Star date 10011.24- 08:32 hours- Star Base 71- Senior Officer's Quarters # 3210
"Jack, you promise to be good for Julie. There will be no adventures today." Lynn was down on her knees, looking into Jack's eyes.
"I like stars." Jack held up a stuffed star toy to her.
"I know you do. If you make good choices today, I bet Julie will let you look at the star on a pad." Lynn looked at Julie, pleading with her eyes.
"I'll make sure he sees stars today," Julie reassured Lynn. "And I have all I need for Miss Chrissy here, and if I need anything."
"You will call me." Lynn and Julie said in unison.
"I appreciate you picking them up for me. I wanted to catch a few extra minutes with Richard before we must be in the office." Lynn thanked her friend as she kissed each child.
"I know you aren't sure what special plans he has for today, but remember, I'll babysit for the night. You need to tell me the when and where." Julie hugged her friend and pushed Chrissy's stroller out into the corridor.
"Promise." Lynn blew Jack another kiss before closing the door.
Richard was in a deep sleep when the first chime came through his Com Badge. Groggily, Richard reached over to Lynn's side of the bed and found it empty. Thinking she had gotten up with kids, Richard snuggled deeper in the covers, only for Lieutenant Andersen's voice to come through his Com Badge. "Captain Skyler!"
Richard shot up and cracked his head off the headboard. Grabbing his head and silently cursing to himself, he replied. "Go Ahead, Lieutenant."
"Uh, sir, you were supposed to meet with the 101st half an hour ago, sir," Lieutenant Anderson replied warily.
"That's Today!?" Richard asked through his sleep-fogged brain. As far as he could remember, he had reserved the day off. This must have been the reason.
"Umm, yes, sir, today. Sir, they are beginning preliminary briefings in the simulator. What do you want me to tell them?"
"Be right there. Skyler out." His head still pounding, Richard quickly got out of bed, grabbed his fatigues, and put on a baseball cap to compensate for his hair's disarray.
"Morning, Flyboy," Lynn said when he stepped out of the bedroom. "I've got muffins." She indicated the plate of freshly baked muffins on the counter. "Are you ready for today?"
"No time, sweetheart," Richard hurried over, grabbed one of the muffins, and kissed her on the cheek before bolting through the door. "Late for a meeting. See you tonight."
In shock, Lynn could only stand there, her hands around her single cup of coffee for the day. She stood silently for a minute before continuing her conversation without him there. "Oh, the kids? Julie picked them up early so I could prepare this homemade breakfast. No, I didn't mind. The nausea wasn't too bad. It was worth it to make something special for our anniversary." Lynn's voice faded as she went along before she sighed, sat her mug down, and went to get ready for the day. Alone.
Star date 10011.25- 13:12 hours- Star Base 71- Flight Simulator Testing Facility
"Okay, now the split S pattern did give you the advantage, but was it worth risking three fighters to give your Wing Leader a clear shot?" Richard pointed at the Display screen as Captain Tane and her Squadron looked on. "Okay, granted that Captain Tane is one of the best shots I have ever seen, the risk was minimal, but it was still there. Fighters 3, 4, and 7 would be at great risk if the shot went wide. Now..." the screen changed to the computer simulation.
"Fighter 4 could have done a quick role reversal and fallen back behind Fighter 6, with Fighter 3 backing up Fighter 1 in case Captain Tane couldn't get a clear shot. Wedge, when you ordered the 3 Peregrine to fall back, you made a bad move." Richard saw his second-in-command standing at the back of the room, signaling him. "That being said, I will turn you over to Captain Tane to finish the debriefing." With a nod to the Captain, Richard followed his second-in-command out into the hallway.
"Was there something you needed, Commander?" Richard asked, a bit annoyed that he had been interrupted. He had been enjoying his day with the 101st. He couldn't often be in the company of fellow pilots and not stuffy Admirals and Bureaucrats. He had specifically asked to be off today to be in their company, even if this only lasted a day. "It better be important to pull me out of that debriefing."
"To be honest, sir, I was wondering what you were doing in the meeting, considering you have the day off."
"I have today off to spend it with them. That was the point." Richard said with an edge to his voice. His patience with the commander was weighing thin.
Clearing their throat and standing taller, they looked Richard in the eye, "Sir, forgive me, but you took the twenty-fourth day of this month off for a reason, OTHER than the 101st being on the station. Do you remember why?"
"No, Commander, why did you feel pulling me away from 101st was so important?" Richard was getting close to having the commander arrested for insubordination.
"It's the 25th," they continued, Seeing no recognition in Richard's eyes. "…of November, sir. If I must spell it out for you, Sir," the commander stressed, the sir. "Then it is you, SIR, who needs to think of what a priority on your calendar is, sir."
"What does November 25th have to do…" Richard growled until suddenly, the holo came into full focus. Taking a calming breath, Richard apologized. "Forgive me, Commander. It seems that I DID forget a critical appointment today." Richard gulped, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer to his next question. "In how deep shit am I?"
The commander smiled but managed to keep his laughter under control. "You have a holosuite booked at 17:00 hours with a mid-twentieth-century Paris evening holoprogram on reserve. As for the rest, those are your own emergency maneuvers to pull off. The sooner you do so, the less chance there will be a warp core breach."
"You have the bridge, Commander. I'll see you tomorrow." Richard shook his head as he headed down the corridor.
"If there are any pieces left," Richard heard from the commander as he turned the corner heading for his office, internally cursing the whole time. "Real smart Skyler, forgetting your wedding anniversary." He quickly sat down at his desk and began planning. As he did so, he noticed the half-eaten muffin sitting on its wrapper off to the side and froze. "And you made me fresh muffins this morning." Richard felt the knife of guilt twist in his stomach. Just the night before, Lynn had mentioned how she had been feeding Jack cereal in the morning because her nausea would overwhelm her if she cooked anything, and yet she had gone to the trouble of handmaking his favorite muffins for breakfast. She had even gotten up early to ensure she had Jack and Chrissy fed and had time to cook for him before leaving for work. "And I ran out of there without even saying thank you. Warp Core Breech is right."
Star date 10011.25- 14:02 hours- Star Base 71- Pediatric Department of Sick Bay
Lieutenant Julie Tresken was catching up on patient charts when she looked over to her friend, Lynn. "So, how did the muffins go over this morning? I hope they are worth the nausea. You looked pretty green this morning." Lynn didn't look up from where she was stirring her herbal tea. "Starbase to space cadet. Lynn, you with me?" Julie went over and gently nudged Lynn's arm.
"Huh?" Lynn finally looked up at Julie, obviously tired.
"I asked you how the breakfast went." Julie smiled at her friend. "You were still a bit green when I picked up the kids this morning."
"It didn't." Lynn turned away from Julie and picked up a couple of pads.
"What do you mean it didn't?" Julie went around the desk to face her friend, "I thought that Richard loved those things?
"He does." Lynn sniffed and switched out her pads for new ones, not looking up at Julie. "He liked them so much that he grabbed one when he ran out the door late for a meeting. He barely slowed down to kiss me and the kids on the cheek." Lynn stood and headed towards her office, not wanting to start crying on the ward floor.
"That bastard. I thought he had gotten his act together," Julie said, frustrated as she followed Lynn.
"So did I. " Lynn leaned on her office's doorframe and sighed," At least it was good while it lasted. And would you stop calling him that?! I know you haven't forgiven him for his behavior six months ago, but he is still a Star Fleet command officer and the father to my children. If you can't keep a civil tongue about him, feeling like shit or not, I will kick your ass. "
Julie said, "I'm just saying that it was bad form to run out without acknowledging the day like that."
"He was sound asleep when he got the call that he was 30 minutes late for his meeting. You can't fault him completely for grabbing what he could and hauling ass out the door. You would have done the same thing." Lynn glared at her friend.
"Point," Julie agreed, "If he doesn't at least acknowledge what today is by 1700 hours, I'll kick his ass. Or worse, I'll notify Admiral Scott that he gave up on his vow to you and see if any pieces are left."
Lynn rolled her eyes and pushed away from the doorframe. "You just want to see the bloodshed," she said.
"No, if I wanted bloodshed, I would tell your mother that you are pregnant again five months after you nearly died giving birth to your first child." Julie followed Lynn into the office.
Lynn walked around her desk and smiled, "Then you are out of luck. There won't be any bloodshed today."
"Oh, and why is that?" Julie leaned on Lynn's visitor chair, giving Lynn a skeptical look.
Smiling, Lynn pointed down at the bouquet of pink roses, white Asiatic lilies, not pink carnations, lavender stock, and sinuate statice in a stunning vase that had been hidden from view by her monitor. "There is even a card."
Julie had to admit she was impressed, "Anything else?" Lynn turned and placed a large white box between them on the desk. "Given its size, I don't think that is intimate apparel, though, given how wide your butt has gotten."
"Hey!" Lynn swatted Julie's curious hands away from the box. "For that, you can go log fecal specimens."
"Oh, come on, Lynn." Julie pouted, "I'm sorry. I know you will look beautiful in it, whatever it may be." Aside Julie said jokingly, "Someday."
"Smart Ass!" Lynn opened the box while Julie sat the large vase of flowers aside. Lynn's eyes widened as she lifted the lid of the pristine white dress box. Nestled within, like a precious secret, lay a maternity version of Audrey Hepburn's iconic little black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's. The fabric was soft and forgiving, designed to accommodate her growing belly while still capturing the elegance and timeless style of the original. The neckline curved gracefully, and the hem fell just above her knees. Lynn imagined herself wearing it, her hair swept into an elegant updo, oversized sunglasses perched on her nose, and a sense of sophistication enveloping her. It was more than a dress; it was a promise of grace, even amid change. "Holy…."
Julie turned to face Lynn, "So what did your Flyboy…." Julie's jaw dropped. "Did he?"
Lynn carefully pulled out the matching sunglasses, gloves, and shoes from another box hidden in the dress's tissue paper. "I believe he did."
"You said there was a card." Julie nudged her friend.
Smiling, Lynn opened the simple card and read it to Julie.
"I'm sorry I missed you today. I know this is a special day, and as special as you are, I want to make it up to you. Meet me at the reserved Holosuite at 17:00 hours. Wear what is in the box. You won't regret it – R "
"I told you he would remember; it just took longer than I wanted," Lynn smirked as he put away the items.
"What about the kids?" Julie asked.
"Didn't you say you would babysit if we needed you so we could enjoy our special day?" Lynn smirked.
Julie face palmed and walked out the door, leaving Lynn smiling.
Star date 10011.25- 17:09 hours- Star Base 71- Holosuite #4
Lynn pushed her sunglasses up on her forehead as she looked at the Paris cityscape below her. "I don't think I have seen anything more beautiful." Lynn sighed.
"Not beautiful, more beautiful than you," Richard smiled at her. He was leaning on the rail next to her.
Lynn rolled her eyes, "Sure I am ... I'm bloated, nauseated, and going to turn into a fat blimp. Not to mention, I feel like a little girl dressed up in her mother's clothing." She indicated the beautiful dress that Richard had given her. It hugged her curves and did nothing to hide her baby bump.
"I think you're taking this a bit too seriously. You look better now than you did when you were with Chrissy at the same time." Richard gazed at Lynn, his eyes softening. "Better, I would say; I didn't drag you away from your home and family at a moment's notice." Richard kept the note of regret out of his voice, "And no matter what you think, you'll always be beautiful in someone's eyes." He leaned over and kissed her.
She blushed at his compliment, "Any regrets since you took that final leap a year ago?"
"About our marriage?" Richard wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close, "None. Though it feels like it has been longer than a year." He leaned down and kissed her temple, which she reciprocated.
Lynn tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Not even when I've been pregnant most of the time?"
He chuckled. "Especially not then. Chrissy wasn't exactly a honeymoon baby, but close enough." His hand rested on her belly, where their little one was growing.
The couple remained silent as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the iconic iron lattice of the Eiffel Tower. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens.
Lynn's lips curved into a smile. "Boy or girl?"
Richard leaned in, whispering against her ear, "I have a feeling it's a girl. Our own little Parisienne."
She laughed, the sound echoing through the night. "Well, if she's anything like her father, she'll be charming and utterly irresistible."
Richard kissed her, "And if she's anything like her mother, she'll be strong, beautiful, and capable of stealing my heart daily." Together, they watched the city lights twinkle below. Lynn shivered slightly in his arms from the breeze, "Feel up for a stroll along the Seine?" He offered her his arm. With a coy smile, Lynn let him wrap an arm around her and guide her to the elevator and the river below.
Hand in hand, Richard and Lynn walked along the Seine River, the water shimmering under the moonlight. The city lights reflected in the gentle ripples, creating a magical atmosphere. They passed quaint cafes, their warm glow spilling onto the cobblestone streets. Lynn leaned her head on Richard's shoulder, and he pressed a kiss to her temple. As they strode along, the soft strains of music danced in the air. Around the next corner, they found a street musician playing an old French love song. The love song enveloped Richard and Lynn as they stood there, captivated. The musician's fingers danced across the strings of his guitar, weaving a melody that seemed to echo the very essence of Paris—the romance, the longing, and the timeless beauty. Lynn leaned into Richard, her eyes closed, savoring the moment. He held her close, their hearts beating in sync with the music. As the music played, Lynn began to sing along with the music quietly; Lynn's voice intertwined with the guitar's melody, creating a harmonious duet that seemed to echo through the Parisian night. Passersby paused, drawn by the enchanting sound, and the street musician smiled, recognizing the magic he had unintentionally sparked. Richard watched Lynn, his heart swelling with love. Lynn quietly bowed to the passersby and acknowledged the musician for his beautiful music.
With a smile, Richard tossed a coin into the man's hat before steering Lynn down cobblestone streets toward an iconic Italian cafe nestled in the heart of Paris. Cappuccino Italian Bistro1 stood before them, its classic old-style facade inviting and warm. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the promise of authentic Italian flavors wafted through the air. Lynn's eyes widened with anticipation, and Richard's hand tightened around hers. They stepped inside, greeted by the cozy ambiance—a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The walls adorned with vintage photographs and sepia-toned memories whispered stories of love and laughter. The soft glow of pendant lights illuminated wooden tables, each decorated with a single red rose in a slender vase. A friendly waiter guided them to a corner booth, where the checkered tablecloth invited conversation. Richard held the chair for Lynn, and she settled in, eyes scanning the menu. The choices were tantalizing fried calamari, chicken picante, and large manicotti. Lynn's gaze lingered on the veal piccata while Richard considered the grilled salmon. Richard leaned across the table; his eyes locked on hers. "What do you think, Lynn? Veal piccata or grilled salmon?"
She grinned, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "Why not both? After all, Paris is for indulgence."
The waiter whisked away their menus, leaving them to bask in each other's company. Richard reached for Lynn's hand as they waited, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "So much for your nausea, huh?" Richard teased.
"For once, food sounds good. The smell of this place is making my mouth water." She squeezed his hand and smiled. When the veal arrived, it was tender and bathed in a lemony sauce. Lynn's first bite drew a delighted sigh, and Richard's salmon was equally exquisite. They shared forkfuls, their laughter mingling with the clinking of cutlery. The tiramisu for dessert melted on their tongues.
"I'm sorry, I'm not up to the adventures of a trek through the wilderness or the fun of an amusement park." Lynn blushed as they walked along. "Maybe next year?"
"That's alright. Sometimes, the quiet moments are the best." Richard paid the bill, leaving a generous tip. Hand in hand, they stepped back onto the Parisian streets, their hearts full.
"Do you want to," Richard took on a haute accent, "Discover the centuries of love, art, and history woven into the very fabric of Paris," He returned to his regular voice. "Or do you want something different in mind?"
"Flannel pajamas, a warm bed, and a good night's sleep." Lynn's laughter sparkled
Richard laughed, "Sounds like a wonderful end to our evening to me. Computer, door." Richard wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the door, leaving Paris's whispered secrets behind them.