Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Butterflies

[Samantha Richards]

Quote

I tried picking just one part from this sim, but I loved the whole thing. Nathan Richards and Robin Hoppers story has continued to captivate all of us! @Robin Hopper Thank you for making me feel all the feelings with this one! I can't wait to see what awaits ahead for Robin and Nathan!

 

((Onamani Overlook Trail, Lake Vermillion – 3 Weeks After Frontier Day))

 

Had that really just happened? Had she really just asked him to marry her? Robin’s mind was still swimming with confusion. It didn’t feel wrong, it just felt… like a decision someone else would make. She’d never thought of herself as the type to ‘settle down’ – but then, she’d never imagined meeting anyone who would inspire her desire for such domesticity.

 

Hopper: I… I haven’t even considered a ‘ceremony’. We’ve never… Do you want a big…?

 

Now, here they were, discussing things like wedding rings, and what type of ceremony they wanted! How was it that she could confidently manage a department of hundreds of scientists without batting an eye, but the thought of planning one little wedding made her get all flustered and clammy?

 

Richards: I’ve never really thought about it. Honestly, I will be happy with anything as long as I am with you. What do you want?

 

Hopper: Honestly I have no idea… Is that terrible? ::Flustered, hand on forehead:: I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about it. I don’t think I ever really thought it would happen.

 

In all her dreaming, Robin Hopper had never really imagined herself being married. A married woman. Robin Hopper. Robin Richards? No, that was no good.

 

Hopper: We’re keeping our last names, right?

 

Nate chewed on his lip for the briefest moment before smiling and shrugging.

 

Richards: That might be a good idea. ::Chuckling:: We have too many Richards on Amity as it is.

 

A fleeting smirk briefly took her lips, before her eyes widened at another realisation.

 

Hopper: What will Sam say? What will your mother say?

 

Richards: Sam will be overjoyed. She already thinks of you as a sister.

 

Robin furrowed her brow and screwed her mouth to the side, clearly uncertain about what was about to come next.

 

Richards: My mom on the other hand…

 

Hopper: She’ll die of shock.  ::Nervous::  Or she’ll kill me.

 

Nathan sighed and shook his head.

 

Richards: It could be a classy wedding and funeral arrangement.

 

Hopper: ::Giving him a slight shove::  Ugh, Nathan.

 

With a dramatic sigh, Robin lay down, back flat against the rock, staring up at the sky. Straining her eyes, she could just see the setting sunlight glinting off the scattered starships filling Earth’s exosphere. 

 

Something about being on this planet made her feel tiny and insignificant. Maybe that was it – up there, she was Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper. Chief Science Officer. Amity’s third in Command. Starfleet. Down here, with all that left behind, who was she?

 

Just a girl…

 

She glanced over at Nathan.

 

…Who loved a boy.

 

Her eyes moved back to the darkening sky.

 

Hopper: I want to tell my grandparents first… If you don’t mind?

 

Richards: Response

 

Hopper: They’ll be beside themselves. Get ready for more family pictures and a lot of doting.  ::Blinking::  Don’t let me let Nana talk me into wearing her old wedding pantsuit. I’d rather go Betazoid style.

 

Her eyes darted back down to Nate’s face.

 

Hopper: And that is not happening either.

 

Richards: Response

 

((One week later – Hopper Residence, Minnesota, Earth))

 

Lynn: Well, hopefully it won’t take a Federation-wide tragedy to get you two back here on Earth again sometime soon… Don’t think I’m going to settle for holoimages of my granddaughter and her husband.

 

Robin rolled her eyes in mock agitation while Lynn reached out and gave Nathan’s shoulder a squeeze. They’d packed what few belongings they had to bring back with them and, after a sizeable breakfast, had made their way onto the porch and down the front steps towards their transportation back to the nearest hub – and from there, it was back to Amity (save for a quick stopover in San Francisco for Nate to respond to Captain Rahman’s mysterious summons).

 

Rick: Hey, don’t I keep telling you the poor man’s taken?

 

Robin’s grandfather chuckled and gave the younger pair a cheeky wink before moving forward to shake Nathan’s hand.

 

Rick: Welcome to the family, Lieutenant… And thanks for lookin’ out for our little Birdie.

 

Hopper: ::Under her breath::  Papa…

 

Richards: Response

 

Robin stepped forward, wrapping her grandmother in an appreciative hug. Rick, patting Nathan on the arm, released him and made his way to join the family embrace, gingerly hugging his wife and grandaughter.

 

Hopper: I’m glad we could come here. I don’t think there’s anywhere more healing for me, other than back home maybe.

 

Lynn: Well, just don’t make a habit of it, dear. You be careful out there.

 

Rick: You heard the woman. Mind you don’t take any more lumps, kiddo.

 

With their departure time pressing, Robin broke from the hug and waved them both goodbye as she turned away, taking Nathan’s hand and beginning to walk down the little stone path to the nearby road. She gave his hand a little squeeze, then turned to him.

 

Hopper: What are you feeling?

 

Richards: Response

 

She nodded.

 

Hopper: A bit of everything, really. Excited. Scared. Proud. Embarrassed.  ::Chuckling::  We’ve got six weeks to sort it out. By the time we get back maybe it’ll finally start to have ‘settled in’...  In the meantime–

 

She held up her left hand, admiring the ring that now encircled her finger.

 

Hopper: ::A little smile::  Butterflies. Every time I think about it.

 

Richards: Response