Thank you for your continued support, and if you are still reading this story, well done!
Some more domesticity and getting to know each other better. Another case of I had better post or the story won't move forward, bearing in mind we still have to goto Vulcan and, hopefully, there will be the sound of baby feet on the way as well...
Notes
Vesht-ha-kov shi'kar - Fossil hunting
K'diwa - beloved
Ashaya - a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person (noun)
Skerrs - Old Norse sker, which means a rock in the sea
Chapter 69 - Vesht-ha-kov shi'kar
Saturday 25th September 2230 - Rose Cottage
Sordd looked out the kitchen window, it was a clear sunny day, which was fortuitous as they were going on a field trip to the beach. He knew by now that on Earth sunny did not necessarily correlate with being warm, especially not on the East coast of England, 'bracing' would be the word Hugh, Mimi's father, would use to describe a day like today. He turned around and focused on the children in front of him, they were all dressed in their warmest attire, looking like they were having a field trip to Andoria as opposed to a field trip on a Northumbrian beach at the end of September.
Sordd took a few moments to gague the mental and emotional shields of his family, through their familial bond. Avarak's shields had been greatly strengthened as a result of the quieter day they had spent at the cottage yesterday, he was currently excited, but was managing to control the outward expression of that emotion. T'Shahel, was calm and serene, back to her usual default position after the conversation they had had yesterday which had grounded her, Sordd was inwardly pleased with this development. Mimi, he took a deep breath, any thought of Mimi caused him to have to gain his own emotional control never mind anyone else's around him. He knew this would settle in time when the bond between them was stronger, at the moment he had to deal with the bombardment of her emotions, which she had not learned to shield yet as well as his own. He was pleased to 'feel' that she was content. He turned around to watch her as she tied a red scarf around Avarak's neck, moving the knot close under his chin to keep him warm from the cold. She placed a matching beanie, on his head, making sure to cover over his ears. He was thankful for her, his Ashaya, and the the care and thoughtfulness she had towards his children. Avarak was wearing one of his excursion uniforms, with a few extra layers underneath. Sordd was reminded of the events from yesterday, another potential meltdown averted...
"Mimi," Sordd said as he approached her in the living room. She looked up from the book she was reading to meet his gaze, he noted the sparkle and warmth in her eyes. "There is a difficulty regarding the excursion tomorrow," he said in a neutral tone. He could sense through their bond that she deflated a little with this news, but he was unclear as to the reasons why.
He watched her as she steadied herself and took a deep breath before speaking, "What's the matter?" she asked tentatively, while biting her lip.
"It would appear that Avarak does not have any clean excursion uniforms for tomorrow," he replied. Through their bond he could sense, a wave of relief flowing over her as he said this. "I had packed extra, however, my calculations were wholly inaccurate," he paused before speaking, "he has used six excursion uniforms in three days, not including the day of the wedding." (It was not an unusual occurrence for Avarak to go through so many excursion uniforms as he enjoyed exploring the outdoors, Peter and Adam's influence seemed to add fuel to the fire. If you have ever had any dealings with young children you may be aware that depending on their age and stage you can never seem to pack enough clothes for them when going on vacation.)
"Six!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Yes," Sordd replied with an exasperated tone.
"It is an easy fix," she replied, "I was worried it was something to do with what happened at the wedding." In the back of her mind she was afraid the Terran authorities would come knocking on the door to arrest Sordd because of what had taken place, despite Sordd's reassurance that he had diplomatic immunity and that he was acting in self defence.
Sordd moved closer to her and extended his two fingers, "Aduna, you know you have not to worry about these things," he said as their fingers touched in a kiss.
"I know," she replied. "It's just hard not to."
He knelt down beside her, "I can help teach you some techniques to aid you, if you would like?" he asked while their fingers were still touching. Mimi smiled at him, she always felt better when he was close. "Maybe another time," she replied, "the kiss is sufficient for the moment." she leaned in to kiss him on the lips...
When they pulled apart, Mimi was first to speak, "Where are the clothes?" she asked. "I can put them in the pu-tor and they will be ready for the morning."
"I have given Avarak the task of collecting everything that needs washed as he tidies his room," Sorrd replied. As if on cue Avarak appeared at the door with a bundle of clothes in his arms. Mimi looked him over, the pile was so high she could hardly see his face. She looked at Sordd, who merely raised an eyebrow.
"I am sorry," came a serious but muffled sound from behind the pile of clothes. Mimi put the book she was reading down on the table and rose to her feet. She walked towards Avarak, to relieve him of his burden, desperately wanting to ruffle his hair like she would with one of her nephews to let him know that it was not a problem, but she knew that she shouldn't, so she smiled at him instead.
"It's an easy fix," she replied while taking the bundle of washing from his arms.
"Thank you," Avarak replied while straightening out his robe...
Sordd looked down at his own garments and arranged them appropriately before buttoning up his outer garment, underneath he was wearing more layers than he normally would. Hugh had given him a pair of socks which were a lot warmer than his usual ones, he made a mental note to order some more when he returned to the Embassy. Just as he had reached the buttons at the top of the outer garment, which had a flap that could be fastened so it wrapped around his neck, preventing the cold from getting in, he became aware that Mimi was now focusing her attention on him. He flushed slightly then stopped what he was doing and lifted up his head to meet her gaze, a feeling of warmth flooded over him, not an unusual response when it came to Mimi but still quite fascinating, he would meditate upon it later. She was holding up a blue woollen hat towards him, he was about to protest and insist that he would be warm enough with what he was wearing, however, before he could she had already started to place it on his head, he reveled in the fleeting touch of her warm hands on his bare skin, another sensation to add to the list for meditation. She then finished buttoning his outer garment. When she was satisfied that he was nice and cosy she patted him on the chest, while looking up into his eyes and smiling. Mimi then turned to T'Shahel and handed her a pair of earmuffs, which she put on while Mimi put on hers.
"Are we ready to go?" Mimi asked as she looked around the kitchen one more time, checking that everyone was wrapped up.
"Affirmative," Sordd, T'Shahel and Avarak replied in unison while each collecting their respective excursion bags.
"OK! Lets go!" Mimi said enthusiastically.
Before the words were out her mouth Avarak bolted out the door and shouted, "Shotgun!" T'Shahel quietly followed him on behind.
Sordd looked at Mimi and raised an eyebrow, "Shotgun is not a Vulcan expression. Do you have any idea what it means in the current context?" he asked.
"It's a game Peter and Adam play," Mimi replied, slightly embarrassed that a lot of terran games had violent overtones. Sordd's brows furrowed.
"Because Avarak was first to say 'shotgun' it means that he gets to sit in the front passenger seat," Mimi explained.
"Indeed," Sordd replied while raising an eyebrow, ""What is the origin of the phrase?" he asked.
"Riding shotgun refers to the front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver; so called because the position of the shotgun-armed guard on a horse-drawn stage-coach."
"A stage coach required an armed guard?" he asked, teasing her slightly.
"Yes," Mimi answered, "It was called the Wild West for good reason."
"Fascinating," he replied.
"Technically you are only supposed to play the game when only one adult is in the flitter. Seeing as I'm piloting, its up to you wether you ride shotgun or Avarak," Mimi said teasing him back.
They both followed Avarak and T'Shahel to the flitter that was parked outside...
*'*
It was a short journey to the beach where they were going to hunt fossils, Avarak rode shotgun. When they arrived, they all piled out and made their way along a coastal path, which meandered along the side of some barley fields. The sound of the ocean gradually getting louder and louder the closer they got to it. Eventually they came to an old wooden style which was smooth with age and use, they all clambered over the top and then followed the path which dropped down the side of the cliff, this required some careful navigation as it was quite steep and narrow. Eventually they found themselves at the bottom. After climbing over a small mound the grand sweep of the sandy beach was revealed, with its rocky headlands and skerrs. The scene had a timeless beauty about it, the only man made objects in view being the small castle and outlying houses on the island of Lindisfarne which could be seen in the far distance. Hugh was right in his assessment of the weather conditions, it WAS bracing!
This part of the coastline had once been part of a shallow tropical sea, which as a result meant fossils. They group spent most of the morning clambering over the rocks looking for them, trilobites, crinoid pieces, corals, brachiopods, plant fossils, teeth marks of ancient sea creatures, trace fossils and more can be found here, they also came across some fossilised worm poo, which all the boys found to be quite 'fascinating.' Whenever a fossil was discovered, both Avarak and Saros, who had arrived with his father Senek, took out their padd's and drew pictures of their discoveries, they were both visibly excited with the whole experience, although trying to reign it in.
"Do they always draw pictures of new things?" Mimi asked Sordd as they were both looking on.
"No, not always," he replied, "however it is encouraged as it helps to develop their observational skills. When they return to the Embassy, they have both to give a presentation on their findings which is why they are paying particular close attention to what they are doing, instead of rushing on to the next thing."
Despite being wrapped up so well against the elements, it was decided that it was to cold to have their picnic on the beach, so they all made their way back to "Rose Cottage' to have their lunch there. Avarak and Saros spent the afternoon working on their presentation in front of the log fire.
*'*
The rest of the 'honeymoon' was spent doing various activities such as cooking, baking, hiking, quiet days reading a book in front of the fire, playing outside, playing inside, spending time with Mimi's family, astronomy, and other fun activities. After the holiday the family returned to the Embassy in San Fransisco to take up their new life together...
More of that to follow :-)
*"*
I realise I could have made more of Avarak fossil hunting with Saros, Peter and Adam, however I don't have the brain power for it at the moment. Maybe another day ...
Thanks again that you keep reading!
