Chapter 56 - 3.00pm (Local Time) Thursday 23rd September 2230

Outside the church a grey flitter pulled up. Mimi's father, Hugh, stepped out first. He was wearing his Tweed Argyll kilt jacket with a matching waistcoat, his Scott green ancient tartan kilt, with a Celtic cross kilt pin, his black kilt hose with red flashes, and he was wearing black brogues. He was also wearing a sporran, which had some snacks and energy drinks inside, and a sgian-dubh was tucked into his sock.

T'Shahel stepped out next, she was wearing a desert rose coloured A-line chiffon skirt with a high necked bodice. Small floral appliques cascaded down the front and back of the dress. She also had a matching chiffon scarf, which had been lined with a transparent material manufactured on Vulcan to give more warmth. The crowd outside the church 'oohed' when they saw her. Years later when retelling the day to their grandchildren those who were present said that T'Shahel, despite not being one prone to smiling, was a beautiful looking young lady. Graceful and elegant were the words that came to mind.

Mimi handed T'Shahel her large bouquet, so it would be easier for her to get out of the flitter. She stepped out, with the assistance of her father, into the autumn sunshine. The crowd cheered loudly when they saw her. Mimi looked towards them and smiled, although it was difficult to see the smile because of the veil she was wearing, she also gave them all a little wave.

Mimi was wearing a white dress with a sheer illusion sabrina neckline, with a lace bodice overlay accented with crystal beading on delicate chiffon, the bodice had a sweetheart neckline. The gorgeous A-line chiffon skirt had a chapel train. The back of the dress had a deep V-cut and a row of tiny buttons ran down the whole length of the skirt. She was also wearing her great grandmother's angel-cut Cathedral length veil edged with roses and thistles. A freshwater pearl and cubic zirconia flower hair vine held the veil in place. Her vokaya necklace, a gift from Sordd, could clearly be seen glistening in the sun as it hung around her neck, she had also temporarily placed her vokaya engagement ring on the ring finger of her right hand. (Something old, her great grandmother's veil. Something new, her wedding dress. Something borrowed, the hair vine. Something blue, the vokaya necklace and engagement ring. Mimi was not wearing a sixpence in her shoe, however she was wearing very high heels!)

The small group walked up the gravel path towards the gabled porch of the church...

*'*

"BEEP!" the security scanner alarm went off.

T'Vol stepped forward. "Are you carrying any weapons Mr Scott?" she asked.

"Aye of course I am. A true Scotsman doesn't go to a wedding without his sgian-dubh!" he replied. Being the father of the bride he was obviously a bit nervous, as a result both his accent and some of his language was reverting back to broad Scots! (It's funny what nerves will do to you.) Wearing the kilt didn't help the situation.

"Dad, I told you not to bring that," Mimi said in an exasperated tone.

He turned to his daughter. "You are still my wee girl. You cannae tell me what I can and cannae dae!" he exclaimed.

T'Vol spoke, "I'm sorry sir, I will need to take the dagger off you until the events of today are over."

"Dinny be daft wee lassie!" he replied, "It's not going to do any harm tucked into my sock." He did have a point.

"If you prefer sir, I can give you a replicated version?" T'Vol suggested.

Hugh frowned, "A replicated version! What in all the world have things come to? I'm not wearing anything replicated!" he replied a look of disgust on his face.

"Dad, please just give her the knife," Mimi pleaded. "We are already running late!" Mimi glanced up the aisle. She could see Sordd, Sarek and Avarak waiting patiently at the front.

"It's family tradition. Fathers have worn this knife to their daughters' weddings for over four hundred years. My youngest daughter is about to get married, I refuse to stop that tradition today," he insisted.

"We are confiscating all weapons due to the Ambassadorial presence and the number of guests from different planets in the Federation," T'Vol replied neutrally.

"I dinnae care who the guests are, this is my daughter's wedding and tradition is tradition," he replied. "Do you no have wedding traditions on Vulcan?" he asked.

T'Vol flushed slightly. This was the first time Mimi had ever seen T'Vol flush.

"Yes we do sir," T'Vol replied, more than aware that Vulcan males brought lirpas to weddings, but she wasn't going to tell Mr Scott that.

"Well you will understand the importance of tradition then," he said bluntly.

She inclined her head, "Can you allow me to check the knife sir?" she asked.

"Here ye go lassie," he pulled the knife and scabbard out of his sock and handed it to her. "Mind and be careful with it!" he said. Under his breath he muttered, "You'll be asking for my sporran and kilt pin next!"

T'Vol studied the scabbard, it was made from some kind of animal hide, fitted with mounts of silver which were cast and engraved with thistles and knotwork, some of the patterns similar to some of the gravestones outside. She pulled the knife out, the steel blade was was 9cm long and had some scalloped filework on the back. The craftsmanship was outstanding. She turned it over in her hand. They had already confiscated 24 knives, many of the guests opting for a replicated version. The wedding was now running late, which was a complete anathema to a Vulcan. (obviously T'Vol did not realise the bride being late was tradition.) T'Vol decided she was not going to win this particular battle, and obviously she could not bar Mr Scott from the proceedings. Logically it was unlikely that T'Sai Mimi's father would cause any harm. She returned the blade to him, making a mental note to keep an eye on things, and let them enter the church.

*'*