Taavi stood in Amanda's garden, watching his great-great-grandchildren play as the sun set.. Here in the garden, he felt close to his family, both living and dead. Their spirits lived on, watching over each successive generation. Taavi smiled as the children's mother, his half-sister's great-granddaughter and his great-grandson's wife, came outside and called the children in for dinner. He smiled at each child as they passed him, scooping up the youngest and giving her a kiss before sending her on her way. The door closed behind them and he was alone in the garden. He chose not to go to dinner.

The sun had set and the night had grown dark when T'Selis, his wife of over a century, came out to fetch him. She touched his arm.

"Taavi, when are you coming in?"

He turned and took her hands. "I don't know, T'Selis. Perhaps not until morning." She nodded in understanding and said nothing. After a moment he put his arms around her, and she leaned against him.

"You know what today is, love?" Taavi murmured nearly an hour later. T'Selis mumbled a negative. "Amanda died two hundred and thirty-three years ago today." Taavi closed his eyes, drinking in the peace of the garden. "I still feel as I did then. I miss her."

"That was your choice, Taavi."

"I know."

Another hour passed before either of them spoke again. "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

"No."

"Mother's Day."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's also the one hundredth anniversary of Mother's death." T'Selis said nothing, only offered her support. "I still miss her, T'Selis."

I know, David. I know. He smiled at her use of his human name. She smiled back at him. I'm going in, ashaya. Please come in soon. She kissed him gently, then left him alone to savor the peace of the garden.

Taavi stood in the garden, waiting. For what, he was not sure. Tonight was special, he knew that, could feel it. He waited patiently, content to exist in the peace of his grandmother's garden. Around midnight, Amanda ran up to him, laughing, followed by her husband. She was not old and delicate as he remembered her, but young and vibrant as she must have been in her youth. She flung her arms around him in a hug, then let him go, moving to stand by Sarek.

"Taavikam, so good to see you! How are you?"

"I miss you, Grandmother."

"And your family?"

"They love your stories."

Amanda laughed. "I wish I was there to tell them."

"I wish I could tell them half as well as you do."

Amanda smiled. "Someday maybe I'll teach you." Taavi grinned.

"Our son approaches, Amanda. We must go," Sarek said.

Taavi smiled up at his grandfather. "It was a pleasure to see you again, Grandfather."

"Likewise, Taavikam. Until next time." They began to fade into the mist.

Taavi looked around, soaking up the peace and storing it for later, when all the children were home and the house was noisy and chaotic. Saavik approached from a great distance, her arm around Spock, who carried his infant, stillborn daughter. Taavi smiled and called out as they drew near.

"Mom! Dad! You came!"

"Of course we came, Taavikam. How could we not?" Taavi smiled and hugged his mother.

Spock watched them, amusement barely touching his features. "Well met, Taavi."

"Is that Jaime?" Spock held the infant so Taavi could see her. "It is! Oh, she's adorable!" Taavi gave Spock a one-armed hug. "She looks just like her sister." He tickled the baby, making her laugh. She pulled his hair, and he giggled. "Thank you for bringing her."

"David is coming, Spock. You'd better hurry," Saavik said, kissing her daughter and hugging her bondmate. She turned and walked away as the mist claimed them.

Taavi turned around in time to catch his parents kiss. David walked toward him as Saavik faded away.

David put his hands on Taavi's shoulders. "I'm proud of you, my son."

Taavi grinned. "I know, Father." He was a little boy, hugging his father after a long day at school. "I love you."

David smiled. "I love you too." They stayed that way for a minute, then went back to normal.

"Are you happy, Taavi?"

"Yes. Yes, I do believe I'm happy."

"Good." David began to fade. "It's time for me to go."

He had almost disappeared when Taavi called, "Will you still visit me? When I need you?"

His answer floated on the mist. "Yes, my son. I will always come."

Taavi blinked, coming out of his dream. He could still feel his family's presence, a warm comforting blanket about his shoulders. He drew them closer, pulling them into himself. When he was satisfied he had absorbed them all, he made his way into the house. He found T'Selis still awake and waiting for him, and he held her close until he fell asleep.