LtCmdr Connor Dewitt - Mr and Mrs Dewitt (Part I)

[Tim]

(( Dewitt Residence, Ventura, California, Earth ))

Dewitt: You’re my everything, Ayemet. My brightest star. My shore leave in a chaotic galaxy. And when I close my eyes and think of home, I see you… and that lake on Bajor, where for once, we had no battles to fight, no regulations to follow—just us, and the water reflecting the sky. So today, in front of everyone, I make you these promises: I vow to stand by your side, no matter what sector we find ourselves in. I vow to remind you, as often as necessary, that love is not a weakness—it’s warp core strength. And I vow to follow you anywhere, from the most beautiful places in the quadrant to the most diplomatic disasters Starfleet can throw at us. And most of all, I vow to keep making you laugh, even when the universe tries to make us cry. I love you, Ayemet, now and always.

There was so much more to say, but Nolen had advised that the guests might not endure every detail Connor’s heart wanted to say. And wisely so. Even if the guests would have, Connor’s emotions would have conflicted with that. Somebody extended a hand with a tissue that the groom gladly took to wipe away another tear.

Shayne: Ayemet.

Part of Connor was glad he got his vow out without breaking completely. He only barely had the chance to look at his parents before Ayemet started with her part. But he thought to have seen a glimpse of happiness in his mother’s eyes that he had not seen for a long time.

Jacin: :speaking in Bajoran: My love, In the light of the Prophets and before the stars that have guided our paths, I stand here, not just as a El Aurian woman, but as your partner for all of the journeys we will share.

Connor took the flowers, Ayemet handed to him. He briefly touched her hands, they were calm. Her voice filled with an intensity of determination that he had not expected from her today. A smile sneaked its way on his lips. For a second, he took in the beautiful scent of the flowers as Ayemet bowed in ceremonial reverence.

The Chiefs Bajoran was a little rusty, but she had taught him a few words. And when they had started to plan the wedding those words shifted from topics like lakes or towns to bonds and relationships. Today he knew why.

Jacin: :speaking in Bajoran: I vow to honor the strength of my people, the wisdom of my ancestors, and the faith that has shaped me, as I now blend it with the love and compassion you bring into my life. I promise to stand beside you, in times of joy and in times of challenge, as we walk together through this life. In the quiet of the evening, in the brightness of the morning, I will be there. I will cherish you, protect you, and love you, in a way that transcends the boundaries of space and time. I will remember that love is not just a feeling, but a constant choice, one that I will choose every day with you.

During this part of the vow, her voice broke more than once. Connor saw the tears streaming behind her veil, not having noticed that he was again crying, too. There were so many emotions. He briefly thought of Christine. She would have loved this and would have more than fit with Talia’s approach to being a perfect maid of honor.

Ayemet moved towards Ras and retrieved a small black box. As she returned, she lifted her veil, her blonde hair falling down onto her shoulders. Connor gulped at the beauty he saw, briefly looking at the box in her hands before returning his gaze to her eyes as she started speaking.

Jacin: Connor I love you. From the moment I saw you I loved you. You were never the second choice. You were the only choice. ::coughing as she struggle not to cry: It’s tradition to give something of yourself to your spouse. To signify that our lives are as one.  Connor you’re my anchor. You :pause: You have given me back my Mother, my Father figure. You have loved me when I didn’t love myself. Your compassion and your passion for what you believe and what you do are your gift to not just me but all who are lucky enough. You have filled my life with love. When I was held captive by the Sheliak they made me believe that the Khitomer had forgotten me, that I was abandoned, alone.

She wiped away another tear with the back of her hand. Connor wanted to grab those hands and comfort her, but he refused to interfere with the tradition of the black box. He felt her sincerity and determination through that torrent of emotions and tried to keep his own end of happiness and love. He took the opportunity of her pause to clear his throat and wipe away the blurring tears in his eyes.

Jacin: But you. The thought of being with you wouldn’t let me truly believe that. Not in here :points at her heart: If I know nothing else. I know I am loved.

Shayne: The item.

Ayemet gave him the black box and Connor looked at it in anticipation. For a moment, he had forgotten about all their guests and when he checked he still saw a bazillion pairs of eyes focusing either him or the box in his hands.

Jacin: Open it.

Unsure of what was waiting for him on the inside, Connor opened the box to reveal the hairbrush they had been fighting about one day. He chuckled as he wiped away another tear. They had overcome much bigger challenges than this hairbrush and yet it had stuck with both of them as a sign that they would overcome any challenge thrown at them.

For a second he choked at the view of the small trinket. Then a smile went over his face and he cleared his throat to get rid of this next wave of feelings.

Dewitt: ::quietly:: Funny, isn’t it? How something so small ends up meaning everything.

He looked at his bride and wanted to kiss her right now, well knowing that it was not intended at this point in the ceremony.

Jacin: You haven’t given me my life back. You are my life. : pause as she lifts up the hem off her dress revealing the azure blue holster and flask strapped to her leg:  And I promise to make it as interesting as I can!

Connor looked at the flask that she revealed and chuckled. As everyone seemed to enjoy her little ploy, all of them calmed down quickly as the Captain returned to the spotlight. Without much more talk, he asked the questions they were all here for.

Shayne: Connor Dewitt, do you take Jacin Ayemet to be your lawfully wedded wife?

The tears were gone, as was the big lump in his throat. He just smiled at Ayemet’s beautiful face and took her hands into his again.

Dewitt: I do.

Shayne: Jacin Ayemet, do you take Connor Dewitt to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Connor had expected that Shayne’s question would have send him into an abyss of uncertainty for fractions of a second. But it did not. Ayemet’s vows had done everything to keep him in check.

Jacin: I do.

Connor smiled and lightly squeezed her hands.

Shayne: By the power vested in me by the United Federation of Planets, I pronounce you wed. You may kiss.

NT/TBC

LtCmdr Connor Dewitt
Chief Engineer & Second Officer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3