The Last Day Of Summer.

Posted on Wed Sep 10th, 2025 @ 4:32pm by Lieutenant Faith Hawkins & Lieutenant JG Genie Cleminson

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: R&R
Location: Holodeck.

It had taken some planning, but Genie had arranged everything so it was perfect. Or as close to perfect as it could be. Hers and Faith’s favourite holodeck program had been loaded, for the first time in four, maybe five years. Having collected Beatrice, Meredith from Matthew, Genie sat with the former on the picnic towel, awaiting Faith. Meredith played nearby with her skipping rope on the lush, green grass. Freshly prepared food, drinks were contained in a large wicker picnic basket next to Genie.

“I hope Mummy gets here soon. I’m hungry.” said Meredith.

Genie smiled, sharing both sentiments as Beatrice chewed on a teething toy on her lap. “Me too, Meri. She won’t be long.”

She wouldn’t. Faith arrived a few minutes later, fresh from catching up on more paperwork before her imminent return to duty. “Hi Mummy!” called Meredith, waving to Faith, then running towards her for a hug.

“Hi Meri Moo.” replied Faith, returning the wave as she approached, then embracing Meredith tightly. “What’s all this?” she asked Genie, as she, Meredith sat down. Faith couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, as it had been many years since she’d been in this holodeck program. In fact, she was in the early stages of her pregnancy with Meredith. Who would be five later this year. Time flies.

“I wanted to do something nice for my favourite people in the universe.” said Genie, looking at the trees swaying gently in front of them. Then, to her soul mate. In the distance, swaying trees parted to reveal a row of characteristic London townhouses behind. One of which was her childhood home. This was the park she used to play in with her siblings, cousins. It was also the park she, Faith first admitted their feelings for one another nearly seven years ago. It was a special place.

Faith beamed. “It’s as beautiful as I remember it. Thank you.”

Before Genie could reply. Meredith decided now Faith was here, it was time to eat. “Can we eat now please Mummy Genie? I’m really hungry.” she asked, with her characteristic cheeky, adorable grin.

Mummy Genie melted the hearts of both women. It showed Meredith accepted Genie as her other parent. As it was always intended to be. Genie considered it a true honour. Especially with it being so soon after she, Faith had reunited. Passing Beatrice to Faith, Genie opened the wicker basket, setting the contents out onto plates. Fondants, Swiss roll, Battenberg. All favourites of Faith’s. Mashed banana, Beatrice’s favourite, was followed by a quiche.

Meredith watched eagerly as Genie divided the quiche into six segments. Then placed two into a bowl, passing them towards her. “Thank you Mummy Genie.” said Meredith, tucking in to her share of the quiche. She knew the delicious, inviting cakes were for afterwards. She was particularly drawn to the vibrant pink, yellow and brown fondants, certain they would be worth the wait.

“Good girl.” said Faith, praising her eldest daughter’s good manners. Accepting her slices of quiche from her girlfriend, Faith also expressed her thanks.

It meant a lot for Genie to be called Mummy Genie “I brought tea for us and juice for the girls.” she said, pouring the latter into beakers. Then, the tea, into ceramic cups. Matching cups which Genie had bought seven years ago for their first date.

“Perfect.” replied Faith, as she completed her balancing act. Beatrice perched on her right leg, her quiche and Beatrice’s mashed banana on her left. Prior to helping herself to quiche, Faith began to feed Beatrice. She was getting bigger every day. And, according to many, looking like Faith more and more each day. Faith wasn’t convinced. Yet. But she accepted what she took as a compliment. She moved the spoon closer to Beatrice’s mouth, up and down, side to side.

“Here comes the starship.”

Beatrice let her happiness be known. She cooed, excitedly bouncing on Faith’s knee and waving her arms. It brought a smile to her mothers, sister. She accepted, ate the spoonful of banana, then resumed cooing. Like Meredith had been, and still was, Beatrice was a happy, joyful child. It reminded Faith of their father, Galran. He was exactly the same. The lives he touched, whether as a Doctor or just as the person he was, were better for it. Just as Faith’s was for being Meredith, Beatrice’s mother.

-

After the picnic had been eaten, thoroughly enjoyed, a game of hide and seek was proposed. Genie would go and hide first, then Faith, Meredith and Beatrice would attempt to find her. After finding a spot she was satisfied with, in some trees, Genie called out to say she was ready. It was just before her allotted thirty seconds elapsed. She smiled as she heard Meredith call out the search for Genie had begun.

“Where do we think Mummy Genie is?” asked Faith, following Meredith’s lead. Beatrice cradled securely against her right hip. Meredith looked behind a few trees. Nope. She wasn’t behind any of those.

“Not here Mummy.” said Meredith. Faith replied, pointing in Genie’s general direction. “Shall we go and look over there?”

“Yeah!” exclaimed Meredith, running in the direction Faith had suggested.

More places had been searched, to no avail. It dawned upon Faith where Genie was hiding. She followed Meredith, who was leading them closer to Genie’s hiding place. Five minutes or so after hiding, Genie could hear the trio getting close. Very close. It was a big park, but the amount of good hiding places was finite. Then, she was discovered. Time to put her plan into action.

“Will you marry me?” asked Genie, offering the ring to Faith.

Faith looked down at Genie. On her knee. An open box in hand. She’d always dreamed that one day, she and Genie would marry. And now, that dream was within her grasp. As tears began to build up in her eyes, Faith nodded. “Yes.” she answered.

Taking Faith’s left hand in hers, Genie slid the ring onto her ring finger, then placed a sweet kiss on the knuckle. As she rose, she saw Faith examine the platinum band, with its sapphire gemstone. Genie had made it herself. “Do you like it?”

“Of course I do. It’s beautiful.” replied Faith, returning the kiss Genie gave her. She examined the ring for another moment or two, then looked down at her beautiful wife-to-be. The moment had been everything she’d hoped for. A moment which included the most precious people in Faith’s life. Her daughters. For the moment to have been in a holographic replica of the very same spot they first became an item was the cherry on top.

Meredith beamed. She was now going to be a bridesmaid. She couldn’t wait to tell all of her friends at school. “Mummy Genie asked me if she could ask you.” a pause, to look at Genie, then back to Faith. “She asked Grandad Matthew too.”

“Did you know Mummy Genie was going to do this, Meri Moo?” asked Faith.

Meredith nodded. “Yes Mummy. Mummy Genie said it was a surprise.”

Knowing Genie had asked permission from two of the most important people in her life before asking for her hand in marriage meant so much to Faith. She beamed at Meredith, then turned back to Genie.

“I love you Genie.”

“I love you too.”

 

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