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

Day 213: Heed the Words of Beyoncé

From: Benjamin_2254

To: SuluHG2260

Subject: Almost stable

Time arrived: 9/23/2260 00:00:01

Bizarrely enough, I got both of your letters within 24 hours. I was going to write back to you after I read your first letter yesterday, but I had dinner with Zoe and Victoria. After that, I did not have the emotional energy to respond. There was a lot of drinking. Not me, I had to be the sober one, but Zoe and her mom needed a good drink and a good cry.

Victoria feels guilty about not leaving a long time ago and letting her abusive prick of a husband control her so much. Yes, you were right. The accidents were never accidents. He never touched Zoe or K, thank God. But I don't think that Zach was as lucky. Unfortunately, I can't ask him. I would like to believe that he would've told me, but Zachary barely talked about the verbal abuse. We were together years before he got to that point, just before Vulcan happened. Maybe Zach thought we would have more time. Perhaps he was working his way up to telling me the truth. I don't know.

In the long run, it doesn't change what we're dealing with now. I need to be there for Zoe as she works through all of this. BTW, she wants to meet you. I think the goddess Liz is working out a video conference for us in October and she will be joining. She says it's her job as my sister-in-law to make sure my second husband is better than my first. Zoe is weird, but I adore her.

Zoe's mom, I'm still trying to understand. Winona and I have been talking a lot about it. If anybody understands abusive relationships, it's her. She tells me that, sometimes leaving is hard. Although I do commend Winona for what she did to her ex-husband. I think I'm going to have to set up a play date with her and Victoria eventually, but without booze. I adore Winona, but I kind of miss drinking with Sue. Especially at playgroup. Did you know that they make adult juice boxes?

I think I want to take the job in Yorktown. It's a concrete offer now. Head of pediatric services for the colony. It would be a little less money, but free housing and childcare. Of course, the best benefit is being closer to you. However, I would be required to take a crash course at Starfleet Academy before starting. Although, only a six-month intensive because pediatricians in the San Francisco area must be familiar with multiple species.

I do have experience. In addition to being the pediatrician of choice to various embassies, I helped with the Vulcan refugees on planet. This is also why I will say nothing to your sister about her extreme party planning in the face of tragedy. I metaphorically buried my husband and then went straight to work at a refugee camp. I should also tell you I've been invited to do a two-month stint on new Vulcan in December which will count toward part of my pre-job requirements.

I'm really thinking about it. Zoe says I should leave, and I think Victoria wants to leave herself. You know there's always lots of openings when a base station is being staffed.

So obviously, this divorce is not going to go well. Like restraining order not well. Like bashed in the window of Victoria's car badly. Good news, Zach's father is so focused on the divorce that the custody stuff has fallen to the back burner. This is partly because after Victoria defected to our side, the judge dismissed the current suit. That happened two days ago, which is why the celebratory dinner occurred, which turned into a drinking crying/session.

I know it's going to come back around because I don't trust the man at all. But for the moment we're concentrating more on the fertility clinic. I'm taking over that because Zoe is helping her mom with the divorce.

Zoe's going back to her mom's maiden name of Kim. The paperwork is already filed. The IT service center at her work has already made the change. She is totally done.

I'm sorry about Rebecca leaving. I know you guys were friends, but I'm going to support anybody's decision to take the life path they wanted originally, but didn't until now because of overcontrolling parents. It's her life, and she needs to live it her way. Although, maybe one of the newbies will be a fencing expert. Fingers crossed.

I feel like teaching is the thing you like the most. I got a couple of video files and you are wonderful with the kids. Absolutely adorable. It melts my heart.

If we're engaged to be engaged, I want a ring. Zoe says you must put a ring on it. Seriously, I deserve a ring. I kind of brought that up with my therapist.

So, you were also right about therapy. We are doing it as a family. I went for a few months after Zack died, in between time at Vulcan refugee camps. Zoe did as well, but Victoria wasn't allowed to and now we're dealing with other issues too, such as the fertility clinic screwing up, Victoria leaving her abusive husband, Zoe finding out how awful her father really is, and trying to be a family, a good family. For me, it's moving on.

I accepted Zack was gone, went on a bunch of bad first dates, and then I met you. I was so happy that me having K did not scare you away. Then you got your own surprise. Most of my boyfriends do not end up with surprise children, but your relationship with Sue is very you. And hey at least with your method, you save thousands of credits and don't have to worry about lab fuck ups. I think I prefer your method.

My daughter not being Zach's biological daughter is also something that I'm dealing with. I never wanted Katie to feel like she only existed as a piece of Zack. I think that's why I fought so hard with the custody stuff before. I was so pissed off that the grandparents didn't want to see her again after the truth came out. At the same time, I'm sad too and this is something that I need to process with professional help. Winona's idea again. She never really let go of George, even when she got remarried, which she believes led to her horrible no good husband choices.

If we're going to have that future where I am Mr. Ben Sulu, then I think this is something I need to work through. Which is why there was a conversation about rings. Thankfully not during the family session, but in my private session. Yes, I have a lot to work out. So much but I think in the long run, it will be worth it. You are worth it.

Anyway, write when you get a chance. I miss you so much.

Xxxx

From: SuluHG2260

To: Benjamin_2254

Subject: Re: Almost Stable

Time arrived: 9/23/2260 22:15:01

I'm all for taking the job. Seriously, get as far away from Zack's father as possible. All of you get away. If I could hide you in my quarters, I would. I miss you that much.

Truthfully, I think physical distance is needed because I don't think that guy is going to give up easily. He can't hurt you if you're not on the same planet. Also, I'd rather have you on Yorktown than some unknown colony. Apparently, Winona's bad divorce was how she ended up in Tarsus hell. Although you probably know more about that than I do, since you have become best friends with Winona Kirk. You should convince Zoe to come with you. Like seriously all of you get the fuck out of San Francisco.

Okay, maybe I've heard too many horror stories from Jim, the Ashleys, and Josephine about their totally screwed up families that make me want to err on the side of caution. Josephine saw her grandfather hit her mom. She didn't tell anybody for years. Not until recently, there was a lot of crying. It was a mess. The judge wasn't the one who drove his daughter into a tree, but he created the circumstances that led to that.

Okay, see I knew you would be better at scheduling a video conference and I'm so happy about that because I really do want to talk to you. There's about a 50-50 shot that you'll get this before you get the next message. So, I really want to talk to you.

I'm proud of you for working things out with your new therapist. It's better to work through things then keep it bottled up. I've met with Margarita a few times. I feel guilty sometimes being here doing cool Starfleet things each day and leaving you to deal with all the custody stuff by yourself. Especially because I wonder if us being together made it worse. I also feel awful about not being with the kids. Not being able to tell my sister in person about the death of the mother of her children is also painful. Margarita has been helping me work through a lot of that.

Good news, that other therapist that they're getting for Enterprise, because our ship needs more than one psychologist, is also a championship fencer. Margarita has already convinced her to do a program for adults on Enterprise. Exercise is good for mental health and the program with the kids has been good. It lets them work out a lot of their issues, which has been great.

I hope the program does well. In 10 years, I want us to all be able to work on the ship together as a family. Yes, Starfleet does employ contractors to fill medical positions. Dr. Suarez was a contractor before somebody, probably one of the Pikes, convinced her to reenlist.

I want to meet Zoe at the first opportunity. She seems wonderful. Tell her that I will endeavor to be an excellent boyfriend to you. That's what I really want.

So, work has been good. I've been doing a lot of things lately that normally Jim would do which meant spending a week on planet. Peter is not ready for Jim to be away, so I had to step up. It was good.

Anyway, I must cut this short because I just remembered I need to text my boss. I hope quality Spock time hasn't started yet.

xx

H Sulu: I need both of your help with trying to propose to my boyfriend when we do our video conference next week.

J Kirk: Finally. You know I am in. Cuddles is in as well because he's a romantic at heart. What do you need from us?

H Sulu: Would you allow me to send an emergency message to Liz, so she will pick up or rather pick out an engagement ring for me?

J Kirk: That is easy although Nyota will need to be involved. But don't expect a reply for at least 24 hours. Also, I have ring catalog chips from when I was trying to find the perfect ring for Spock. You can look over those and send a few ideas along to Liz. Just have whatever you're planning to send out ready by 0600 hours.

H Sulu: No problem. Thank you. It's probably best if I do give Liz some details. I did work with my sister for several summers.

J Kirk: You did well with our wedding despite it being very last notice.

H Sulu: It was mostly because of my sister. I would like to get my sister involved because she is an event planner, but I think that would be pushing my luck.

J Kirk: I've gotten the impression that they are friends or at least friendly at this point. I think Liz would call her in anyway.

H Sulu: This is true.

J Kirk: Just work on picking out and we will take it from there.

H Sulu: Thank you.

J Kirk: No thanks needed. Spock is a hopeless romantic. It's adorable.

To be continued