A/N: Thanks to all the wonderful people who've reviewed, especially the last two chapters. You've helped mold this into a better story. It is winding down; however, I feel that a bit more remains to be told. There will be one or perhaps two more chapters before "Here Comes the Bride" is finished.

"Now ya gotta be gentle with 'em, T'Pol. Peaches bruise real easily."

"Are these peaches not going to be used to make jam?"

"Most of 'em, but still, it's a good habit."

"I will endeavor to treat the peaches with the same amount of care you use with your tool kits." Without knowing it, T'Pol had hit on a point made by human wives for generations.

Trip laughed, relishing her unique brand of humor. "Ya do that, T'Pol." Choosing a particularly large peach, he proclaimed, "It's no fun pickin' if ya don't eat at least one. They don't get any fresher." That said, he took his first bite out while the fruit was still on the tree."

She raised a questioning eyebrow. "That is a very unique method of eating, Charles."

"It's a tradition. Been doin' it since I was four or five."

Satisfied with his explanation, she carefully picked her peach before biting it.

"So," said Trip when he finished chewing, "whatcha think?"

"I have not tasted a peach before. This is a fine fruit, although I would prefer to cut it." He noticed that she found it good enough to finish. "The Harstorms are kind to allow us access to their fruit trees. I would not want to be photographed while picking peaches." Or eating them, for that matter, Trip knew.

"Ya, they're good people. Had a son, Al, who didn't care much for small-town livin'.  Back when we were kids I was real good friends with him. We used ta talk about leavin' here, me up ta the stars an' him, Tampa. Course we didn't realize how there are some things about home ya always miss, and some that ya take with ya. Woulda liked ta have talked with him about that. Then the Xindi- Tampa's gone." She had not known that Charles had a childhood friend killed by the Xindi as well. "So's Al. I never told ya about him, did I?"

She shook her head to confirm. "No. I would have liked to have met him."

"Me too, T'Pol. We'd grown apart some, but he was a good man. Not many like the Harstorms in this world. They're people people." The statement was illogical, but she understood his intent because she knew them.

"That reminds me, I've been meanin' ta ask ya. Well, we've got enough money saved up, an' we're goin' back out, so I was thinkin' of doin' what Al an' I always said we'd do. We used ta say that when we had money, we were gonna send our parents on a lunar vacation. Course, it used ta cost more when we were kids."

"You would like to give them this gift now?"

"Ah, the other thing is, since Al's gone an' all…" he trailed off.

"You wish to pay for the Harstorms as well."

"Exactly. If ya don't…"

T'Pol rarely interrupted, but under extreme circumstances she would. This did not meet her usual definition of extreme, but she would not entertain the thought of withholding generosity to people who had shown her so much. "No, Charles. We will pay for all four."

"Thanks, T'Pol. It'll mean a lot."

"I am sure they will have a pleasant vacation. It will be our parting gift." She didn't mention that it was a much better thank you than the last one they'd tried.

In silence they picked peaches for a few minutes after that was decided, enjoying the fresh air, the fruit, and each other. They moved on to pick from a second tree before Trip spoke again.

"So, did ya have a nice mornin' with Mom an' Annie?" The three men had gone on an early-morning fishing expedition and left their wives for girl talk.

"Our morning was pleasant. Although I have not mastered the art of making a pie crust, my pecan pie is improving. The majority of our time was spent engaging in what you call 'girl talk,' which is very educational."

"What'd ya learn?"

She thought for a moment before deciding how to respond. "In summary, I have learned that even human wives are sometimes mystified by their mates."

He got a good laugh out of that. "I bet they told ya a few secrets, though."

"Indeed; however, if I told you, they would no longer be secrets."

"I had ta try."

"I was warned."

"Ouch. I though I human men were mystifyin'?"

"Sometimes, Charles. Lucy and Annie have much knowledge that they are willing to learn, and I endeavor to remain a student for my entire life."

"A student of me?"

"Is the same not true for you?"

Well, when she put it that way, she had a valid point. He brought his hand up to her hand and stopped in mid-reach for a Vulcan kiss. Through touch they understood that they would study each other forever.

"On the other hand, I like the idea of bein' just a tiny bit mysterious. Keeps things interestin'."

"Our relationship is always interesting."

"Sure. I'm gonna keep it that way. Don't tell me that ya think you'll ever understand me completely."

"I believe that we are even now." They had each revealed a mutual truth. Charles liked to be even.

"Maybe. But we had guy talk too, an' I learned a couple things."

"About Vulcan bondmates?"

"Nope. About bein' a human husband."

"Such as?"

"I'd say they're secrets, like yours. But I'm such a nice guy I'll tell you this one: Never let a day go by without tellin' her ya love her."

In the privacy of the Harstorm's backyard, far away from the prying eyes of reporters, T'Pol suddenly found herself willing to participate in the first kiss she and Charles had shared that did not take place behind locked doors.