A/N: I'm back! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I thought after finishing "Broken Pieces," it was time for something a little more cheerful lol. Can't wait to unpack the rest of this story for you!

Madcraftermom-Aww yay! Your review is why I write! :-) I love hearing when someone enjoys my work. I was taking a hiatus from this story while I finished a different one. But that one is all wrapped up, so I'll be focusing solely on this one now. I hope you keep liking it!

"You? You were going to marry a bartender?" Carmen's eyes sparkled with amusement as she listened raptly to the ambassador's tale.

Lwaxana reached for a platter of exotic fruits. "Oh but he was so...so...mysterious," she said, picking up something round and purple that resembled a plum. "The only man I couldn't read. It was enchanting, really."

"Why couldn't you read him?" Carmen asked, her plate of food still largely untouched.

"Because he was a hologram. See, that one failed to explain that holodeck programs aren't real." She threw an accusatory glance in Riker's direction.

The commander put up his hands defensively. "Hey, who was I to spoil your fun?"

As Carmen's laughter spilled forth, Troi rolled her eyes. "He was just relieved that my mother had finally moved on from him."

"You were more relieved than I was," he shot back. She smacked his arm and cast him a playful scowl.

"Will was intimidated, you see," Lwaxana said with a sigh. "I tend to have that effect on human males. They are dreamers, who prefer shallow fantasies to the depths of something real, something raw. That's why they've created those holodecks, no doubt."

"Well you know what they say…" Riker leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together behind his head. "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

"Who said that?" Lwaxana demanded.

"Albert Einstein, I think."

Carmen tilted her head to the side. "Who is Albert Einstein? I've heard the captain talk about him before."

"He was a famous physicist, back on Earth-"

"Ah. Another human male," the ambassador scoffed. A round of laughter made its way around the table.

"Well I deal with enough mysteries out here, thank you very much," Troi said, pouring herself another glass of champagne. "No need for marriage to be one, too."

Riker grinned at her appreciatively. She dropped one hand beneath the table and let it run atop his leg. Carmen smiled, turning her face towards her plate. Their love had a way of spilling over into her empathic senses, a way of repairing old cracks that had long since fractured her heart.

"I suppose you take after her, then?" Lwaxana said. Carmen's eyes darted up. She felt a faint tinge of dread in the way the conversation had turned so abruptly to her.

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't that why you adore the boy-what's his name again, Sheppard? There's certainly no mystery with him."

"He's very...he's honest. It's like he can't help it," Carmen said, somewhat defensively. "Makes him a good friend."

Lwaxana brought her hand up with a giggle. "My dear, you're delusional if you think he's just a friend! Where do you all learn to hide your true feelings? Does Starfleet hand out certifications for that or something?"

As Carmen blushed, Troi sent her mother a reproachful look. But Lwaxana would have none of it. "I think the girl should come with me to Betazed. Someone has to teach her how to embrace her heritage."

"Betazed?" Carmen perked back up. "We can go to Betazed together?"

"Now mother, don't get her hopes up-" Troi started. But again, Lwaxana brushed her off.

"Sure, why not?"

"For one thing," Riker gruffly interjected. "She has responsibilities aboard the Enterprise."

"Oh, nonsense. She can come and stay with me while you two are honeymooning. I could use her help planning the second ceremony."

"What second ceremony?" Carmen asked.

Troi rose from the table, picking up her empty plate and stacking it atop Riker's. "Mother insists on having two weddings: one on Earth and one on Betazed. That way we can honor both human and Betazoid traditions."

"Come on," Lwaxana beseeched, reaching across the table to squeeze Carmen's hand. "We'd have so much fun!"

"That's what scares me," Riker grumbled. He pushed away from his chair, helping Troi to clear the table. As they busied themselves with cleanup, Lwaxana continued the conversation telepathically.

You'd love it on Betazed. Fresh air...waterfalls...beaches. We should have the ceremony outside, now that I think of it.

Will the wedding be a big one?

Oh, no. Our people prefer intimate affairs. Stop pulling on your dress, love. You might tear it.

Sorry. Carmen grimaced. I don't care for dresses very much. I'm so used to wearing a uniform.

At least you won't have to wear one for the Betazed ceremony.

Carmen picked up her glass and took a sip. That's a relief. What will I wear then?

Nothing at all, Bright Eyes. Nothing at all. Betazoid weddings are conducted entirely in the nude.

Carmen's drink went spraying out of her mouth with such force that it extinguished all three candles adorning the tabletop. Riker had just reached for another dish when he leapt back in surprise and dismay. "What in the name of-"

Door chimes interrupted his exclamation. Carmen sprang from the table eagerly. "I'll get it!" she cried, dashing away before anyone could say otherwise.

On the threshold, she found Picard waiting expectantly. "Good evening, Miss Riker," he greeted. She smiled, grateful to see the kindly captain and even more grateful for the interruption.

"Jean Luc!" The swishing of Lwaxana's dress reached a feverish pitch as she scrambled to Carmen's side. "You've come to join us, haven't you?"

A faint shudder possessed the captain. "Oh, well, not exactly. While I did want to extend my personal greetings, I'm afraid I've come here tonight on official business."

"Official business?" Riker repeated. He set a stack of dishes down and straightened his shoulders with a hint of hope. "Well, I suppose dessert can wait. Ladies, if you'll excuse me-"

"Actually-" Picard held up a hand, halting him in his tracks. "I'm here for a different Riker." His gaze fell pointedly on Carmen.

The young woman's eyes widened. "Me, sir?"

"Yes. It is rather urgent. There's someone I need you to speak with immediately."

Hesitating, Carmen glanced back at Riker. "Go on," he urged, his shoulders sinking with bitter disappointment.

There was something sly in Picard's smile as he nodded farewell to Lwaxana. "My apologies. I suppose I will have to join you for dinner another time, Ambassador Troi."

"Jean Luc, Jean Luc," she clucked, not to be outdone. "We both know you have much grander plans than just dinner. But shame on you, thinking such salacious thoughts in the presence of my granddaughter! Your obsession with me is getting quite out of hand."

Picard's face turned ghostly white, stripped of all color, slyness, and dignity. He stammered some kind of thank-you or goodbye to the commander (Riker couldn't tell which) and then turned to leave, followed by a wildly entertained Carmen.