T'Mara spends a long night in a reclining chair by Spock's bed. Medical personnel go in and out of the room. At one point, she gets up to caress Spock's sleeping face, then reaches for a small remote that sits on a portable table. She pushes a button. Soothing music plays from a speaker on the wall. Her eyes well up as she wonders, 'I prayed. Why don't I feel peace?' After a while, she drifts back to sleep.
Suddenly she is awakened again. A scruffy looking man has entered the room. He approaches Spock's bed and stands for a moment, just staring at the monitor. He rubs his unshaven chin. He removes a small scanner from his satchel. He runs the scanner over Spock's body. He shakes his head back and forth as if disgusted.
"This backwater, old school, antiquated hospital," he mumbles to no one in particular.
T'Mara watches him tap Spock's face with his fingers, but Spock does not respond. The man pulls his arm all the way back. With one swift, smooth movement, he slaps Spock across the face. Spock begins to cough, and before the man can strike him again, he quickly grasps the man's arm.
T'Mara leaps to her feet. "What the hell! What are you doing to my husband?" she shouts, face to face with the stranger.
"I was attempting to wake your husband up, and as you see, I succeeded." The man pulls his arm free as he focuses on Spock. "So, Vulcan, tell me everything you have eaten the past 24 hours. Oh...excuse me, let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Gregory Taylor," he explains in a gruff manner.
"Everything?" Spock asks of the doctor.
"With those ears, I am sure you heard me. Yes, everything." The doctor replies sarcastically.
Spock proceeds to give the doctor a list of everything that he had eaten.
"Wait...you ate roasted chestnuts?" the doctor asks.
"Yes"
"Have you ever eaten chestnuts before?"
"No, I have not."
Dr. Taylor goes through his bag. Then he looks back at Spock. "Apparently, you were not aware that a majority of copper-based beings are acutely allergic to chestnuts." He pulls out a hypo and vial filled with a blue liquid. He places the vial into the hypo. He shakes his head. "I am surprised that this backwoods hospital hasn't killed you. Really...an IV filled with a human antibiotic," he comments as he removed the IV cuff from Spock's arm.
"You have been suffering from anaphylactic shock. With Vulcans, it can cause the heart to slow dangerously and even stop. Captain, I advise you to not even look at another chestnut." Taking the hypo, Dr. Taylor jabs it between Spock's shoulder and neck. "You should be feeling better in no time. Oh, wait, you're a Vulcan; let me be more exact. That would be in 2.258 hours, give or take how fast your metabolism reacts to the medicine."
He grabs three vials and another hypo. He walks over to T'Mara. "Hold your hand out."
T'Mara hesitates, but she does what he asks.
"Good, here." He places the vials and hypo into her hand. "I don't trust the doctors here to follow my instructions, so I am asking you to inject your husband every five hours with this medicine. Please use up each vial. He should be completely back to his Vulcan norm by the time you administer the last dose," he instructs T'Mara.
"Okay, I believe I can manage that," she says, still dumbfounded by the doctor's brusque manner.
He gives Spock a glance. "Captain, I am arranging for your discharge." He turns around and now is facing the door. "Sir, really...you conquer Kahn, saved the whales, and defeated the conspirators of Star Fleet, and yet chestnuts almost did you in." He walks away, not allowing Spock time to reply.
"Indeed" Spock comments from his bed. "T'Mara, I hardly believe I am going to say this, and please keep it between you and me, but Dr. Taylor makes Dr. McCoy seem like a breath of fresh air."
T'Mara laughs. "Yes... that we will keep between us." Her tired eyes brighten.
She places her fingers under his chin and gives him a bright smile. Your face is no longer swollen, and your voice does not sound as scratchy."
Feeling the positive effects of the medicine, he sits up. "Yes, it does not cause me pain when I speak or swallow. My wife, can you bring me my clothes?"
"You are feeling well enough to get dressed?"
"Yes, I am."
T'Mara goes through the hospital bag and hands him his items. He is fully dressed and the morning sun is peeking through the window when a lanky doctor enters the room.
"Ah, Captain, I see you are up and about. How are you feeling?" the doctor asks.
"I am fine now, Doctor."
He runs his scanner over Spock. "I am Doctor Myers. Your vitals are normal, and the medicine is performing as Dr. Taylor said would. I need to apologize, Captain, for this hospital's improper diagnosis and treating your ailment with human remedies. There will be changes made immediately. The hospital will be staffed with at least one doctor trained in alien physiology, and our equipment will be upgraded, even if I need to pay for the upgrades myself," Myers states with sincerity.
Spock considers the doctor's words, and gives a nod. "I understand that alien travelers rarely sojourn in this area of Pennsylvania. However, any hospital should be prepared to handle any emergency whether human or alien. I am pleased that changes will soon be implemented. Nevertheless, it was unfortunate that it was my life that hung in balance. It sometimes seems that with humans, it takes a death or a near death event to implement positive changes."
oooooooooooooo
Back in the farmhouse, Anthony is getting dressed. He then gently wakens his wife. "Darling, please get everyone up. I've heard from T'Mara. Spock is well and is coming home. Sidney, our prayers have been answered." His face beams with joy.
"Such good news. I will wake Spock and T'Mara's children first. Little T'Anya…she will be elated to hear her father is coming back and so soon." Sidney says as she pulls her sweater over her head.
"Little T'Anya…she may be only six but far from little body or mind." He lets go a chuckle.
Sidney looks at her hand that T'Anya had a tight grip on the night before. "Yes, you are right. She almost pulled me right to the floor." Sidney begins to walk out of the bedroom.
Anthony follows right behind her. He stops at the front door. His wife comes up to him. He gives her a brief kiss on the lips. "I am off. See you shortly."
"Bye Love."
Sidney goes upstairs and proceeds to the room the two girls are sleeping. They are sharing a room with their cousin Cherese. T'Meika is lying on the upper bunk. T'Anya is bed down on a cot. Sidney approaches T'Meika then gently touches her shoulder. "Hey, wake up, I have good news."
She groggily sits and focuses her eyes on her older cousin "H'm…what Sidney?"
She quietly says, "Anthony has just left to go to the hospital to pick up your father and mother. God answered our prayers. But shhh, I want to tell T"Anya."
T'Meika's eyes widen slightly, and her lips turn upward. "Father well? Maybe I will learn to trust God." She climbs down the small ladder. "I will get ready. Oh my, Sis will be so excited."
Sidney bends down and nudges T'Anya, who is already stirring. "I have wonderful news."
She sits straight up. "It's about my Dad isn't it?"
"Oh yes, he fine and will be here very soon."
T'Anya goes over and hugs her cousin. "Oh, I knew God would answer my prayer! I can't wait to see him. Where's Sis?"
Joy covers Sidney's face. "Yes, He did. She is in the restroom getting ready."
With all the excitement, Cherese rises from her bed. She quickly learns that her older cousin will be returning to their home.
Sidney leaves the room to go tell Tony and Chad. She then proceeds to Reggie and Tonya's room and informs them of the good news. Then off to inform Jerome and Jasmine.
ooooooooooooooo
Back at Paradise hospital, Anthony rides the lift to the fourth floor. He exits the elevator and walks down to the ICU ward. As he walks, he hums a cheerful tune. He is still humming as he walks into the room Spock and T'Mara wait. They are sitting on the bed chatting and exchanging kisses.
"Hey...hey you two "Anthony waves his forefinger at them.
"Ah, Cousin, it pleases me to see you." Spock states. He and T'Mara stand up, and he picks up the duffel bag.
"Spock, it is a great joy seeing you back to your normal Vulcan self."
"Thank you. Believe me, Anthony, it is agreeable to me that I am healthy again within such a short period of time. Dr. Taylor, what he lacked in bedside manner, he exceeds in medical aptness," Spock remarks as they leave the room.
To the lift, they head. T'Mara pushes the button to signal for the elevator. It arrives within seconds. They wait for the people to exit. They get on and ride it down to the lobby. They leave the hospital and enter Anthony's air car. All settled in and safety harness around them Anthony pilots the car into the air. The air auto flies by hospital towards the countryside. He lands it in the lot in front of the house. All walk back up the path that leads to the front door. Anthony opens the door."Hello, all we are home," he joyfully announces.
T'Anya's eyes widen and with her doll, in hand, she runs to her father. "Daddy!"
T'Meika is not far behind her. "Father, I am so happy to see you!"
oung Stefan, at the age of one and a half, truly did not understand why his daddy was not with them, but it did not matter for he was happy to see him. He hops off Sidney's lap and scurries to Spock. "Daddy...Daddy...you have come back!"
Spock picks him up and holds him till his younger cousins encircle him. They share with him all having expressions of joy in having him back alive and well.
Spock's nose has contact with a pleasing smell. "If I am correct I smell Vulcan omelets cooking."
Sidney and Tonya had just finished placing plates on the table. "You are correct, Cousin. We have T'Mara's father's recipe, and she had informed us it is one of your favorite meals. Come all to eat." Sidney says gesturing with her hand.
After all seat themselves, Spock speaks. "You should have not gone to this much effort. I was only in the hospital for 15.758 hours."
Sidney shakes her head. "Cousin, it is not the amount of time you have been gone. It was the fact you were almost permanently removed from our lives. So be quiet and enjoy," she says giving him a smile.
A brow goes up, and lips turn upward. "Yes, Cousin Sidney."
Chatter, music, and eating commence in the dining room. Some time goes by, and everyone is finishing eating. However, everyone continues the various conversations.
oooooooooooo
The rest of their early afternoon is a quiet one. Spock had to admit at the time that is how he prefers it. Reggie, Jasmine, Chad, and Cherese take a tour of Lancaster country. Jerome and Tonya also leave the house. They had decided to head home to check on their house then pick up dinner. T'Anya and Tony engage in games of chess on Tony's padd. Anthony and Sidney go to the den to relax.
With most of family out or busy with their own endeavors gives Spock some alone time with his children. T"Meika sits one side of him and T'Anya on is on the opposite side while Stefan seats himself on his father's lap. T'Mara hands her husband a book with Amish children's tales.
Spock begins reading one of the short stories. Although T'Meika, being twelve, found the tale a bit childish, she enjoyed listening to her father's baritone voice. She appreciates being close to him for the other night she feared she may never see him again. She hopes she will never take him for granted. She takes a short glance at her sister and could tell by T'Anya joyful face she too is feeling grateful to be with her dad.
oooooooooooo
Rays from the late afternoon sun pierce through the curtains that surround the large bay window. The girls are now on the floor playing games. Stefan is asleep in his crib. Anthony and Sidney have enter the living room. Each has seated themselves on the two easy chairs. T'Mara, who is now sitting next to her husband lies her hand on Spock's knee. She leans over and whispers into his ear.
Spock's brow goes into his bangs after seeing her longing expression." So My Wife, am I to gather that you would prefer to take a stroll?"
She responds with just one word, "Yes."
"I find the suggestion quite agreeable." He stands up, and T'Mara gets up facing her husband.
They go to the closet, remove their coats from the closet and put the coats on themselves. They head on to the outdoors. At first, they walk side by side. Then Spock stops to study a bright red cardinal that was sitting on a long branch of an old oak tree. T'Mara stops behind him a few feet away. She bends down then scoop up some wet snow into her hands. She forms the snow into a ball. She straightens up and with Spock still facing the tree she throws the ball at him. The snowball hits him squarely on his back. T'Mara stands completely still and keeps her face expressionless as if she was completely innocent. He cocks his brow at her. He does not verbally respond to her action.
"You are not going to say anything?" she asks.
He shakes his head no. She shrugs then walks forward. "Coming?"
"Of course T'Mara." He makes a couple steps in her direction. She continues walking, then a snowball smacks her in the back of her head.
"Hey! You are on." She scoops up some snow makes another snowball.
Before she could toss her ball at him, Spock's snow sphere smacks her backside. She throws hers, and her it splatters against his chest. As he bends down to gather more snow, she sneaks up and gathers all the snow she could into her hands. Being close proximately to him, she dumps the clump of snow on top of his head.
"Agh...T'Mara." is his response.
She starts laughing. He returns the favor. She continues to laugh and threatens to scoop up more snow.
"Alright, T'Mara I surrender." He is shaking out the wet snow out of his hair.
"Therefore should I assume I won?"
"Won? More that I no longer prefer to get wet." Spock says trying not to smile.
The corner of her mouth lifted, as she offers a hand to him. He grabs hold of her hand. "Come, Aisha, we better go back inside and get warm and dry." They walk back to the old home and enter.
All stare at the snow cover couple."Spock, T'Mara did you two get dumped on by falling snowing from the big old oak tree?" Anthony asks, flabbergasted by their upheaval appearance.
Spock hangs their coats right on the closet door hook, so they would not get the other coats wet. He and his wife head back to their seats. His attention is to Anthony. "Ah…no Cousin, we were engaged in what humans call…an old fashion snowball fight."
"I won," T'Mara injects.
They sit down."So my Wife says. I figure it would be best to cease before either one of us became saturated." Spock remarks as he glances at her.
Anthony still recovering from the mental image of his logical cousin engaging into a snowball fight. Anthony smiles. "Really Spock? Damn, I wish I could have witnessed it. Fascinating, I bet." He gives his cousin his best raise eyebrow.
T'Mara injects before Spock says anything. "Don't let him fool you, Anthony. Besides he did lose for he said the words I surrender."
T'Meika adds, "Sorry Father, when those words are spoken, you give up, and that is counted as a loss."
Spock gives a slight sigh. "You are correct. However to lose to your mother is not undesirable." He gazes to T'Mara's direction.
She gives him a sweet warm smile in return. She then leans to his side and strokes his wet bangs away from his eyes. His lips then quirk upwards. He, in turn, brushes back her wet locks from her face. At that time the door opens. Reggie, Jasmine, Chad, and Cherese return from their ride around the countryside. A few moments later, with good timing, Jerome and Tonya enter with dinner. They carry the several of cartons into the dining room. Place everything onto the table. Then they place on the table disposable plates and eating utensils.
"Alright all, enjoy the feast," Jerome says as he gestures with his hand.
All stand and go to the table. They all partake in the Chinese food once Jerome had finished with the blessing. After feasting on the appetizing Chinese fare all participate in clearing off the table. They head to the family room. As the adults relax, the younger children engross themselves with games.
ooooooooooooo
When the chimes ring out nine times Spock and T'Mara excuse themselves, so they could escort their youngest to bed. They both place Stefan into the crib, then they tuck T'Anya in bed. She and he head back down the stairs. They say goodnight to all present. As they leave Anthony says, "Bed so soon? Maybe, playing in the snow wore you both out?" He then chuckles.
Spock glances over to his wife. "Perhaps."
She glances back at him and smiles a smile of love.
In their room, T'Mara is in front Spock. "Alone at last."
"Yes my Love, we are that." He then commands the wall stereo to play romantic music.
T'Mara goes to the dresser. She pulls a drawer open. She retrieves a hypo and a vial full of medicine. "Time for your shot. Are you ready?"
"Yes T'Mara, it did cross my mind. Proceed."
She carefully injects the hypo between his neck and shoulder. He removes the hypo from her hand and places it in the trash receptacle.
He goes back to her. Again they are face to face. She notices the gleam in his eyes. Knowing he was still recovering, surly he would not be up to nocturnal activities. "What is on your mind?"
"I just wished to be closed to my wife" He commands the stereo to play romantic music.
T'Mara raises her brow. " M'm, what do you have in mind?"
A nice slow dance with my loving wife." He takes hold of her hands and interlocks his fingers with hers. When the song comes to the end, he places his one hand on her lower back. He lowers her down into a dip. She laughs in delight.
Seeing his eyes growing tire she suggests for them to prepare for sleep.
Now both are in their night clothes. They are standing side front of the dresser mirror. T'Mara begins to brush out her hair. By her, surprise he removes the brush from her hand. He gets behind her and then begins to brush her hair then smooths it out with his hand. He had to admit that he had enjoyed brushing her hair and how it felt in his hand. He finishes and gives back her brush. He sees her vibrant smile in the mirror. Her voices becomes soft."You haven't done that in years."
His two fingers, in the Vulcan way, caresses her cheek. "No, I have not. It is something I wished to remedy in the near future."
Her lips brushed against his. "I would like that." They both head under the covers. Lying close to him she asks, "Contented my Husband?"
"Yes my Wife. And you?"
"Oh yes. The love between husband and wife is all so special, and a gift. God answered my Christmas prayer. He allowed me to share more time with the one I love so. I say the best Christmas gift one could ever receive," she says knowing God loves her, and so did the man that lays beside her.
"Yes, T'Mara, the gift of life is a endowment only the Great Creator can bestow someone. We should not take it for granted." He holds her tight. He slowly lets her go then just lies spooning her. His arm lays across her upper body. They both drift into sleep. Both now brimming with emotion and hope.