Chapter Thirty-Nine

By the end of her first day Charlotte wanted to scream. She knew that all of the tests were necessary but it was just taking so long and so much of her energy. Even with frequent rest periods, she was so tired.

It was finally evening and T'Peni was finishing her notes while Savir, under Spock's constant watch, was settling her into her bed when Sarek walked in with two bundles in his arms. Charlotte couldn't help straightening in excitement. A stern look from Sarek had her slouch back into the pillows supporting her.

T'Peni excused herself for the night with the promise of returning tomorrow afternoon after her rounds at the hospital. Savir stepped out as well to allow them a small measure of privacy.

Charlotte felt her eyes burn with tears as Sarek moved closer. Her heart was pounding in excitement at finally being able to see her children. Her arms sluggishly moved and she allowed Spock to position them as Sarek placed the precious cargo in her grasp.

"Oh my god. They're beautiful." She breathed in awe.

In her right arm was Grayson. His face was a closer match to Spock and Sarek's features with one notable difference. His eyes were a bright cerulean blue. His gaze was fixed on her and there was a slight frown on his face. It was so cute that Charlotte laughed and at the sound Grayson relaxed and closed his eyes to snuggle in the crook of her elbow.

In her left was T'Anwen. Again, her eyes were blue but they seemed to be an almost electric blue compared to the tranquil shade of her brother's. Her hair was thicker with slight curls at the ends and her face was rounder but her ears were a dead match for Spock's. She was wiggling in Charlotte's weak grip, her eyes looking everywhere in clear curiosity of her surroundings. Charlotte let her fingers caress the child and T'Anwen stilled to do her own snuggling against her mother.

"Hi." She whispered to them.

"They have your eyes." Sarek said.

Charlotte smiled so much her cheeks hurt.

"And Spock's ears." She replied.

She felt a small surge of amusement from Spock that made her smile harder. She held her children for another ten minutes before the sound of Sarek clearing his throat startled her.

"It is time for their next bottle, Spock." Sarek said, looking at his son in a definite attempt to dismiss him. Charlotte felt a small surge of panic as Spock started to collect the babies from her arms.

"I will return shortly." He said quietly to reassure her. He pressed a gently kiss to her forehead and soon Charlotte was alone with Sarek.

He gracefully sat in the chair next to her bed, fingers steepled and eyes carefully assessing her. The scrutiny only made her uncomfortable.

"I am pleased you are awake."

That sentence almost seemed to be loaded with unsaid things that Charlotte wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"Yeah. Though this wasn't how I imagined meeting my children." Charlotte grumbled as she struggled to shift her position. Sarek stayed still as she adjusted her positioning and for that, she was thankful.

"I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm going to be starting my physical therapy and..." Her face fell and she stopped talking at the sight of Sarek's stern glance.

"What?" Charlotte hesitantly asked.

"I am concerned that you are starting your treatment too soon. That perhaps you should become more accustomed to your newfound wakefulness before beginning your long course of treatment."

It almost sounded like Sarek was telling her to take it easy. It was...nice but she had responsibilities.

"No. I know the standard course of treatment. It's best for someone in my case to begin as soon as possible. And besides..." She smiled and nodded in his direction. "...it'll get us out of your hair faster. I know that your work has been on hold and I'm looking forward to getting back to normal."

Sarek's eyebrows drew downward. "I am not overly concerned about my work. My colleagues understand that family comes first. And you need not concern yourself about 'getting out of my hair'. I have hired additional staff to ensure everyone's care and comfort has been taken care of."

Charlotte's thoughts immediately swung around to Savir, her babysitter.

"Yeah...about that. Could I set it up to where I ring a bell or something for help rather than him sitting next to me all the time. It's a little difficult to sleep with someone hovering over you." Charlotte said.

What she really meant was that Savir was driving her nuts with his dedication to his job and if he continued then Charlotte felt that she would never leave. The constant help was frustrating and her mind was still muddled from the medications T'Peni was giving her. She needed time alone to gather herself. Charlotte had been trying some basic exercises with picking things up and moving but every time she had been headed off and stopped.

"Perhaps you are experiencing anxiety about sleep. It is an understandable reaction considering recent events. I can speak with healer T'Peni about adjusting your medications to assist you in resting." Sarek's features showed concern but there was something else in his eyes Charlotte couldn't quite place.

She barely resisted rolling her eyes in frustration.

"It's not that. I just feel like I need some solitude." Charlotte clarified but at Sarek's confused expression she continued. "Time alone. With Savir there it makes me feel anxious because it reminds me..." She flushed red. "It reminds me how ill I am." She mumbled.

Sarek heard her and seemed pleased that she acknowledged her weakness. He gently pressed a hand to her shoulder.

"Perhaps that reminder will serve to help you to recover in the appropriate time allotted by your physicians." He said quietly but very pointedly.

Charlotte scowled at the wall as she heard the swish of a cloak and then he was gone. Like a well-oiled machine, Charlotte only had about thirty seconds before Savir took his place at her bedside. It was going to be a long six months.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Two months into her recovery and Charlotte was ready to bolt had she not had the equivalent of prison guards in the pointy-eared form. It was impressive how efficient they were in their single-minded task of caring for her Charlotte admitted grudgingly. Though she was extremely grateful for their care things were starting to grate on her nerves. Spock...not so much. He had a particular gift for helping her rebel against Sarek's house rules for her care that just made her love him more.

Today Spock and Charlotte were sat on the balcony overlooking the small rock garden in the back yard. Grayson and T'Anwen were napping in a playpen in the shade. It was early morning so the heat was tolerable and the sun felt good on her face. Charlotte closed her eyes in bliss and let the warmth caress her skin. She could feel the contentment of her twins and Spock swimming in the back of her mind, enveloping her in a warm blanket.

The g-tube, catheter and supplemental oxygen had been removed but she still had the PICC line in her arm to administer medications and supplemental IV nutrition. Eating and drinking was still a challenge but she was getting better. Her main issues was that the effort of co-ordination would wear her out.

"How did you distract Savir today?" She said in a tired drawl.

"I suggested that perhaps your physical therapy would be more successful in a swimming pool. He is currently researching the possibility of this. I explained that the buoyancy of the water..."

Charlotte laughed so hard she didn't hear the rest of Spock's answer. It was then that Charlotte knew that with Spock by her side she was home. Sarek's meddling had forced her to slow down and finally see that she wasn't stuck. Her life had simply found a new place to call home and that home was wherever Spock was.

AN: okay. I know I totally could have done more but I am stuck. I'm begging for ideas here otherwise this is the end. It was a fun ride but Charlotte's time is drawing to a close. I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed.

Tishbing