I, Take thee, My Imzadi... (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 23 Feb 2014 @ 12:13pm by Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Tarishiana Barel & Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Arthur Willis & Commander Luke Wyatt & Petty Officer 1st Class Taryn Galepsie & Lieutenant Asahi Kita

3,233 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: Henry's Lake, Idaho, Earth - Quinn Family Ranch
Timeline: MD 18 - 1020 hrs

Previously, on I, Take thee, My Imzadi... (Part 1)...

Quinn chuckled at the question and odd looks. "It's a party basically. It's what country folk call hoedown. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate something and enjoy food and drink, plus a little music and dancing."

"Oh..." Lirha quietly said. What a strange word, she privately thought. "Well, I definitely enjoy parties. And weddings. Where is the bride-to-be?" she asked, wondering if Tarishiana was around maybe hiding somewhere.

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

In the farmhouse

Tarishiana stood in front of the mirror pinning the last strand of hair in place when she her the door behind her open. She wasn't surprised to find the handsome face of her childhood love standing behind her. The block on her mind was mostly gone and even without it she could read his mind. Go a head and say it...I am over dressed for the occasion. She laughed as she set to finding her jewelery.

Lestian held up his hands in defense. I said nothing... He laughed as he easily fell into old habits. Brushing the few tendrils that hung over her shoulder and easily lowered a necklace into place that he had pulled from his pocket. "I had planned on giving you this for our wedding." He spoke softly. The medallion more like an ornate piece of armor then your typical necklace. It hung along her dcolletage in and elegant almost primitive manner. The sentiment of the piece spoke to the understanding that Lestian held of Tarishiana. I would beg you to reconsider, but I would have to be blind to not see what you have with Markum. Even his thoughts were a bit sullen.

Tarishiana held Lestian's gaze in the mirror for a moment. Just as she began to speak the door opened again. She was not surprised to see Willis, the man brought a smile to her face as he plucked Tyra from her bassinet.

Willis' mouth fell open as he laid eyes upon Tarishiana. "Tar, you are, hands down, the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Markum is one lucky guy. I'm happy so happy for both of you....but mostly for him. He is the lucky one."

"Thank you Willis." Tarishiana began. "As usual you are a life saver." She moved to give him a kiss on the cheek. He was part of the family she had always hoped to have and for that he was priceless to her.

"Come now Little Dove...." Lestian began as he moved to usher Tarishiana and Willis from the room. "I have been entrusted with giving you away and I intend to perform my duties." Tarishiana didn't miss the mischievous wink.

Willis looked at the other man and chuckled. "Little Dove? That's funny because she calls Quinn, Big Bear."

Willis slapped the guy on his shoulder and then moved over to pick up Tyra. "Hello baby girl." whispered Willis as he scooped up the little Quinn child. "Uncle Arty is here."

The infant smiled at Willis then grunted and let loose a little series of loud gas. "Yup, just like your daddy. Poor girl" Willis winked at Tarish and moved out of the room. "See you two down there."


Gazebo

Willis entered the barn with a well bundled up baby in his arms. He grinned at everyone as he entered. "Tarish and Oiseau are on their way down." he said with a grin at the mention of the funny name. "We should take our places in the gazebo."

Quinn's face softened as he seemed to be lost in thought, in another place, starring somewhere behind Willis, outside of the Barn. Just then a young man, dressed in Starfleet Medical Blue and wearing the collard rank of a Senior Cadet entered the warm area. "Dad?"

Quinn's eyes welled up with tears as the two sprinted towards each other and embraced in a long and tearful hug.

Willis smiled and looked at the others. "That is Markus, the old man's son. He was supposed to be deployed with a Federation Relief convoy in Romulan Space, but....the Captain of the ship is an old friend of Markum's, and I made a call and arranged for Markus to be excused so he could attend the wedding."

"Indeed...I can see the resemblance in their faces," Lirha replied as she slowly began to walk up to the center of the gazebo where she would be performing the official ceremony. "It was very nice of you to pull some strings so he could be here," she added.

There was a small, half-hearted sigh as Asahi saw the father/son reunion. He had yet to speak with his own father about his return. He fell quiet, merely smiling and nodding in acknowledgement, before moving to take a seat to await the ceremony.

"C'mon dad." said Markus as he let loose his father from his grip. "You have a wedding to get to."

Quinn only smiled and wiped away his tears of joy and walked into the gazebo. Markus took his baby sister from Willis and stood towards the side with her, allowing Willis time to take his position next to Quinn.

Smiling at the somewhat heartwarming sight of a family reunion, John moved to take his position alongside the other guests, knowing that Lirha would be getting ready to officiate as soon as the bride arrived. Subconsciously the captain thought of having the Galileo set up a dampening field to prevent anyone with cold feet from beaming away, but he quickly put his fears aside.

Quinn stood, waiting for the woman that had changed his miserable life in so many ways.

Tarishiana was happy, but yet that was not an uncommon feeling since she had met Markum. Her long white dress hung from one shoulder, flowing behind her like a cloud. Her brown hair was pinned up elegantly as she walked in on the arm of her childhood friend. Her eyes were only on Markum as she and Lestian moved though the group of people she had grown to love and trust.

"She looks lovely," Lirha whispered to Quinn as she stood at the center of the gazebo in her full white Starfleet dress uniform. She had never performed a marriage ceremony before, let alone a Human one, but she was excited nonetheless. The PADD in her hand contained a short speech she had prepared once the bride and groom were ready, and she patiently waited for Tarishiana to walk down the isle in all of her elegance and grace.

Luke remained silent as he allowed his eyes to dart across the room, she certainly looked wonderful. The memory brought back images of when he and Lillian got married. Looking down to Abbey's hand and held it squeezing slightly.

Abbey smiled to her dad, he wasn't usually so sentimental but she guessed it was the whole environment "She looks beautiful doesn't she?" She asked trying to take his mind off from what he was thinking. "Very" Her father replied still looking at Tarishiana.

Markus smiled at his soon to be mother-in-law while cuddling his new step sister. He had never seen his father this happy, this content.

Markum held out his hand to Tarish and waited as he wiped a tear from his eye. The most beautiful woman in the world, the mother of his daughter, his Imzadi was about to become Mrs. Quinn.

Once the COB and his science technician bride had moved to the front together next to Lirha, the Orion commodore glanced back down at her PADD and began to read the brief opening she had prepared. It had taken a few days, but in her studies she had learned that Human weddings often followed a similar structure which included a couple readings followed by vows and then an exchange of rings. She hoped what she had prepared would be sufficient.

"Thank you all for coming today, and for being present while we celebrate this lovely union between our colleagues Markum Quinn and Tarishiana Barel. I have had the pleasure of serving with both of them aboard my first command and they are not only fine crewmen, but also fine friends. They have known each other for many months both on and off Galileo and have grown to love and adore each other during that time. Now, much to my delight, they have made the decision to spend the rest of their lives together, and for this we are all gathered here to celebrate."

John could not help but smile as he thought back on the first time he had ever met the Chief, his head appearing from under the captain's chair moments before he revealed the poker-related story of his early acquisition on the Galileo's dedication plaque. The then-XO had seen the man as just another engineer, but after events more recently, Holliday had come to respect him as much more.

Staying silent, he continued to watch events as they unfolded in front of him, knowing that in a short while he would have a surprise of his own to add to events, making no other move than a wry smirk.

Lirha continued on with the ceremony. "On my homeworld, marriages are often a union arranged from an early age to link two families together for the sake of mutual prominence. While many of these marriages eventually lead to love over time, it is not always the case," she prefaced. "During my time with Humans I have come to not only learn your different relationship customs, but to also appreciate the sincerity of them. There is no doubt in my mind that the bride and groom standing before me love each other, and their union is an expression of their commitment and devotion to each other."

"There will be times when your marriage will be tested -- as with all relationships," she continued as she looked at both Markum and Tarishiana, "but your mutual love and comfort will see you through the trials and joys of your union, and you two will always be safe in each other's arms." Lirha paused for a short moment to look over her PADD, then resumed.

"Do you Markum Quinn, accept Tarishiana Barel as your soulmate and one true love? Do you promise to share in all of life's joys...to be there for her in times of need, to care for her in times of pain, and to support her in all endeavors, big and small?"

Markum smiled broadly as he looked deep into Tarish's eyes. "I do."

"And do you Tarishiana Barel, accept Markum Quinn as your soulmate and one true love? Do you promise to share in all of life's joys...to be there for him in times of need, to care for him in times of pain, and to support him in all endeavors, big and small?"

Tarishinana looked at the people around them. The people that had become her friends and family over the last year. Her eyes fell on her beautiful daughter. Never in her life had she thought she would be this lucky. Turning back to her Imzadi her answer came easily. "I do."

Lirha happily beamed at the two of them, then motioned for them to step closer to each other. "With the authority invested in me for this ceremony, I now declare you two husband and wife. You may now kiss," she said.

Quinn wrapped his arms around his new bride and gently pressed his lips against hers. *I love you, Imzadi.

Tarishiana couldn't help but smile as she kissed her husband. Her arms moved around his neck as she rose up on her toes. Not nearly as much as I love you. she replied.

With a sense of warmth in his heart, the captain brought his hands together to clap in celebration and waited for the bride and groom to begin their procession.

Lirha joined in with the captain and also clapped. She was grateful she hadn't embarrassed herself by messing up any of the formal speeches and readings, and now looked forward to a fun day of drinking and conversation with all of the guests.

Three ranch hands came out of a side door, two pushing kegs of Quinn family brew on hand carts and the third following behind with a long cart full of steaming home-style and freshly prepared food.

Markum smiled and looked at the group. "Drinks and food on the house!"

Lirha watch the attendants enter and roll out the festivities, and didn't hesitate to help herself. She was awfully hungry after skipping breakfast in the morning and politely made her way over to the food cart where she began to sample some of the midwest Earth delicacies.

Abbey eyed the first glimpse of champagne and proceeded into the direction when a firm hand took her arm "Don't make a fool of yourself tonight abbey" She turned around and smiled at her dad "Oh please, I only do that to annoy you" She winked before wriggling free and heading to the attendant.

John moved along with the rest of the group to sample the famous Quinn brewery's hard earned nectar. The Captain was not a particularly heavy drinker, but he did have a fondness for unique or handcrafted produce. With his glass filled, he moved to examine the food options.

"I must say Commodore - if you ever tire of Fleet life you would make an excellent minister."

Lirha munched on some food and gave John a sideways glance when he mentioned her new career in ministry. "I suppose we could turn Galileo into a floating chapel. Perhaps we could travel the quadrant performing ceremonies? ..For a small fee, of course," she winked.

"I would expect nothing less from an Orion Commodore." John replied with a wink of his own. It was no secret that an Orion could be just as latinum hungry as any Ferengi, and even for all her training and experience, she would still have her own instincts.

"And if someone wanted to avoid their fee, I know an excellent Martian captain who could be convinced to freelance as an enforcer."

"From Starfleet captains to freelance wedding performers and bounty hunters...quite a career change," she laughed with bright eyes in between bites of her snack. "It could be a profitable venture," she admitted with a casual shrug.

Markus, the other natural blooded Quinn in the room walked over to the group gathering around the food and drinks. He reached over and pulled himself a stein of his favorite lager. "Hello Captain, Commodore. I'm Senior Cadet Markus Quinn. It's an honor to meet the two people in charge of my father not killing himself."

Lirha turned and looked at the young Quinn, easily recognizing the facial similarities between father and son. "A pleasure to meet you, cadet." Lirha extended a hand for the young man to shake and gave him a pleasant smile. "I am afraid I cannot take all the credit. Captain Holliday here is the official babysitter," she grinned.

John gave a mocking salute to the Commodore before shaking the Cadet's hand. It was true that he had served as her right hand for quite some time aboard the Galileo, and it was now his turn to spread his own captain's wings.

"Cadet. Good to see your CO released you from duty. I'm sure Chief Quinn would have been less than impressed had you been kept on active service today."

"Yes sir. Thank-you." the young man answered after exchanging handshakes. "Yeah, the XO said they usually don't release Senior Cadets from their duties while on their cadet cruise, but I guess the CO was once a junior engineering officer on some ship and dad trained him on how not to blow up a warp core or something. Anyway the XO said two people you never piss off in Starfleet. The Commandant of the Academy, and a Command Master Chief. But we all know dad's bark is far worse than his bite."

"I wish I had been given the same advice" John replied, thinking back on the arguments he had been through with the Commandant during his tenure as an Academy instructor.

"Your father certainly has a reputation amongst the engineering corps. I for one wouldn't want to upset him."

Markus smiled at the comment. "Yes sir....try living....well, I forgot, you basically do live with him."

The groom walked over to the group after being handed a large stein of his family's home brew. "What ever is being said about me is a lie, if I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I don't exaggerate." Markus put an arm around the shoulder of his son and with some protest from the younger Quinn, dad managed to plant a kiss on the lad's cheek. "I gotta get the abuse in while he's still a cadet. Of course, I don't care if he makes admiral...He'll still be that little boy that used to run around holding his manhood signing the Federation Anthem."

Having been stolen by the few members of the gathering that were "on her side" Tarishiana had finally made her way back to Markum. Walking up she slipped her arms around his waist and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Oh, I have no doubt he was taught that by someone." She joked. Turning towards the Orion she had come to care for she smile. "Thank you for today, Commodore. I means a lot to me...to us...that it was you."

Quinn nodded in agreement after punching an unsuspecting Willis in the arm. "All of you here, you too Luke and Abbey. We can't say how much it meant for you to show up. It means a lot."

"Any time Chief and er, Mrs Quinn." John replied. He was more than happy to see two members of his crew that he had known for so long find their own happiness in each other. John of course would be married to his ship and no other as far as he could tell, but he respected the desires of others to join together.

Lirha beamed at Tarishiana, noting how lovely she looked in her wedding dress while also privately wondering if she, herself, would ever one day get married. "If I am not mistaken, I believe you two are now Galileo's first official family. It was my pleasure to do the ceremony. An honor, in fact."

Quinn looked over his shoulder as the small band began to play music. "Let's all do a round of shots and then get our dancing boots on. I'll show you a proper western ho'down. Yippee-ky-aye!"

[OFF]

--

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

Command Master Chief Petty Officer Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

Tarishiana Barel-Quinn
Civilian Scientist
USS Galileo

CPO Luke Wyatt
Security Officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Abbey Wyatt (PnPC Jake)
Scientist Mate
USS Galileo

WO Arthur Willis
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Quinn]

LT Asahi Kita
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

PO1 Taryn Galepsie
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Barel]

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