R&R (The Family Affaire)
Posted on 20 Apr 2022 @ 8:20pm by Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Mission:
R&R - Styx Outpost
Location: SB21
Timeline: During Shore leave
2484 words - 5 OF Standard Post Measure
Desmond was feeling like he was on the top of the world, here he was on shoreleave, with a beautiful woman and her adorable child. He enjoyed watching the little girl have fun at the arboretum which was beautiful and it had a small area for kids to play with others. He wrapped an arm around the waist of Rose giving her and pulled her in close for a warm and tender embrace.
"Do you know what I call this?" giving a smile and looking at Ziva then back to Rose. "This is paradise."
Turning to Desmond, Rose cocked an eye brow at his words “if this is what you consider paradise, we definitely need to get off that ship more often” she said as she looked over to Ziva who she was carrying in her arm, “so Mr tour guide, where would you recommend we start our stay in ‘Paradise’ huh?”
Before Desmond could respond, a well dressed human male walked up to the three of them and gave Rose a bow, “Mrs Belikov, my lady has invited yourself and the little miss Belikov to dinner in my Lady’s private quarters” he said before offering her an fancy pink envelope sealed with a red wax seal with a coat of arms imprinted on it. The coat of arms was a rampant Gryphon with a small crown floating over its head and a sword clutched in its talons.
Giving a sigh, Rose pulled a little away from Desmond so she could take the envelope from the man, “they don’t miss a thing do they” she said to herself as she looked at the wax seal
“Is there a reply I am to relay to my lady?” The man asked Rose
After a moment, Rose nodded before straightening her back, causing her to look a little more regal, “yes, tell your lady I accept her offer and I will be bringing a plus one whether she likes it or not” she said firmly.
With another bow, the man gracefully turned on his heal and quickly walked off towards the nearest turbo lift
Desmond's eyes went wide as he watched the man leave. "Dinner with the in laws? Oh my, well hopefully this will go well." he pulled Rose and Ziva in close giving Rose a kiss on the lips and Ziva a kiss on the top of her head. "Looks like we are going into the proverbial lion's den" he wasn't going to let this stop the relationship between him and Rose and Ziva. "Guess I need to brush up ye old party manners." he responded with a grin.
“Oh don’t worry about that, I’m sure it’s not that kind of dinner” Rose said before she opened the invitation. As she read, her expression went from one of slight amusement to one of annoyed exhaustion, “on the other hand ‘her lady-ship’ may have other ideas. Who does black tie for a private dinner” she said, showing Desmond the invitation, “so you remember where your dress uniform is?”
"Oh dear it is like that is it?" Desmond closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them back up. "Yes I do know where my dress uniform is at. This is going to be very fun indeed. I've not been to one of these in a long time." he looked at Ziva then at Rose. "Shall we get ourselves ready and then off to the dinner?"
Looking to Ziva, Rose gave her a smile, “alright, let’s go get you all dressed up like the little princess you are” she said wrapping her arm around Desmond’s waist, “maybe we should really give them a shock and all three of us turn up in Starfleet dress uniforms? Maybe she’ll faint dramatically”
[Later that night - Styx Outpost - Private Quarters]
Walking up the corridor to the Lady Belikov’s private quarters on the station, Rose had her two loves by her side, her boyfriend on one side and her daughter on the other. She’d chosen to be a responsible adult and wear something appropriate to the situation they were in. She’d dug out an old regal dress that Demitri had gotten her years ago on the poor chance the two would need to attend any family matters. It was a deep scarlet ball gown with floral lace sleeves that send from her shoulders down to her elbows and a v-neck dip in front. To complete the ensemble, Rose even had a pair of ruby slippers. Her hair was tied up in a nodded bun with a black hair tie keeping it all in place. Rose had chosen a black hair tie to blend in with her natural hair colour.
For Ziva, Rose had chosen a simple pink girls dress that was similar enough in style to hers without the diving neckline and with puffy shoulders and flat black shoes.
Desmond decided he'd not wear his dress uniform, he was going to dress up to match Rose's outfit as well as Ziva's. It took just little bit of doing but he felt a bit regal in the outfit, and felt slightly James Bond like. After all he looked rather good in his black suit with a wine colored silk tie. And a matching kerchief the color of the tie.
"Rose you and Ziva look great." giving her a kiss just before they walked onto the 'stage'
As they approached the door they were looking for, they could see two tall Klingons dressed in tuxedoes, both of which looked uncomfortable as they could be in these strange clothes.
Looking to Desmond with a nervous smile, Rose took out the invitation they had been given and handed it to the Klingon ‘doorman’ , “Lieutenant Rosaline Belikov, Miss Ziva Belikov and Ensign Desmond Porthos. We were invited”
Taking the invitation, the Klingon opened the door behind him and stepped through before announcing them, “Lady Belikov, your guests have arrived”
Desmond took a look at Rose before they stepped inside, "Here we go." he murmured softly.
Entering the private quarters, the two of them could’ve been forgiven for thinking they’d just stepped back in time. The quarters had been decorated with miles of red fabric large portraits of long dead relatives and a coat of arms placed above a large armchair that could almost be called a throne. From another room, the Lady Belikov emerged in full regalia looking like a Tzarina of the old earth empires.
“Ah welcome. It’s been so long and yet you’re as beautiful as the day I met you” Lady Belikov said as she gracefully walked towards the three of them.
Swallowing her pride, Rose gave a slight bow towards the woman, “I appreciate the invitation my lady and yes it has been some time”
Giving a huff, Lady Belikov put her hands on her hips, “come now, how many times have I asked you to call me mother” she asked as an exasperated look came to her face, “I know our relationship didn’t exactly start off in the best of ways, but if you’re willing, I would like us to be amiable and maybe one day friendly”
Giving a sigh, Rose was doing her best to keep her suspicions and mistrust of this woman in check. While she was surprised by Lady Belikov’s words, the timing was still a little odd for her liking. “If you wish to improve our relationship, then I am open to at least trying, and too that point….” Rose said before motioning to Desmond, “…this is my partner Ensign Porthos”. Rose wanted to see how the Lady would react to her ‘daughter’ bringing another man to their meeting. She was going to use this as a test of trust.
Turning her attention to the well dressed man, Lady Belikov cocked an eye brow while looking him over, “well, if my daut…I mean Rose chose to be with you, I suppose that is an excellent reference to your character young man” she said before giving him a smile, “welcome”
Desmond smiled in return, giving a rather sweeping regal bow. He was feeling like he was in a play, and definitely onstage, he was rather glad he had joined Michael's theater troupe, almost in preparation for this event. "Thank you for your invitation Lady Belikov."
The Lady’s response caught Rose off guard. She’d expected something a little more dismissive but she seemed to accept Desmond as Rose’s new partner with little difficulty. Unable to think, Rose simply stood there stunned.
Spotting the expression on Rose’s face, Lady Belikov almost burst out laughing, “oh my, I seem to have shattered some preconceived notions you had of me Mrs Rose. I did not invite you here for any nefarious purpose. In spite of what public perception might have been all those years ago at your wedding, I never disapproved of your relationship with Demitri and I was always saddened that our strained relationship with Demitri has somehow transferred to you. That was never my intention, as I hope I have proved here”
“May I assume that your husband is not on the station?” Rose asked, struggling to take this all in.
“Yes he is here. He wanted to walk the station for a while before heading to the planet below. This is why I invited you here tonight so we could talk without him. I knew it was a long shot but I had hoped you would come” Lady Belikov explained
Giving a small sigh of relief, Rose looked down at her daughter standing nervously behind her holding tight to Rose’s dress. Gently grabbing Ziva’s hand, Rose slowly guided the young girl around to stand infront of her, “well, Mother, allow me to introduce your granddaughter, Ziva Belikov”
Lady Belikov’s face grew a wide smile at both Rose calling her mother and the sight of her granddaughter.
"Well your husband won't be able to step foot on the planet below as of yet, for the station's commander has said that it is off limits. Though tours in a shuttle are not forbidden." Desmond stated.
“Hmm, well I’m sure he will be disappointed but he’ll live” Lady Belikov replied to Desmond
Just then, a waiter came into the room, “ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served”
Looking over in slight surprise, Lady Belikov smiled as she remembered why she invited Rose here, “thank you Conrad” she said before turning back to her guests, “come now, I’m sure the chef has prepared a wonderful meal for us”
"I am looking forward to the meal, thank you my lady." Desmond replied, following the three ladies into the dining room. "The food smells wonderful." giving a slight smile, for it did, it had the scent of a well cooked meal.
Lady Belikov smiled, “just you wait until you taste it, you’ll never want to use a replicator again” she said, leading the family to a table set for three. Seeing the table, Lady Belikov sighed, “oh right, I didn’t prepare for your partner Rose. Hmm” she said rubbing the back of her neck
“Don’t worry, Ziva can sit next to me and share my plate” Rose said, looking over to Desmond, “that way we all have a place”
Happy with Rose’s compromise, Lady Belikov took her seat at the head of the table and waited for her guests to take theirs.
The next few hours were filled with pleasant conversation and good food as Rose caught the Lady Belikov up on what had happened to both her son and herself over the several years since they’d lady met. As the evening began to wind down, an Orion female waiter came out with a tray that had three glasses upon it along with a crystal decanter containing a brown liquid, “please accept this with complements from the Lord Belikov as well as an apology for his lack of presence this evening” the waiter said before placing the tray onto the table and pouring a little of the liquid into each glass, “this is the Lord’s finest brandy”
A little unsure about this sudden show of generosity from her father-in-law, Rose looked to Lady Belikov for some form of confirmation, “is he serious or is this some kind of test?”
Giving a sigh, Lady Belikov gave Rose a slight head nod, “I believe this is a genuine gesture from him. Though usually he only brings his finest out for business deals. Why don’t we enjoy this one glass at least as a toast to a new beginning”
Desmond raised his glass towards Rose's mother in law, giving a smile then took a sip of the whiskey. "This is a very fine indeed." taking another drink and it was very good indeed.
As the night came to a close, Lady Belikov escorted her three guests to the doors out of the apartment. Standing at the door, Lady Belikov gave Rose a long hug goodbye, “remember, no matter what, you are our daughter and despite what my husband might think, that will never change”
Doing her best to keep herself from tearing up, Rose retuned the hug with a smile, “thank you, mother. Just make sure you remember to keep in contact from now on, even if it is a simple video message now and then”
After the hug pulled apart, Lady Belikov looked to Desmond, “now you’ll take care of my little girls won’t you Mr Porthos”
"I will indeed, Lady Belikov. I care about them a great deal." giving a gentle smile towards Rose and Ziva. "I thank you for having us to dinner, and it was a pleasure meeting you." he picked up her hand and gave Lady Belikov's hand a kiss. He then turned to Rose, "Let's go home, shall we?" wrapping an arm about Rose's waist and giving her an embrace along with Ziva.
“I will hold you to that young man” Lady Belikov said before giving the three of them a warm smile. It pleased her to see Rose had found someone to care for her and that she wasn’t wallowing in sadness. “Now off you go before that marvellous starship leaves without you”
"True that, would hate for it to leave without us. It would fall apart without Rose and myself there." giving a smile. He then took Rose by the hand, paused for a moment then walked over and gave Lady Belikov a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you. " he smiled and then tugged gently on Rose's hand. "lets go lovely ladies."
Ensign Desmond Porthos
Engineer
USS Andromeda
Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief of Intelligence
USS Andromeda
Lady Anastasia Belikov (NPC Belikov)
Civilian/family
Ziva Belikov (NPC Belikov)
Child
Tag
