Chapter 21
Summary: Charlene, Uhura, and Eve celebrated a bachelorette party.
I've been waiting for this moment: part 1:
The wedding day: Morning
In their quarters, Nyota, Charlene, and Eve dragged themselves out their beds after their girl party and got ready for duty. They were fighting a hangover, when they reach the mess hall, the noise made Nyota eyes roll into the back of her head. She stood poise so she would go unnoticed of her dilemma. She saw Charlene and Eve attempting the same thing. Nyota grabs her coffee this time with oatmeal and toast; she needed something to settle her stomach. Charlene and Eve join her, and they sat with Sulu, and Scotty and they look just as bad. They all look at each other and spoke with their eyes what they couldn't say out loud. Uhura looked at Scotty, Eve, Sulu and Charlene and made a decision.
"We can't go to work feeling like this, we all need to go to sickbay now before we go on duty."
They all nod in agreement, they slowly got up and headed towards sickbay. The five of them were practically holding each other up, and the turbo lift didn't make it a smooth ride. They all took a sigh of relief when the entered sickbay and found McCoy waiting there for them.
"I kinda of figure you guys would need a stimulate to counteract the events from last night."
McCoy took at look at Eve and needed to get an extra shot.
"Well, hello a newcomer! Didn't expect a party crasher." McCoy smiled and went to get another hypo for the new guest, placed it behind the others that were already lined up, and then he gave each one a shot.
"You have to lay down for 10 minutes for it stabilize your bodies, so each of you takes a bed. Don't worry, no one will know." The five of them went to the recovery room and took a bed to lie on.
"Doctor, I saw six hypos?"
"You did Sulu; I'm waiting for the captain."
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Later that late morning:
The Enterprise is on its next schedule uncharted planets, Spock according to plan scheduled himself to work in the science dept. As part of personal research and considered non-essential personnel for two days. It was the same with Uhura; she would start on the bridge and gradually head down to her dept and work there. The crew was so much into the routine, and no one notices them gone. It was business as usual. Mr. Scott had Lt. Kyle and Brent practically run the engineering dept, and the engines were not being exerted being in the same solar system. However, it was harder for Kirk; he had to take the full duty because most of his senior officers were off. But he hoped that they were not needed in an emergency once his shift is over he will have DeSalle take the next shift.
Spock worked diligently, with Sulu moving things in the lower deck where the wedding would be held. Spock had everything in place; the storage areas became dressing rooms, the food and wedding ceremony. Then Spock was released for the rest of the day to work on his imaginary experiments and work on some of the ship's business. Eve Brody was able to transport the dresses in storage compartments and had them sent down as storage to the designated area.
Later late afternoon:
The hours slowly passed, Charlene and Nyota tried to rest, but the excitement made Nyota's stomach upset, she is hours away from her wedding. She was so nervous she was pacing the room:
"Will you calm down! You're making me nervous too!"
"I can't help it, the last time I tried to get married it was a disaster Char!"
Charlene got up from the bed, ran to her, and grabs her by the shoulders. She looked sternly in Nyota's eyes and gave her a firm reprimand.
"Mr. Spock is not Amare' don't even compare those two, Spock loves you, and he wants to marry you. So stop it before I hit with that pillow."
"Huh, hit me with a pillow?"
Yep! Matter of fact I will!" Charlene went back to the bed and grabbed two pillows and tosses one to Nyota and with other she went and hit her on the shoulder.
"You're on sistah."
They had a pillow fight to release the tension they were feeling, and it worked.
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Spock was nervous for a Vulcan; he was unable to meditate, then he sat in his chair with his fingers pressed together. His chronometer is already counting down to the Terran wedding, and he estimated how long it would take to shower, dress and walk down the corridor. Even the time table didn't help settle his mind. He attempted again to meditate and sat on the floor in the lotus position.
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It was 1730hours and Eve met the women to help them get dress. First, Eve took care of Charlene to help with Nyota later. She did Charlene's make-up and gave her a finger wave hair-do. When Charlene looks at herself in the mirror, she thought she saw another person.
"WOW Eve, you made look like a million credits! I like this style of my hair, and I hope I can wear it more."
"You can, and I'll help you."
When Nyota finish showering and saw Charlene: "Charlene you look wonderful, I like your hairstyle it suits you."
"You think? I feel like a million credits." Charlene was feeling confident about herself, and she knew she could never compete with Uhura's natural looks.
Charlene and Eve put a robe on Uhura, and they start working on her hair, nails, and make-up.
"Spock likes my hair around my shoulders."
Charlene and Eve look at each other.
"He does? Since when?" Charlene walks in front of Nyota to see her face.
"He told me so, and he says I am aesthetically appealing."
Charlene and Eve look at each other again and burst out laughing.
"Oh, wow aren't those two a pair!" as Eve is combing and styling Nyota's hair.
Then they both helped Uhura put on strapless bra and undergarments, and then finally the dress. Eve and Charlene helped her step into the dress, fasten the buttons in the back and adjusts the bust and train. Nyota felt like a queen in her wedding dress, she stood in front of the mirror and tears start to form.
"Listen Ny. You got to hold back the tears until after the wedding. You'll ruin your make-up!" As Charlene daps her eyes with the tissue.
"I can't help it, and you know that."
"I know but hold on to after the wedding!" Eve led Nyota to a chair in front of the mirror, while Charlene went get her utility bag and Spock's gift.
First Nyota pulled out her engagement ring box and gave it to Eve for later. Then she pulls out the wedding band box, takes her band out, leaves Spock's ring in and gave the box to Charlene.
"Char, somehow you must give this to Dr. McCoy, he is the Best man."
"OK, I can do that."
Eve pulls out of the bag a 7 rows beaded wired necklace with different colors shades of gold to bronze and she gently placed around Nyota's neck. Nyota hands Eve the IDIC pin that represents the diversity of their relationship, and she sets in the front of her dress.
"There you're almost done, just the headdress and shoes." As Eve went to retrieve her shoes.
"Not yet, I have a special gift from your finance'" Charlene hands another box to Nyota.
"What? More gifts? Oh my God, Spock is too much!" Nyota opens the box to a set of green and white diamond loop earrings. She notices that it matches her engagement ring.
"Aaah, these are so beautiful": Nyota picks them up and expects them and then gave them to Eve help put on.
"Mr. Spock said: according to Terran Tradition something new." As Charlene laughs at his statement.
Nyota felt so complete, and her heart wants to explode for her love for him. She took a deep breath, to keep from crying, Spock has made her feel more beautiful, and more loved than any man could. He didn't have to say(I love you) to prove it to her, Spock has demonstrated his love, it was worth more than the words. She is moments away from making her dreams come true, but his love for her has overwhelmed her, and the tears start to fall.
"NO, no Ny don't! Charlene grabs more tissue and starts to dab her eyes. You ruin your make-up again!" Charlene looks at her friend, then at Eve and they gave a group hug to support her. It was Nyota's day to be happy, and she was.
"Oh OK Nyota let me fix you again, and I won't put too much on." Eve adjust her face again, then gave her Nyota her shoes which she slips on easily.
The chimer rings and Charlene intercepted the door and was greeted by Sulu. He took one look at Charlene, his mouth fell open and eyes widen.
"Wow, hello lovely lady." Sulu kept staring at Charlene and forgot why was there.
Charlene was speechless for the first time in her life.
"Thank you Sulu."
"Please call me Hikaru."
"Then you call me Charlene."
They both stood in the doorway looking at each other. Sulu had on his dress uniform and holding bouquets. Nyota and Eve look and see them staring at each other. Nyota is smiling at Eve and see they are both interested in each other. Eve clears her throat. Sulu comes back from his reveries.
"Oh, I came to drop off the flowers for Uhura and you and to take holo-vids for her album."
"That's a great idea Hi..kar..u." Charlene takes the flowers from Sulu and lets in him the room. The flowers were multi-colors and arranged in cascade positions.
"Uhura you look great! Are you ready?" Sulu pulls out his camera padd.
"Yes," Sulu takes a couple of pictures standing in the mirror, then with flowers. Eve put on a 6inch high gold beaded lace African headdress, and Sulu took more pictures. Then his final pic was with Uhura and Charlene together holding her flowers.
"Sulu did you do the flower arrangements?"
"Yes, I did as a gift and… thank you for being my friend Uhura." He went to her kissed lightly on the cheek, and he turns to leave. When he reaches the door, he turns and approach Charlene and stands in front of her.
"Um Charlene if there's dancing tonight, may I have your permission to the first dance?"
"A course! Oh, I almost forgot can you give this box to Dr. McCoy it's Mr. Spock wedding ring."
"Sure, see you then Charlene, oh Mr. Scott will be here soon to escort you, ladies." Sulu left.
The three of them stare at each other. Nyota cracks a smile at her friend. "I told ya that he likes chocolates."
"What does that mean? Chocolates?" asks Eve.
"Brown skin girls."
Charlene covers her mouth and starts stomping her feet.
Eve burst out laughing.
"Nyota we weren't even here the way those two were looking at each other."
"I know Eve, and we turned invisible."
"Oh no, does he know how to dance?"
"After what I saw what you were doing last night, I know you could show him some of your dance moves." Eve is giving Charlene an all-knowing look, then burst out laughing again.
"Well, Charlene you got two things working for you."
"What?"
"First, he asked you first for a dance at the wedding, which kind of nice and he does seem kinda shy. Also, two; Sulu is not bad looking for a guy."
The ladies talked for a while until Scotty arrived, it helped Uhura to keep her nerves intact.
As Sulu was walking back to the ceremony hall, he had a second look at Charlene and found her quite beautiful and easy to talk too. Maybe he could have a relationship with her, first to start with is to find things in common. Sulu reflects on his previous relationships that never panned out. He liked Janice Rand, they got along great, and he was hoping that they could have had a relationship. She was the only female who didn't mind his sword collection and took an interest in his botany hobby. He saw less of Janice after a landing party incident that involved children that were well over 300 years old, and he suspects that she was attracted to the captain.* He misses the friendship he had with her, and what could have been, now he thinks about Charlene and the possibilities. Sulu heads down the corridor to find McCoy and to give the box.
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Meanwhile, down the other end of the corridor, a Vulcan is putting on his clan's robes. Spock has on a short tunic robe/jacket that he decides to wear for the dancing. He didn't mind dancing privately for Nyota, but unedge that he would do in front of others. The thought of this display keeps his focus from the ceremony. The outer robe is a heavy floor-length, deep grayish green color and with the clan family name embroidered down the side. The heavier robe will help him regulate his body heat. Spock is at peace with the two worlds inside of him, and they will not be alone much longer. They can share Nyota together a life he could not foresee. He will have what humans have: love, and he will have what Vulcans have: a bondmate. Nyota has encompassed his life, and he is no longer on self destruct. Yes, for years he had tried to self destroy his life, being one of a kind was becoming unbearable. Spock remembers those who wanted to accept and love him. Leila Kalomi tried to love him, but she couldn't because of T'Pring. T'Pring didn't want him, because of Stonn and not being Vulcan enough. Christine desired him, also because of T'Pring, but when he shared conscious with her, he saw pity with empathy, and he was uncomfortable there, but he didn't have a choice, Henoch* read his thoughts about Uhura and terrorized her for it. He unknowingly chosen Nyota, she challenged him in his logic, music, singing, and humor. He has observed her next to his work station for years and found her work compelling. Now she has given him life again, he cherishes her, and they can't take it from him. Starfleet or Vulcan especially.
Spock knows his mother would be pleased that he has chosen outside of Vulcan like his father. Moreover, his father would understand now that their relationship in on the mends. He would have allied with them if anything arises over his relationship with Nyota and they would protect and provide for her if anything should befall him. Somehow he must consummate the Vulcan marriage to make Nyota legal status to the clan. Will his bonding technique be enough? He needs T'Pau's blessings.
Spock went to the dresser and pulled out a box, and opens to the IDIC necklace. He places it around his neck to represent both of them. Spock knows it won't be easy for her once they find out that he is married, but he must protect her from them. His only problem will she leave Starfleet for him.
Spock took one more glance in the mirror and heads out the door to the ceremony. His walk is sure, calculated and stands in front of the door and waits for McCoy, the Best man.
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Nyota is slowly rubbing her hands until the chimer rings, Charlene jumps up, answers and greets Mr. Scott.
"Good evening Mr. Scott come in."
Scotty enters the room in his dress uniform/Scottish clan kilt.
"Good evening lassies."
Eve does a wolf whistle.
"Look at those legs aren't they cute."
Charlene and Nyota cover their mouths to keep from laughing.
"You cut that out young lass, or I'll show ya a thing or two!"
Uhura approaches him and grabs one of his arms." Good evening handsome and thank you for agreeing to walk me down the aisle."
"Aye, not a problem, I'm glad to have helped with the whole thing. But most of all congratulations to you and Mr. Spock."
"Thank you, Scotty."
Scotty turns and gets a better look at Charlene, and comments.
"Ms. Masters you look very nice."
"wow, thank you, Mr. Scott, I like your traditional clan kilt, it's nice."
He stares at Eve when he says; "Thank you, lass." Scotty turns to Uhura and asks:
"Ms. Uhura, are ya really to get hitch?"
"Yes, I am Mr. Scott!" Scotty stuck out his arm, and Uhura wraps hers around his, they turn and head out the door. They are followed by Charlene and Eve.
A/N: you can find the wedding dress online by typing in: Queen Amina of Zaria wedding dress/images. Or Tekay designs: African wedding dresses. Then I debated if Spock should where his dress uniform or his Ethnic Vulcan robes. The robes won!
*Star Trek: TOS:Miri & Return to Tomorrow