He couldn't help watching her as she slept. Even on this simple cargo run to Bajor, he knew she'd needed to rest. Concerns about what other effects the beams from the Hall of Knowledge had on her and what it would cause in the future was still strongly on his mind. Jack had been so accustomed to not having anyone to care about that this was strange new territory. Even Charger seemed to sense it, as he spent more time with Treya than he did with Jack. But all in all, it didn't bother him. It gave him a sense of security that if he wasn't with her, someone was.
Seeing that she was still resting peacefully with no nightmares or strange dreams that he could tell, he went back to the ship's controls and checked everything over. He wanted to make sure all was well before joining her in the small bed. He decided that when they got back to Serenity he was going to invest in a larger bed for his cabin. Especially since he planned to take Katreya with him in the future and had no desire for her to take the other cabin across from his.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. He knew she could use some real distraction . . . and Puerto Azul wasn't far away. The planet was one of hospitality and colorful culture. He'd stopped there many a time to indulge in friendships, some beer and Tequila and some of the best Tamales he'd ever had. Though the planet thrived with many different cultures, the one that painted most things was Earth's rich Hispanic history and traditions. It was roughly October 31st and if he set the course, they could be there in a matter of hours . . In time to celebrate Día de los Angelitos followed by Día de los Muertos the day after. It would be filled with a mixture of bright flowers and picnics . . cakes and other treats made into the shape of skeletons . . . all to honor the children and relatives who had passed. Kind of appropriate for the both of them, he thought. And he felt she would enjoy the richness of the main city of De Paz. There, he remembered, they even threw flower petals down the main street leading to the cemetery. It was to help the spirits find their way home.
Wasting no more time, he set the coordinates and smiled.
A few hours later, he landed and Treya still hadn't woken up. He had taken the time to acquire accommodations in a nearby hotel, make reservations for lunch at a restaurant he knew she'd like and then left long enough to get some holiday trinkets.
Upon his return, he saw Charger was resting beside her on the bed. As the dog tried to change his position as he saw Jack, Treya began to stir. Her fingers ran through Charger's fur and she smiled.
"Well, hello there," she said softly.
Charger immediately licked her face.
"Why don't you open your eyes and get dressed. I have a surprise for you," Jack said with a smile.
Her brown eyes opened and she smiled. "How long have I been asleep?" she asked, knowing she'd been sleeping a lot more than usual.
"Well, long enough for me to bring you to Puerto Azul," he replied.
She raised her eyebrow. "Puerto Azul?"
"That's right," he said with a grin. "You need a serious break from life at the moment . . . a chance to really unwind . . . and I thought this place might provide the perfect distraction; one right up your alley."
She paused for only a moment. "Day of the Little Angels and Day of the Dead?" she asked with a smile, an excitement entering her eyes.
"You are good," he replied. "Have you ever been here?"
She shook her head. "Never... I've only read accounts of the festivities."
"Well, then get up and get dressed. You get to experience them first hand," he replied.
It took her almost no time to get ready and pack the few things she had with her for the hotel stay. Within fifteen minutes, they were at the hotel and in their room with a spectacular view of the city . . . It was decorated in rich colors, just like the street below. The smell of baking bread and spices tickled her nose through the open window and the flurry of activity on the street captivated her. The air was cool enough to require a sweater, but the sun shining down gave a certain warmth. A slight breeze carried all the scents from the street to her and brought her a sense of joy.
Suddenly, there was a knock. She turned and looked at Jack. He merely smiled as he walked to the door and opened it. Standing there was a little round, pepper haired woman with a smile more brilliant than the red and yellow shawl she wore.
"Jack, Jack, Jack! I am so pleased to see you!" she said as she opened her arms to him. He had to lean over for her to hug him properly. "It has been much too long since you have come to see us."
"Hi, Momma Rosa," he smiled.
As Rosa's eyes fell on Treya, she looked at Jack, a humorous glint in her eyes. "And who is your friend?"
"This is the woman I told you about," he replied. "This is Dr. Katreya Junipher."
With warmth, Rosa went to Treya and embraced her. "Welcome to De Paz," she said. As she finally let the young woman go, her brown eyes met Treya's. "You must be quite special," she said with an approving smile.
"Oh . . . I'm not that special . . ." Treya said, as a pink blush creeping across her cheeks. She could also see the amusement in Jack's eyes.
"You are the first woman he's ever brought here to us," she said. "That makes you quite special. Didn't you tell me you would never settle down?" She turned to Jack.
"Yeah, well . . . You were the one that always said the right girl was out there for me," he replied.
For a moment Treya's eyes turned to Jack's. Was he saying what she thought he was saying, she wondered? She had felt his emotions before and he had told her things that lead her to know the he cared about her deeply, but was that how he really felt? That she was the right girl for him? Opening her mind, she could sense that each and every word he spoke was the truth. Jack smiled, knowing what was going through her mind.
"You both must come with us tonight to the cemetery. We are going to Carlos and Consuelo's graves. Also a few other relatives and the more family with us the better," she smiled. "Tomorrow night we go and visit Papa Pedro. I do still miss him so . . ." There was a hint of sadness in her voice as she mentioned her deceased husband.
"We'll be there," Jack assured.
"And be sure to bring a blanket. It does get quite chilly at night around this time of year."
"We will, I promise," he said trying to suppress a chuckle.
"All right . . . I must be off to buy pan de muerto," she said heading to the door; but stopping long enough to have him bend down so she could kiss his check. "I am so glad you've returned!"
As the door finally shut, Jack turned to face Treya again. Her smile was the biggest he'd ever seen it.
"I know she's not your mother . . . Who is she?" Treya asked.
"She's a friend of the family," he said. "Naturally I've been visiting her for years . . . Not to mention I love Puerto Azul. Best Tequila around . "
She laughed.
"What? It's true! In fact, I'm going to take you out to lunch, where we'll have some tamales that will set your head spinning they're so good and we can finish with a shot of Tequila."
"Sounds great!" she replied. "Should we get anything to take with us tonight?"
"A blanket," he smiled.
"Besides that . . ." she laughed. "Flowers maybe?"
He conceded with a nod. "Yeah, that would be nice to take to the cemetery . . Maybe some candles too, incense . . . a couple of little teddy bears or something."
"What kind of flowers?" she asked again looking out the window.
"Bright flowers . . ." he replied. "They like big bright flowers."
They spent the rest of the day looking in shops, buying sweets and flowers. They found a large colorful blanket that both of them could wrap up in together . . and she found out that Jack hadn't been lying about the tamales and tequila, though she only indulged in one shot and even that was hard for her to get down. She was used to mixed drinks or wine. She'd never had anything straight before . . . except brandy and liqueurs.
Finally, as night descended, Jack took her by the hand and they walked to Mama Rosa's. The house was alight with lit candles. A large altar had been made against one wall filled with photos of deceased loved ones, flowers, burning incense and candles . . . there were also favorite objects on display. Sounds of laughing and delight echoed through the house.
"Mama Rosa," Jack called out as they stepped further inside. "We're here."
"Jack!" she called out as she came from the other room followed by several family members, each greeting Jack in turn.
"Juan, Ramon, Jesus, Mariana, Cristina . . . this is Dr. Katreya Junipher," she introduced. "Jack's lady love."
Treya smiled and blushed. "Actually Treya will do," she replied.
Rosa smiled with a knowing twinkle in her eyes. "And Treya, these are my children."
"It's nice to meet you all," she replied.
"So you are the woman that has stolen Jack's heart," Mariana chuckled. "I thought no one would be able to breach your walls." She added as she looked at Jack.
"Well, sometimes walls fall down," he smirked.
"We're glad to see you both," Ramon said.
Suddenly other family members entered with several children. As everyone was introduced - the siblings' husbands and wives and children - Treya did her best to remember all the names and faces. She was particularly delighted by the children . . . One little girl was only four months old and Treya was thrilled when the mother let her hold the infant.
"Her name is Carlotta, though we all call her Lottie," Carmen, Ramon's wife, said.
"She is absolutely adorable," Treya replied, delighted that she could make the little girl smile.
"One day you'll be a wonderful mother. You have such a love for children!" Carmen smiled.
Treya returned the smile and looked at Jack, but she had concerns of what the future might hold for her. Perhaps, if she were lucky, children would be in her future.
Finally Rosa appeared again from the kitchen with her daughters. They each carried baskets of food. Outside, they could hear singing. As the door opened, the streets were suddenly covered with flower petals. A procession, being lead by a priest and several alter boys walked by. They held tall crosses as the people that followed them sang and held lit candles. Suddenly, Treya felt a candle being put in her hand, then they all were swept into the crowd that headed toward the Cemetery. Once there, everyone set about to different graves, cleaning the sites, placing flowers, lighting candles and incense and laying out blankets to eat on and others to cover themselves in.
As Jack and Treya settled down with Jack's surrogate family, Treya took the little stuffed bears they had bought earlier in the day and placed one on Carlos' grave and the other on Consuelo's. Rosa saw her and smiled.
"They would like those, had they survived," Rosa smiled sadly. "They were twins born to my eldest son's first wife . . . They were only a month old when they died," she said sadly. "A shuttle accident . . . She was lost with the twins as well. We will remember her tomorrow night."
Even with the sadness there was a touch of happiness and excitement. It wasn't long before they were eating the picnic dinner the family had made. But as Treya took a bite from her bread, something struck her teeth. Pulling it out, she saw it was a little toy skull. As Rosa saw, she cried with delight.
"Very lucky for you!" she said. "We believe that those who find the skull in the bread will have much luck."
Treya smiled and then turned to Jack. "It's a good thing it means luck. I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
He pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head. "Don't think about the future right now," he said softly. "Let's just think about right now . ."
She smiled, tilted her head up and kissed him tenderly, right in the middle of the cemetery and in front of all his 'family'. Many of them smiled.
After awhile, Rosa passed out cups filled with spiced hot chocolate. It was so aromatic that Treya almost hated drinking it, enjoying the smell and the feel of its warmth against her fingers. Jack wrapped the blanket around the two of them and leaned against her.
"Thought you might need to warm up a bit," he smiled.
She nodded. "You're very perceptive," she replied back.
He shrugged. "Cold night . . . I'm a bit cold myself . . . and the way you're holding that cup is a really big tip-off."
She laughed softly. "Well, thank you," she replied and kissed him tenderly.
"So when are you two going to get married?" Rosa asked.
Stunned, they both stopped their kiss and looked at each other and then to Mama Rosa.
"What?" Treya asked.
Rosa laughed softly. "You two are the perfect match. I can tell . . Your eyes speak for you."
"Yeah, well . . . married? I don't know about that . . ." Jack said.
"We've only known each other just over a month," Treya interjected.
Rosa just gave a knowing smile. "Wait and see . . . You two will not be able to live without the other . . . When that happens promise me you will come back here. I want to help with the wedding."
Treya and Jack looked at each other and smiled. Tenderly he kissed her. "If nothing else, we can always practice the wedding night," he said softly so only she could hear.
A light pink flush crossed her cheeks as she laughed softly. "Well, practice does make perfect . . ."
Jack couldn't help a mischievous grin as he kissed her again.
That night, as they went back to their hotel room happy and tired, he opened the door, scooped her into his arms and carried her inside. Kissing her, he laid her on the bed.
"So, should we practice?" he asked.
A playful smile traveled across her lips. "It has possibilities . . "
With that, he lay beside her, propped up on elbow, leaned over and kissed her again.
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