69

Chapter 7

Josh came in after Captain Picard left. He looked so handsome when he was standing in my door looking at me. Josh was very scared that something would happen to me.

"Josh, come here. We need to talk, about us and our new relationship." I said.

"Laurie, you are so beautiful. I was so scared that you wouldn't get out that coma thing." Josh said.

"That's what we need to talk about. Because of the coma, we discovered a deeper part in our relationship. I'm sorry I scared you, I don't like to see you cry."

We talked for a long time about how we could get through another disaster. We talked about everything. I did fell asleep in Josh's arms. He fell asleep holding me. When I woke up Josh was still holding me. I kissed him lightly and put my head back down on his chest.

I love you Josh. Thank you for everything. I thought.

I love you Laurie. You are everything in my life. Josh thought back at me.

Josh woke up and smiled. I hadn't moved from his arms. He leaned down and kissed me. I got up and tried to walk, but my legs fell out from under me. Josh helped me up and started to move my legs up and down, but they hurt. Josh looked at me with a scared look on his face.

"Try again, please?" I begged. Josh slowly started to move my leg again and I cringed.

"I am not going to do this. It's causing you pain. I'll call for one of the doctors."

Bryson to Sickbay.

Sickbay, Crusher here. How can I help Commander?

"What is she still doing here?" I asked.

"I asked her to stay until you were feeling better," Josh said.

Doctor, Captain Pfeiffer needs some physical therapy. Could you come to her quarters and help her? Josh asked.

I'll be right down. Crusher out.

"Baby, help me to lie down," I said.

"Sure. Here let me pick you up, then set you down on the couch." Josh said.

Josh picked me up, and then gently set me down on the couch. He held my hand while Crusher went though my physical therapy. Every movement of my legs hurt. Crusher gave me some painkillers and continued to give me the therapy.

"Captain, there is something I should tell you." Crusher said.

"Maybe I should leave you two for now. I'll come back soon, alright?" Josh asked.

"No, Don't you leave me! What you have to say, Doctor, you can say in front of me and Josh." I said.

"You are experiencing a muscle relapse from the day you were in the coma. You will need some extensive physically therapy. I recommend not going back to duty for at least another week." Crusher said.

"A week? Can I at least be on the bridge?" I asked.

"I think that will be okay, but your crew will have to help you with the therapy."

"We can do that. We will look out for her Doctor." Josh said, standing up for the crew.

I nodded, knowing it was true. "I'm sure you will want to debrief the crew, Doctor Crusher?"

"Yes, I would. I would also like to speak to Captain Picard about your condition."

"Okay, but you must tell him that I will be able to command my ship. We will manage." I said.

"I am sure you will. You are all young and stubborn, but you are also smart. I will talk to my captain." Crusher said.

"Thank you Doctor, for everything. Could you have Captain Picard come to my quarters in three hours?" I asked.

Crusher looked surprised, but nodded as she left.

"What was all that about?" Josh asked.

"We have three hours to plan the wedding." I said.

"Will you be strong enough for the wedding?"

"Yes I will, because I have you." I said. Josh leaned over and kissed me.

We started to plan the wedding. I would replicate a dress, and Josh would replicate another ring for me. Secretly, we got things ready for the wedding. All of my officers would be in the wedding party, but we didn't want them to know yet. By the time Picard knocked on my door, we had everything ready.

"Come in," I called.

"Dr. Crusher said you wanted to see me. What can I do?" Picard asked.

"Sir, I wanted to ask you if you would you perform the marriage ceremony for Commander Bryson and I tomorrow?"

"Will you be strong enough? I will not have you jeopardize your health."

"Commander Bryson is the rock in my life. He will be there to support me in whatever life throws at us. I will be strong enough." I said very stubbornly.

"Yes, ma'am. Where is ceremony being held?"

"Here, on my ship. Your officers are invited, too."

"Thank you. We will be here at 1000 hours. If it suits you, the ceremony will be held at 1100 hours."

"That will be fine. Thank you for doing this on such short notice." I said.

"I will see you both at 1000 hours then. Congratulations to both of you. Commander Bryson, you have a wonderful woman there." Picard said.

"Thank you sir. I know I do." Josh said.

Picard then left and Josh helped me walk over to the bed.

"Laurie, will you really be well enough to make it though the ceremony and reception tomorrow?" Josh asked, very concerned.

"Yes, I will. I'm not a disabled invalid. I'll make it." I said.

"I know you're not disabled. I just want to make sure you will be okay. Here, lie down and I'll get you something to eat."

"Yes sir." I said sarcastically. For my remark I got what the computer called 'hospital' food.

After we ate, I asked to go up to the debriefing that Dr. Crusher was going to be holding on my condition. So, Josh helped me walk up to the observation lounge. When we got there, we were the first ones there. Crusher and Picard came in next. Josh got up to greet them, and I was able to get up and walk around for a bit. Crusher looked shocked that I was walking by myself. Soon my officers were there and Crusher began the meeting.

"As you know, Captain Pfeiffer was in coma yesterday. She is able to get up and walk around for a while, but she is suffering from muscle relapse and needs to continue her physical therapy sessions." Crusher said.

"I am asking that you all help me though this. You do not have to do this, but I would appreciate any assistance." I said.

Joe looked at me and said, "Captain, if you think we're not going to help you through this you are insane. You helped all of us we will help you. How can we help?"

"Captain Pfeiffer is going to need someone to be there with her when she goes through her therapy sessions. She will be having treatment once a day for next six days. She also needs someone to go to gym with her, too. She will need a lot of help." Crusher said.

My officers, God bless them, were quick to volunteer to help. After Dr. Crusher had taken names down and was about to leave, I quickly stood up which caught her attention.

"Tomorrow at 1100 hours, there will be a special ceremony held aboard the Jedi. I would like all of the senior officers to attend." I said.

Picard looked at me, and nodded. He said, "We will be here at 1000 hours to assist in the preparations. Thank you for inviting us."

I nodded and the officers from the Enterprise-D left. I sat down to explain the special ceremony to my officers.

"I am not speaking as captain, but as Laurie. Would you please be apart of our wedding ceremony?" I asked my officers. Josh held my hand under the table.

"YEAH! Who do you think we are, a bunch of people who don't care? Of course we want to be in your wedding." Ray said.

"What Ray is trying to say Laurie, is that you are more than just our commanding officer, you are our friend and we want to help." Jen said.

"I am glad that all of you want to help with everything. Thank you all, you are my best friends." I said.

"Here's what is going to happen. Joe is going to fill the roll of 'father of the bride' and give Laurie away. Ray, would you be my best man?" Josh asked.

"If you think I'm the right person to do it, you betchya!" Ray said.

"Jen, I would like you to be my maid of honor," I said.

"Uh, yea, sure. Why me though?" Jen asked.

"Not only because I've known you the longest, but because we've been though a unique experience together." I said, referring to Wild Waves.

"Cherize and Elaine, would you be my bridesmaids?" I asked.

"I would be honored to be your bridesmaid." Cherize said.

"Yes, a small way to return the favor for what you did to make me happy with Joe." Elaine said.

"You don't have to pay that back. If you are happy, then it makes me happy." I said.

"Do you have dresses for us?" Jen asked.

"Yes, but not replicated. I'd like you to look over the designs and give me measurements. Then we can replicate them and you can try them on." I said.

"Cap, do we get to see your wedding dress early? Or are you even wearing a wedding dress?" Joe asked.

"I am wearing a wedding dress, yes, but I don't want you men to see it early. At 1030 hours, if the women could meet me in my quarters, I'd like your help getting my dress on." I said.

We finished talking and us women went to go get measurements and replicate the dresses. The colors we chose were beautiful. Jen would wear red, Cherize would wear gold, and Elaine would wear forest green. My dress would be white with some red on the collar and sleeves. Soon after we had the dresses replicated and hidden in my closet, there was a knock at my door.

"Come in." I called, knowing it had to be one of the men since we women were sitting and gossiping.

Joe walked in. "Hey Cap, I have a personal favor to ask."

"Sure, what is it?" I asked.

"You remember Rachele right?" He asked.

"How could I forget your sister?" I said.

"Well, I just got a message from her. She wants to know where I have gone. I messaged her back telling her where I am. I couldn't lie to her, and now she wants to come aboard. She's willing to do whatever the captain wants her to do." Joe said.

"I take it you didn't tell her that I was the captain?" I asked.

"Yes, Cap, I didn't tell her. Is it okay that she comes onboard?"

"Did you talk to Commander Bryson? He's in charge of personnel. It's fine with me, but she might have to be in the medical field." I said.

"I will go talk to him. By the way, congratulations on your wedding, Laurie. You have a wonderful man there. I am happy for you both." Joe said.

"Thank you, Joe. I am glad you are happy too." I said.

Joe left and then we, the women, gossiped for the next few hours. Slowly the others left, but it felt good to sit and talk to them outside of work. Jen was the last to leave.

"Hey, Laurie, what do you think of Ray?" She asked.

"You like him?" I asked.

"Yes, he's really nice and sweet." Jen said.

"Tomorrow, dance with him at the reception. Have you talked to him outside of work?"

"Yes, he's really nice. He does likes you as a person, but I think he likes me."

"That's good. Go get him. I think he'll be good for you."

"Thanks. Well, I better get going, I will see you tomorrow Captain."

"You don't have to call me Captain tomorrow. I'm just Laurie, a woman who is getting married."

"Okay. See ya later." Jen said as she left.

After Jen left, I got up to head to bed. I was in bed about to go to sleep when the alarm sounded.

Pfeiffer to bridge. What's happening?

Harris here ma'am. There is a temporal anomaly off our port side. We could use some help up here.

Be right there. Pfeiffer out.

I hurried to put on a clean uniform, and I made sure my weights were tightly secured around my legs. I was able to make it out of my quarters and able to get to the nearest turbolift. I ordered the computer to take me to the bridge. When I reached the bridge, I slowly got out and went to my chair, but I collapsed half way there. Josh, who was already there, saw me fall, and carried me to my chair.

"You should not have come. I can handle this. I don't want you hurt." Josh said.

"This is still my ship and it's in danger. I'm sorry for scaring you, but I need to make sure my home is safe." I said. Josh just nodded since he knew it was true.

"How is the Enterprise-D? Are they in any trouble?" I asked.

"No word from them. They are out of the anomaly's path though." Ray said.

"Lt. Jasper, get hold them and combine our efforts to stay away from the anomaly." I ordered.

We got away from the anomaly and got started with Mr. Data's help to upgrade our sensor system. I went back to my quarters, with Ray's help, and attempted to get some sleep before my wedding. I woke up at 0930 hours, a half hour before the senior officers were supposed to beam over. I put on a uniform and slowly walked to the transporter room to beam them over. At least I was able to move a little better. By the time I got to the transporter room it was 0950, Josh came in at 1000 hours and saw me.

"Laurie? What are you doing?" He asked.

"Playing engineer and transporting our guests over." I said.

"You should have said that you were on your way down, I would have stopped by to help you." Josh said, sincerely.

"I know you would have, but there are some things I have to do on my own." I said.

Josh just nodded. "Well, lets begin the celebrations! I love you Laurie, Captain."

"I love you too Josh, Commander. Beginning transport." I said.

Soon, on the transporter pad, the senior officers of the Enterprise-D were there. Captain Picard had on his dress uniform, he looked really good but I could never say that to his face. Josh caught on to my though about Picard and inwardly laughed. Troi caught on too and giggled. Riker, Worf, Data, Crusher and Troi were all in their normal uniforms.

"What are you two laughing at?" Picard asked, addressing Josh and Troi.

"They're were laughing at something I thought Captain. My apologies." I said from behind the transporter console. "Welcome aboard. Please this way." I said.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the wedding?" Crusher asked.

"I will be able to get everything ready on time. Thank you Doctor for your concern." I said as we were walking out of the transporter room. Just then, I had another collapse. Picard, Worf, Riker and Josh all rushed to catch me. Worf got to me first and caught me. Josh looked upset, but all I could get over was my pain. Crusher pulled out her tricorder and scanned my legs.

"Captain, your leg muscles are not being stretched enough. What did you do yesterday?" Crusher asked.

"After you and Captain Picard left, my officers and I discussed the wedding and reception. The women officers and I walked back to my quarters to replicate and try on the dresses. Then they sat down and we chatted. I walked around the quarters, using the weights. After they had left, I got some sleep. Then we had the anomaly crisis, and I walked up to the bridge by myself, but collapsed once I got on the bridge. After the crisis, Lt. Commander Harris helped me back to my quarters. I woke up and walked to the transporter room by myself this morning." I said from Worf's arms.

Crusher and Troi took me to my quarters. I then called my female officers to my quarters. Troi and Crusher helped me get the weights on my legs. After the older women officers left, my officers helped me into my dress and made sure I could walk around. I was very glad that I would have Joe giving me away. I knew that no matter what, he would hold on to me so I wouldn't collapse. It was now 1050 hours, and Joe knocked on my door. Elaine let him in.

"Elaine, babe, you're beautiful!" Joe said as he walked in. He gave her a quick kiss, and then saw me. "Well, Cap, you are beautiful too! Almost as pretty as you looked in the uniform at Wild Waves." He said. I hit him.

"He's right though Laurie, you are beautiful. Josh is a lucky man." Jen said.

"Thanks Jen, I hope he feels the same." I said.

"He'd be fool if he didn't after seeing you in this dress." Joe said. He came up and gave me a quick kiss. Then he looked at Elaine to see if she saw the kiss. She did, but she didn't say anything.

"Joe, if I start to collapse, keep going please?" I asked.

"Laurie, I know you won't collapse. This is the man of your dreams; you will fight to get to him. I am only supporting you. You will be okay." Joe said.

At 1100 hours, my bridesmaids walked down the isle. Then Jen and Ray came next as best man and maid of honor. Then Picard asked for the guests to stand as Joe and I began walking down the isle. That isle seemed so long. I could feel Joe hold me, one arm around my waist to support me if I should collapse, but he was right, Josh was the man of my dreams I would fight to get to him at end of the isle. All I saw down at the end of the isle was Josh. The walk down the isle took for an eternity. Finally Joe and I were there. I turned to kiss Joe, in a way to thank to him. Joe nodded and shook hands with Josh; he then took he spot near Ray.

You look beautiful. I love you Laurie, I will never leave your side. Josh thought.

Thank you Josh. I will never leave you. I thought.

"By powers invested in me by the rules and regulations of Starfleet and being the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Picard said. Josh and I kissed for the first time as a married couple. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I now give you Commander and Captain Josh and Laurie Bryson." Picard said as we finished our kiss.

There were rounds of "Congratulations!" from all the officers. My legs were fine, and Josh and I took the customary first dance of the wedding reception. Soon, Jen and Ray, Joe and Elaine, Troi and Riker, and Picard and Crusher joined us. I was happy, I was now with the man of my dreams until death do us part.

After a few hours of dancing, eating, and talking, I thought to Josh, Honey, my legs are starting to feel weak, I don't know if I can do one more dance.

Okay, I was thinking your energy would be coming to an end soon. We'll go, okay? Josh thought back.

"Thank you all for coming to our wedding, and reception. We must be going, my energy is slowly failing." I said.

"I should go over your medical file Captain." Crusher started to say.

"Doctor, let them have some fun. I'll take care it tomorrow." Cherize said.

"Let them go Beverly. Cherize is a very capable doctor." Troi said.

As they were bickering, Josh and I slipped out. "I hope you liked the dress I picked." I said.

"Laurie, you were beautiful. Then again, anything looks very good on you." Josh said.

I almost collapsed on the way to my quarters, but Josh picked me up and carried me the rest of the way. Thank you. I thought

"Anything for you, my wife. Tell me, what do you think of this telepathic ability?" Josh asked.

"It's a new way to communicate. Do you like it?" I asked.

Yes, I do but not all the time only when it is important like now. Josh thought.

I will never leave your side. I don't want to hurt you Josh, I'm sorry I got hurt the other day.

Honey, it wasn't your entire fault you got hurt. We found a new way to communicate. I forgive you Laurie.