JP – Lt. Cmdr Hopper & Lt. Richards: Cosmic Duet (Part 5)
Nathan Richards
((Sometime Later, Backyard – Richards Homestead))
After the ceremony, the chairs were moved aside and stored as pallets of wood were laid out to make a dance floor in the center of the large backyard. Party goers gathered around the bar and tables of food as the reception began, with the majority of the Richards clan gathered around the newlyweds to give them congratulations and discuss what they had planned going forward.
Mike: He’s promised me a trip to Paris and the Caribbean. ::Tightly squeezing Blake’s hand:: It’s going to be such a romantic honeymoon.
Blake’s cheeks turned red – a subtle sign that he wasn’t all sarcastic jokes and cool aloofness. He placed his free hand over his new husband’s.
Blake: Hey, it’s me. It’d be romantic wherever we were. ::Turning to the others:: But one of us is weirdly obsessed with classical sculpture and the other is weirdly obsessed with Caribbean food. So, you know…
Patrick: ::Chuckling:: Which one’s which?
Jennifer, still teary eyed from the ceremony and unable to stop quietly blubbering, grabbed her newly married son and gave him yet another kiss on his cheek.
Jennifer: It’s so romantic. It’s what you deserve, my sweet pea. ::sniff::
Hunter: Sounds boring to me. ::Playful smile:: Why not Risa or something a bit more exotic?
Jennifer, *very* upset by Hunter’s words, turned around to face him and stomp her foot on the ground once, telling him in no uncertain terms to stop being such a jerk.
Blake, about to take a sip from his glass of whiskey, paused and pointed a scornful finger at his littlest brother.
Blake: Kids these days. Nothing impresses them. You know, Risa’s climate is all manufactured, right?
Shaking his head, he took a swig of his drink.
Mike: Besides, I don’t do well with space travel. You know that, Hunter!
Hunter: Boo! Lame!
Jennifer: ::through bleary eyes:: Hunter! What did I just say!
Hunter: You didn’t say anything!
With big wide eyes, she stomped her foot on the ground. Again. This time, harder. Hunter’s gaze quickly dropped to the ground as he dropped the teasing in fear of what the stomping would lead to. Patrick wrapped an arm around his wife in an attempt to calm her, and also to be ready to hold her back from launching at their youngest son.
Patrick: Easy now.
Sam: While I don’t completely agree with Hunter’s sentiment, I would say that visiting somewhere off this planet would be so much cooler, but I totally respect Mike and his distaste for space travel.
Robin, trying her best to inoffensively move the conversation in a less contentious direction, chimed in next
Hopper: ::Chuckling:: I’d say you should visit the Outpost, but it’s a six week trip. I don’t think Mike would survive… That Barossa Nebula though – you’ve never seen anything like it.
She raised her eyebrows in suggestion of the nebula’s beauty, but paused when she saw the dubious look in Jennifer’s eyes. Internally, she wished Sam could share some of her enthusiasm with her mother – who had seemed hesitant to accept her from the get-go. For some reason the thought had never crossed her mind that any of Nathan’s family might just disapprove of her… of them? She wasn’t even entirely sure what the issue was.
Hunter: I’ve seen some holos of it. It seems pretty cool. But I guess I’d rather be on a starship anyways, where you can actually go visit other worlds, see the landscapes.
Nathan stood off to the side next to Robin as he listened to the conversation. Hunter had always been an advocate for traveling to other planets. He himself hadn’t yet, but in his preparation for joining Starfleet Academy, He had done research on a bunch of Federation planets and gotten excited.
Richards: The Delta Quadrant really isn’t that bad.
He gave Blake a knowing look, thinking back to his teasing while they were getting ready. Mike, however, gave Nathan a bit of an angry glare.
Blake: ::Nudging Mike:: Hey, forgive the guy. He’s gotta convince himself he hasn’t made a huge mistake living so far away from home.
Hopper: ::To Hunter:: And you know, we actually do our fair share of away missions. Especially my team. ::To Sam:: Lots of planetary surveys to conduct, just examining the local systems. It’s all new to Starfleet Science.
Jennifer: Well, aren’t you just the picture perfect Human/Centauran. Meanwhile, my *son* just got married, do you think you could not talk about yourself for say… thirty seconds?
Nathan gave his mother a look that said “What the @#%!”, but said nothing. He knew all too well what she was capable of when one of her kids got out of line. “I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it” had been uttered more than once during his childhood.
Robin, meanwhile, pulled on her reserves of measured calm – and said nothing, clenching her fist around the tablecloth in her lap to avoid saying anything in response which she might regret. She was being tested, that much was obvious, but she was determined not to let Nathan’s mother get her goat. She certainly had no intention of making a scene at his brother’s wedding.
Sam: ::Quietly to Robin:: I’d love to hear more about everything you do up there. I can’t imagine the things you could teach me.
Sam scanned the area to make sure her mother wasn’t actively listening to her whisper to Robin. One more misstep from the Richard kids and their mother might have made a scene none of them could recover from.
Blake finished his drink then rapped his knuckles on the table a couple times. Looking around the table, he brought up the next order of business.
Blake: Right, well, before dad gets drunk and makes another toast, or mom kills somebody, I suggest we all hit the bar and the dance floor. Mom, pops, you can show us youngins’ how it’s done. ::Looking around, then to Mike:: I have no idea where your folks wandered off to… ::To Nathan & Robin:: Dancing?
Nathan looked over at Robin, a smile crossing his face as he held out his hand.
Richards: Shall we?
Hopper: Yes, please!
She smiled back, happy to get a breather and spend a moment with just Nate, and took his hand as she rose from her seat.
Jennifer: oO Oh yes, outdo the *parents* at their own son’s *wedding*. Typical. Oo
Blake: ::To Sam:: Think you can let the nice Commander go so she can get her groove on?
Hunter grabbed Sam by the arm, pulling her away (much to her dismay) from Robin and giving her room to breath.
Hunter: I’ll keep her distracted. You guys run!
Sam: Wait! ::Reaching back towards Robin:: I only have a short amount of time to absorb every ounce of knowledge you can spare!
Nathan had hoped that his family would all accept Robin into the fold, but he never imagined just how well she was accepted. Everyone seemed to love her, with exception of his mother, but he knew she would come around eventually. No one was ever really good enough for her children in her eyes.
Richards: Well, I say shots, then dance floor. ::Smirking:: Loosen up a bit first.
Hopper: Sounds fun.
Blake: Bulleit? ::To Hopper:: You drink Whiskey?
Hopper: ::Slight shrug:: I’m usually more of a tequila gal.
Jennifer: ::under her breath, looking away:: Hhmph fancy. ::sniff:
Blake: ::Shaking his head:: Well, in this family we drink whiskey. Better start getting used to it.
Hopper: ::Waving a hand:: Oh, that’s fine. I’m easy.
Robin nodded, then caught another disapproving glance from the Richards’ clan matriarch, and bit the inside of her cheek. Perhaps she could have phrased that better.
Hunter: Can I have one?
Jennifer: ::Firmly:: No. oO Beam to Australia. That’s what I did when I was under 21. Oo
Patrick let out a sigh. If things continued the way they were, there would be no holding Jennifer back from her rampage.
Patrick: I think a drink sounds great right now.
Mike: ::To Blake:: Let’s not drink too much. I still have plans for you later.
Blake: ::Eyebrows rising:: Good thing your uncle gave us that new sheet set.
Jennifer, who would usually be mischievously appalled by such concepts being discussed, instead found herself silently blubbering again. She was so proud of her boy getting married, that the words “sheet set” started her crying with joy again for reasons she couldn’t fathom.
Blake looked around the room and lifted his empty glass towards Mike’s uncle, who was chatting with another guest by the edge of the dancefloor.
Blake: Thanks for the wedding gift, Uncle Reg’.
Richards: ::Teasingly, bumping his brother with his elbow:: Gross.
Jennifer smacked Noonie’s arm in defense of her married son, then pointed a finger at him as a warning to “be nice” - all while still silently crying.
Hopper: ::To Nathan:: Why don’t we go get the drinks? ::To the others:: We’ll be right back.
Patrick: oO Smart Oo And we will be right here.
Patrick patted his wife’s knee reassuringly. Jennifer’s crying stopped, she took a single sniff and a deep breath, as her joy turned to suspicion.
Jennifer: ::deadpan, to Hopper:: … I look forward to it.
Nathan gladly went with Robin to the bar, putting some distance between them and the rest of the group. When she let out a little sigh of relief and leaned her head against his shoulder, he pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her and planting a kiss on the side of her head.
Richards: The last few days have been crazy. Are you doing alright? ::Chuckling, smirking:: I was scared we would have to surgically remove Sam from your hip.
Hopper: ::Tilting her head side to side, slightly:: I like her. She’s sweet. Clingy, but sweet. ::Chuckling:: She’ll grow out of it. Especially if she is accepted to the Academy. I think once she gets out there, and she’s doing the work herself, it won’t seem so grandiose anymore.
Richards: I sure hope so. ::Waving down one of the bartenders:: Six shots of Bulleit, a Rum and Cola, ::Looking at Robin:: and…oO Moscow Mule? Oo
Hopper: And a Moscow Mule for me.
Richards: oO Nailed it. Oo
Robin leaned an elbow on the bartop and looked up at Nathan, finding herself actually enjoying the slightly-longer-than-usual stubble he’d let grow out, rather to her surprise. She usually hated beards, but something about his was cute in a rugged sort of way.
Hopper: What about you? It’s been a big day. Lots to do. And we only just hiked back in yesterday. You sure you’ve still got the energy for dancing?
Richards: ::Winking:: I always have energy for you.
The bartender deposited their two beverages first, then went to the barback and began preparing a tray of shots. Nathan picked up his rum and cola and swirled the glass making the ice inside clink against the sides. Robin lifted her copper mug from the bar top and twirled her straw. A brief moment of quiet passed between them, as the song that the band had been playing wound down and something more upbeat began to play.
Hopper: What are you thinking about?
Nathan looked up from the swirling liquid in his glass, his eyes meeting Robin’s. He had been thinking about a lot since they had arrived. But the one thing that kept coming back to mind, was the future. Standing up next to his brother, listening to the dedication that Blake and Mike vowed to each other had introduced a whole slew of new questions in regards to his future with Robin. Did they want to get married? Was it too soon to even think about that? When was the right time to think about that? He took a deep breath, pushing the box of questions closed once more, and smiled at Robin.
Richards: I’m thinking about you. I’m thinking about how great this trip has been. I’m really glad you came with me. ::Taking a sip from his drink:: What about you? What’s rattling around in the brilliant brain of yours?
Hopper: ::Long sip of her drink:: I think your mom hates me.
Nathan sucked in air between his teeth and shrugged ever so slightly.
Richards: I really wouldn't say “hate”...:: Taking another drink:: She just…gets that way sometimes. oO Overprotective, overbearing, …some other ‘over’ words…Oo
Robin shrugged. It was true, as far as she could tell. Or, if ‘hate’ was too strong a word, then certainly Jennifer Richards was hypercritical of her. Robin supposed, in a roundabout way, it was just her way of loving her children – and it briefly made her wonder whether her own parents had similar feelings about Nathan.
Hopper: I mean… I get it. I think. She’s not exactly hiding it. What’d she say? I’m taking part of your heart? ::Nervous chuckle:: It’s sweet that she wants to protect you. Hopefully with a bit of time, she’ll see I have no intention of ‘breaking your heart’ or whatever it is she’s scared of. I mean, she seems to have accepted Mike, right? How long did that take?
Richards: ::Tapping his chin in thought:: Like five years, or something like that. ::Shrugging::
Hopper: Oof… Well, at least we have some space between us. ::Small genuine smile:: I guess I’m also thinking about what it'll be like when we get home. Back to Amity that is. It’s going to feel ‘different’...
Richards: ::Raised eyebrow:: Different? Different how?
Hopper: ::Knowing smirk:: Well, this trip has changed some things, hasn’t it..?
Before Nate could reply, the bartender deposited a tray of six shot glasses in front of them. The couple quickly finished up their drinks and, with an appreciate wave to the bartender, carried the tray back to the table, where they shared an amicable cheers with the grooms and the elder Richards’.
Setting their shot glasses down, Nathan took Robin by the hand and led her towards the dance floor as the next song began. Nathan was glad they had decided to go with a live band, it gave the whole reception a more intimate feel as opposed to a DJ simply playing songs off of a PADD. He turned and smiled at her, pulling her close.
Richards: We always seem to end up on a dance floor. Don’t we?
Robin quickly matched her steps to his, enjoying dancing closely and openly. One thing this trip had given them both was an opportunity to get used to the notion of being a couple out of hiding, and she had to admit it felt liberating and exhilarating, as much as it felt a little terrifying.
Hopper: ::Slight shrug:: I’m a simple girl. I enjoy simple pleasures.
Richards: Dancing or singing, ::Chuckling:: right?
She nodded.
Hopper: And, believe it or not, I’m developing a rather soft spot for camping now too, thanks to you.
Robin grinned up at him, feeling safe and comfortable in his warm gaze. Nathan leaned in slightly and rested his head against hers, his lips only inches from her ear…
TBC…
(Blake Richards as simmed by)
Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer & Second Officer
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
&
Lt. Nathan Richards
Chief of Operations
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
&
Jennifer Richards
Noonie’s Mom
V239511WU0
&
Patrick Richards
Nathan’s Dad
I238705TZ0
&
Samantha Richards
As simmed by Travis’ wife Beky