Have We Been Here Before?

Chapter Seven - He's Awake Now

Enterprise

Mid September 2268

Spock

He arranged the chairs before the pick-up of the comlink, ready. He dressed himself neatly in his casual black attire. Nyota dressed in clothing she had not worn in almost a year, pleased to see that it fit again. And when Grayson awoke, and was fed, they bathed him, and dressed him in the soft blue clothing that had arrived from Africa, and sat in the chairs, ready.

First, they made the call to New Vulcan. Since it was mid-morning there, they called to Sarek's office, in the Government Building. He answered himself this morning, and Nyota could see the softening around his eyes when he realized who was calling him. She turned Grayson around, carefully, holding him so that Sarek could see his face. When Grayson began to fuss, not liking this position, Spock reached over and ran one long finger gently down the side of his face, calming him.

After they had talked a while, Sarek turned his head and spoke to someone they could not see, and shortly there was another familiar face, there on the screen. Nyota smiled. "Hello, Selek."

"It is good to see you, Nyota, Spock. And this is the newest member of maat S'chn T'Gai."

"Yes, it is indeed. Another male for T'Pau."

"She will be gratified. The clan continues. She was in despair for some time, until the new generation began to arrive."

Nyota giggled. "I don't think she has any further reason for despair. There are now four new males for her to spoil."

Selek quirked his lips at her. "I do not think she would be pleased to hear you say that she spoils them. However, it is quite true."

Sarek was nodding his head in agreement.

Just then Grayson let out a squall, waving his arms in the air. Nyota picked him up, placing him against her shoulder, and patting his back. He hiccuped a bit, and then settled down again, his face turned toward her neck.

Spock watched his son settle back into sleep. "Perhaps he has experienced enough for now. We shall call again when he is somewhat older."

The two older men nodded, and with few words the call was ended. Spock took his son and laid him in his cradle. They would call Africa when he was awake again.

Once more they sat in the chairs and he keyed in a familiar address. This time when the screen cleared, Nyota's mother was there. As soon as she saw them, her eyes lit up, but she was careful, and did not yell as usual, only waving her arms in the air excitedly to call her husband to see who had called them. When two excited faces stared back at them, Nyota turned their son about, and peeled the blanket back from around him, so that they could see his face.

Her mother cooed in delight. Her father grinned widely. Grayson looked right at the screen, his little mouth gaping like a fish. He waved one fist, trying hard to cram it in his mouth. M'Umbha poked Alhamisi in the ribs. "Just like his mother. Always trying to put things in her mouth."

Nyota gaped at her parents. "Mama!" Beside her, she could feel Spock's amusement.

You do indeed enjoy putting things in your mouth. His thoughts came to her, causing her to blush. She didn't know who to reply to. Things were out of hand.

Her father came to her rescue. "Now, M'Umbha, she did not always put things in her mouth." His eyes danced. "Sometimes she stuck them in her ears."

Her mother nodded, agreeing. "She was very curious, always."

Now her father was looking closer at Grayson. "His hair is curly, is it not?"

"More wavy than curly, Baba. It's getting long enough that it looks curly. I need to trim it a little before I go back on duty. I don't want anyone at the day care center to think he's a girl."

"I should hope not!" Her mother was indignant. "Just keep dressing him in blue, so they know that he's a boy!"

Now Spock decided to interject a comment. "I find it fascinating that blue is now considered the color for baby boys on Earth, when once it was considered too pale and calm a color for them, and reserved only for girls."

Alhamisi looked at him in astonishment. "And what color did they dress little boys in, then?"

"Pink or red. These were considered stronger colors."

Indignation plain on his face, Alhamisi sputtered. "Do not dress my grandson in pink! Red would be acceptable, but pink is just….just….FEMININE!"

Nyota giggled uncontrollably. "It's okay, Baba. I don't have any pink baby clothes. We knew right away that it was a boy, and everything I have is either blue, or aqua, or green. No pink or yellow at all, although I think certain shades of yellow would look nice on him."

Her parents calmed down, her father looking a bit sheepish.

Grayson began to squirm about, making a face. She knew what that meant. "Mama, Baba, Grayson is going to need a diaper change in just a minute. We are going to have to cut this short. We'll call you again soon."

There was a flurry of well wishes and goodbyes, and the call was ended. Spock took Grayson from her and headed for the changing table. She sighed. Calling home was nice, but there was always something odd about it, as well. She went into the other room, and began to select clean clothing for her son, as he had managed to soil every single garment he was wearing. How he did that, she did not understand, but it happened almost every day. When she was there, to be sure Grayson did not roll away, Spock took the basin into the bathroom to fill it with warm water. Wipes were definitely not enough this time!