Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last chapter. You are all wonderful. I had a good visit with my family. Although that has put me behind with posting.

Day 5: Greetings from Earth

From: Benjamin_2254

To: SuluHG

Subject: Miss you much.

Time arrived: 2/22/2260 00:00:01

I miss you too. Although having your daughter's mother, Sue, around has helped. Having other grown-ups to talk to is always nice. We had a play date today. I attached pictures. They are adorable together. Kiko is trying to teach your daughter how to crawl. She's trying to be the perfect big sister. I think Demora may be an expert in it by next week with her sort of big sister showing her the way. I spent all night baby proofing or rather re-baby proofing my apartment.

Potty training is a complete disaster, and I think I'm going to wait a few more months before trying again. I was only doing that because my former in-laws and main babysitters wanted to push the issue, but Sue managed to get Kiko into the same daycare program as Demora. Apparently as a Starfleet widow, I am entitled to Starfleet daycare. So at least I don't have to worry about my daughter's inability to potty train at 14 months offending the sensibilities of my former in-laws. It's not like they ever liked to me.

You know I was a little worried about you having such a great relationship with your daughter's mom, but I really do like her. And it is great for Kiko to have a strong female figure in her life. And Sue is strong. I'm enjoying our post play group coffee even if it's usually wine.

During our last chat, I also discovered that because I'm not Starfleet, it is going to take at least an extra day before I get any of your messages from your official Starfleet account. At least that's what we gathered from the fact that you sent your messages to us on the same day and she got her letter first. Sue believes they are screened to make sure you tell me nothing inappropriate or classified.

So, if you don't get a reply from me for a few days, don't think that I'm taking you up on your offer to see other people because it's not something I want. I'd rather have letters for you. There's toys for everything else. I should probably get a fingerprint lock for that door before Kiko masters the art of running and opening drawers before I can catch up with her. She's getting there.

Love you

From: Jim_Spock-Kirk

To: KirkKR

Time sent: 2/22/2260 5:21:01

Subject: Greetings from Enterprise.

Hi Kevin:

See, I did write you in less than a week this time. It's only day four of the five-year mission. And no, I did not do it just because your girlfriend emailed me yesterday See, I'm getting better.

Okay, Spock bear said I had to stop sending non-work-related text messages to his PADD while working. It's so unfair. It's the only thing keeping me sane while dealing with toddlers and actual teenagers, a.k.a the 2Js and the Ashleys. If you include Jo Jo, it's 3Js and the Ashleys but Jo Jo did not participate in the pranking of their instructor. Her mom may have made Winona look well-adjusted, but at least she taught her daughter manners.

All I really want to do is make out with my husband during lunch, but now I have to deal with their stupid teenager antics. Thank God Jo Jo was in there, otherwise we would've never found Ensign Hastings. I bet she's wishing she stayed a high school English teacher instead of coming back to Starfleet post Vulcan.

I'm pretty sure when I was captain, I got to see Spock more than I do now. He was always up there with me on the bridge. Although now I'm realizing that was because he was also chief science officer, and I am chief paper pusher and bureaucrat. I spend most of my day in our office doing paperwork. I think it's because he was just better at paperwork then me. Okay, Spock is just better at everything, but he was a paperwork ninja where I am drowning with at least 6 dozen requests for different rooms or rather different roommates.

I think half are from Chekov and his roommate who really does not appreciate having to find somewhere else to sleep when he is hooking up with random people. It's day five. It is way too early to start having random one-night stands. Not that I would know because I'm happily married (and I would rather spend time with my husband in dealing with their complaints).

Is it too early to ask you how your classes are going? I know I haven't been gone for a full week yet, but I worry mostly because I'm sure a few of your professors might be out to get me. I think your future mommy in law arrested most of them, but you never know.

So, speaking of future mother-in-law, Admiral Chen, a little birdie told me that you are practically living with your girlfriend at her sister's house. Having fun babysitting little Demora Sulu? Have you mastered the art of diaper changing? Remember that if you don't take your contraceptive hypo like you're supposed to, you may need that experience. Please for the love of every omnipotent being in the galaxy, do not get Admiral Chen's daughter pregnant. It's a small miracle that Sulu's only punishment is babysitting me and Spock.

How is mom? Okay the real question I want to ask, is mom still sober? With me going back into space for the 1st time since almost dying, I'm just worried about her being triggered. At least that's what kind of came out when talking to Dr. Margarita. Yes, I'm seeing my therapist.

We have a long journey ahead of us. I can't say where exactly we're going, but I'm going to have at least 3 or 4 weeks where I'm going to have time for correspondence, but not actually have anything interesting to write. The most interesting thing I'm doing right now is reprogramming the replicator to make Snickers. Think your girlfriend for that. It is Jo Jo's reward for telling me what happened to the tutor recently.

So, how bad is the Academy rumor mill? Apparently Enterprises filled with gossips. Most of the ship knows or thinks they know about how your niece was conceived. And unfortunately it is a little more accurate than we would like, because apparently the asshole ex-boyfriend has a big mouth and is trying to paint himself in the best possible light. Asshole. Baby Demora is so lucky that Sulu won the baby battle.

Also, you should know by this point that anything they're saying about me or your brother-in-law is probably 99.9% untrue. So, the current rumor floating around the ship is Starfleet wanted me out completely, and the only reason why I'm still here is because I married Spock. Also, apparently I blackmailed him into marrying me? I mean I'm aware that I married up. But that's just because Spock is that good and loves me despite the fact I do so many crazy things. How did I get so many people on the ship without basic reasoning skills? They are totally ignoring the fact that I got to keep the rank of Captain.

Anyway, right back when you have a chance. I want to hear all about your crazy adventures this semester.

From: SuluHG

To: Benjamin_2254

Subject: Re: Miss you much.

Time sent: 2/22/2260 6:30:26

Okay, considering the fact these letters are totally being read through because I didn't get this until the day after you wrote it. I say I would love to know what you do with those toys, but don't send me details. We'll just have to make up for it in June. I hope you're coming. Also, I suggest using this email address.

Also, it's probably best that you get a fingerprint lock for that drawer. No child should ever find their parents sex toys, even if they are too young to remember.

Thank you for the pictures. I've added them to the digital frame. The crawling lessons were adorable. I do miss all of you and honestly June can't get here soon enough. It's just dawning on me, how many firsts I'm going to miss in my daughter's life. First, there's going to be crawling, then walking. I'm also going to miss first words and the first day of preschool. If the five-year mission lasts the full five years, I will miss kindergarten too. That's a lot. It's just the longer I am away, the more I realize that.

I won't be able to help you with your second attempt at potty training. Look, maybe I'm a little happy about missing that one. I'm glad the girls are now in the same day care. Maybe it's good that you guys have created your own support system.

Love You

Will write again soon.

To be continued.