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Mr and Mrs Pike-Maxwell of the K'st Kau-K'ril es chan clan (aka Admiral Pike and T'Sai Seria Maxwell-Pike)

Earth date 10th December 2280

Italics when Vulcan is spoken

Paris, France, Federation Headquarters

Meeting, meetings and more meetings, Admiral Pike was fed up with them. He missed his children, he definitely missed his adorable wife Seria and he even missed the planet that he called home for seventeen years. When did the image of 'Christmas at home' become decorating palm trees, a hot, dry, high gravity world, with a population who did not know the meaning of Christmas cheer unless they were Vulcans related to or friends with the Terran ex-patriate community? And snow was only seen on holo-images?

He would definitely prefer not to be on Earth, especially at this time of the year. Christmas was only fifteen days away and looking at his schedule he was not sure if he would make it home on time for the festive occasion. This year was going to be a special one, his parents, his sister, her husband and maybe their daughters with their partners were going to spend the holidays with him on Vulcan. His wife's human relatives were also travelling to the planet. He was hoping they would all return on the USS Enterprise, rank had its privileges, so he planned for the flagship to take them home.

However here he was in a swanky hotel, but it was not home. The Federation council had its tri-annual review of Starfleet and its operations. The idea pushed by the Betazoids since the Marcus scandal in 2259 had Admirals called in front of the Federation Defence committee like school children facing the headteacher. This time around it was his turn, since he was in charge of the Vulcan sector. Council member Roxanna Troi, Daughter of the Fifth Clan or something like that wanted to know how soon before a Vulcan could take over his job. Thankfully Minister Selek, easily deflected her question by stating that the Vulcan government were more than pleased with Admiral Pike's performance.

What they did not yet know was that the Vulcan government and Pike were planning to announce his replacement in the Earth new year; Captain Stolek was due to be promoted to Admiral and Pike was to head another Starfleet institution, the Shi'kahr campus of Starfleet Academy.

The sooner the political posturing and meetings ended, the sooner he could get home to his family. Thankfully there was a small taste of home in the mini bar. He opened a bottle of Kau beer and commanded the comm system to call home.

Pike household, K'st Kau-K'ril es chan compound, Rok-kahr region, New Vulcan

'Call from Terra, France, city of Paris, Ritz hotel' the comm chimed around the house just as S'Hayla entered her home.

"It is Sa Sa", Lyak ran past her in the hall, excitement in his voice as he headed for the vidscreen on the wall (video communications device).

"There is no need for running, Sa'mekh will still be on the comm even when you walk," S'Hayla replied, attempting to curb her brother's excitement.

Lyak ignored his sister as he took the call. "Greetings Sa Sa, how are you, do you miss us, we miss you, is it snowing in France, ko ko is not here yet, are the great gramps still coming, are Pa and Momma Pike coming?"

As he continued questioning his father in almost one breath, his other sisters joined in the call from various points around the house.

"Hello my beautiful kanu. I miss you all, can't wait to see you again." Pike replied.

"But you can see us now Sa'mekh," T'Anne responded. "We are all conversing, the device is visual as well as audio, the..

T'Achelle, interrupted her younger literal minded sister, "Sa sa means he cannot wait to be here and see us at home not just through this device."

Pike enjoyed the conversation as his children talked amongst themselves and to him. He really needed to get home as soon as possible. As much as he loved talking to his kids he was hoping his wife was there as well. Seria was performing an errand with their housekeeper Tikella so the children were left in the care of her adun Solan and the family sehlat Chee Chee.

Seria and Tikella entered the house to the sound of chattering voices, the children were either watching the holovid or debating once again Surak v some other more emotional philosophy. The former views being championed by T'Anne and S'Hayla with the twins T'Achelle and T'Elena on the other side of the debate. Her young Syrannites although only ten and eight were more like their grandfather Salas than their Vulcan hybrid mother.

Lyak being the only boy never took part, most of the time he preferred to be outside practising hissusmanah moves, he was determined to be Rok-khar junior champion one day.

Seria put her fingers to her lips as she approached her family, the signal to not say anything to their father as they spoke to him. She stepped from the side and smiled at her husband, His happiness and surprise in seeing her showed on his face and glowed in the marital bond.

"Hello Mrs Admiral," Pike used one of his nicknames for his adun'a.

"Hello Mr Maxwell", Seria responded.

I really need to make it home for Christmas…Pike determined.

Notes

Kanu-children

Susmanah – Vulcan martial art

Sa Sa= Sa'mekh - Father

Ko Ko = Ko'mekh - mother