United Forever

Posted on Tue Sep 16th, 2025 @ 11:13am by Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,828 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Holding Pattern Hijinks
Location: Jon & Callie's Quarters

Jon had settled back into a normal routine and Callie had as well. They were pleasant and social, considerate and kind with each other yet something was off and he knew exactly what it was. The fact they had both been tricked by their Mirror doubles. For himself, he felt terribly guilty and he was sure Callie felt the same way. He also knew they they couldn't keep this up. Something needed to change, get the spark and spontaneity back.

He had come home early had taken Harry and the twins to Wyatt and Vienna. Once he returned back to their quarters, He put on soft, romantic music and lowered the lights just a touch. Next he got to work on fixing Callie a truly special meal of course it would have to be replicated but it was okay. He would fix her, rack of lamb, with butter glazed carrots, scalloped potatoes, cheddar bay biscuits and wine. As he set the table and then turned to getting the meal ready, he spoke to the computer. "Computer, Play "And I love You so by Don McLean." An instant later the song filled the cabin.

And I love you so
The people ask me how
How I've lived 'til now
I tell them, "I don't know"

I guess they understand
How lonely life has been
But life began again
The day you took my hand

[Chorus]
And yes, I know how lonely life can be
The shadows follow me
And the night won't set me free
But I don't let the evening get me down
Now that you're around me

[Instrumental Break]

And you love me, too
Your thoughts are just for me
You set my spirit free
I'm happy that you do

The book of life is brief
And once a page is read
All but love is dead
That is my belief

[Chorus]
And yes, I know how loveless life can be
The shadows follow me
And the night won't set me free
But I don't let the evening bring me down
Now that you're around me.

Callie had walked in just after the song had begun, standing quietly listening to the song play she moved across to Jon giving him a hug from behind. “That was a nice way to arrive home.”

Jon didn't turn around. He simply placed his hands atop Callie's and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I am glad you approve love." Now he turned to face her. His eyes drinking her in and realizing just how lucky and fortunate he was to have Callie in his life and has his wife. "I thought we could use some alone time."

Callie nodded. “I agree 100%, we need the time together.” She offered a smile, she loved Jon deeply and she needed to talk about how she felt.

"How right you are darling but then great minds think alike." Jon answered as he brought Callie close and he kissed her softly.

Callie returned Jon’s kiss before motioning him to the sofa. “Do we have time to sit and talk before dinner? If not it can wait until after.”

"Dinner can wait." He answered. "Talk comes first." He stated as he followed Callie to the sofa so they could have a much needed talk.

Sitting down Callie held onto her beloved husband’s hand as she took the initiative. “We haven’t really been the same since what happened. I know you blame yourself, and I definitely blame myself for falling for such a ploy. I should have been able to tell he wasn’t you Jon!”

Jon squeezed Callie's hand as she spoke. "I love you so much Callie and this is just eating me up inside. I feel like I cheated on you and that is something I would never do." He looked at her, "Don't be so hard in yourself, I fell for your mirror, she fooled me as well."

Callie nodded. “I guess we’ve both learned the hard way, but at least now we can start to heal and move on.”

Jon nodded his head slowly. "I hope you can forgive me Callie. I need to forgive myself. I hurt the person who is nearest and dearest to me." He answered softly.

“There’s nothing to forgive Imzadi” Callie gently brushed his cheek with her fingers. “I don’t blame you, but I do blame myself and I know that I shouldn’t. It’s just going to take me a little time to get past that.”

Jon took her hand in his and gently kissed it. "I don't blame you Callie, not one bit do I blame you." He stated with conviction. "I want you to stop blaming yourself. We were both suckered by our mirrors. But I tell you this now, never again." He smiled softly at her, "You are my most important love, my endless love and I will not betray that love or trust you have in me."

Callie nodded. “I promise you I will never, ever, betray you Imzadi” she held onto his hands tightly. “No one will ever fool me again.”

Jon squeezed Callie's hands in return. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. "You hold my heart and are my inspiration. You are the best and greatest thing that has ever happened to me. You are my soulmate, you keep me focused and grounded. Thank you Callie for loving and believing in me."

Callie was as ever blushed red in the cheeks, there were times when Jon’s inner most admissions made her bashful. “I will always believe in you, we are together forever.”

"And I will always believe in you and support you." Jon replied seeing Callie blush. "I didn't mean to make you blush darling."

“Ohh you know me!” Callie grinned. “As easily embarrassed as ever. Let’s get dinner, then we can spend some time enjoying each others company.”

Jon nodded and smiled, "I do know you and what is more, I love you. Getting dinner sounds good but spending time with you sounds great." As he stood and reached a hand out to help Callie to her feet.

Callie held onto Jon’s hand as she got to her feet. “Dinner smells amazing!” She grinned as her stomach rattled.

"I hope it tastes as good as it smells." Jon joked as he still held Callie's hand as the pair headed for the kitchen.

“I’ve no doubt that it will taste wonderful” Callie smiled warmly. “I see you’ve already beaten me to setting the table, so I’ll take a seat and let you bring out your surprise meal.”

Jon nodded, "I did, I didn't want you to do anything except eat and enjoy the meal and hopefully the company." As ducked into the kitchen only to return with the platter containing their meal. "I do hope you like it Callie."

“I always like your food, you know that” Callie smiled warmly as she looked at what was on offer. “That looks and smells divine, I can’t wait to start eating.”

"I do know it and I love that you do. So ladies first. Go ahead and help yourself and don't be shy, there is pleanty to go around." Jon returned woth a smile.

“Now you’re talking!” Callie grinned as she plated what she wanted knowing she could always have seconds if she had room left. She wasted no time in getting stuck in, savouring every little morsel.

Jon smiled at Callie's willingness to try everything that had been prepared. It was part of the reason he loved her so. She loved to try new things and showed her appreciation of those things as well as the effort to create them.

“Ohh my lord that’s good!!” Callie grinned as she paused eating. “You are definitely a master chef Imzadi.”

Jon smiled broadly at his wife. "Thank you love, thank you very much. I am glad you like it." He said honestly.

“I think we should let you loose in the galley one day!” Callie grinned. “Let everyone savour your wonderful food.”

Jon laughed at Callie's suggestion. "Not everyone might share your high approval, I'm afraid. "But other than that, I'm game."

“Their loss if they don’t” Callie grinned before getting on with the rest of her food before it went cold.

Jon smiled, "You are my number one supporter and I love you for it. I hope you know I am yours." As he reached out to place some more food on his plate.

“Of course I do.” Callie nodded. “All those years I thought we were divorced, I regretted it so much! I’m glad it didn’t go through, my universe is wherever you and our children are.”

"I could not agree more darling. I'm sorry for the years we spent apart but it just makes this time we have together so much more special. We are united forever and ever as we go onward into a bright future." Jon said with a smile.

Callie nodded. “I need that, more than anything right now, I need you, and us.”

"And I need you, your love, your support and kindness." Jon smiled. "You are my world, my universe Callie. Always remember just how much I love you." Jon answered before adding, “Have you room for dessert?"

“You bet I do!” Callie nodded and smiled. “I’m not missing out on dessert.”

Jon beamed, "That's my girl!" I'll be right back." A she stood up and went back into the kitchen and returned a few minutes late with two plates of strawberry cheesecake each topped with a healthy dose of whip cream. "Hear you go love, enjoy." As he set one plate down in front of her. The other plate he took back to where he was sitting.

“Now you’re spoiling me!” Callie grinned before she started tucking in. She was going to have to go for a run later just to work off the calories.

"Well if I am so what. You deserve to be spoiled." Jon replied as he took a fork to the cheesecake.

Callie grinned before tucking into her cheesecake, she kept eating until the entire slice was gone and her plate was only covered in a few crumbs. “Absolutely Devine!”

Jon smiled and swallowed a piece of his cake, he was happy that Callie liked and enjoyed the meal and now dessert. "Want another serving darling?"

“Most definitely!” Callie grinned and nodded. “Then once it’s gone down I’ll treat you to a dessert I know you’ll like a whole lot more!” She grinned a wry grin.

Jon smiled, cut another piece of cake, placed it on the plate and handed back to Callie. "Enjoy sweetie." Then he arched his eyebrow like a Vulcan. "Is that a fact? I can't wait to see what this dessert is. It sounds delightful." He bantered back, grinning broadly at Callie.

 

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