The invitation had arrived the night before, and intrigued both Kassia and Tarik. "Come celebrate an ancient Earth tradition -- strictly informal and voluntary. Civilian attire recommended and be prepared to dine hearty!" it read
"What could this be all about?" Tarik asked Kassia. The resident expert on any number of traditions from any number of worlds, Kassia would know if anyone would.
"Any number of Earth agrarian societies celebrated harvest festivals during this time of year on the Earth calendar. Inhabitants of North America institutionalized the festival as an official holiday with historical roots in their European colonial pasts," she answered. "In the United States and Canada, the holiday was known as Thanksgiving and is still celebrated in the region."
"We've got a lot to be thankful for," Tarik said. "And I suppose since most of the crew and colonists are humans it makes sense to adopt an Earth holiday. Why didn't Captain Mallory just come out and say so?"
"Maybe she was just trying to generate interest."
One person was definitely interested. "Can I come? Please? Please?" Tiyanna begged.
"I don't see why not," Tarik said. "It is an informal occasion. Certainly!" he told her. Tiyanna hugged him around the legs and ran to her room.
"I suppose we should find something to wear," Kassia said.
"I don't think you'll have a problem," Tarik mused. "I don't think I've worn a civilian suit in at least ten years!" With that, he went to the replicator.
Kitty oversaw the last of the decorations. It wasn't exactly what she'd originally had in mind, but her quarters were too small for the gathering she wanted. This was a time to give thanks and she wants those she cared about here to share this day with her. As she watched Zachary and Arianna laugh as they played a game of tag around the neatly set table with a beautiful harvest centerpiece of candles and harvest foods from mostly Earth she smiled. She had so much to be thankful for. That was why she was hosting this dinner. She wanted her nearest and dearest to see her children. To see her greatest joy spring away from her deepest sorrow. As she looked around the Officers' Mess once again to check and make sure the streamers were strung up perfectly in autumn colors and that cornucopias were placed around the room. She wanted the place to look festive and warm. She wanted it to be inviting. Rather that being served, she had a buffet set up. All there were missing were the guests, which she knew should be arriving any moment. She smoothed out her burnt orange colored sweater and played with her hair a bit, making sure the hair that was pulled away from her face looked nice. She knew that by the end of the day, Arianna's pretty green dress would not be so pretty, but that was okay, she laughed to herself. And she couldn't get over how grown-up Zachary looked in his slacks and shirt. He wanted to dress up and look nice. Funny how she still remembered that so clearly. But then, she had remembered almost everything during those dark years... and here they were. She went up to them and grabbed them as they stopped running for a moment.
"I love you both so much..." she said.
"I love you, Mom," Zac replied with a strong embrace and a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you, momma!" Arianna smiled.
Troy was first to arrive. "I hope I'm not too early," he said. "I know the invitation said 1800 hours, but I don't like being late."
"No, you're just fine!" Kitty smiled. "I'm glad you could make it." She looked him over discreetly. Troy was dressed in a dark blue suit, about two or three degrees nicer than his usual attire. It looked good on him.
She went to him and took his hand gently guiding him to the kids. "Zac, Arianna, look whose here!" she smiled.
"Hey, Troy!" the eight year old boy smiled as he stuck by his mom, but made a friendly wave.
"Hi..." said Arianna cautiously from around her mother's leg, though she peaked out with a dazzling smile. As she caught his eye, she giggled.
"Hey guys!" Troy said, excited to see the kids. He wasn't sure who was more apprehensive about whom. Troy hadn't dealt with many children before and wasn't sure how to handle them. And they had only recently parted from their father. Part of him wanted to take the matter cautiously while the other part wanted to just claim them as his own outright. His thoughts were distracted with the arrival of Paul Deveraux!
"Ey! I'm here now! Laissez les bontemps roullez!" Paul practically bellowed. He wore a flashier suit in an almost powder blue shade. In contrast to the lapels of Troy's suit, Paul's lapels boasted a shiny brocade and a carnaon boutinir. "Mmmm! Dat's good stuff you've got laid out!" he exclaimed, seeing the buffet! "An' who do we 'ave here?" Paul asked, seeing Zachary. "Eez zhis the famous Zachary Mallory?"
Zachary looked up at his mother, who nodded to him. "I'm Zac," he said.
"Good! Because I 'ave zhis for you!" Paul said, producing a toy hand phaser. Zachary walked up and took it from Paul, who produced his own. A loud, obnoxious sound completely unlike anything heard from a real phaser was heard as Paul depressed the firing stud. Zachary pointed his toy at Paul and shot back. "Zhis eez not fair! I got you first!" Paul exclaimed as the two boys began engaging in a running phaser battle outside the Officers' Mess.
Kitty immediately broke into a deep laugh. It felt good to laugh, and to watch her son run off and play. But she stopped just in time to grab her daughter's arm as she began to run after the boys.
"Sorry, Sweetie, you're still a little too young to play with the big kids."
For a moment Arianna looked like she was going to cry, but Kitty picked her up and held her close and that seemed to be all she needed. The time on that terrible pirate ship had made her cling more to her momma, though after all the time away from her, she couldn't be sure.
Arianna's distress was immediately relieved by the arrival of Tarik, Kassia, and Tiyanna. "Thanks for the invitation!" Tarik said. "We're looking forward to this!"
Tiyanna tugged on Kassia's skirt. "Can I play with Arianna?" she asked.
"I think she'd like that," Kitty replied with a smile. She looked into Arianna's face as Arianna peered down at the girl below. "Would you like to play with Tiyanna?" Kitty asked her.
Suddenly Arianna's face lit up and she nodded. "Yes, yes, yes!!" she replied.
Kitty laughed and put her daughter down. She almost hated to let her go, but loved to watch her play just as much. Her smiles and laughter were just as intoxicating to her. As she watched the girls run off she turned to her newly arrived guests. "I'm glad you could make it to this little celebration of mine," she said.
"I think we can all use a celebration after the year we've had here," Tarik said. He looked a little uncomfortable in the traditional Vulcan costume he'd chosen for the affair. Kassia, on the other hand, looked positively stunning in a deep purple sweater and black silk skirt. Kassia always managed to set off any outfit well. The adults sat down as the children (and Deveraux) continued their antics.
The last to arrive were Danni and Toren Len. Danni worn a simple black dress and Len worn black pants and a tan sweater. Casual, but nice.
"Sorry we're late, had a last minute customer at the shop," Danni smiled.
"You're not that late," Kitty replied. "Welcome!" She smiled. "Come join the party."
As they sat down, Kitty finally started on her little presentation she had been planning.
"I suppose most of you know by now what celebration you've been invited to by me," she smirked. She saw the nodding of heads. "Well, the reason I chose to do this is because... well... I have a lot to be thankful for right this moment," she said. "You all know me pretty well. You have known what kind of shape I was in emotionally and why... And now... I have my kids back. And not only do I have them back. I have them back as if no time has passed. This is the best gift I could have ever been given. For me, this is a second chance at my life, and I wanted to share this happiest of occasions with my closest friends on this station."
Kitty's preliminary remarks were interrupted by breaking glass and the shouting of the station chef. In walked Deveraux and Zachary, looking rather sheepish.
"Okay, which one of you is responsible?" Kitty asked, knowing both her son and her science officer too well. Deveraux shrugged his shoulders.
"Eet waz just a clumsy mistake," he said, looking embarrassed.
"Come and sit down, Zack. You too, Paul -- away from the kids, if you please!" Kitty admonished. Everyone else laughed, including Garek, who'd just shown up from his bridge watch. "What have you done this time, Deveraux?" Garek asked.
"Why does everyone always think eet was me?" Paul asked in protest.
"Because it usually is you!" Tarik replied, sparking more laughter.
"Before we start at the buffet, why don't we start with saying something we're thankful for, just as a way to edify what this celebration is all about..." She more nods from everyone. "You all know I'm thankful for my children back," kitty smiled with a twinkle in her green-brown eyes. She then turned to Troy.
Troy looked a little apprehensive. "I'm thankful for finding a place where my sister and I can be happy... and for finding what looks to be a very bright future," he said, looking at Kitty.
Danni smiled. "I'm thankful for Kassia as the best friend a girl could have and for Len..." She didn't need to finish as her cheeks tinted pink as she bit her lower lip softly.
Toren Len grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I'm thankful for Kassia for saving my life and for Danni, the girl I love..."
"I'm thankful for Kassia as well, for giving me a reason to live again. And for this little imp!" Tarik said, putting his arm around the little girl's shoulder and pulling her close before she could continue making faces at Arianna.
"And I am thankful because I no longer 'ave to put up with Wallace anymore! And for all of you who stood up for me!" Paul added.
"Well, I'm thankful to all of you who were by my side through my darkest hours," Kassia said. "You all saw me through a lot and are my dearest to my heart. And of course I'm thankful for Tiyanna as well! Being a mother is love beyond understanding," she said as she looked directly at Kitty, knowing she would understand.
"And I'm thankful for my new family!" Tiyanna chimed in with a big smile.
"And I'm thankful for my Mom and my sister," Zac said, embracing his mother once again.
"I'm thankful just for being here, and for being able to serve with such an outstanding crew," Garek said. "And for my beautiful Kim, of course."
Kitty smiled. "Well, it sounds like we all have a lot to be thankful for then! Now, whose up for eating some dinner?" she asked.
A line quickly formed at the buffet table. The turkey, dressing, sweet potato pie, asparagus, and fresh baked rolls were almost enough to bring tears to the eyes. Other dishes were served along with the traditional Thanksgiving favorites: Vulcan plomeek soup, Bajoran hasperat, and genuine Rokeg blood pie. These too drew the attention of the party. It didn't take long for every bone to be stripped, every platter to be emptied, and every last drop of gravy or tidbit of cranberry sauce to disappear. Even the pickle tray was thoroughly ransacked.
"Oh, I don't think I could eat another bite!" Kassia laughed as she looked at her empty plate. She had just finished a piece of pie and sighed as she sipped on a raktajino.
Everyone was startled at a loud belch from the end of the table. "Pardonez moi!" Deveraux said, blushing. "Now I zhink I have room for more!"
Kitty laughed. "Help yourself, Paul. That's what the food's there for."
But as she looked to her kids plates they weren't yet finished. But that was okay. They were just pushing the last of their pie around now.
"Are you guys done?" she asked.
"I am," Zac said quickly.
Arianna nodded. "I done, too," she said.
"Okay, you can get up and play," she said.
Immediately they were out of their chairs.
A steward brought out an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne perched inside. He removed the foil shield with a flourish, popped the genuine cork, and decanted champagne into each adult diner's flute glass. Kitty raised her glass in toast. "To camaraderie, and to the best damn station crew in the Federation!"
The others returned the cheer, and glasses were clinked together all around. Tarik and Kassia drank theirs with arms interlocked -- a custom Tarik had learned was popular in Russia on Earth centuries ago.
"Someone better hide that bottle before Paul shows up again!" Garek commented to more laughter. Deveraux had run off to join the kids again.
It wasn't must later than Paul appeared again. This time he held Arianna in his arms. She was almost asleep as she clung to him. Gently he placed her in Kitty's arms.
"Thanks, Paul," she said. "It looks like some of our party has just about had it," Kitty said as she hefted Arianna up to her shoulder. Zachary and Tiyanna appeared a few minutes later, looking tired but not willing to admit it as they continued to chase each other around the table.
A sharp and unplanned corner brought Tiyanna up short. She fell to the deck crying as the nasty table corner poked her in the head. Tarik and Kassia immediately were up, checking on her. "Are you okay?" Kassia asked. Normally, Tiyanna would gotten up, giggled, and kept on going. This time she continued to cry. "I think you're getting tired, too," she said as she picked up Tiyanna.
"I think mine are too," Kitty said as she noticed the look on Zac's face. He had run all over the place and now he was exhausted. But he would never say so. "I suppose its time to call it a night and get these guys ready for bed. But I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. You have made this a very special evening for me."
Hugs, handshakes, and bows were exchanged as the party broke up.
Tarik took the now-asleep Tiyanna from Kassia as they walked back to their quarters. He could feel a faint hum in his mind: the ever-present telepathic signal from Tiyanna, now joining the stronger signal he received from Kassia. He smiled.
"Well, thank you so much for having us to this thanksgiving feast," Danni said as she took Len's hand.
"Thank you for coming," she said. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves."
"You know, maybe this is something you should think about doing every year," Len ventured.
Kitty smiled. "Maybe I will," she replied as she kissed Arianna's forehead again. She watched as the couple left.
"Come on, I think we need to absent ourselves," Garek said as he steered Paul away from the champagne. "Thanks for the feast!" he said as the two men left, Garek to go to his quarters and Paul to find a bar.
Only Kitty and Troy remained.
"Well, I guess this was quite a party," Kitty said. "It turned out much better than I expected. Well... I guess I didn't really know what to expect!" she laughed softly. "I'm so glad you were here with me..." She met his dark eyes straight on.
"I'm glad I'm here, too," Troy said. "Need help with the kids?" he asked.
"Thought you would never ask!" she laughed. "Would you help me shepherd Zachary back to my quarters... maybe help me get them both in bed?" she asked hopefully.
"Of course!" he said, taking Zachary by the hand. I thought you'd never ask! he thought.
With a smile, she took his free hand with her own. Their eyes met and said volumes. Without a word they headed to her quarters.