Baby Book - Phase Two

Chapter Thirty-eight - Visitors Coming!

Mid January, 2272

Nyota was sitting at the desk, finishing her last report, when the message chime sounded. She quickly saved her working file and pressed the 'accept' button. When the screen lit up with an unexpected face, she squealed in delight. "Durra! Oh, it's so good to hear from you!"

The familiar face smiled back at her, the dimple at the corner of her mouth peeking out. "I thought I might surprise you. This isn't a bad time, is it?"

"Oh, no indeed. I was just finishing my last report and Spock is already in the playroom with the children. We can have a nice little chat."

"Well, unfortunately, I don't have time for a long chat - but...I wanted to tell you that we are ALL going to San Francisco! And other places on Earth as well."

Nyota clapped her hands together. "Durra, are YOU the important ambassadors we are on the way to pick up?"

Durra smiled even wider. "Yes, we are - all of us. So I will be seeing you in just a few days."

Nyota squealed so loud that Spock stuck his head around the doorframe to see what the matter was. On seeing the face in the viewscreen he smiled and came up to lean over Nyota's shoulder to say hello before going back into the other room. Just a few seconds later, Grayson came charging in and scrambled up into Nyota's lap. "Aunt Durra! Hello. When are you coming to visit us?"

"In just a few days, Grayson. Very very soon."

Grayson craned his neck around to look up at his mother. "Does Baba know this?"

"No, I didn't get a chance to tell him. You can go tell him."

Grayson climbed back down to the floor and went racing back into the playroom. "Baba, baba, we are going to have company. Aunt Durra is coming to visit."

Spock looked up from where he had been exercising Amanda. "Did she say this?"

"Yes, yes. In just a few days."

Spock eyes unfocused for just a moment and then he stood, picking Amanda up and carrying her into the other room. He dragged another chair over to the desk. "Durra, is everyone coming?"

Her eyes danced at him. "Yes, yes, the whole family is coming."

"That is very good, because we definitely need help." He sighed.

"Help? What do you need help with?"

"Amanda is a broadcaster and we are having great difficulties teaching her to act with restraint. We were about to call Sarek and ask for assistance. If he and Selek could offer advice and assistance so that we could reach her, teach her, while they are on board, we would be so very grateful."

"I will tell them as soon as I finished with this call. I am sure they will be very pleased to be of assistance. Please don't worry about it. And now turn that little girl around so that I can get a peek at her."

Spock turned Amanda around so that she faced the viewscreen. When she saw a face there, she smiled and waved her arms and began to babble. Durra laughed back at her. "Hello, Amanda. My, my, how you have grown. Oh, I can't wait to get there and hold her." She turned her head to the side. "Oh, my, sorry, I have to go take care of that. I will see you soon. Bye." And she cut off the call, causing the screen to go blank.

Spock looked at Nyota. "This is fortuitous."

"Yes, indeed it is. Oh, I can't wait for them all to get here! It's going to be so nice! Do you suppose we will be taking them all the way to Earth?"

"I do not believe so, but I have not seen the orders yet."

Just then the comlink chimed again. "I assume that is Jim, calling to tell us about our new orders."

The captain was very surprised to see the whole family staring back at him. "What have I done to deserve this honor?" He asked in confusion.

Grayson was very quick to tell him that they were going to have company in a few days. He was very excited. Jim couldn't figure out how he knew, even before the orders had been opened.