Chapter 14: The perfect dress

Author's note: I'm struggling a little with how to go on with the story. The part with the wedding planning got bigger than I wanted at first. I want fluff, but not an overdose. I hope I'm getting it right...

Slowly everything sunk in. Jamie was a little confused, because the decisions and developments of the last days had come so naturally to Leonard and her. She hadn't really thought twice about the marriage and a future with a family of their own. Now, thinks started to unfold.

After the conversation with her mother they'd talked about children. The conclusion: Yes, someday. In a few years. It was an uncomplicated conversation. She'd even laughed, because it had occurred to her that she'd never thought about children or having children. But looking at Leonard she suddenly imagined herself with a baby belly and a child with his brown eyes. Well, in the future. She wanted to find a way to have both - her captaincy and a family.

The call to the McCoy family a few hours kind of sped up things. Jamie was now to become a fixed constant in Leonard's daughters life. She was actually looking forward to regularly talking to Joanna, visiting her and all those things. At the same time, it also scared her a little. Being a captain was one thing, but mother material? And telling Leonard's ex-wife that he'd remarried was still on the to-do-list. Jamie hoped Jocelyn would be alright with her being in Joanna's life. She'd met her only once briefly. Not the best conversation. Well, she'd see...

Family... Some people might have looked at a captain wanting to be a mother some day as a scenario in which one side would be losing - the career or the family. But she was Jamie Kirk-McCoy. She didn't believe in no win scenarios.

Although... now standing in her ready room - which was locked in a way Leonard McCoy could not show up like the last two times - she found herself in a predicament.

Luckily she knew who could help.

So, a few minutes later Nyota Uhura und Hikaru Sulu were standing confused on the other side of the door. Jamie Kirk had summoned both of them without saying why. Uhura finally touched the little touch screen button at the wall and a beeping announced them to the captain.

"Come."

The Lieutenants entered and looked around in surprise. Every screen was activated and showed a different wedding gown. About twenty PADDS put up on desk, couch, table and the other furniture showed white dresses, too. They let their gazes wander around.

Jamie was standing next to a big window, holding two PADDs at once. She lifted her head and gave Uhura and Sulu a firm glance. "First of all - you are hereby sworn to secrecy. Bones cannot now about this."

Sulu was at a complete loss for words and Uhura slowly got a notion why Jamie Kirk had called them.

"You need help?" she tried.

Jamie sighed. "Yeah. Tell me what you'd expect me to wear."

Uhura frowned in confusion. She was absolutely sure the captain would not just call them to let them pick out a dress. So she look another guess. "You don't want a dress that anyone would anticipate."

Now Jamie gave her a slight smile and nodded. She put the two PADDs in her hands on her desk and gestured around. "I made a first selection. But none of those feels right."

Uhura surveyed the displayed dresses. Very different styles and yet one clear pattern - no big puffy princess gowns, no sleeves, no veils or long trains.

Sulu also took a good look around. "Wow, I feel like I'm in a bridal shop", he joked.

"Not helping", Jamie remarked, but grinned slightly.

"Alright", he nodded and shed the rest of his surprise about this situation. "Lose all with short skirts r half length."

Jamie and Uhura gave him a surprised look.

"Sulu's right", Uhura agreed, when she realized what he was getting at. "The uniform duty dress is short and if you get the chance to wear civil clothing you always choose either pants or a short skirt. I don't remember ever seeing you in a long dress."

"Huh..." Jamie just made when it occurred to her that they were absolutely right.

"Remember that you're getting married on Earth. Everything will be fine. No need for something practical", Sulu said and earned another surprised look from Uhura. "Unless you want to fight of the press. But I don't think there will be any Klingons around." He winked.

Jamie unwillingly smiled. "See? That's exactly why I called the two of you. Well, aside from a little payback for this whole white-alert-thing." She grinned. "You know how I think. And you're right. It's Earth, not a foreign planet where I would want and need to be prepared for running or fighting." She winked. "So probably to need for a thigh holster with a phaser either."

The Lieutenants laughed, although they were not so sure if it really was entirely joking. They thought her actually capable of hiding a weapon under her wedding dress, just in case.

Laughing Sulu walked around and deactivated the screens and PADDs with the short dresses.

Suddenly a though came into Jamie's mind. "Nyota..." She decided to use her first name now. "...have you and Spock set a date? And have you picked out a dress yet?"

Uhura smiled. "That's a no to both. There's no rush. The wedding will be probably be on New Vulcan, so I'll wear a traditional Vulcan robe." She locked her gaze with the captain's. "But maybe we could also have a small Earth ceremony here on the ship?"

Jamie returned her smile. "You want me to... I'd like that. It would be an honor."

Uhura nodded thankfully and happy, then laughed. "I would have never thought that you'd get married first, Captain."

"Jamie. Right now, in this room are only Jamie, Hikaru and Nyota."

"Jamie", Uhura nodded. "So... how about we find the perfect dress to take Leonard's breath away when he sees you walking down the aisle?"

Jamie smirked. "That's what I'm aiming for. Knocking him off his feet - while wearing something anyone would expect, but that's still me."

"Well then..." Sulu turned around raising a PADD he'd picked up. "I think I might have a winner."