Topic: Falling Leaves on an Autumn Breeze

Wolvinator

Date: 2009-12-15 22:22 EST
It was the middle of the morning in the Estate and Wolvinator was in his office, his usual place for this time of day. He was wearing a pair of blue swishy workout pants and a white wife-beater, as he hadn?t changed since his workout in the lower levels earlier in the day.

On the top of his desk laid an empty cardboard box, which had apparently been sitting there for a while. His eyes slowly moved around the room, glancing at various pictures and items that were scattered about. Wolvie has a preoccupied look on his face, appearing to be deep in thought, trying to figure out exactly what he was going to do next; never mind the fact that he had been at this for over an hour..

Just showered and in fresh clothes, Alystrianna headed to the office with beers in hand for the both of them. Leaning against the doorframe, she watched him a moment, her eyebrow ticking up and down.

"Wolvie? Baby, what's going on?" Stepping into the room, she set down his beer and took a drink of her own, looking around his office. "You look, perplexed."

Hearing her speak to him almost made him jump, as he hadn?t expected to hear her come up from behind him. Lowering a picture frame that he had been staring at, he turned around to look at his fianc?e who, despite the time of day, always had a beer ready in hand.

The perfect woman.

?Hey hun,? he started, ?I didn?t see ya there.? Completely ignoring the question she asked of him previously.

"Yeah, I noticed that." She smirked and walked up behind him, kissing the back of his neck and looking at the picture in his hand. "She was beautiful." She said as she rubbed a hand up and down his arm. He smiled at both her kiss and the compliment that she was paying the picture. His free hand reached around her gently and gave her side a soft squeeze of endearment.

"What are you doing with that picture, Wolvie?"

?I dunno,? he admitted, ?I was thinkin? of maybe puttin? some of them away I guess.?

"Why?" She moved around to stand by his side, taking the picture from him and looking it over. "Is it too hard to look at her?"

He winced for a moment at the question before he gently shook his head at her. Positioning himself beside her he looked down at the photo alongside her. It was his former wife, who had passed away, standing in a grassy field filled with dandelions in the late springtime. She had long dark hair, tanned skin and light brown eyes. She looked happy, as if she was laughing, and in the middle of enjoying a pure moment.

?I wouldn?t say that. It?s just? I don?t know what to do. Trying to figure this whole thing out as it comes along.?

"What are you trying to figure out Babe? You're not putting this away because of me are you?" She tilted her head setting the photo back down on the desk. "Because we're getting married?"

?I mean, isn?t it morbid to have pictures of your ex-wife floatin? around the office?? He asked as he looked to her now, searching her for an answer, yet obviously hiding behind something further.

?Pictures of us would be more? appropriate.?

He was looking for closure.

"No." She shook her head at him. "Wolvie, she isn't your ex. You'd probably still be married to her if she were alive. Besides, we have pictures of us." She shook her head, confused.

"I don't think I get Wolvie. She's your past, I'm your future, we're both a part of your life, you don't have to cut her out. She's the mother of your children. How will the kids feel when they come and all the pictures of their mother are gone?"

?I dunno.? Turning now he rested his rear on the top of his desk as he pondered it further. ?I just dunno what the hell to do, that?s why the box is still empty.? He said, motioning his head over towards the box.

?I just, feel like it?s not fair to you, like I?m sittin? here dwelling on the past, thinking about things that could?ve been, or could?ve not been. Meanwhile I have this beautiful woman that wants to share the rest of her life with me, but I look like I?m still hung up on her.?

She picked up the box and tossed it out of the room.

"Leave it empty. I've been with you for nearly two years and you still put a ring on my finger. I know you love me and cherish me and all of that stuff. I have no reason to be insecure about us. Just because someone dies doesn't mean you stop loving them. You'll always love her, she was your first true love. You don't forget that." Leaning in, she wrapped an arm around him.

"Baby, do what you have to do for you, but not for me. Both of us can be a part of your life." She kissed his cheek and then picked up the picture, setting it back where it belongs. "We?ll put more pictures of us in here, but those ones need to stay."

?Alright.? He answered her with a nod, a look of dismay still clear on his face. ?I just feel like I should give up somethin?. You?ve given? up so much to make ?us? happen, and what exactly have I given up? What have I put into this relationship that proves I deserve you?

?Sure, she may be my first true love, but from everything we?ve talked about? I?m yours. It just doesn?t seem fair.?

"Well when you're a vampire you can understand how that all works with the mates and true love and all that." She grinned and took a drink of her beer. "You're human, it's different for you. Not better, not worse, just? different." She sat down in his chair then, facing him and kicked her legs up, resting her feet in his lap.

"It's not like you're trying to bring her back from the dead Wolvie. They are just pictures, memories, good memories. Hold on to them. Besides, love doesn't keep score, it doesn't matter what I've given up or what you haven't. We're in this together making it work that's all that matters. I know you love me."

He nodded and shrugged to her answer. The words she spoke to him were kind and caring. It soothed him significantly as he exhaled a breath that he felt he?d held in for way too long.

?Yeah, I get that hun. I just don?t wanna seem selfish. I can?t help but wanting to try and show you that what you?re doing, and what you?ve done, is all worth it.?

"I know that. But please, don't put anything away for me, only if you want to. But again, think of the kids, they'll be broken hearted if they come to visit and there is no sign of their mother here. They miss her too. I don't want them or you thinking I am trying to replace her. I could never do that. She was an amazing woman, at least from what I hear."

Nodding again he turned to look at her with a soft smile.

?I guess yer right. If you don?t have a problem, then there isn?t a problem; if it ain?t broke don?t fix it sorta thing. Part of me just felt like there should be some closure before you and I go onto the next step, which is only a few weeks from now. I?m goin? about it all wrong.?

"Can you ever really find closure to death?" She shook her head and sighed. "I don't think I'll ever find it for my family. It's not like she left you, she was taken from you, early, too early. That's not a wound likely to heal; I think it will always be a little sore, as it should be. You love her." She lowered her feet from his lap and held out her hand.

"Come on, want to get some sleep? Talk about this more later when you've had some rest?"

He looked over to the clock to see what time it was. 10:42am. Not exactly time for beddy-bye. Understanding what she was trying to do he conceded to her proposition and moved to stand up straight.

?Maybe just lay down for a bit, I?m not really tired, if that?s alright.?

"Well it's more than past my bedtime, I should have been sleeping hours ago, but that work out with you was too much fun." She grinned and kept dragging him along.

"You can make sure I get nice and worn out before I fall asleep and then lay there and admire how stunningly beautiful I am while I sleep like a rock and snore. And think how lucky you are." She laughed softly.

Chuckling in response he smiled and nodded to her. ?Yeah gee, lucky me and my partially nocturnal fianc?e.?

Giving him a small punch in his arm she gave him a partial fake pout. ?Wolvie! C?mon, I need it. We have a big day tomorrow, the kids are coming in.?

?Alright, alright. I?ll letcha get your beauty rest.? Stopping for a moment, he took one last look at his office, glancing at the pictures that he originally intended to move.

?Wolvie,? she began ?everything okay??

?Yeah Aly.? He said looking back at her with a soft smile and hint of fondness in his eyes. ?Everything is just great.?

Wolvie had his closure.

Wolvinator

Date: 2010-02-13 22:37 EST
A watched pot never boils.

Wolvinator stood in the front foyer of his home next to his fianc?e, awaiting the arrival of some very important guests. Their wedding was just under a week away and this first meeting was very important to both of them, in different respects. It was the first time Wolvie would be introducing his children to a woman, whom he was romantically involved with, other than their mother. However despite his time with Alystrianna, or the even larger time he had been without his first wife, his mind still weighed with worried anticipation.

"Wolvie? Are you sure this outfit is alright?" Aly asked. She was fidgeting, tugging on the hem of her skirt, making sure it was hitting her knees.

"I don't want them thinking I'm a slut or a gold digger or something. Maybe I should go put on some pants and sweater." Desite that she had already changed several times, she was still in a panic over what Wolvie's children would think of her.

"Do, do they know what I am? Should I not smile?"

?No, no? you?re fine? he insisted as he helped her smooth out her dress. ?I told you that two dresses ago.? Wolvie himself was wearing something that complimented her ? a nice pair of dress slacks and a collared shirt.

?They know who you are, that?s like? the third time you?ve asked that. Just be yourself, it?s gonna be fine.? He shook his head then and began to chuckle.

?Look at us, like a bunch of bumbling? worried idiots. They?re gonna be all excited to see us, and to finally meet you, and we?re standing here like a bunch of worried warts. Everythin? is gonna be fiiiiiine.?

"No they could hate me Wolvie. There are words that kids these days come up with for the new wives! Do they know I'm older than you? I look half your age." She smirked then, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"If they think I'm younger then they will think I'm just after your money." Her nose wrinkled at that. "Even though I have plenty of my own." The estate?s security system beeped, notifying them that a transport sequence had been initiated. She took in a deep breath then.

"They're here." Aly let out a nervous squeal and leaned in to kiss Wolvie's cheek. "Here goes nothing."

?Here goes everything.? He replied to her with a smile.

Two beams of silvery blue light showered down in front of them as the silhouette of human shaped figures materialized directly before their eyes. Wolvinator?s children were beaming down from the USS Xavier, which was in orbit over Rhy?Din, and had escorted them from outside of the Rhy?Din Nebula.

Within a matter of seconds, there were two individuals in Starfleet uniform who had completed the transporter sequence, one male and one female, who were now physically standing before them.

?Daddy!? the women practically shouted as she instantly spotted Wolvinator, beaming with a smile from ear to ear. The introduction, at least for the moment, was completely devoid of any sort of formalities. She ran forward, springing into Wolvinator?s grasp and wrapped her arms around him for a hug. As her father scooped her up, her feet left the ground as she squeezed him tight.

?Daddy! I missed you!? She said in a soft, affectionate voice as she pulled back from him. Her deep blue eyes made contact with his as a warm smile lit up her face. She definitely had some of her father?s features in her, but mostly her mothers. She had long dark hair that flowed past her shoulders and an olive tan that seemed to compliment her physical features quite nicely.

?I missed you too Kylie.? Wolvinator replied to her in return, returning the smile as he placed a firm kiss to her cheek. ?It?s great to see you.?

?Dad.? His son spoke up from behind, with his hand extended, as his daughter moved out of the way to make room for their greeting. His son certainly looked more like his father. He was tall, just about Wolvie?s height, with piercing blue eyes and short-cropped brown hair. He looked only slightly older than his sister, but he was still quite young to his father in comparison, in his early twenties. The two men basically had the same physique, and if someone didn?t know any better, they might mistake them for distant brothers.

?Ethan.? He replied as he stepped forward, pulling him in for a handshake and then embracing him in a hug. The two of them patted one another on the back as they hugged before they continued to exchange greetings.

?I missed ya Dad.?

?I missed ya too son, yer lookin? good.?

?Thanks Dad, I?m still hitting the gym whenever I have liberty.?

?Good, good. That?s good to hear, it?s definitely showing.? Wolvie replied, before turning over to Aly.

?Kids, this is Alystrianna D?Vaustaival. Aly, this is Kylie and Ethan Ahdee?khee.?

When the kids materialized, she smiled and stepped to the side, allowing for Wolvie's daughter and son to embrace him. Watching the family reunite reminded her briefly of her own family that she was missing. Dabbing at her eyes with her fingers, she maintained and smile and then cleared her throat, holding up her head as she looked between the kids while Wolvie introduced them.

"It's nice to finally meet you both. Kylie. Ethan." She gave a shy wave to them. Kylie was the first to speak, she usually was, and she seemed to be quite outgoing.

?It?s nice to finally meet you.? She spoke, extending her hand towards Aly. ?I?ve heard so much about you and I?ve been telling Dad I wanted to meet you for a while. I?m sorry it took so long.? She smiled then.

Aly took Kylie's hand in hers and shook it. "It's nice to meet you as well. It's hard to get everyone together with such busy schedules and important matters to handle. I'm glad we can all be together at least this week before the wedding. It will be very nice to get to know you both better."

?Yeah, I?m sure you?ve learned, the hard way by now, that Starfleet can be taxing on everyone?s schedule.?

?Wait, we?re getting married?? Wolvie quipped in with a playful smirk. Aly jabbed her forearm into Wolvie's waist and didn't even flinch.

"Behave!" She laughed then as she smiled lovingly to him. "Do you hear your Father?" She tsked him then. "I think he has cold feet."

?That sounds like him.? Ethan answered playfully, teasing his father as he moved to introduce himself.

?Lieutenant Junior Grade Ethan Ahdee?khee, pleasure to meet you Miss D?Vaustaival.? He extended her hand towards her, doing his best to keep a straight face as he wondered what her reply would be.

Reaching forward, she warmly took Ethan's hand in hers and shook it, firmly. "A pleasure to meet you Ethan. You sound very important, just like your Father. You have an excellent model to follow." Releasing his hand she smiled to Wolvie again.

"You have beautiful children, Wolvie."

?Wow.? Ethan said, turning to his father. ?Alright Dad, you gotta winner here. Flattery will get her everywhere.?

The two men exchanged a laugh as Wolvie turned back to his fianc?e.

?Well thank you hun.?

?Awww thank you Aly! That was sweet!? Kylie chimed in.

If she could blush, she would be, perhaps that's what the funny look on her face meant. She was blushing. She nodded to all of them.

"How about some refreshments? I made some drinks and some snacks. Anyone hungry? Thirsty? Wolvie? I restocked your Romulan Ale."

?Yuck!? Kylie exclaimed.

?Yuck? Delicious.? Ethan replied. ?Where did you guys manage to get Romulan Ale from? That?s outlawed in the Federation Admiral.?

?Are you suggesting something Lieutenant??

?Yes, yes I am. I?d like a glass!? His son replied, which instantly garnished a laugh from him.

"I'm with Kylie. It tastes like piss." Aly put her hand over her mouth then.

"Sorry about the language." No matter the kids were grown, Aly still viewed them as Wolvie's children. "Nonetheless, I've stocked up and have it in the kitchen waiting. Kylie, what will you have dear? I've got fruit juices, teas, water, coffee, soda, I even got koolaid! I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I snagged everything I could from the store."

?I?ll just take some tea, thanks.?

?How about we move this into the living room then huh? We?ll get comfortable and get better acquainted.? Wolvie suggested as he lead the way into the other room.

?Sounds good to me,? His fianc?e replied, ?I?ll meet you all in the there in just a bit.?

As the group split off from Alystrianna, they moved into the living room and took seats on the couch, waiting for her to return.

?How was the trip?? Their father asked, as they got comfortable.

?It went well,? Ethan responded first, ?definitely not what I expected. Commander Wootuay allowed us access to the bridge during transit and it was really interesting. It?s amazing how we?re actually in another Universe right now.?

?Doesn?t really feel like it, does it??

?Not at all.? Kylie replied. ?Then again, I guess we?ve been seeing and getting used to a lot since we?ve been a part of the fleet. Everything just seems like one surprise after another.?

Alystrianna walked into the room then, beaming with a large smile on her face. She had a small tray in her hand as she looked over Wolvie and the kids.

?Here we go guys, drink up!? she announced, leaning over to hand Kylie her drink first. Ethan leaned over then.

?I like her already dad.? He said with a low whisper as Wolvie leaned over to listen with a smile.

?I?m glad Ethan,? Wolvie?s eyes lovingly looked up at his fianc?e then, ?I?m glad you do.?