Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.
Five chapters to go.
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Origins: The Journey Begins
Chapter 25: One Foot After The Other
STARDATE: 2236.15 (Sun, Jan 15th, 2237) [Eight Months, 18 Days old]
The Uhura children were excited.
Today Big Mama was coming over to spend some time with her grandchildren. She will also catch up with her daughter and son-in-law, but everyone knew that the real reason for the visit was to see the kids. Even the kids knew this.
The children love Big Mama. She would spoil them rotten by giving them gifts whenever she saw fit. The children always loved whatever Big Mama had got them. There was only one condition Big Mama had set in place; whenever she gives them presents they have to perform a song for her in return.
This time, the children had practised their song over and over. They wanted it to be perfect for Big Mama. Denahi even got out his guitar so that they had some music to sing along to this time. Nanenna loved singing, especially with her older brothers. Sehale always wanted to play his drums and sing, but his mama had told him that he was still uncoordinated to sing and play at the same time.
Sehale had started to whimper but Ahadi had quickly affirmed him that he could play his drums after the song. With that Sehale beamed and ran off up the stairs to practice a drum solo.
When Denahi found out that Sehale was going to show Big Mama something other than the song, Denahi asked if he could make her the new cheese dip he had been learning to make. Ahadi smiled and said that cheese dip would be perfect for a Sunday afternoon, but only if he could be the su-chef and help Denahi out. Denahi fist pumped the air before running into the kitchen to prepare his ingredients.
Before Ahadi joined Denahi in the kitchen he informed Nanenna that she could show Big Mama something she had done. Nanenna clapped her hands wildly and ran off to find something wonderful to show Big Mama.
Ahadi knew the twins were too young to show Big Mama anything. However, he did pick up that they were intrigued with the singing. They had watched the other children intently during practice. They were true Uhura children. All of Ahadi's kids were musical, some more than others, but they could all hold a tune nicely. Perhaps when they're older they could start a band.
Ahadi went to the living room to gaze upon his wife. Her dark honey skin was highlighted by the morning sun as it shone through the nearby window. He eyed the window maliciously. He had fixed that whistling window so many times, but it wasn't long before it was whistling again. He put the thought out of his mind and gazed back at his wife. Her long black hair was tied up into a high ponytail. The golden make-up she wore accentuated every detail of her face.
She was currently sitting on the ground with two jars of baby food opened on either side of her. Ahadi squinted his eyes. Strawberry, rice and yogurt. Sounds alright. Ahadi took in the scene before him. Miotep sitting on the floor with the twins standing in front of her, holding onto the small plastic table for support. They were playing with the large blocks, while Miotep was trying to feed them.
"Come on, Zanny, you have to eat this. Big Mama's coming soon." Miotep said as she held out the spoon towards the twin in the short yellow dress. Zantiri looked at her mama then looked away, clearly not interested in the food. Miotep sighed.
Miotep felt something tapping on her other arm and turned to see the twin in the pale green dress poking her with one of the blocks.
"Thank you, Nyta, but mama needs you girls to eat," Miotep said as she took the block from Nyota's hand.
Zantiri grunted then turned to face her mama again, this time she had her mouth open ready for food. Miotep saw her opportunity and stuffed her daughter's face with food. Zantiri turned to play with the blocks. Nyota looked longingly at the spoon in her mama's hand.
Miotep loaded the spoon up with more food and presented it to Nyota, who smiled when she saw the food. Nyota sucked the food off the spoon before attempting to blow bubbles with it, covering Miotep in the mushy food in the process.
Ahadi laughed out loud causing all three girls to look in his direction. Two of them smiled brightly, the third just glared.
Denahi called out from the kitchen and Ahadi was glad for the intervention. He went to see what his son needed. Upon entering the kitchen, he saw his son jumping in front of the pot and pan stand. Obviously trying to get one of the pots from the top rack.
"Denahi, what are you doing?" He asked calmly, trying to hide a smile.
"I'm trying to reach the top one." Denahi pointed to the small pot in the top of the stand.
"Well, stop jumping for a start or you'll knock them all over. If you need something just ask. I am your su-chef. I can get it for you." Ahadi reached over and easily grabbed the pot at the top and placed it on the nearby bench. "Alright, master chef, what do you want me to do?" Ahadi asked and looked down at Denahi with a smile.
Meanwhile back in the living room, Miotep had just finished cleaning the twin's faces after their feed. She had cleaned her own face too and was about to move the small plastic table when Nanenna came bounding the stairs. The three-year-old ran into the living room and straight into the arm of the couch.
Miotep looked up to see that Nanenna had her swimming cap and goggles on. Oh dear. The purple swimming cap only came down over her head part way, leaving half of her frizzy afro peeping out from underneath it. The goggles were on upside down and had obviously obstructed her view.
"Nanenna, what on Earth are you doing?" Miotep exclaimed. The twins were just staring at their sister. Nyota even giggled as Nanenna bounced over to mama.
"I show Big Mama my shimmers." Nanenna's voice went quiet.
"Show Big Mama your swimmers? Okay. You don't have to wear your swimmers to show Big Mama. You can just—Oh, what am I kidding. This is you I'm talking about. Okay. Where are your swimmers?" Miotep said as she quickly moved the plastic table out of the way, leaving the twins standing independently on their own.
"On," Nanenna said. Zantiri fell on her bottom as she tried to turn her head to look at her older sister.
"On? What do you mean on?" Miotep looked at Nanenna. She was wearing the same purple dress she had on before. Nothing added up. Nyota tried to look at her mama but fell on her bottom next to her twin. Miotep helped them stand on their feet again.
Nanenna lifted the hem of her dress to reveal her multi-coloured swimsuit onesie scrunched up where her knickers should be. "On."
"Where are your knickers?" Miotep said looking at the twins, making sure that they had balance before letting go of them.
"Off." Nanenna said with a swirl of her dress.
"Off where?"
"Don't know."
Zantiri stretched out her arms towards Nanenna. Nanenna giggled and took her young sisters hands and began to dance gently, the way mama had told her. Zantiri giggled as she continued to dance with Nanenna.
There was a knock at the door.
Nanenna dropped Zantiri's hands and darted for the front door. Zantiri almost burst into tears at the sudden change but was comforted when Nyota babbled at her. Zantiri tried to look back at her twin but lost balance and fell on her bottom once more.
"I got the door!" Nanenna cried out as she stretched up on her tippy toes and twisted the handle to let the person in. "Big Mama!" She giggled and swirled in her dress.
"Good morning, 'nenna." Big Mama greeted in a funny accent that made Nanenna laugh. Realising what Nanenna had on her head Big Mama started to laugh. "What a lovely swimming cap you have. With matching goggles too!"
"Yeah. Look!" Nanenna lifted her dress to reveal the scrunched up swimmers where her knickers should be.
"Oh dear heavens above!" Big Mama exclaimed.
"It my shimmers," Nanenna explained.
Upon hearing Nanenna's explanation from the living room. Miotep immediately knew what her eldest daughter was showing her mama.
"Nanenna! Put your dress down!" Miotep's voice ran out from the living room.
The drums could still be heard. Sehale mustn't have heard the knock. Nanenna gleamed as she patted her dress down and led Big Mama to the living room where her sisters and mama were waiting.
"I'm sorry." Miotep apologised to her mama. She was standing now with Zantiri on her hip and Nyota at her ankle.
"For what?" Big Mama asked.
"The swimmers." Miotep smiled.
"No need to apologise. I would've done the same thing." Big Mama admitted with a chuckle as she took the child from Miotep's arms. "Who have I got?"
"Zantiri."
"Hello, my little Zanny-pants. I still can't believe you named her after my mama." Big Mama said as she tickled Zantiri's neck.
"She has a birthmark like her," Miotep said as she picked up Nyota before showing the birthmark behind Zantiri's ear.
"I know. Just like Nyota has a star-shaped birthmark just above her little nip-nip." Big Mama reached across and tickled Nyota's belly.
"What's this?" Big Mama asked as her thumb ran over the slightly discoloured mark no Nyota's lip.
"Oh, that's just a scar," Miotep answered after taking a look.
"I know it's a scar, what's it from?"
"Nanenna hit her in the face with a flute," Miotep said and Nyota bubbled with laughter.
"Well, at least she can laugh about it." Big Mama chuckled.
The ladies placed themselves on the couch, bouncing the twins on their legs as they talked. Denahi had come in and informed them that the food was almost ready. Sehale had finally realised that Big Mama had arrived and came downstairs to say hello before hastily retreating back up the stairs to change.
Within seconds Sehale was back down the in the living room. His attire had completely changed. Before he wore a loose hand-me-down shirt from Denahi with shorts that clashed terribly. His hair was not brushed and he had left over breakfast stuck on his face.
Now he was dressed in a small black tuxedo complete with navy blue bow tie and matching undervest. His hair was brushed and slicked back and his face was clean. Big Mama wolf-whistled while Miotep just sat there with her mouth hanging open.
"Come with me I want to show you something." He said with his hand outstretched to Big Mama.
Both women rose from the couch. They clutched the twins tightly and proceeded to follow him up the stairs towards his room. Nanenna followed closely behind. Once inside Miotep gasped loudly. His room was spotless.
"Sehale." Miotep's voice was soft.
"Mama, you can sit here." Sehale tapped his bed which was nicely made… for a five-year-old. Miotep hesitated. She didn't want to mess up the neat room, but then she thought about it, it will be messy by the time Big Mama goes home. She sat down, Nyota on her lap. Nanenna jumped up on the bed and sat next to her mama.
"Big Mama, you sit here." Sehale dragged his desk chair so that it sat right in front of his drum kit.
Big Mama sat down on the chair and was about to rearrange Zantiri so that she could see but was halted by Sehale.
"She sits with mama." Sehale was completely serious. Only Big Mama was allowed the front row seat.
Zantiri was passed to Miotep. Big Mama sat back down on the chair.
Sehale introduced himself and the song which he will be playing. He thanked the crowd and bowed before seating himself at the drum kit. The song wasn't very long and lacked melody, but the rhythm and beat were well timed and catchy.
He finished with the cymbals and almost everyone in the room applauded. Nanenna had left half way through the song and Zantiri had almost fallen to sleep. The cymbals had woken her up and she was now crying out of fright.
Nyota, on the other hand, was laughing and squealing and waving her hands in the air.
Big Mama thanked the drummer and he bowed in response before dashing out of the room. Big Mama greedily took the crying twin and began to soothe her while Miotep got up off the bed with Nyota.
When they returned to the living room they were once again surprised. The Uhura boys, including Ahadi, were dressed in their best. Sehale still wore his black and navy tuxedo, Denahi was wearing a dark blue suit with a white tie and black slick shoes and Ahadi was wearing his royal purple and gold robes complete with crown.
Then, alongside the boys, was Nanenna. She, too, was dressed up, but it wasn't in formal attire. Her purple dress was now completely gone, and she was wearing her entire swimming suit. Swimming cap and goggles included.
"What's the occasion?" Big Mama asked, seeing as her daughter's speech wasn't working well today.
"May I introduce to you 'Beat'. The first Uhura family band." Ahadi said as he stood aside and gestured to the three children standing there. Ahadi motioned for Miotep and Big Mama to sit on the couch with the twins and get comfortable.
Ahadi then placed himself on the Cajón; a box-shaped percussion instrument which emits acoustic sounds when struck with a hand. Ahadi counted in and the children started to sing… in tune. They sounded great. The Uhura children loved to sing and dance and their pitch perfect song proved just how musical they all were.
Miotep reached for her phone and tried to pry it out of Nyota's hands so she could film the lovely performance.
When the song had finished Ahadi quickly told Denahi to change his clothes and bring in what he had made.
Miotep told Sehale and Nanenna to change back into play clothes. She even checked to see if Nanenna had her underwear back on. Thankfully, she did.
In only a couple of minutes, Denahi had entered the living room, dressed back in his regular clothes and a tray of food in his hands.
"Baba can you help me, please." He said as he tried to balance everything.
Ahadi quickly jumped up from the floor and helped his son place the tray on the plastic table, which Big Mama had brought closer to her.
Big Mama picked up a carrot and dipped it into the creamy cheese dip. She exulted his work and picked up a capsicum stick to dip.
"Isn't this nice?" Big Mama said as she took in the scene before her; Ahadi sitting on the couch opposite with Miotep nestled on his chest, Denahi sitting next to her and enjoying the fruits of his labour. Sehale and Nanenna playing with the twin's blocks on the floor, and the twins were practising their standing, using the couch where Ahadi and Miotep sat for support.
"Such a beautiful family." Big Mama continued. "Very talented kids you have Mr. Uhura."
"Thank you, Big Mama," Ahadi responded.
"Denahi can cook, Sehale can play the drums, and Nanenna… well…"
Nanenna looked up at Big Mama at the mention of her name. "I swim!" She said proudly.
"Yes, of course. I also heard you play the flute." Big Mama said.
"Yep. Mama?" Came Nanenna's voice from the ground.
"Yes, 'Nenna—oh my word." Before, when Miotep was looking to see if Nanenna had underwear on, she completely overlooked her head.
Miotep came to Nanenna's aid. She had managed to get the swimming cap off of her head but the goggles were tangled tightly in the dark curls of her afro.
"I think this calls for scissors." Miotep took Nanenna's hand and dragged her out of the room towards the bathroom.
Zantiri and Nyota saw their mama leave and began to pout. Big Mama saw them and tried to get their attention. They stopped and looked at her.
"Denahi I need your help." Big Mama said with a smile.
"Help?" He asked genuinely confused.
"Here. Take this." Big Mama instructed as she handed Denahi a cheese stick dipped in cheese. "I want to get the twins to come over here."
"Oh." Denahi understood. He held out the cheese stick and called out to the twins.
Ahadi turned the twins around so that they were standing, facing Big Mama. The twins caught eye of what she and Denahi had in their hands.
"Come on, Nyta," Denahi called.
"Nyta?" Big Mama asked.
"Nyota's nickname. Nanenna can't say her real name so we call her 'Nyta'. We call Zantiri 'Zanny'."
"I see. Come on, girls." Big Mama smiled brightly at them.
Miotep stopped just before entering the living and grabbed Nanenna's hand and pulled her back. Nanenna was about to cry when she was scooped up by her mama. She instantly cooled and placed her head in the crook of her mama's neck. Miotep looked on.
Zantiri reached out and managed to push Nyota over. Nyota fell forwards but Sehale caught her before she hit her head. She giggled at him. Seeing her twin laughing Zantiri went to step forward to join them but tripped over Nyota's legs and fell on top of them.
Ahadi leant down and quickly removed Zantiri from the pile and placed her where she was before. Nyota was then stabilised next to her, ready for round two.
Big Mama called out again, with the help of Denahi. Zantiri took the first step. She didn't fall. She took another step. Soon she had taken four consecutive steps without failure. The room was silent.
Nyota watched her twin and bounded after her. She was wobblier on her feet than her twin but still managed to catch up with her. She even grabbed her sister's dress and pulled her back before hastily scooting off to claim the cheese stick.
Zantiri got up and proceeded to walk the rest of the way babbling to herself as she went. She reached Big Mama who was holding out a cheese stick for her. Zantiri turned to Nyota who was already at Denahi's feet, eating greedily on the cheese covered cheese stick.
Nyota finished her cheese stick with remnants of cheese still stuck on her cheeks. She looked at her cheese covered hands before looking up at Denahi with big brown eyes, begging for more.