Nicole had not seen Admiral Illyan Coren and Loiza Coren since the funeral of Dr. Orchid Coren. She knew that Illyan blamed the Phoenix Fleet for the deaths of Dr. Trista Coren, his star daughter and Captain of the USS Princess Diana, and Dr. Orchid Coren, her half sister and former wife of Nicole Branson. The Coren family had lost so much. Nicole could never balance those loses. What Illyan often forgets is that Nicole suffered those loses to.
Trista was her friend. Nicole was the Phoenix Fleet Deputy Commander In Chief when those loses occurred. Orchid was her true love. She felt a pain like never before when Orchid was killed and to make matters worse, Trista Coren-Branson, Baby TCB was killed with Orchid. Illyan had tried to avoid Nicole with perhaps good reason but Elizabeth and Loiza were very close. When Rear Admiral Eugenio Coren became commander of the Jupiter 7 Station orbiting the colony, the need to visit Elizabeth was clear.
Magenta is their daughter. Eugenio had not seen Magenta since he caught Nicole kissing Christine T'Nley. Eugenio knew now the whole story even though it briefly split up Nicole and Magenta. Eugenio knew that Nicole did it to mess with Christine and it was by no means meant to be anything more than that. Eugenio had also learned that Christine timed the incident so Eugenio could see in order to mess with Nicole in their on-going "cat fight."
Nicole and Magenta walked in as Illyan and Eugenio were laughing and telling stories about the launch of Governor's Station; worse making fun of the Jarada and some bug jokes that were in bad taste. Magenta ran up and hugged her father, "Hi Daddy."
Nicole stood back before walking up slowly. She gave Eugenio a gentle hug, kissing his cheek. She turned to Illyan. Both stood there a long time. Illyan finally stuck out his hand, "Its good to see you, Vice Admiral Branson."
His formality said more than a million words. Loiza and Elizabeth came walking into the grand corridor of Governor's Station. Elizabeth rushed up to Magenta and hugged her.
"Magenta, its so good to see you.", Elizabeth filled the room with her Betazoid warmth. She was a larger than life personality reminiscent of Luaxana Troi. She was an amazing lady.
"Nicole, can I get you anything?", Elizabeth gave a friendly hug.
"A glass of wine would be nice.", Nicole smiled. Elizabeth gave her a warm feeling just by touching her.
"Dinner is in the ballroom. It is being prepared as we speak. Feel free to go in and sit down.", Elizabeth asked.
"Magenta, would you stay here. I need to talk to you.", Elizabeth requested.
Magenta stood there while the others left. Nicole was terrified to go into the ballroom with the two men. Illyan felt she killed his daughter and Eugenio thought she was a womanizing cheater. Perfect people to be alone with.
"How are you doing, Magenta?", Elizabeth asked.
"Fine, mother.", Magenta looked puzzled.
"Not you, silly. You and Nicole.", Elizabeth asked.
"I love her dearly.", Magenta whispered.
"Your father is looking for proof of commitment.", Elizabeth explained.
"Proof?", Magenta asked.
"Your father wants to make certain that Nicole is committed to you formally.", Elizabeth continued.
"Like marriage?", Magenta was puzzled by her mother's end around approach.
"Yes. Like marriage.", Elizabeth exclaimed.
Magenta turned and walked into the ballroom. The meal looked incredible. Elizabeth could be a grand socialite. The presentation was incredible and everyone enjoyed the meal immensely though there was not much conversation.
After the meal, Magenta pushed her chair back, stood up and raised her glass.
"I would like to propose a toast. To my mother, Elizabeth for preparing this feast. It was truly wonderful.", Magenta smiled.
"Here... Here...", Eugenio smiled, raising his glass and taking a sip.
"And...", Magenta continued.
"What more is there....", Eugenio laughed.
Magenta looked down at Nicole and stuck out her hand. Nicole reached up and touched her hand. Magenta grabbed Nicole's hand.
"To my mother for opening my eyes to another possiblity. I would like to take this opportunity to announce my engagement to Vice Admiral Nicole Branson and our plans to wed in December.", Magenta blurted out.
Nicole spit her wine onto her plate.
"Not on my freaking watch.", Illyan yelled, pushing away from the table.
Illyan glared at Elizabeth, "You brought us here for this crap!"
Elizabeth stood up, "She is my daughter, Illyan."
Magenta could not believe the reaction.
"Not on Governor's Station either.", Eugenio glared at Nicole.
This was not how Magenta thought this would go. She thought this was what everyone wanted.
"We won't.", Magenta snapped.
"Forget it, We won't even get married on the freaking colony. We will get married on New Terra!!", Magenta snapped.
"Oh yeah, on the new planet, and who the hell will perform the damn ceremony there.", Illyan yelled.
"President William Hunt!", Nicole stood up finally joining the screaming match.
Illyan and Loiza headed out of the conference room, "We're leaving. No Branson is gonna kill another Coren. Not on my watch."
Eugenio looked at his brother and then at Magenta standing there crying.
Elizabeth was standing at the head of the table crying. She had done this. This was never her intention.
Eugenio say his family deeply hurt. Nicole saw it too.
Nicole turned to leave. She clasped Magenta's hand.
"I will be right there.", Magenta whimpered. She wanted to talk to her parents.
Nicole headed for the shuttle.
Magenta stood there crying. Elizabeth came over and put her arms on Magenta's shoulders, "I am so sorry, dear. This should have been a joyous event. I will come to New Terra to the wedding. I love you."
Eugenio was embarrassed. Illyan had overreacted. He had been deeply hurt and Eugenio understood but he never expected this.
Magenta looked at Eugenio, "I love her."
"I know.", Eugenio whispered. "Now I know more than ever."
"We will come to New Terra. I hope Illyan and Loiza will come too.", Eugenio tried to force a smile in a very difficult situation.
Nicole and Magenta went to the colony. On the way down, Magenta looked at Nicole, "Do you wanna get a drink?"
"I would love one, but I don't want to go to the Commune in a dinner dress.", Nicole smiled.
"We will go home, say hi to Brenna and then head to the club.", Magenta needed to relieve some stress.
The girls went to the club. Nicole ordered a martini. Magenta ordered tequila in shots times five. Nicole looked at her, "So you really want to get married?"
Magenta giggled, a little tipsy from the wine and shots, "Oh yeah."
Magenta brushed by Nicole and headed up to the DJ stage. She turned back and unzipped her mini-dress, it fell to the floor exposing her hip length camosole. Nicole could only smile and look on. Magenta was amazing!
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Star Fleet Executive Officer
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
