The importance of family

Posted on Saturday, 30 May 2020 - 2:36pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Recall
Location: Vulcan
Timeline: 2393 MD13+

T’Lanna awoke to the sight of the early morning sun beaming through the curtains of her room, she hadn’t meant to sleep the night. Last she remembered she was just gong to lie down and rest before returning to speak with her father, but the stresses of the day had obviously taken their toll.

Stretching she smiled as she slid out of bed and looked out through the curtains, her family land was as beautiful as she remembered it being. The household staff had kept it running well in her father’s absence and one day it would fall to her to look after the family home too. She headed for the shower to refresh, before heading down to breakfast.

Solan had come down early to have coffee. It had become a vice he quite enjoyed.

“Father” T’Lanna offered a more positive smile as she greeted her father. “I’m sorry I meant to come down last night but I must have been more tired than I thought.” She chose herself some breakfast and a drink of fresh juice before taking a seat at the table. Her stomach was more settled after a good night’s rest which was one small blessing.

He looked up as he entered. "Sleep is important." He always skipped his breakfast. "There is a Starfleet ship that will take you back home later tonight. I will be heading to Betazed before returning to Earth.

T’Lanna nodded. “Then may we spend today catching up? I haven’t been much of a daughter these past years. I never really understood the importance of being Vulcan. I understand better thanks to Soral and I want to be a daughter that you can continue to be proud of.”

"We have much to talk about." He said cryptically.

“We do?” T’Lanna looked at her father curiously. “Is there something that I’m supposed to know?”

"Indeed." He paused. "Within the next two years I will need to marry again." He said.

T’Lanna almost spat out her drink, swallowing it she looked at her father surprised. “Mum has only just been buried and you’re already thinking of when you’ll need to take a new wife!?” She sat back in her seat and shook her head. “What law or ritual says that you have to remarry? Can’t you stay single or at least give it more time?”

"No." He simply said. "It must be within the next two years."

“But why?! Why the next two years?” T’Lanna looked at her father trying to understand whilst holding back the want to shout about it all.

Solan held back a sigh. She did not understand. "Because it must be." He was still uncomfortable with it. She also did not understand what a Vulcan went through when their mate died or when bonds were severed. He wondered if Soral would teach her.

“Does this have something to do with Pon’farr?” She hoped speaking of it wouldn’t cause her father embarrassment. It wasn’t something Vulcans normally spoke freely about.

He said nothing just inclined his head.

T’Lanna nodded. “I may not understand a lot of things about what it is to be Vulcan, but I do understand that. Is there something I should know ...” she paused. “It doesn’t matter! I don’t want to spend all our time arguing and disagreeing with each other, it’s not what mum would have wanted. Can I ask you something?”

"Indeed."

“It will be my time soon, you obviously bonded with mum so it should be possible for me to bond with Raith shouldn’t it?” She paused. “It’s just I ... I’ve never bonded with anyone before, I’m afraid of hurting him.”

"It is difficult and something you should not take lightly. One can die because of this bond. If you wish it I recommend that you have it initiated here on Vulcan by a priestess."

T’Lanna looked at her father in surprise. “I can do that?” She nodded. “How does it work?”

"When you are both here it can be arranged."

T’Lanna nodded. “I’ll speak to Raith, if he agrees then when the time comes I’ll make sure we come home. I’d rather be safe than risk losing him if I do something wrong.”

He gave a nod. "This kind of union is...not to be entered into lightly."

T’Lanna nodded. “I know. I never found anyone I truly loved up until now, Jason ... my baby’s father was my best friend. This pregnancy wasn’t intended but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready to be a mother. I’m ready for that and I’m ready to be bonded too, I love Raith with all my heart. In the meantime I’ll talk to him explain about the bonding.”

He gave a nod. "The child....Is it well?"

T’Lanna nodded. “So Ryan our ship’s Doctor, tells me. According to Ryan he says the baby is strong.”

He raised an eyebrow. "He?"

T’Lanna nodded. “I have a male physician, plus there’s the EMH as well his name is Emerick. They’re both a brilliant medical team and I have every faith in them to care for me.”

"I see. Is the child far along to know the gender." For some reason it was important to him. This was his first grandchild.

T’Lanna nodded. “Almost eight weeks and I’m having a boy.” She looked at her father curious to see how he’d take the news.

He gave a nod. "Your mother always wanted a grandson."

T’Lanna smiled. “She did? I didn’t know that. She got her wish then. There’s something you need to know though, our ship isn’t a family oriented one.” She sighed. “When the baby’s born I’ll have to arrange for him to be cared for by family whilst I’m out on the ship. As much as I hate leaving him behind, I’d rather he be safe. I’ve already spoken to Jason’s parents about caring for him, they’ve already lost so much with Jason’s death I wanted to give them some joy. You’re welcome to have your turn too, he is your grandson after all. I will raise him as best as I can between missions.”

"Of course."

T’Lanna smiled. “All I’ve truly ever wanted was to feel like I made you proud. I know I’ve never been the perfect Vulcan daughter but I strive to be the best that I am. I hope that we can talk like this more often father.”

"Indeed." He said.

{OFF}