-flash forward, a bit. Nyota will be starting her second year at the Academy…
"Are you sure you're okay with the kids visiting Vulcan?" Nyota asked Spock for the umpteenth time.
"I have already expressed my approval, Nyota. Four times. Mother assures me that she will not allow the children from her sight and Father also assures me that no doctor or geneticist will be allowed near Sam or Sara. It will be good for them to see Vulcan. And they will be able to visit with Nia and Gregory." He answered as he finished packing Samuel's bag. "I do regret that I cannot accompany you to Vulcan, but I must attend first year orientation again."
"Mmm, I know. I can't believe it's been a year since we were at orientation and when I get back from Vulcan, I'll be starting second year." She shook her head before leaning up and laying her hand on his cheek. "Just don't let any first year cadets try anything. And don't let Pike ply you with Brown Russians."
"I can assure you, if any cadets try," he emphasized the word, "anything, I shall reprimand them. As for Brown Russians, I believe I know my tolerance level by now." He smiled at his wife before pulling her into his arms. "Once I return from Iowa, we will be alone for one month. As much as I will miss the children, I will enjoy spending time with you."
Nyota smiled up at her tall, handsome husband and sighed. "Me, too. But I think we'll be just as ready for the kids to be back."
"I believe you are correct in your assessment." He kissed her. "We need to leave now if I am to deliver you and the children to the embassy transport for your departure."
"As always, you are correct." She nodded and went to make sure Sam and T'Sara still had their coats on. "So, you guys ready?"
They both looked up at her and their father and nodded. "Yes." Sam answered for the both of them. "Papa? Will you miss us?"
Spock knelt down and pulled his son into his arms. "Of course I shall miss you and T'Sara. But you need to visit Vulcan as this is part of your heritage. And your grandparents miss you, as well." T'Sara went to her father and held her arms out to him. He released Sam and lifted his daughter into his arms. "You will be home in six Terran weeks, not such a long time."
"I will miss you, Daddy." T'Sara sniffled as she nuzzled her face into Spock's shoulder.
"And I you, but I shall be on the transport to pick you up." He reasoned. "And I shall speak to you daily via our comm link."
T'Sara sighed. "Okay. I'm ready. Love you, Daddy."
Spock smiled and kissed his daughter. "And I love you, T'Sara." Sam was tugging on his pant leg. With a chuckle, Spock handed his daughter to Nyota, who was biting her lower lip to keep from laughing at the exchange taking place. He reached down and lifted his son again.
"Yes, Samuel?" Spock smiled at his son.
"Do you love me, too?" His voice was almost petulant. At that moment Spock realize just how human his children were and he also realized just how grateful he was for that fact.
"Of course I do, sa-fu. Do not ever doubt this." He pulled his son closer and kissed his forehead. "I will see you soon."
Samuel burrowed into his father. "Maybe I could stay with you?"
Spock chuckled. "You will have a fine time. You will see much of Vulcan with your sa'mekh'al and ko'mekh-il and you will be able to spend time with your Aunt Nia and Uncle Gregory. Does this not sound enjoyable to you?"
"But what if you get lonely? And Grandpa Sam, what if he gets lonely for me?" The small boy asked. As illogical as it was, Spock still could not fathom that he had fathered such perfect little beings, but he accepted it none-the-less.
"I shall miss you and your sister, but Mommy will be back soon and before you are even cognizant of time passing, we shall be in Vulcan to pick you up." He answered. "And I will make sure to spend time with Grandfather as well so he will not be too lonely for you."
Sam took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. I guess I'll go to Vulcan."
"I am glad of this, sa-fu." The Vulcan chuckled.
Nyota couldn't fight the huge grin on her face at the interaction between her husband and her children. There was no one else in the universe that could cause that look on his face but Sam, T'Sara, Amanda and her. And she was so grateful for it.
The first semester past at an incredibly fast pace. Nyota's days were filled with classes and tutoring Spock's students and her nights were filled with her family. Nyota called her sister often and just after Thanksgiving Nia surprised her older sister with unexpected news.
"Okay, what's so important?" Nyota asked as she attempted to comb out gum from her daughter's hair. She was going to have to speak to her husband and his inability to say no to T'Sara's demands for lolly pops and chewing gum.
"Well, I'm pregnant." Nia waited for her sister's reaction and fought her laughter when Nyota stopped mid-pull, leaving the comb in Sara's hair so she could turn fully to the screen and moved in closer.
"Repeat that, please?" Nyota asked.
"I know, so weird, huh? I mean me, pregnant, can you believe it? And we've only been married a year. Us Uhuras, we're really fertile, huh?" Nia laughed.
"That's an understatement. I'm so happy for you, Nia. How did Greg take the news?" Nyota was still in a bit of shock, but happy shock. "And do Greg's parents know? Oh, wait a sec," she turned to her daughter, "T'Sara, go to your father and tell him mommy said he had to get the gum out of you hair. And that mommy said he needs to bathe you, too." She turned back to her sister with grin. "Okay, continue."
"We're coming home for a Christmas next month. That's when we'll tell everybody. So, mum's the word." She warned her sister. "And Greg's thrilled. You should see him with Sara and Sammy, he's gonna be a great father, Ny."
"Can I at least tell Spock? I mean, he'll pick up on it anyway. I can't keep secrets from him. That's the only downside of being bonded." Nyota shrugged.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't already know, you know how he and Greg are. But don't you dare tell Gai. Not until we're home." Nia was adamant.
"Not a word." She promised with a wide grin, her face quickly changing as she came to a realization. "Hey, you think Spock knew and he didn't tell me?"
Nia sighed and walked onto the balcony to gaze at Tarhana Mountain. It was her favorite place, her quiet place, and she would wake each morning to savor the rising sun over the mountain with her herbal tea before leaving for work . She had been living with the Ambassador and Lady Amanda at their estate, D'H'riset on the outskirts of Shi'kahr, since her arrival the year before. Although she had planned to find her own place to live, Amanda had convinced her to stay with them until her work was done.
"This place is huge and I spoke to Sarek, you and Greg can have the east wing. It'll be just like your own place. And when he isn't here, you won't be so lonely." Amanda sighed. "And neither will I." She added with a small smile.
So, Nia agreed and was very happy she did. Getting to know Lady Amanda was wonderful, she was like the mother she always wished she had. She always introduced Nia as her niece, which always gave her a warm glow. Family. Nia always sent little prayers of thanks to the universe that Nyota found Spock and that she in turn found Greg and through them all she found Greg's parents, grandparents and Amanda. And Sarek. Getting to know the stoic Vulcan was even more of a surprise to Nia than the rest. Spock was Vulcan, no doubt, but his exposure to his Terran family had made him an anomaly that turned him in to an entity all his own. He smiled, he chuckled, he so openly showed his love to his wife, his children, his mother in his own, innate Vulcan - human way.
But Sarek. In the beginning, he was something completely alien. He was immovable, intractable, inscrutable. Greg had gotten to know him a bit better since her stay on Vulcan and his star ship assignment, but he still resented the older Vulcan and his treatment of Spock. Nia, however, learned to see him for who he truly was. A man ruled by logic who allowed his emotions to overrule that same logic when he fell in love with Amanda. And she had no doubts in the Vulcan's love for his Terran wife. The raise of a brow, the tilt of his head, the softness in his voice. And the eyes, his eyes were pure Vulcan, they didn't have the same chocolate brown depth his son's had, but they showed his son's depth of feeling when it came to Amanda. And when it came to Sam and T'Sara. Nia wasn't sure anyone other than Amanda could see it, but Nia could. And it never failed to make her smile
And she had absolutely no doubt that the Vulcan loved his son with his whole katra. It was so apparent in the tone his voice took when he spoke of Spock. Despite the illogic of it, Sarek was proud of his son. Of his independence, of his accomplishments, of his devotion to his family. Yes, Nia was sure that Sarek held his son in high esteem. And she was also sure that he loved his only child completely.
"Nia, are you well?" Sarek looked up from his PADD as his daughter's sister, his niece by marriage, walked out onto the main balcony. He stood and pulled a chair out for her. "Would you care for some tea?"
"Oh, that's alright Ambassador, I can get it for myself. Would you like anything while I'm up?" She smiled over at him.
"Amanda already prepared the morning meal, she left…waffles for you." He nodded at the younger woman.
Nia smiled. "She's wonderful, isn't she?" She went into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with her breakfast. "Where is Amanda this morning?" Nia asked as she dug into her meal.
"She had a meeting with the restoration committee. They are debating the advantages of transferring archival materials to several of our off world monasteries." He replied without looking up from his PADD.
"Why would Vulcan even consider such an idea? T'Sel at the museum told me that as a whole, Vulcan was insular at best." She looked up at him. Sarek stopped reading and considered her perspective.
"Insular at best? An interesting turn of phrase. T'Sel, she is one of the interns, is she not?" Sarek asked.
"Oh, no. I mean, yes she is, but she didn't mean anything, Ambassador. And it's taken totally out of context. Please." Nia was feeling panicked that she had gotten her friend in trouble.
"I am merely curious as to her age, Nia. Nothing more." He assured her.
"She's my age. Young for a Terran and certainly young for a Vulcan." She countered.
"Indeed." Sarek nodded. "She is correct, we are an insular race however, the monasteries in question are visited by off-worlders more than Vulcan is and Amanda along with a few…younger archivist are of the opinion that the opportunity for other cultures to be exposed to our history would be advantageous."
"Hmm, what do you think, Ambassador?" Nia finished up her breakfast and looked up at him.
"My thoughts on the issue are irrelevant as I do not make the policy in these matters." He stoically replied.
"So you have no opinion?" She queried.
"To be honest with you, I have not given it any consideration." He almost shrugged.
"Hmm, I see." Nia sighed. "Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. I've got to get to work. Thank you for the breakfast conversation, Ambassador. Perhaps I'll see you this evening."
"Perhaps. And Nia, you may refer to me as Sarek." He replied with a small nod.
"Thank you, I would be honored. Sarek." She smiled and left the dining area.
Sarek watched her leave and momentarily wondered what sort of daughter he and Amanda would've had she been allowed to attempt another pregnancy. He quickly dismissed the idea as superfluous and continued on with his reading.