A Family Dawns

Posted on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 3:41am by Cailus Griffin & Lieutenant Kalin Brennan-Griffin PhD & Eva Griffin
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:57pm

Mission: Death in Paradise
Location: USS Pandora - Holodeck One
Timeline: Current

For once, everything had gone off without a hitch.

The modifications that Mindo and Shae’s brothers had made to the various linked holodecks worked splendidly, allowing Shae’s family from all over the quadrant to witness the vows between Shae and Cailus. The connection was putting one hell of a strain on the subspace communications array for the sector, but it was worth it! The setting in the holodeck was the Brennan homestead in Ireland with the venue set up in the lush gardens in the backyard. Shae’s mother had gone above and beyond decorating for the occasion; the rows of chairs facing the arbor and then the tables for the reception all looked immaculate, and with all the guests seated and Cailus at the arbor with Nyx, all that was required now was the bride!

A gentle tune spilled from an old harp, and slowly a small figure walked down the aisle. After having her role explained to her, Aoife had been determined to shower the aisle with flowers all on her own; supported by a little crutch, she took a few steps then stopped to reach into her little basket and throw some flowers into the air. By the time she reached the arbor, she was looking a bit tired, but so proud that she had done it all on her own. A seat in the front row had been left vacant in anticipation of this, and the little fox-child in the fairy dress sat down next to her grandmother to wait for her next part in the ceremony.

The music shifted and everyone rose from their seats to watch Shae come down the aisle on her father’s arm. She had chosen the corset dress in the cream colored linen with her hair done up in curls that spilled over her bare shoulder and were dotted with small flowers. She saw Cailus standing at the arbor in his suit and her heart started racing even more than it already was; this was really happening, for real this time! There had been a time when Shae thought she would never find anyone with whom she could share her heart, believing herself doom to perpetual loneliness, but that time had become a distant memory; since she had met Cailus, Shae had come to believe that anything was possible.

Standing up at the arbor, Cailus could scarcely believe his eyes...or, indeed himself, for despite everything, he was more nervous than he’d been in years. The music, Aoife’s determination to do her job for her Mama and Papa, then Shae in her dress, all conspired to make his own heart seem to stop altogether. It didn’t matter that now, it was technically his fourth wedding. It didn’t matter that he was a hardened combat veteran. Shae’s graceful walk up towards him, her own beaming happiness unmistakable, shook him to his very core, his skin buzzing in electric excitement. This was it. This was happening.

As Shae was ‘presented’ to Cailus by her father, time seemed to stand still. Taking Cailus' hands, Shae faced her soon to be husband in front of Nyx, radiating so much happiness that she wondered if she might actually burst. She heard Nyx speak, but for this moment his words became something ephemeral and just out of reach as she gazed into Cailus’ eyes, and any person looking at the pair now would know that they were in their own little world. When it came time for their vows, they repeated the vows they’d shared while in the Bubble as they exchanged rings; ‘for as much time as we are permitted’ had not been nearly long enough within the Bubble, but now they had a second chance to make the most of this time, and neither had any intentions of wasting such a precious gift.

With vows said, they were now one and the kiss that followed could have reignited the stars from all the passion between them. But they were not done yet, and when their lips parted, Shae turned and held her hand out to Aoife who then hobbled over to join them at the arbor. Shae picked up her daughter and settled her on her hip so that Cailus could make another vow, this time to the child he had come to love as his own. Kneeling down to meet Aoife’s eyes, Cailus’ words were just for show as the adoption was already finalized, they were simply announcing it to all that they were now one family, whole and complete.

Finally, after placing a solemn kiss on Aoife’s forehead, Cailus stood, and together, the newlyweds turned, both beaming, to their assembled friends and family. The answering applause, cheers and (from Shae’s mischievous brothers) whistling only added to to the occasion. The new family slowly made their way back down the aisle, their surrounding friends and family watching. Shae’s parents were there on one side, glowing with pride, while Cailus’ great-nephew and his own family sat on the other side, with their various friends and colleagues sitting behind. Shae, Cailus and Aoife so walked on happily back down the aisle with the sun’s warmth on their backs and a shower of flower petals overhead, the new family setting off for their future.