A call from Solek interrupted Sarek's meeting with his assistants that afternoon. He took the call at his comm unit as the others left the room, respecting his privacy.
"This is Sarek," he said into the unit.
The face of Solek appeared on his screen. The elder healer greeted him and then informed him that Maeve was in his office. "She was feeling unwell and I thought perhaps an opportunity had presented itself to begin talking about children," he informed Sarek.
"Indeed," Sarek intoned. "And did you do so?"
"It seems she… that you both have eliminated the need for the conversation."
"I thought as much," Sarek admitted. "I…sensed it last night."
"There is much that we need to discuss. Are you available now?"
Something in the Healer's manner alarmed Sarek. "Is something not right?"
"Everything seems as it should be for the present, but there are concerns. I believe you are aware of them but it would be wise to discuss it and of course, Maeve does not know of them."
"She is well?"
"Emotional. But that is not unexpected from a human."
"I will arrive in your office momentarily," Sarek said before ending the call and leaving his desk.
Maeve sat nervously across from Solek as the call ended. What was Sarek thinking, she wondered. He told Solek that he had sensed it. Could Vulcans sense such a thing? And how did it happen; Sarek had said it couldn't without the help of healers. But Solek had told her just moments ago that she indeed was expecting a baby. A baby…it seemed so surreal. But then everything about her life had seemed that way since the night she met Sarek.
She looked up as she heard him enter. What will he say, she wondered. Would he be upset?
Sarek felt her worry. She looked frightened as he entered. Why is she afraid, he wondered. And then he realized she feared his reaction. Silently, he sat in the chair next to her and looked across at Solek. "Maeve is with child?"
"She is," the healer confirmed.
Sarek turned toward his wife, his probing eyes studying her. "You are well, my wife?"
Maeve stared at him. She hadn't known what to expect but somehow this wasn't it. "I'm pregnant," she declared testily. She watched as Sarek's eyebrow lifted and then his eyes narrowed as he seemed to look inside her. "Is this not what you desired?" He seemed perplexed.
Letting out a small huff, Maeve groaned. "It is, but…"
Tilting his head slightly, Sarek decided that perhaps this conversation would be better in their quarters, alone. Perhaps they should simply address the medical aspects now. So turning to the healer, he began to ask questions. "She is well?"
"She is as well as one can expect. The fetus is developing normally at present. We ran some tests and have determined that the fetus shows many human qualities making it more compatible with the mother. Most importantly, the fetus has a human circulatory system and therefore is not perceived by Maeve's body as a threat."
Sarek contemplated what he had been told. "Spock's system was Vulcan with Human elements. You are saying that this fetus is Human with Vulcan elements?"
"Yes, that is true. But upon further examination, we have also discovered a third genetic string…an unknown. But it is compatible with both her Human genes and your Vulcan ones, making the conception possible. We do not fully understand what has occurred, but with further study we will determine the source and the likely consequences."
Sarek turned to his wife. "There is a non-Human in your family?"
Maeve was shocked. "I…didn't know. No one ever…. I never knew my mother's family and she died when I was little. I don't even remember her. You've met my father's parents… they seem Human enough," she said astonished.
"Agreed," Sarek conceded. "Solek will continue to investigate this other strain. But our primary concern must be the child…"
Maeve looked at him with relief. "Thank you," she whispered.
"For what, my wife?"
"You called it a child, not a fetus. Calling it…the baby… a fetus makes it seem so… clinical."
He sought her hand with his own. "It is our child. As a hybrid it will be the focus of curiosity to others but to us it is an extension of our… bond." He had almost said it, the word…love. His emotional center was more out of balance than he had realized. Meditation was in order, but Maeve required his attention first. Looking back at the healer he asked, "are there special instructions, as there were for Amanda?"
"Maeve will require frequent rest periods and stress should be minimized. No travel. As the pregnancy progresses, more rest will be required but for now she can function normally between her rest periods."
Maeve cleared her throat, causing both Vulcans to look at her. "What about se…marital relations" she asked shyly.
Sarek's eyes widened and Solek looked away uncomfortably. Smiling, she shrugged. "My hormones are going to be…unsettled for awhile and I know from friends who have been pregnant that…well, it is a consideration."
Without looking at either of them, Solek addressed her question. "At this time, there is no concern. You may… behave normally in that regard. Later of course, the situation will be re-evaluated."
Sarek quickly thanked Solek for his attention and stood, turning to his wife. "I will accompany you to our quarters before returning to my office," he declared. Maeve looked at him squarely and nodded in agreement, sensing that he was not happy with her question.
Once they arrived in their quarters, Maeve turned to her husband. "You are displeased," she stated frankly.
Sarek stopped and turned to her, his expression softening from the austere one he wore in the hallways of the Embassy. "That you are with child? No, I am pleased."
"But my question … about us and…"
"Was unsettling, to be sure. But…it is a valid concern."
Moving closer to him, she smiled. "Yes, it is…even right now."
"Now?" he asked, his brows lifting.
"It is your duty, is it not…to attend to your wife's needs? Especially since it is you who has caused my condition."
A subtle smirk appeared at the corners of his mouth. His emotional center was quickly becoming more unsettled. Meditation was required before returning to his embassy duties. "I? Were you not present when the condition began?"
"Solek calculated the time of conception. It was during your time, although I didn't tell him that. Yes, I was there and you were quite…amorous. And remembering…and knowing what happened during that time is making me…equally amorous." Her breath was warm against his neck as she whispered to him.
Sarek felt the shift in his body, his blood rushing to his lower regions. "But I have a meeting to …" She began nibbling on his neck as her fingers slid over his ear. The small gasp that escaped him was only a small indication of what she was doing to him. "Maeve, the meeting is …." She cut him off with a kiss, one he could not resist.
Then breaking the contact, she leaned back slightly, her hands rubbing down his chest. "Your assistants will wait, I'm sure. Your wife, however, needs you now."
All thoughts of his meeting left him as he looked down into her eyes, her very licentious eyes. In fact, Sarek was unable to think of anything beyond his wife's need, which was quickly becoming his own.
She led him to their bed and divested him of his robes. As she moved around him, he was reminded of the Earth animal, tiger. Her expression was predatory and hungry, which was creating a hunger within him. He let her possess him, surrendering to her whims as she moved over him and then took him within.
The knowledge that she was carrying his child made her even more beautiful to him. Yes, he thought she was beautiful. And what she did to him, what she made him feel, made her even more pleasing. He could not admit it aloud but he loved her; he could not deny it. And when she behaved in this manner, he felt joy.
And when she had brought him to the fires of Vulcan's forge and he had risen to the heights of Mt. Seleya and she had sent him over the precipice, after she had done that to him and he had done that for her…when they descended together and lay in the warmth of their shared joy, he felt peace. He felt her peace as well, but there was something else…
"Maeve… you are still restless, my wife?"
"Hummm," she cooed. "I am spent but I want you still. I cannot have enough of you, my love."
The elation her words brought him was indescribable. His mind went back to another time when he had celebrated the news of a child with his wife, Amanda. He had retrained his emotions with her and consequently had disappointed her. Reflecting on that time and the times that followed when she was disappointed with his demeanor towards their son, he determined that this time things would be different. Solek had said this child was more Human than Vulcan. It would not be logical to expect Vulcan behavior from the child. This time would be different; he would be different. In his public role as Ambassador, he would be Vulcan but here, in his quarters with her and later with their child, he would confess his feelings.
And so, with determination to be a better husband and father, he turned to his wife. "Aduna, I am pleased with your news today."
She smiled up at him. "You told Solek that you had sensed it last night…you can do that?"
"I sensed…something, another presence. But I elected to say nothing until you had seen a healer."
"So you were not surprised?"
"I was not. But I am pleased. I believe…" he swallowed as he realized this was the moment, "I believe that this is an appropriate time to…"
"To what?" Her expression was one of love and excitement. It gave Sarek courage. "To tell you that…I love you, my wife." He swallowed, his emotions threatening to overtake him, a loss of control that he could not tolerate. He fought to find his center.
And then he saw the tears in her eyes and his resolve melted. "What is wrong? Did I say something that displeases you?" He was panic filled as he watched the tears fall from her eyes.
"Nothing's wrong…I just thought…I mean, I didn't think you would ever say those words to me. I know…you've shown me in so many ways how you feel, but…. I love you too…so much," and then she collapsed into him.
He held her tightly to him. After a few minutes he began to stir. She looked up, disappointment in her expression. "My assistants can continue their research this afternoon. I must call them to inform them of my decision to remain here. I will meet with them in the morning."
"But…"
"There is nothing more important to me at this moment than you. This time with you, celebrating our child, is most…pleasing," he said with a light in his eyes.
Thank you for reading.
