As her pregnancy progressed throughout the third trimester, she felt the spark of his spirit and intelligence grow. The awe she felt at the connection to Christopher caused her sense of loneliness to diminish. Every misstep or regret from her past was decreased because everything led to this greatest gift. As she headed for her due date, she prepared her home for the new arrival. Amanda the ever enthusiastic grandmother was heavily involved in getting the nursery ready. Whenever they were on planet, they both insisted that she spend time at the residence with them.
The time moved swiftly with her accelerated path, ensuring she achieved all requirements during her residency. With her approaching maternity leave, she wanted to be ahead of the others, so upon her return she won't have lost much ground in her position. Alongside her residency, she was continuing her training with Healer Stalek. Her shields had strengthened to the extent that Stalek complimented her skill. As the baby had grown their bond grew. She not only felt the spark of his intelligence, but also felt that he thrived in the bond as much as she did. Stalek discussed with her the necessity of shielding. It would be from her that Christopher would learn to shield and not to seek the thoughts of others without their permission. She would do what was necessary to raise a son that would make Spock proud.
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She was awakened by the increased alertness across the bond. She tried to project soothing thoughts, but just felt almost agitation from Christopher. Lately she slept whenever she could, this was not one of those times. Knowing she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, she let herself out to the garden to walk. Just because she was awake didn't mean the whole house needed to be awake. With the start of her maternity leave, she moved back into the residence. They had insisted that she not be alone as Christopher's arrival drew near. As she walked she felt a cramping in her back. As it passed, she returned to her room to retrieve her scanner. The scanner showed her that she had begun to labor. She chuckled as she rubbed her belly. She would wake them as her time grew closer, she decided as she returned to the garden.
She was surprised, when a short time later, Sarek joined her in the garden. "I didn't mean to wake you," she said.
"You didn't. I was in my study, when I heard the door. Amanda is still asleep," he answered as explanation.
"It won't be too long now," she informed him.
"I can meld with you and help control your pain. This is provided in the father's absence by a close woman relative of the clan. Since Amanda cannot provide this comfort, I offer the meld, instead," he said.
"Father, I am honored to accept your gift," she answered.
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By the time, they arrived at the hospital, the baby was quickly delivered. As she laid, with Christopher in her arms, she unwrapped him from the swaddling blanket. She looked him over taking in his perfectly elfin features. She delighted in his blue eyes. Knowing that Vulcan infants eyes did not change colors, she turned to Amanda.
"Spock's eyes were always dark. However blue eyes were very prominent in my family," Amanda remarked proudly.
After once again swaddling, she passed him to Amanda to hold. Amanda took in his features before passing the infant to Sarek. He performed the ritual naming meld with the infant, before once again returning him to Christine. "We will give you a time to strengthen your bond with him," he answered.
As she held him, she felt his hunger began to increase. She was amazed at the ability to know what he needed. Now she knew why Vulcan babies rarely cried. She would feel whatever he needed. Amanda had explained the purpose of the bond, but Christine couldn't grasp the concept until she felt it for herself. She laid back on her pillows waiting for him to awaken for his first meal.
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She spent the remainder of her maternity leave, at the residence, where Amanda provided the clan obligations to support the new mother and baby. Christine felt that there must be a bond between her and Amanda. Amanda seemed to know exactly when to offer help and when to allow her to do for herself. She recuperated and cared for her son. She felt sorry for Spock, missing out on the miracle she beheld. She had only wished for things to be different that first day before she got on to doing what was necessary.
Tomorrow they were moving to her quarters, so she could once again return to her duties. The VSA provided onsite daycare, she would be able to go to him. There would be no questions, as this was the norm on this planet, where parents could feel what the baby required. She was too busy, with her life, to feel the overwhelming loneliness. Now with the bond to her son, she would never truly be alone again.
FIN
