-1Part 93

Mestral rose early and made breakfast. He looked up to see Zephraim wander in. His eldest son looked tired but happy as he poured himself a glass of juice.

"Morning." Came the mumbled greeting

"It is a lovely morning the sun shall be rising in 5.3 minutes. Why have you risen so early?" Mestral asked it was not his son's habit to wake before 7 am.

"I promised to pick up Heather and go for a drive and picnic. We wanted to discuss our plans. I think she might want to set a date for the wedding. Then we have to discuss how to inform her family."

"Perhaps it would be wise to invite her parents to dinner. Your mother would be pleased to lend her support as would I."

Zephraim smiled. "I would like that. I will suggest it to Heather."

Mestral nodded as he put the fruit on a plate. He watched as Zephraim began to prepare eggs. He said nothing as he noted the boy was making enough for two. Clearly he intended to make Maggie breakfast. He was pleased to note Zephraim was making tea as well. There was a peaceful silence as the two men worked to prepare breakfast. Mestral was proud of Zephraim and sometimes wished he had acted on his feeling sooner. However he had only been attempting to keep Maggie safe.

Mestral heard the cry of Seth and stopped cutting the fruit. "I have to check your brother."

"Let me help you. Mom could use some rest." Zephraim said

They walked together to the babies room. Mestral was not surprised to see Maggie was already up and attending to Samuel.

"Sorry I could only take them one at a time." Maggie held her youngest close as he nursed.

Zephraim looked away and blushed deeply.

Mestral however found the sight quite pleasing. The baby was clearly content and his little hands clung to his mother. It was clear that mother and child were bonding. Mestral went over and picked up Seth. He had woken only minutes after Samuel but he would have to wait. Mestral lifted him up easily and softly talked to him. "Be at ease my son. Your mother will attend you in a few minutes." He rocked the baby and was rather shocked to feel him routing around for sustenance. "My son I am not equipped to feed you."

Zephraim began to laugh. "Mom we need to get some bottles and formula."

"Maybe we can go shopping for it latter. I have the bottles what I need is the formula."

"Do you not wish to nurse our children?"

"Mestral the boys may need more then I can provide. Brother Jung was concerned so he suggested we supplement the feedings with a bottle. Besides if we bottle feed them you can help and so can Zephraim."

'Mom the boys are cute but … I do not want to drop them or something." Zephraim said

Maggie laughed and said "You had better get practice honey. Remember if you get married babies are a part of it."

Zephraim blushed at her teasing even as he considered she did have a point. "Maybe."

Mestral brow rose in confusion. "How is it-"

Zephraim retreated to the kitchen not wanting to hear his mother explain about the birds and the bees. He shook his head at his father's nativity. They had twins surely he knew how they came about?" He chuckled.

Maggie looked at Mestral her own amusement growing. She listened.

"How is it he can have a family so soon. He is only 18. Even if they wed at 20 he will be to young to have a family."

Maggie began to smile. "Mestral humans mature faster then your people. I could have had a baby at 14 years old had I a mate or been married."

He looked at her. "How I do not understand."

"Vulcans need Ponn Farr humans do not. We the female may become pregnant once a month after we reach maturity until we stop in middle age. "

"So then you could have more children?"

"Only if you wish them." Maggie said. "Though a year or so between might be wise."

"Only a year?" Mestral said then he thought about Matt and Maria. It began to make some sense to him.

Maggie just smiled.

TBC….