Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all absolutely lovely.

Day 85: You know, your family is still an upgrade

From: Benjamin_2254

To: SuluHG2260

Subject: Congratulate me on surviving another May 2

Time arrived: 5/16/2260 00:00:01

So I heard that your BFF actually slept with a 36-year-old while everyone else could hear him during what turned out to be a stuck in a cave mission. You need more friends your own age. I'm definitely going to have to introduce you to the playgroup crew if you ever end up planet side. Of course since the group is Starfleet, there's probably a greater chance that you might run into them on their next mission.

So, the anniversary of Zach's death kind of sucked. Next year I'm flying to a different planet with a different calendar so I can just skip it. I miss the old days where you could just fly to Australia and avoid that day. Totally not possible with modern shuttles.

The day started out good at the park. It's always a good day when my baby is smiling. Winona was also great. She completely understands what I'm going through in a way very few others did. That woman even figured out a way for us not to participate in the moment of silence for the Vulcan genocide.

But then it kind of all unraveled, once we got home. My former in-laws are kind of assholes who spoke to the media and painted me as some heartless bastard. Email file attached. Don't look at the comments. Just don't. Sue broke a PADD before calling Shawn to deal with it.

Also, it's a good thing she called Shawn because they threatened to try to take custody of baby K again despite losing the fight last time. I think they're going to try to keep me from taking her with me to come see you. They are just horrible people. However, Sue is giving me Shawn. I've been informed that he is a legal pit bull. I also found out that he is your ex-boyfriend.

Apparently, after nearly dying on a mission a while back, Shawn decided to get the hell out of Starfleet legal. I totally don't blame him. I am also glad to have a legal pit bull on my side just in case. He did get that paper to post a sort of apology for the defamation.

I'm scared of Zach's parents even though I shouldn't be. I mean my name is on the birth certificate and even though she's genetically Zach daughter, she's always been mine. I'm the one who raised her and they're just being irrational. Or maybe they just want to punish me for being alive when their son isn't. I don't know. Although honestly they never actually liked me. Mostly because they really wanted a daughter in law.

I don't think I ever told you how messy things got right after Zach died. They were trying to take my daughter away from me before I even had time to spread my husband's ashes, but their plan didn't work. They lost last time because Zach's sister took my side and I'm sure she will do it again. I can't help but worry though. Especially because said sister is on a mission on the other side of the quadrant right now. Maybe the new judge will see things differently.

Even though I'm cautiously optimistic about actually making this trip without the in-laws trying to ruin it, I am packing. That child needs way too much clothing for three weeks. Of course, half of what I'm bringing is toys because we will be spending at least two of those weeks on the ship. But it's going to be worth it to see you. I already have lined up babysitting services for when we will be on base at the same time. We will have alone time.

However, it's not going to be all vacation for me. For some reason your baby's grandmother has decided that I'm going to look over the medical facilities on Yorktown because she wants a second opinion to make sure everything is set up adequately. A civilian opinion. I don't get it, but I am barely having to pay for any of this trip. Therefore, I'm going to do what she asked. Maybe me being there to inspect the facilities is how I'm on this trip. Maybe this got approved because I'm there as some sort of consultant. I'm not going to question your daughter's grandmother. I already like her more than my daughter's grandmother.

Anyway, if I don't get to write you again before we leave for Yorktown just know that I love you and miss you. Even though your family seems awful at times, they are so much better than Zach's. I only love his sister. She's the best. Everyone else, not so much. They were totally the black sheep of their families.

XXXX

From: SuluHG2260

To: Benjamin_2254

Subject: Congratulate me on surviving another May 2

Time arrived: 5/16/2260 05:39:01

It makes total sense that anybody you fell in love with was the good one. You have excellent taste. I'm sorry that they're being absolutely horrible to you. Shawn is good at what he does. He has eviscerated many an asshole in the court room. I'm sure he's just as vicious now that he's a civilian.

We kind of fell apart because he's so intense. It's hard to date someone who is going over legal textbooks at every hour the day, including when you're on a date and trying to watch a movie together.

Also do not be worried about the ex-boyfriend. We were not that serious, just a normal Academy hook up, that happened at the funeral of our mutual ex-boyfriend. Yes, we met at a funeral and you always make bad decisions at funerals. It's a very emotional place.

You're the more committed relationship. If it wasn't serious between us, I totally would have broken things off before leaving planet for five years. Instead I'm getting really good at the art of letter writing. But I'm really happy I'll get to see you soon.

I think they did get you to Yorktown by saying that you're a consultant and because Chen is the way she is, you're going to have to do some actual consulting. Also, most of the doctors on Yorktown are supposed to be civilians, so your advice would be useful. It's not totally a Starfleet installation, but also a diplomatic post, once it's fully populated. I think it's supposed to be nearly 300,000 people. But there's only going to be a small fraction of that because again it's still coming together. Actually I don't think this is even a real shore leave more like a working vacation. Possibly, for both of us. I think I'm supposed to help set up the hydroponic farm section of Yorktown.

Yes, I realize I need more friends that are adults. I have Nyota and Jim now, but they're also ridiculously busy. Jim is convinced he has more work now that he's first officer than when he was captain. Thanks to Pavel's interesting dating choices, I am making a few new friends. I like Sanchez. I question the good sense in her having sex with a 19-year-old, but well, we all have our coping mechanisms.

Although, I just think that it's sex right now. However, I'm kind of surprised that it lasted beyond the initial hook up at all, but they've had lunch a few times, and we've hung out. Honestly, 50% of all Starfleet relationships are hook ups, the other 50% are Jim and Spock and Leonard and Nyota. Somewhere in there, there's the percentage of people in long-term relationships that are light years away from each other. We are totally in that category.

Did I mention that I'm so looking forward to us actually getting to spend time with each other without small children around? Because really, I miss you so much. I'm going to have to get Liz the shoe basket.

Do you know if the forms making Liz and Kevin the official guardians of my child made it to Earth? I sent them back a while ago, but we are in the middle of deep space and everything takes forever to get back to Earth.

You know if the custody thing wasn't already so precarious with six parents, I would totally lobby for you to get a job on a Star base. Then we could actually see each other more often. It's so much easier to get to a Star base a couple of times a year than Earth. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to see Earth again before the end of the five year mission unless there is a funeral or Jim violates the Prime Directive. I really want to avoid that, even if it means missing out on seeing you.

You probably will be leaving soon, so this might be my last email for a while. Or at least the last one that might get you before you leave so bring chocolate, alcohol, and supplies for private time. And don't worry about your former in-laws. Things will work out. I know it.

Love you.

To be continued