Star Trek: Starbase 777 - pizza-my-heart

Yeah, this was birthday time. Traditional style Italian food in a romantic area fit for both Essen and Kaylee? This was it. This was the place where she'd meet her love again. And this time, Essen was much better prepared for this date. Rather than her uniform covered in smudged eyeliner from having cried, Essen was dressed much more beautifully - almost enchantingly so. While there was no signature headband, Essen's hair waved and curled towards the ends, practically shining in the light of the restaurant. Her makeup accentuated her eyes and her jawline, while still showing off her scar, but not too much attention was brought to the scar itself. A beautiful red ruby jeweled necklace nicely contrasted against her skin, on which one could see her tattoo, due to her dress not covering her neck. The dress itself wasn't poofy, in fact it was quite toned and fit on Essen's form giving her the perfect hourglass figure. The dress was a pristine deep red satin, which stretched halfway down Essen's shins. Essen sported sequined, bejeweled heels, as well as a glittery ruby red mani-pedi - and most of all, her promise ring. Essen approached the host at the front of the restaurant with a confident and majestic strut before she came to a stop. "Table for two, preferably the most romantic area of the restaurant," Essen said, her voice taking on a lower pitch, near femme-fatale like. All she needed now was her babygirl. She wondered how Kaylee would react seeing her like this on her birthday!

Kaylee was already here, waiting for her. Her excitement was quickly filling up her heart, and she couldn't help but clench her fists and dance a little as she saw her girlfriend appear. A beautiful red dress, red jewels, perfect makeup, amazing heels. Kaylee was almost enchanted just by seeing Essen. Essen looked like someone walking down a red carpet to her. Kaylee herself was dressed nicely too, she was actually worried she might've overdressed. Her dress was a little poofy, but not too much so. It was a soft golden colour, matching her golden glittery high heels. This dress went to her ankles, like a ball gown that was slightly too short. Kaylee wasn't a makeup expert, really only wearing eyeliner and concealer day-to-day, but she went all out for this date. A soft red lip tint, eye-shadow to complement her eyes and dress, a gentle blush, all shaping her face nicely. Kaylee had a golden chain necklace with a blue sapphire in it. And, most importantly, her promise ring, shining brightly in the gentle lighting of the restaurant. As Essen asked for a table, Kaylee walked up to her and gently took her arm, like a woman who would accent the rich man she was attached to. Kaylee took the chance to admire her girlfriend closer. "Wow, dear, you look stunning."

It wasn't long before Essen noticed her Kaylee approaching her, to which she glanced up and down at her - and she indeed was also enchanted by how beautiful her girlfriend was. She'd not often gotten a chance to see Kaylee in this way, dressed up like this. But what mattered most was that Kaylee was here, and now they were together once more. Whole once more. "My beautiful babygirl," Essen said to Kaylee as she took her arm. "On second thought, hold having to get an extra table," she told the host. "Looks like this enchanting woman already has one for us." Before she walked with Kaylee towards their table. "How can I be stunning if you're already stunning?" Essen joked. "Guess stunning doesn't have to be limited to just one of us. Most beautiful woman I've ever met." Before she embraced with Kaylee briefly, giving her a hug, close enough where their foreheads touched... Before she pulled away slowly, and guided Kaylee to the table. "Thanks for getting a table, babe," Essen thanked Kaylee. "And... Thanks for doing this for my birthday. It means my whole life to me."

Kaylee was in awe. She already thought Essen was beautiful, just waking up, on shift, walking Mako, day-to-day, but now? This was a different level of beautiful girlfriend she wasn't expecting. But what was really important was making this the best birthday dinner Essen could have, until next year, when she'd top it again and again and again! "Aw, stop it you, you're the beautiful one here. Happy birthday, my love!" After their short embrace, the pair arrived to their table, a circular table, two seats, under a dim light. Very romantic, setting the perfect mood for a birthday dinner. Kaylee planted a quick kiss on Essen's cheek before giving her the princess treatment. She'd gently pull out Essen's chair for her. "Of course, any time, my dear. No one should spend their birthday alone, and no one should have to get their own birthday dinner. My treat, remember, have whatever you'd like!"

With a giddy giggle, as well as one after Kaylee pecked her cheek, Essen's smile grew tenfold, as repeated the gesture, giving Kaylee a kiss on her cheek as well. What she wasn't expecting was for Kaylee to pull out her chair for her - that was certainly going the extra mile! "Princess!! Oh, you tease!" Essen remarked, sitting down as she watched Kaylee. "This is amazing, Kayleebug, seriously, I can't thank you enough. Before we met I was worried that I'd always have to spend my birthday alone. This... This makes things so much better. And you being here... It's perfect. It's absolutely perfect." Before she reached across the table with both hands to give Kaylee's three squeezes - and then keeping them interlocked. "We can split a pizza... It would be our special pizza. I like stuffed crust... Want to split that with me?"

As Essen sat down, Kaylee pushed her chair in before taking her seat across from her. "Well, you are my princess. You deserve the world my dear. You won't be spending another celebration alone, not while I'm around. Even if you don't feel like going out, we can just relax in your quarters." Kaylee returned Essen's 3 squeezes. Their secret not-so-secret way of saying they love each other without words. It made Kaylee smile every time she received the three squeezes. It reminded her of home and filled her with love. "That sounds great, I love stuffed crust too. Cheese, sauce, sausage? Ooo, and what toppings? I like pretty much everything, so you can pick what you like most!"

A blush of green happened to flush across Essen's cheeks as Kaylee said she deserved the world and that she was her princess. It was perfect - SHE was perfect. Kaylee was everything Essen could ever ask for and more. "Oh goodness, we'll end the night at my quarters, but in the meantime, let's have fun while we're out! Mako's in good hands! Anything we want - it's my special day, and the best way I can spend it...is with you." The smile across Kaylee's face practically stretched Essen's smile as well, as both of them kept each other close, fingers interlocked on both hands. "Heh... I have an idea. Stuffed crust, white cream Alfredo sauce, extra cheese," Essen suggested. "Almost like if Alfredo pasta and a stuffed crust pizza had a baby! Last time I had white cream Alfredo sauce pizza, it was absolutely incredible. You gotta try it if you're down for that! I have a feeling it will be the best pizza you've ever had in your life."

Kaylee was so glad she did this. Their night had only just begun, and it was already going great. There was a look of pure happiness on her face. All the stress and worries she may have had just melted away as she sat here with her girlfriend. She really was the luckiest girl on the station. "Of course. Anything you wanna do, we can do." The best way Essen could spend it was with...Kaylee? That's so sweet. Kaylee was so happy she thought she was going to explode. That's so sweet for Essen to say. "Oooo, that sounds great. I don't think I've had it before, so I'd love to try it! What are you thinking for drinks, sweetheart?" Kaylee said as she picked up one of the drinks menus. Soft drinks, smoothies...all different kinds. They even had a selection of wines and ciders.

There was a sort of chain reaction, Essen being happy which translated to Kaylee seeing Essen's face and being happy, which translated to Essen seeing Kaylee's face and being happy, and so on. It was the perfect sign of a healthy and loving relationship between the two, one that definitely would blossom. "Hmmm... I saw they just opened up a new arcade! Master Blaster's Arcade! We can go there after we're done eating and play some games! Then depending on what time it is when we finish there, we can go back to my quarters and have popcorn and cake and watch movies and cuddle! How does that sound babygirl?" Essen always wanted to ensure Kaylee was alright with something despite Kaylee having told her that they could do whatever Essen wanted. The last thing Essen wanted to do was to upset Kaylee with something she didn't want to do given it was Essen's birthday. Consent was key. "Eeeeee! Alright! As for drinks? Hmmm, lemme see," Essen remarked, taking a drink menu as well, but keeping one hand interlocked with Kaylee's at all times. "I've had Romulan ale before, that's not too new for me - Saurian brandy, not new for me -- ooh! British Chardonnay! I think I'm going to get a British Chardonnay. It... Reminds me of your hometown where you took me in the holodeck, when we first met." (edited)

"Ooooh, an Arcade sounds fun! Cake and movies sounds great too! Whatever you'd like, remember, it is your day!" That little cycle of seeing one happy and the other being happy continued, as seeing Essen happy made Kaylee happy. The whole reason Kaylee took her out for dinner. She knew that even if Essen had a few other things she'd like to do, Kaylee would like it, and if she didn't, Essen would listen. But she wasn't worried about Essen choosing something that Kaylee didn't like. "Hmm.. That's very sweet, and a Chardonnay, that's not too bad actually. Not really a fan of Romulan Ale, so I might just get the mixed fruit cider. Huge fan of fruit ciders, me." Kaylee said, as she perused the drinks. She looked over the cocktails too, as she did like sweet, fruity drinks. She wasn't a fan of spirits though, beers and ales weren't her thing either.

With a giddy giggle, Essen stared back into Kaylee's eyes. "Hehehe, it's a plan then! We'll head to the arcade and then have movies and cuddle! Nice little calm end to a big night!" Essen's eyes gravitated back to Kaylee's eyes once more. "Your eyes are the most beautiful things. Obviously behind you as a person. But your eyes are like... I feel like I'm staring into endless galaxies. Your eyes have the most bright shining stars in them. Just another reason out of the trillion million zillion that I love you." Essen remarked lovingly. Unfortunately she didn't have a ton of time before the waiter came over to take their order. "Hi, can we please have a large stuffed crust pizza, white cream Alfredo sauce, extra cheese? And then a British Chardonnay for me." She looked over at Kaylee - ready to order!

"Sound. Let's do it, right after we order." Kaylee said with a smile. Like a giddy schoolgirl, she grinned widely. But she wasn't ready for the deep compliment she was to receive. It took her off guard a little, and her smile gave way to a short shocked expression, before softening into a smile once more. "Awww, that's so sweet of you. Yours....I can see all of you. Like a window to your soul. I can see your love, your excitement and your fiery motivation. And yet, there's also vulnerability and care. It's just so easy to get lost in all of that." Kaylee was going to continue with her frankly poetic description, but the waiter arrived and she let Essen order that pizza she wanted. Then, as she looked over, she looked up to the waiter. "Ah, yes, could I get the...Mixed fruit cider, please."

Taking the compliment with an even deeper green blush, Essen's smile practically stretched across her face. "Awww, baby! Thank you!!" Essen responded, before she brought one of Kaylee's hands up to her face, and kissed the back of her hand, before she set it back down, and simply looked deeply into Kaylee's eyes once again. Then, a bit of a frown appeared on her face. "I wanna... Apologize. For being so anxious all the time about you. I've been meaning to tell you this. But with the tribbles, and the ghosts, and the blackout... I've been so anxious all the time about you. I don't mean to be so anxious. I keep thinking it's solely my duty to protect you all the time from every single thing that happens on the starbase or off. When I should be fully and unequivocally trusting you to take care of yourself. I'm sorry, babygirl. I'll do my best to stop thinking like that, especially not making a big deal about it. Can you-- can you forgive me?"

Kaylee's wide smile dropped a little as Essen frowned. Had she said something wrong? As Essen started to speak, Kaylee got a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Like, guilt and anxiety and fear all mixed together. Had Kaylee done something wrong? She listened to Essen speak, and that feeling in her stomach started to go away, as her facial expression changed from one of calm to concern. "Of course I can. Please understand this, my dear, you can't always control how you feel. A lot has happened while we've been together, and yeah, I've felt pretty worried too. You don't have to get upset about feeling protective, when that's just in your nature, my love."

It made Essen's heart ache to see anything except a smile on Kaylee's face, but at the very least she knew that Kaylee wasn't upset with her. So far it seemed like their relationship went off so well! Barely anything negative between them, if at all! But hearing Kaylee forgive her for something Essen genuinely felt guilty about... It was like a weight was lifted off of Essen's shoulders. "I can't thank you enough, Kayleebug," Essen replied. "For loving me for me. When I honestly didn't think I would ever find or be deserving of love. You're the first person who ever made me feel like I was worth something. I hope I've done enough for you too -- actually... Have I been a good girlfriend for you? I just want to ensure I'm doing my best, it's my first time, heh..."

Kaylee felt nothing but love for Essen. She hoped that was evident in her face. The way she looked at Essen with nothing but a soft happiness and simple love and care. The way that in everything she does and says, she hopes it supports her girlfriend. "You don't need to thank me, dear. I love you. And I don't think I'll ever stop loving you. You more than deserve love, and you are worth everything I give to you, and so, so much more. You're a fantastic person to be around and I can't express the love and care I feel for you and how much joy you bring to me."

With a relieved smile, Essen kept Kaylee's hands close so she could interlace her fingers with Kaylee's. It felt natural, it felt necessary, and it felt so good to be connected to Kaylee. Although, unfortunately, the link wasn't too far made before the wait staff brought over both the drinks and the pizza! "Whoa! That was quick! Thank you!" Essen said with a laugh, as she took her napkin and set it on her lap. Essen grasped her drink and held it up. "Cheers, to you, my love," Essen said, hoping to clink glasses with Kaylee!