The Next Generation

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.5, 1830 hours. Upon their return from San Francisco—where the naming ceremony for baby S'hnra H'osheh Naya Meghan took place—T'Alora began nesting in earnest. They had 3.6 months until the arrival of their sa-fu yet she insisted upon arranging and re-arranging the nursery furniture in the most aesthetically pleasing way. She also enlisted Veren's assistance in painting the room. T'Alora initially chose a sage green color before altering her opinion on the matter and choosing a ginger orange hue when the project was 97.25% complete.

Her adun was less than pleased with the repetition of the task, however, he kept silent upon the matter for the sake of marital harmony.

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.58, 2022 hours. T'Alora lay propped up in bed, her eyes half-closed, as Veren moved about the room completing his evening routine.

"I have conducted further research upon the subject of a surname for our sa-fu," he declared.

T'Alora closed her eyes and rubbed her stomach, the corners of her mouth ticking upward in pure joy. "Mhmm…"

Her adun took that as his cue to continue. "The names I have noted include the following: Vezik, Vennik, Varnin, Vareen, Vallin, Vareesh..."

Upon shedding his uniform top Veren looked to T'Alora through the vanity mirror. Her attention was lightyears away. Eyes closed, she was the picture of contentment as she cradled their unborn sa-fu in her hands. His anticipation—his excitement—over impending fatherhood was also unparalleled. Only 48.4 more days stood between him and the opportunity to hold their sa-fu in his arms.

Abandoning the conversation he sauntered over to the bed. T'Alora's eyes opened as his weight settled down alongside her and he placed his hand tenderly over her abdomen. "I do not like the name Varnin; nor do I like Vareesh."

"Very well."

"However, Ashayam," she whispered in an almost wistful-sounding sigh, "I believe that we will find a name for our kidege* all in good time. We need not force the issue."

"Yes Ha'ge. As you wish." He twined his fingers with hers and leaned upward for a kiss. Only 48.3 more days…

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.109, 0827 hours. T'Alora had been on maternity leave for the last 2.65 weeks and was presently 3.98 days past her anticipated delivery date. The entire clan was on tenterhooks waiting for news. Per T'Alora's request, Nyota, Spock, and Sarek awaited word at Sarek's home in New Shi'Khar. Selas and Rebecca insisted on receiving a communiqué within moments of the birth so that they might obtain leave to visit the newborn while Se'tak, who was traveling to an undisclosed destination with a Federation envoy, was resolute on the matter that he should be informed as soon as his 'namesake' sa-bath* made an appearance.

Meanwhile, Veren did his level best to keep his adun'a calm and comfortable in the waning days of her pregnancy. She would not, however, allow him to evade his responsibilities to the Vulcan Space Program, and escorted him to the front door every morning, just as she had for the past 7 days.

"I believe I should be allowed to decide whether or not to remain by your side," he argued as T'Alora handed him his jacket.

Arching one eyebrow she watched him slip first one arm, then the other into the sleeves before passing him his pre-packaged midday meal. "You are correct. You do have the choice," she countered, "Of doing your duty to your people or of watching your adun'a read and rest for extended periods of time." As he considered her proposal she rose on tiptoe and whispered close in his ear, "I know you are as impatient for the birth as I am; nevertheless, having you wait on me hand and foot in the interim will not draw him out before he is ready to enter the world. Therefore I urge you to return to our work and keep me apprised of all progress in Engineering."

"Very well," he conceded, placing a tender kiss on her forehead before taking his leave.

"I thank you. As soon as there is any news to report I will contact you." With one backward glance at her fecund form in the doorway he departed.

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.109, 0914 hours. She stood at the kitchen counter preparing yet another meal to be entered into the stasis for post-natal consumption. Given the number of meals she and Veren had previously prepared they would not need to cook for another 9.71 weeks—yet she persisted in her efforts if only to keep herself busy. Her stomach rumbled discontentedly and she ceased chopping and placed a hand over her sa-fu. "Peace, kan-bu*." The quivering soon stopped and she returned to the work at hand.

0942 hours. Her abdomen trembled again, this time with enough force to cause her to gasp. As the trembling subsided T'Alora carefully made her way to the kitchen table and pulled out her communicator. Her water had not yet broken so it stood to reason that she was experiencing false labor pains. Not wanting to disturb Veren until she was in possession of all the facts she quickly contacted her physician to help assess her current condition.

Vulcan Space Program Headquarters, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.109, 1348 hours. "The software will not support the new terms," Lieutenant T'Leia declared as she pointed toward the control console in question. The pair of them were elbow deep in construction for the newly designated ship Sh'Raan. After a brief review of the electronics Veren conferred with her assessment.

"We then must either alter the software parameters or invest in new equipment. I suggest we begin with the former; if it remains incompatible we will consult with the admiralty on how best to move forward." The Lieutenant nodded and continued on with her work as he began edging out of the crawl space. No sooner had he appeared on deck then Lieutenant Guler approached him.

"Lieutenant T'Alora…"

"…is still at home awaiting the birth of our sa-fu. When there is news to be shared I will be sure and inform the rest of our crew."

Guler shook his head. "Commander, you misunderstand. The Lieutenant has been attempting to hail you for the past 38.47 minutes without success. She contacted me in order to ascertain your current whereabouts and…"

Veren wheeled about on the Lieutenant, his hand simultaneously feeling for his pocket. His communicator was not within. "Why did she contact you when she could not reach me?"

"…she also wished me to inform you that she was beginning her travail," he finished.

There was not a millisecond to waste. Veren raced off the half-completed ship with all due haste, his dark robes flapping wildly in his wake.

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.109, 1421 hours. The hovercar barely parked before he flew out of the vehicle and up the front walk. Calling for her the instant he crossed the threshold Veren heard voices from above and followed them to their bedchamber where T'Alora lay, attended by 2 members of the medical team. A light sheen of sweat coated her face but she did not outwardly display any other signs of distress.

"T'Alora?" He crossed the room in 4 strides and knelt beside the bed, taking hold of her hand.

"All is well." At that instant another contraction rocked her frame. She gripped his hand for all she was worth, reminding him of the extent of her strength. Their bond reinforced by the contact he also experienced the depth of her pain.

"Allow me to assist you." Veren rose and began to shed his outer robes, prepared to climb into the bed behind her and help ease her labor.

"We are still in the early stages," she informed him, "You need not…"

However, he paid no heed to her words. In an almost effortless maneuver he positioned himself behind her taking her right hand in his while his left found her psi point.

"I am here for you, Ha'ge; for you and our sa-fu. Draw strength from me."

T'Alora nodded in agreement while biting hard on her lower lip. One of the nurses drew up beside her and blotted the sweat from her face—she also brushed aside the tender tear that slipped down T'Alora's cheek.

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.110, 0338 hours. T'Alora's labor was not of short duration but what mattered most was that she and their sa-fu came through the ordeal safely. Only when their child was placed in their arms did Veren breathe a sigh of relief while simultaneously counting fingers and toes.

Their sa-fu's skin was light tan in color, and he possessed a small patch of dark hair with a hint of a curl, hinting at his African origins. He had yet to open his eyes for any extended length of time, hence Veren could not satisfactorily determine their color, but his ears were pointed and his eyebrows slanted in true Vulcan fashion. He also inherited his nose from his ko-mekh. Veren drank in each and every feature, committing them to memory while marveling at the child they created. T'Alora did the same, hiccupping back sobs of happiness.

"He is beautiful," Veren stated.

"Yes," she agreed, "He is." Upon gazing down upon their sa-fu some more T'Alora turned back his way. "We shall call him Varun*."

"Varun?"

"Yes." She turned to him, a worried expression unchecked upon her countenance. "Do you not like it?"

"I like it very much," Veren quickly conceded. "It is a name that suits him." He slowly reached out and drew one long finger alongside Varun's face. "He is in need of a middle name as well, therefore I would like to suggest…"

27 Khalleef Street, New Shannai'Khar, New Vulcan, 2293.110, 0758 hours. He summoned the clan at first light, allowing T'Alora a chance to rest while recognizing that her immediate family would broker no undue delay in descending upon them. Nyota, Spock, and Sarek appeared upon their doorstep shortly before 0800 hours. With a finger to his lips he bid them entry.

"Is she awake?" Nyota inquired immediately upon crossing their threshold. Veren shook his head no. "Then I'll make some breakfast for her. She needs to keep her strength up." Wordlessly Spock followed her into the kitchen while unbeknownst to them all Sarek made his way up the stairs with a speed that belied his age.

T'Alora sensed a presence nearby and peered out of one eye to discover her sa-mekh-al standing silently in the hall just beyond her bedroom. She beckoned him to her just as her sa-fu let loose a thin wail from his bassinet. No sooner had Sarek entered then Veren brushed past him to retrieve the child, cradling him close before passing him into T'Alora's waiting arms.

Sarek was in awe. He had lived to see his ko-fu-il deliver a healthy sa-fu. Oh how his Amanda would have loved this day.

"You are well, I trust?" he asked while skirting the edge of the bed. Meanwhile Veren hovered protectively beside T'Alora, his eyes sparkling with joy.

She beamed. "I am very well, I assure you. Sa-mekh-al, allow me to introduce you to the newest member of our clan. I present to you Varun Sarek, your lo'uk sa-fu-al*."

"You have named him for me?"

"There is no other honor worthy of our first born," Veren responded, the corners of his mouth ticking upward in a ghost of a smile. "Would you like to hold your namesake?"

Sarek nodded, words failing him as he groped around for the nearest seat. Varun was soon nestled in his embrace but he could not focus on the boy's features for his eyes pooled with unshed tears of happiness.

His private bonding time with the child was short-lived.

"You're awake!" Nyota exclaimed as she bustled in through the doorway. Upon spying Varun she added, "Oh my gosh! He's perfect! Oh T'Alora!"

Thus into a world of extraordinary love K'net I'nari Varun Sarek entered the world.

A/N: I just finished this chapter moments ago, so any and all errors are mine. Also I don't yet have a chapter 68 in the works so it might be awhile before I update again. My apologies—but at least you get to rest easy knowing Varun Sarek is in the world!

* kidege = Swahili, "Little Bird"

* sa-bath = Vulkhansu, "nephew"

* kan-bu = Vulkhansu, "baby"

* Varun = Vulkhansu, pronounced Vah-rune

* lo'uk sa-fu-al = Vulkhansu, "great-grandson"