A Very Special Christmas Present

Posted on Mon Jan 16th, 2023 @ 5:50am by Nicholas 'Nick' DeMarco & Captain Maia Sterling

Mission: Monsters of the Past
Location: Nick's Quarters
Timeline: TBD

Nick was putting the finishing touches on dinner preparations. Tonight marked the one-year anniversary of his first date with Maia at last year's holiday party and he wanted to have a private night with the loveliest of Captain's in Starfleet. He put the last platter of food on the table just as the door chime rang. He glanced at the wall chronometer that indicated it was 1915 hours and chuckled. [I]Quite the punctual lady[/I], he thought. He crossed the living area and opened the door to see a very beautiful Maia.

It had been a day for Maia, but she was always glad to come home and back into her lover's arms.

"Hello Nick, it's always a pleasure to come home to you," Maia said.

Nick gave Maia a warm smile as he drew her into the quarters, as well as, a long hug. His hands gently rubbed the small of her back. "Dinner is ready. How about we eat, then we can relax on the couch?"

"That sounds wonderful, I'm starving too. so what did you make?"Maia asked.

Nick took Maia's hand and led her to the table, pulling her chair out and seating her. He pulled a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket on a stand next to the table and popped the cork. He gestured with one hand to the dishes as he poured each of them a glass. "I prepared a cucumber salad with a light vinegar dressing to start. Chicken alfredo in a white sauce as the entre and a chocolate mousse for dessert."

"You made it by hand or did you use a replicator?"

Maia took a seat and gave him her champagne flute to be filled.

"It smells wonderful however you did it."

"By hand." Nick took a seat across from Maia and reached across to take her hand. "It is a special occasion after all. One year since our first date at the holiday party last year."

"That's amazing I don't know many people who actually handle real food. The replicators can't do this justice."

"Well." Nick smiled as he gently squeezed Maia's hand before releasing and began serving up salads into bowls. "Let's eat then."

"Perhaps I will make you my Rigatoni, I think you will enjoy it".

Maia lit the candles and then poured some wine for the both of them.

"A toast! To many successful campaigns together," Maia toasted.

Nick touched his glass lightly to Maia's. "I concur."

Dinner was a relaxing and pleasant affair. Nick looked over his shoulder as he carried plates to the replicator for recycling. "Why don't you grab a quick shower and slip into something more comfortable while I take care of the clean up." He gestured at the couch."I will meet you there with the rest of the champagne and the glasses in a few."

"Great suggestion," Maia said and got up and padded to her boudoir.

She stripped out f her uniform and slipped into the sonic shower.

She got cleaned up and put on a satin negligee and padded back out to the living room twirled in front of him.

"Do you approve," Maia asked.

Nick admired Maia's little showing off as he sat on the couch. [I]She truly is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen[/i]I, he thought to himself. "I approve whole-heartedly." He gestured at the cushion next to him and picked up the chilled bottle of champagne. He poured two fresh glasses and set the bottle down to a small package in festive wrapping paper. "Sit, relax. I have a late Christmas gift for you."

Maia smiled.

"A late gift to me," she said.

Maia took the gift and carefully unwrapped it.

It was a small velvet box, she looked at him smiling.

She opened the box and saw a diamond ring.

"Does this mean?" Maia asked her eyes tearing.

Nick watched as she opened the gift, taking special interest in her reaction to finding a small felt box with a diamond ring and matching gold bands. "It was my grand parents set. My mother had them resized before sending them to Starbase 50. I just picked them up from the Assayer's office."

"It's beautiful", Maia said.

Maia gave him the ring box and held her hand out.

Nick slipped off the couch to one knee as he took the diamond ring from the box and slipped it onto Maia's left ring finger.

"Maia Sterling. Would you honor me by consenting to marry me at your earliest, convenience?"

"Yes of course I will marry you. I love you very much," Maia said.

She then dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him Kissing him passionately.

Nick returned the kiss with equal passion. It wasn’t long before he realized his torso was bare and though Maia was still in her negligee, the front was unclasped and only held closed by the closeness of their bodies. He slowly regained his feet, bringing her up with him. He whispered softly in her ear. "I do believe it is time we retire to the bedroom my love. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Lead the way, Darling," Maia said.

Nick swept his fiancée off her feet and carried her from the living room to the bedroom while renewing the passion-filled kiss.

[OFF]

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A post by:

Captain Maia A. Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Nicholas DeMarco
Lounge Singer
USS Leto NCC-80916