Wouldn't it be lovely if I did own Star Trek? Sadly, that is not the case!
Song Of The Dawn
Alhamisi and M'Umbha were too keyed up to sleep. They had stayed up late until the last of the wedding guests had gone home. Both tried to lie down and rest, but it was no use.
At last, Alhamisi rose and redressed himself. It was nearly dawn now, the most beautiful time of the day. After so many years together, M'Umbha could practically read his thoughts. He was going for a walk.
"Give me a minute, dear. I'll get myself ready and join you."
Three minutes later, they were outside walking the perimeter of their property. As they quietly strolled hand in hand, the stars faded and the sky began its morning display of glory as the sun started to appear. By the time they reached the rear of the guest cottages, the view was breath taking. The birds were beginning to sing, so they stopped to appreciate nature in all it's glory.
Unfortunately, they heard more than the birds.
"Oh, yes, Nyota, more please!"
"More what, my Spock? Tell me what you need!"
Alhamisi and M'Umbha did not stick around to hear Spock's response. They hurried back to the house as quickly as their middle-aged legs could carry them. Once inside, they both burst out laughing.
Nyota could not stop giggling! Spock had just sung her a naughty little song. A naughty little Vulcan song, from the days before Surak. This song was not written down anywhere, but every young male Vulcan learned from his father or a close male relative. The verses were somewhat humorous and the subject matter was detailed instructions on how to make babies.
What could she sing for him in return? Oh, yes! The song the ladies had sung for her at her wedding shower on the Enterprise! She would start with the verse about the plumber and end with Mother T'Sela's contribution. How did that go now? My husband's a science officer, all day he probes space and then comes home …..
Spock did not think he would ever get tired of that! Nor of waking up in the morning with his beautiful wife beside him. It was strange though, how loud the birds were this morning. They were not so noisy the previous dawn. He put on his pajama bottoms and walked to the window, finding it open. There, clearly visible in the full morning light were three small tents. Spock quietly and unobtrusively shut the window.
Jim, Bones, and Scotty packed their gear and broke camp. They wandered down to the patio, where M'Umbha and Alhamisi had set up coffee, tea, juice, and pastries. They had about an hour before Jim had to run Scotty to the shuttle terminal. They hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, thanks to the lovebirds and their open window. Oh, well, there'd be time for sleep on their shuttle rides home.
Sarek decided that he would go to the patio and get bring back breakfast for himself, T'Sela, and T'Pau. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the events of the previous night. Apparently his son was, what did the Terrans call it? Oh, yes, a sex machine! Not that there was anything wrong with that, provided one only did such things with a bond-mate. He was quite certain that was the case with Spock. But then, his mother had heard everything and compared the boy to his grandfather. That was a mental image Sarek did not need, that of his parents engaged in such an act! As the Terrans would say, too much information!
Spock would bring Nyota breakfast in bed that Sunday morning. It was Christmas Eve Day, so his three friends from the ship would be headed home to have Christmas with their families. If Spock's luck held out, they would depart before Nyota left the cottage and she would be none the wiser as to the open window. Hopefully, by the time they all reconnected aboard ship the following week, the incident would have been forgotten.
Sarek had loaded the tray and was on his way back to the cottage when he spotted his son heading for the patio. The boy had a spring in his step and that wicked twinkle in his eye, the one he had inherited from T'Pau. Sarek was dispassionate and logical by nature, however, he could also be a terrible tease.
"Good morning, my son. I am surprised that you can even walk, given your activities of last night."
"You heard …." Spock's ears had turned a deep green and the blush was spreading to his cheeks.
"I suspect the hippopotamuses down by the river heard as well. I am gratified that you have formed such an agreeable bond."
"Thank you, Father. It is as you say, a most agreeable bond. Please do not tell Nyota that you heard us. She would be very embarrassed. I accidentally left the window open."
"These things happen, my son. In the family all is silence."
Spock was still blushing when he reached the patio. When his buddies saw him, they burst into hysterical laughter.
Bones could not help himself. He had to get in just one zing.
"Oh, look! It's the probing science officer!"
Jim had been furiously entering Spock's ancient Vulcan song lyrics into his PADD before he forgot them entirely. He'd read the translation later on the shuttle ride home. He looked up at Spock and smiled.
Scotty had to get in on the act as well.
"I have ta give ye credit for stamina. Ye and the lassie put the rest of us ta shame!"
Spock just glared at them and attempted to pour Nyota some coffee. The pot was empty, so he went into the kitchen, thankful to escape his friends' mocking laughter.
His in-laws were sitting at the kitchen table, leisurely enjoying their breakfast. They were still giggling over their early morning "eavesdropping." At the sight of the blushing groom with the empty coffee pot in hand, the giggling turned into roaring laughter.
Spock was a deep, olive green now, and looking at his feet. Even his toes are blushing now.
Alhamisi took pity on him and pulled out a chair for him.
"Come sit down, my son. Wait for the coffee to finish brewing. It is not the end of the world. So a few people heard you and Nyota "enjoying" each other. That is their problem, not yours."
Alhamisi gives Spock a mug of tea to accompany the sympathy he suddenly feels for him.
"Judging from the response, Baba, I would say that more than a few people heard us. I left the window open last night. Nyota may be angry with me."
"Perhaps for a moment or two, but she'll see the humor in the situation. Eventually, that is, after her siblings finish teasing her. The Uhuras are early risers, fond of morning walks. The whole family passed by your cottage this morning between dawn and breakfast, each with a different story to tell. Did you know that Dafina also speaks Vulcan? She says you sang Nyota a lovely little song. It would be best to confess, my boy. Before she hears it from someone else. There is a positive aspect to all of this, you know."
"What could that possibly be?"
"You have just demonstrated to the entire family that you are not cold and unapproachable. There were a few who were concerned that you did not return Nyota's affection. There will be no more such talk now! You make my daughter very happy."
M'Umbha handed Spock a full coffee pot. She winked at him.
"Walk proud, my son."
"Thank you, Mama. I will."
Spock took his tea and the coffee pot out to the patio. He made a breakfast tray and headed back to the cottage, passing his friends on the way. Spock remembered something he had once heard while watching a game of American football, a most illogical sport. The best defense is a good offense.
What was that on Chief Engineer Scott's neck? Hickeys!
Spock stopped and addressed him.
"Mr. Scott, it would appear that you have been attacked by some sort of blood-sucking creature. I hope that you did not find the experience too painful. Good morning to you gentlemen."
Spock continued on his way.
He entered the small cottage and set the tray on the table beside Nyota. Perhaps a kiss and her morning coffee would soften her up.
Stohl and T'Rysa have slept late, much later than usual. Both are a little stiff and sore, but it is a welcome soreness. T'Rysa slowly rolled to her side and opened the drawer in the nightstand. Yes, that is where she had put them, the little foiled wrapped discs the housekeeping staff had been putting on their pillows at night. They were still there, little chocolate covered mints! She would be sure to pack those.
Nyota was furious at first, but not really at Spock, mostly just at the situation. Her sisters and brother were terrible teasers and their friends from the ship could be so obnoxious. Oh well, eventually they would all get bored with harassing the newlyweds and move on to something else.
Besides, now they all knew what a stud muffin she had bagged herself. Nyota smiled at the thought, and then finished her breakfast. Spock was sitting on the floor, watching her, sensing through their bond that she was no longer angry.
Nyota set the tray back on the table.
"Get your butt back up here. It's time to kiss and make up."
Spock did not need to be told twice.
Sirin and Rachel knocked again at the door of Stohl and T'Rysa's room. If the couple did not answer soon, they would be late checking out of the room. Finally, Stohl answered the door, bags in hand.
"My apologies. We seem to have overslept."
Sirin gives him a knowing smirk. He remembers "oversleeping" well. He and Rachel used to "oversleep" before they had three children. Now they were up with the dawn every morning.
They all check out of their rooms and load into the van. They will go to the Uhuras' to pick up Grandmother T'Pau, who will accompany them back to San Francisco. Sarek and T'Sela have decided to visit Greece and Italy for a few days. T'Sela has always wanted to do this and it will be much easier now than after they have a child.
T'Pau puts the last of the fringes on the lace shawl she has knitted for M'Umbha. She puts her needles back into her tote. Everything else is packed, waiting to be loaded when Sirin comes for her. She has exchanged comm information with Akeelah and Adilah, and they have each promised to contact the others if there is news of a great-grandchild.
There is a knock at the door. It is Spock and Nyota, coming to bid her farewell.
"Give this shawl to thy mother, child, and thank thy parents again for their kind hospitality. This cottage has been most pleasant. I think this may be my favorite place of all those I have visited on this planet."
"One week from today, I will perform a bonding ceremony for Sirin and Rachel in their home. Would it be possible for thee to be there?"
"We will be there, Grandmother. Nyota and I will have returned from Paris by then, but do not need to report to the ship until after New Year's Day. Take care, Grandmother. May your journey be without incident."
"Be safe, my children."
They hear the van pull up, so Spock helps Sirin load T'Pau's bags.
"It seems you and Grandmother have "mended fences", Sirin."
"It is good to be back in the family."
Jim and Bones are having trouble fitting all of their gear into the tiny two-seater. Spock helps them load it more efficiently. This time there is nothing tied on top of the roof.
Jim grins at his friend sheepishly.
"Thanks for the help, Buddy. Sorry about the teasing, but you kind of .. um..kept us up all night! By the way, that was a great song you sang. I've never heard that before."
"Nor hopefully ever again. Take care, Jim and Leonard. We will see you next week."
"Merry Christmas, you hobgoblin."
Sarek helped T'Sela pack the last of their gear. They would be shipping some of it directly back to the Vulcan Embassy in San Francisco. This was a relief to Sarek, as T'Sela would no doubt want to shop in Europe. He could not fault her for this. She would soon be needing new, larger clothes.
They had both decided it would be best to wait a while before informing Spock that he was going to be a big brother. The boy had already made so many adjustments in a very short time. This one could be delayed a bit.
Spock pulled the van up in front of the cottage door and helped his father load it. T'Sela came out with her tote bag and Nyota hurried over to bid her farewell, then turned her attention to Sarek.
"Father, may I kiss you goodbye?"
"Yes, my daughter, you may."
Nyota stood on her toes and kissed Sarek's cheek.
"You two have a good time playing in the ruins."
"And you two must remember to keep the windows closed in Paris. We do not wish to frighten the French. We will see you next week in San Francisco."
A short while later, Spock returned from the shuttle port. Nyota was sitting outside the cottage waiting for him.
"Get ready for another challenge, my love, Christmas with the Uhuras!"
