Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of emails. You are all wonderful.
Day 393: I deserve a Sundae bar.
From: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez
To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny
Time arrived: 03/16/2261 00:00:01
Subject: Congratulations on the new godchildren
Sorry I haven't written for a while. I thought this would be an excellent time to check in. Your father-in-law told me that Adm. Pike delivered the twins a few days ago. I have also heard that you and Spock have been named godparents. Congratulations. I am happy to hear that as well. We do not wish for bad things to happen to those we love. It's always good to be prepared because tragedy strikes at the worst possible moment. You're both excellent choices, regardless.
Apparently, the kid's propaganda-focused reports were not controversial since the program was renewed. I would love to hear if you had to classify any of the reports this time. I heard bits and pieces from the kids during Valentine's Day. I got to see your baby propaganda poster. You were adorable. They were super excited about their project but worried at the same time. They didn't want to do anything that could result in the program being shut down permanently. I know many of the children feared that the program would be canceled because they didn't have anywhere else to go. I am glad it will continue for their sake, although I wouldn't mind seeing you guys more.
I'm proud of you for having a contingency plan even though you didn't need it. I'm also proud you were willing to put Peter's needs before yours. It shows so much growth on your part. You may not believe it, but I will keep saying that you are a good dad/father figure. Parenthood is difficult, but you and your husband are doing well. All things considered, Peter is a happy and well-adjusted child.
Peter said all good things about you at the Valentine's Day party/surprise wedding. You should know, he absolutely adores you and does not want to have to live with his grandfather full-time. I'm glad that didn't happen. I don't think leaving Enterprise would be suitable for him right now. He needs stability, and Enterprise is stability. I also think what happened on Devon made him a little afraid of permanent settlement to a colony. That's something you should talk to him about eventually. Especially if your retirement plan involves settling in New Vulcan, ultimately.
Work-life, as usual, has been crazy. I'm doing more teaching to eventually have more people that can do my job. I actually now have an intern. Fingers crossed that it helps, and I get to take a vacation sometime next year.
I have some good news. I'm going to be at Yorktown for the Sulu wedding. Because there are so few Vulcan psychologists, none of us can relocate to the embassy. Instead, I'm going for a week to do a crash course on Vulcan psychology for every psychologist and other medical professional station there that will be working with the embassy.
I hope this doesn't impact Ben's honeymoon. He's a pediatrician, but he might be required to attend as well since he will work with Vulcan children and will need to be able to recognize the signs of emotional distress or crisis. I know he did a crash course at the VSA during his visit. He could likely be attending this seminar as well. I apologize in advance if that is the case.
I'm happy I'll see you guys for at least a few days. I wish I was actually having a vacation. However, I feel better knowing that the diplomats at the space station will receive better mental healthcare. And I'll get to see the Sulu toddlers. They're such lovely children, and I am glad I will get to see them.
Speaking of healthcare, I've gone with the ambassador to his last two appointments. The reason why there were two appointments was I had him switch doctors. The team was lovely, but the head doctor was a dick, and he was hindering their efforts to work with Dr. McCoy remotely. Someone couldn't swallow their pride. He also never treated anybody with hybrid physiology but refused to acknowledge how that would make him underqualified in this case. Dragging the elder up to see Dr. McCoy was the best thing since he understands Human Vulcan hybrid physiology on a deeper level. The new doctor understands that and is grateful for the advice.
Also, FYI, I have a new physician assistant because of what went down. Well, my office has a new physician assistant and receptionist. I may also be doing some letters of recommendation. I don't feel guilty helping the team get better jobs.
So, how are things going on Enterprise? You have to be back to your regularly scheduled star mapping by this point. You're in the system next door to us, right? That will mean quicker emails if that's the case. I miss when there was not a delay.
I wonder why we have yet to go back to the old system. People will do bad things regardless of if the system is searching all their emails. That means they're going to work around the system. Therefore, anything you do will just punish everyone else, which isn't right. Anyway, I expect pictures. Your father-in-law always refuses to share.
xxxxx
From: Saavik of New Vulcan
To: kitten_loverJJMU
bcc: Peter_K
Time arrived: 03/16/2261 00:00:01
Subject: What does one do at a sleepover?
I need your help. What does one do at a sleepover? Technically, we had one when you visited, but I feel we did not do all the traditional sleepover activities. The ambassador plans to host one early next month to celebrate completing our group project. He's already inquired about appropriate menu options. I've asked for a cheese pizza. I like pizza.
Are there games that people are supposed to play? You mentioned truth or dare last time, but the adults said no. Are there other activities? Are there things I need to purchase?
School is going well. And I actually have several friends, hence the sleepover. We got close during our group research project. The gardening project is also going well. None of my plants have died yet. I've sent pictures to Spock.
I've seen the amusement park pictures. I want to go to a waterpark. Unfortunately, I do not know how to swim yet, but the ambassador wants me to learn. He is currently looking into the possibility of me having swimming classes at some point. There won't be a waterpark in Yorktown, but there will be pools. The ambassador also says it's a valuable skill if I travel to other planets.
I think he might become an active diplomat again. He stepped back because of the adoption and the need to rebuild the VSA. The fact that I am thriving at the international school makes him consider returning to active duty. I wouldn't mind. My classmates have such interesting stories, because they had the chance to roam the galaxy with their parents. I wouldn't mind having my own.
I'm sure you're back in space by this point. What is the ship doing right now? How are you doing? Peter told me you were having a rough couple of days but wouldn't give details. I am sure you know we had a video call a couple of days ago about when Admiral Pike had her twins. I heard they're going to be coming to Yorktown for the wedding. I am personally looking forward to seeing Grandma Winona again.
Anyway, we have to make plans for the summer. I'm so happy we will get to spend most of June together. It's going to be a lot of fun.
Xxxx
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Saavik of New Vulcan
Time sent: 03/16/2261 17:21:01
Subject: Re: What does one do at a sleepover?
Congratulations on your upcoming sleepover. As well as the fact you have friends that you want to have a sleepover with. I heard from Peter, who heard from his uncle Jim. Apparently, your brother had to send grandpa a list of sleepover-appropriate foods. I don't know if games were included. Probably not, because your brother would forget about fun. Don't worry, though. Games and other fun activities will be on the list I've attached.
Truth or dare should be reserved when there are no parents around. But I have a bunch of other activities on the list, like makeovers and extreme cookie-making. Sadly, you can't do Oreos or anything with chocolate, but I have added lots of great nonchocolate cookie recipes to the list.
Yeah, it's been a rough couple of weeks. The judge is being investigated for murder. He paid to have various vehicles run into cliffs, ravines, and trees. It's possible this is what happened with my mom despite her high blood alcohol levels. Unfortunately, I found this out via a News alert via Reyes. She didn't know that I didn't know and told me during class.
After the video call with Aunt Lena, I turned off a news alert on the judge because I felt like something was being kept from me. I was right. I really didn't want to find out accidentally, and I did. There's been a lot of therapy sessions recently. I should probably write Aunt Lena, but I'm waiting for her to write me. There were emergency rapid messages, but I didn't send any. We also haven't got any concrete proof that the judge murdered my mom, so I guess that's good. It's just been stressful.
Peter is staying over again. Not for a slumber party, but because both of his uncles had an away mission and he couldn't go. They will be down on the planet we're circling for at least another two days. They weren't supposed to go on an assignment, together, but the mission required it. Peter is unhappy. Resigned but unhappy.
We are currently visiting a planet that communicates via singing. Mom was scheduled to go down with Uncle Spock. However, when she was reading the pre-brief, she found out that it was safer to send a married couple. Otherwise, they would've accidentally married Uncle Spock off to a princess, and that would have been good for no one. If we didn't do that, then they would've shot our ship down, and we really didn't want that to happen either.
Mommy Nyota stayed behind and sent her number two for linguistic duties. Hopefully, he won't end up married to the prince. It's because if something happens to Peter's uncles, at least he has my mom. I just hope that everything goes well and they get back soon. Peter will be happy because he hates it when they're not here.
I am happy you're looking forward to swimming. Like you, I looked into what is available in Yorktown. Unfortunately, there are no water parks on Yorktown. There are a couple of waterslides, though. I think the hotel the outside wedding guests are staying at will have one. We might be staying there for a few days. We're moving to the embassy or Starfleet housing after the parents leave for the Federation Gen. assembly.
I don't know if we're staying with Grandma Kirk or Grandpa while everybody else is at Babel, including most of my classmates. They're still working out logistics. That might be part of the reason for the call with Uncle Spock and grandpa. Who knows.
Anyway, send pictures from the sleepover. I want to know how it goes. Especially if you do any of the sleepover activities. I recommend painting your fingernails, but I don't remember seeing nail polish in December. Maybe it's something your culture doesn't do. Considering what I've heard about Vulcan hands, a manicure might be considered an intimate act.
I guess sleepovers, in general, are an Earth thing. Check my list attached. I'm sure there are a few things on there that will be culturally appropriate. Have fun. We're close by, so you should get this list in time to get provisions. Mom thinks you will get our emails within 2 to 3 days since we're only two systems away now. New Vulcan might actually be the closest Federation communication hub to us.
Now I need to schedule an actual fun sleepover with the Ashley's. I deserve one. At a minimum, I deserve a Sundae bar. I'm gonna talk to my mom.
To be continued…
Sorry, this chapter is coming a little later than usual. I have family visiting, and I've been on vacation. I was at the waterpark yesterday, and now I'm very burned because I missed some places with the sunscreen. So every chapter is a week behind in the posting schedule right now. We should be back on track for the next round of updates.