A/N

Oops, double oops, no, triple oops! Well, this is the story folks. I narrate it as I walk out of the room, backwards, with my head bowed and palms together seeking forgiveness.

A few nights ago, as my sister M'Celeste was leaving our mother's home she said, "You know how Vulcans are noted for their grace and economy of movement? Suppose they perfected this as an art or discipline … maybe something called 'purposeful stride'."

So M'Celeste invented the original concept. My recollection of the crowd doing Tai Chi exercises led to its further development. M'Celeste has once again planted a germ of an idea that allowed me to cultivate a story. (One of the others was 'The Ransom')

Thanks Sis.

As always, I want to thank Starquilter57 for the use of her O/Cs - and Gene Roddenberry & etc for everyone else - except Lo'vaak who is all mine!

And finally, for love not profit I present to you…

The Continuing SFS, Lights, Action, Camera

Chapter 25

Thank You My Adun'a

Lo'vaak sat on the edge of the bed where his exhausted wife rested after delivery. Nyota had found some shirts and gowns and one of two travel beds that had been packed away once the twins had outgrown it. It rested on the bed next to His Christine. Lo'vaak studied his greatest accomplishment, this small, beautiful expression of their love. He admired the ears that had unfurled into their Vulcan points.

Christine stirred and Lo'vaak went to her side of the bed and kneeled.

"My Adun'a, I thank you."

Christine smiled, and ran her hand through his curly hair. Lo'vaak put his head down on her shoulder and wept. He truly, truly belonged, he had his own family. Lo'vaak sent that sentiment to Christine whose eyes also glistened with tears. She felt the same.

Afterward Lo'vaak sought out that small light in the recesses of his mind and sent, "You are now grandparents, a girl. I would wish you to see her. With that he turned to gaze adoringly at his daughter, and hoped that the image would find its way to the mind of the one with whom he now shared an experience-fatherhood.

Sirin, as a certified physician, would register the birth at the Department of Terran Records. That and other activities would take place later that morning, but right now, pre dawn, the house was quiet. Lo'vaak knelt in the corner of Christine's 'sometime room' and meditated until dawn's first light.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

In the early morning Lo'vaak saw T'Paal's door was open. He stood at the entrance waiting for permission to enter. She nodded and he approached and knelt before her and placed his head on her knee, the position of submission. "Amsetri tre, ko-mekh t'adun'a t'nash-veh." (Your presence honors us, mother of my wife)

T'Paal's hand touched his face and he felt her peace, followed by what could best be described as a Vulcan sharing of joy and fulfillment.

Nyota's quick footsteps were heard and she appeared in lengthening degrees on the steps and finally fully in the hallway carrying a tray. Not seeing Lo'vaak in T'Paal's quarters she went straight to Christine's room and gently tapped on the door.

"Breakfast is served. You have to eat so my namesake can do likewise."

"Come on in, Ny." Christine responded, her voice still smoky with sleep.

The sight that presented itself to Nyota was beautiful. Here was her friend, nursing a very enthusiastic baby.

Christine said, smiling, "All those classes I taught for the La Leche League are finally paying off."

Nyota sat the tray on the dresser and went over to see her namesake. Laughing she said, "She is a little greedy gut."

As if understanding Nyota's statement, the baby stopped nursing to eye this person who had taken her mother's attention. Little Ny's dark eyes explored her surroundings, then she yawned, blinked, sighed and closed her eyes.

Christine put NyTwo (the nickname she had just created) into the traveling bed and covered her, then sat up and patted the space next to her.

Nyota, pouring two cups of coffee, said, "Liquid Life, coming right up."

After handing Christine her cup she then brought their plates to the bed. As she slid into the spot next to her friend she asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Amazingly, I feel fine."

"You remember when I delivered, Spock carried my pain. That action is an absolute expression of sacrifice and affection. T'Paal will never want for anything."

After expressing his heartfelt gratitude to T'Paal, Lo'vaak looked in on Christine. Seeing that she was eating her breakfast and busily engaged in conversation with Nyota, he decided to join Spock and the twins below stairs.

Spock looked up from his tea and nodded; if he could have smiled he would have. His friend was most disheveled. Ha'thati lu Lo'vaak uzh a'nirih (Good morning Lo'vaak, new father-one who begets offspring)

"Yes! Yes, it is a good morning. A very good morning."

"Tea or coffee?"

"Coffee, please."

After receiving a mug of the steaming hot liquid, Lo'vaak took the seat next to Spock. Excited and exhausted in equal measure, Lo'vaak continued, "Spock how did you manage to remain stoic after the birth of your sons? I feel like I want to shout out to everyone, 'My daughter has been born! My wife and I have a child!'"

Spock considered his friend for a moment, raised an amused brow and responded, "I did not have unrestrained Betazoid exuberance to contend with." Then, in a more thoughtful tone, he continued, "I fed my emotions into our bond. My Nyota laughed and cried for both of us - though she did say I attempted a smile."

The two men sat quietly for a moment, contemplating both the shared and unique aspects of their experiences. Then Lo'vaak broke the silence.

"I have honored T'Paal. She has proven her devotion to our family. You see how I view our relationship, brother? It is here and at Sirin's that Christine and I trace our beginning and our future. I thank you. I wish that when Christine and I are finally settled into a house, it will be nearby."

And as if Lo'vaak had a private line to the Four Deities, his desire was answered that very same day.

Spock and Lo'vaak had gone to visit the Academy; Lo'vaak to check on some scheduled appointments and Spock to accept another chess challenge. They had promised the women that if an order was placed at Wong's, they would bring it with them when they returned. It was while they were away that Nyota welcomed two visitors, their 'senior citizen' neighbors, Rudy and Phyllis Hamilton.

The couple had just come to a major decision. In an effort to downsize and simplify their lives, they would sell their beloved home of almost fifty years and move into an assistant living facility. Since it was very important to them that their home go to a good family, they called on one of their very best neighbors to inquire if they knew of anyone interested in making such a purchase.

Clamping down on the banshee scream that would probably send her neighbors running for their lives, Nyota calmly stated that she thought she did know of someone. She said she would advise that person and perhaps a time could be arranged for the house to be viewed. By selling the house outright, the couple planned to avoid paying the Terran Realtor Board's exorbitant fee. This would mean both a better return for them and a reduced price for the purchaser. After exchanging farewells and closing the door Nyota, with clinched fist and bent knee, gestured a triumph. After all, she could not wish for better neighbors than Lo'vaak, Christine, Sirin and Rachel.

Barely able to contain her excitement, Nyota ran up the stairs and knocked on the door of Christine's room.

"Come on in."

Nyota literally bounced over to her friend.

"Do I have news for you and Lo'vaak!"

"Good or bad?"

"I guess it all depends on your answer to this question. How would you like to be my neighbor?"

Christine's head whipped around and she grabbed Nyota's hand.

"Don't joke about something like that Ny. I have never, ever seen a 'For Sale' sign in this neighborhood. All the residents are entrenched. Someone would have to die for one of these properties to be available - and I doubt you'd be bouncing around like that if someone just died."

"There are exceptions to every rule - and this is one of them. Our next door neighbors to our right want to move into an assisted living facility. Didn't you hear the door chime a little while ago?"

"Yes."

"That was our neighbors, the Hamiltons." Wiggling her eyebrows Nyota continued, "So … do ya wanna go see a house?"

Christine's eyes widened and she nodded. Almost running for the door she said, "Let me find T'Paal…"

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Nyota walked in front of Christine as they approached the house; Christine stopping to marvel at the beautiful front yard. Nyota requested entry and the door buzzed them into a foyer. The vestibule was charming, with antique wooden paneling and frosted glass interior doors. Meeting them as he walked from the kitchen was apron garbed Rudy. Seeing Nyota he smiled.

"Hello there! That was quick! Is this the person of interest?"

"Yes, Mr. Hamilton. This is my friend, Christine. I was hoping you might be able to show us the house, but if this isn't a good time…"

"Dear, just make yourself at home. Wander wherever you like. Phyllis is out in the garden fussing with her roses, so make that your last stop."

The house was a sprawling ranch style; four large bedrooms, three and a half baths - even a full unfinished basement - all on four lots. The master suite closet alone seemed not much smaller than their whole apartment! Christine almost smiled herself into a face ache. Then they made their way out to the garden. Everything was so beautiful and well cared for. Christine could picture NyTwo running and playing in this yard. She was convinced that this was meant to be their home. This would be where she and Lo'vaak would raise their children (yes, more than one). And they would be right next door to Nyota and Spock - and NyTwo's future husband, Kov!

Once they had finished viewing the house and inquiring of Rudy which appliances would be left, Nyota said that if Christine's husband could come there with Spock later today, they would probably have their answer by tomorrow. Christine agreed that this would be the case.

That evening Spock and Lo'vaak were joined by Sirin. After taking a tour of the house, they agreed that it would more than adequately meet the young family's needs, the price was reasonable and, most importantly, their wives would be extremely happy.

Ever practical, the three Vulcans males already knew exactly what to do with Lo'vaak's soon to be empty apartment. Would not the newly weds, Su'auk and Ellie need a place to stay until settlement time? Certainly!