Chapter 7 "The Family Dinner"

Sarek

T'Pau invited my father, Skonn, brother, and sister-in-law to connect as a family unit for an evening meal and other activities every third Saturday of the month. Before we broke bread together, the males would solve mathematical puzzles or program old computers. At the same time, the women engaged in another activity separately.

Skon, a mathematician, and my older brother, Ivak, a physicist, and I were writing a program for a new type of computer that we were developing.

"S'chinn T'gai, I wanted to address something with you," my Father declared as we worked together.

"Yes, sir," I snapped right away as if I was a young child, alerted by this use of my full first name. Amanda and I discovered a commonality: both Vulcan and Human parents used their child's full name when something was erroneous or indicated a drastic change or announcement. We had shared stories recently over our mid-day meals.

" I would like to see you bond within the next year, and I have found a few suitable candidates," he announced, typing in a code rapidly. Father did not raise his head from his work.

Although I did not like where this conversation was headed, I held back my reservations. This one was a long time coming as it had been over twelve-point-eight years since my marriage to T'Rea had been annulled.

"I see."

"You must carry on the family line, Sarek," he stated, not looking up from the computer.

Skon did not mention Sybok, the son T'Rea had birthed for me, as he remained a disappointment. My former in-laws chose to care for his education and well-being until I remarried and had more children.

With my job in the Ambassador's office, even as an assistant, I did not have time to court a woman, nor did I discover one with whom I would like to bond. Now, as the Ambassador, I had even less time.

However, in the past couple of months, I started thinking that Amanda may be the only reasonable possibility I could find to bond. Nonetheless, this was without confessing my powerful emotions for her.

"My brother and my sister-in-law have given the line five males and one daughter of Vulcan pure blood," I coolly remarked after a long pause.

"Yes, but, logically, you should bond again for biological factors that happen every seven years," Skon interjected as I fixed frayed wires on the computer.

"Pon Farr," I thought, frowning.

"I have found three appropriate candidates, Sarek," he persisted, but I disregarded him.

"One is Iria, an assistant to a deputy minister that T'Pau works with in the government, " Skon persisted, retrieving an image and a profile on a working computer.

As I glanced at the picture of the brown-skinned lady with shoulder-length black hair, I thought her features were too severe. From it, I felt a slight arrogance.

"Hmmm," I commented noncommittally.

"The second is a friend of your sister-in-law's, Pola, a mathematician, and the third, Valera, a science officer in Starfleet."

As my Father displayed the profiles for the other two candidates, I inwardly rolled my eyes. It was a habit I found that I picked up from Amanda on occasion. Of course, Skon would greatly disapprove of it.

"Tonight, the three will be joining our evening meal, so you can narrow down your choice. You will have your social interaction with each of them in the next two weeks on your own," Father remarked.

"What!?" I angrily thought, but I took a deep breath to eliminate any such fierce reaction.

"Father, I do not have time to entertain others with my duties at the Embassy," I sternly responded, keeping my emotions in check although I felt my blood boil.

"You will make time, Sarek. That is a direct order," he commanded, cutting off all further discussion.

When we all convened for the meal, all three Vulcan women appeared. Although I was an obedient son, I disliked Father's attempt to immerse himself in my personal affairs. I was now forty-eight years of age on Earth and seventy-two on Vulcan. Therefore, I did not appreciate my Father's interference in the situation. He had selected my first wife, T'Rea, and it wasn't a successful match.

"Miss Grayson, T'Pau did not mention that you would be joining us tonight," Skon coldly greeted the human female.

When I first viewed Amanda sitting on a sofa alone, my breath caught in my throat. Like my Father, I didn't know she was in attendance. Amanda wore a long traditional Vulcan dress as she quietly read a book from our family library. The frock's color, green, emphasized her lovely chocolate-colored eyes. Upon perceiving me, Amanda's face brightened, and she enthusiastically gave me a smile.

"T'Pau graciously invited me tonight," she solemnly replied.

However, my Father stormed past the library that contained Amanda and beckoned for me to follow. Chagrined, she lowered her head when my father exhibited poor manners and ignored her comment. I felt ashamed of his rudeness, and I planned on apologizing for his behavior later in private to her. Moreover, I felt embarrassed by Skonn's disdain for her and humans.

Swiftly, my father ntroduced me to the three women seated in the sitting room next to the library. Although he masterfully diverted my attention from Amanda to my three candidates for mates, my mind remained on speaking with the breathtaking human female in the library.

Purposely or not, I was not given the opportunity throughout the night as the three women surrounded me. Each wanted to impress me, but I didn't want anything to do with them. My only wish was to speak with Amanda, and she had my attention from the moment I saw her. I was pretty impatient.

After eating, T'Pau played her Vulcan harp as Amanda accompanied her in song in a tiny adjoining room. We drank an evening tea with my Father and the three other women.

Despite my attempts not to be enthralled or stare, I felt a tingling in my body as I heard her soft melodious voice. Her voice was angelic, and I felt even more adulation for Amanda as she warbled.

"Excuse me. I must speak to my Aunt," I offered my apologies to my Father's guests, rising from the seat. Gingerly, I approached them as she sang in concert in awe.

"Son of Skon, do not linger. Come in at once if you want to listen," T'Pau abruptly stated, stopping her excellent playing. I tried to keep my eyes off Amanda, who I felt was like a magnet pulling me to her. Ergo, she was pleased that I came to talk to her, and she slightly simpered.

"Yes, T'Pau."

"You have something urgent to discuss," she archly questioned, " that must interrupt my playing and Amanda's singing."

"No, I wanted only to listen to the lovely music."

Examining my face closely, she motioned for me to come closer with a wave of her slim fingers. T'Pau's eyes scrutinized Amanda's exuberant face than mine as I walked into the room.

"You are behaving quite ill-mannered by not addressing our guest, Sarek," my Aunt reprimanded as Amanda patiently grinned at me.

"Good evening, Miss Grayson," I anxiously greeted, " I hope you are well and are enjoying the evening."

"Yes, thank you, Ambassador, " Amanda demurely replied, and her cheeks turned pink. I felt satisfied by this exchange but wished T'Pau wasn't present. Next, my Ezyet asked,

"Have you come to inquire about tonight's guests?"

"No, my father informed me that he wished me to bond earlier tonight. However, I did not expect that there would be three guests tonight for that reason," I stated, feeling uncomfortable speaking about the subject in front of Amanda.

"Neither did I, Sarek."

Amanda's face reddened at my statement and promptly announced.

"Please excuse me; I will return shortly."

"Curious," I commented, perplexed at her sudden departure. I watched the slender woman scurry out of the room with my jaw open.

"Is it truly, sa-bath (nephew)," T'Pau quizzically raised her left eyebrow.

"I do not understand," I answered after a moment, feeling mystified. My aunt let the subject drop but gave me a knowing expression.

"I find all three of these candidates unsuitable. You do not seem well matched to anyone here in particular," T'Pau solemnly replied, her long fingers plucking at her harp at random.

"Hmmm," My mind had focused on Amanda and why she was distressed.

"Will you bring our guest back? She is distraught," T'Pau knowingly observed, and I nodded.

As I wandered through the large house, she was nowhere. I went outside and saw Amanda's shape glowing in the darkness of the night. She was like a beacon of light and beauty.

"Amanda?"

"Yes," she turned around quickly, her face tearstained. Her expressive face twisted into a frown as Amanda saw me. She whined rhetorically, "Why must you always find me when I cry?"

"Please explain," I requested, cautiously strolling towards her. I stopped six inches in front of her and then pulled my handkerchief from my pant pocket.

"You must think I am a cry baby," she sniffled and took my handkerchief from my hand.

"I do not understand the term," I responded, baffled, and raised an eyebrow.

"A cry baby is a human who cries all of the time," Amanda elucidated, wiping the tears from her eyes and returning the handkerchief to me.

"Most illogical. I do not comprehend many human terms," I slowly muttered, and I observed Amanda roll her eyes at my comment. Letting the subject drop, I wished to assist her melancholy mood, so I suggested,

"Let's go for a walk. I would like to show you where I used to watch the stars."

Amanda looked wary but relented when I insisted. Her delicate features lit by the moon made her look more phenomenal than usual, and I felt my temperature rise at two point three. We trekked to the special place where I observed the stars as a youth. It wasn't far, but I felt closest to them at the top of the hill. Amanda's mouth went agape at the sight of the sky.

"Stunning," she proclaimed. We stood in silence, observing the stars.

"Why were you crying, Amanda?"

Sighing heavily, she fidgeted as she tended to do when apprehensive.

"I-I-I don't want you to date those women," she whispered, her brown eyes gradually meeting mine.

"I don't understand," I responded, puzzled.

"I-I care deeply about you, Sarek," Amanda finally revealed after a long pause. Her lower lip quivered after her statement, making her endearing to me.

My lips upturned on the right side of my mouth, but I did not attempt to conceal it. I felt happiness flow through my body.

"I wasn't going to tell you because I know it is illogical…."

Clasping Amanda's hand, I stroked her velvety skin with my thumb. Anxiety bubbled up inside me, and I felt the need to express myself.

Suddenly, I whispered, "I feel the same about you, Amanda."

She gasped then lightly whispered, "This isn't a joke, is it?"

"Vulcans do not joke, Miss Grayson," I reminded her, a smirk appearing on my face, and she squeezed my hand. Next, I brought Amanda's soft hand to my lips and kissed it. When her smooth skin met my lips, my body tingled all over.

"No, Ambassador, they don't," Amanda dreamily responded with her beautiful smile.

While gazing at the stars, I felt enlivened by her as she rested her head on my shoulder. Reluctantly, I later recalled that we had been gone from the gathering for nine minutes and seventeen seconds. Amanda moved away from me, and I felt sorry that we had to return. Her pretty brown eyes gazed intently at me.

"Do Vulcan's kiss," she wondered with a sly grin.

"Curious to the reason for your question, Amanda," I cunningly inquired, staring into

her eyes and then down to her lips where I held my gaze.

"If she only knew how I longed to kiss her, " I thought as she blushed heavily.

"No reason," she verbalized, lowering her head in embarrassment. As a result, I lifted her chin with my trembling right hand to peer into her beautiful eyes.

"Affirmative, Vulcans do kiss at appropriate times. Amanda, I greatly desire to kiss you," I confessed, caressing her baby-soft lips with my fingertips.

Her lips sparkled with joy at this information, and she blithely simpered as I touched her cheek and jawline. I leaned my forehead to hers, and I withdrew my hand from her face. My heart sang at her closeness, and our connection fortified as we did so.

"But tonight isn't the night. We have to sort all of this out between ourselves first."

"You are right," she agreed, pleased by my comments.

"Are you available tomorrow, Amanda?"

Breathlessly, she nodded.

" I will visit your apartment around noon. Is that a sufficient time?"

"Yes, Sarek. Let's return before someone notices we have been gone," Amanda urged.

What's next for Sarek and Amanda? Do you think it will be smooth sailing for them?