Star date 10009.21 17:12 hours- Starfleet Testing Facility at Vulcan Regar on Vulcan
The bright light of Vulcan's red sunset was almost blinding as Captain Skyler exited the Flight Simulator. Although it was not as large as the one back on Earth, it provided Vulcans with the skills required for admission to the Academy, but for now, it was a means of escape for the young captain. He had been in the negotiations between the Federation and Romulan Governments for over 12 hours, and they weren't getting anywhere. He needed an escape, and this was it.
In stark contrast to the bright Vulcan sunset, the searing heat took him a moment to gain composure, as the heat alone hit him like a brick wall. Quietly, he drew his aviator sunglasses and put them on his face. That is when he remembered the young Vulcan female commander beside him.
"Captain, as long as I have known you, you have not changed. That slingshot around the Earth's move was most impressive, but you did use the X-71 to do some maneuvers that were not required for the flight. It was almost as if you were trying to impress me."
Richard had been amused by this remark.
She continued, "Your use of a baseball cap is most questioning." She glanced over at Richard, "You are no longer stationed on the Huron but wear a hat with such ship's name on it. Furthermore, the tint on your sunglasses eliminates the need for such a device."
Richard shook his head. "Semira, we have known each other since the academy. You ask such trivial questions when you already know the answers. I thought it would be against your Vulcan training to waste much time unless you are doing some scientific study on myself. But, to answer your question, I wear the clothes I wear and do the things I do because…. I like them." He beamed.
The Vulcan female shook her head and came back with. "Captain Skyler, you are one of the most illogical beings I have ever known."
Richard smiled and replied, "You know, Semira, my wife would totally agree with you on that one. Come on, we have to get back to the conference." He said as he led the way into the Federation Consulate.
The peace talks had finally ended for the week, and Richard was glad that they had, but not a moment too soon either. The part that particularly impressed him was that the Federation Negotiation Team had even rushed through the Zed Omega Sector talks a day and a half early. This would mean he could go back and brief his staff on what would happen sooner than just about all the other Sector Commanders. In a way, he almost felt sympathetic.
He stopped at the souvenir vendor and got Jack and Chrissy a Sehlat. He also got Lynn a very large Farinit. The leaves on this one were especially larger than the norm for the species, and he thought Lynn might appreciate its beauty. He had heard the boarding call for the Transport Ship and began to slow his pace.
He almost knocked over the Vulcan, who was waiting at the gate. Semira stood at attention and waited for him to acknowledge her. "At ease, Commander," he told her, which she automatically did. At that point, he returned the Vulcan Salute she was still holding. "Peace and long life, my friend."
Semira nodded. "Live Long and Prosper Captain."
He was just about to rush into the transport when she stopped him. "Captain…" he paused. "I understand that you and your wife had a child eleven weeks ago."
Richard nodded, curious about what Semira was getting at.
"I present you with this." Semira handed him a box, and he opened it. "It is the IDIC."
Richard looked at Semira bemused, "I know what this is; basic Vulcan Anthropology would have told me that, but what is it for?"
"It is for your daughter, Christine," Semira replied.
Richard looked at her, more confused. "I don't understand. Why does she need this?"
The placid expression on Semira's face did not change, but he could have sworn that she at least started to crack a smile.
"Well, I thought we could get some logic into your family. Your newborn daughter would be the best person to start with." With that, Semira nodded at him, and he returned her nod, allowing her dismissal. Semira turned and walked away towards the exit.
Richard shook his head. There were times when trying to follow the logic of Vulcans was not worth it. Tucking the IDIC into a pocket of his luggage, Richard boarded the transport back to Star Base 71, and home.
Star date 10009.24 17:12 hours—Star Base 71- Shuttle Bay
As soon as the USS Linnaeus docked at Star Base 7, Lilly Rose gathered her few items and disembarked. She didn't want to waste a moment. As soon as she was in the corridor, she grabbed the arm of a passing Lieutenant in engineering yellow, "Boy, where is Dr. Lilly Skyler?"
"Ma'am?" The lieutenant looks at her, confused.
Lilly Rose spoke slowly as if speaking to a toddler: "I asked you where I could find Dr. Lilly Skyler."
The lieutenant tried to process what the strange woman was asking him, "Sorry, ma'am, I don't know any Dr. Skyler in my department. Perhaps if you checked at the administration desk, they could assist you."
"Oh, these incompetent people!" Lilly thought. Annoyed, she let the young man go. "Never mind; I'll find her myself." Lilly walked into the corridor in a huff to a general information terminal. " Computer, locate Dr. Lilly Skyler."
"Dr. Lilly Lynn Skyler is in her personal quarters."
"And where is that?" Lilly growled, her patience wearing thin.
"Authorization required for information." The computer replied with no emotion.
"For god's sake, I'm her mother!" Lilly snapped.
"Information request sent."
"So much for surprising her and my idiot son-in-law," Lilly groused.
A moment later, the computer responded. "Authorization granted."
"Finally," Lilly huffed as she noted the address on the screen. "The least they could have done was authorize me to know where they lived. You would think they wouldn't want me showing up and surprising them." Still grumbling, Lilly made her way to the turbolift. "Computer Deck 3."
"Deck three, residential section two," the computer announced as the doors slid open to reveal a harried Lilly Rose. "OK, now which way?" She walked to the left, "3204, 3206...ah here it is 3210." She rang the door chime.
At the chime, Lynn Skyler gently placed her eleven-week-old daughter, Christine, into her bassinet. The baby had been napping on Lynn's shoulder when the authorization request came through her home terminal. "Jack, keep your toys on the playmat; guests are coming."
"Ok," Jack smiled at his adopted mother figure and ensured all his toys were on the mat.
With the baby safely lying in the bassinet, Lynn went to the door and tapped it to open, "Can I help you?"
"Lynn, it's mother," Lilly said through the communicator, still annoyed.
"Mom?!" Lynn opened the door for her, "What are you doing here? I mean, I just authorized you…" Lynn pointed to her desk as she moved aside so her mother could enter.
"The Linnaeus just docked, and I wanted to surprise you and see my two favorite grandchildren." Lilly gave Lynn a big hug.
Lynn shut the door behind Lilly. "It is a surprise. Please come in…" Lynn had assumed the authorization she approved was so Lilly could visit once her ship arrived, not that Lilly was already on board the station!
Hearing his grandmother's voice, Jack ran over to Lilly, "Willie!"
Lilly picked up Jack and swung him around so he sat on her right hip, "Jack, my boy! Oh, my, you are getting big." Lilly hugged Jack tightly.
"At least Jack is happy to see you," Lynn laughed with a lightly stiff smile. I assume you are here to see the newest addition." Lynn went over, picked baby Chrissy from the bassinet, and brought her over to Lilly. If you want to see Richard, he left for a conference on Vulcan a week ago, but he will be home in a few hours."
Jack laughed at Lilly, "So how do you like being an uncle, Jack?" Lilly gestured at the baby in Lynn's arms.
Embarrassed, Jack tried to avoid the question by hiding his face on Lilly's shoulder. Lilly tickled him to coax him out of his shell, "C'mon… No hiding"
"He is finding out how to share, for one thing," Lynn answered for him as she swayed with the baby in her arms.
Jack sighed, "Issokay," As he tried to avoid Lilly's tickling.
Lilly looked at Lynn, " I bet he is." Then she looked back to Jack, "Jack, are you being a good uncle to Chrissy?"
"Yea..."
"He's been helping me a lot." Lynn smiled at the little boy.
Lilly put Jack down, "Is that right, Jack? How do you help Lynn?"
"Yeah, I help." Jack grinned proudly.
Lynn ruffled Jack's hair with her free hand, "He helps me set the table, and if I need anything, he is good about getting it for me."
Lilly rummaged in her bag, "Well, since you're such a good helper, Lilly has a surprise for you."
Jack bounced and pulled on her bag, "What what...Gimme..."
Lilly continued to look in her bag, "Hang on there, Jack." Finding what she was looking for, Lilly pulled out a box all covered in brown paper, "Here you go, sweetie," She handed Jack the package. "Well, open it." Lilly encouraged.
Jack took the package and ran to an open space on the floor to rip the paper open. " Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Jack." Lilly beamed at her adopted grandson. "Do you know what that is, Jack?"
Lynn shifted Chrissy in her arms, "You're going to spoil him.
Lilly turned to Lynn, "Lynn, grandmothers are supposed to spoil their grandchildren."
"P'ane! " Jack began playing with it.
Lynn chuckled at the little boy. It was good to see him happy after so many days of struggling to deal with a new little sister in his life.
"Do you like it, Jack?" Lilly asked.
"YES! " Jack ran over and hugged Lilly.
"Oomph... Easy there, Jack." Lilly smiled and hugged Jack back.
Jack looked up at Lynn pleadingly, "Can I go play?"
With a gesture of her head toward his play area, "Jack, you can go play go on the scoot. Lilly and I have a lot of boring stuff to talk about." With a whoop, Jack ran over to his toys and began playing with his new plane.
Turning back to her bag, she said, "OK, now let's see what else I have here." Lilly pulled out a soft fleece doll, "Lynn, do you think Chrissy will like this?"
Lynn took the doll and danced it in front of the baby, getting her to smile, "I think she will, " Lynn smiled,
"Well, I'm happy to see the children doing so well, Lynn." Lilly sat on the couch and gestured to take Chrissy from Lynn. "May I?"
"Grandma's privilege," Lynn carefully laid the baby into Lilly's waiting arms.
"Is she growing well? She still seems a bit tiny for her age." Lilly adjusted the blanket so she could see Chrissy's sleeping face.
"She is just over six and a half pounds, which is good given how tiny she was when she was born," Lynn reassured her mother.
Lilly cleared her throat, "How are you and Richard doing now?"
Lynn didn't rise to her mother's obvious bait, "Pretty good," Lynn smiled and ran a finger down Chrissy's soft cheek, "We are busy, but we make time for the family."
Lilly started to kiss Chrissy's forehead but stopped, "Is she safe for grandma kisses?"
"As long as you have had all your shots but keep them to the top of her head just to be safe," Lynn said, glad her mother remembered the rules from when Chrissy first came home. "Her immune system is still weak but doing much better than six weeks ago."
Carefully patting the baby's bottom, Lilly gestured toward her bag with her head, "I have something for you and Richard as well."
"Oh?" Lynn raised an eyebrow. Given Lilly's opinion of Richard, she wasn't sure what her mother considered a 'gift,' "What did you do?"
Lilly pursed her lips at her daughter, "Must you be so pessimistic?" Lynn gives a knowing look. "Fine, I've arranged to stay here for a few days…."
"Mother…" Lynn interrupted with a warning tone.
"I know you don't get much time to yourself after babies are born, so I thought I would temporary quarters nearby and give you and Richard some time alone." She smiled happily and rocked Chrissy.
Lynn looked confused, "Let me understand you correctly, you came here to…"
"I'm taking the children with me," Lilly said proudly.
"Mother," Lynn closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "You are NOT taking my children away from me. Ever!"
"You misunderstand me, sweetheart," Lilly reached out to touch Lynn's arm, but she flinched back. "I meant I booked rooms near the children's amusement area. While you and Richard have quality time together, sans children, I will look after them." The relief must have shown on Lynn's face because Lilly continued, "It is grandparents' job to spoil their grandchildren and give them back to their parents. We had enough headaches raising you; now you get the headaches." Lilly chuckled.
"I don't want it to be too long. I am supplementing Chrissy's bottles, and I'm a bit paranoid being away from both for too long." Lynn looked longingly at her daughter and Jack.
"If you would rather not, I just thought I'd spend some quality time with my grandchildren and give you two a break for a bit. You don't mind, do you, dear?" Lilly asked hopefully.
"Granted, Richard and I are," Lynn recalled the conversation she and Richard had the week before he left for Vulcan. Getting a few hours of uninterrupted time away from the kids would help with that 'project.' "Anyway," Lynn nodded in agreement, "The idea is good, and no, I don't mind you spending time with your grandchildren." Lynn smiled. "Just if Jack comes back sick from candy, I'll know who to blame. "
"Then that settles it." Lilly asked, "Jack, do you want to go on an adventure with Lilly and Chrissy?"
The little boy's head snapped up at Lilly calling his name. "Yeah! Can I see the stars? Please..." Jack ran over to crawl into Lynn's lap.
"Oh, we can arrange that, my boy, but you must pack your things."
"Are you sure you can handle both of them?" Lynn held Jack in her lap.
"Lynn, I may be old but can still handle two small children for a few days. And these two are perfect angels." Lilly smiled at the children.
"I'm not going to comment, " Lynn smiled, "Personally, I think you have spent too much time in the greenhouse."
"Now go and pack their things," Lilly smirked. "You said that Miss Chrissy needed some special supplies."
Lynn rolled her eyes, "I'll see what I can do, but if she needs me…"
"You are but a call away," Lilly gave Lynn a knowing look.
"Richard should be home soon. Would you like to have dinner with us first?" Lynn hesitated to let her babies go with her mother before Richard got home.
"Never mind dinner, Lynn...Jack and Chrissy have a date for dinner with me, right Jack?" Lilly missed the worry in Lynn's eyes as Lilly's attention was on Jack.
"Mom!" Lynn said sharply to get Lilly to look at her, "Richard will want to see the kids when he gets home. I can't let you take them away before he sees them."
"Right." Lilly looked a bit abashed, "Sorry, sweetheart. How about we meet for breakfast in the morning, at 0700. That way, you two can have time together, and the kids' sleep patterns won't be disrupted too much."
"And you aren't keeping them away from their father." Lynn reminded her mother with a pointed tone. She locked eyes with Lilly as Lynn's fingertip smoothed Chrissy's fine hair.
"Of course, dear," Lilly cleared her throat, catching Lynn's point, "C'mon Jack, show Lilly where your things are." Lilly carefully transferred the sleeping Chrissy back to Lynn's arms.
Star date 10009.24, 19:17 hours—Star Base 71- Docking Ring
"Richard!"
Captain Richard Skyler's head instantly turned to the welcomed sound of his wife's voice, only for him to instantly regret it when his stomach turned. Richard managed to swallow the lurch when Lynn almost knocked Richard down as she hugged him tightly, welcoming him home. "What's wrong, Richard?" Lynn stepped back, worried, when he stiffened.
The Lieutenant who was disembarking with him replied, "Let's see. The in-flight meal was Plomeek and some very undercooked Vrass. Plus, he has had some kid kicking the back of his seat for the last 12 hours." Richard glared at the Lieutenant, who smiled as they continued down the corridor. "Looks like that Vrass was worse than I thought it was."
Using her finger, Lynn had him look back at her, "Then I guess he doesn't want to know that my mother showed up unannounced?" Lynn couldn't help but feel bad for her husband but still couldn't hide her mischievous look.
He staggered slightly and tightened his grip on his wife. "Come again?" Richard found his voice again. Richard wasn't sure which was worse, the thought of the food or his mother-in-law visiting unannounced.
"Lilly showed up two hours ago," Lynn said, matter of fact. "Mom wanted to play grandma for the night, so the night is ours to do with as we please." Richard started to speak, but Lynn put a finger on his lip. "You don't report for another 12 hours, and I have a holodeck program reserved for us for the next eight hours. You can recoup from this trip in our quarters or with me at a lakeside cabin."
"One question." Richard grinned down at Lynn.
"Which is?"
"When can I see the kids?"
"Tomorrow for breakfast."
He wrapped around her shoulders and leaned more than usual on her, "Good, now, let's drop my stuff off and disappear for a while." He kissed her temple and tugged her down the corridor toward their quarters.