Let's Go Thataway!
Chapter Fifty-two - Visiting with Family
Enterprise
Early June 2268
Spock
When the groundcar pulled into the loading area on the side of the Embassy, Spock climbed out and assisted Nyota out onto the walkway. Sarek retrieved the luggage from the cargo area and turned the groundcar over to the young Vulcan male waiting there. They entered the building and crossed the wide lobby to the turbolifts. While they waited there, Sarek spoke to Spock. "I will show you the quarters that have been assigned to you. Then, after you have had a chance to unpack and refresh yourselves, Elinor would like for you to come to our quarters to get acquainted in person."
Spock looked at Nyota, who smiled and nodded. "We will welcome this opportunity to meet your bondmate and my new brother in person, father. It will not take us long, Nyota is a skilled packer."
Nyota giggled at this, and Sarek raised one eyebrow. Sometimes he did not understand his son at all.
The turbolift doors opened and the three stepped in, exiting on the floor where most of the staff quarters were. Sarek gestured at one door, which the other two recognized at once. "Since you are familiar with this suite, and it has no permanent occupant, I was able to secure it for you. Whenever you need accommodations here in San Francisco, you will be given this same suite - until it becomes too small for your family." The corners of his mouth quirked up and Nyota grinned at him.
They entered, and Sarek set the luggage on the bench at the end of the bed. "Spock, I am sure you remember where our family suite is, so I will leave you to settle in. Come whenever you are ready." With that, he nodded at them and turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Nyota unsealed the duffels and started lifting things out and handing them to Spock. He put the stacks of underwear in the dresser in the same order that they used on the Enterprise. He put the shoes on the floor of the closet. And then he brought her the hangers from the closet and they began to hang up the clothing. Soon the large duffel was empty and he folded it down and set it on the shelf of the closet. Nyota carried the small duffel into the bathroom and began to empty it out. She found her earring case and handed it to Spock, who carried it back into the bedroom and set it on the dresser. When he came back, she handed him his stack of technical journal PADDs which he carried into the living area and set on the low table in front of the couch. Nyota brought him the empty duffel and he put it on the shelf with the large one. The unpacking was finished.
Nyota went back into the bathroom and he could hear the water running. Surely she did not intend to take a shower now? He poked his head around the edge of the doorjamb and watched her washing her face and neck. He leaned against the opening and watched her, seeing her belly move. "He is active."
"Yes, he is that. He thinks it's time to play."
He moved the short distance between them, wrapping himself around her, and splayed his hands across her belly, feeling his son move against his hands. He nuzzled against her neck and she sighed happily. They stood like that for a short time, and then she turned her face to him. "They are waiting for us."
"You are right. We should go now." He released her and straightened up, going into the living area to retrieve the door wand. He extended his hand, and she linked her fingers through his, and they exited their suite, headed down the hall.
When they arrived at the familiar door, he touched the chime button, and Sarek opened the door almost immediately. He motioned them in, leading them into the living area, where Elinor was seated on the couch, her two-and-a-half year old son on her lap. Nyota immediately headed in that direction, and Spock provided assistance in settling her down on the couch. It was getting harder and harder for her to get up and down without help. When she was settled, he took a seat in one of the chairs opposite the couch, while Sarek took the other. It took very little time at all for Nyota to charm Sapok into laughing at her. The four adults sat and chatted, at ease. It was not as though they were total strangers, for there had been many sub-space calls over the past four years, but this was the first time they had all been in the same room at the same time.
About an hour after Spock and Nyota arrived, there was another chime at the door. Sarek rose and went to the door, and Selek and Durra came through, each carrying a small boy. Nyota burst into happy tears, reaching out her arms to her aunt, who perched on the edge of the low table before the couch, smiling at her. "We surprised you, didn't we?"
"Oh, you did! We didn't know you would be here, too." She looked at the six-month old Smark in Durra's arms. "Oh, he's so cute! And Senek has grown so much!"
The three-year-old Senek was standing in front of Spock, staring at him. Then he turned and stared at his father, then back to Spock. He reached out one hand toward Spock, who extended two fingers to him. Senek touched Spock's fingers, looking down at their hands, and then he looked back to his father again, questions in his eyes. Selek knelt down beside his son. "This is your kinsman, Spock."
Senek looked at the two men. "Sa-mekh!"
Selek shook his head. "Children are very perceptive." Spock could only agree with him.
Elinor set Sapok down on the floor, and he toddled directly to Senek, who turned when he saw him coming and reached out to offer a hug. Sapok tugged at Senek, and pulled him over to a corner of the room, where there were some toys on the floor. The two boys settled down to play, ignoring the adults.
Spock looked from the boys back to the couch and observed that Nyota had the baby cuddled to her shoulder. A wave of warmth went through his body. Soon she would be holding their son in that manner. She glanced up at him and smiled, acknowledging his thought. It was a good thought, a good feeling. He relaxed in his chair, surrounded by family, thoroughly at peace.
