The Desert Saga Continues

Chapter Thirty-seven

Those almost adunas and their families were introduced to the other families. The visitors commented that all the children were so beautiful. There was such a variety of ethnicity within the group of bondmates this showed up in the different complexions of these outstanding children. Some bondmates were Asians, Hispanic, women of color and even though she was not a mother, Kanau's bondmate, Elaine who is Native American was also present. These heritages did not cancel out the Vulcan contribution, the father's eyebrows and ears. The children, all dressed in their Vulcan robes were led into the adjoining room where the mothers would alternate taking care of them in fifteen minute intervals.

Ellie stated,

"Perhaps before you left your home your family and friends gave you a bridal shower. What we have planned is another one but added to it is a welcoming party. We already Bonded adunas, welcome you to the fold. What you will share with your adun is beyond anything you have ever experienced. But we have not gathered to talk about them, you have had your education, we are here to celebrate YOU and the fulfillment of the choice you have made that will brought you here.

Each one of you have a table before you that contains gifts. Unfortunately, because we live quite a distance from a shopping area, your gifts are replicated. That is a little piece of machinery that our esteemed inventor and engineer, S'nass, got a hold of and refined with some outstanding results. Now If each of you would take a seat next to the table that shows your name then we will continue."

The five females did so and two of the already bonded females came to the table to assist each one. The volume of the music was lowered and Ellie asked each woman to tell the group alittle about themselves. A woman who might have been in her early thirties, with short dark bobbed hair and sparkling blue eyes said,

"Hello, my name is Elizabeth. My home was originally the east coast of what was once called The United States of America. I lived there with my husband of ten years. He was a wonderful guy, who had eyes that laughed. He was killed in an automobile accident on his way to meet me. It was our 'date night' and I was waiting for him at our favorite restaurant. After an hour's wait, I knew something was wrong. The police were waiting for me as I pulled into my driveway.

I guess I should explain what happened next-I just sort of shut down. No one could reach me. It was a sort of guilt reaction, it was the result of my postponing being a mother of my husband's children. There was no part of him that could comfort me. I carried on my life robotically until I heard about 'The Survivors'. These men had all lost their wives and families due to a tragedy, whomever I would be joined with could understand my grief as I could his. We would in fact become each other's therapist.

Ihave met my future bondmate three times and have been in constant contact with him for over a year. He is the most sincere person I have ever met. I look forward to my life with him. Oh, by the way his name is Z'on."

Seated at the table next to her was a young woman, with a blond ponytail. She stood up and said,

"Hello, my name is Maria. I am originally from what was at one time called Mexico, but have lived in San Francisco for quite a while. My future bondmate's name is Wo'nan. We met when the holo-vid broadcast first came to The Settlement. As a matter of fact, he singled me out to give me a tour of the settlement. He was the most polite and gentlemanly male I had ever met, soft spoken, a good listener and boy, he smelled so good. Did I mention he was handsome, well they all are really. Well I had just broken up with a long-time boyfriend who proved himself to be such a jerk. I had given Wo'nan my com number and we started communicating. As a honest Vulcan he advised me that he did not want to be my 'rebound friend'. Of course, he did not use those words but he did say it was important for me to become settled in my heart after my past experience. We talked as friends for a while, he would advise me about what was happening at The Settlement, I would tell him what was going on in San Francisco.

During one of his communications he advised me that he would be coming to San Francisco and asked if we might meet. Well, when I saw him again in person my heart stopped. He was not second best. He took me to The Vulcan Embassy where we enjoyed a meal. I took him back to Fishermen's Wharf where he explained what it would be like to be a Vulcan bondmate which I guess I interpreted as a proposal, to which I said yes.

I remember that when the search was on for possible bondmates for 'The Survivors' it was thought that only widows should be considered as potential partners. When I approached the group that called themselves 'Cupid's Secretaries,' I explained the same grief that accompanies the death of a mate also is the same sadness experienced when parents die, which had been so in my case. The group of women who were attempting to act as match makers were also married to off-worlders, three to Vulcans, one to a Betazoid. We two did not need their services to meet but I did need their educational program that would help me fit into my role as a bonded female. So, here I am, ready for this new adventure."

At the next table was a woman who had mixed gray hair, an unlined face and one knock-out figure. Her introduction was simply,

"I am probably old enough to be the mother of some of you here. My name is Rose and my home is in San Francisco. I am a licensed engineer. Most of you probably can remember the first time we saw a Vulcan male, those neatly dressed, handsome, lean, group lined up to go into the aquarium. My first impression was, 'if only I was a little younger.' I did submit my biographical information and I was contacted by K'al. Looking at his picture If thought to myself I probably would be accused of stealing the cradle, or being a cougar, but he surprised me when he announced that he was eight years my senior. Of course I had to explain those two terms to K'al.

He explained to me that on his destroyed home world, mates were chosen in a different way than what was now their experience. After months of correspondence he asked me to bond with him. I think that we shall be happy, no, no I will be happy, he will be satisfied and content and if he wants me to, I will dye my hair."

At the table next to Rose there sat a woman, probably in her twenties. She had brown skin just like Ellie's. She introduced herself as Lydia. She had the most captivating accent. Ellie recognized it right away. The young woman was from her home continent.

She explained that she had been attending school in Washington State and had been visiting San Francisco when the broadcast showed the Vulcan males lined up. The camera had panned the entire line and she noticed that some of them were brown like she was. There did not appear to be a problem with racial identity with the group. All conversed together, and were dressed basically the same. After research she discovered that Vulcans from the equatorial area of their planet had varied skin shades just as people on her continent. She had one more semester before graduating with a masters in biology with focus on deserts' flora diversities. She submitted her biographical information and was contacted by a pale skinned, but oh so handsome Vulcan named Je'ri.

During his education his focus had been the same as hers. They corresponded throughout her final semester, he had agreed to meet her on the campus of her school and they spent an entire day together. He told her, that when he had received the packet from the group who were trying to assign potential bondmates to the males, he had not looked at my picture but had placed it back in the envelope. He said, outward appearances were not the product of the person's efforts that these were always inherited them from their parents, from the DNA contribution of an individual's family. It was however, what a person had done with their lives, perhaps in the face of adversity that is what is important, that is what really is the person. His words as we sat on a park bench touched my heart and I knew I could very easily fall in love with him and live my life with him. I look forward to having a family with Je'ri and for him to teach our children his wisdom."

The final table had a red headed, freckled face tom-boy looking young woman. Her introduction was simple,

"My name is Michele, I am a farm girl, plain and simple. My Intended is one of the agricultural genius that live here at the settlement I told him I was interested in implanting some of his seeds."

All of a sudden she blushed and sat down. Ellie decided that the only thing that could have caused that reaction was the mental picture that her statement must have brought to her mind.