Mira Montgomery gently pulled down on the slender handle and pushed the door open. She stepped inside of her home--the home she grew up in and shared with her father. The home she came back to, to be married.

Mira stood just inside the doorway taking in the familiar room, feeling the emotions wash over her. Here was comfort, peace and sadness for the father she had lost many years before.

Simon McRaney came up behind her, enveloping her in his strong and gentle arms, pulling her close. "I still miss him, Simon," whispered Mira, her eyes beginning to water.

"I know you do sweetheart. You always will. But, hey, my dad loves you, you know. He already thinks of you as his daughter."

"Mira smiled at the thought of William (Bill) McRaney. A warm and gentle man with a boisterous voice and great sense of humor. "Yes, I love your parents! Bill does seem kind of like a father to me."

Simon released Mira and picked up her bags. "Nice house," he said, "where should I put these?" This was the first time Simon had been to Mira's house and the first time she had been back in ages herself.

"Up the stairs to the left. Mine is the bedroom toward the back of the house. It overlooks the backyard and lake.

"Wonderful, I'll take these up and be right back down. I need to call Mom and Dad as soon as possible, or else they will never let me forget it!" joked Simon. He had a warm and easy relationship with his parents. Something that Mira had only had with her father just before her mother left for Bajor after the Cardassian Occupation. After that, her father never seemed to have enough time for her. But when they did share time together, it was good. These were the times Mira preferred to remember now. Not all the lonely or tense ones. "Do you want to go out to eat tonight or what?" he called from the top of the stairs.

"I'd like to fix dinner here myself for us, if you don't mind. I arranged to have food stocked up for this week and I want to play around in the kitchen for a change."

"Sounds good."

The house was two levels, rectangular in shape. From the front doorway there were stairs to the right which led to the three bedrooms upstairs. To the left was a small hallway which led to three rooms. The first room on the left was a small room to the front of the house, used for anything from storage area to a spare bedroom. To the right of the hallway was the den with bookcases lining two of the four walls. To the back, looking out onto the backyard were glass doors. This room contained a desk, chair and small sofa. The colors were beige and forest green. This was where Mira would study while at home during her school years. It was one of her favorite rooms in the house--cozy and warm.

To the back of the hallway was the atrium which contained many different species of plants and flowers. This room was completely made of glass and ran from the front of the house to the back. This was one of Mira's favorite places to be when she needed to work out a problem. Working with the plants somehow seemed to clear up her thinking and had a natural calming effect on her.

Directly to the right of the front doorway stood the small transporter unit capable of transporting two people at a time anyplace on the planet. It could be turned on or off and when off, no one could beam into Mira's house. Privacy was still important in the 24th century and people didn't just go beaming in and out of private residences. Not everyone owned a private transporter unit as they were still expensive, but Mira found that her limited time at home made this a necessary convenience to have. She didn't want to spend all her free time traveling to and from a transporter center to get anywhere! Of course, when she traveled with three or more people and a lot of luggage, she made the necessary trip to the T Center or traveled by shuttlecar.

Mira decided not to turn on the T Unit today. She wanted to spend time alone with Simon at her favorite place in the universe!

Simon followed Mira's directions to her bedroom and was quite impressed by the site when he opened the door. The room was huge and ran all along the back of the house! A kingsized brass bed was located directly to the right of the door with a bedside table and lamp on the opposite side from him. Along the right wall was a dresser with mirror.

The right wall consisted of floor to ceiling windows and along the back wall running the length of the house were glass doors which opened onto a long balcony. This provided an impressive view of the backyard and lake. Simon noticed the ceiling was also completely made of glass. She sleeps under the stars even at home, he thought

He dropped the bags onto her bed and turned to the left where he noticed another door to the far side of the large room. This wall ran along the left side of the house. He opened the door , discovering it was the bathroom which was spacious and decorated in light and dark blues. Next to the bathroom was a large walk-in closet. In the middle of the room was a large antique roll-top desk with chair. There were no other pieces of furniture in the room which gave it an airy and free feeling. No getting claustrophobia in here!

Mira walked into the kitchen area which was to the right and back of the stairs. It was large with windows all along the walls with plenty of counter space. She checked the fridge unit. "Yep! All stocked up. Good." As she turned and gazed out over the living area, she noticed for the first time how happy she truly was.

She could imagine herself and Simon sitting in front of the fireplace on the rug, or each lounging on one of the two sofas which stood in front of it. The two sofas faced each other with a square table in the middle which provided a comfortable enclosed conversation place.

To the back of the living area were the french doors which opened onto the patio. The patio ran from one end of the house all the way across the back to the other end. It contained two large round tables with umbrellas and chairs. On the right side stood a large grilling area and two lounge chairs.

She remembered how her father would love to grill real food outdoors when he was at home--which wasn't often enough.

Mira shook her head to clear the thoughts of the past. She was not going to think about the past now! Now was the time to think only of her future. Her future with Simon!

"Mira," said Simon as he found his way into the kitchen. "I love your bedroom and this house. He came to her and hugged her, kissing her as he pulled away. "How about something to drink? I'd like iced tea, I think. What about you?"

"Ok, but I think we'd better use the replicator for now. It would take me a bit to prepare real tea," she said heading for the replicator.

"That's fine. Make mine extra large."

"Right, Commander McRaney," she smiled. "Say, hadn't you better call your parents?"

"Yes, you're right, I almost forgot. You know they are going to expect us for dinner, don't you?"

"Yes, and I also know that you can explain why we won't be joining them tonight, can't you?" she said smiling sweetly.

"Yes, Commander. As much as Simon loved his parents, they still treated him like a little boy. Since he was their only child, he supposed that was normal. And once you got them on the vid, they were almost impossible to get rid of! Best to get this over with, he thought. Simon walked back into the living area to the computer terminal which was located to the right of the fireplace and began to contact him parents while Mira retrieved the teas from the replicator.

After he talked to his parents for a few minutes, Simon turned to receive the iced tea Mira offered him and stood up. "Why don't I fix a fire for us? Then we can settle onto the sofa and rest a bit."

"Sounds great," said Mira, already making herself comfortable on the sofa.

Simon started a fire and then settled on the sofa while Mira snuggled in close to him. They just sat close together sipping their tea for a few minutes, each watching the fire and relaxing.

"You realize, Simon, that tonight will probably be the only time we will have any peace and quiet until after our wedding, don't you?"

Simon chuckled, "Yes, I suppose so and I am enjoying it every much," he said, kissing her on the top of her head.

They sat quiet for awhile just gazing into the warm, crackling fire.

"Mira, wake up," whispered Simon, gently nudging her arm. The fire had long grown cold.

"Wha... What?" asked Mira, slowly coming to consciousness.

"We fell asleep. It's 0330. I have to go now. I hope Dad isn't waiting up for me."

"Oh, Simon, I'm sorry. I guess we both were more tired than we thought."

"I'm going to head on out now. You want me to help you to bed?"

"No, I'm fine. You go on."

"Remember, we are having dinner with my parents at 1900 hours tomorrow, er.. I mean later today," he said getting up off the sofa.

"Oh, yes. That's fine," said Mira not fully awake yet. Funny, while on the Endeavour whenever she was awakened from a full sleep, it didn't take her but a few seconds to become fully awake and now that she was at home. . .

Simon kissed Mira goodnight and left by her transporter. After turning it off, Mira slowly climbed the stairs to her bedroom, took off her clothes and fell gratefully into bed, pulling the covers up around her chin. It only took her a few minutes to fall back into a well deserved sleep.

49611.26 0617

"Computer, lights off," she ordered. When the light level didn't change, Mira slowly opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented as to just where she was.

Slowly a smile spread across her face. "Oh, I forgot. I'm at home!" Mira pushed her face deeper into her pillow, enjoying the different smell and feel of it. As much as she loved the Endeavour, there still was no place like home! She decided to stay in bed, just relaxing and enjoying the peach and quiet for a few more minutes.

At 0900, Mira awoke for the second time that morning. After showering and breakfast, she sat down at her livingroom computer terminal and checked her messages.

"Computer, check messages," she ordered, sipping her second cup of coffee.

"You have 237 messages."

"What?! That's impossible. Computer, begin playback of messages".

It was 1737 hours before Mira finally finished reading and responding to her many messages. Most of the non wedding messages had been advertisements and were quickly eliminated. Many were from family and friends confirming or sending regrets that they couldn't attend. Most would be coming, Mira noted, happily. Even though she didn't have any immediate relatives living, except for her half sister, Breena, Mira did have several aunts, uncles and cousins which she didn't get to see often enough.

She was tired but still had to get ready to meet Simon's parents for dinner. She had met hem one time at Starbase 114 when the Endeavour made one of her regular stopovers there. She really loved Bill McRaney the first time she met him. He was warm and funny---a good man, like his son! She could see where Simon got his gentleness from.

Grace McRaney was too much like Mira's Aunt Laura--always fussing over you, asking if you were comfortable, do you need anything too many times! She made Mira feel like she was being attacked by an Earth gnat! But Grace was a good woman, kind and honest. She just made Mira nervous that's all, and Mira was not normally a nervous person!

Mira checked her chronometer. "Just enough time to make a call to the Endeavour and check on a patient of hers," she said aloud, taking her comm badge from her pocket where she always kept it whenever she was away from the ship and off duty.

After finishing her call to the Endeavour, Mira got ready to transport over to Simon's house for dinner. After his son, Parker moved out, Simon had decided to give up his own house and stay at his parent's ranch whenever he was on planet. He said it was a waste to own a house you rarely lived in.

The next few days went quickly for Mira, planning all the last minute changes for the wedding--getting her dress just right--answering messages, greeting visitors etc. By the time the morning of the wedding dawned, Mira felt that everything was under control.

The day dawned clear and sunny just as Mira knew it would as Earth was a weather controlled planet. By the time of the wedding, 1300 hours, it would be close to 70 degrees with a mild breeze.

Mira dressed in jeans and a long sleeved tee shirt and headed down for breakfast which her sister, Breena had so thoughtfully prepared.

"Mmm, coffee, thanks," replied Mira as Breena pushed a cup along the table her way and sat down across from her.

"You are so lucky, Mira!" signed Breena. "Simon is a wonderful man."

"Yes, I am," replied Mira as she reached over and squeezed her sister's hand. I'm really glad you could be with me today, Breena. It means so much."

Breena smiled, "I wouldn't miss the wedding of my only sister!"

The transporter began buzzing indicating that someone wanted permission to transport in.

"Well, it looks like the day has begun!" stated Mira.

"Yes it does! I'll get that. You go ahead and eat. Today you will need all your energy, big sister!"

Mira was right--the visitors began arriving--the caterers and florists began filing in and the whole house seemed to suddenly come alive with the hustle and bustle of people, flowers, chairs, replicators and the myriad of other things that go into putting on a wedding!

The wedding was held outdoors and beside the small lake to the back of Miranda's house. Two large rectangular tables had been set out with four replicators--two at each end to accommodate each guests' tastes in food and drink.

The tables were dressed with blue linen cloths overlaid with white lace coverings. Down the center of each table was a container running the length of the tables with held small crystal vases each containing a single white silk rose tied with a blue ribbon. These were souvenirs for the guests.

Miranda Sabra Montgomery stood at the edge of the aisle which had been laid down especially for the wedding with her arm on that of her father's brother, Raymond.

The trees which lined the small lake swayed in the slight breeze as the leaves made a gentle rusting sound. The air was fresh, the sun warm as Mira prepared to walk down the aisle which was bordered by friends and family.

The flower girl, Lara, Audra's daughter walked first down the aisle scattering white rose petals along the path.

Next came Breena, Mira's matron of honor who was dressed in a sky blue floor length, off the shoulder crepe dress with a glitter knit bodice and empire waist with a satin bow at the front. She wore matching satin shoes.

Mira's two bridesmaids, Rebecca Sinclair and Audra McKay wore a shy blue crepe princess style dress with a scoop neckline and shirred satin cap sleeves with matching satin shoes. Lara was dressed in a miniature replica of these gowns.

Mira's wedding dress was a white satin, floor length, fitted wedding gown which flared slightly at the bottom. Around the hem were three rows of seed pears. It had a princess neckline, lined in tiny seed pearls and sheer sleeves whose cuffs came to a point on the back of her hands and were also lined in seed pearls.

Her veil was floor length, scattered with tiny diamonds and attached to a satin headband which was covered in seed pears and diamonds. The veil made it appear as if Mira was emerging from a sparkling waterfall as she walked down the aisle.

Her shoes were white satin and lined in seed pearls. She carried a large bouquet of white roses which trailed all the way down the front of her gown.

Simon stood tall and handsome in his white tuxedo, white shirt and dark blue bowtie and watched as his future wife and lifetime companion slowly walked toward him and thought there was no more beautiful woman in all the Universe.

His best man, Connor Riley wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and dark blue tie and stood by Simon's right side.

Mira and Breena both wore Bajoran earrings in their right ears. Mira's was a silver one with tiny diamonds along the chain, while Breena's was a plain silver chain design.

Mira wore her hair up with curled tendrils framing her face. As she took her place beside Simon underneath the heart shaped lattice arch, she handed her bouquet to Breena on her left and took Simon's hand in hers. As she gazed into his green eyes, she noticed how much brighter they appeared today--and so full of love for her. She knew her yes reflected the same.

Simon and Miranda stood together in front of the minister and lake which glistened in the afternoon sun.

Simon and Mira's vows were simple and brief with each stating their love, respect and loyalty to each other. Their rings were exchanged and were simple, matching rounded gold bands with diamond diagonal cuts.

"I now pronounced that you are husband and wife," the minister announced, "you may now seal the bond you have just made and kiss your mate." With that, Simon and Miranda were united in holy matrimony to the joy and delight of all their family and friends!

Simon and Miranda turned around and walked back down the aisle where each was greeted by hugs and kisses from their many friends and families.

The wedding cake was a five tier high, white cake with a revolving hologram of two doves under a heart shaped lace terrace which was exactly like the one Mira and Simon stood under while repeating their vows.

The guests now were ushered toward the drink replicators. After everyone had their drinks in hand, Simon and Miranda cut the cake and each took a bite of the first piece. The caterers then went about serving all the guests.

Later that day, Mira went onto her bedroom balcony to throw her bouquet. As all the single women gathered below, Mira turned her back and tossed her bouquet in Audra's direction. As the bouquet was coming down, both Audra and Hyper reached for it and both caught it at the same time. Neither would release it.

"What do we do now?" asked Audra.

"Double wedding?" suggested Hyper with a grin.