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Almost There
The transport finally landed in Nairobi. Scotty and Bones were snoring away. Jim had to shake them both awake.
Pike was only barely conscious when he asked "Are we there yet?"
"We're in Nairobi. We still have to get another Shuttle to Kisumu."
Jim finally got them all awake enough to disembark. They would have a three hour wait in the terminal for the next shuttle.
M'Umbha led Spock to a bedroom on the far side of the house.
"The tailor will be here in a few minutes. You need to try on your wedding clothes for him. Nyota, come with me."
Spock closed the door and changed into the clothing he found hanging on the valet. He had no idea how the Dashiki suit was supposed to fit, but it looked fine to him. He was also uncertain as to whether he was wearing the hat correctly.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
"I am Mosi, the tailor. You must be Commander Spock. Ah, the hat is not quite right. It is worn on the top of the head."
Spock adjusts the hat as required.
"Much better. The tunic is a good fit. The trouser length is good. How is the waist?"
"It is a bit loose, I think." Spock lifts the tunic and shows Mosi, who agrees.
"Yes. I can take that in about five centimeters. It would not do to lose one's trousers at the wedding! Perhaps your wife needs to fatten you up a bit."
"She has been trying for sometime, as have all the females in my family."
M'Umbha's emotional dam finally burst when she saw Nyota in her own wedding dress. has had it repaired and cleaned. Nyota's sisters have also worn it for their weddings. The dress is red with metallic gold embroidery and a head wrap to match. It is not the traditional Swahili wedding gown, as most Swahili are Muslims. The Uhura household is one of two faiths, Christianity and Islam. M'Umbha has raised her children in the church, but taught them to respect their father's traditions. Nyota's upbringing gives her some insight into Spock's dual heritage.
"You are so beautiful, my child. Spock is a lucky man."
Alhamisi gives Sarek, T'Sela, and T'Pau a quick tour of the property. There are people everywhere, setting up large tents, moving racks of chairs and tables. Two hundred and fifty-three guests are expected for the wedding, most related to the Uhuras. An area at the edge of the property has been set up for guests who will be camping out, complete with portable rest rooms and showers. A few campers are already there.
Alhamisi steers the Vulcans clear of the area where the lambs and goats are being roasted. Though the smell of cooking flesh can not be disguised, they surely would not appreciate the sight of it. As it is, T'Sela looks a little pale.
"Perhaps I should escort you to your cottage so that you may rest."
Alhamisi shows them a short-cut across the property. Once inside, he shows them how to work the environmental controls. Sarek is impressed with this guest cottage. It is private and well-equipped.
When their host has left them, they all decide it is time for a rest. Sarek is becoming quite concerned for his wife, but says nothing. He knows his nephew Sirin the Healer will be coming later that day.
M'Umbha sat the bride and groom down at the table in her kitchen with a cup of her famous home-grown mint tea. Mosi had adjusted the fit to Spock's trousers and then pronounced them perfect. Nyota's sisters would wear traditional wrapper skirts with matching head wraps. Jim would wear his dress uniform and Sirin his formal Vulcan robes. Everything was proceding as planned, although Jim, Bones, and Scotty had not been heard from yet.
M'Umbha was getting a bit concerned about this.
"Mama, do not concern yourself. The Captain has a knack for getting himself into trouble, but he usually gets out of it almost as easily."
"Spock, I wish that your serenity was contagious. Now, Nyota said you had an allergic reaction to the flowers at your shipboard wedding. Do you know if you are allergic to orchids?"
"I do not believe so, though I have not encountered many varieties. Lilies were the offending flowers on the Enterprise. Perhaps it would be wise to test my response to them."
"All right. There are over 250 types of orchids native to Kenya, but I have only planned to use six of them."
M'Umbha walked to the stasis unit and pulled out a bouquet.
"This contains all the kinds we will be using."
Spock took the bouquet and held it to his nose, breathing deeply. There were no ill effects.
"I believe that these will do nicely."
"I'm so glad, Spock. Mama, you should have seen him at our shipboard wedding. His eyes were watering so badly I almost thought that he was crying!"
"Is that my precious granddaughter I hear?"
"Grandmother Adilah? We're in the kitchen!"
An elderly woman with white hair and a cane came in and sat in the chair in between Spock and Nyota.
Though now well into her eighties, Adilah was still active in her field as a choreographer of native dance.
She looked Nyota over thoroughly. She had never met Nyota's husband before.
"You seem well and happy, child. Let me examine the cause of it. Come closer, young man. I want to know the thief who has stolen my granddaughter's heart."
Spock normally shied away from such close contact, especially with strangers. However, Grandmother Adilah commanded respect just as his Grandmother T'Pau did. He would not refuse her. He pulled closer, and bent his head down, even allowing her to touch his chin. The gesture reminded him much of Nyota.
"You are not what I expected. You are little on the pale side, but as handsome as a sultan. My, what beautiful eyes! Yes, I think you'll do."
"I am most gratified to hear it, as we have had two weddings already."
Kisumu at last! They had finally made it. The trio claimed all their luggage and camping equipment. Pike, of course, had only a small duffel and a garment bag.
"Okay, Bones and Scotty, you guys wait here while I go get the rental. Somebody contact Spock and let him know that we made it. Admiral, may I walk along with you?"
"Sure, the more the merrier."
Sirin herded the family plus Stohl and T'Rysa into the rental. They were all expected for the rehearsal and the feast afterward. Jason was taking his role as ring-bearer very seriously. Next to Nana Esther, his "Uncle" Spock was his favorite relative, a really cool guy who helped save the whole planet and sent him "space stuff."
It was a short drive to the Uhura place and they found it with no trouble. Nyota and her mother greeted them at the door. M'Umbha showed Rachel the bedroom she had set up as a nursing and diaper change station. Nyota's sister Dafina also had a young infant daughter, and her brother Erevu two small boys. Tamasha had recently married, but had no children yet.
David, Erevu's seven-year-old introduced himself to Jason and the two boys ran outside to investigate the tents.
Stohl was curious about the property, so he took a walk. Alhamisi had some unusual vehicles in his possession. T'Rysa and Esther smelled the biskuti ya nazi' (coconut macaroons) baking and went to the kitchen to investigate.
Sirin picked up Hannah and went outside to find his cousin.
Spock and Sarek were helping Alhamisi and Erevu move some cooling fans into one of the large tents. When they had finished, Sarek motioned for Sirin to come with him.
"Hannah, can you play with Uncle Spock for a few minutes while I speak with Uncle Sarek?"
Hannah spoke with Uncle Spock via subspace almost every week, so she was not afraid of him.
"Yes, Daddy. Play, Uncle Spock!"
"What shall we play, Hannah?"
"Dollies!"
"Oh. Perhaps we should find Aunt Nyota or Tamasha."
"I'm sorry, sir. You did not show up on time nor did you contact us. The vehicle that you reserved is no longer available. I only have a two-seater left."
"I'll take it."
Jim accepts the PADD from the clerk and signs his name. Then he spots Admiral Pike.
"Sir, I need a favor. They only had a two-seater left and there are three of us. Could you possibly take one of us and some gear to the Uhura residence?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll have to stop and check into my hotel first. All I've got is a two-seater, myself. I hope you boys don't have a lot of gear."
Sirin finds T'Sela resting on the sofa in the cottage's living room. T'Pau is sitting near by,
"Aunt T'Sela, Uncle says that you have not been well. You tire easily and have had bouts of dizziness and nausea. Is there any chance that you might be with child?"
"Healer Sirin, there is a great chance that is the case. Do you have the means to confirm it for me?"
Sirin opened his medkit and took out a small scanner. In a matter of seconds their suspicions were confirmed."
"You are pregnant, about twenty-five days gestation. You should expect to deliver in about 360 days."
"Thank you for your confirmation, Healer Sirin."
"I must return to my family. I will send Uncle back to you."
After Pike checks into his room, he returns to the terminal. Scotty decides that he will be the one to ride with the Admiral, so that Jim and Bones can get their disagreement over and done with before they get to the rehearsal. There is very limited cargo space in the two small vehicles, so they end up tying luggage onto the roofs.
Nyota and her sisters are having their hair braided, while a manicurist gives all three both manicures and pedicures. Nyota will receive henna tattoos on her hands and arms to the elbows and her feet and legs up to the knees. Her female relatives have already given her a sandalwood-scented bath.
Grandmother Akeelah reminds her that although she is already legally married, tradition must be observed.
"Tonight you sleep in your old room. Spock must sleep alone."
T'Rysa, Esther, and Adilah were exchanging recipes. All three had on aprons and had sent Stohl and Erevu to the local market several times. Vulcan honey cakes, sponge cake and maandazi (a cardamon-flavored donut) had been added to the list of delicacies on the wedding and rehearsal dinner menu.
The women took great care in making labels for all the baked goods, especially the sweet potato pudding which contained cinnamon.
When Sirin left the guest cottage, he nodded to Sarek, and then found his daughter and cousin sitting on the back patio of the main house. Spock could not find any ladies free to play "dollies" with Hannah, so he quietly endured a pretend tea party with the little girl, her doll Tiana, and her stuffed sehlat Spock (named for the uncle who gave it to her.)
While Spock was still unaware of him, Sirin quickly brought out his camera and snapped a picture.
"That is one for their family scrapbook!"
Spock the Uncle and Hannah were still sipping pretend tea when two ridiculous-looking cars pulled in, luggage tied to the roofs.
Sarek hurried into the cottage, curious and concerned about Sirin's findings. T'Pau had discretely retired to her room.
"My wife, what did Sirin say is the problem?"
"There is no problem, my husband, just good news. We are to be parents."
Sarek did not bother to suppress his smile.
"Hey, Spock. Are you playing with dolls?"
"Yes, Jim, I am. This is my cousin's daughter, Hannah. I have been tasked with occupying her while her parents are busy. She is a most imaginative child. You seem to have arrived in rather unconventional vehicles. Did you encounter some difficulties on your way?"
"Oh, you don't know the half of it!" snorted Bones. "I can't understand how he gets me into these situations. I just never seem to learn."
"Never mind that now, Bones. Which way to the camp site?"
Spock returned Hannah to her father's care and walked ahead of the strange caravan. Jim would never cease to amaze him, though he refused to give the Captain the satisfaction of knowing that.
M'Umbha could not even get into her own kitchen for the crowd. The refrigerator and stasis units were crammed full, but the ladies were still cooking. Fortunately the caterers would have their own environmentally controlled units in their trucks.
With help from Spock and Admiral Pike, the tents were set up in a matter of minutes. They found a lovely place, under the shade of some acacia trees. It was surprising no one else had claimed such a perfect spot. There was just enough time for a quick shower and clothing change for the rehearsal and dinner.
Spock hurried to his own cottage to get ready. He had not seen Nyota in hours. He wondered what she had been up to.
Nyota had spent a luxurious afternoon being pampered and anointed, even catching a forty-five minute nap at one point. She dressed herself in a lovely coral-colored cocktail dress and strappy gold sandals. She thought of her handsome bond-mate and what he might think and feel about her appearance. He would most definitely like what he saw, but then the poor baby would have to sleep alone!
Rev. Dorcas M'Bemba arrived right on time. She was shown to Alhamisi's study, where she waited for the bride and groom. Nyota came in first, Spock a minute later.
"My, what a lovely couple. You will make beautiful babies! Now, tell me what you want for your ceremony. Nyota's siblings have all taken their vows using an adaptation of the rites from the Book of Common Prayer. This gives two options, one is the traditional vows, the other a blessing on a marriage which has already taken place. Do either of these appeal to you?"
"The vows that Nyota and I exchanged aboard the Enterprise were also based on the Book of Common Prayer. I have no objection to repeating these vows in front of our family and friends who have missed it."
"Nyota, what do you think?"
"I'm for that idea, too. Mama and Baba and my grandmothers would really like to hear us say our vows. Otherwise it might feel like we've cheated them. They're all coming to see a wedding!"
"I agree, beloved."
The Reverend smiled at them. "Then a wedding we shall have."
The rehearsal was flawless. Everyone knew their jobs and executed them perfectly, even the flower girl, little Hannah. Rachel had been training her for a month.
Afterward, Alhamisi herded everyone into one of the large tents. It was now dark, so lamps were lit.
A sumptuous feast was spread before them, with many different foods reflecting both Kenyan and Vulcan cultures. Everyone ate their fill and a bit beyond.
Then the tables were cleared so that the scrapbook could be assembled.
There were many precious and poignant moments. Spock's Uncle Marcus and Aunt Lucinda had arrived in time for dinner. They brought photos of Spock as an infant and young child, some of which also contained images of Amanda.
There were also some embarrassing moments for the couple. M'Umbha and Alhamisi had included some "bare butt" pictures of Nyota on a flokati rug. Spock smirked at his bond-mate's discomfort.
"I would not be so smug, cousin. Rachel and I have a few interesting photos of you."
Sirin produced an image of Spock building a snowman with Jason at Lake Tahoe, as well as that of the "tea party" he had shared with Hannah that very afternoon. However, the most interesting was the southern view of a north-facing Spock, rollerskating down a hill wearing blue spandex leggings. It was taken during his first year as an instructor at the Academy. Spock had wondered why some of his students had given him the nickname "Professor Sweet Cheeks." A second photo, a close-up, revealed a well-toned behind.
Family and friends shared a good many laughs and memories. Finally the party broke up, with some having to return to hotel rooms.
Spock made a move to escort Nyota back to their cottage, but was stopped by Adilah and Akeelah.
"Not tonight, my boy. Nyota has undergone her purification ritual. Tonight you sleep alone."
Spock was a good sport about this, though disappointed. His misery was nothing compared to what his shipmates, particularly Jim, were about to suffer.
Jim, Bones, and Scotty passed a relatively comfortable and peaceful night in their tents. Their problems
did not occur until sunrise. That was when the biting acacia ants started their workday.