I don't own Star Trek, I never did, and I probably never will. Sob! Another shameless cut and paste, the last one for a while!
Loud And Clear II
Alhamisi had also told them that he had hired a photographer. All of the bride and groom's immediate family were rounded up and herded into one place. The photo session lasted for half an hour, but no one really seemed to mind. The images of the S'chn T'gai clan would be especially treasured. When she previewed them at the reception, T'Pau ordered herself and extra set.
Another reception line! This one was full of Nyota's warm and expressive relatives. They had been informed that Nyota's new husband is a touch telepath, but many forgot. There were handshakes, hugs, and even a few kisses. It was difficult for Spock to maintain his emotional control but he managed. Nyota was by his side, which made any discomfort worth it all.
When Spock and Nyota had greeted all their guests, they took their seats at the head table.
Rev. M'Bemba asked a blessing on the food and on the newlyweds.
The young couple were sent through the buffet line first, followed by their families. It was a feast fit for royalty, reflecting the multicultural make-up of this large, extended family. Everything was carefully labeled so there would be no surprises. No one would accidentally ingest cinnamon of chocolate. The caterers had carefully placed the meat dishes in a separate area of the tent.
Sirin and Rachel's little Hannah had not encountered many Vulcans in her short life. She was accustomed to seeing both her physician parents in trousers everyday. This was the first time she had seen her father in formal Vulcan robes. As she sat at the table between her father and her Uncle Sarek, she couldn't help but comment.
"Daddy, I like your dress, but Uncle Sarek's is prettier."
Rachel gasped. They had forgotten to explain the formal robes to their two-year-old daughter.
Sarek raised an eyebrow, but decided to accept the compliment in the spirit in which it was given.
"Thank you, Hannah. Your dress is very nice, also."
T'Sela and T'Pau regarded him with merry eyes.
While everyone was finished eating, Alhamisi stood and cleared his throat. His children all groaned, expecting a long speech.
"Spock, welcome to the family, my son. Be happy together, my children. Now, let's eat cake."
It was a traditional Western-style multi-tiered cake, lemon with white icing and multicolored icing orchids. The bride and groom were custom-made by a local wood carver. M'Umbha gave her photos of the young couple and described their wedding attire. It was a beautiful keepsake.
Spock and Nyota fed each other cake. At this reception it was a solemn moment. Then the feeding frenzy at the dessert table started.
T'Rysa and Stohl were having the time of their lives, however it was almost too much for them. They had never stayed in a hotel before, never had maid service or eaten food that someone else has cooked. The couple was proud to be included in the wedding festivities. It is not the Vulcan way to include one's servants. Osu Spock's wife Nyota was not a Vulcan, but she was every inch a lady, much as his mother was. He had chosen wisely.
T'Sela was finding this reception every bit as entertaining as the one on the ship had been. On the Enterprise, she had sensed that Spock and Nyota's friends had been on their best behavior. However, those who had come to Africa on leave now seemed a little more relaxed. It was especially amusing to watch James Kirk.
Nyota caught him making a pass at one of her cousins. She took the young woman, Lesha, aside and told her of Jim's three ex-wives and seven children. Of course none of it was true, but her cousin did not know this. She avoided Jim like the plague for the rest of the evening, as did all the other single women at the reception.
While T'Sela did not entirely approve of Nyota's methods, she did understand her intentions. From other conversations T'Sela had overheard while on the ship, she had deduced that James Kirk was a man given to lustful desires, not interested in long term commitments. Young females should be protected from him.
T'Sela musings on James Kirk were interrupted by Nyota's brother Erevu, who brought the bride and groom a large, decorated basket. He sat it down on the table between the couple and informed them that it contained their wedding gifts.
Spock and Nyota had asked that the words "no gifts, please" be included on the invitations, but Alhamisi refused to do this. "It will offend people!" he protested. Instead, he and M'Umbha issued a reminder that the couple lived aboard a starship, in very small quarters. Accounts were set up for the newlyweds with Van Campen's in San Francisco and Nebula Galactic, the largest discount retailer in the Alpha Quadrant. The wedding guests were generous to the tune of several thousand credits.
T'Sela had noticed that many of the older guests were starting to leave. With so many in attendance, it had been difficult for Spock and Nyota to visit with everyone. They took a few moments to chat with each of the departing guests, most of whom gave the newlywed a blessing that involved children.
Sarek overheard some of these and was amused by his own thoughts.
"If they are blessed with even a quarter of the offspring that have been wished upon them, they will have to add on to Amanda's house!"
Yet these blessings were comforting to Sarek. Many people from many different cultures had the same hopes for his children as he.
Spock and Nyota slipped away to the cottage to change their attire. The rest of the evening called for clothing they could move in. They were back within minutes.
Apparently Leonard McCoy sometimes forgot just how sensitive Vulcan hearing was. He made a very interesting comment to Montgomery Scott.
"Four point six three minutes. That's not enough time to run all the way to their cottage, change clothes, and get in a quickie. You owe me 50 credits!
Not long ago, during an Embassy banquet, T'Sela had learned what a quickie involved. Dr. McCoy was correct. There had been insufficient time for such activities.
It was the part of the evening Admiral Pike had been waiting for. The dancing! Alhamisi had hired a professional who would search for and play any music in her data base. Pike loved to dance. Nyota had a widowed aunt, a lovely woman who was just about the right age. They kept each other company for the rest of the evening.
It was neither logical nor required here, but it was pleasant. Besides, Spock and Nyota were the focus of this gathering. No one would pay attention to Sarek and T'Sela if they danced, a simple celebration of the new life they would bring into being.
When they had first visited Terra after their bonding, Sarek had taught T'Sela to waltz. However, no waltzes had been played at this reception. So Sarek taught T'Sela a new dance, one where they embraced each other closely and moved in time to music with a slower tempo.
"It is called a slow dance." he told her.
That was an interesting name, for T'Sela found that the activity actually made her pulse quicken. Sometimes she wondered about Terrans and the things they found acceptable to do in public!
And then, almost as though someone had read her thoughts, the music tempo changed.
"My wife, let us return to our seats. I have not yet taught you the tango."
This must be another style of dance. T'Sela eagerly looked forward to observing it.
Nyota loved to dance and Spock could deny her nothing, not even the tango. It was beautiful and erotic, as sexy as one dare get fully clothed in a room full of people. Clearly they had practiced it together repeatedly. Their faces are nearly expressionless, but the eyes reveal that they burned for one another. It was a contagious type of fire.
T'Sela watched them and was suddenly fanning herself.
"It is too warm in here." she told her husband.
"Perhaps we should return to the cottage before T'Pau retires."
Sarek's meaning was quite clear. No one noticed as they slipped away, or so they thought.
T'Pau was not likely to retire any time soon. Though she was as old as Akeelah and Adilah combined, they were at the same life stage. All three were widows with much life experience in common. Some things transcended cultures. They were kindred spirits.
It was now late enough for the newlyweds to retire without offending their guests. Spock knew that Jim, Bones, and Scotty had to relocate their campsite due to the attack of the acacia ants. He did not know, however, that their new location was less than ten meters from the cottage where he and Nyota were staying. It was well past dark, so the tents could not be seen. Besides, the couple had other things on their mind. The night was warm and the cottage a little stuffy. Spock opened a window and then became somewhat …...distracted. He forgot to close it.
Panting, Sarek rolled over to his own side of the bed, but held onto his wife's fingers. He had forgotten just how rewarding "Le-matyas By the Stream" could be. T'Sela was breathless as well. They lay there in silence for several minutes. As she was in the early stages of pregnancy, T'Sela had a heightened sense of smell. The aroma of lovemaking hung heavily about the bedroom and would soon permeate the entire small house.
"My husband, we need to air out the cottage before your mother returns. Otherwise this might prove embarrassing."
Sarek took a deep breath and agreed that she was correct. He opened the window.
Spock waited as patiently as possible for Nyota to get out of the shower. After they had left the reception and engaged in several moments of passionate embraces, she had said that she felt "funky" after a busy day and an evening of dancing. Personally, he thought Nyota felt just fine, but her comfort was important to him, especially tonight. Tonight was "fantasy fulfillment" night. Perhaps he should shower also.
After Akeelah and Adilah left for the night, T'Pau decided it might be best if she retired, too. Sirin saw his grandmother rise and decided it might be a good time for he and Rachel to approach her.
"Grandmother, may we walk you to your cottage? Rachel and I would like to speak to you about making our bonding official."
"That would be most acceptable, my children, both the escort and the bonding."
Spock stepped out of the shower, eager to comply with Nyota's instructions that he put on what she left for him on the door hook. He was momentarily confused when he found only a large, bright red bow attached to some sort of elastic loop. He had seen Nyota pull her hair back with similar items, but his hair was short in the traditional Vulcan bowl-cut. Where was he supposed to put this? Ah, at last understanding dawned.
T'Pau listened at the door carefully before she entered the cottage. She had seen Sarek and T'Sela leave the reception and had noted the twinkle in her son's eye. All was quiet, so she went in. She smiled ever so slightly to herself as she sat in a rocker and pulled out her knitting. The meditation incense the two were now burning had not quite covered the evidence.
Such enthusiasm might lead to even more grandchildren in the future.
T'Pau was still knitting in her rocker when Sarek and T'Sela came into the sitting room.
"I trust your.....meditation was profitable, my children." T'Pau spoke this with a twinkle in her eye.
"Indeed, we found it most enlightening, Mother."
T'Sela said nothing but the contented look on her face spoke volumes. She picked up her sketch pad and pastels, adding color to her preliminary sketch of Spock and Nyota's wedding portrait. She was still undecided as to what medium she would use.
Nyota greatly enjoyed her wedding present, the one with the big red bow on it. She and Spock lay quietly in each others arms for a few minutes, just listening to each others' heart beats and sending loving thoughts through their bond. The loving thoughts turned to impressions, then images....
"Okay, okay, Spock, my love. It's your turn now. Tell me what you need....."
T'Sela stopped sketching and glanced at her husband. Had she heard that correctly? Sarek put his PADD down in mid sentence. He had forgotten to close the window. Now he heard his son Spock making a rather interesting request of his bond-mate. He had to give the boy credit for imagination and creativity. Sarek had lived nearly seventy years longer than Spock, but that particular activity had never occurred to him! He hurried to close the window, hoping T'Pau had not heard.
T'Pau was old, no doubt. She had arthritis and wore magnifiers for fine work. However, her hearing was undiminished. She stopped her knitting for a moment, a faraway look in her eyes. Then she spoke.
"The boy is so like his grandfather."
Jim and Bones were sitting in camp chairs outside Bones' tent, enjoying their third "little nip" when it started. There was growling and grunting and somebody saying something in another language. They finally figured out that it was Spock and that he was speaking Vulcan. The grunts and moans made it sound like he might be …..Well, it was his and Nyota's wedding night!
"What's he saying, Jim? You're the one who's taking the Vulcan course."
"I don't know. I haven't learned all those words yet. He's making a request for touching and …."
Jim reached in his bag for the PADD with the Vulcan-to-Standard dictionary and entered the words he didn't know. He waited for the response and then showed it to Bones.
"Wow! That gives me a whole new respect for the hobgoblin! What a guy!"
"Not so loud, Bones. We don't want him to hear us and shut the window. Then what would we do for entertainment?"
The "entertainment" was still going on when Scotty returned an hour later, covered in lipstick and hickeys. He had spent some rather pleasant time with one of Nyota's neighbors, a young lady named Angela. Scotty pulled up his own chair and listened for awhile.
"Do ye think that was a sehlat or a le-matya?" he asked, remembering the book from Spock's quarters.
"Which ever, they're makin' beautiful music together!"
It was not quite so beautiful two hours later, when the trio were woken from their rest by the newlyweds, going for another round.
What could their friends do? They were stuck with a sleepless night. If they pounded on the cottage door, Spock and Nyota would know that they had been listening. This would make for embarrassment the whole way round. There was nothing for it but to grit their teeth and cover their ears!
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 it 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! This was, 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."
Sarek prepared to open the cottage door, setting the breakfast tray on the small table on the porch. Something caught his attention, however. Sarek was not the only one who enjoyed teasing Spock.
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 were 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 gave Spock a mug of tea to accompany the sympathy he suddenly felt 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."
When Sarek had not returned with breakfast, T'Sela went to investigate and found her husband sitting on the porch. He urged her to take a seat and then poured her a cup of tea.
"This morning has so far proven to be as entertaining as last night."
Sarek resumed his seat as he saw his son leave the Uhura house and step back out onto the patio. Something must have happened inside the house to change Spock's attitude. His son was standing tall, no longer blushing with embarrassment.
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 nodded to his father and T'Sela as he passed.
Sarek was pleased. Amanda would have said that Spock could give as good as he got.
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. Sirin detected the distinct aroma of chocolate in the room. Aha!
"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. Often, there had been chocolate involved. Now they were up with the dawn every morning.
They all checked out of their rooms and loaded themselves and their gear into the van. They would go to the Uhuras' to pick up Grandmother T'Pau, who would accompany them back to San Francisco. Sarek and T'Sela have decided to visit Greece and Italy for a few days. T'Sela had always wanted to do this and it would be much easier now than after they have a child.
T'Pau put the last of the fringes on the lace shawl she had knitted for M'Umbha. She put her needles back into her tote. Everything else was packed, waiting to be loaded when Sirin came for her. She had exchanged comm information with Akeelah and Adilah, and they each promised to contact the others if there was news of a great-grandchild.
There was a knock at the door, 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 heard the van pull up, so Spock helped 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 were having trouble fitting all of their gear into the tiny two-seater. Spock helped them load it more efficiently. This time there was nothing tied on top of the roof.
Jim grinned 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 and T'Sela enjoyed a cup of tea with Alhamisi and M'Umbha. Once again they thanked Nyota's parents for their kind hospitality. T'Sela made certain to compliment M'Umbha on the attractiveness of the the home in general and the guest cottage in particular. She had felt very welcome indeed.
In return, M'Umbha thanked T'Sela for the holopics of the young couple from their bonding ceremony and a sketch T'Sela had made of them exchanging their vows in their dress uniforms.
Sarek issued an invitation for the Uhuras to visit him and T'Sela on New Vulcan.
Alhamisi smiled.
"Perhaps we will take you up on that one day. As a youngster, I visited Shi'Kahr and the VSA. I hope to see it rebuilt someday."
"That is our hope as well."
Then 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."
Spock was a careful driver, not one to engage in conversation. There were many vehicles on the road, no doubt doing last minute errands because it was Christmas Eve.
When they arrived at the shuttle terminal, Spock helped his father sort the baggage, taking the ones that would be shipped to San Francisco. Stohl would claim those later. Then Spock returned to Sarek and T'Sela. Sarek handed him an envelope.
"This is for you and Nyota, a little something for your honeymoon."
"Thank you, Father." Spock tucked the gift into his pocket. He would share it with Nyota later.
"May you and T'Sela have a safe journey. Live long and prosper."
"Peace and long life, my son."
They exchanged salutes and then Spock left. Nyota's mother had a busy day planned for the young couple.
The trip from Kisumu to Nairobi was very brief. Sarek and T'Sela enjoyed a little lunch at the cafe before catching the shuttle for Rome. Once on board, T'Sela took a deep breath and relaxed.
"The bonding and weddings have been most enjoyable, my husband. However, I am looking forward to some peace and quiet."
Sarek was about to remind T'Sela that they were headed to the seat of Western Christianity on one of the holiest days of the year. However, she had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder.
TBC