Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all fabulous.
Day 127: I Just Want to Hug You
From: Benjamin_2254
To: SuluHG2260
Subject: Home Again
Time arrived: 6/28/2260 00:00:01
Hey, sweetie!
Hey I found your letter when I was packing. You made me cry twice. You're the best.
I thought about writing you immediately, but I decided to wait until I got back to San Francisco. Also I had to deal with two kids who cried a lot, but it got better by the second day of the trip. We arrived back in San Francisco last night, but I kind of fell asleep the moment we got back to the house.
Oh, did I mention that I got subpoenaed by Zach's parents, the moment I stepped off the shuttle. DNA test for Kitty cat. So much for arbitration. I mean, I know what the results are going to say. We purposely decided that the first round, we would use Zach's sperm and a donor who looks like me. Baby number two was supposed to use my sperm and an egg donor that looks like Zach, but we never did get to the second baby. It doesn't matter. The rights of married couples using gestational carriers and donor eggs have been well documented and established legally over the last two centuries. K is my baby.
Shawn says not to worry. He is not even fighting the summons despite the fact my last lawyer did. I'm going to trust him on the second part, but on the first part, I can't help but be concerned. Last time the court sided with me, but here we are again. I feel like even if we win again, they are going to keep doing this because they're punishing me for living. They didn't even talk to Zach for the last year of his life and yet they're being so bitter about all of this.
In contrast, you're not even here and I'm invited to a second birthday party for Desi next weekend, being thrown by your big sister. I think it's an excuse for her kids to have more cake. Yes, I promise not to mention the fact that she was perfectly okay with stepping in to the role of step mom to the girls, but not up to taking in her niece. I will be on my best behavior and bite my tongue, mostly because your family is still halfway decent.
I miss you too. I definitely wish I could've had you with me when I got the subpoena at the spaceport. A hug would have been nice. I even wish Sue was still there, but Liz was good in a pinch. I really like her and her boyfriend. It's good that Desi has such a big extended family. I just wish baby K had more family in her life. Especially not evil family.
I'm sure we are going to see each other again sooner rather than later. You do earn vacation time and I know what I'm getting into. I agreed to have a kid with Zach when I knew I was going to be the stay-at-home parent. Hell, I was a Starfleet child. You know both of my parents are retired. Granted, they did wait until their late 40s to have me, but they were still off on missions a lot during the early years. I'm not going to be angry because what you do is important. Literally, there wouldn't be in Earth right now or even a San Francisco because of the stuff. Your team does important things and they need you. I'm sure the same is true of Sue's team.
I do understand why you feel that way though. I'm here every day and I still feel like I missed so much when I drop the baby off at daycare or when I see Desi after a couple of days. I know it must be worse for you, but she knows what you and Sue are doing is important or at least she will understand that once she gets older. She knows that you guys love her. I eventually realized that when I was a kid. This is the sacrifice of being in the military. We understand.
So how has life on Enterprise been after vacation? Any crazy missions? Are Jim and Spock getting into trouble? I really do think they share a brain. It's weird and adorable. Write me when you get a chance. Random gossip about your work life can distract me from the complicated nature of my relationship with my former in-laws.
From: SuluHG2260
To: Benjamin_2254
Subject: Re: Home Again
Time arrived: 6/28/2260 05:30:41
I wish I could do more to distract you from the evil, former in-laws. Actually, we just had a ridiculously peaceful first contact. No violence, no bloodshed, not even Jim accidentally eating something that could send him into anaphylaxis. Of course, it helped that Jim only came down the last day as Spock's escort because they wanted to meet Captain Spock's husband before signing the memo of understanding between the planet and the Federation.
They agreed to a cultural exchange and diplomatic visits explaining more about what the Federation does as well as learning more about the other planets in the Federation. This does give both parties time to decide if the planet is a right fit for the Federation. I'm sure the Federation is on board because of mineral rights. Sometimes I think the Federation has some imperialistic type values that don't quite mash with our general utopian philosophies, but Admiral Grandma is working on it.
It is nice to have a mission where nobody dies and everything is beautiful. This rarely happens so we're halfway expecting to be shot at by somebody as we're leaving. I even got to spend two days on planet taking soil and plant samples. Some other plant life has been documented to combat what we would refer to as cancer in the local inhabitants. I'm hoping that the MOU will allow us to study the plant life and see if it can help with finding cures for some of the strains of cancer that had been trickier than others in other species. I love science. Stuff like this reminds me why I'm here.
I'm kind of happy that I'm dating a Starfleet brat. Most civilians don't get Starfleet life, but you're not really a civilian.
I'm not going to deal with the sisters until I have to. Nor am I going to really complain about it because you are dealing with so much worse. I knew about the party because both wrote to me about it. Maybe they're trying to make up for deciding that Desi should live with Auntie Liz. I don't know. Honestly, I really don't care. I'm sure we're going to have to unpack this eventually, but not right now.
Don't worry about the court stuff. Shawn is good. He won against Leonard's ex-wife, despite the fact she had most of the Georgia legal system in her pocket. Shawn also went head-to-head with the judge after the ex-wife died. If anybody knows how to deal with a potentially ugly custody situation, it is Shawn Matthews. I have complete faith that he will make sure this goes in your favor.
I'm glad Liz is still there and I hope you keep hanging out with the playgroup even though Sue isn't with you right now. Sue said that you made lots of friends and I feel like you're going to need them all. I wish I could be there, but I know you're not alone.
Anyway, give the kids both a kiss good night for me. And remember, even if I'm light-years away, I really do love you.