Chapter Text
Chapter One
Stardate 2279.161
S’nell looked over at Leonard who sat beside her at the table at his daughter’s wedding reception. Leonard looked out at the dance floor as Joanna danced with her newly married husband Bandile Peterson. Her simple but elegant white dress looked beautiful against his grey suit and the couple seemed radiantly happy if their smiles and closeness as they danced was any indication. Leonard had a slight smile on his face as he watched them.
“No matter how old she gets or how her life changes, Joanna will always remain your daughter.” S’nell told him. He turned his head to look at her and raised an eyebrow.
“How did you know that’s what I was thinking about?” Leonard asked.
“Well I have known you for almost fourteen years so that might have something to do with it.” S’nell told him. He opened his mouth to reply but before he could S’nell sensed two people who had stopped at their table. She turned to face them and saw Pamela, Leonard’s ex wife, and her husband Matthew.
“So you must be the Andorian that Leonard married.” declared Pamela scornfully as she looked at S’nell from her antennae to her feet.
“Yes. My name is S’nellastina zh’Vecar. You must be Pamela, Leonard’s ex wife.” declared S’nell.
“How did you know that?” asked Pamela as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Suffice it to say that Leonard and his family have mentioned you from time to time.” she responded. Pamela frowned at that.
“No doubt they told you about our divorce. I suppose I should warn you that although Leonard might love you now, sooner or later he will find his patients to be more important then your relationship.” Pamela stated.
“I find nothing wrong with Leonard putting a priority on his career. On the contrary, his compassion is just one of the qualities that made me fall in love with him. Simply because you require a man to cater to your every whim does not mean that I feel the same way.” S’nell admonished the other woman.
“How dare you!” exclaimed Pamela.
“So then the pearl necklace and earrings you are currently wearing weren’t purchased with Matthew’s credits? In my opinion affection has to be earned to be sincere rather then bought with credits.” S’nell stated as she looked at Pamela’s outfit more closely. A moment later Pamela grabbed a nearby water glass off the table and flung the half full cup at S’nell. S’nell saw the movement at the last minute and ducked. As a result the water hit her hair and antennae rather then her face.
“Pamela!” protested both Leonard and Matthew at the same time. S’nell slowly stood and took a couple of steps closer to Pamela.
“If you’re quite done making a scene at your daughter’s wedding reception then I suggest you and your husband leave. Or at least leave Leonard and I alone for the rest of the evening.” S’nell said.
“Or what?” challenged Pamela.
“If you continue to attack me then I will not hesitate to defend myself. You should be aware that I’m not someone to make idle threats.” S’nell warned her.
“Come on Pamela.” declared Matthew hastily. She opened her mouth but his arm around her shoulders ensured that they both quickly walked away from the table and back to their own seats. S’nell sighed then sat back down again. Leonard handed her a napkin and S’nell began to dry her antennae and hair.
“Well that was unexpected.” he declared.
“Did you expect us to compare your favourite recipes? I cannot find any reason to like your ex wife. Pamela divorced you after she had been unfaithful, she emotionally neglected Joanna, and she married a man primarily because he earned a great number of credits. Donna is sensible to disapprove of her.” S’nell told her husband.
“I’m not mad at you S’nell.” Leonard assured her as he placed a hand on her right arm. She smiled at him. He glanced at the dance floor.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked.
“You know I don’t dance Leonard.” S’nell reminded him as she set the napkin aside on the table.
“I do but it would irritate Pamela even more. I suspect she thinks that I married you because you were as different from her as it was possible to be.” Leonard said.
“I know that’s not the case. But I would not object to irritating your ex-wife even more.” she told her husband.
He smiled and then they both stood. Once they were on the dance floor S’nell placed her hands on his shoulders and he placed his hands on her waist. They didn’t try to follow the steps of the dance but rather swayed in place as the song progressed. S’nell admitted that this closeness to Leonard felt wonderful. He leaned closer to her ear.
“I’ll never regret marrying you S’nell.” he whispered. She looked in his eyes.
“Neither will I Leonard.” she replied. He smiled as they continued to dance.