Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all fabulous.
This is a reminder that Liz wrote the letter in this chapter and the next before her sister went missing.
Day 249: Chaos, Chaos, and Hope
From: Elizabeth_Chen
To: kitten_loverJJMU
cc: Kevin KR
Time arrived: 10/29/2260 00:00:01
subject: I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner.
I am so sorry that I did not write to you as soon as I got your letter. I was busy putting the Sulu proposal together in addition to my school stuff. I've been spending way too much time with Starfleet lawyers and my mother.
It was a beautiful proposal. The music was perfect, and Ben absolutely loved the ring. He was crying on the ride back home. There was lots of hugging, so I'm proud of myself for successfully pulling off a surprise, even if half the school thinks that I'm marrying Kevin because of contraceptive failure. Should I be insulted that most of them think Kevin would only marry me if the condom breaks? That is such an outdated practice. I know you wish your parents never got married. It would've been probably better if they just shared custody, but what's done is done.
Anyway, I've included more pictures. I've sent them to everybody. Also, there's video. I'm sorry you couldn't be there to watch or that we could even talk to each other. I feel horrible about that. I love hanging out with you.
I'm also sorry time did not allow for us to even do a deep space messenger chat, but from the report I got from Winona about today's meeting, that might be for the best. Peter isn't used to us, which I understand. I mean he's only met us a handful of times so of course he's going to be nervous. Maybe it would be good for him to ask us questions in letters instead. It's just hard with us being so far away. We're lucky if we can exchange one letter a month.
So, I must know if your gifts arrived safely on base. I hope none of the candies or cookies mysteriously disappeared. My sister says this has happened a few times to her care packages. She was furious when this happened when she was pregnant. You do not take a pregnant woman's Oreos from her. That's just stupid.
It was probably best for all that Sue was on planet for the last trimester. After what happened to Jim, Starfleet doesn't like pregnant officers in space during their last trimester. Mom is working on revisiting that policy. We'll see how that goes.
I'm glad that you want to explore different art techniques and I hope that the books we sent you will help in that regard. I'm also sorry that the database has so little in it that's useful. It's geared more towards Starfleet officers and not preteens. Although you'd think with as many cultures that we meet, there would be more things about the humanities in that regard.
Unfortunately, too often, we are interacting for trade reasons or for scientific research. There's not enough cultural exchange in Starfleet. Which has resulted in a lot of dangerous and volatile situations. My mom has stories.
I must know what your new classmates are like. Did you get an extra Ashley? Although 4 Ashley's would be a little much. I'm just glad that the three you already have, are becoming better people. I'm happy that Ashley 3 apologized to Pav. I'm also pleased that he's self-aware that he isn't quite ready for a relationship with someone who is essentially a single mom.
So quick update on me. I think I'm getting better at balancing classes and childcare. Baby K and Ben have been coming around. He has been helping us with Winona in London indefinitely. She is supposed to come back by the end of October, but I think she likes it there. Although leaving Iowa for San Francisco was the first step in her healing process, maybe leaving San Francisco for London is the next in Winona's recovery.
Classes are complicated. My actual classes are good; the Kobayashi Maru exam is the complicated part. So, my mom and your grandmother are really annoyed with the professor who was overseeing our exams regarding the cases that we were assigned. Your grandmother feels that maybe we should not have been asked to look at an incident that is currently still under active investigation.
The classmate assigned to examine the Vengeance incident, and I were given the option to choose something else. Some others might be given the same option as well, they are still looking into the situation. My classmate decided to look at some of the tough calls of Capt. Archer of the other Enterprise. I, on the other hand, am a masochist and chose to continue with my original topic.
Besides, I've already read the unredacted official report, and I don't have the energy to do that again for something else. At least because of things Kevin told me, I can spot some of the discrepancies with the truth. I don't know what I can do with those differences yet, but at least I know it's there. I have a meeting with the moms and the lawyers this afternoon to discuss that. Then I'll email Jim. Remember to always ask questions.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to New Vulcan in December. I don't know if there will be a wedding. Kevin showed Ben the wedding pictures from Jim's Vulcan ceremony, and I think it turned Ben off the concept. By the end of the ceremony, Jim kind of looked like a lobster. I don't think Ben wants to risk that with small children. Also, Sulu's sister does not want to plan a wedding in under three months, especially a wedding on a still developing colony. She doesn't have vendors there yet.
Yes, I had to listen to this rant multiple times. Kevin and I have already decided that when we get married, it's either going to happen in Vegas or Risa. We'll have the family there, but that's it. Also, we are going somewhere where we can just choose wedding package number six and be done with it.
PS: I am so sorry for some of the things you accidentally read last time. I am still shocked your mom hasn't blocked my email from your account, although if I get a bounce-back, I will completely understand.
Xxx
From: Benjamin_2254
To: SuluHG2260
Subject: Greetings from your fiancé the future Benjamin Sulu
Time arrived: 10/29/2260 00:00:01
It's been two days, and I'm still ridiculously happy. Even my mother-in-law cried when I told her. She hasn't met you yet, and she already likes you. She says you have excellent taste in jewelry. You already won Zoe over. She wants to be my maid of honor. Are you okay with that?
Also, both of your sisters said they would kill us if we do our wedding on the New Vulcan colony. One, it would be too hard to get shore leave on New Vulcan for one of your sisters and the other one doesn't have vendors there yet. Expect to get a link to your digital wedding planner guide any moment. Due to the lack of time, your sister says we need to start making decisions now especially about where. I'm personally lobbying for Yorktown. The wedding planner does not have vendors there yet, but she can get some quick. I'm sure your daughter's grandmother will help.
Although we did have this very awkward conversation about not letting Sue feel like she's being left out and to consider a polyamorous marriage. This is legal in the Federation. I'll let you and Sue work that out. She is your freebie card and always will be. I knew that when I accepted your proposal.
After reading your letter, I'm almost positive, there was this moment where you suddenly decided to propose. I wonder how right I am.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to New Vulcan. I leave mid-November for my training time on the colony. They've agreed to let Zach's mom come with me to provide childcare services. Liz and Kevin are a little cranky about that because they're going to be losing their other favorite babysitter before finals.
Also, I look forward to celebrating our engagement properly. That's why I've arranged for babysitting.
Anyway, we love you and can't wait to see you soon.
Xxxxx
From: SuluHG2260
To: Benjamin_2254
Subject: Re: greetings from your fiancé the future Benjamin Sulu
Time arrived: 10/29/2260 07:26:01
A part of me wants to completely revel in the fact we are already working on wedding planning, but I can't right now. I am glad you wrote because I was going to write to you anyway. I just need someone to talk to who won't give me that look. I can't take anyone else looking at me with pity.
Sue had an away mission that went horrible. Like Capt. sent back to the ship extra dead due to projectile weapons horrible. That happened because he tried to trade Sue for his own freedom. If he would've read his pre-brief, he would've known they don't like that. I'm not that sad that he's dead. I'm more concerned about Sue.
Enterprise was assigned the rescue mission because the Admiral doesn't trust anybody aboard the Hamilton right now other than Ambassador Garber. I just have this feeling that some other shady stuff has been discovered. I'm a mess to the point where Dr. Margarita has declared me emotionally compromised, and I am on mental health leave. Leaving me entirely out of the loop is doing very little for my mental health, but I can't argue with Margarita.
The new therapist is helping the search teams and she knows Sue personally. Jim is on the search team. Nyota is acting "first" officer because, again, I am on mental health leave. Also, because of the situation, the kids are on lockdown in the safe room. This is due to the fact who knows what we could be running in to.
On second thought, I am going to write about wedding plans because it will get my mind off the worst-case scenario. So, I think we should get married at Yorktown this summer. Maybe right around baby D's second birthday? Not the same day, but close. Yes, Zoe can be your maid of honor. Sue already called dibs on being my best person and she will be there. I must believe that. That needs to be my happy thought right now because otherwise I'm going to cry.
Thank you for listening. I'll write again in a couple of days, hopefully with a proper update and possibly more wedding ideas.
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Elizabeth_Chen
cc: Kevin KR
time sent: 10/29/2260 12:49:31
Subject: Thank you for all your gifts
Yes, everything did arrive in pristine condition. We even made effective use of the cookies in the last couple of days. We are essentially on lockdown because Enterprise is taking part in a rescue mission. A first officer was kidnapped during a routine diplomatic mission because the captain sold her out, or at least that's what the rumor mill is saying. I don't even know what ship or who is involved. Although Mr. Sulu is on "emotional compromise leave", so it must be somebody he knows from the Academy. Nobody's telling me anything because they think I'm a little kid. It's annoying.
Jim is part of the away team, and Peter is not happy. So far, no panic attacks, but that might be because he slept in my bed last night. It didn't mean anything. I'm 12. Ashley 2 has some ridiculous ideas.
Because Enterprise is going into slightly hostile space, the minors of Enterprise are getting to spend quality time together in the safe rooms. Gina and Ashley three's aunt are our chaperones. They also won't tell us anything that's going on, which is so annoying.
Thank the universe this did not happen until Jeremy was long gone. Otherwise, we would've all killed each other. Everybody is at least tolerable and we're all sharing our snacks. Double stuff chocolate ganache Oreos are a big hit along with the flaming hot cheese puffs. Also, the art kits are giving us something to do. I donated the bracelet kit to the cause. We need something to do while in captivity. Peter is less freaked out about Jim being on an away mission when he has something to keep his hands occupied.
No additional Ashleys but we now have three Chrises. None of them have the name Chris, yet. Chris one is working on getting their name changed. I gave them tips on what I went through with my name change. They are happy to have somebody else that understands that part at least. I feel more like a Josephine than who I was before. Although I will still answer to JoJo. I will always be Uncle Jim's little JoJo. I also gave them some tips on how to deal with family members that don't respect your name change. In addition to your care package, I also got one from the judge who of course dead named me. That package promptly went in the trash.
I don't think you're a masochist for keeping your current project. Being masochistic would mean choosing another subject and having to read through all the reports again. I was raised by lawyers, so I understand the concept of alternate truth. I'm not surprised Starfleet functions very similarly.
Mom is not mad at you for saying too much. Although I did get the "talk". Thankfully at 12, the "talk" is mostly about menstruation, which just happened during this captivity and the importance of saying no. That was something the biological mom taught me. One of the few positives.
Okay, Ashley three's aunt just got pulled out. Dad needs her in the med bay because they found the missing person. She's the first officer on the Hamilton. Isn't that the ship…
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Elizabeth_Chen
cc: Kevin KR
time sent: 10/29/2260 13:12:12
Subject: Nearly 300 years and voice rec still has issues
I'm so sorry I accidentally said something the PADD interpreted as the words send. I'm sure uncle Jim will send you a rapid message before you read my email, but dad says your sister is fine, just dehydrated. Although he's smiling at me so you should probably wait for an update from Uncle Jim. I'm sure Uncle Jim is going to send that to you as soon as he can. I really wish he would deal with the no recalling outside email thing. I also wish the microphones were nowhere near as sensitive.
To be continued
I would just like to say that I wrote this chapter back in early January before lockdowns began for many of us.