The Gift
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't profit.
Sarek looked thoughtfully at the small Christmas gift he held in his hands. Cradling it carefully, he lifted his head to gaze into Amanda's sapphire eyes, now glowing with anticipation of his reaction to the present she had so carefully prepared for him.
"Well, are you going to open it, or just sit there looking at it?" she asked leaning forward impatiently.
"Since you are apparently unable to contain your impatience, aduna, I shall open the present," he replied with mock seriousness.
Sarek slowly removed the ribbon and colorful wrapping paper, setting them aside. He arched one brow as he gazed at the inlaid wooden box he now held in his hands.
Tracing with one finger the exquisite design of yellow Terran roses intertwined with blue Vulcan ha'lei'ha flowers, a symbol of their Vulcan/human union, he commented, "Fine craftsmanship went into the making of this box. It is most pleasing. Did you commission it from Master Craftsman Selok? I recognize his workmanship."
She smiled. "Yes. And I'm glad you like the box. But please open it, sweetheart. There's something else inside the box."
He glanced up at his wife. "There is more? The box itself is more than sufficient. Selok's work is highly prized throughout the Federation."
When she failed to respond, he relented and lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled in royal blue silk, lay an elegant carving of a woman wearing gracefully draped Vulcan robes, her lips curved in a gentle smile, hands cradling her obviously pregnant belly.
"I asked Selok to carve it last week," Amanda explained softly. "He thought the concept was 'fascinating' and agreed to begin work on it immediately."
Frowning, he lifted the figurine from the box and held it up to the light to examine it more closely. As he turned it from side to side, he noted that the figurine had his wife's shell-like rounded ears, rather than the gracefully pointed ears of a Vulcan female.
Brows rising to his hairline, he raised his eyes to meet those of his wife. "Amanda? Does this mean..."
She nodded and smiled, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. "Yes, adun. I'm pregnant again. And, Sarek, I know this little one will be all right.
I had a dream last night that was so vivid, it seemed real. It was Christmas, and I was sitting in my oak rocking chair nursing a beautiful little baby boy and humming a Christmas carol. This time next year there will be a new addition to our family. Merry Christmas, my husband."
Sarek gently rested one hand on her still-flat belly, reaching paired fingers of the other hand to caress her cheek. "Merry Christmas, my Amanda," he whispered, his eyes shining with what she knew to be love, even though he would never name it as such. "I thank thee for thy gift."
The Vulcan ha'lei'ha flower was invented by Mary Stacy for her lovely story "All That Is, All That Was, All That Will Never Be." If you haven't read her beautiful stories before, I highly recommend them.
A/N It wasn't planned that way, but this little vignette can be considered a bridge between my stories "Home for Christmas" and "Possibilities." Enjoy, and please leave a review. This is the first thing I've written in a year, and feedback would be most appreciated.