-1Disclaimer: Star Trek in all it's forms belongs to others. The creators and the corporations. I am just borrowing the universe of Enterprise to close a door that was left open and driving me crazy. This may be considered AU. It has very little of the Crew from Enterprise in it. It is more about Mestral, Maggie and their lives together.
A/N: Telepathy and Thoughts in Italics
By: Fire Star
2007/3/12
Return to Carbon Creek
Part 95(Storm Clouds) PG
Heather was very happy. She could not believe that Zeph had finally asked her to marry him. She smiled as she entered the house. Looking at the lovely ring he had bought her. It was not large diamond but it was a pretty stone. It was at least a ¼ carrot and it was a brilliant blue sapphire surrounded by several lovely diamonds. She knew it was expensive on his salary as a teaching assistant. He was a proud man who would have insisted on buying the ring on his own. She knew his family now had money. But Zeph would have bought this himself. That was what made him so different from the boys her father wanted her to see. Zephraim was a man. A man who was willing to work hard to get what he wanted. She was certain he wanted her for herself not her families money. He tended to forget that she came from money and it was refreshing to be treated just like a regular girl. She climbed the steps to her parents house and was shocked as the lights went on. The door came open before she could react.
"Heather Dana Von Hess get in her at once." Her father said. The look on his face did not bode well.
Harrison Von Hess was not pleased. His daughter had been due home over two hours ago. He had been about to call the police. Only his wife Ellen had stopped him.
"Harrison she said she was at a party for some friends. How will it look if you call the police? She likely just got caught up talking. And you did not give her a curfew. You are far to lenient on the girl."
He had glared at his wife. He knew she was right despite the fact that Ellen and Heather did not get along. His second wife and eldest clashed from day one. He sighed. She was right he was to indulgent.
Heather walked inside and took a deep breath. "Good evening father, Ellen."
He looked at her and said "Good morning would be more appropriate. It is going on 3 am."
Heather glanced at the wall clock and sighed. "Yes sir. I lost track of time. I stayed to help clean up after the party." That was the truth but not the whole truth.
"Did they not have staff to do that?" Ellen asked rudely
"Not everyone has servants Ellen." Heather said
"Then maybe you should not be associating with them. I mean you are a Von Hess not a maid."
Heather slowly counted to ten. Losing her temper with Ellen was a sure fie way to anger her father. "They are good people but I offered to help. I do not mind helping there is more to life then just sitting around drinking champagne."
Harrison decided to intervene or they would snipe at each other until sun rise.
"Alright Ellen your point is made. Young lady it is not proper for you to be out so late."
"Yes sir." Heather said she would grant him that point. She and Zephraim had been making plans and lost track of time. "I did not intend to cause you worry sir."
He calmed down a little. Harrison took her hand. He froze as he felt the ring. He turned her left hand over and lifted it. "What is that!"
Heather sighed. "It is a ring."
"I can see that but whose is it and why are you wearing it?" He demanded.
"It is an engagement ring father. I accepted it tonight."
"Whose? It can not be Ralph's or Randolph as they would have asked for your hand properly!"
Heather rolled her eyes at the mentioned names. Those boys wanted her for her trust fund and they wanted to play, She fought Randy off the last time when he tried to do more then kiss her. He was not the gentleman her father thought. And Ralph she caught making out with a local barmaid. A nice girl but one who naively thought Ralph was her knight in shining Armour.
"It was a shock to me as well. Zephraim will ask you formally as soon as we can arrange it. But I have said Yes."
"That teachers assistant! He can not even afford a decent car. I forbid this." Harrison said.
Heather looked at her father. "With respect I am 20 years old. I will be 21 in a month. I love Zeph and we are getting married as soon as I finish school."
"No, You will not." Ellen said "Harrison this girl will ruin us."
"Quiet. You are not marrying that boy. You will marry Randy or Ralph Richards. I will not have my daughter married to a penniless teachers aide."
"Father Zephraim is brilliant. He is working with the top minds in the country. Dr. Einstein, Dr. Davis and Dr. Grayson. Not to mention Dr. Von Glen."
"I do not care you are not marrying him. That boy is not good enough for you. And Dr. Grayson. He was just facing the committee. Damn it the man's a traitor."
"Father he is not. He was cleared and the senator is under arrest for conspiracy. I do not care if he was your friend he is a creep. I am marrying Zephraim."
"Go to your room." Harrison said "I refuse to try to discuss this when you are hysterical."
"I am not hysterical. I am not marrying either of those boys you want me to. Neither is half the man Zephraim is. I want someone with a brain and who can think for himself." Heather ran upstairs and slammed her bedroom door locking it. She flung herself on the bed and began to cry. Why did her father have to be so much of a snob. She loved Zephraim with all that she was.
TBC…
