Prepare Yourself
The com-unit chimed, and, answering it, he found Murron smiling at him. "Murron. It is agreeable to see you again."
"You also," she smiled at the courtesy. "Ken asked me to confirm that you will arrive at the shuttle pad tomorrow afternoon at 1600 hours."
"Affirmative."
"He will be waiting for you. Sarek, on another matter, I need to let you know that Will's health is declining. He has lost a lot of weight", she paused momentarily, "and we are beginning to see the effects of the tumor."
"Elucidate."
"He is sleeping more, and he is also having difficulties with spatial coordination. We ate dinner with them tonight, and I watched him trying to open the door at the restaurant." She sighed, her eyes welling. "He kept trying to grasp the doorknob, but he could not reach it. Anna had to guide his hand to actually make contact with it."
Sarek listened silently, contemplating Anna's preservation of dignity.
"He is having severe headaches now, too. He won't ask for medication – he is too stubborn. Emma's going to know as soon as she is near him. Sarek, try to prepare her for this. It's going to be a shock. We're more accustomed to it, we see him each day."
Ken joined Murron at the unit and offered a poorly performed ta'al to Sarek in greeting.
"I don't think I'll ever get that right, it's the effort that counts," he smiled. "Congratulations on the Verellian Treaty. Whatever you said to old Fol'vin must have been pretty important. He has always been a hard one to work with, very unpredictable.
"Most kind. I would speak on another matter with you both. Regarding Jenny – has she chosen a university yet?" he asked.
"Not yet. She doesn't feel she's found the right fit," Ken answered.
"I have a solution I would ask you to consider," he paused, approaching the topic carefully. "After our conversation regarding her desire to study astrophysics, I made an inquiry on her academic performance, and contacted a colleague at the Vulcan Science Academy.
"After speaking with him about her situation, I forwarded her academic record to him. After careful evaluation, he has confirmed a place for her in the Astrophysics program to begin next year."
Ken and Murron just looked at one another and then back to him.
"I assure you only relevant information was submitted to the committee," he said.
"Committee?" Murron asked, her eyebrows rising. "What committee?"
"The special admissions committee is comprised of instructors and administrators at the science academy who evaluate the applications of non-Vulcan students. They recommended she be admitted, with reservation," he replied.
"On what grounds?" Ken asked.
"Her inability to communicate in Vulkahnsu. They will accept her in next year's class, if she begins intensive language study immediately. While Standard is spoken in nearly all classrooms, it is highly advisable that she undertake a study of the language. As her advocate, it will become my responsibility to ensure she does so, should she decide to attend."
"Sarek, this is quite generous and I want the best for her, but we must consider a place to live, expenses, not to mention she will be on a planet far, far away from us."
"I have anticipated the variables that would affect the family's decision. I would ask you to allow her to come to San Francisco with us. I will ensure her needs and safety are provided for. This will allow her to begin her language studies in an immersive environment, and start preparatory coursework for the academy.
"Although exact plans are not made yet, Emma and I will return to Vulcan late summer, upon completion of the first phase of the Interchange Directive. Jenny is welcome in our home. I ask that we discuss the possibility further during our visit," he finished.
Returning to the living room to find her asleep, he knelt down by the sofa to untangle her nightgown from the cushions. He rested his hand gently on her abdomen, and a tiny presence brushed his consciousness for a moment, only primal sensations and concepts moving by very slowly, one at a time.
…warm …safe …move…
When she opened her eyes, she found him kneeling next to her, his hand over their baby, and his gaze fixed intently at it. Both eyebrows disappeared slowly into his hair, and she thought she saw a smile forming.
"Find something?" she asked in quiet amusement.
His gaze never leaving her stomach, he nodded and whispered. "Emma, do you sense it?"
/Emma – listen carefully…do you hear it?/
She focused her mind and then it happened: the most basic concepts and actions reverberated across the meld.
…hear…sounds…stretch…listen…curious…
/Sarek, is that…?/ she asked, realizing the beauty of the interaction.
/Yes./
Sarek projected a sense of paternal protection across the meld, gently soothing the listening mind of the infant.
…Deep Sound…safe…secure…
/Emma, try./
…stretch…listen…curious
She projected pure, maternal affection, enveloping the essence of the child.
…Soft Sound…wanted…sleep…
Sarek gently removed his hands from her and sat back on the floor, decidedly pleased with what had taken place. It was the first true smile she had ever seen on his face. She sat up and reached her hand to his.
"That just happened, didn't it?" she asked.
"Ha, it did."
"I know we decided to not learn the baby's gender, but I think I would like to know. After that, I can't not know, and please forgive the double negative," she smiled.
"We shall inquire in the morning."