Claustrophobia
Chapter Twenty-five
"Come," Spock said and he assisted Nyota from the raised platform. Instead of walking toward the house he took her to the back of the house to view the vineyard and the still brilliant sun..
"Spock, thank you for this special day and…
He did not allow her to continue,
"Nyota there should be no words of appreciation coming from you. Beloved, it is myself that must express my appreciation to you. My entire life has been one of suspicion, avoidance, ridicule, and mistrust because of what and who I am. My mind was admired, envied and studied but mostly as a person I was shunned. The question that has haunted me is, why have you chosen to consort with me?"
Smiling, she replied,
"In contrast, my life has been one of acceptance, and love. I guess the old adage 'opposites attract' must be true. With that statement she stood on tip-toes and kissed his cheek.
Spock held her tight to his chest and said,
"I am pleased that although not a proven theory it has appeared to work quite efficiently in our case."
She teasingly inquired,
"What opposite about myself first caught your attention?"
"Your ease around others. It appeared that no one was ever uncomfortable around you. Of course, I compared that to my own experience. The second was your smile. Because Vulcans must maintain strict control and a true smile is spontaneous it is not part of The Vulcan way."
Nyota looked up at him and placed two of her fingers on either side of his mouth and said,
"I think one day I may see a smile from you."
After observing his still stoic face she continued,
"How will I know when you are happy…I mean satisfied."
"I will tell you."
Since I cannot believe that now I will ever have an entire day where I am not truly happy, I will smile for you."
"That appears to be an equitable arrangement."
Again she stood on tip-toes and sought his lips, he readily responded and after a seemingly breathless minute, leaving them both catching their breaths Spock informed her,
"Nyota, we will stay here for the next three days. Everyone else will be leaving within the next hour."
Her stomach gave a growl and he squeezed her hand and with a more than ordinarily serious look on his face he responded,
"Already I am negligent in my duties as your husband. Come, you require nutriments."
They walked hand and hand through the back door of the house and entered the dining room to the applause of the Terrans who were already seated. The one participants who made no movement other than the nod of his head was Sarek who then stood.
"May I have the honor of introducing to you S'chn Tgai Spock and Nyota Mene sakkhet ur'seveh (Live long and prosper)"
The rest of the group responded with raised glasses and loudly responded,
"Hear, Hear! All but the official repeated the Vulcan greeting."
Spock nodded and guided Nyota to her seat and then performed the rite of service on her behalf and the meal continued in silence. There was so much food that all were encouraged to take some back to Sarek and Amanda's residence. Coffee and desert was served in the sitting room by the hired cook's crew who after the remnants of the meal was sat out along with carry out containers and the kitchen cleaned, they quietly left.
After the meal the two sets of parents and the French official made ready to leave. There was a flitter parked in one of the out buildings for Spock and Nyota's use. Like an old married couple they stood at the entrance and Nyota waved good-bye to those departing while Spock stood stoically by her side. After the driver had engaged the engine and it turned down the drive way Spock realized that he and Nyota were truly alone. The building around him seem to compact into the small space they now shared and with his arm about her waist he held her tightly against his side.
Nyota had received Spock's maternal great-grandmother's engagement ring. He had received her grandfather's. He carried her into the sitting room and retrieved a box from a drawer and handed it to Nyota. His gesture indicated that she should open it. With the last bit of paper and ribbon removed Nyota opened the box and discovered a key. The look on Nyota face was one of puzzlement. Spock led her to the front door, took the key and instructed her,
"Please observe its' operation."
She did.
Spock then said,
I am following the custom where a Terran groom gives his bride a wedding gift."
Then with a twinkle in his eye he said,
"While the key does open the door, my gift to you is not the door but this entire French winery. It is all yours, My Nyota. Now you have your own place, in France, to come to, away from San Francisco."
The well springs that are inherently Terran females' possession sprung to life and Spock wiped her tears. Nyota then went into the room where her baggage had been unpacked and handed him a neatly wrapped box.
"I went back to The Pottery and got this for you."
Opening the box Spock saw an incense box and flint that matched his asenoi and mug. It had the same rustic appearance as those other possessions, that included the display of random thumb prints upon its rough, knobby exterior surface. He knew she had to have obtained this item by special request. He tenderly kissed her forehead. Spock knew that he must pace himself so as not to frighten her so he determined they would first take a walk, later he would prepare last meal from the left-overs. They would share a book, then shower and…go to bed. She had not as yet seen the master suite he had designed for them.
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He insisted that she wear a shawl as a protection against the evening air. He was fully in control as he took her hand and led her out to the surrounding grounds and their small garden. They then sat in silence and watched the last lights of their wedding day's sun leave the sky.