Star Trek: Starbase 777 - lt-jg-berrett﹢lt-jg-valkyrie

A Secret Santa gift arrived for Kaylee: In front of Kaylee's door was two boxes, one large box and one smaller one. The wrapping was so-so in quality, clearly not done by an expert but the love and care was evident. The wrappings were all red with green and yellow sparkles and the bow was a pretty black with white stripes. There was a clasp on the back of the bow that could double as a hair clip too! In the larger box was a very fluffy blanket, it was light beige with a llama pattern on it-- with santa hats! All the little llamas had santa hats. The blanket was incredibly fluffy and large, definitely large enough to be wrapped around the body or curled up to make the person a burrito. The smaller box was filled with chocolates from New Romulus. It was a 'Romulan Christmas' set from a chocolatier on the planet with neatly sculpted chocolate figures epohhs with santa hats! The chocolates were infused with distinctly Romulan spices like Reman salt, Romulan caramel, and some plomeek leaves (a Vulcan plant, but equally popular amongst Romulans). Just like any other box of chocolates, there was a little 'key' on the top of the box that described what each of the chocolates were, both in Rihannsu and in Standard. And then the note. It was handwritten in Standard with the writing being pretty terrible, but it was clear the sender was writing in their third language.

Dear Kaylee, I wasn't sure what to get, but I know it gets cold on the station sometimes. It was nice meeting you at the Christmas party! There's a Christmas village on New Romulus that sold these super cute chocolates! I hope you like them! PS. Don't give them to your girlfriend, they're chocolate so not the best for Vulcans. There are some Vulcan-friendly chocolates though, the chocolates marked with a star are safe for Vulcans! - Not-so-secret santa

Kaylee saw the gifts as she entered her quarters, and carefully picked them up, in case they were breakable. She took them inside and sat down before she opened them. She opened the larger box first, and almost squealed in joy as she looked at the blanket. Llamas!! With Santa hats!!! So cute~! She then moved over to the smaller box, quickly looking over the 'key' for each chocolate. She read the note that came along with the presents. The handwriting want the neastest, but neither was hers, so she couldn't exactly judge. Christmas party? Who did she meet at the party? She tried to recall the people she met. Couldn't be Essen, she would've told her. Maybe the nice bartender? Oh, what was their name! She lifted the blanket out of the box, sighing softly as she felt how fluffy it truly was. Wow. Such a cute pattern for such a fluffy blanket. It would always stay on her bed, and go with her on any away missions she goes on, if she can.

"Come on, babe! Come on, I gotta show it to you!" Essen said with an untamed excitement as she carried a somewhat moderately size box, with holes poked into it, through the open door as she stepped inside. Goodness, she was bursting with energy! She was so happy to finally be able to give this as a late Christmas gift to Kaylee. Essen felt horrible that she didn't get this to Kaylee in time for Christmas - but better late than never. And hey, it was something to start the new year with! [D] Previously, Essen had taken a trip to a neighboring starbase that had a shelter for animals. She came back with a tiny little package that barked whenever it got excited! A little package, white and fluffy, and full of personality already. This was a Samoyed puppy, and it was a boy, only about 6 months old. But Essen didn't tell Kaylee -- although, Essen was convinced Kaylee probably figured it out. Not a bad thing, though! Essen set down the box, wrapped in Christmas wrapping and tied up with a bow on top, on the floor. She pat the ground in front of the box, signalling Kaylee to sit down in front of it. "Merry late Christmas, baby girl!" Of course Essen had also gotten Kaylee a stocking full of goodies too, which was sitting on top of the box, but she moved it to the side of the box on the ground. "Our first Christmas... I'm so happy to spend it with the most beautiful girl alive." (edited)

"I can't wait, my dearest. I know that whatever is in that box is going to be amazing!" Truth be told, Kaylee wasn't entirely sure what was in that box. Every time it had barked, Kaylee had been distracted or not paying attention. The holes gave it away somewhat, but she still wasn't sure. She was almost as excited as Essen, she couldn't wait to open it. "Merry Christmas, my dear." Kaylee said softly, a sense of love and pure happiness portrayed by only a few words as she sat down and gently touched the box. Stars, this was exciting! She haven't really expected many gifts, living so far away from her family. But her parents had sent her something, her brother had given her something, and she even had a secret santa. And now, Essen. With a box. With little holes in it.

Just then... Bark! Bark bark bark! The sound came from inside the box, and the box rattled around slightly on the floor. Essen held her hands to her mouth - she couldn't contain her excitement! She was going to add a new member to the #Kessen family! One that would evidently be super fluffy and fun! "You ready, babe?" Essen smiled, scooting the box over to Kaylee. "I was told that all you have to do is untie the bow and the rest of the box will open up." Essen put her hands back over her mouth - she was watching this whole thing unfold and barely could keep herself together! But this... this was the closest thing Essen ever had to being able to raise a family. She'd never done so before, not with a dependent, even though it was in a floofer form. But Essen was ready - ready now, with her Kaylee, and to continue their relationship with a furry friend to keep them company!

Kaylee was overcome with excitement before she could even open the box, after hearing the barking. Its a dog!!! Oh my god!!! She quietly squealed in excitement and held her hands up to her mouth. "It isn't....is it?" she said, muffled by her hands. She quickly composed herself, holding back some happy tears as she reached forwards to untie the bow. She took a few more breaths, shuddering in pure excitment as she gently pulled the bow, it slowly unfurling and untying itself.

The source of the noise managed to push open the box from the inside, pushing aside the wrapping paper and the flaps keeping it closed, before it revealed itself to be... the dog!!! A beautiful, freshly haircut, trimmed Samoyed puppy!! Immediately its mouth curled up into a smile and its tongue stuck out, panting happily as it looked upon its new co-owner! Right away afterwards, the puppy hopped out of the box and into Kaylee's arms before gifting her with a thousand doggo kisses! Essen could barely keep it together as she watched their new dog give Kaylee so much love. "Awwwww!!! He likes you already!" Essen kept Kaylee's stocking to the side - Essen made sure to put some treats and other dog toys into the stocking, obviously alongside things for Kaylee herself because, ya know, #Kessen! "One lil Samoyed puppo! For my babygirl!"

Kaylee softly squealed in delight again, gently hugging the pupper as it licked her face. "Oh....Essen, I-..! I don't know what to say!" A few tears fell from her eyes as the dog licked her, from just so much excitement and happiness that she just couldn't not express. "Does...D-Does he have a name?" She gently lifted him away from her face so she could look Essen in the eyes, but gently held him on her lap. She couldn't believe it. A Samoyed puppy. Her Samoyed puppy. No. their Samoyed puppy. That she and Essen would raise together, hopefully.

It was at this point where Essen also began to cry - but obviously not sad tears! They were happy tears - and tears filled with hope and joy for the future. Essen had a hunch that this pupper would be a fierce protector for both of them, and for others, in the future - a gentle giant, but one that would ensure their safety. Essen didn't know where that came from - but she just had that feeling. That this Samoyed puppy stood out from among the rest at the shelter. That this Samoyed would certainly prove faithful enough as a companion for both of them. "A name? Nah, he didn't have a name when I picked him up from the shelter. But now we can give him a name! Get him used to hearing it so he can respond to it when he's called. I wanted to give you first pick for a name! I'm honestly really open to any name we can give him. Except if it's Spock. Nothing against Spock. Just naming your dog after Spock sounds weird to me. But any other name!" Indeed - it was their Samoyed puppy. He had just joined the #Kessen family and now he was about to be knighted after receiving his name! In the meantime, the pupper lifted his arms up to expose his belly - oh goodness, he liked belly rubs, it was evident! But Essen remembered something. "Oh yeah! And I was told that he is really, really well-behaved. So it won't be that difficult getting him to cooperate! Maybe his name can reflect that? Or not, just an idea. Maybe he already knows some dog tricks too! I hadn't been told if he did or not."

Kaylee was so ready for this. Having a little good boi. Training him, teaching him tricks. A real gentle giant. It'll be great. Long walks on the holodeck. Having him meet people. Having someone to talk to when she couldn't sleep. Someone fluffy to cuddle when a soft toy or a blanket wouldn't do. She was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear Essen's short rant on naming or not naming the dog after Spock. "Don't worry babe, I won't name him Spock. I feel it's a little weird too." She began thinking of names. Snowy? Too on the nose. Fluffy? Same. Good boy? Nah, she wanted something simpler, one word. She began thinking out loud. "Maybe Soldier..? No...sounds too...aggressive, people might be scared of him....maybe....Mako? I like Mako."

Essen could tell by the look on Kaylee's face that both she and Kaylee were ready to move forward into the next stage of their relationship. She was enchanted just by the simple act of Kaylee thinking of names! But Essen also pondered the name Kaylee suggested aloud. "Solider, yeah, not that one. Also people might get confused if we just shout 'solider' randomly. Heh." And then, Kaylee suggested Mako. Huh... Essen hadn't heard that name before. But it overall sounded... right. It flowed well, rolled off the tongue, Mako. "Yeah! Mako! I like that a lot too! Mako!" As if on cue, the puppy's head turned towards Essen and he looked at her, his mouth open and his tongue out. He panted happily, as if giving approval to his new name! "It looks like he likes the name Mako too! He already reacts to that name!"

"I'm glad you like it! And him too! Who's a good boy, Mako? I think it's a good name." Suddenly, a wave of realisation came over Kaylee. What should she do? What if Kaylee and Essen have the same shift times. Who's gonna watch Mako? She can't just not work until he's old enough and well trained enough to be left alone. "Um, babe? What do we do if we're both working? We can't leave him alone, not yet!" She gently petted Mako as she spoke, trying to not let him notice her slight anxiety at this.

Essen was also in her natural euphoric state when Kaylee was addressing Mako and petting him - Mako was indeed such a good boi!! The best boi. But then Kaylee posed the question of who would take care of Mako while both of them were on duty. Essen thought about that for a second, then had an idea. "I got it! We can bring them to the little pet hotel they have here! They'll take care of Mako while we work if we have shifts at the same time, then once we're back, we look after him! It will take some time to figure out but once we have it down I think we'll be able to manage just fine! Plus it's us, you're already being such a loving dog mom! He'd understand. Right, Mako?" With that, the doggo perked up and his head turned towards Essen. "Yeah! That's right. Mako!" Right away Mako got up and trotted towards Essen before giving her a thousand doggo kisses as well! "Ah--hey! Hehehehehey! Hi!" The dog just kept on gifting Essen by licking her face, while Essen playfully dodged it back and forth - although she was no match for this new pupper's unconditional love. "He's such a good boy. Aren't you, Mako? Aren't you? Yes you are! You're such a good boy!" Essen pet Mako, which prompted him to lay down on his back and expose his belly once more. "Oh you want a belly rub, don't you? You want a belly rub?" Essen began lightly giving Mako a belly rub, which quickly disarmed Mako of any energy he had before. "He's perfect, babe. Absolutely perfect. Let's see if he knows this one. Mako!" Mako got up from the floor and sat down politely in front of Essen. "Shake." Mako stuck out his paw onto Essen's extended hand! "Good boy!" Essen pet Mako on his head as a reward for knowing that trick so early on in his life! "You think he knows other tricks?"

Kaylee liked the idea. They didn't even know there was a pet hotel on the station. But she supposed it was useful, for all the pets that are on the station. "Sounds good to me. We'd only be leaving him for a few hours. And he wouldn't be alone either." As Kaylee and Essen got to know Mako, playing with him, seeing what tricks he already knew, Kaylee's mind started to wander. She'd have to lower the quarters temperature, so he wouldn't overheat. And make sure she made time for him to go out and get some exercise, whether that's a long walk somewhere, or going to a dog park holoprogram. Would that even work for him? Surely. They could get some different ones. With open fields for running, or hurdles for jumping. Anything he could need. She just hoped she could look after him right. She remembered wanting to adopt one in the academy. She'd done her research. They were sociable, energetic dogs that required regular brushing and grooming, lots of exercise and proper socialisation along with correct training. Hopefully he responded quite well to whatever training would be necessary. "Possibly? He looks quite young though, it might be that 'shake' is the only trick he knows. Maybe he knows 'sit' too?"

A sigh of relief escaped Essen's mouth as Kaylee expressed agreement with how to make sure Mako was cared for when both were away. Phew! That was a close one. "True... shake could be the only thing he knows. I'll see what else he knows. Mako!" Mako perked back up and got onto four legs. He looked at Essen eagerly, awaiting what he as going to be told. "Sit." Mako sat onto his bottom, his hind legs still keeping themselves on the ground, but he sat politely and awaited further instructions. "Good boy! He does know 'sit,' babe! Let's see what else he knows. Mako!" Mako's ears went up at that. He was really starting to learn his name now! "Speak." Bark! Bark bark! "Good boy! Let's try... roll over." And Mako didn't really know what to do with that information. He just stood still. "Roll over? No? Don't know that one? Ah, that's alright. This is a good start, though! I didn't even know this, babe - they didn't tell me he knew those tricks!" (edited)

Kaylee gently petted him after he finished his tricks. "Good boy Mako! Good boy. I didn't think that he'd be this far into his training. Maybe I'll speak to the shelter, ask what methods they used so I can keep it consistent for him." Kaylee couldn't believe it. Mako was already a little trained, in sit, shake and speak. He hadn't quite learned roll over yet, but that should be easy, if he already knew the three basic ones. Maybe lie down too. Having Mako was like a dream come true for Kaylee. She had always wanted a dog. But her mother wouldn't be able to handle a dog along with Kaylee and Jakob because her father was in Starfleet. And now she finally did. She had her dream dog with the best girlfriend she could ask for. And she wouldn't change a thing...well, maybe one thing. That Essen and Kaylee shared quarters. But...that probably won't happen, unless the two get married or put in a special request. "I still can't believe you got me a dog, love. My favourite breed too. I can't wait to teach him and love him and play with him. It'll be great, especially with you by my side."

"Of course, babygirl," Essen said. "Anything for the most perfect and beautiful girl in the entire universe. Now the most perfect and beautiful girl in the entire universe shares a dog with me! And Mako has us now too. I'm just... so, so lucky." And with that, Essen scooted over next to Kaylee, hugging her from behind using one arm and resting her head onto Kaylee's shoulder. However, Mako saw that as an invitation to hop on over and start giving both Essen and Kaylee a thousand doggo kisses back and forth! "Ahhh! Doggo attack! Cuteness overload!!" Essen giggled as she still kept ahold of Kaylee but playfully moved around depending on who Mako was giving doggo kisses to. "Settle down, Mako!" Essen laughed, but Mako just didn't listen to that. Well... maybe he wasn't all well-behaved, but he was finding every opportunity to show his new owners that he loved them. "Okay, calm down, boy," Essen said to Mako, reaching for the stocking she had for Kaylee. "Sit." Mako sat promptly, following instructions. Essen handed the stocking over to Kaylee. "Here you go, babe! The other part of your Christmas presents." Little did Kaylee know a promise ring would be inside that stocking. Marriage was a bit too soon for #Kessen but at the very least Essen did this for Kaylee.

Kaylee was having a great time. She waited for Mako to settle down a bit before she started to take the things out of the stocking. Dog toys, treats, and a few small snacks for Kaylee all covered up what was clearly the main gift. A promise ring. As Kaylee lifted it out of the stocking, she looked up at Essen. "Where did you..? How did you..? Is this a...?" All of them unfinished in surprised. She looked down at the ring again before looking up at Essen. "Do you...really mean it?"

Essen's smile only grew as Kaylee gradually opened up her stocking and revealed the promise ring. Tears began running down her eyes, and her smile practically stretched off her face when Kaylee processed that she now had a promise ring in her possession. "I know it's kind of early to be thinking about marriage," Essen said. "So until the time is right, I wanted to do this for you." With that, Essen picked up Mako gently, and keeping Mako in her arms, she bent over and got down on one knee. Essen had to practically bite her tongue to keep herself composed in this moment - she was bursting with joy and happiness. This was the closest thing she'd get to a proposal without actually being a proposal. "A promise I make to you, my babygirl," she continued. "To be the best girlfriend you ever had, to love you and to have you unconditionally. For wherever our journeys might take us. I devote myself to you and to our love." (edited)

"Oh my- Essen I-..." Kaylee's hands shot up to her mouth as Essen practically proposed to her. Kaylee never imagined that when she came to this station she would meet someone as perfect as Essen. She thought that it'd take years to find someone, just like her father did. Her father didn't get married until he was 34, and Kaylee thought it'd be the same for her. But no. Essen was here. By luck, by chance or by fate. She found Essen. "I-.." she tried to find something to say back, but she hadn't prepared a promise to Essen. "I promise too. I promise to be your girlfriend, through hardship, through pain, through forceful separation. I will be here, for you. My one and only dearest Essen."

Essen's tears began to flow like waterfalls now, and her mind reeled in joy. This once again felt like a new beginning - a beginning of them starting a family, thanks to Mako, and a beginning of their relationship bonded together through the new year. She was so incredibly lucky to have Kaylee... and she couldn't have chosen someone better than Kaylee for her girlfriend. Kaylee was her world, her universe, her everything. Essen returned to sitting on the floor after scooting to Kaylee's side, and put her arm around Kaylee's back once more before she touched her forehead to Kaylee's--Bark! Bark bark! Mako stood up on his hind legs, with his front paws reaching out slightly. "Mako. Sit," Essen said, turning her head to Mako. Mako sat down on his hind legs once more, and watched, his mouth open and his tongue out, panting happily. "Good boy, Mako. Now. Where were we?" Essen turned her head back to Kaylee, setting her forehead against Kaylee's, sharing the moment together. Essen had never felt so close to Kaylee. They really were two halves of a whole.

As Essen and Kaylee had their moment, Kaylee gently slid the ring onto her own finger, ready to wear it with pride. Show it off to whoever she spoke to. "Check out this pretty promise ring I got from my perfect girlfriend." She gently pet Mako, who was sitting obediently beside them. "Essen. I never thought I could have such a perfect time. My favourite dog, the perfect girlfriend, and a promise ring. It can't get better than this."

Essen giggled giddily, having just noticed out of the corner of her eye that the promise ring was now displayed proudly on her finger. This was perfect timing for Essen to reach into her pocket and pull out a second promise ring. "Oh, but it can get better." Essen slid the new promise ring onto her own finger, the same one that Kaylee used, and she clasped her hand with Kaylee's, interlocking fingers with hers, and feeling the metal of their promise rings clinking against each other. "What do you think, Mako?" Essen turned her head towards Mako. "Look at both your mamas' new promise rings. They pretty?" *Bark! Bark bark! Before Mako promptly hopped towards both Essen and Kaylee and alternated between them both giving them doggo kisses!*

Kaylee couldn't stop staring at it. Her promise ring. She was hardly holding herself together. She couldn't imagine a better time. Essen, Mako, and a beautiful promise ring, even better, a matching pair! Kaylee could certainly say that she never expected this when she moved onto the station. She thought she'd be like her dad, doing her 'time' in starfleet, heading home for a short time off, and meeting the love of her life on Earth when she was a little older. But no, she found Essen. Completely by accident too. The best way to meet a soulmate. If Kaylee didn't believe in destiny, fate and soulmates before, she certainly did now. She actually remembers being told a similar story in her childhood about one of her great uncles. How he met the love of his life by accident, just like she did, on a holodeck. "Essen.. I....I love you so much. I can't even express it to you. My heart just feels so full when I'm around you. I get this warm, fuzzy feeling when I think of you, and I couldn't miss you more when we're apart. If I could be more precise with my feelings, I would. I want you to know how much I love you."

Essen was slightly distracted by the bombardment of doggo kisses from Mako, who had switched over completely to Essen as he kept on showing his love for his new co-owner. "Stahahahahop! Mako!" Mako slowed down a little bit, seeing as Essen was having trouble keeping up. Instead, he calmed down, and in Essen's arms, laid down with his back against Essen's arm, almost like a newborn baby being cradled. Essen gasped slowly as her happy tears began again, and she turned back to Kaylee. At this point Kaylee started to express her love for Essen, thankfully in time for Essen to catch every single word of it while Mako laid peacefully on Essen's arm and looked at both of his new co-owners with a big panting doggo smile. Essen's eyes fixated on Kaylee as well. In that moment, she felt more connected and in love with Kaylee than she ever had been. There was so much Essen had to say - and she felt like saying it now. "You're not the only one, baby girl. My love for you isn't even quantifiable. Not against the number of ships in the fleet, not against the number of stars in the universe, not even against the number of atoms in the universe. You turned my darkness into light. You've showed me what life is really all about. And I can safely say I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for you. You have no idea how much I love you, how much I want you." With that Essen gave Kaylee a soft hug, where both their foreheads touched again, and Essen's smile practically grew off her face before giving Kaylee a soft kiss on her cheek. "I love you... my Kaylee."

After spending a little more time with Kaylee (and watching a fun Christmas movie - no, not Die Hard, that wasn't technically a Christmas movie - How the Grinch Stole Christmas was more like it), Essen wished her babygirl well until they inevitably would meet up again - but Essen let Kaylee have Mako until then, or until Kaylee would ask Essen to watch Mako! Woof woof!