Baby Book - Phase Three
Chapter Four - We're Going to a Zoo!
Mid July, 2273
Miss Betty gathered all the children around her to make an announcement. "While we are in orbit here, taking on supplies, we will have the opportunity to visit a zoo." She beamed at the children, who whooped and hollered loudly, and then turned to one another, whispering "What's a zoo?"
Miss Betty sat them down on the small chairs, and Miss Lou did something with the controls next to the big screen in the wall, and there, suddenly, were all kinds of animals! The children's eyes grew big, and their mouths dropped open, and they looked at one another in astonishment.
"All of your older brothers and sisters get to go as well, and your parents, too. We will have a lot of fun."
When Spock came to retrieve his children, they were so ecstatic that he had no idea what they were talking about. It was not until they reached the mess hall, and Nyota bent down to listen to them, that it was clear what they were so excited about. A zoo. Well. This should be interesting.
Truer words were never spoken. At least Nyota had had the good sense to bring the baby backpack carrier and Grayson's harness and leash. Without them, they would have been chasing their children all day long. They were full of energy, and questions, and wanted to see everything, and all right now!
Occasionally they came to an animal enclosure containing creatures that neither he nor Nyota could identify. The placards on the cages did not always contain sufficient information to satisfy their children. Spock made careful note of which animals they wanted more information about, so that he could help them research those when they returned to the Enterprise.
When they found the food dispensers, they went amok. Spock had to go and get a cash advance against his ID chip so that they could put the coins in the dispensers and get kibble to feed to the animals. There was an area fenced off, where small animals roamed freely. Remembering the 'feeding zoo' at the amusement park, Spock and Nyota were wary, but these animals did not seem to bite at all. Grayson and Amanda chortled with glee as the animals nuzzled up the small pellets from their hands.
The aquarium portion of the zoo was lovely. Nyota was quite taken with it. Amanda was as well, and did not want to leave. Only the promise of lunch lured her out.
They found the food court right outside the aquarium exit. Spock had nachos, of course. Grayson and Amanda both had hot dogs and fried potatoes. Nyota had roasted vegetables rolled in a flatbread. Spock almost went and got another for himself, but Nyota just looked at him, and he changed his mind. She also would not let him get the chocolate-coated ice cream. He could see the logic in that, but still longed for it. He had to be satisfied with a plain vanilla cone, like the ones his children had.
Now and then, they ran into other members of the crew of the Enterprise, there with their children, and even some who had no children. Grayson and Amanda always ran to greet their friends, laughing and happy. But when they lined up at the beam-up point, both children collapsed. Nyota settled Amanda into the carrier, and she was leaning on Spock's shoulder, asleep, even before all the buckles were fastened. Spock then lifted Grayson, settling him down on one hip, and Grayson laid his head against his father's chest and fell asleep clutching his shirt in one hand. Nyota grinned at Spock, and he quirked his lips up at her. This had been an outing the children would talk about for some time.