Change One Thing: Lifetime Worth of Memories

Chapter Five: Tying The Knot

Disclaimer: Nope, not claiming any ownership here. They're different events, but the same people and we all know how Star Trek loves their "Alternate Universe(s)"

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Will and Deanna worked well on the Enterprise. They made many friends and settled in well. Will was one of the greatest first officers Deanna had ever seen; not just because they were sleeping together; but because he was good at his job. Deanna was an excellent councilor and many people loved her.

About a year after they settled in on the Enterprise they finally had their wedding. They planned a Terran ceremony on the Enterprise then a traditional Betazoid ceremony on Betazed.

Deanna's mother joined them on the Enterprise and was more than ecstatic, while Deanna felt strangely nervous.

"Why do I feel so nervous?" she asked her mother. Deanna looked at herself in the mirror of the vanity she was sitting at. She could almost see the apprehension in her face.

"Because it's a big step, Not-So-Little One," Lwaxana answered, walking back into the room and standing behind her daughter.

Deanna's ebony eyes met Lwaxana's in the mirror. "But nothing's really changing. We already live together, and we already know each other as well as a couple could."

"Then why are you doing this in the first place?" the older Betazoid asked, the purpose of her question in her voice.

Deanna smiled blissfully to herself. "So we can be married."

"Exactly, Deanna. There's a difference and you can feel it. You're nervous because you can sense the change. Your Grandmother told me something on my wedding day that she said her mother told her and so on. She said 'You've found a great man, Lwaxana. He loves you, and you'll have a wonderful life with him. Don't be nervous; because you love him, and you trust him.'

"So, Deanna. You found a great man. Williams loves you more than I've ever seen anyone love anyone else. You're going to live a wonderful life. You love him; don't be nervous. Trust in yourself and be happy this day."

Deanna clasped her mother's hand over her shoulder. "Thank you, Mother."

Lwaxana smiled reminiscently with tears in her eyes.

Deanna stood and hugged her mother. "I wish Daddy was here too."

Lwaxana and Beverly turned Deanna into the most beautiful bride. When she walked up the isle in the holographic gothic-style church: Will forgot how to breathe. Captain Picard performed the ceremony and Lwaxana cried. Repeatedly.

The ceremony ended and they all went to Ten Forward for the reception. Will and Deanna danced the night away.

"We did it, Imzadi. We're married," Deanna said with a heavenly lilt in her voice.

"You are so beautiful. Now I've tied you down and no one else can even look at you," Will said his voice far away in the perfect world of just the two of them.

A week later and all Captain Picard knew was that he was on Betazed, nude, and surrounded by other naked people. He stood very uncomfortably between Data and Admiral Jason Chambers, whom he was surprised to see there.

"Calm down, Captain," Admiral Chambers whispered during the ceremony. "It's a lot easier the second time."

Jean-Luc turned slightly. "Second time, Admiral?"

Chambered nodded. "My wife is Ian Troi's sister. I've done this before; but, of course, I was a lot younger then." He chuckled. "A lot younger."

Afterwards, Will approached his shipmates; "Captain, Worf, Geordi, Data, thanks for being here. It meant a lot to both Deanna and I that you were able to attend."

"Crewmates are family, Number One. And you never let your family down, no matter how uncomfortable you feel. Congratulations, Will." Jean-Luc shook Will's hand.

Deanna stood next to her mother. "Thank you for not embarrassing Captain Picard, Mother."

Lwaxana laughed aloud. "He was between your Uncle Jason and that Mr. Data, there was no way I could have embarrassed him further."

Deanna shrugged. "I'm sure you could've managed, Mother.

Lwaxana cocked her head to think.

Deanna caught some residual waves of her mother's thought. "Oh, please, Mother. I did not need that image." Deanna walked away while her mother laughed.

Will and Deanna retired to their hotel suite. Their bond was even stronger now. He heard Deanna's stray thoughts and she heard his almost as if they were her own. All Will could realize was that they were finally married. Deanna was finally his. He had made the best decision of his life.

He couldn't wait to start a family.

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