Act 4: The Perfect Gift
Posted on Sunday March 29th, 2026 @ 8:37pm by Captain Avril Taylor & John Eagle
Edited on on Sunday March 29th, 2026 @ 8:37pm
1,436 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
VFY S1, E6: The Drax Empire
Location: Location: Port Royale, Eagle Antique Shop
Location: Port Royale, Eagle Antique Shop
Avril was on a much needed break, it was only day 2, and it felt like day 50 of her new posting. Controlling flight operations for all ships coming in and going on out, was a little stressful. She knew she could handle it. Today she wanted to get way from work, and explore the new promenade. She walked into Eagles Antiques, she noticed they were still setting up. She smiled, as she walked around.
The shop space was still pretty Spartan compared to how it was being planned. There were only a handful of not so valuable items around for anyone to look at. Seeing they had someone already looking around Nicole smiled as she got up from her seat, her hand resting on her aching back as she made her way over to the visitor. "Hi I'm Nicole Eagle, I'm afraid there's not much to see yet we're still setting up the shop."
"It's alright, looking to get my boyfriend a gift for his quarters." Avril said, as she took a look around. Then she realized, she did not introduce herself. "Name is Avril Taylor." She said, noticing Nicole was pregnant. She did not say anything. She was happy for her, but deep down, she was not sure, she was ready for kids.
"Well we have a whole lot more things but we're still busy setting up the hologrid that will display the more precious things we have." Nicole smiled. "What kind of thing would you like for your boyfriend?"
"Not sure yet. He really likes the great outdoors. Maybe a prettified wood, with some cool pattern to it. Do you have anything like that?" Avril asked, hoping to find something that would be appropriate for a guy who loved the outdoors.
"Perhaps" Nicole picked up a PADD and tapped it. "How's about these?" She handed over the PADD "All of those are made from wood, I quite like the coffee table myself."
"Oh that is lovely, the shape is perfect for his room." Avril said, as she went on. "I'll take it." Avril said with a big grin on her face. "How long will it take, to arrive on the station. I know your still setting up in all." She asked, hoping Nicole could give her a rough estimate.
"I'll get it ordered and we should be able to get it to you hopefully within two or three days. Is that acceptable?" Nicole smiled as she looked at Avril. "We'll arrange a price on delivery and I promise I won't charge the earth for it either!" She grinned.
Avril smiled, as she said, "I'll take it, thank you. Let's settle that bill." She said, as she got ready to pay. She looked again at the baby. "How long till your due?" She asked with genuine look on her face of sincerity.
Nicole provided Avril with the bill giving her a discount for being the first customer beside the Admiral. "Another 2-3 months but at this point my back feels like it's been trampled all over and I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat!" She grinned. "I wouldn't change it for the world though."
"Sounds remarkably painful, not sure if I should congratulations, sorry for the pain or both." Avril said, wondering if being pregnant would be that way for her as well.
"Probably both!" Nicole grinned. "The twins are a miracle for us, I had several miscarriages before finally falling pregnant so it's a special time for us."
"Twins, well congratulations are in order, have you decided on names yet?" Avril asked.
"Not yet" Nicole shook her head as she took a seat behind the corner desk to rest. "We decided to wait until they're born, we didn't want to jinx things, as silly as it sounds."
"Understood, are you going to do a baby shower?" Avril, asked then realizing she just met Nicole, she hoped she was not freaking her out. Avril was just very curious, and excited for Nicole.
"To be honest I don't have any friends to do a baby shower with." Nicole shrugged her shoulders, she could tell Avril was curious and was happy to answer questions.
"We have to change that, No new mother can go through life, without a proper baby shower. I am not sure if Betazed's have them, but I do know we love to have them on Earth. Hey you going to the promotion ceremony tonight for Commodore Martinez?" Avril asked with a big grin on her face. She had an idea to get Nicole noticed by the other ladies, so they could plan her a party.
"Yes we are" Nicole smiled warmly. "We've been invited by the Admiral."
JJ came walking through to the door, he had a securely sealed box in his hand. He was slightly smeared with grease on his hands and face. He noticed the ladies. "Hey... missed something?"
"Oh just our first shop sale!" Nicole grinned. "John meet Avril Taylor" Nicole motioned to Avril. "She's purchased the large styled wood table we have for her boyfriend. I told her we could have it here in 2-3 days."
He smiled at Taylor. "That is great. 2-3 days sound just right to me. You sent the delivery order?" He walked around the counter and put the box down behind it.
"Of course, just the way you showed me." Nicole smiled as she moved over to her husband.
He smiled at her back. "That's great. That would explain why Adi was so exited to head off again. We were in luck though, she was in the neighborhood and was carrying the goods we wanted. You know how she likes to move things around and streamline our things..." he patted the box.
"I am so grateful your shop is here on this station. I can not wait to show this to Alexander. Thank you both for coming to this station. I hope we can do more business down the road." Avril said, as she reached out to shake JJ's and Nicole's hands.
Mr Eagle shook the hand. "Oh I am sure the road will be filled with opportunities."
Nicole shook Avril’s hand. “I think that must be the quickest delivery of all time!” She grinned. “I hope your boyfriend loves his gift. Would you like it transported straight to your Quarters?”
JJ smiled at his wife. "Darling, this is for the commodore. A.D.I. was by chance already streamlining our supply-line and we got lucky with this."
“Sorry let me re-phrase! Would you like it transported to your Quarters when it arrives?” She grinned at Avril feeling a little silly.
"I would prefer it, to be transported to his. We don't live together." Avril said, thinking about the table. And how much he was going to love it.
“That’s absolutely fine, once your table arrives I’ll call you and arrange the delivery.” Nicole smiled warmly.
JJ was happy that Nicole had dipper her toe more into the selling of things.
"I can not thank you both enough, I am deeply humbled by this." She said, with a satisfied look on her face. She started to get ready to leave, then remembered. "How do I settle my bill?" Avril asked.
"Once the delivery is here, we can deal with it then. I think you want to be there when we port it in to his quarters."
"I'll arrange it, and once again, I can not thank you both enough for this. You both have great eyes for art work. This will look remarkable in his quarters." Avril said, with a big grin.
"It's our pleasure. The one with the better taste is this lovely little redhead." JJ gestured to Nicole and blew her a kiss.
Nicole grinned as she looked at JJ. “And the one with all the charm I’d my loving husband.” She smiled as she looked at JJ.
He laughed. "See how she is buttering me up..." he teased.
"I won't take up much more of your time then." Avril said with a smile on her face. She could tell that they were deeply in love. She hoped to be there someday with Alex.
"It's been nice meeting you" Nicole smiled.
"Yes indeed. Feel free to come back anytime you want to look at some more items." Mr Eagle said with a smile.
"Thanks." Avril said, as she left the shop.
Lieutenant Avril Taylor
Port Royale, Chief Control Flight Officer
USS Tianjin, Chief Control Flight Officer
John Eagle
Eagle Antique Shop Owner
Nicole Eagle
Eagle Antique Shop Owner
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