Chapter Forty-three
The Desert Saga
Lo'vaak's training served him well at this juncture of his life. He was successfully delivering his son. When he determined through their bond that the birth was
imminent, he joined Christine in the birthing pool and held out his hands to receive his son, Maat Nun Si'len William. First observed was his curly black
hair, so like his father's. His complexion was fair, like his mother's but It was noticed right away that he had inherited his father's ears and eyebrows. At a later time,
within the week, Lo'Vaak would determine if the placement of his son's internal organs followed the human, Betazoid or Vulcan physiology. It would be best to
determine this soon, in case any health issues presented themselves. Lo'Vaak then performed the ritualistic Vulcan baptism using merely a cup of water, then wrapped him in
his blanket and brought him to Christine's breast. He whispered, "My Christine, our love has been affirmed again. Thank you."
The birth had been non-traumatic. There had been no outcries, no gasps, just deep breathing, quiet conversation and encouragement. The room was otherwise filled with soft
music. In the chairs and loungers about the room the family sat and waited. Lo'Vaak was the master of this event and it would be a memorable well-orchestrated experience.
Candles burned instead of harsh overhead lighting. Children whispered instead of shouted at one another. The adults meditated, read and conversed quietly. This experience
could have been viewed as almost sacred and this birthing room a temple. He stroked his wife's forehead before leaning down and kissing her. All in the room had long ago
sighed a sigh of relief now that the birth was over. Once Christine was taken upstairs the birthing pool would be emptied.
Nyota waddled toward her friend and said,
"This has been one of the most moving experiences of my life, you just might have started a trend. Your son's wife-to-be will experience the same quiet, candle lit
introduction to her family. Thank you."
Nyota held the edge of the bed to balance herself as she bent to kiss her friend. Spock was hovering in the behind her holding Kov and Xon. Rachel stood behind him holding
NyTu who was trying to figure out how she could get to Kov. Rachel motioned for Spock to give Kov to her and he did so. With that repositioning Kov took NyTu's hand in his
and said,
"My sister is going to be your brother's bondmate."
NyTu's answer was,
"You don't have a sister."
As his mother turned from Christine he bent down from the waist and touched her stomach and grasped NyTu's hand and said,
"NyTu, meet T'Amanda."
There was a resounding response from the encased infant. NyTu laughed and said,
"Do you think she will play with me?"
"We will all play together."
NyTu nodded but continued to hold Kov's hand.
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At the Embassy all was in readiness for the MOVE. It was time for this group of survivors to test out their new found skills and contribute to workings of the
settlement. The familiar bondings would be made with ceremony similar to an adoption ceremony. The entire group would be settled in the diningroom. Lo'Vaak's father Si'len
would officiate. The new members of the settlement would adopt the lateral name of the Vulcan who became his k'war'ma'khon (like a brother, but not related by blood) and
would be introduced to his 'blood brother's' lateral history and adopt it as his own. These would then have family. They would also be tested to see the percentage of yazmeen
hormone in their blood. It would be surprising to discover if the centuries away from the natural cycles of Vulcan would have affected their body make up to the extent that they
would not have to be treated to control the onset of Pon Farr. These also would have to seek bondmates among cataloged Terran females. Amazingly, now with no great rush in
all probability, the majority of the settlement's inhabitants might wait until the settlement was either complete, or nearly so, before pursuing that next great change
in their life. Nyota was already requesting permission for Star Fleet to contribute to the creation of a school for the children that would be born to these couples. It would
mirror the school that she had established at Star Fleet for the children of Terran with non-Terran mates.
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The embassy shuttle settled on the landing pad and the occupants disembarked with their duffle bags. All were dressed in black trousers and tunics of various hues. What they
would discover when the settled into their seats, their 'brother' was also attired in the same color as they themselves wore. Lunch was served and after, Si'len came to the front
to address the young men who he now considered his charges.
"My sons, this is the day of your true birth. Up until this time your date of birth was shrouded in mystery. This will be the case no more. You will now join with a family. This
unit is the heart and soul of Vulcan life. All of you who are adopted will share living space with your new brother, you will meditate together, share meals, educational programs,
jobs, and recreation."
The bonding ceremony was carried on in private, each two males secluded and given instruction by the healer. Once the bond was established, the more
experienced Vulcan was to take them to their shared living space and start to instruct his 'brother' on the bonds proper use, how to dampen, control and direct messages. This
would be an on-going educational process.
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On Terra, Nyota had put in her notice. Today would be her last day at work for some time. She would be available for consultation during her extended maternity leave. Her
office ran like a 'well oiled machine' so there would be no glitches or down time in the administrative part of this educational facility during her absence. As she locked her desk
she looked up and saw Spock standing at the door. She hurried over and stood on tip-toe and planted a kiss on his lips, which involuntarily turned up at the corners. Her
response was,
"Today, I saw a Vulcan smile."
His reply was simply,
"If the look on my face that was conveying my satisfaction with my life with you my wife, our sons and soon to be born daughter and you wish to interpret it as a smile, I will
not contradict you."
"Okay, my husband who is displaying his satisfaction on his face, what brings you to this 'neck of the woods?"
As she said this she tilted her head back to be able to look him in the eye. In doing so she exposed her still beautiful neck and he was almost tempted to turn her statement
about his coming to this 'neck of the woods,' into desired action that included attention to said body part, but he refrained. Instead he simply said,
"I am aware that my wife and daughter are hungry, and so we shall go and partake of sustenance. Ta'Paal has seen to the needs of our sons."
Returning to her desk she removed her keys from the lock, tested the drawers and then returned to her husband, and said,
"Spock, you know I would follow you anywhere…."
Facing her he gently ran the back of his hand along the side of her face and said,
"Indeed. I would be devastated if that were not the case."
He then placed his hand at the small of her back and led her to the late afternoon air marking the close of this day, one of many, many such ones they would enjoy
together.
FINIS
Epilogue to follow