Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek: An Unforgettable Evening, Part 2
Lael Rosek
((Observation Lounge, Deck 6, USS Chin’toka))
{{Time Index: New Year’s Eve, Evening}}
Mei’konda: Commander, Lieutenant, for your efforts on the surface of Tibro IV and injuries sustaained while living up to Starfleet’s highest standards, you are both being awaarded the Purple Heart. Through the pain you suffered, you spaared others from suffering the same. Thank you for your serviice.
She managed to suppress an ironic chuckle. If she didn’t miss her guess, that put him at one more than her. Though she and Chythar had joked often enough about their penchant for heroics and their martyristic tendencies, Purple Hearts were no joke.
They were among the highest honors an officer could receive for the depth of their dedication and service to Starfleet. In receiving her first, Lephi had joined a legacy. She would be remembered long after her service to the fleet ended.
She applauded politely as the Captain handed the officers their ribbons.
Raga / Lephi / Any: Responses
Mei’konda: Now, would Doctor Snow and Lieutenant McKnight join the Commander and the Lieutenant me up here as well, please.
Her eyebrow arched at the mention of Amuro. From what she recalled of the reports, he’d been at the center of the debacle when Asil’s supporters had attempted their coup. It had been a shame they’d needed to pull out, but she understood Mei’s reasons well enough. The last thing they needed was to get embroiled in a civil war. It could severely hurt the Federation’s neutral presence in the Expanse if they were seen taking sides.
McKnight / Snow: Responses
Mei’konda: For your actiions in defendiing Grand Admiral Dels’an, Lieutenants Snow, Lephi, and McKnight are being awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon. You all comported yourselves with exceptional professionaliism in a difficult situation down there. I’m proud to serve with you all.
Serala: Good job, you three.
She smiled and nodded, applauding politely.
McKnight / Lephi / Snow: Responses
Mei’konda: Additionaally, Commander Raga, Starfleet has approved my decision to award you the Distinguished Service Ribbon for putting yourself in direct daanger to prevent the detonaation of a bomb that surely would have killed the Grand Admiral. Good work, Commander.
A smirk worked its way across her lips. For all Toryn tended to be reckless, he was a good officer of high character. He prided himself on his integrity and from what she could see, it had earned him the respect of his crew in return. She knew how critical it was for a leader to have that kind of respect from those around them. It was something that she hoped to eventually gain here as she had with the Astraeus’s crew.
Their commitment to integrity was something they both shared. It was one of the many reasons she respected Toryn so highly in spite of their past personal differences.
Raga / Any: Responses
The four officers stepped back and Mei called up the next group.
Mei’konda: Would Commander Kiax and Lieutenants Osiris and Levinson join me up here, please.
Kiax / Osiris: Responses
Mei’konda: You and the rest of your archaeology team on the surfaace made a monumental discovery about the Chon that may have saved your teams’ lives. I’m awardiing you both the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. Congratulaations, and may you continue to push the bounds of scientifiic knowledge in the future.
She arched an eyebrow, intrigued. She hadn’t yet had the chance to read their reports, but the mention of it had her suddenly wanting to. Perhaps this was a chance to establish a further rapport with Esa and Levinson. At a later date, of course. Again, she applauded politely, careful not to jostle T’Saara too much in the process.
Levinson: Thank you, sir.
Kiax / Osiris: Responses
Mei’konda: ::glances down at his roster:: In addition, though they could not be here toniight due to duty, Ensign Tal’Aura will be receiving the Innovation Ribbon, and Lieutenant th’Koro will be receiving the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon and the Scientific Discovery Ribbon.
Any: Responses
The absentees had seemingly been saved for last and that concluded the ceremony.
Mei’konda: Thank you all again, and I’m honored to be your Captain. We haave some time until New Year’s. Please, have some champagne if you liike, and we will soon riing in the new year.
Any: Responses
She turned to Serala to continue their conversation, but out of the corner of her eye, noted Chythar stepping toward Mei. She arched an eyebrow as Chythar smiled at her.
Skyfire: With your permission, Mei’konda, I wish to address the crew.
Mei’konda: Response
Her Chythar sense was tingling and she knew for absolute certain that he was up to something. He’d never liked being the center of attention. In fact, he often had and still at times did, struggle with being in large crowds. She recalled times early in their friendship where she’d had to cajole him into attending parties and awards ceremonies even with people they knew.
Skyfire: Thank you, sir.
Mei’konda: Response
She was focused raptly on her partner, not wanting to miss a moment of this. Chances were she’d never live to see him so brazenly address a room full of people again.
Skyfire: You all have performed admirably in the face of adversity, and it is that which we choose to embrace when we joined Starfleet. That spirit, the trials we choose to face together, and the shared adventure into the unknown is what makes us family.
She saw his hand go into his pocket and come out in a fist. Her heart missed a beat and she heard T’Saara squeal in protest when she relaxed her grip a little too much. Shaking her surprise, she shifted T’Saara so that the little girl sat propped on one of her knees, facing toward Chythar.
He focused on her and closed the distance between them as he continued speaking. But she the words barely registered, her attention focused raptly on whatever he had concealed in his hand.
Skyfire: Family is another aspect of life, of which procreation or adoption of children is possible. This last year has been rough for all of us, and I freely admit this. However, in all of this, I choose to embrace the moment and realize that fatherhood needs one other essential element to make this completion of mine possible.
Before she could fully process what was happening, he was on one knee in front of her, opening a box containing a silver band. Her breath caught in her throat.
Rosek: oO Oh blessed heavens. This is really happening. He’s really going to-- Oo
The familiar Scots burr slipped into his voice and a watery smile appeared before she chewed anxiously on her lower lip.
Skyfire: Ah cannae imagine livin’ the rest of my life nor takin’ on the responsibilities of fatherhood alone. Lael Elizabeth Rosek, will ye marry me?
How many times had she pictured this moment? How many times had she wished and hoped? Nearly six long years of back and forth between them. An attraction and a connection that neither of them had been able to act on or admit out loud until a blessed day last year when they’d made the decision to adopt the little girl that had brought them closer than either of them could have ever imagined.
Being responsible together for another life had changed them both for the better. She’d seen another side of him and had been given yet another reason to want forever with him. Even with all of the chaos and uncertainty they’d endured, they’d become stronger together for it.
Rosek: ::murmurs:: Yes. A thousand times, yes.
She offered her left hand and felt his warm, strong hand steady hers. Surgeon’s fingers, slipping the ring onto her finger with exacting precision. Turning to Serala, she returned T’Saara to her mother as she rose to accept Chythar’s embrace and the kiss that followed.
Pulling away from the kiss to catch her breath, she leaned her forehead against his.
Skyfire: :: quietly :: I love you, Lael.
Rosek: ::murmurs:: I love you, too, an duine agam a bhith (my husband to be).
Any: Response
T’Saara: :: happily :: baa phftt mmaa ma pffthh gaaah. Eeeee
The little one’s excited squeals and noises drew a soft chuckle, Lael’s gaze returning to Chythar. She brushed her lips against his, certain she had a permanent stupid grin on her face to match his. They likely looked utterly ridiculous. But she didn’t care. Just when she’d thought things couldn’t get any better between them, they had.
Serala :: an emerald flush staining her cheeks :: shhh. You’re ruining the moment, Bean. :: looking at the happy couple and silently mouthing her next word. :: Sorry.
Rosek: ::shaking her head:: Don’t be. She’s just happy. ::grins:: Makes this moment even more perfect.
Any: Response
The sound of clapping drew her attention.
Levinson: Congratulations.
Raga’brani: Agreed. Congratulations to you both. ::They said emphatically:: I thank you for letting me experience the forming of such a union. ::He bowed his head slightly::
Rosek: ::smiles:: Thank you. ::turns to Chythar:: I’m a blessed woman.
Any: Response
As the group dispersed, she turned her attention back to her fiancé, wrapping her arms around his neck and brushing her lips against his.
Rosek: ~ You sneak. Is this what you were up to all this time? ~
Skyfire: ~ Response ~
Rosek: ::murmurs:: ~ It was perfect. And you’re perfect for me. ~
Skyfire: ~ Response ~
Rosek: ~ Dance with me? ~
Skyfire: ~ Response ~