Chapter 2

Chapter Two - Weddings and Illnesses

The day of Scotty and McCoy’s wedding dawned bright and hot on New Vulcan. All the inhabitants of the Enterprise were very glad that it was not being held on the planet. Everyone was running around getting last minute preparations ready. Jim was dressed in his dress uniform that had been let out to accommodate his expanded waistline. He was honored to be performing their ceremony. He could feel a mild twinge in his back and knew that today was going to be one of those days, maybe he could get Spock to give him a massage later. He gathered his things and headed out to the mess hall that had been transformed by himself and his mate with the help of Uhura. Apparently she did not trust his taste in decorations. He rubbed his back again when he received another twinge. Man today was going to be long, he could see it now. He stopped at Uhura’s door and pressed the chime. It was a few minutes before she opened the door. His eyebrows rose when he saw how tired she looked. 

“Are you okay?”

“Fine, Jim. I think I picked up a bug. Once the wedding is over I plan to stop into sickbay and get checked out.”

“What do you mean a bug?”

“Just tired and nausea. Don’t worry. This day is going to go off without a hitch even if I have to hurt someone.”

“Well as long as it’s not me.” Jim smiled and squeezed her hand. “Come on gorgeous, let’s get this show on the road.”

She exited her quarters and they headed down the hall to the lift. “Do you have the vows they are using?”

“Yup and the blessing they want as well.”

“Let me see,” she said holding her hand out for the PADD. Jim handed it to her and she read through it. “These are beautiful.”

“I know, can’t wait.”

She laughed and they headed into the lift. Once the lift stopped Jim paused to rub his back again before they exited.

“Are you okay?”

“Just a backache from all this extra weight I’m hauling around. I’ll be fine.”

“Well, just rest once your job is over.”

“Spock has already informed me that once we are done with the wedding, we will make a brief stop into the reception and then to sickbay to make sure everything is okay.”

“Well, you can go with me. They have me singing a Celtic Blessing song that they want once the vows have been spoken. Once I am done, I plan to head down to sickbay myself.”

“I’ll speak to my mate and see if we can at least stay for the song. I love listening to you sing.”

“Thanks,” they headed into the mess hall and started on the last minute prep. Scotty was already there and looked nervous as hell. Jim had to admit that he looked amazing in his kilt and family tartan. He gave him a smile and a thumbs up as he set up his podium for the wedding. There was a little stool that had been placed there for him to sit on. He frowned, that was new. He rolled his eyes when he heard his mate tell him that he was going to use it or else. He knew what the or else would be. So with a resigned sigh he sat down on the stool behind the podium to wait for the wedding to commence.

Soon the music started and Scotty moved into position. In a weird twist, Bones had Spock walking him down the aisle as that was what Scotty wanted so Bones picked Spock to do it. Sammy was his man of honor where Scotty had Pike as his best man. Jim couldn’t believe that Scotty got Bones to have such a thing. He did not want to think on how he talked him into it. He brought his attention to the wedding when he heard the gasps the crew let out at the sight of Bones. There he was walking down the aisle on Spock’s arm all in white. He looked very handsome with his dark hair and eyes a contrast to the white. They stopped in front of Jim and Spock handed him off to his soon to be husband.

Jim cleared his throat and started the wedding, “On This Day, stardate 2263.60. Who gives this bride away?”

Spock stepped forward, “I do.”

Jim nodded before he continued, “We are here today to witness and to celebrate the marriage of Commander Montgomery Scotty and Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy. More than just a ceremony, this is the most significant moment of celebration and personal commitment. Let us join in their understanding that at this moment we hold in our hands the past and the future of man, the loveliness and responsibility of the human person. Marriage is not entered into lightly. We are concerned with more than just romance. It is something quite different from temporary relationships, which reach a peak quickly, then just as quickly subside. Marriage should be entered into reverently, or it is no marriage at all. Each marriage is unique and the relationships of the partners differ according to individual needs. But in any marriage, each of the individuals should find new strengths and capacities. Leonard and Montgomery have resolved that they will come closer to the fulfillment of their goals by a marriage to each other. We bless them with a traditional blessing of the Celtic people:

May God be with you and bless you.

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings,

May you know nothing but happiness.

From this day forward.

This ceremony will not unite you in marriage; only the two of you can do that. If the relationship between two people, which is symbolized in our culture by the state of marriage, does not already exist between you, this ceremony will not create that relationship. The bond uniting you is the entire meaning. This ceremony is simply the public announcement of the existence of that bond. A good marriage is very many things; a good marriage is also a relationship of love. Essentially, to be in love means to have a deep sense of identification with another person. It is to live in the life of that person, feeling his or her joys and sorrows as if they were your own. And, when two people are truly in love, each is concerned with helping the other become what he or she ought to be. They want to nourish the best qualities, they want to develop what is good. There should be a sharing of your lives; your lives should be a life together, there should also be spaces in your togetherness. Allow each other room and privacy to be individuals, with hearts and minds of your own. For only by being a whole person, can you have something to give to the person that you love. Each of you should keep the freedom of spirit that brought you to stand here today.

It is our hope that your marriage will give you the strength and commitment to face all of life's adversities. Equally important, let us hope that it will enhance your sensitivity to all that is wondrous and beautiful. Your home should be a place to share the joys of life. Your home should also be a place where the pain and tragedies of life can be overcome. We hope that you will find there, a deep sense of security; security that comes as each of you learn to understand, to accept, and to forgive the other person, and as each of you learn to understand, accept, and to forgive yourselves as well. Montgomery, take this ring and place it upon Leonard’s finger and recite your vows.”

Scotty took the ring and slid it onto Bones finger and in a rough voice recited his vows to his soon to be husband,” Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.  I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done. You cannon possess me for I belong to myself but while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give you cannon command me, for I am a free person but I shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.”

Jim turned to Bones, “Leonard, take this ring and place it upon Montgomery’s finger and recite your vows.”

Leonard took the ring from Jim and holding Scotty’s hand in a firm and sure grip, slid the ring on his finger as he said his vows, “Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.  I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done. You cannon possess me for I belong to myself but while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give you cannon command me, for I am a free person but I shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.”

“So by the power invested in me by Starfleet, I now introduce you to Commander Scott and Doctor McCoy-Scott. What has been sewn together by love, let no one tear asunder. Now go ahead and kiss your husband.”

Scotty grinned as he grabbed Bones and kissed him in front of all their friends and family as Uhura sang the song for them:

There they stand, hand in hand, and exchange wedding bands.

Today is the day of all their dreams and plans.

And all of their loved ones are here to say,

God bless this couple who marry today.

In good times and bad times, in sickness and health,

May they know that riches aren't needed for wealth.

Help them face problems they'll meet on their way --

God bless this couple who marry today.

May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind,

May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time,

May their children be happy each day --

God bless this family who started today.

As they go, may they know every love that was shown,

And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow.

Wherever they travel, wherever they stay,

God bless this couple who marry today.

Everyone stood and clapped for the new couple. The Vulcans that came to the wedding as well stood with everyone but remained reserved as was their way. Jim smiled and clapped along with everyone else for the two men. Suddenly he bent over clutching his stomach as a crashing pain ripped through him. Before he could catch his breathe, he felt fluid rush from him. He looked down in shock at the puddle on the floor at his feet. “Spock,” he gasped out as his mate ran to him and held him as another pain ripped through him.

He looked up at his mate in pain, “I think the babies are coming.”