Nine months had passed since Kirk told Spock he was pregnant. The child was now able to live without the necessity of Kirk's body, and it was only a matter of time before the child would be born. Spock checked constantly on his mate to ensure his health and comfort. He gave Kirk frequent back and abdomen massages to relieve some of the pain of having a healthy fetus occupy a lot of room in his body. Throughout the day and night, Kirk would have bouts of fatigue and energy which caused him to sleep and pace their quarters like a caged animal in irregular intervals.

Kirk was currently pacing back and forth while Spock reviewed ship's business on a PADD. Spock kept Kirk appraised of important information while he alone dealt with day-to-day matters. After ten minutes, Kirk sat down on the bed and took a long drink of his water bottle.

"Spock?"

Spock looked up to see uncertainty on Kirk's face. "Yes, Jim."

"Are you going to be there when the baby's born?"

In Vulcan culture, it was unusual for the father to attend the birth of a child, whereas in Terran culture, fathers were often present in order to provide support to their laboring mates. However, Spock personally believed that adherence to Vulcan traditions and norms was significantly less important than Kirk's emotional and psychological well-being.

"Yes, I will be with you," Spock said.

Kirk's face and shoulders visibly relaxed. He then patted the space next to him on the bed and winked at Spock in an invitation. Spock set down his PADD and padded over to the bed. He sat close enough to Kirk so that their legs were touching. Kirk gave Spock an affectionate kiss before he rested his head on his husband's shoulder. Spock took Kirk's hand in his and lightly kissed it.


A week later, Sarek arrived to the Enterprise from a shuttle. Spock and Kirk kept regular contact with Sarek after they told him about their marriage and impending parenthood. They sent him sonograms and updated information about the baby's progressing length and weight.

Kirk and Spock stood in the transporter room to wait for Sarek. Kirk had to actually shave that morning, which was a shame because Kirk was beginning to like the look of facial hair on him, and Kirk had the sneaking suspicion Spock liked it, too. Too bad beards were non-regulation in Starfleet.

Mr. Scott walked in shortly after Kirk and Spock's arrival.

"Captain! Mr. Spock! Good to see you, sirs!"

"Mr. Scott."

"Hey, Scotty. Long time no see, buddy."

"Getting pretty big, there, aren't you, Captain?"

"Yes, Scotty, I know I'm huge," said Kirk with a self-deprecatingly smile.

It had been awhile since Kirk saw Scotty and the rest of his chiefs officers, except for Dr. McCoy and Spock, of course. Kirk had missed them, but the final months of pregnancy made him anti-social.

"Actually, Jim, the amount of weight you have gained is within normal parameters of a human male of your height and build," Spock interjected.

"See, Mr. Scott? Mr. Spock knows how to treat a pregnant man." Kirk gave Mr. Scott a cheeky grin before shooting Spock a warm smile.

"Aye, laddie, so stop by Engineering to have a drink after your little one is born, alright?"

"Will do, Scotty."

patted Kirk's shoulder and made his way to the transporter controls. Mr. Scott received Sarek's coordinates and the okay from Kirk to beam him up.

Sarek materialized shortly after and stepped off the transporter pad. Kirk and Spock greeted the ambassador with the ta'al, which Sarek reciprocated.

"Ambassador Sarek, we welcome you to the Enterprise and we hope you enjoy your stay," Kirk said, in diplomatic mode.

Kirk still had not learned how to behave with Sarek as a son-in-law instead of a captain. Hopefully that would soon change.

"Thank you, Captain Kirk. I trust you are well."

"Yes, sir."

Sarek turned to Spock for the first time since his arrival.

"I assume there is a reason why you have permitted your mate to leave his bed so close to the birth of your child," said Sarek in a casual tone and a raised eyebrow.

Spock visibly stiffened and straightened at his father's words. Kirk himself winced at the inference that Spock wasn't fulfilling his responsibilities as a mate and as an expectant father.

"Sir, I wanted to greet you and welcome you aboard. Also, to be perfectly honest, I've always had a problem with being told what to do. I'm sure if it were up to Spock, I'd be strapped to the bed right now," Kirk said casually while rubbing his neck.

Kirk tried to meet his husband's eyes, but Spock refused to make eye-contact with him.

For a moment, the air was still and tense. Mr. Scott had taken Sarek's passive scolding as a cue to leave. Kirk couldn't blame him.

Sarek's eyes left Spock's and returned to Kirk's.

"Please have Spock accompany to my quarters. I am in need of meditation."

"Of course, Ambassador. Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, Captain, that will not be necessary."

"Would you care to join Spock and me for dinner at nineteen hundred hours?"

"Indeed. Thank you for the invitation."

With that, Spock and Sarek left the transporter room. Kirk left out a huff of air before running a hand through his hair. Kirk had hoped Spock and Sarek would get along under the postive circumstances, but it looked like old wounds were hard to heal.