Chapter Five

A Taste of Honey

As I observed my son, who was not of my flesh, I viewed him as mine as if every bit of my human side had fought through every trace of my Vulcan DNA and presented me with him, my human son. Nyota smiled and said,

"He has your hair."

He had a head full of straight black hair. But in truth, so did his biological father.

Nyota held out her arms and took the infant and said,

"We will watch and observe your choices to see in what area your greatness can be cultivated."

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Nyota decided not to immediately return to her post at the Academy. She was McCoy's constant instructor. By the age of three, he was conversant in four languages. In addition, Nyota was pregnant with twin boys.

For the first time in known Vulcan history the seal of Surak's house was bestowed on two at the same time. T'Pau officiated. the three year olds became part of the Mat Schn T'gai as had McCoy earlier. My twin sons would be the joint carriers of the responsibility for the continuance of all things Surak. At seven neither boy went through the Kaswan. Instead each boywent through a series of very difficult mental and physical challenges. On New Vulcan there was no forge, no wilderness that could allow them to undergo the rigors that for centuries every Vulcan male had been made to endure. His successful return allowed his entry into the serious study of all things comprising 'The Vulcan Way'. These tests did not require them to be present on New Vulcan.

McCoy never questioned the choice of the twins, instead of himself for the responsibility of guardian of the clan. The entire family was immersed in all things Vulcan and that mind set does not allow for jealousy. Perhaps as a way to express his understanding McCoy was heard to say to his brothers,

"You have inherited Father's ears and eyebrows, I only have his hair. All of us have a degree of Mother's skin tone. But even though there are differences, such as our blood color, that doesn't matter, we are brothers and will always be there for one another."

It was Nyota who overheard McCoy's statement about himself and his brothers. Her heart ached and she made a very important decision about her sons. They would have to eventually know the truth. Spock would reveal everything to them.

Their three sons were indeed brilliant, beyond their years. The twins looked to their older brother for instruction and guidance and without hesitation, this he provided. He was the ideal older brother.

The same year that the twins were sealed, Nyota was pregnant again. This time she would introduce a girl into the family. The boys were so excited. They had suggested several names for their sister. Nyota was considering one of them, T'Ama a shortened form of Amanda..

From my experiences I realized that there is no doubt, parents are their children's primary educators and so with the education being given the boys within the confines of our home, they excelled in everything. Our family followed 'The Vulcan Way,' diet, meditation, mental training, disciplines and I could not have asked more out of life than what I found every day with my family.

We had gathered outside at our meditation alcove and I was instructing our sons on sexuality, reproduction, bondmates, marriages and other matters that I thought could be a prelude to the important information we had to convey to McCoy and allow Xon and Kov to be privy to.

I asked McCoy,

"Are you ever questioned about your relationship to your brothers?"

"Yes, I have to explain to others that we have inherited our coloration from our mother, and they have ears and eyebrows from our father."

"What have people said about you?"

They usually say, 'You don't look Vulcan.'"

"Have these differences bothered you?"

McCoy said, "No Father, not at all."

Spock then started a narration,

"On Vulcan Prime, when I was growing up, I was always different from everyone else. You remember, you have met my mother's family members. I have told you that my mother was human like your mother and you know your grandfather…The three of them answered,"

"_Sarek.

Spock nodded.

So you see on my planet, I was considered an oddity. A half human whose only visible bodily difference from a full Vulcan were my brown eyes instead of almost black ones. I was bullied, and in my youth got into a serious physical confrontation with a fellow student. He had insulted my mother and I took offense and did a very un-Vulcan thing. I caused serious physical injury to that person and it was not until after the destruction of our home planet that we finally resolved our difficulties.

So my question to you three is this,

"Has your mother or I ever treated any of you three different from the other?"

The three serious faced children answered,

"No Father."

"Why do you think that is the case?"

They looked from one to the other and Xon answered,

"Because you love us equally."

"Yes, that is so."

"But, McCoy, there is a difference between you that I will reveal. It does not make a difference in the way your mother and I feel about you, the amount of love that we have for you three, or the way you should treat one another."

He asked McCoy to come and kneel next to him.

"Your mother is now going to explain something to you."

Nyota started,

"Many years ago, when I was a student at Star Fleet Academy, I met your father. He was one of the finest instructor ever to teach there then and he continues to be so now. Your history lesson advised you that a Romulan named Nero brought about the destruction of the planet Vulcan and billions of Vulcans died, as did your father's human mother. With that tragedy, your father volunteered to help his people and joined them on New Vulcan to aid the relocation of Vulcan survivors. His work was memorable. Then after five years he returned to Star Fleet Academy.

"During the time of his absence I taught and had many friends at the Academy. Among them was a doctor named Leonard McCoy, one of just two xenophysicians connected to Star Fleet. You have met the other one, Dr. U'mbinga.

"Dr. McCoy was a very dedicated man, and a great friend. We fell in love and I married him. One year after we were married he was lost during an exploration trip.

"McCoy your father has explained to you three about sexuality and reproduction. So you three understand that the sex act can result in a female getting pregnant. There is however another way for a female to have offspring. It comes about when a male goes to a special place and places his sperm, or reproductive fluid in nitrogen storage. Then, if he is injured, or killed he can still become a father. That is what my then husband did.

"So, after three years of hoping that he would return, I decided to become pregnant by artificial means, using my husband's stored sperm. McCoy, you are my son, my first husband is your biological father. But who is the one you have always recognized as your father?"

With his visage mirroring his father's McCoy looked into Spock's face and said,

"Mother, I have one father. He is sitting next to me now."

If a Vulcan could feel pride, he would, but it was Spock's human side that could bask in that feeling without any guilt at all.

McCoy stood before his parents and said,

"Being a father is not just passing on life, it is caring and protecting. My brothers and I have only one father."

Knowing that even at that point, their father's shields would probably be fragile, they all embraced their mother who had at that point starting crying.

"Boys, come into the house in fifteen minutes, Nyota arched her neck and rubbed her back said,

"That includes you, father of all my children."

Spock now stood and whispered into her ear,

"Of course, mother of all my progeny."