Sorry for the wait, anybody who reads any of my other fics knows that I had a weird few months. I had my arms in metal splints and all sorts so really could not be helped. So here's half a chapter and the other half is being worked on a little every day.
The couple and the parents.
Mandy looked in the mirror. She looked different. She knew that was not possible, she knew that she only felt different but still, it seemed the woman who looked back at her in the mirror seemed to shine. She seemed to radiate happiness, confidence in herself. She was in love and she was loved back, she was adored. And holy shit she was getting married.
Sarek had accompanied her to his apartment and then given her a quick kiss on the forehead and promised her he would be back within an hour, he just had a few things to sort out before he could retire for the evening. Mandy had nodded and smiled and taken it as her first hint to what life as a diplomat's wife may be like. Though to be fair she needed the time to get her heartbeat back to normal. She had caught her reflection in the hallway mirror and had stared at herself trying to figure out if she was the same person she had been an hour before. She was no longer a single woman; she was going to be married, to Sarek. To the man who had come into her life a few months ago and completely turned it upside down, in a good way. She knew that he would always be there for her. He would always support her, always listen to her and smile at her in that tiny little way that let her know that under all the sternness was a funny, caring gut who adored her. She could not identify all the reasons she wanted to marry him it was mainly just a feeling that it was what she should do; it was where her life was heading. It was just right, he was just right. He was hers, he was made for her. Admittedly on a planet twelve light years away, but still he was hers. She knew his mind, she had literally touched it, seen that little glow that could not be called anything but his soul .She knew him in an intimate way that she had never expected to know anybody before. It was just right.
She took a deep breath.
"It's right. It's scary but it's brilliant." She said to herself tearing her eyes from the new reflection in the mirror and heading to the kitchen. Her mouth felt strangely dry so she got herself a glass of water. She downed the glass in one and sat down at the small table. She wondered what came next, Sarek would come back and she would take his hand and tell him again that she loved him and wanted to marry him then they would talk about there future. She had so many questions; she wanted to know what her life was going to be like. She already knew she would put her life in his hands, his job was so important she would support him in everyway possible, she was sure that once she had settled into married life then she could find her own thing to do but for now she had to trust him to do right by her. She instinctively knew he would but she still had questions, how much time would they spend on Vulcan? Did she need a different type of passport to go there? What about marriage licenses? Oh God she was going to have to tell her mother she was marrying an alien. Wait? Had this ever been done before? She had never heard of an interspecies marriage. Was it legal? She had so many questions.
She glanced at the clock, almost an hour; he would walk through those doors at any moment. God she wanted him, she wanted to kiss his lips and run her fingers through that hair and explore that body, that body that was now hers to love for the rest of her life. It was such a beautiful thing, such an amazing idea coupled with an amazing feeling. She was going to get forever with somebody; her life's path was now going to be travelled on with another person. This was just the start. It was wonderful, and terrifying and exciting and then she heard the door open and she looked up and he was there staring down at her with those grey eyes that saw so much of her.
"Amanda, you look a little pale. " He bent down next to her and took her hands in his own large nimble warm ones.
"Perhaps you need something sugary. Would you like me to replicate some chocolate?"
"No, thank you. I'm fine." She reached up to cup his face with her hand. "I just..I have questions."
"I shall answer them to the best of my ability."
"Will you come lie with me?" Mandy said. She wanted the conversation to be relaxed and she wanted to hold her fiancé. Man, did that word keep blowing her mind. Every time she thought it her brain did a little weird back flip as if it didn't know whether to run from it or rush towards it?
"Yes." Sarek said simply he offered Mandy his hand and she took it allowing him to lead her to his bedroom. He dropped her hand as he went to lie on the bed. Mandy climbed onto it to lie next to him. She reached down to hold his hand as she did so.
"We need to talk." Mandy said after a moment of contented silence. Sarek turned his head to face her.
"Yes, there seems to be many things that we should discuss. Do you want to start?"
"Do you sleep on your back?" Mandy asked, it wasn't what she had wanted to ask but Sarek's straight backed stillness seemed to look quiet uncomfortable.
Sarek's eyebrows raised slightly.
" I tend to sleep on my left side. I have just proposed a life long relationship, and that is the first question you wish to ask? "
" Yeeeah." Mandy said slowly. "I'm new to this proposal thing. It may take me a while to get used to it."
"That is acceptable."
"What do you want from life?" Mandy asked. It was a big one, but the answer would tell her what was most important in Sarek's life.
"I want to marry you."
Brilliant answer Mandy thought."
" I want to continue being an ambassador. What do you want to do?"
Even better answer Mandy thought. He cared about his job but she came first in his priorities.
" I want to marry you, I don't know if I still want to be a Teacher, I like being a teacher but It wasn't what I wanted to do with my life and I feel like I am outgrowing this phase of my life."
"What would you like to do?"
"I don't know, I .. I want to learn Vulcan, different languages fascinate me."
Sarek's lips tugged slightly downwards as he obviously thought about this.
"If that is so, there is an old colleague of mine on Vulcan working on a universal translator. He has just finished the programming for Klingon but I know you speak French so perhaps you could help him with the English French translations and some of the other Earth languages and then as you learn Vulcan you can help with the Vulcan English translations."
Mandy smiled as she listened, although it was not something she had considered before five minutes ago but it just sounded perfect. And kind of exciting, this was a possibility of a whole new life.
"Sounds interesting. Do you really think I could help?"
"Yes, especially with the translation of the Earth standards for the various emotions, the difference between jealousy and envy for example. You could explain those to him so that he can correctly translate them."
"Okay."
So she would still be teaching in a way, teaching a Vulcan the meaning of emotion. Some would think that impossible but it seemed to Mandy that the Vulcan's were a lot more emotional than the race liked to let on. Either that or Sarek was incredible for reason other than the ones Mandy already thought he was incredible for.
Mandy scouted up the bed so she could lie closer to Sarek pushing her knee between his legs so that they were entangled. She loved that she was allowed to just lie there in his arms as he stroked his hands down her back. She loved that she could feel his warmth even though there were inches of space between their bodies. She loved that she could look into his eyes without speaking and just be happy in the moment and that in the back of her mind she could feel that part of him that would always be with her. It seemed perfect but it also seemed very real and getting realer as each minute past. Mandy took a deep breath. There was another important question she knew she had to ask, and part of her wondered if it might be a deal breaker.
"Do you want kids?"
"Taking baby goats to Vulcan would have an adverse effect on its eco structure."
Mandy laughed and gently slapped his arm.
"No, children. I mean… more children." She added reminding herself of the ten year old boy who lived with his mother but whom would at some point become integrated into her life in some form if she married Sarek.
"Yes, it is generally accepted on Vulcan that when a couple is married if they can have children then they do. Can you have children?"
Mandy was taken back by the question, it seemed odd to her but perhaps it was logical to Sarek's mind.
"There's no reason I couldn't. Can you? Well obviously.. I mean you have a son. But can we?"
"That is the question. If it is what you want to be happy then we shall find a way."
Mandy propped herself up on her elbows and leaned down to kiss him. She still wasn't used to how warm he was, the feeling still surprised her slightly. Sarek kissed her back gently as she wound her fingers inhis hair allowing herself to get caught up in every little detail of her fiancé. The warmth of his lips; the sweet taste mixing with the light spicy scent of his skin; the softness of his hair and the solidness of his body as she lent gently against it. It was all a heady and exciting mix. A mix she would experience for the rest of her life, and although she knew she would never get to experience the fantastic mix of scent, taste and touch with another man it didn't matter. She didn't think she would ever get bored of this. Mandy ended the kiss for a brief second to catch her breath. She was slightly surprised when Sarek pressed his finger to her lips gently.
"A moment please Mandy."
She pulled away to be able to see his whole face.
"What is it?"
"I have found that Human's seem to feel the need to express their emotions in words when in partnerships. They make them feel more secure. I wish you to feel secure. Therefore I feel it necessary to tell you that I love you deeply. "
Mandy felt a feeling that could only be described as soaring, seriously it was as if her heart had taken leave of her body and gone on a trip to Delta four. Which was confusing as she didn't even know where Delta four actually was and she just hoped that her brain would decide to come back at some point because she did actually need it. He loved her, and yes she had sort of known this but to actually hear it was … incredible. For him to break his habit of keeping his emotions hidden and following his brain rather than his heart, it was wonderful. Just this once though, just as he didn't want her to feel secure she would not want him to feel he had top be any other than he was. He was perfect the way he was. Perfect for her.
"Amanda?"
"I..I" Mandy said unable to do anything other than look into those deep eyes. "I love you too." She finally managed breathlessly. Then she jumped on him.
She pressed her hand to his cheek and kissed him this time passionately delving into his mouth. His lips were warm and silken and their breaths mingled sweetly together. Mandy's heartbeat thudded in her chest her body started to feel alive with little shivers traveling all over her skin. Sarek's hand came to rest on the small of her back holding her to him. When Mandy pulled away Sarek took a deep breath.
"I'm going to teach you how to make love." Mandy breathed.
Sarek's eyebrows furrowed.
"As making love is another of the many phrases in the Human language for sexual intercourse I would like to point out that we have already partaken of that activity. Unless of course it was unsatisfactory for you and you feel the need to .. give me some pointers." Sarek said his voice even less emotional than usual.
Mandy tried to hold back a relaxed little giggle at the uncomfortable tone to Sarek's voice.
"No." Mandy said gently kissing him again. "You are good in the sack."
Sarek looked confused.
"That means that it was more than satisfactory. But there is a difference between sex and making love." Mandy said softly stroking her fingers down his cheek again then allowing them to drift down the warm skin of his long neck feeling the movement of him swallowing against her fingertips. Her thumb dipped into the dip at the base of his throat then along a boney clavicle. She took her eyes away from the fascinating skin to look up at his face and saw that his eyes had closed.
"Making love is gentle and slow. It's not about sating desires or relieving tensions it's about expressing love, caressing every inch of your lover's body. Taking the time to explore each other with your mouths, getting to knowing every gasp and reaction. Just making each other feel so good and so loved."
Sarek had opened his eyes and had stared at her his eyes dark. He slightly licked his lips before saying quietly.
"I would definitely like that."
Mandy gave a satisfied little smirk as she kissed her fiancé gently parting the folds of his robe as she did so.
Mandy felt sick, literally sick. She thought she was going to vomit half digested mushroom risotto over Sarek's impressive dashboard with all its flickering lights and numbers that she didn't understand. The car landed gently. They were silent as they looked at the two story wood paneled (over metal the wood was just for effect) blue painted house in front of them. It's well manicured lawns and roses seemed to just add to Mandy's discomfort. She loved roses but these roses were those ones that were genetically altered to look perfect. Sao every flower grew with the exact same amount of petals, the exact same color. They symbolized the false perfection that her mother seemed to aim for in everything. As long as they appeared right did it matter that every bit of individuality had been drained from them.
bShe felt warm fingers curl around hers. It did not send any tingling down her spine because it was not a gesture of affection it was a gesture of patient support. He did not speak. He did not need to. This was the last barrier for them. Well, the last true barrier because they had to write to the high court to obtain a marriage license but after Sarek had a few words with the world president (and yes the fact that her future husband could just ring up the president did make Mandy smirk a little)they knew that it was only a formality. It was long past the time that the laws were rewritten to make it possible for a Human to marry a non-terran the only reason that they hadn't been was that nobody had actually attempted it before. So here they were, outside Mandy's parent's house about to tell her parents that they were to be married. Mandy was terrified, Sarek was not concerned. He had said that on Vulcan it was possible that parents could stop their offspring from marrying but here they could not legally do anything to stop them and as so had no choice but to simply accept it.
"Yes." Mandy had explained. "They have no choice but to accept it but that does not mean that they have to like it."
"I still do not understand, they may not like it but to try and attempt to change the unchangeable is illogical."
Mandy had felt a delighted shiver at the thought that Sarek thought they were unchangeable. That their young love was so strong that it could not be contaminated by her disapproving parents. And she knew that she would not let them, but they could still sour her happiness. That feeling she had been carrying around with her the last two days. The feeling that she could not quiet believe the turn her life had taken shocked, delighted, wonder had disappeared. She had come down to earth with a large thud and yes the prospect of marrying Sarek was amazing and made her happy but first she had to tell her parents. She wished the dazed feeling had lasted a little long because these feelings, this nauseous worry, it most definitely sucked.
"Amanda. I believe that our presence will soon be discovered."
"Do you want to make a run for it?"
She had the distinct feeling that Sarek was smiling at him despite the fact that not a single muscle of his face had moved.
"Unless you want to simply disappear to Vulcan without telling your parents that you are engaged to be bonded and will possibly be emigrating then they will have to be told at some point."
"I know." Mandy sighed. "Will you just wait here? I think I need to tell them this on my own."
"Yes."
"I will come back to get you when their ready to meet you."
Sarek nodded.
"I may be a while." Mandy smiled sarcastically.
"I do not mind."
Mandy held his fingers up. Mandy felt a slight warmth. She touched her fingers to his feeling that light tingle and sensing his support.
"I love you." Mandy said.
"I believe that is why we are here."
"Yes." Mandy said. "Yes it is."
The words filled her with a kind of strength. This was it, this was the final hurdle. This was the gate she had to pass before she could live a good life with the man she loved. There may be others along the way but this was the first. She had to do this. She could do this.
She got out the door, walked deliberately across the neatly trimmed lawn (rather than the path) and rung the doorbell. Her mother opened it with a small fake smile.
"Amanda. You're late."
"Yes." Mandy said walking past her into the hallway. "Where's Dad, and Sarah, she said she would be here tonight."
"There in the dining hall already, waiting for you."
"Good." Mandy said again shortly. "I have some news."
She walked directly to the dining room where her Father and sister were sat across from each other having a quiet conversation.
"Daddy." Mandy said bending to kiss her father on the cheek.
"Hello Mandy, you're looking well.'
"Glowing." Sarah said with a little smirk.
"She has some news for us, apparently." Her mother said coming in behind her. "But it will have to wait because dinner is getting cold."
"No." Mandy said clearly.
Her mothers eyes widened in shock.
"It can't wait."
"If you wanted to tell us something before dinner then perhaps you should have arrived early."
As her mother was talking Sarah's eyes had been taking in her sister. She sensed something was different in her sister in the way that only people who have shared a childhood together could. As she looked over her sister considering her boldness her eyes had alighted on to the one big clue that would solve the problem.
"Mother.."
"Mandy!" Sarah squealed jumping up and flinging her arms around her sister. Mandy was caught slightly off guard and her parents just stared at the both of them as if they had suddenly gone mad.
"Oh Mandy." Sarah said pulling back and holding her at arms length. "Are you sure? I mean I'm happy for you but are you really sure?" Sarah asked.
"Yes. I'm sure. One hundred percent." Mandy said. Sarah's eyes had already started to tear up and Mandy put it down to pregnancy hormones.
"What on earth are you both talking about?" Mandy's mom asked looking between the both of them, thoughts of her dinner temporarily out of her mind.
"Amanda?" Her father asked cautiously. "Is that an engagement ring?"
Mandy smiled widely at her father trying to ignore her mothers widening eyes.
"Yes Daddy." Mandy said. Her father gave her a warm smile and opened his arms for her. She bent down to hug him. He was a man of few words and even fewer gestures and often sat quietly and let his wife speak and make decisions but Mandy had always felt a great affection for him. When she hugged him she could feel the slightest scratch from the bristles on his skin and he smelled of pine.
"Amanda." Mandy's mother said. Mandy straightened to look at her mother. It was perhaps the first time in her life she had ever seen a look of pride on her mothers face and she felt rather annoyed at her for it because it seemed to be coming at the wrong time and for the wrong reason. She was holding her arms out and Mandy grudgingly (and with a fake smile ) hugged her to briefly. As she pulled away her mother took her hand and looked down at the ring turning it slightly under the light. She let out a theatrical sigh.
"Classic, the man has good taste. How did you do it?"
Mandy was puzzled by the question. "How did I do what exactly?"
"How did you get Bobby back? Or did he just realize how much he missed you and turned up to propose, how romantic."
"It's not Bobby Mom."
She froze and the color drained from her face.
Mandy felt that sickness come back slightly.
"It's Sarek Mom. Do you remember I told you about him, the Vulcan ambassador. I know it's rather sudden but I know it's right. I don't think I've ever been so sure of anything in my life."
"Oh my God, sweetie, I think he must have done something to your brain. They can do that. Sit down I'll call the doctor."
"I don't need the doctor Mom. And Sarek hasn't done anything to my brain."
Okay, that was a lie but her mother really didn't need to know the truth on that one.
"I'm in love with him Mom. It's as simple as that."
"But.. no, this can't be happening. Mandy dear, he's not Human."
"No his not, but although his culture is different we still have connected. We still understand each other, we still want to be together." Mandy said knowing rational conversation never worked with her mother.
"Amanda, listen to me. You may love him but he does not love you. He is not capable of love. You're only going to get hurt. You're rushing into something because you're heart broken over Bobby.."
"I broke up with Bobby."
"Or you're afraid of dying alone.."
"I have never ever been afraid of that, I'm only twenty-seven."
"Or it seems exciting to date a pointy eared green blooded alien."
"Well it is exciting."
"But it won't last Amanda!" Her mother shouted with frustration. "You'll regret it, In a few years you'll be back to step one, you'll argue because you're to different. He'll leave you or you'll leave him you'll end up living back here and you'll be older and some of the chances you're going to get in life are going to have disappeared and you'll be bitter."
"Bitter like you mother?"
"That's enough!" Mandy's Dad stood up and banged the table with his hand. Everybody turned to stare at him shocked.
"Martin!" Mandy mother said.
"No Pattie. You'll listen to me. Amanda is twenty-seven, she is old enough to make her own decisions and she has made them. I have never heard my daughter use those words; I have never heard her say she loved anybody. We are lucky that our daughters have found people to spend their lives with. People to love who will look after them after we're gone and who they can start families with. " He turned slightly. "Mandy, this is soon, are you sure?"
"Yes Daddy, and even if it's a mistake which I'm sure it's not, then it's my mistake to make."
"That's the right answer. "
"Martin! Come on! One he might want to take her back to his planet, are you going to let our daughter go to a desert planet? Two, they probably won't be able to have children and OH MY GOD, she's going to bed an alien!"
Mandy felt her face flush and her and Sarah's eyes met.
"Uh…" Mandy knew the instant she made the sound that it was a mistake from the look that crossed over her mothers face.
"You.. let an alien.."
"Of course she did Pattie this is the twenty third century and she's a clever and good looking girl." Martin shouted.
"God! I can't.. I can't handle this." Pattie waved her hands in the air and stormed out the room."
"She'll get there eventually." Martin said clapping Mandy on the shoulder.
"Are you sure?"
"No, but when am I going to meet my future son in law?"
"He's in the car outside."
"Well.. bring him in then."
"Okay Daddy, thank you." Mandy said kissing him briefly on his cheek.
Mandy took a deep breath when she got out the door. All in all it had gone better than expected; she had thought her mother would shout a lot more before locking herself in her bedroom. She gave Sarek a small fake smile as he looked out the car window at her. She felt small comforting warmth in the back of her mind. Sarek got out the car and walked over to her. She was glad he had worn a suit, he looked like the type of person her mother would like if it weren't for the fact that his blood was green and he was from another planet.
"Amanda, you seem rather more tense than usual." Sarek said reaching out to rest his hand gently against her shoulder.
Mandy let out a deep sigh, she was unable to keep up any form of charade in front of him.
"I'm sorry Sarek."
"What for Amanda? I was under the impression that your parents were not legally able to stop you from marrying."
"No." Mandy said. "It's not that, of course I can marry you I'm just sorry that you have to put up with my family."
"I would gladly suffer your family if the outcome is a life with you."
Mandy let out a little huff of breath and leaned forwards so her forehead rested softly against his chest.
"Wait till after you meet them, you might change your mind."
He placed his hand on her back and they spent a few long moments like that, Mandy listening to the fast beating of his heart.
"Is the phrase.. it is time to chew the speeding projectile?"
"I think you mean time to bite the bullet." Mandy said with a laugh.
"Yes, that is what I mean. Mother refuses to meet you. It's her loss."
'it is likely that we will meet at some point."
Mandy took his hand briefly glancing down and looking at the differences between there skin tone and the way that Sarek's fingers were very long. It didn't matter though, they were only small differences. She led him into the house he looked around as they entered the house and Mandy knew he was examining every detail and was probably storing away all the information for careful examination later.
As the door to the dining room slid open two pairs of eyes glanced up. Mandy wondered what her father and sister saw when they looked at Sarek. Was it the powerful but withdrawn Vulcan she had seen when he had first come to the school. Did they just see and Alien in a suit. Or were they wiser than her, could they see straight away what she had taken three dates to fully realize, that he was deeply caring under that strict façade. That he was passionate as well as extraordinarily intelligent, that he was a man of many interests who was could find topics of conversation with almost anybody. Would they see the multitude of wonderful attributes? She hoped so. It would make the rest of her life a lot easier if her family could accept Sarek and she didn't have to put with awkwardness on visits.
"Sarah, Father, this is Sarek… my fiancé." Mandy said nervously. Sarek stepped past Mandy. He offered his hand to her Father a move Mandy knew was a great sign of respect seeing as physical contact made him uncomfortable.
"Mr. Greyson, it is an honor to meet you."
Seeming slightly put out Mandy's dad took his hand.
"You're tall."
Sarek moved his head slightly to one side.
"Yes." He answered simply.
Martin dropped his hand and rocked backwards on his heels.
"So.."
Sarek stared waiting for the sentence to continue, it was a long awkward moment until it did.
"You're going to ask for my daughters hand in marriage?"
"I have asked for your daughters hand in marriage, she has accepted."
"Sarek, my father is referring to an old earth custom when before proposing a man asks the Father of his intended intended if he may ask her to marry him."
"I did read of this custom, I was under the impression it was largely defunct. I am sorry if I have neglected an important tradition."
"Uh..okay. Well, Mandy knows what she wants and if she wants you then that is her choice."
"It is my choice." Mandy said quickly stepping in between them to end the awkward conversation, laying her hand on Sarek's chest as she did so to strengthen her point.
"Um.. Sarek. This is my sister Sarah. Sarah, Sarek."
Sarah blushed slightly.
"Hello, I hope you don't mind If I don't get up."
"Of course." Sarek said bowing slightly to her.
"You look to be in perfect health, how far along is your pregnancy?"
"Seven months."
"You and your partner must be pleased that the child is growing correctly."
"Uh.. yeah." Sarah answered looking slightly confused by Sarek's manner of speech. "We're both happy, the doctors say the little one is perfectly well."
"It is your first child?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware of the gender?"
"A boy."
Sarek nodded slowly.
"You're color seems slightly off, you are in need of nourishment."
"Oh yes." Mandy said. "Mother made dinner, I'll go serve it up."
"May I join you for your evening meal?" Sarek asked Martin.
"Yes, I guess we should be getting to know each other as you are going to be marrying my daughter."
"What would you wish to know?"
Mandy's hands were shaking slightly as she rushed into the kitchen. She grabbed the chicken casserole and Macaroni cheese (yes her mother really didn't know how to cook anything else for vegetarians) out the oven, it was only slight burnt and Sarek didn't seem to mind light charring. She dished it up onto plates and spooned cabbage and peas onto the plate then rushed back to the front room silently praying that her father hadn't killed Sarek.
"So to what degree does the piracy affect the economic state of the federation?"
"It affects the border planets which in turn has a slight knock on effect to the Laurentian system, which of course produces much of the dilitium crystals used in the federation fleets."
Mandy gapped at her father who was sat at the table across from Sarek, there fingers both steeped as they were deep in conversation. Sarah met her gaze and rolled her eyes. Mandy couldn't help the wide smile that spread across her face, if her Dad was talking about Economics then everything was fine. She placed a plate of casserole in front of her father and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She placed the other plate in front of Sarah and went to fetch her and Sarek's dinner.
Mandy managed to follow Sarek and her Fathers conversation as it danced around Economics, politics and what his duties as an ambassador were. Martin kept saying 'very interesting' 'I see' and 'what about?' Mandy didn't think she had seen him so deep in conversation since she was a child and she used to watch him and her uncles talk over glasses of dark scotch. She tired to be happy but part of her did ask herself, am I marrying my Dad?
"So, tell me about Vulcan. Or your family, tell me about your family."
"My family is well respected on Vulcan. My matriarch is the leader of the Vulcan council and we are descendants of the family of Surek who was the planets greatest philosopher."
"Now let's get down to the important stuff shall we?" Martin said seriously. Mandy took a deep breath and looked between the two of them.
"Your position takes you around the place a bit I'm guessing."
"Yes, I am required to travel between Vulcan and Earth three or four times a year, I will soon be required to travel to other federation planets to.
"So uh, Mandy's job?"
'Oh Dad, you know I never really wanted to be a teacher, I've enjoyed it these last few years but it's the perfect time to move on."
"And do what?"
Mandy nervously looked over at Sarek, she felt something strange in her mind, almost like little push of encouragement."
"There is a possibility of a translators position on Vulcan. I mean, I can help explain the meaning of some common phrases that when given a literal translation make no sense like uh… wouldn't say boo to a goose."
"Yes that makes little sense to me, I believe that to say boo to a goose would be quite daring as they seem strangely violent birds." Sarek said.
"You will be moving then?" Mandy's father asked her. She couldn't help but hear the slight sadness in his tone and the way Sarah looked as if she was about to cry (though being pregnant that did happen a lot).
"I guess I'll travel back and forth with Sarek." Mandy answered.
Sarek nodded. He put his knife and fork down on the plate in front of him and stood up. Mandy glanced up at him.
"Oh the bathroom is top of the stairs first right."
"That is of little interest to me."
"So.. uh.. where are you going?"
"I am going to meet your mother."
"Oh okay." Mandy said., Not really listening to the off hand comment. Then all of a sudden three seconds later after Sarek had just left the room she looked up saw the open mouthed gazes of her sister and father and jumped up to rush after him stumbling slightly as her foot caught the chair leg.
"Wait.. wait.." She called. She caught him at the top of the stairs.
"Sarek!"
Sarek turned to look at her.
"Amanda." He said reaching his hand out to take hers. "I came here to meet your family and I fully intend upon doing so."
Mandy sighed.
"Alright, it's the end one."
Sarek dropped her hand and walked up to the door at the end of the corridor knocking neatly three times.
"Finally Martin." Mandy's mother came from out the door sounding exasperated.
The door opened to show her mother with her tartan cardigan and beige slacks perfectly unwrinkled. She froze when she saw that it wasn't her husband. Her eyes travelled upwards in an almost comical fashion as at five foot nothing Sarek was over a foot and a half taller than her. Her face froze in a unemotional stare.
"Mrs Grayson. I am Sarek, your daughter betrothed. I wished to introduce myself."
Pattie's eyes widened slightly as if she could not believe his nerve and then after a long silence she seemed to work out the she for appearances sake she had to at least be coldly polite.
"Hello."
"I trust you are well."
"Yes."
"May I fetch you some nourishment I am aware you have missed your evening meal."
"No I am fine… and let me say I am not happy." Mandy's mum said clicking out of her shock and becoming outraged.
"I do not hold happiness in much esteem there are other things of more importance. I am marrying your daughter, it is not in your power or indeed the power of any Human or Vulcan to stop me from doing so. Therefore it will save you a lot of unhappiness and energy if you simply accept it.,"
"You can not provide my daughter with what she needs to be happy."
Mandy opened her mouth to say that she had no idea what would make her happy but Sarek got there first.
"I actually do hold your daughter's happiness in high regard; in fact it insuring it has become one of my greatest priorities in life. Therefore I beg to differ. Pleasure meeting you Mrs Grayson, I shall be sure to send you information on wedding dates when they have been arranged. Goodnight."
Sarek took Mandy's hand on turned on his heel to leave. As they past the dining room Sarek stopped to bow to Sarah and Martin.
"A interesting evening I look forwards to conversing with you both again. Live long and prosper."
"Live long and prosper." Martin replied sounding almost calm as if he had simply suffered too many shocks for one night.
Mandy let go of Sarek's hand when they reached the car.
"I hope you do not find me to rude." Sarek said almost as if in apology.
"Oh God you're fantastic." Mandy said flinging herself at him and kissing him soundly on the mouth.
