Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. You are all wonderful. We are almost at the end of daily chapters. One more after this, and then we get to skip days again. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to that. The New Vulcan chapters have been exhausting.
Day 314: Home Again
From: Peter_K
To: Magnificent Ashley 2.0; J fabulous
Subject: Almost back home
Time arrived: 01/01/2261 00:00:01
It's December 30 here. I've spent my morning shadowing the Admiral and Uncle Kevin. The most important thing I learned from this is I will do the science track if I ever do Starfleet. Command is boring. No wonder Uncle Spock is always trying to sneak down to the lab. I think there are times he would be much happier being the science officer. That could happen for the next tour of duty. I believe their solution to the two bodies' problem is to just switch out who is the captain.
I didn't actually have to ask my guardians what was happening on the ship because we had a family meeting. I think that happened because they knew I would find out things that they wouldn't want me to during Take Your Child to Work day. Especially because I'm with Kevin and the Admiral. I bet they both wish I didn't sit on the video conference with the other Lieutenant Sulu an hour ago. That was traumatizing.
I can't tell you everything I know, but I will thank you for protecting my uncle. If you and Ashley didn't go to Josephine's mom about Chris 3's problematic behavior, I might be burying another guardian. I'm glad that didn't happen because I just don't think I can deal with losing more family. I'm just starting to adjust to actually having a family. I don't wanna lose that, especially due to idiot human supremacists.
I heard they will be off Enterprise before we arrive on the 1st. I appreciate that. I don't want to see any of them, especially Chris 3. I'm glad he's gone.
Yes, we're bringing a lot of baked goods for everyone. Some are for the Jim and Spock appreciation party on the 1st, formally known as their birthday celebration. It was decided for my uncle's mental health not to call it a birthday party. Now that I've been given a complete back story of the Kelvin incident, I can completely understand why January 4 is not a good day for my uncle.
I'm having a sleepover with Josephine that day. I think this is so they don't violate their no drugs or drinking in front of the kids' rule. Not that it always helps because I'm well aware uncle Jim has been consuming low doses of cannabis since Boxing Day. I just assume it's how he deals with his complicated relationship with Nana Winona. (She finally agreed for us not to use Nana Kirk because the other Nana Kirk is a card-carrying villain/nutcase.)
I just got a text message from Uncle Jim. There's going to be another family meeting tonight. I hope they announce that Saavik can live with us. She is supposed to be going to the international school starting next week, but I'm still apprehensive on her behalf. We keep running into her ex-classmates, and they all make me want to punch them, but I restrain myself.
Anyway, I don't expect a response back. At least not one until I get back on the ship. Only one more day left, and most of that will be spent getting provisions.
Xxxxx
From: Spock's_cuddlebunny
To: NyotaUM;
CC: Jim's_cuddlebear
Time arrived: 01/01/2261 00:00:01
Subject: Re: Thank you for being a friend
I am also happy you guys are several thousand light-years away from that man. I think there might be a plan in place to get the sister-in-law very far away from earth. I believe it involves her taking the Vulcan bar exam. They do need lawyers here. She grew up in Georgia, so she can deal with the extreme heat.
Yep, our kids are way too clever to get anything past. We had to have multiple family meetings. Initially, we only confirmed that Chris 3 was getting kicked off the ship. Then because the Admiral decided to let the grandkids shadow us on the 30th (today), we had to tell him everything. We just knew Peter would overhear something watching Chen and Kevin throughout the day. He hates Chris 3 now, and he is thrilled they were never friends.
I got Spock's sister for Take Your Child to Work day. I adore my baby sister-in-law. We had fun talking behind everybody's back in Vulcan. Our aid from the ambassador's office found it amusing in a Vulcan way. I think I got myself some brownie points for my language skills. Thank you for that.
Your kid is with the father-in-law, and I'm still waiting for a read-out. Ashley is with Spock. He's a happy Vulcan because all his meetings are at the VSA with the science people. This is like the one day of meetings he's been looking forward to. It helps there are significantly fewer Vulcan supremacists asses there currently compared to when Spock applied. I could actually feel him happy all day. It was kind of nice.
Although that happiness will go away because we will tell the kids about the Elder being sick. He's joining us for dinner, and we're going to tell the kids together tonight. Since the Elder will be staying on Enterprise for a couple of days while your husband runs some tests, it seems prudent to tell them the truth. Or at least he's not well, and we are getting a second opinion. We're not going to mention the T-word yet. I'm kind of hoping Bones can pull off a miracle. Maybe at a minimum, get us a little more time. The Elder was ready to give up, but I think mom put the fight back in him for the grandkids. I'm glad she did it.
I love your child so much for convincing them to no longer throw me a birthday party. I'm going to be getting her the best presents for life. I will have to sit through a Jim and Spock appreciation day, but I can deal with that. It might actually be crew appreciation day by the time it actually happens. We're negotiating. I feel like the crew members who didn't participate in an attempted coup deserve some cake.
I've placed a ridiculously large order at everybody's favorite Vulcan bakery. We had to put in orders at half the bakeries on the colony to get enough for everyone. They're not entirely used to parties for a few hundred people anymore. But everything will be ready. Plus, the treats for the secret stash. Yes, I got your lemon bars. Yes, those lemon bars. The father-in-law has the hookup.
This has probably been the best visit with my mom that I've had ever. No one got arrested. Nobody started crying uncontrollably. Well, because of her anyway. Nobody died. OK, somebody's dying, but that's not relevant to this. It's all I can hope for.
I think Peter did help. As you mentioned last time, I can see things from Winona's perspective that I couldn't before. But I also think we want to be on our best behavior for him. You know how messed up his relationship was with his other family. We want to be better. I hope we get there, but I have my concerns.
Anyway, I don't expect a response because this might get to you the day that we arrive back on ship. We'll talk at the handover meeting.
Xxx
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Doctor bones; NyotaUM
Subject: I'll be home soon.
Time arrived: 01/01/2260 00:00:01
Hi mom and dad,
I'll be home soon. There's a 50-50 chance I might beat this email. Especially since it's almost 8 o'clock here which means midnight on the ship. So that could mean the letter gets pushed to you on the second.
I did what you said, and I waited for Uncle Jim to come to us. Apparently, great-grandpa is sick. Very sick. I think it's the not much time left type of sickness like with your dad. I barely remember him. I am hopeful this time maybe you'll find something.
OK, no more sad things. Yesterday I got to dance in the rain at the cliffs. Yes, it does rain here. Not that much, but it was still enjoyable. It was also sweltering afterward, but I had so much fun. There is video.
Today was less fun. It's Take Your Child to Work day, and I got to shadow grandpa. Being a government official is not fun. Neither is being on the Board of Directors of a University, especially one that's trying to put itself back together again. Although I did get my tour of the Vulcan government. So, there's that. I got to take pictures. They're all attached.
I have more, but I'll show you when I get home. I can't wait to be somewhere climate-controlled again.
XXXX
January 1, 2261 12:23 PM
J: Theoretically, I think your letter did get here before you did. Are you on the ship yet?
J: OK, that's a stupid question to ask since you won't get this text message until you're in range.
PK: I wouldn't say it's a stupid question, just something you should have realized. We're here. We just beamed back 15 minutes ago, and we're putting our luggage away.
PK: Well, I am. Uncle Jim and Spock have to go straight to the bridge. Jim just dumped the bags in the middle of the room. Otherwise, Josephine's mom won't get any real baby time.
J: I feel like baby time is more important. I'm glad your uncles realize that.
PK: Besides, they really miss the ship. They don't like all the meetings either. They will never ever do another working vacation.
J: That seems reasonable. Although your Uncle Spock, by virtue of being Vulcan, seems like someone who would love analytical meetings.
PK: Not ones that are a waste of everybody's time. He felt like most of the meetings he attended while on New Vulcan were just that. They should all have been done by email.
PK: Considering the meetings I attended with the Admiral, I agree with that assessment.
J: That bad?
PK: Yes, even the family meeting where they told me my great grandfather is sick was preferable.
J: That's not good. How sick?
PK: Very sick. He came with us so Josephine's dad could give him a physical. I think they're hoping that he can pull off a miracle.
J: Maybe he can. He's an excellent doctor. Rumor has it he saved your uncle from radiation poisoning.
PK: He couldn't save my mom.
PK: Also, I have to ask somebody to elaborate on that story.
J: But he did save other people. And I know you feel like that's unfair.
PK: Some days, I do.
J: Also, the situation is different than your mom's. That was essentially a freak accident. The Elder has lived a full life. Isn't he like 150 or something. That's really old.
PK: That's middle-aged by Vulcan standards. Well before the genocide, anyway. He's actually one of the oldest ones left.
J: Maybe Josephine's father can pull off a miracle, but if not, then we just have to make sure we preserve his knowledge and experiences. That's something Vulcans do? I think I remember reading something that your uncle manage to preserve the records. Or whatever it is.
PK: Katra arc. I've actually been studying about that. Do you remember Gina gave Josephine and me a project where we were supposed to compare the two versions of Vulcan history? We decided to go with the genocide.
J: I worry about you guys sometimes. Why did you choose that? I never want to think about that day again. At least I didn't have to deal with what my girlfriend did.
PK: We have first-person sources to verify both versions, and I have already found a lot of discrepancies between the various versions and first-person accounts.
J: OK, good choice, but maybe don't tell the Ashleys at all.
PK: Point.
PK: You guys can come over. I have gifts for everyone.
J: we will come by in a little bit. There is no rush. You've had a long trip, plus there is still a party tonight.
PK: Point
XXXX
Nyota: You landed on the ship like 20 minutes ago, and you're not on the bridge yet? Did you decide to actually drop your things off first?
Jim: Yes, actually. I also had the show the guests to their room for the night. Plus, Spock is dropping off the Elder to medical. Bones wants to begin his exams right away.
Nyota: Yep, that's my boyfriend.
Jim: Josephine is with them, so she can at least hug her dad before he has to get to work.
Nyota: That's kind of sweet. Spock better get me pictures of that.
Jim: He knows to.
Jim: I know you want to see Josephine too. I promise we are on our way.
Nyota: You and the husband?
Jim: Me and my brother, Winona, and Liz. Since all are actually Starfleet, I can bring them to the bridge. They're in uniform and everything.
Nyota: Your mom is in a Starfleet uniform?
Jim: Yes, and she's very unhappy about it. However, it's the contractor's uniform, so she's a little less upset. Although, I will have to get somebody to take her down to engineering after this. Ashley 3 volunteered to go with her, but I need an actual adult.
Nyota: I'll find somebody.
Jim: Thank you
XXXX
Baby girl: Hey mom, I just want to tell you that Uncle Spock dropped me off at home. I wanted to keep the babies with me, but their grandma needed to show them off to some of her friends on the ship.
Nyota: I'm on my way. I couldn't leave until Jim was done showing the family the bridge. Winona took pictures. She was very proud.
Baby girl: That's good.
XXXX
As soon as Josephine hit the send button, the door to their quarters opened, and she saw her mom walk through.
"You're here," Josephine exclaimed.
"I told you I was on my way. I also brought Liz with me." Liz walked through the door leading two toddlers who were still getting the handle of walking as she said this.
"And I managed to get the babies away from my mom," Liz commented as baby K ran to her.
"Mostly because she was going down to engineering with Winona."
"Did you warn them to cover up the distillery?" Josephine asked. "I don't think Scotty would want to get in trouble when he's not even on the ship."
"They both know. I don't think there are many ships in Starfleet without an illegal distillery in engineering. At least back in their day. Although most go the cannabis in botany route now." Liz answered. Her mom looked annoyed.
"Remember, Nana Winona is an alcoholic. Maybe we shouldn't send a recovering alcoholic into a brewery." Josephine pointed out.
"I'll send a quick message." Her mom sighed. "They're walking, so there's a little time."
"Wow, you did accumulate a lot of stuff on the planet."
"Some of it might be in Uncle Spock's room because they have more closet space. The toys are anyway."
"Smart," Liz added.
"Let me get a hug." That's when Josephine felt her mom wrap her arms around her.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
To be continued.