Trance opened her eyes to see Harper and Beka in front of her holding colorful boxes. "Us, first," Beka said with a smile, as she looked over at the others. "We've known her longer."
"Fine by us," Dylan said, as he stood next to Rommie. "How's our guest?"
"Doing surprisingly well, Sir," she replied, as she watched as Trance opened Beka's gift first. Her face lit up when she saw the bracelets and necklaces.
"Oh, Beka, you remembered," Trance said, as she slipped them on. "They're perfect."
"Now, mine," Harper said, as he handed her his.
Trance carefully took the box from Harper. "It's not alive is it?"
"Of course not." Harper replied with a smile, as Trance slowly opened the box and smiled. "So you'll always remember us, especially me."
Trance reached inside of the box and pulled out a mini version of the Andromeda. "Harper it's cute." She then touched the top and holograms appeared from their past. Pictures of when they had first came to the Andromeda and some other found ones. "Oh, Harper, it's perfect." She then wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "You out did yourself."
"I know I did." Harper then back away from her as he went over to stand next to Beka and Dylan's sides. "See, I made her a gift."
"Harper, you did an amazing job on the replica," Rommie said to him.
"Thanks, Rommie, and thanks for the help with the holograms"
"Now, Miss Trance, is it our turn," Rev said to her, as he and Tyr came up to her side. "Tyr can go first."
Try shot the Magog a look as he held out his gift to Trance. "Happy Birthday," he said, as he stepped back next to the others.
Trance opened the box to reveal the sun trinket. "Oh, Tyr." She picked it up and it shimmered in the light. "It's beautiful."
"Nice, gift Tyr," Beka whispered to him.
"Now my gift," Rev spoke, as he offered Trance the box. She opened it and her face lit up. "So you'll always remember your way home." She pulled out a silky red/orange scarf with little suns and stars on it. "And it will also brighten you day."
"Thank you, Rev." Trance hugged the Magog before she wrapped the scarf around her shoulder. She then looked over at Dylan and Rommie. "Do I want to know?"
"Rommie and I have gifts for you as well, Trance," Dylan said, as they moved forward and she smiled. "I'll go first." He then held out the box to Trance. She took it, opened it, and withdrew the crystal. Her face lit up when it changed colors as the light hit it from different directions. "It reminded me of you."
"My gift is nothing extraordinary," Rommie said, as she offered Trance a flat box. "But I'm sure that it'll help you along your journey." Trance opened it to see that it was a set of plexis that were all about plants and how to grow them. "Since you have always had a green thumb."
"Thank you, Rommie." Trance then hugged the Avatar which got the crew to smile.
Dylan cleared his throat, as Trance began to gather up her gifts, placing them carefully in one of the larger boxes. "There's one more gift, Trance." She looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.
"But you've all given me so much."
"This one is from all of us. Harper, Rommie."
"It is our privilege to introduce the newest member of the Andromeda Ascendent," Harper began, as he looked over at Trance. "Trance, meet Buddy Gemini." Rommie made a motion and Buddy came rushing up to Trance and she was lost for words. "Buddy, meet Trance, your owner."
"He's mine?" Trance asked, as she bent down next to the dog as it began to lick her face. "But how? Why?"
"We needed a mascot," Dylan said, as they came up to their sides. "Plus it'll be good to have a pet around the ship."
"I don't know what to say."
"Thanks?" Harper put out, as he looked around the group.
"Thanks. This was the best birthday ever." Trance smiled to herself as the others started to play with Buddy. She had gotten her birthday wish. They were all happy, for now. That's all she could have ever wanted. Was for those around her to be happy.
The crew of the Andromeda went back to their quarters to sleep. Trance took a few extra minutes to set out her gifts on her shelves before climbing into bed. Buddy curled up next to her and a smile crossed her face. It wasn't that bad for a birthday. Not bad at all.
The End
Author's Note
Well this is the end of this short, sweet, fun story. I hope that it brought a smile to some body's face. I thank all who read it.
Thanks.