Parenting: A New Voyage (Part 2)
Parenting: A New Voyage (Part 2)
Orion loved Earth. Everytime the Enterprise docked there, or Uhura and Spock took vacation time there, the toddler couldn't get enough. He bounced around as he waited for his parents to complete all of the necessary information on the ship, his father clutching his hand tightly while speaking to Jim.
"Slow down, Champ!" Jim said, watching him. "You'll have an annurism."
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy, look!" Orion pointed towards the beach in the distance. "Daddy!"
"That's the ocean," Spock reminded him. He finished the check-out information and picked him up. "We must wait on your mother."
Orion stared out to sea, his little eyes big and glittering and intense. Absent-mindedly, he brushed his little fingers over Spock's face as he did so. Nyota soon joined them, checking something on her multi-purpose communication device. "We have a good hotel this time, Babe," she said. "It actually has a pool with water in it."
"I fail to comprehend the need for a recreation swimming structure when we're so close to the sea," Spock said, gesturing towards the beach.
"This pool is designed to look like a tropical oasis," Nyota said. "And I had to book it four months in advance. Do you really want to argue with me?" She was smiling, joking, but she jabbed her index finger into his chest playfully.
"No, ma'am," Spock said dryly, joking back.
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"Okay, here are your card keys," the hotel clerk said, producing the items. "Enjoy your stay. Breakfast is at six am. Complimentary waffles, bagels, yogurts, fruits, and we have our new Sepherian bacon too."
"Thanks." Nyota smiled, not mentioning they were vegetarians. They traveled to their designated room, and when Nyota opened the door, Orion charged in, flopping onto the bed.
"This is so much nicer than the last one we stayed in," Nyota said, setting her bag down beside the child. "The serial killer motel."
"Ocean!" Orion ran to the window and stood on his tip-toes. "Daddy, ocean!"
"Let's take a nap," Nyota suggested, collapsing onto the bed and kicking off her shoes. "Come on, Orie. Naptime." She winked at Spock. He rolled his eyes, but laid down beside her.
"Nigh-night, Daddy." Nyota patted him and Spock closed his eyes. She then closed hers and pretended to snore.
Orion turned in their direction and frowned. "No." He then turned back to the window. After a moment or so, he climbed onto the bed, sitting squarely on Spock's chest, and shook them both-one with each hand. "No. No nigh-night. Mama, no. Daddy, no."
"He's about to get pissed," Nyota muttered.
"No!" Orion became frantic. "No! No!" He began to whine. "Daddy, no!"
"This is cruel." Spock sat up, pulling the crying toddler closer. He kissed him and brushed some of his tears and snot away with the back of his hand.
"We're sorry, Baby." Nyota sat up too. "Not nigh-night time." She stared at the window. "Want to go to the beach?"
"Yes!" Orion grinned.
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One of the few things Spock did not enjoy about human culture was their lack of modesty. Women swam in under garments simply made of a different material. They didn't seem embarrassed by it all. Nyota was no exception. Spock felt just a twinge of anxiety when she stepped out of the bathroom clad only in the dark purple bikini. He relaxed a bit when she tugged some shorts on over the bottom piece, but they were still a little short for his liking.
"Sunscreen." Nyota tossed Spock the tube. She looked at Orion. "I don't think he'll need any. Last time he only got darker, he didn't burn."
It was true. The last visit to earth had involved a water theme park, and Orion had returned to the enterprise almost as dark as his mother. Spock took the tube and began to apply sunscreen to his own, burnable skin. Nyota watched him, and he finally paused. "Is something wrong?"
"Let me help you," she said. She began to lather him up quickly. "You're too slow, Baby."
"Too slow," Orion agreed, picking at the nylon cords on the front of his swim trunks.
Spock waited patiently for Nyota to finish. He poked part of her stomach and said, "It would be wise to adjust your briefs."
"What?" Nyota looked down to see what he was talking about. The tattoo. Before they were married, still dating, she'd gotten a tattoo of his name in Vulcan, just to the side of and below her navel. He'd gotten hers done the same way in English, just on his back.
"You're such a male," she groaned, using one hand to tug her shorts up. "Why don't I just go naked? See how you like that?"
"Please don't," Spock said, almost cheerfully. Again, he was joking back.
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There were a lot of families at the beach. Several toddlers, but Orion suddenly became shy around all of the unfamilar faces and wanted his parents to carry him. Spock noticed a few stares come their way, but tried not to think anything of it. Nyota stopped at a certain point and she and Spock unloaded the towels, drink cooler, and umbrella.
"Let them stare," she muttered. "Remember, not all of Earth-not even America, has its head out of its ass just yet." She sighed. "Plus we're in Florida. A lot of backwood hillbillies still live here."
"Hello." Another couple approached them, holding a little girl-most likely a year or two older than Orion. "Can we set our things right next to yours? The beach is kind of crowded."
"Sure." Nyota smiled. She looked at the little girl. "Hello there."
The couple were both human, both white, but seemed nice enough. They began to unload their things. The mother turned towards Orion, who was at the water's edge, holding Spock's hand. Occassionally he would creep forward, giggle, and step back.
"That one yours?" The mother asked, pointing.
"Those are my favorite men," Nyota responded, grinning. "We work for Starfleet so it's always a big deal when we get to dock and go out."
"Oh." The mother nodded. "That sounds exciting. What's your son's name? How old is he?"
"He'll be two in another month," Nyota said. "His name is Orion. Orion James S'chn T'gai-Uhura." She leaned back on her palms. "Yours?"
"Gina. She'll be four in three months." The other mother leaned back on her palms. "They're a handful, aren't they?"
"Nothing can truly prepare you for it," Nyota agreed. "But I wouldn't trade it for anything else."
"Oh, of course not." The other mother placed her hand to her stomach. "That's why I'm having another. I'm hoping for another girl so Gina will have a sister."
Nyota looked at her stomach, which was starting to poke out, now that she thought about it. "Congradulations."
"Are you planning on just the one?" The mother asked, looking at Orion, who was now up to his waist in the water, stomping and splashing.
"I would like more," Nyota confessed, suddenly giving it some thought. "We didn't really plan on the one we have, he just happened, but I think a girl would be nice." She laughed a little.
"What race is your husband?" The mother asked. She stared at Spock. "He's handsome."
"He's a mess," Nyota scoffed jokingly. "He's Vulcan."
"Oh, I heard about something on the news about Vulcans a while back," the mother said. "There aren't many of them left."
"No." Nyota sighed, staring sadly at Spock. "I guess that makes me extra lucky."
"Your son looks just like him," the mother pointed out. "They have the same ears and eyes and nose."
"Your daughter looks just like you," Nyota said. "You both have gorgeous blonde hair."
"Mama!" Orion toddled up to her. "Mama, I'm wet!"
"You're wet?" Nyota sat up. "You're wet from the water, or you're wet from-"
"The water," Spock clarified quickly. He opened the cooler and retrieved a bottle of water. He unscrewed the lid and helped Orion hold it so he could get a drink. When the toddler finished, Spock took a drink.
"Hi." Gina walked up with her own father, and waved at Orion. "Hi."
Orion frowned at her and held onto his father. Nyota rolled her eyes and swatted him playfully. "Hey, be nice. Say hello. She said hello to you."
"No." Orion stuck his thumb in his mouth.
"That is unecessary," Spock muttered, removing his thumb. He began to dust sand off the little boy.
"Hey!" The mother sat up straight. "Are you two staying at the Glass shell?"
"We are," Nyota said.
"They have a childcare service, free of charge," the mother explained quickly. "Why don't the four of us go out tonight? I can't drink, but I'd still love to mingle with other adults."
Nyota looked at Spock. "What do you think? Would you like to?"
"Whatever you prefer is acceptable to me," Spock said. It was code for 'Yes. Yes. Oh God. Yes'.
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"And this is his cup," Zoe continued to rattle on to the nanny that would come and stay in their room until they returned. "If he wants something to drink, just fill it to this mark with water and don't let him lay down with it. And this is his taggie blanket. He won't sleep with out it. And I left my communication number, Spock's communication number, and Jim Kirk's communication number-he's Orion's godfather."
"Yes, ma'am," the young woman-most likely an intern to childcare, nodded vigerously. She smiled, showing off her braces. "I think I have everything."
"Oh, and he's wearing a diaper, but he may insist on using the toilet. If he does, let him. For the love of space, let him." Nyota leaned down and kissed the snoring toddler. Spock did the same.
"We shouldn't be out too late," Nyota said, Spock prodding her out the door. "Take care, Kristen."
When they were out the door, Nyota sighed. "I hope that was all she needed to know." She smiled at Spock. "I'm so glad you let me gel your hair. And look at your sexy shirt." She stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him. "My big, handsome man."
"I look ridiculous," Spock said.
"You look fabulous," Nyota corrected him. "I just hope I don't have to kick some other woman's ass over you." She straightened out his collar.
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"Hey!" Tina, the mother from the beach, waved them over to a table in the crowded bar. Her husband, Nicholas, was up getting drinks. "So how do you like the babysitting service?"
Nyota looked at Spock. "Go ahead. I know you're dying to tell her."
"I beg your pardon?" Spock didn't smile, but his eyes were. "You wish for me to recount our last forty-five minutes of you giving extra specific instructions, even the obvious ones?"
Nyota laughed and elbowed him playfully. "I love my baby! I have to be specific. And it wasn't forty-five minutes."
"You're right," he said. "Forgive me." He turned to Tina. "Fifty-two."
"Shut up!" Nyota shoved his head with the heel of her hand.
Nicholas returned shortly with his and Tina's drink-virgin for her. He shook hands with Spock and then Nyota. "Tina tells me you two work for Starfleet."
"That's right," Nyota said. "It's nice to be back on Earth for a while." She turned to Spock. "What do you want to drink?"
Spock's brows furrowed slightly. "What would you like?"
Nyota shrugged. "Are you going up there?"
"Yes."
"Just bring me back whatever you're getting plus a gibs-fruit daquiri." Nyota said.
When Spock disappeared, she turned back to the couple. "So you two are on vacation, I take it?"
"Sort of," Tina said. "We live around here, but both took off work to enjoy the beach and Disney World."
"Oh, if we had the time, we would definitely do Disney World," Nyota said, almost pouting. "I just know Orion would love it."
"It's so much fun," Nicholas said. "With or without kids there."
"More fun with kids," Tina countered. "He just says that because that's where he proposed to me."
Nyota smiled. "Aww...how sweet."
"So what's the story of you and Spock?" Tina asked. "Met at work? Met on vacation?"
Nyota blushed. "He was my professor back at the academy..." she covered her face. "Oh, God, I hate telling this story."
Tina laughed. "Ooh...I like this already."
"No, it's not like that." Nyota laughed too. "I'd already graduated when we started dating. He was just...shy...not much of a talker...very professional...I didn't know when to shut up, kind of a party girl. Opposites attract?" She laughed again.
"They only had strawberry daquiris," Spock said when he returned. "So, here is your strawberry daquiri, and Budweiser classic."
"You actually got a Budweiser?" Nyota raised an eyebrow at him.
"And Jack and Coke," Nicholas pointed out, raising up his own glass to clink it against Spock's. "Good choice, Bro."
"So Spock, how did you propose to Nyota?" Tina asked. "She was just telling up about your wild academy days?"
"Was she?" Spock turned to his wife.
"I told them the truth. I told them we waited until I graduated," Nyota groaned.
"Wait, so you had feelings for each other before?" Tina asked.
Nyota started to speak, but Spock covered her mouth casually. Nyota pushed it away. "He told me, and I brushed him off until we graduated."
"Aww!" Tina giggled. "That's adorable. So what happened next?"
"We dated for a while, a couple of years, and then he proposed to me," Nyota shrugged.
"I know, but how." Tina sipped on her virgin drink. "That's what I'm trying to get at. The how."
"It's not romantic," Nyota said, twirling her straw around in her drink. "Trust me."
"I imagine you were both watching the stars and he got down on one knee and asked you to be his one and only," Tina said. She smiled at Nicholas. "That's what Nicky did."
"He asked me after sex one night," Nyota said, trying hard to keep a straight face. She pretended to pant. "Nyota...marry me..." She threw her arms back. "Voila. There you go."
"A little discretion," Spock muttered, sipping at his drink.
"What? That's how it happened," Nyota said.
"I obtained a ring for you the following week," Spock argued weakly.
"And it was a gorgeous ring." Nyota stroked his gelled her, secretly admiring her handiwork. "Hey, Baby? Do you think we can alter our schedule just a little to go to Disney World?" She smiled toothily.
"Disney World?" He repeated.
"Orion would love it."
"He would," Tina agreed. "Gina can't get enough of it."
"Please?" Nyota asked again. "You'll have fun too."
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"I have something to tell you," Nyota whispered, when they were both settled in bed, Orion between them.
"What are you thinking?" Spock asked quietly, turning to face her.
"I want to have another baby," Nyota confessed.
Spock didn't say anything. Nyota sighed and continued, "We were both only children, and we missed out on so much not having siblings. Orion's lonely. I want him to have a playmate."
"Having another child would be perfectly logical," Spock said finally. "Acceptable." He brushed his nose against hers to find her lips. "Preferable."
"Really?" Nyota smiled through their kiss. "You'd really want another?"
"Yes," he said. "A daughter."
"I want a daughter too." Nyota stroked his hair. "You don't know how happy this makes me."
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Disney World was jammed packed with tourists, both from Earth and visiting planets. Park attendents, both organic and mechanical, were hard at work, keeping the lines in order, offering to take photographs, and helping with location confusion.
"Hasn't changed one bit since I was a kid," Nyota joked. "Which is funny because my father said the same thing, and so did my grandmother." She pointed to somebody in a Donald Duck costume. "Look, Orion, who's that?"
"Quack Quack!" Orion flapped his arms. He turned to Spock. "Duck!"
"Donald Duck," Nyota informed him. She looked around. "Where should we go first-" she was cut off when somebody screamed.
She and Spock turned to see a little girl, Orion's age, stomping and waving her hands around. A park actress dressed as Cinderella was kneeling beside her. The little girl grinned from ear to ear and hugged her, still squealing. Nyota smiled, and wondered if her future daughter would act like that at Disney World.
To Be Continued...