Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of letters. I appreciate it.

Day 358: How to plan a wedding when several light years away from your fiancé

From: Benjamin_2254
To: SuluHG2260

Subject: I miss you horribly
Time Sent: 02/10/2261 00:00:01

I really miss you. I decided to wait a little to write you since Sue just wrote you a few days before your letter arrived. I wanted a bit of space between our letters to you. That way, you get something from us every week and a half instead of waiting three weeks for a letter.

I find it adorable that you write to baby K now. It's so cute. I know she's going to appreciate your letters when she gets older. She was delighted when I read the letter to her. She misses you too. I sent you a video of me reading the letter. I hope you like it. Your love for her is something I adore about you.

When I started dating again, I was worried that being a single father would scare most men away. The first couple of dates did not go well, as you are aware. If you turned out to be a disaster, I would have given up on dating until K made it to at least kindergarten. Thankfully we did work.

I do wonder if it worked out better since we're both dads. I completely understood what you were getting into when you learned about baby D. Although it probably helps that I adore Sue. She is an excellent addition to the family and a great bonus parent.

Zack's mom is unhappy about that, but it is what it is. It is probably best that it was decided that my daughter's grandmother would be in civilian housing and we would be in Starfleet housing. Liz is next-door where I'm supposed to be. I am sharing Sue's family apartment.

I finally figured out that she's not upset about the poly thing. However, she doesn't understand why I'm not with Zoe if I'm bisexual. That way, she doesn't have to deal with more people coming into the family. I am having trouble explaining to her that I am gay, but you're bisexual-ish—or, instead, demi-sexual regarding women. You will sleep with Sue but no other women. Also, regardless of incompatible orientation, I see Zoe as my little sister. It would just be weird.

I'm inclined to ignore the situation completely. The problem is that the mother-in-law is over every day watching the girls. I get a disappointed look every time she's here. Sue gets an angry and disgruntled look. I don't want that negative energy to stay around. Suggestions?

So far, Liz believes I should just hand her the Idiots Guide to Multi-species Polyamorous Relationships and bookmark the chapters on different types of poly relationships. Liz also wants to rearrange her schedule to watch the babies more.

I don't know how that's possible since she is doing classes and a 40-hour-per-week internship. I worry about her sometimes. Sue told me that Liz did more before, like working at the diner full-time and attending Starfleet Academy classes. She only cut back last semester because of baby D. She doesn't need to work; she likes to.

So how has the mission been going? Did you find any cool plants? Is it almost over? You'll be wrapping up soon, right? What are you doing next?

Work has been good so far. Now that the embassies are opening, we're getting families and kids. I'm getting in the swing of being a doctor to individuals from all over the universe. It's an exciting job, but I like it. I think Yorktown's going to be a good fit. Being closer to you is just a bonus.

So, I heard from the Admiral that we might need to consider another wedding date. If we do the wedding in late May or late June, we can have more of your friends at the wedding. Her original plan to have Enterprise at Yorktown fell through for two reasons. The first is nepotism accusations. Thanks to certain complaints being lodged, the Admiral has to be careful. So no more maneuvering things around for special visits on flimsy grounds. I heard you'll need to take vacation time for the wedding.

Too bad the Federation general assembly conference isn't moving to Yorktown until next year due to construction delays. That would be a perfect reason for Enterprise to be at Yorktown.

Anyway, I miss you, and I am so looking forward to seeing you again for the wedding. I am not opposed to moving the wedding to May. Just so I can see you sooner.

Xxxx

From: SuluHG2260

To: Benjamin_2254

Subject: I miss you too.

Time Sent: 02/10/2261 1:45:21

I miss you a lot as well. It's probably a good idea to stagger your emails to me. I rather get a little pick-me-up every week and ½ than every three weeks. These emails keep me going.

The mission has gone well. We only have one more moon to survey before we wrap things up on the 12th. Per the preliminary data, this should be a very dull moon. I doubt we'll find anything there as interesting as Ensign eating plants. An Ensign lost a hand. We have a sample now in botany. Jim calls her Audrey 3. The captain doesn't get the reference. Jim is going to have to show him the movie.

Also, Jim discovered invisible rocks by breaking a leg literally. Yes, we found invisible rocks. The science department is still giddy with excitement. We also found several plants similar to things lost on the Vulcan of old. So, this was a very productive trip. I'm sad that the VSA will take most of the samples back. We're keeping Audrey 3 with us. There were no carnivorous plants on Vulcan of old, so most of the VSA scientists are uninterested.

I understand that the Admiral can't keep doing us favors forever. It wouldn't be fair. Also, there is a lot of extra scrutiny right now. Per Spock, Liz's former classmate Loki is the daughter of a high-ranking Federation official. Liz kicking her ass in the Kobayashi Maru has caused problems. She's not exactly happy that the official investigation went in Liz's favor, so obviously, the Admiral needs to be careful.

It's okay. I have a ton of vacation time, so it's not much of a problem for me. However, our original dates will affect who gets to come. It's funny that you should mention the Babel conference because Enterprise is escorting most of the delegates there, and Jim and Spock will be speakers. There's also supposed to be some ceremony, giving the happy couple an award for preventing a war with the Klingons from breaking out. No one's happy about that. I'm pretty sure Jim is going to spend the next four months trying to get out of it.

With so many diplomats on Enterprise, Nyota must be there. So that means I can bring the kids, and Pavel with me, and that's it. And I might have to talk them into letting me bring the kids.

Now that you mention that the conference is moving to Yorktown next year, I wonder if the convention was initially supposed to move to Yorktown this year. Therefore, the Adm. moved things around so that Enterprise could do the escorting detail. Then it backfired on her, and now she can't move things around to get us out of it.

I just did a quick search, and this seems to be true. They only announced it would still be happening on Babel last month because of construction delays. About a week before, we found out about Enterprise's role.

So that you know, I've looked into the possibility of moving the wedding to Babel. Every hotel on the diplomatic planet is booked solid, so there's no possible place to have a wedding. We could get married on the ship, but I was looking forward to a Yorktown wedding and an actual honeymoon. I just want my friends to be there.

What about a wedding after the conference or can we do it before? Although, I am worried my sister might break my fingers if I move the wedding up without giving her adequate notice. She will be equally angry about trying to move it to Babel. She might be able to find a venue for the wedding, but she will be furious about it.

I am not surprised that your mother-in-law feels that way. She's probably scared that we will take you away from her. I feel like you may have become her placebo son. She is afraid to lose you. I can understand that after what happened with Zack. As awkward as it will be, you will have to talk to her. However, Liz's suggestion does have merit. Maybe reading the book will give her a better frame of reference about what's actually happening. It helped Gina, although Gina is more open-minded.

I'll be prepared for her to hate me this summer. No matter what, I will find a way to see you this summer. We will figure out the wedding timing, but it will happen even if we have a quickie ceremony on Risa. Which also would cause my sister to break my fingers. Maybe we should've just eloped while we were both on New Vulcan.

Coordinating our new wedding plans would be much easier if we could talk live. I'm checking with Jim to see if we can do a video call either when we're on New Vulcan on the 13th and 14th or on Starbase later on. We definitely need to figure out the wedding date face-to-face. Wish me luck. If you're reading this after a video call, you know I succeeded.

Xxx

#2 Swordsman: I need a favor.

Spock's husband: What do you need?

#2 Swordsman: Since I am taking the kids to your father-in-law's house, would he let me video call Ben and Sue on Yorktown? We need to figure out the wedding date thing in person.

Spock's husband: Or as close to in person as possible, given you're in deep space right now.

#2 Swordsman: Yes. I just wrote a letter to him, but I realize I don't want to wait three weeks for a response.

Spock's husband: You could send him a work email?

#2 Swordsman: I don't want my wedding plans in the work system in case Mr. Jones's Starfleet friends get access to it. Also, even with shorter response times, much back-and-forth would be needed to figure it all out.

Spock's husband: You have a valid point. Although you know you don't have to move the wedding day. It will not be hard to drop you and the kids off before we start picking up other people. We'll have to pick up/drop off some diplomats on Yorktown, so we can swing by and get you on the way back.

#2 swordsman: Spock could spend time with his father after my honeymoon.

Spock's husband: Exactly. He might even be able to spend more time. I vote for Chekov being your best person if it won't be Sue. I'm pretty sure I can spare him and the girlfriend.

#2 swordsman: It will be Sue, but I want him in the bridal party. I would still like a wedding with my friends there. If the ship has to pick up several diplomats from Yorktown, we might also have time to do a fast wedding there before.

Spock's husband: Or after when we come back. That way we can be a bit more relaxed. I would like to see what Peter looks like in a suit before Kevin's wedding.

#2 swordsman: Either would be a good option, but I need to talk it over with Ben first.

Spock's husband: Sugar Vulcan, is reading this over my shoulder and has informed me that his father has already suggested that you call your fiancé and kids while you're at his house. He just gave us the okay to call Winona as well. Spock is making those arrangements because he needs to respond to my mom anyway, and I feel weird writing her twice in 24 hours.

#2 Swordsman: I'm starting to like your father-in-law a lot.

Spock's husband: The Vulcan is growing on me. The Ambassador also invited Nyota to call her mother, but she will have to stay on the ship.

#2 Swordsman: That's unfortunate.

Spock's husband: Send Sue a work email and tell her to book a long-range conference room for Valentine's Day. Just promise no long range cybersex. My father-in-law would never forgive me.

#2 Swordsman: I promise. That definitely will not happen with the kids there.

Xxxx

From: Greyson-KirkSS
To: KirkWX

Time sent: 02/10/2261 08:55:23
Subject: We have made arrangements to call you at 8:15 AM on February 15

I spoke with my father recently, and he is amenable to us calling you on February 14. I have scheduled the call for 8:15 PM New Vulcan time, 8:15 AM February 15, London time. I apologize for the early time. I'm sure James mentioned that we would be on New Vulcan for two days to present our findings to the VSA and to attend other meetings.

Thank you for your offer. I will reach out whenever I need a mother's advice. I know that no one will replace Amanda, but I appreciate having options.

I'm glad that Peter will have a grandmother figure in you. He appreciates that especially considering the situation with his other biological grandmother. She seems very similar to Grandma Kirk. This is why I'm doing everything legally possible to keep her away from Peter.

The children are looking forward to speaking to you later this week. We will do the call on New Vulcan because the kids will be busy with a field trip and the inspection of the Enterprise minors program during our time on Starbase [redacted].

The head of the educational program on Starbase [redacted] will assess our program while we are there for maintenance. They will also sit in on lessons and accompany the kids on their field trip. There will also be one on one interviews with the children. Gina is an excellent instructor, and we will pass the inspection.

As James said, if the program is discontinued, I will accept a teaching position at the VSA. James and I are contemplating that anyway after the end of the five-year mission. I want to stay in Starfleet, but at the same time, I do want to help my people. I don't know if James told you, but I initially considered leaving Starfleet after my mother's death. I felt I needed to be with my people and my father. The elder convinced me my place was on the Enterprise. I don't regret that choice. But my circumstances are different now, and Peter's needs come first.

That is not a criticism of your own choices. You made the best choice with the information you had under your circumstances. Universal income was in the early stages. You assume that continuing working was your best option, and you were unaware of who Frank was then. You thought you were protecting James and Sam from a more toxic influence. I believe, as humans say, hindsight is 2020.

I will completely acknowledge that Nana Kirk is toxic. We have received even more legal correspondence. She's distraught that we could sign the documents and are going through with the lawsuit. What did she expect? I am uncertain.

I do regret the delay in correspondence. I think the Hamilton incident is reason enough for us to continue for at least six more months until the investigation is fully concluded. Hopefully, things can return to pre-Vengeance incident protocols afterward.

I know James sent more pictures, but I have included several videos myself. I look forward to our video call on February 15, your time.

To be continued