as I had to remember everything else." Before he had no chance to answer she grabbed Michaels and Leelee's hands and walked off ahead of him. Nogura was puzzled by the missing glider, but quickly secured the vehicle and caught up with Katie and the children. He was determined that they have a good time at the fair, but apparently this was not what Katie was feeling, she greeted him with the silent treatment. Nogura, was puzzled by her mood, for normally Katie found ways to make the unpleasant bearable. Her mood seemed to be infectious too, for Michael was very quiet and the little girl was completely mute as she held tightly to Katie's hand. Nogura attempted to humor Katie back into a good mood once they had entered the fair, but she would have none of it. For over an hour they seemed to wander aimlessly around the fair, without really stopping or enjoying the fair itself. By this time Katie was holding the little girl in her arms. As they entered an extremely crowded area of the fair, Nogura was about to ask Katie if she was feeling well, when, suddenly she spoke sharply to him.
"Nogura, excuse me for intruding on ya, as ya seem to be enjoying yerself so much. But do ya think I enjoy, having these two little ones' hanging on me in this heat? Ya know now, I wouldn't mind a leisurely stroll thru the fair without any children to be worrying about. Even though Leelee is small, she has gotten rather heavy walking thru these crowds. Yet, ya seem not to be bothered by that fact or the heat and the crowds at all. Not a care in the galaxy do ya have with ya."
Nogura was struck dumb by the sting of Katie's remarks. He began to sputter his answer when suddenly Katie set Leelee down and spat at him;
"Since yer the one who forgot her glider ya see to her for a change!"
With that she grabbed Michael's hand and into the crowd they disappeared. Shocked momentarily at the harshness in Katie's voice, Nogura just stared after her and Michael as they moved away. Quickly, his anger began to set in. How dare her! She was the one who wanted that child, not him and now she was calling him a slacker? He began to move in the direction Katie and Michael had gone, but the crowd had seemed to have swallowed them up somehow. Had he had not known better, Nogura would have sworn his wife and son had been beamed away. He searched for Katie's bright red hair, but remembered she had worn a straw sun hat today. It covered her hair, like so many other women attending the fair today. He was about to move deeper into the crowd when he suddenly remembered the girl. Spinning around, he did not see her either, the crowd was thick around where she had last been, then suddenly the crowd broke and he saw her. Visibly shaking with fear and her eyes filled with unshed tears, she stood staring into at the direction Michael and Katie had last been. He moved to her quickly, and as he reached her, he grabbed her little hand roughly and moved once more in the direction his wife and son had disappeared.
Calmly he searched the crowds, but Katie and Michael were not to be found. As he did so, he became of more aware of the little hand clutching his, he knew he was moving too fast for the child, but he had to find Katie and Michael. He felt the child stumbling as he dragged her along, then he stopped abruptly and she crashed into his leg with a little cry escaping her mouth. As he looked down at her, he saw the tears rolling down her cheeks and her free hand covering her mouth. Reluctantly he knew he would have to pick her up, and as he did so he felt the child began to shake violently. He lifted her up by her underarms, holding her at arm's length as usual. But, it was different this time, for when his eyes met hers, he understood why she felt the need to challenge him for Katie. Instinctively he felt she knew she was alone and different. And she was right, for there was no other like her in their world. Yet, Katie accepted her, loved her and more importantly wanted her. Young as the child was, she knew she was fighting for her own existence and if she had to fight him to survive she would. At that moment, he honored her for her bravery and felt his own shame at his insecurity over her.
This child he held in his arms was not afraid that Katie and Michael had suddenly disappeared, or the unknown factor of the crowd around her, it was him she was afraid of. It was clearly in her eyes, she recognized her opponent and was prepared to do battle, but like any soldier, there was an underlining fear of the enemy. Silently he swore at himself; what kind of man was he to have a child fear him so much? He answered himself; a man afraid for himself. Suddenly he realized that he feared this child, just as much as she feared him. For they were both fighting for the same thing: survival, happiness and most of all the love of Katie! Even his own son had understood that this child was no threat to their little family before he did! Katie had enough love for them all and readily welcomed this little girl. Shamed at himself Nogura allowed himself to recall bitter memories; His personal life had been in shambles before he met Katie, the divorce and custody battle with his first wife had been beyond acrimonious. Because of the notoriety of the divorce and the parties involved his career at Starfleet was stalled. He and his son had been strangers even though they resided in the same home. He was unbearable to others and himself. For the first time in his life he felt incapable of presiding over his own destiny.
But, when Katie had entered his and Michael's lives, she brought happiness and unity. And with that, Nogura felt peace and order begin to reign once more in his life. He began to regroup and repair the damage that had been done during and after his divorce. Yes, life was going to go well for them all, the bad days were behind him. But, then Katie had brought this child into their lives, and he felt threaten by her, as if this child could steal the happiness he and his son had fought so hard to win.
As he eyed her now, he knew that this child was not a threat to him. It was he who was endangering his own happiness with Katie over this child. He vowed to himself then and there, that no matter what the future brought into his life with Katie, he would protect this child in his arms, just as he would his own son.
With that, he drew her closer to him and wiped the tears from her face. As he tried to pull her even closer, she brought her little arms up with her palms against his chest to keep the distance between them. Still clearly fearful of him she scrutinized his face for several moments, before the fear began to leave her face. Nogura laughed to himself and softly told her in Japanese: "All is well little one; you and I will make this peace for Katie and Michael. Hai?" She studied him for a few minutes more and then to Nogura's astonishment answered him with "Hai!" Then she let herself be pulled into him and she wrapped her little arms around his neck. She brought her head close to his neck and seemed to inhale his scent deeply. Then she simply said; "good." For as long as he lived, Nogura knew he would never forget that moment.
For several hours they roamed the street fair together with no sign of Michael and Katie. However, Nogura was not concerned, for he knew that Michael and Katie were near and that somehow Katie had maneuvered the events of the day. So he took Leelee around the sights and sounds of the fair, buying them treats to eat and drink. He laughed at the faces she made as she saw and tried new things. Her large eyes were filled with wonder as they made their way, but when they finally came to an "antique" Ferris wheel circling through the sky, Nogura thought her eyes could surely grow no larger. Finally she spoke pointing to the Ferris wheel as she did;
"Go?"
Nogura could think of no logical reason why he should not take the child for a ride on the Ferris wheel. Michael his son had been about the same age when Nogura had taken him for a ride on one of these cherished antiques. So without hesitation Nogura purchased the necessary tickets for them to ride it. Once seated, any similarities between Michael and Leelee's first ride on a Ferris wheel ended. Whereas Michael had been slightly fearful in the beginning of the ride and then at ease and secure with Nogura at his side as it progressed, Leelee showed no such hesitation. The child ooohed and ahhed at the first movement's of the giant wheel. After the initial rotation, she became louder, shrieking in delight. She started chanting "up, up, more!" She began to squirm in her seat next to him as she did so. Suddenly she was out of her seat attempting to stand up with one arm pointing up, as if reaching for the sun. Recovering from his initial shock, Nogura quickly grabbed hold of her, but she was difficult to control. She was attempting to climb higher using him as her ladder, while wiggling and shrieking in delight. She shrieked so loud into his ear, he swore he'd be deaf the rest of his life. Then one well placed little foot hit a particularly sensitive area, causing Nogura to groan out load for a brief moment. Enough! He attempted to signal the ride attendant to stop the wheel and bring them down, but they continued to go round and round. With each new rotation, Nogura renewed signaling the attendant, only to hear the attendant's loud guffaws as they passed by. Mercifully, the ride finally slowed and then stopped as the other passengers were being let off first. Leelee and Nogura where "stuck" at the top, with Leelee shrieking for "more, more." It was ten minutes before Nogura was able to stumble off the ride with Leelee in his arms. As they passed the attendant on way to the exit, Nogura shot him a look that clearly told him he would not forget this incident, or his face, the attendant turned away quickly.
"Dad! Dad!
Nogura looked around and saw Katie and Michael approaching them.
"Dad! we could hear Leelee screaming from way over there!" Michael had reached them first and he was pointing to a tree a good distance away. He was grinning at his father.
"She was really having fun, how come you let her out of her seat? Can we all go on some more rides together? Katie and I rode some already though, but I can ride them again with you."
Leelee was trying to pull herself up over his shoulder pointing at the Ferris wheel and still shrieking "more, more!" Nogura looked to his son and then Katie who had reached Michaels side. Under her wide sun hat Katie was trying hard to maintain a neutral expression, but instead looked to be losing the battle.
"Dad, can we? I think Leelee wants to go on the Ferris wheel again."
"What?" Yes, Yes, Michael. But, not the Ferris wheel, I believe I had enough of that antique and I need a moment of peace from Leelee's.…..uh, exuberance."
Katie began to laugh and at the same time reached to take Leelee from his arms. Once she had her, she spoke softly to Leelee and the child's shrieks subsided. Then Katie set her down on the ground and Leelee leaped to Michael's side and placed her hand in his. Katie did the same with Nourish hand as she steered them to a shaded bench.
"Michael, there's a refreshment stand right across the way, do ya think if I give ya some credits ya can get us all a drink?
Michael, wise beyond his years, knew Katie was seeking a moment alone with his father. He looked quickly at his father and saw none of the anger he briefly witness before he and Katie vanished into the crowd earlier in the day. Relieved he nodded his head at Katie and she handed him the credits. Leelee, still clung tightly to his hand, he glanced back at Katie who shook her head yes and then he and Leelee walked away. Katie and Nogura watched them as they crossed the dirt pathway and took a place in line, Leelee's little hand securely tucked in Michaels. Katie spoke first.
I see ya been busy makin' yerself a new friend."
"Um"
"Oh, don't be denying it. But what I don't understand is why ya let her get out of her seat. Nogura what if ya had lost ya hold on her? She was wigglin' and climbing all over ya!"
"Katie, do you believe I would intentionally let that child out of her seat?'
"Well, I …..
"Somehow, she was able to get out of the safety strap and before I knew it she was standing up in the seat. I grabbed her, but then she began to squirm and shriek as the ride progressed. My god Katie, I can't ever recall Michael shrieking in such a manner, is this how all little girls behave?"
Katie was smiling now and trying hard not to laugh at his look of dismay.
"I may not pass the hearing exam in my next Starfleet physical! What that child lacks in size she makes up for it vocally."
Katie could not contain herself and began to laugh softly even as she spoke. "Little ones do tend to shriek when they are happy Nogura. But, ya cannot compare her to Michael; at best it would be like apples and oranges. And she was so enjoying herself with ya, the two of ya needed that. I don't think I will ever get ferget the look of surprise on ya face as ya went round and round."
"Katie, that was not surprise, it was pain you saw expressed on my face!"
"Oh Nogura, now what kind of pain can one little girl have caused ya?
"I am happy that you find this so amusing Katie, but I wonder how much you'll be laughing if I were to tell you she might have damaged some vital equipment of mine."
"And what piece of vital equipment would ya be carrying around here with ya at the fair?"
"I believe you have expressed a desire to have more children… "
It took a moment or two for Katie to understand what he was referring to. When understanding finally dawned on her, Nogura words were met with peals of laughter from Katie and not the sympathy he had been expecting. With tears running down her face Katie finally respond to his statement.
"Nogura, with two little ones already, I believe we have our hands full for the time being."
"That may be so Katie, but I quite enjoy our practice sessions. And please correct me if I am wrong, but from your enthusiasm toward me during those times, I had believed you to be enjoying those sessions too."
Katie had turned bright red at his comments, just as he knew she would and now he was the one laughing at her.
"Oh! only the devil himself would be bringin' up such things at a fair."
"Perhaps, but you have been fore warned of my present condition."
Before Katie could comment any further Michael and Leelee approached with their drinks. Michael handed Katie and his father their drinks from the carrier the attendant at the refreshment stand had given him. Leelee lagged behind Michael, but when she came around him, Nogura could not help but smile at the sight of her. Her lips and the surrounding area of her mouth had turn a deep blue from the drink she was sipping at, she caught sight of him and smiled wide revealing her teeth and tongue to be just as blue. Katie's reaction was not as sublime.
"What in the devil is she drinking Michael?" Will ya look at her, she's turnin' blue!"
Then she reached out and pulled Leelee to her. Michael looked to Leelee and began to laugh to at the sight of her. Between laughs he answered Katie.
"It's Andorian blue mist." I tried to get her to have lemonade like us, but she wanted the blue stuff. She kept pointing to it and saying bleeeww, just like that. Its ok, isn't it Dad? I mean it comes off right?"
Katie had wasted no time in pulling out a wipe from her bag and it looked to Nogura as if she was literally trying to scrub off Leelee's face. Leelee was squirming to get out of her grasp and turned to Nogura for help.
"Katie, it will wear off in time, let the child be."
Katie surprised by Nogura's calm matter of fact tone, relaxed her grip on Leelee for one moment and that was all the child needed. Leelee scrambled up into Nogura's lap and with those big green eyes of hers dared Katie to pull her from his lap. Nogura seemed to warm to the situation, while Katie and Michael took a moment to adjust to the relationship developing before their eyes. Yes, they had spied on Nogura and Leelee for a good part of the day and both had witness a warming in their relationship, but neither had expected this show of trust Leelee had just placed with Nogura so easily. Katie recovered first, playfully narrowing her eyes at Leelee and wagging her finger.
"Well, is this how it's going to be now, the two of ya in cahoots?"
Confusion, crossed Leelee's face and she stared intently at Katie, trying to understand. She looked to Michael and saw his smile and then wiggled around to look at Nogura who just nodded his head slightly. Leelee looked back at Katie and nodded, and then she held out her Andorian blue mist to Katie as a peace offering.
"Oh no ya don't, I have no desire to be turning blue as an Andorian and believe me missy, this is the last time ya'll be doin' so too."
With that the four of them settled in on the bench and drank their drinks. Each lost in their own thoughts for the moment and marveling at the turn of events that had brought them together to become this little family. And from all outward appearances to those passing by, they did indeed resemble a typical family of their time. It was Leelee who broke the spell when she hopped down from her perch in Nogura's lap and began tugging on his arm, asking for "more, ride."
Caught unaware by his own musing's, Nogura had slowed his gait for a moment and suddenly realized that Leelee was gently pulling him forward to her groom. He quickly scanned the guest's faces to make sure that no one had caught his lapse, for he did not wish it to appear as if he were trying to hold Leelee back. From the expressions on their faces he may as well have been invisible: all eyes were focused on his daughter and not him. Mindful of the task at hand he refocused his attention to it. However, as they passed the guests standing for a better view of his daughter, he could not help make his own observation of them.
With a sigh he noted the pew with the losers grouped together. Well, they really weren't losers…. they just had not been chosen by his daughter. There had been quite a few would be beaux in Leelee's young life. The trouble was that whereas they considered themselves so, Leelee did not. Leelee had friends. Oh, there had been one or two that had gotten a genuine date with her and a few kisses, but she had quickly doused their fires. Katie had gone thru periods of inquietude, over Leelee's seemly lack of interest in the opposite sex. Not that Katie was trying to push Leelee out of the nest so to speak, but she was perplexed at Leelee's casual dismal of those who attempt to become more than friends. He remembered one night when Katie had come to bed upset that Leelee had dumped a young man that Katie had been particularly fond of. When Katie had questioned her as to why, Leelee had informed her; "all he wanted to do was plaster my face with slobbery kisses and see if he could get me horizontal!" And while she did not agree with the horizontal business,Katie had attempted to inform her that not all kisses were like that and maybe the boy just needed a little time and practice to get things right. Leelee had shot right back at Katie; "ok, fine you go practice with him!" Nogura had nearly howled with laughter when Katie related the incident to him, but Katie must have sensed such a reaction from him and she hit him with a bed pillow before he could get too carried away. Thankfully, boys and Leelee had not caused him too much distress as a father.
Now as they passed the losers Nogura wondered why the slobber was not among them. He wondered why Katie had grouped them together or had they somehow all gravitated toward one another in their misery? Then he spotted Flynn, from Katie's own crew, his face completely unmasked with longing. He knew the man had had a soft spot for Leelee ever since she was a child and had promised Leelee "someday you'll be my bride," but Nogura had never imagined this! The man was old enough to be her father! Which reminded him of the fact that so was Leelee's future husband. Nogura felt the anger rise in him and he knew Leelee sensed it. Quickly he strove to regained control, but not before his eye was caught by the sight of his old friend Sarek of Vulcan.
Vulcan's! Not for the first time he wondered about the things that they held dearest to them. Oh, he knew they held family and tradition in the highest regard but, what about the memories of their everyday lives? How would a Vulcan father cope with the memories of his daughter on her wedding day? Would there be some form of pleasure, pride, happiness, anger, guilt or sadness? Would he permit himself to indulgence in such memories on her wedding day? Or would those if any memories have long ago been cataloged away? Never to be called forward again: unless to serve a useful and productive purpose? How did one mark the passages of time in one's life without these references? Perhaps after the wedding and his life returned to some normalcy he would approach Sarek privately with his questions. Recent events in both their lives would not make that anytime soon though. However, he was fairly certain that Sarek would be aghast at the many images filtering though his mind at this time.
Leelee. Leelee: as a child, a young girl, a teenager and now a very young woman, about to be married. Images of Michael and Leelee, Katie and Leelee, himself and Leelee and the many others whose lives she had touched and those that had touched hers. So many images were here. He heard her tears of joy and sorrow. Michael's and her laughing; filling up the rooms of their home with the happy sounds of childhood. Katie, reading her a bedtime story, or exchanging girl talk as Leelee matured. Leelee's little squeaky voice singing at the top of her lungs and then maturing into the angelic singing voice she possessed now. The way she snuck into his home office at night to snuggle up in his lap as he sat at his desk. Nightmares, boo boo's, first days of school and those hordes of puppies. The sweet smells of a child after a bath and her sweetly calling him for her goodnight kiss.
Woven into these memories were the times she had tested Katie and him to their breaking points. Along with being highly intelligent, intuitive, cogent, and inquisitive she was; headstrong, defiant, obstinate and at times pugnacious. For the most part Leelee adhered to the first set of qualities, but when she allowed herself to follow the latter qualities she tried his and Katie's patience. They understood this was part of her makeup as a person, but it did not mean they willing accepted it.
Katie had so wanted a girly girl, but Leelee would not always willingly oblige her. Oh, she was fine with being a girl; it was the dolls, tea parties and frilly pink dresses she would not abide. Katie had given Leelee doll after doll and they all had seemed to magically disappear. No matter how much they pressed her for an explanation, Leelee's answers were always evasive regarding their disappearance. That was until the day they discovered what had really happened to the dolls. And Leelee had refused to wear the pink dresses, so he and Michael took to bribing her, in order that they could surprise Katie. She did however make two concessions: she liked pretty undergarments and sleep attire. And it had been a teddy bear that Nogura himself had brought home that came closest to her having a doll. Yet even that bear had cause bedlam in their home a time or two. How he had wished at times that; dolls, pink dresses and teddy bears had been the least of their worries concerning Leelee.
She went thru stages of wanting to be one form of alien life or another. Once tinting her skin a different color right before a major family outing. Katie had been furious and he and Michael had had to hide their laughter for days as Katie attempted to wash the tint from her skin daily. She picked up languages very quickly. As a child, she would surprise those around her by suddenly speaking their language. Leading to more than one embarrassing moment when aliens were involved, for they suspected her of spying on them for him. Once her gift was understood, many became quite cautious around her.
She was taunted by some of her schoolmates at school. Mostly by other little girls, who had quickly learned her vulnerabilities. They did not understand her uniqueness and like so many other adolescents before them in time, they attempted to bully her. Katie and he tried to guide her thru this with the old adage of turning the other cheek and it worked for a time. But, when pushed too hard and for too long, Leelee found her own ways of retribution against those who tormented her. He and Katie had been called to the administrator's office on more than one occasion; sometimes to be met by a shamed faced Leelee, but more often than not by an angry and defiant Leelee. Eventually, she wore her tormentors out and she made friends with others. Others who were not necessarily the friends that Katie and he would have chosen for her. But, like they had with Michael, they knew she would have to learn true friendship on her own. And for the most part whether her friends were young or old, she had done a fine job, which was only evident by the presence of some many here on her wedding day.
Regarding these friendships, there had been only one incident equal to the day Leelee told them who she planned to marry. It had been just as stressful and as heart wrenching. Their com unit had beeped at 2:30 a.m. and a Starfleet M.P. informed him that Leelee was in the brig! The brig or jail, however one chose to refer to it, it was all the same. Leelee association with a group of friends had led her to commit a crime. His daughter was a common criminal! He and Katie had been at a loss as to why she would have committed such an act. He especially, for in one foolish adolescent moment, Leelee had thrown away all the hard work and training necessary to be considered for officer training at Starfleet Academy. When they brought her home he managed to control himself long enough to speak with her alone in his office. But, after that early morning discussion, he was still so infuriated that he dared not let himself speak to her again. His anger was so great, that he could hardly contain it to speak with Katie and Michael on day to day matters. At Starfleet he barricaded himself in his office, seething inwardly at those around him eager to bring up Leelee's fall from grace. He was consumed with the heavy burden of shame Leelee had brought to them all. In his darkest thoughts he delegated her once more to being Katie's daughter, not his. In order to avoid Leelee, he left early in the morning and did not return home until late at night. He continued this pattern for days.
It had finally taken outside intervention, from an unlikely source to shed new light onto the situation. Somehow he had been able to work his way thru the darkness of that time and find forgiveness for his daughter. Should she ever come to regret her choice in a mate, he hoped that one day she would have that same type of forgiveness for him and the unintentional role he had played in her choice.
Suddenly he realized that they had stopped. They were now before the altar and the groom had made his way down the few steps and was waiting patiently to the side. For one brief moment and for the first time in his life, Nogura forgot what was expected of him. He looked down at Leelee who was smiling up at him and then he quickly gazed across the aisle to Katie, who thru her tears smiled and nodded back at him. He sparred one quick glance at the groom and then refocused his attention back to Leelee. She was still smiling up at him and her large eyes shone brightly through the light veil. As if in slow motion he turned to face her and gently lifted the veil from her face. He pulled her closer to him and then bent his head down to her and placed his mouth very close to her ear and spoke softly in Japanese;
"You will never win the debate of wearing such a tiny swimsuit with him either my daughter."
A small gasp and then a soft snort of laughter escaped Leelee's lips, and Nogura knew he had eased the tension for her and himself. He had little time left and now he must tell her what he should have earlier.
"Listen to me little one; I was wrong, so very wrong, for not wanting you so long ago. For trying to deny you a home, a place and time to belong to and a family's love. Though not of my flesh you have become my daughter just as Michael and the twins are my sons. As they will always be my musuko's, you will always be my musume, little one. It does not matter, that you did not carry my name, because it would have made little difference as to how I feel. I tell you this now, so that you understand that it is not just the title you hear but the emotion that belongs with it. It has been a privileged and honor to raise you into the young woman you are today. You have brought great happiness into mine and your mother's lives. You have honored our home and our family and I hope you will remember this wherever you travel and wherever you call home. Ai shi teru musume."
Silent tears ran down Leelee's face as she listened to his words. She knew Nogura loved her but until today he had never voiced such emotion to her. It was not his way. Oh, he had shown her in so many other ways, but never had he voiced it. She too had so little time, but she attempted to answer him back;
"Oh, otokooya it is you who have honored….."
"Ssh, he is waiting musume."
Gently he kissed her forehead, stepped back from her and performed a traditional Japanese bow. Honored, Leelee returned the bow, she had so long ago learned from him. Nogura then turned toward the groom, to greet him with the customary greeting. Leelee watched the two of them as they did so. Then her attention focused on her future mate and back to Nogura one last time. At Nogura's questioning gaze, she nodded her head slightly and softy whispered;
"Hai"
Then her she extended her hand out to her groom and the future they would face together.
