Arrivals
When Spock and Nyota materialized at the Nairobi transporter station they went to secure their rental air/land vessel and Spock punched in the Uhura compound coordinates and then they strapped themselves in for their short ride.
At a point not too far away from the main house Benjamin had set aside an area for all vehicles to park and Spock noted this as he circled the area. He sat their craft down secured their sparse luggage and he and Nyota walked towards the house.
M'muba had heard their approach and came out onto the veranda. Once she recognized her baby daughter she quickly climbed down the steps and walked towards her first visitors.
"My baby."
Nyota blushed with that welcome and after kissing her mother said,
"Now really Mom, that 'baby bit' is kind of old."
"No matter how old you get, in the chronology of this family that statement will remain true."
Smiling M'muba turned to her son-in-law and said,
"Please do what you can to keep her calmed down, she is quite excitable, you know."
"Indeed."
"Welcome, my son, your presence honors us."
Spock's response was gracious,
"We are grateful for your hospitality and look forward to the arrival of the rest of the family."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Of course Jabari and Rhin's arrival would not be quite as simple. Jabari had issued credits to his crew, advised them of safe locations to house themselves, and warned them of the underlying criminal element present in every large city. They knew the location of his warehouse and he advised them that the security guards at this place would be advised to assist them if there was a problem. The guard's communication system had a direct line to a dedicated com and would always be able to reach him.
Of course, Jabari held his breath as his declaration papers were submitted and reviewed. The security guard's nod empowered him and he replied in Swahili. The language had been unused for so long that it sounded almost foreign to him and brought on a feeling of melancholy,
"Thank you my brother."
Jabari, who never forgot a face, noticed familiar features on the young guard's visage and was also aided by the guard's identification badge, so he asked,
"Are you related to Joshua Umbasi?"
"I am his youngest son."
"I graduated third level school with your father. How is he?"
The man bowed his head and said,
"My father passed, three years ago."
Jabari borrowed the Vulcan phase, "'I grieve with thee,'" My condolences to your family."
Jabari then wondered, how many of the ones he had associated with in his youth were still here, either alive, or still here in USA
His ship was cleared and secured, he and his crew were directed to the shuttle rental service and they went their separate ways.
Once he and Rhinn were strapped in he entered his home com's number and Benjamin image filled the screen,
"Hi Dad."
"Son, I am pleased to see your face. Where are you?"
"My wife and I are on our way to the cabin. I will sit the craft down there, unload and then come up to the house."
"Jabari, Spock and Nyota are here with us. We all await you at the front of the house."
By his father's statement he knew that his siblings, their wives and children would all be housed in the family home. He knew that he and Rhin would be welcomed there also, but...
After one swift turn to view the compound area, he landed the shuttle and he walked to the cabin and bent down to retrieve the key from under the mat. He took Rhin's hand and led her into what was to be their private space. He then unloaded the shuttle, hung up their clothes and sat Rhin down. He knelt before her and said,
"My parents are anxious to see me, I guess my entire family is. But, I will not loose track of the time and I will bring food to you. Should I bring Nyota back with me?
There was hesitation.
"Alright that can wait for later."
"Ree. I have to start somewhere, Nyota is welcome."
He kissed the top of her head and said,
"This is a fenced compound, and this cabin is extremely isolated, if you want to sit outside, nothing or no one will infringe on your privacy."
Her lips tight with anxiety, she looked up and nodded.
Jabari groaned and raised her out of the chair by her elbows and smoothed back her hair,
"Babe, it will only be with your approval that anyone comes here. That is my promise."
She planted a kiss on his lips and said,
"And that is my promise."
Jabari then knew he had to get out of that cabin quickly, or there would be a long delay, pecked her on the cheek and left.
In her husband's absence Rhin went to the sanitary facility and made a shocking discovery. There at the base of her abdomen was the sign, a round black dot. She quickly rearranged her clothing. What had she done wrong? What had they done differently? She had no answer, but she knew the sign was irreparable.
Deep in thought she decided to leave the cabin and stood on the porch and heard a variety of bird then saw their colorful route from tree to tree. She looked up at the fluffy clouds racing across the sky and as she turned to walk she discovered some small creeping creasure, each one with a leaf cutting held high over their heads almost like umbrella. She squatted and observed their endless parade and was totally fascinated. For one who had spent their entire life either in places that denied the existence of beauty and chose only the functional or in the cold beauty of space, these things had an emotion tug.
She finally returned to the cabin and knew that she had to talk to someone. At that point she felt emotionally drawn and extremely tired. She was glad she had told Jabari that Nyota could visit her. Rhin sat on their bed and unzipped her boots, she allowed them to drop haphazzradly to the floor, drew her legs up , covered herself, and closed her eyes. Fatique allowed her to drift into a dreamless sleep.
His parents, Nyota and Spock were seated on the patio in front of the house talking when his booming voice was heard from the clearing,
"Mad Dog, are you up to the challenge. My game has improved considerably since our initial competition. I have played with all sorts of off-worlders who were great strategists, Brother, prepare to be vanquished."
His mother let out a scream and his sister did likewise,
When Spock looked, both his wife and mother-in-law were embracing Jabari's neck for he had picked up both of them. He strengthened his shields and with a raised eyebrow countered,
"But nowhere in your travels have you encountered another 'mad dog' to bring you a true challenge.
His laugh was Spock's answer.
Placing the woman on their feet he eyed Spock,
"I see my sister is treating you well. You certainly are not 'all tensed up' anymore… Seriously Spock, it is so good to see you. By the way, thank you for your help a while back. The information you sent solved a big problem.
All the while the brother-in-laws were becoming reacquainted, Benjamin had stood by. He sensed his son's hesitation so he stepped forward and placed his arm across his shoulder and said,
"Welcome back Son, it is wonderful to see you."
Jabari spun on his feet to face his father, his eyes misty. He bit his lips and finally was able to voice,
"Dad, I am so glad to see you," After a deep sigh, "I am so happy to be home." Then Benjamin's grown warrior son, embraced his father, put his head down on his shoulders and trembled, grateful that his life had been spared to experience this moment.
"Benjamin held him close and guided him toward the house.
"Come on, let us all go into the house."
M'muba said, "A hot cup of blossom tea should 'hit the spot.'
Spock leaned over to Nyota and whispered,
"What spot must be hit.?"
"Mom just means, it will be what we will enjoy right now."
Her husband nodded in understanding and placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her toward the house and their bedroom.
After tea Spock returned to their room to meditate and possibly to avoid private family conversation.
Benjamin addressed his son,
"Son, You look well and rested, apparently married life agrees with you."
"Yes, Dad, my wife fills my every need. So I must agree, married life does agree with me. I am at last settled in heart and mind, I never thought I would see that in my life."
Nyota then asked,
"How is Rhin?"
"Scared, scared to death."
Turning to his father he said,
"My wife has been through unimaginable horrors that have scarred her physically, mentally and emotionally. I saved her life, but I never wanted her to feel obligated to me in any way. She was aboard as my ship's engineer.
I eventually gained her trust and finally she accepted my love. I will do nothing to betray her trust in me so my promise to her is if and when she is ready you will all meet her.
Mom, she is as beautiful as our Ny, and like my sister, oh, so brilliant."
He bowed his head in thought and his eyes had a twinkle when he finally said,
"I bet she could beat Spock in chess."
Jabari contnued,
"Her past experiences have made her a creature of solitude. Her trust extends only to myself and my small crew. Her life's experiences have not lent themselves to the creation of a person who has confidence in others. She has met Nyota already and has agreed to see her.
By the way I purchased some cloth to have her two clan outfits made. Do you think Rachel Umboli could take care of that for me. Rhin and Ny are the same size, so if she took those measurements from Nyota's outfit, it would work. I am hoping she will come to the presentation of the children. At least, that is what I hope.…"
Nyota stood behind her brother and grasped his shoulders,
"I will talk to her. She must understand she is safe here, with us"
Jabari was about to turn his head so as to kiss his sister's hand and thought better of it, there would be a third party to that interchange and there was no need to upset Spock, that would have to wait until the chess game. He thought again, from his knowledge, the only thing that could really upset a Vulcan would have to do with his wife, or perhaps his mother or anything that he felt protective toward. Losing a chess game would not be on the list showing, 'What Upsets a Vulcan'.
Rising from his chair he looked at his mother and pointed to the pots on the stove, M'muba nodded. Jabari lifted the tops and the most wonderful aromas filled the room.
"Mom, may I take food back to the cabin?"
"Of course dear. There is also food that can be prepared in the refrigeration unit and a stove for your use."
"A 'home cooked meal,' thank you Mom."
His mother went to the cabinet and took out containers for travel and filled each one and placed it in a bag for Jabari to take with him.
"Don't let your wife become hungry."
Nyota replied,
"Tell her I will come to see her as soon as we here have eaten."
Jabari nodded.
When he reached the cabin he discovered Rhin asleep in the bed. He caressed her face and said,
"I have brought us something to eat."
She reached up and placed her warm hand at the back of his neck and drew him down to a tender kiss and whispered,
"I went outside and saw the most beautiful birds, and then I saw insects carrying leafy umbrellas,* and smelled the most beautiful flowers. Jabari, why did you leave such a beautiful home?"
He answered,
"To find you."
Her response to his answer was most gratifying.
The meal had to be heated up and they were in the midst of eating when there was a slight tap on the door,
"Who goes?"
"Nyota."
Rhin hesitated with her food just at her lips, sighed and continued to eat.
Jabari straightened his clothing and went to the door.
She stood at the door and looked up at him with eyes that questioned. He bent down and gave his customary bear hug and said,
"Welcome to the private estate of Mr. and Mrs. Jabari Uhura. Walk this way."
To lighten the mood, Jabari then did an excellent imitation of a gorilla's walk and Rhin smiled and Nyota laughed.
Nyota then went and knelt at Rhin's side and held her hand,
"Welcome to our family and welcome to Kenya."
Tears formed in both women's eyes and Nyota opened her palms beseechingly toward her sister-in-law who became the recipient of Nyota's loving hug.
They then settled down to enjoy what Rhin would eventually come to know as 'girl talk.' This would be the first such experience of Rhin's life. In Nyota's mind all this was a positive.
She encouraged Rhin by saying,
"What questions do you need to have answered"
Taking this as his cue Jabari said,
I will leave you two to talk and go find my chess challenger.
