Nyota and Spock were anxiously waiting in the Enterprise's transporter room as Leryn re-materialized on the pad. "Mama! Papa!" the little girl instantly cried, running for them. "I knew you would come for me! I wished for it every day."

McCoy smiled as he walked through the door and saw the little family. "I need to give a certain somebody a check-up before she can be set loose on the ship," he told them, "But then she's all yours."

Leryn kept a firm grasp on each of her parents' hands. "They come, too," she demanded of the doctor, a look on her face that meant there was no room for negotiation.

McCoy knew it was impossible, but could have sworn it was an expression she'd inherited straight from Nyota. He simply nodded. "I can handle that."

Even once she was in sickbay, seated on one of the beds, Leryn refused to let Nyota or Spock get any farther than arm's reach from her. Apparently it was going to take time for her to trust that she wasn't going to have to leave her family again.

"You remember how this works?" the doctor asked the little girl as he got his scanner.

"You use that to make sure that there's nothing wrong inside me," Leryn replied.

"That's right."

"But I get to try it on you first."

McCoy laughed. "Oh, so you WERE paying attention that first time we met." Leryn nodded and smiled as he gave her the scanner. "Okay, push that button there, and then hold the other part up next to me like this…"

Nyota smiled at her husband over Leryn's head as they watched. "I can't believe this is real," she whispered. "Is this really happening?"

"It would appear so."

Once Leryn was done, McCoy took the scanner back in order to check her out. He was almost finished when the door opened and Kirk came in the room. "What's the verdict?" the Captain asked.

"She's a little dehydrated," the doctor replied, "But other than that, she's in good shape."

"I sent a message to Starfleet Command," Kirk told Nyota and Spock. "They'll make sure her paperwork gets finalized."

"Thank you," Spock told him.

"Admiral Pike sounded less surprised by this than I thought he would. He said he'd get new duty orders processed for both of you. So, welcome back to the Enterprise."

Nyota smiled. "It's good to be back."

As Kirk left, Leryn turned to Spock, kneeling on the bed so that they were approximately the same height. "Are you happy, Papa?" she asked.

"This was the outcome I had most desired."

After a moment of consideration, Leryn reached up with two little fingers and pushed the corners of his mouth into a smile. "Much better," she proclaimed. Nyota tried her hardest not to laugh.

Spock took her hands in his. "Just because you do not see me smile does not mean that I do not appreciate the fact that you are here or that I do not care for you. You should never doubt that you and your mother are the most important things in my life."

Leryn hugged him. "I'm glad I'm here, too."

By the following afternoon, the family was settling into new, larger quarters on the ship. Two quarters had been combined into one, so Leryn had her own bedroom. The little girl let out a squeal when she entered her room and saw that she had her own windows.

"I can see the stars whenever I want!" she happily announced from the doorway before darting off to start exploring. Nyota smiled as she watched her go.

"Jim mentioned making arrangements so that she can continue to receive her schoolwork from Earth," Spock told her. "The primary remaining issue is having someone to supervise her during the day."

She just nodded. "I'm sure we'll figure something out. We already got through the hard part – getting her back."

"So, do you find this arrangement acceptable?" Spock asked his wife. "Staying on the Enterprise, I mean?"

"I do. Space is where Leryn belongs…and I've come to realize that it's where we belong, too. The challenges are still there, but…we'll make it work."

"We already have one standing offer to look out for her when we are busy," he reminded his wife. She smirked.

"You really think we should leave Jim alone with her?"

"Only if the result is captured on video."

She laughed. "Deal. I guess Leryn will have several 'uncles' to look out for her."

"Mmm. My father will be surprised by news of these developments the next time Enterprise passes by the Vulcan colony."

"True…I'm not sure I ever tried to imagine Sarek with grandchildren before…It could be an interesting sight."

"Was your use of the plural unintentional," Spock asked, "Or are you now open to the possibility of giving Leryn siblings?"

"It was intentional," she replied with a smile. "Circumstances have kind of forced me to be open to the idea."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "What circumstances are you referring to?"

"The fact that she's going to have a sibling in a few months." Nyota was beholden to a rare sight – Spock speechless. "Say something," she prompted when she silence began to drag on.

"You-you are certain?"

She nodded. "I talked to McCoy three days ago. I guess it wasn't just stress that had me sick back in San Francisco."

"And you chose not to tell me?"

"If you'll recall, we were a little busy at the time! This is what you wanted, isn't it? Even if it was unexpected?"

He kissed her. "More than anything."

FIN.

A/N: This universe keeps expanding! As my muse demanded, I've started working on another fic to follow on with this one. It's titled "Full Circle." Thanks so much one last time to everyone who sent feedback for this story!