Honeymoon on Vulcan - Part 4Honeymoon on Vulcan By: TLR June 19th, 2005 Rated: PG This story picks up days after the end of Part 3. The wedding ceremony is tomorrow, but today the family and friends are to be gathering to celebrate the little girl's first birthday.... Enjoy..... Enterprise is the property of UPN and paramount pictures. **************************************************** Part 4 Catherine entered the main living area from the kitchen. She was flustered wiping her hands on the towel that draped from the belt of her dress. Her makeup was flawless and she went about the room primping it for the company they were about to receive. V'Lmir was busying herself in the kitchen preparing an array of vegetarian treats for the party goers to enjoy. Trip came out holding Lizzie in one of the new outfits her grandparents brought her. It was pink with ruffles and ruffled laced panties to match. The little white shoes complimented totally the anklet socks. Bows adorned the hair on either side of her head, bringing out the dramatic points of the little girl's ears. "Here's the birthday girl..." Trip exclaimed walking right up to grandma and turning the child over without an argument. "My, doesn't she look adorable." The older woman beamed. "Here, let me get a picture...." Trip whipped around and pulled out the little box camera he kept plastered to his being at all times, since becoming a dad. *CLICK* T'Pol entered from the garden, having finished her morning meditation. She saw the sight of her child so adorned and walked over to once more thank her foremother for the gift. "She looks quite beautiful....you chose well." "It's not hard to miss with a baby as pretty as she is." Catherine handed Lizzie over to her mother "That's a keeper..." Catherine stated then handed the item back to her son. There came a knock on the door, and Trip left the group to answer it. There in the doorway stood Jon, holding a festively wrapped package. The young engineer ushered his old friend in and watched as Malcolm, Hoshi, Travis and Phlox followed close behind. "Hey you all made it....Welcome..." Trip hugged his friends and motioned them towards his mom. "You remember my mom....." The group came up and bid their hellos to the southern woman. "And here she is....the birthday girl herself." Trip eased Elizabeth from T'Pol's arms. The Vulcan watched intently as her shipmates encircled the two with their greetings. Another knock on the door, and T'Pol went over to answer it. Soval greeted her quietly hearing the racket that was going on in the main room. V'Lmir came from the kitchen and bypassed the human gathering to stand beside the other Vulcans. When Charles Tucker entered, he momentarily noticed to rift growing and decided to address the lesser contingent first. "Ambassador....so nice to see you......Thank you for coming and making our little Lizzie's day so special." The southern man was so warm and gracious. Soval could instantly see where the engineer of the Enterprise learned his diplomatic ways. "It is I, who am happy to help your family mark this very special day." The older Vulcan nodded. "I bring belated greetings from my son, Stevron.....He had duty today and was unable to attend. He sends his best wishes to the child." Charles smiled back at this. He was coming to realize that these Vulcans were not that different from the proper southern folk he'd been raised with. Their manners and easy going ways were a comforting reminder of his boyhood growing up in rural Georgia. He looked over to the large group of humans. "They really seemed to have missed her. It is evident that Trip and T'Pol's shipmates are also very good and loyal friends." "Indeed.... I found working with them a fascinating experience. In my many years with Humans, I find these to be extremely close." Soval watched as the group laughed and traded stories of the child's first days aboard Enterprise. After another few moments, both Soval and T'Pol moved with Charles to join the group. V'Lmir returned to the kitchen, unsure she wanted to take on this many Humans' emotions all at once. Her experience so far dealing with Trip and his parents had been trying at times. There was a definite distrust on the Humans' part that was uncomfortable. But after about a day, they warmed up to the young Vulcan and she found she could effectively block out most of their emotions with a bit of effort. Secretly she wondered how T'Pol had done so for the last 5 yrs, knowing that the science officer was around over 80 humans at any given time and in situations that most likely would have bombarded her with a barrage of emotions 24 hrs a day. In the late afternoons, just before the beginning of evening meal preparation, V'Lmir would find some quiet time to discuss with T'Pol her shielding techniques to better prepare for her upcoming 3 days alone with the elderly humans. Catherine had come to rely on the young Vulcan, thanking her frequently as she spared the southern cook from making anymore fruit casseroles. With her and T'Pol's assistance, Trip's mom was now able to adapt most of her son's favorite meals to vegetarian equivalents that were winning praise from both her husband and her child. This restored her confidence in playing the motherly role again. Introductions over, the group set about presenting the child with their gifts. Lizzie got an array of stuffed animals, toys that made sounds and turned different colors and even one that imitated the sound of Vulcan sehlats as they growled their young to sleep. This was from her favorite Ambassador buddy, who had become quite enamored with this unique little soul from the first day he saw her. The sound sent a thrill through the little girl and she happily returned his gesture with a sturdy finger grab. "And this is from Chef." Malcolm and Travis wielded the large flat box they gingerly carried from the shuttle to the home. They opened it and to everyone's delight, there was a large cake shaped and decorated to resemble the little girl's favorite fuzzy bunny. Lizzie squealed seeing it and reached out most zestfully to grab it. Catherine took the cake over to the main table. She eased a birthday candle she brought from home into its middle and gathered everyone around. Charles lit the wick, and T'Pol sat with the child on her lap. Elizabeth was mesmerized by the flame, as if loosing herself instantly into a meditative state. T'Pol and Soval as well related to the sight with equally reverent behavior, while the Humans hovered around preparing to sing. Trip kneeled beside his child, watching her delight at the proceedings. "Alright everyone..." Trip started and got the group of humans in tune. "Happy Birthday to you..... Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday dear Lizzie....." The Vulcans remained silent and looked curiously at this ritual custom. The child didn't notice, still lost in the flickering movement of the candle. The song having ended.....Trip encouraged his daughter to do her part. "Okay Elizabeth....now blow out the candle." Trip made a blowing motion to illustrate his request. The little girl stayed glued to the flame. She looked almost like a statue, except that her chest rose and fell in time to her breathing. "Lizzie....Blow out the candle....come on honey you can do it.....Like this." Trip again made the blowing motion and saw his child still not moving. He looked up to T'Pol indicating he wanted her to do something to help. Seeing this, his mate did as she was requested. She leaned forward and blew out the candle. (That's not what I meant.) Trip looked at her bummed that his dad didn't get a blowing picture. T'Pol realized her mistake and simply tilted her head as if to say sorry. Lizzie's stare was broken and she went about looking around the room at all the different faces again. "Little girl....You've been spending much too much time meditating with your mom." Trip smarted and the rest of the humans let out a hardy laugh. Catherine took the plates and knife that V'Lmir brought to her and sat down next to T'Pol. "First piece is for the birthday girl." The elder woman stated then took the utensil to cut off a short portion of the bunny's ear. Lizzie watched as the knife came closer and closer to her friend. When it finally cut through, the little girl screamed then wheeled around frantically in her mother's arms, grabbing onto her shirt and burying her face into her mother's neck, continuing to sob hysterically. "What's wrong?" Grandma grew concerned and T'Pol tried to pry the child away to look directly into her face. Lizzie held on tight, her little body heaved with every new breath. Trip looked at T'Pol then moved around to try and get a look into the little cherub's face. He placed a hand on her back and attempted to communicate through their bond. The young dad was puzzled what might have set her off so. "She's probably just tired.... It's a lot of excitement for the little thing." Charles offered up and knelt down to see if he could help. "No dad....." Trip started finally figuring it out. Looking down at the cake, his mom was slicing, it dawned on him that his child didn't know that wasn't her favorite toy. He reached over and picked up the platter from under his mother's movements. "Excuse me mom..." He handed it over to V'Lmir. "Can you cut this in the kitchen for us, please." The young woman surmised the problem and exited the room with the cake, plates and knife. "Pop....go into our room and get her fuzzy bunny." Trip then requested taking the child out of T'Pol's arms and rubbing her back as she snuggled into his broader shoulder. "Is she okay?" Hoshi asked concerned. "Yeah...she just thought mom was cutting up Ping." Trip began walking the room with the child gently stroking her as she hiccupped between tears. "Oh my..... I had no idea she would think that." Catherine said coming up to look at her grandbaby. Lizzie saw Grandma enter her line of vision and quickly turned her head to face away from her. Trip noticed the dismissal and offered a quick reassurance to his mom. "Don't worry mom....Once she sees her fuzzy bunny is okay, she'll be alright." Trip again circled the living area, his guests following them with their gazes. Poppy returned from the hallway with the toy and handed it to his son. At first Trip thought to give the child the bunny, then decided it was necessary for his mom to do so. This child was too smart not to remember something so traumatic. He walked over still keeping the toy from her sight and handed it over to Catherine. The older woman circled around and tried to get the little girl's attention. "Elizabeth....Look what I've got." Lizzie was reluctant, then slowly peaked out from her dad's shoulder. She saw the toy in her grandma's hand and snatched it, quickly hugging it to her. The tears ceased, and only the occasional hiccup remained as she studied every inch of her furry friend. Grandma held out her arms wanting to know the child had forgiven her for the mistake. Elizabeth looked wary at her for a moment, then acquiesced still holding on very tightly to her friend. Grandma relaxed as she brought her grandbaby back over to her mom's arms. V'Lmir returned from the kitchen with a tray of plated cake. She moved about the humans allowing them to select their own pieces then came over to Trip. He pulled two small slices off the tray and thanked the young woman as she turned to leave the room again. Handing T'Pol the smaller of the two pieces, Trip loaded a scant bite of cake onto his fork and tried to get his little girl to taste the sweet confection. Lizzie turned her head repeatedly. "Lizzie.....See daddy likes it." Trip took the bite in his mouth, and smiled as the creamy icing appealed to his sweet tooth. He loaded an even smaller morsel onto the fork and tried again. The child looked at it wary of what her father considered good, but still didn't attempt it. Trip glanced over to T'Pol. (You try it and show her it's good.) He requested quietly through their bond. (It's entirely sugar.) She returned and got a bit of a perturbed look back for her thought. T'Pol shifted Elizabeth to her one knee and picked up the fork on her plate. She eased a small bite of cake onto it and placed it into her mouth. The over abundance of sugar tasted good on her tongue, but made her teeth ache knowing she would be paying for this moment in Phlox's sickbay getting yet another cavity repaired. She remembered how she paid for her taking to pecan pie at her mate's request. Lizzie watched her mother approve of the food. T'Pol brought an even smaller portion to the little girl's mouth and watched as she opened wide to take it in. Lizzie gummed at it, crumbs falling onto the front of her dress as she smacked her lips at the sweetness of the frosting. Trip stood across from her with the camera getting his 'baby's first bite of cake' shot, which he would later let T'Pol off the hook for missing the 'blowing out the candle' one. *** Trip and Malcolm sat quietly in the garden. The party inside had taken a less festive tone. The females of the group, including V'Lmir were all huddled about the baby, while Jon and Travis busied themselves discussing new Terra Prime investigations with the ambassador. Having not seen his friend for a while, Trip nudged Malcolm on the arm and indicated they sneak out for a quiet talk. "So....you ready to get hitched tomorrow?" Reed asked as he sat beside his friend of the last 5 years. "Very ready..." Trip replied with a satisfied smile across his face. "Who'd of ever thought..... you and T'Pol. I can still remember you two fighting on the bridge over whether or not to go back for the captain all those years ago...Now this." Trip lifted the glass of Kentucky bourbon he'd got as a housewarming present from the Brit. It had long been a joke between them, after their shuttle pod experience, that Kentucky bourbon was the only thing good enough to celebrate the really special things in their lives. "Yeah well... You didn't make a move on her." Trip retorted reminding the young security officer about the last time the topic of his mate came up over a bottle of booze. "Well.... I could of had her if I tried..... you just got there first." Malcolm smirked as he sipped from a square shaped glass. "AS IF....." Trip chuckled knowing how enamored his friend was with the young Vulcan. "What....I could have got her interested in me.... I just was too busy trying to keep your weapons from going off line at the least bit of a battle." Trip noticed his reference and retorted. "My weapons.....the way you mothered those systems, you'd think you gave birth to them." "Well....somebody had too." That statement made both men chuckle. "Seriously... when did all this begin.....It seems like one minute you two were screaming at each other and the next you were making plans to meet for movie night." Malcolm thought a moment. "Then you guys were arguing with each other again." "Well you know what they say about explosive relationships." Trip replied with a sly smile. "Actually I would probably have to say we were attracted to each other from the start. We just didn't know it then." "You're a bloody lucky man.....Well if I couldn't get her.....I am just glad it was you." The younger man leaned his glass over and clinked it onto Trip's. "So, how are things on the Hoshi front....... Anything interesting going on?" Trip leaned over into the shoulder of his friend. "Well.... I guess I could tell you that her cabin is nicely decorated and quite a bit larger than mine.....Were you aware that the women's cabins are bigger than the men's?" Malcolm gulped down another shot of the liquid. "Hey....I hope you spent some time investigating how the two cabins differ." Trip was talking in abstracts that were not lost on the younger male. "Quite a bit of time....thank you." Once more he threw back his glass, this time emptying it. "So when will we be attending your wedding?" Trip decided to cut to the chase and see if his friend had been giving this relationship some serious consideration. "Maybe not as long as you think...." Came the reply and this was cause for both men to take another refill. At that moment, Jon came to join his friends. Trip offered him an empty glass and filled it half way with the fine southern liquor. The three men began talking over the wedding proceedings of the next day. Archer and Reed were astonished at all the things Trip had to go through to have this ceremony. They wondered secretly if he would be able to pull off all the nuances that were the heart of this event. In the house, Hoshi and Catherine moved to talk with T'Pol about her big day. They had left the main living area, leaving Lizzie with her Poppy, the ambassador and Travis to go over some of the plans for the event. The communications officer wanted to see what the young woman would be wearing and this sparked the move to the bedroom. T'Pol went to the cabinet across the large stone room. She pulled out a rose colored garment, made of fine layers of lace and beading. V'Lmir assisted her to keep the dress from dragging the floor. Hoshi and Catherine both gasped as they saw the elegance of the gown, T'Pol held up for their benefit. "Where did you get that..?" Hoshi asked coming over to feel the soft material under her fingertips. "This is my mother's wedding dress. It was made for her by her foremother T'Mir. Since I already wore my wedding gown in my marriage to Koss, I thought it only right to wear hers in honor of her memory. V'Lmir has helped me alter it to my form." T'Pol looked down and remembered seeing this dress brought out on official occasions. She always admired the way it lay against her mother's more substantial frame. "Did this T'Mir make your first dress too?" Catherine asked, wondering if this woman was the seamstress of the family. "No.... My dress was made by my foremother, T'Lar. It is our custom, that the foremother of a female child, make their ascension gown." T'Pol looked down at the dress she was to wear tomorrow. She absently stroked the fabric feeling her mother's emanations coming through her touch. "So.... that means I will have to make Lizzie's." Catherine started and saw T'Pol look up at her. "It is not necessary. I am capable of sewing and can make the gown for her...." The elder woman's hand went up. "If her grandma needs to make the dress, then her grandma needs to make her dress. I've done a lot of sewing in my day. I will just have to dust off my old sewing machine when the time comes and make her one that is just as pretty as this one." Now it was Catherine who came up and gave the dress a once over. She laid it against the young Vulcan's skin and looked up into her face. "You are gonna make such a beautiful bride....." Smiling warmly, Catherine then eased the fabric back down to her side.
That night, after everyone had left, Trip put a very zonked Lizzie to bed, and went to join his bondmate in the bathroom. T'Pol was fixing to get into the shower and since water was at a premium on Vulcan, the two had taken to joint showers from day one. Stepping into the cubical, he began to wash at her back when she turned to face him. Trip felt her mind calling to his. He saw her eyes glaze over and become fixed on parts of his anatomy other than his face. He knew all to well what these signs meant and wanted to do nothing but join her in this lust fest. He allowed her hands to come up and around his back, her lips to caress his neck, shoulders and face, all the while standing beneath the hot stream of water falling from the nozzle. A sudden thought came into his mind. (Seeing the bride before the wedding is bad luck.) Trip couldn't believe he was about to do this, but he gingerly pushed his beloved back from his embrace. "It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. I gotta go." Trip turned to leave and found a very strong hand on his shoulder. "We are already married... We are simply being witnessed tomorrow, so there is no need for you to leave." T'Pol stepped back into his embrace and picked up where she left off. Trip eased her back again. "Technically, but I don't wantta take any chances." "That is not what your body is saying..... I feel your desire for me.....I must take care of your need." T'Pol was now back into his arms, making sure this time she would not be turned away. "Hey...you started this......." He joked and tried to get her attention. "I am just responding to your need." The Vulcan hit an extremely excitable spot just along his collar bone and felt his maleness respond to the stimulation. "Oh...." Trip now knew keeping himself for the wedding night was gonna be harder than he'd planned. "T'Pol, really.....I want tomorrow night to be special.... I think we should respect this custom, even if we are technically married. I can go sleep in your old room." T'Pol stepped back and her face reflected a bit of hurt. Her lower lip was protruding more than usual and her eyes held a great sadness, one Trip had seen many times in his daughter when she didn't get her way. (So that is where she gets that from....) Trip thought and heard her response in his head. (Gets what from.) "Never mind...." Trip responded and saw the Vulcan's mood change instantly as she stepped back into him and allowed her hands to cup his bum. "That's not what I meant......Look I want tomorrow to be special for us.... Holding off for one night will not kill either of us now......If it is so important to you, I will still sleep here with you tonight, but no funny stuff." Trip held up a finger pointed in her direction to illustrate his point. "But your need....." The Vulcan started trying to inch back into his body. "My need can wait.... just like it did before Lizzie came into our lives. I mean... I spent over a year having sweat soaked dreams about you and I survived. One night isn't gonna...." T'Pol eased her hands back to her sides. Trip made a twirling motion with his finger to indicate he wanted his mate to turn around so he could finish with her back. The young woman complied, closing her eyes and concentrating hard on the stimulation centers of her beloved's brain. Like a balloon on the end of a helium nozzle, Trips privates came to life hard and fast. "Now cut that out." He scolded her feeling the intense pressure and arousal her mental manipulation was causing. "Geez....is this anything like Pon Farr is gonna be?" Trip asked absently out loud. "No... you will not have a say in the outcome then." She retorted relaxing her mental efforts and allowing him to go back to general hygiene care of his mate. They went to bed that night wrapped in each other's arms. Trip fell asleep immediately, however T'Pol never got past a brief nap here and there. His need called out to her and it took all her mental disciplines not to hold her mate down and take him to ease the growing unrest inside her. When morning came, Trip woke early to a very awake T'Pol laying half cocked on her arm staring at him. Lizzie was still very much a sleep in her crib over in the corner of the room. "Good morning...." Trip smiled sleepily at her. "Good morning." T'Pol eased back into his body and ran a slow sensual hand along his chest and abs. Trip felt himself growing excited and realized that their little talk last night hadn't quite done the trick. "T'Pol..." He called out to her as her hand started getting below the equator. Trip reached down and brought it back to neutral territory. "I thought we discussed this last night....I want us to wait." He looked into her face and watched as she turned into his skin. Soft kisses later he heard her mumble against him, "but that's not what your body wants, Ashayam." "Yeah, but my mind controls my body......Hey aren't Vulcans supposed to be good at controlling their urges?" Trip leaned back away from her. "Our urges yes.....but fulfilling the needs of our mate isn't one of our urges... It is a command we are helpless not to follow....." She leaned her face back into him and saw him move away more. "I can't believe a Vulcan female spends all her time having relations with her husband every time the thought crosses his mind. What happened to the 7 year rule?" Trip smirked at the thought of sex crazed Vulcans hiding their activities in the privacy of their homes. "Vulcan males control their thoughts and do not think of sex 20 hrs a day, like Humans do." T'Pol used a bit more of her forcible strength and recaptured the skin of his neck to her lips. "So you're saying I am the cause of this horny episode?" Trip chuckled at the thought of T'Pol trying to blame her own need on her human mate. "Well if that was the case.....then how come you didn't take me in my sleep? I had the most erotic dream about us last night and it didn't spark anything in you. You slept right through it." "I know of your dream beloved.....and I didn't sleep right through it. I didn't sleep at all, for if I had relaxed my control to that level, I would have not been able to respect your wishes and would have forced you to accept my affections." T'Pol brought her face to his showing him that she was speaking the truth. "Well I'm awake now.... I'll get up and take care of Lizzie. You try and get a little more sleep. I promise not to think of sex for a few hours so you can rest,.... okay?" Trip slipped out of her arms and saw her face twist in a very puzzled manner. He went over to the dresser and removed his clothes, going into the bathroom to dress away from the smoldering eyes of his mate. He looked up as he stepped into his pants and saw her standing in the doorway. (You do not desire me?) He felt her hurt feeling reach out to his brain. Trip finished pulling up and fastening his pants. He walked over to T'Pol and drew her into his arms. "Of coarse I do.... You are all I think about too. But you'll see.... this time of discipline will make our night together that much sweeter, for you will then be my wife and I will be your husband. I promise you tonight, you can fulfill any and all my needs and I will do the same for you. Let's just get through today first, Okay..... Please..." Trip kissed her forehead then rested his chin a top her hair. T'Pol pulled her body close into his and tried to take comfort for her heady feelings from his promises of a night without boundaries for both of them. *** Trip stood alone in T'Pol's old room, fixing the last two buttons of the regal clothing she'd laid out for him. They were fancier than the ones he'd worn before, made of a light weight bronzy gold shimmering fabric with matching cape and accented sash. He'd asked Soval how to properly place the accents and found them to be a bit constricting about the chest. (was this a reminder that from this day he'd forever be bound?) he wondered absently then realized he'd better stop with all the idle thought before he further traumatized his mate today. Charles Tucker entered the room, wearing a tuxedo he'd brought from home. The one he'd worn at his son Jimmie's wedding. "You look might smart in them clothes, son." The older father walked up and went to straighten the sash in a more linear fashion. "Yeah pop.....they are mighty fancy." Trip smiled at his dad then leaned into the hug his father offered him. "I know you and T'Pol are gonna have a long and happy life together, my boy......Don't you forget that." The sage words came as a comfort to the already nervous Engineer. "I know pop......I won't forget." "You know what you're suppose to do, cause it's gett'n on to be that time." The southern man left an arm about his son's shoulder. "Yeah.....Let's get the show on the road." Trip stepped past his father and made his way out into the courtyard. The ceremonial gong had been placed and he fingered at the handle finding out just how intensely heavy it really was. Turning, he saw his friends all lined up along the periphery and wondered if he went to talk with them, would that be breaking with the tradition of silent contemplation he was supposed to be going through for hours before the event. Soval came up to join him, as Trip nodded at the rest. "Are you ready for the ceremony? Any questions about your responsibilities?" The older Vulcan re-fixed the sash into its proper placement then brushed the shoulders of the cape, at a stray hair that was laying there. "Yeah.....and I wantta thank you for all your help.... I wouldn't have been able to do this without your assistance." Trip afforded the man a brief nod of appreciation, respecting the Vulcan's desire to keep contact to a minimum. Inside the house, Catherine Tucker, V'Lmir, Hoshi and two female dignitaries all stood about the room. V'Lmir and Catherine busied themselves placing and replacing the lay of T'Pol's head dress across her shoulders. T'Pol was ravishing, looking more at ease then the first time, as the others in the room came up and wished her a pleasant union. The oldest of the Vulcan dignitaries came over and stood before the bride. Her face softened as she realized this moment meant as much to T'Pol as it did to the older woman. "I knew you were destined for great things, T'Pol." The Ambassador stated. "I feel your marriage to this human a logical choice and know you will do all in your power to keep him fulfilled and........happy." She lifted her brow in a diplomatic smirk. "I sense in you great contentment in this union.....One that bodes well for your future with this male." T'Pol humbly nodded her thanks. Catherine took Elizabeth from Hoshi and brought her over to see how beautiful her mother was. The little girl leaned in to plant open mouth kisses, but her grandma stopped her, having worked a long time on the Vulcan's makeup. "Kisses come later..." She told her, moving back a bit to prevent another attempt. Lizzie grabbed onto the fabric of her mother's sleeve and felt a familiar vibration. She let out a squeal and showed an open toothy grin as the images of her other foreparents filled her mind. The sound of the first gong alerted the group of women to make final preparations. Outside, Soval brought Archer and Malcolm up to stand behind Trip. They were to serve as his seconds in case T'Pol changed her mind and demanded the challenge. He remembered Soval telling them about the possibility and laughed at the time, but after the frustrating night and morning she suffered, Trip was a bit worried she wouldn't play that card, just to get back at him. He pushed those doubts to the farthest points of his mind and concentrated on the ceremony at hand. He lifted the heavy wooden hammer and struck the gong a second time. The sound it made reverberated throughout the courtyard, past the plateaus and seemed to call out to the surrounding villages as it faded. With this, he heard some rustling going on inside the home. The door was still closed and he waited somewhat impatiently to see the sight of his lovely bride. He struck the gong a third and final time then saw the wooden door open wide. Out stepped T'Pau, behind her came, of all people Ambassador V'Lar, which the sight of her at his wedding stunned both Trip and Archer. Next was Catherine holding Elizabeth and Hoshi, all taking their placed opposite the men in the outer aspects of the space. Then the moment he awaited, out stepped T'Pol in a beautiful flowing gown. The lace and beading accented the already lovely fabric and he thought it was incredible that she could be even lovelier today than when he'd seen her like this before. She walked straight to him, with V'Lmir supporting the train of her head dress. They stood across from one another for what seemed to be an eternity, until the priest motioned for them to touch fingers and kneel down.  V'Lmir straightened the gown behind T'Pol as both she and Trip settled down on the cushions before them. A single wide wick candle on a base of aged bronze stood lit at chest level between them. Their hands extended around the outside of this candle, Trip's two fingers touching lightly against hers. The flame that flickered spread a soft glow across the intended's faces. It also mesmerized the Vulcans in the crowd, each treating it with accepted reverence. Lizzie as well was glued to the flame as she reached out her mind to her parents. But for now it was their time and she searched the crowd mentally for another to connect too. The distant sounds of tranquility chimes gave the proceedings a surreal ere. Trip looked into T'Pol's lovely features. They were relaxed, unlike the last time, and through their bond he could feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. She returned his glance with an adoring one of her own. In her wedding to Koss, T'Pol looked down towards the flame, never meeting his gaze. Trip thought that was how it was to be. But now, she held his eyes in hers, unashamed that those gathered would see her devotion for him. "A bond has been formed" The white haired priest started holding his arms out, hands over each of their heads. His voice above a whisper, but holding a soothing quality that reflected his hours of preparation for this mental challenge. "It has been proclaimed and we gather here today to witness it's presence between these two beings." He lowered his hands and folded them at his hip, hiding in the oversized cuffs of his simple white linen robes. "This is the Vulcan heart, this is the Vulcan soul..... What you see before you has been passed down through the centuries, since the time of the ancients, It is the Kun'ut so'lik , the witnessing.." The priest addressed all the members of the courtyard as if wishing them to join him in verifying this union. Trip felt a gentle tug on his mind and turned to T'Pol's standing there in her beautiful gown. "Hey...." he came over to her and took her hands in his. "Shouldn't you be in your own mind right about now, he'll be there any minute." "That is precisely why I'm here. You need to concentrate and join me in my mind as well." Trip nodded knowing they'd practiced this several times before. He closed his eyes mentally and willed himself to meet her in her thoughts. T'Pol moved behind him in both spaces and awaited the priest's touch. The older Vulcan reached forward and found the contact points on each of their faces. He entered Trip's first. There was an uncomfortable heaviness and a strange rush of thoughts as the man entered to stand before them. Trip remained in front as if guarding his beloved from this intrusion. The priest stood there several moments in this white space. He closed his eyes and peered further into the depth of connection they shared. He opened his eyes and bowed solemnly. He then entered T'Pol's mind and found much the same thing, a very protective male guarding his mate. As he started to dig deeper this time however, there came a strange sound from behind him. "Ma..Ma..Ma..Ma..Ma" All of them turned to see a determined Little Lizzie crawling rapidly towards them in this white space. The child moved frantically toward her parents, past the white haired priest. T'Pol bent down and picked the little girl up. She held her close against her body and saw the child smile a toothy grin. Trip looked around and smiled back in glee at his daughter's audacity. He saw the serious look on his mate's face and straightened, still remaining in front of his family in a guarding stance. The priest looked curiously at the group then nodded his acceptance. Suddenly, the older Vulcan disappeared from this space. Trip turned to T'Pol and Lizzie. He tapped lightly on the little girl's nose and she rewarded him with a giggle. Then leaning forward, he planted a light kiss upon T'Pol's lips before dissolving back into the formal proceedings. Again he was kneeling before her with all their friends around them. His focus, as hers remained on each other and the bond between them. "A bond has been witnessed, between these two present. It is a true and deep one. As it was with our ancestors, it is now and ever more. If anyone present has cause to dispute this bond, then let them now step forward and proclaim their right of challenge." Trip tensed a bit knowing this was the part where T'Pol could affect her payback for last night. Instead all was quiet and only the sounding of the gong broke the silence. The priest removed his hands from them and straightened once again. "Having no challenge to this bond..... I now pronounce this to be a true and valid marriage between the Human male Charles Tucker the third and Lady T'Pol of Vulcan, daughter of T'Les, daughter of Stepon." The entire group from the Enterprise, weren't quite sure what to do next. They let out a collective sigh, feeling Trip's relief as much as their own. The priest motioned for them to stand and Trip was up quickly coming over to help T'Pol. His overt contact in public didn't go unnoticed by the Vulcans present at the proceeding, since already the Human had broken the rules against public displays of affection by his touch. Once up, however, he returned his contact to the two finger variety as they made their way about the crowd. Each of the guests came forward and wished their best for the couple. Again the Humans in the group displayed much more emotions, but for the most part it wasn't too much for the Vulcans to stomach. *** Later, inside the main living quarters, Trip and T'Pol had excused themselves to change. Archer stood with Soval looking at a particularly interesting piece of artwork on the wall. "That looks familiar...." Jon said pointing to the large bronze shield upon the stone surface. "I've seen it before..." Soval glanced at the piece, then back at the Human...."I do not know how you'd know it. I don't believe T'Pol has a copy of her family crest aboard Enterprise." "That's what this is..... a family crest?" Archer came over and touched the smooth surface of it lightly. "Yes.... but how could you have recognized it.... Have you been here before?" Soval watched the young man treat the item with so much reverence. "No......It's like some of the fractured memories I retained from my bond with Surak....I can recall certain things, but most are hazy and broken." Soval remembered reading the report on the Human's bonding and realized that he was seeing this memory through this bond he shared. "Well given your bond was with Surak, it is only natural, that this item, look familiar. This is after all Surak's family crest." The ambassador lowered his voice and whispered, not wanting any of the other Humans in the room to hear. Jon shot him a surprised look. "You're telling me, T'Pol is a descendant of Surak?" Jon whispered back realizing this information was probably not for public knowledge. "Yes.....It was only prudent that she keep that fact quiet, to provide for her safety while working with Humans." Soval now studied the item with great respect and pride. Jon however couldn't understand why this made T'Pol anymore of a target than the rest of them. He decided to wait and discuss it with Trip, for surely he'd know about his wife. In the master bedroom, Trip helped T'Pol from the elaborate gown. She provided him with light weight linen clothing that would serve them well for their journey to her family's smaller home, just a few kilometers away, near Shi'Kov. As she stood before him, tying the top straps of her dress, Trip pulled her to him. He kissed her then wrapped his arms about her body tightly. "Hey Mrs. Tucker......you are a gorgeous bride.... did you know that?" "As you are a handsome Sa'telsu." She murmured her eyes closed, taking in the intoxicating sent of her mate. "So....I'm your Sa'telsu.......Hmmm.....I guess being married to you, I'm gonna have to learn some Vulcan...." he started with a smirk. "What's this called?" Trip leaned forward and planted a very sensual kiss upon her lips. Once released, T'Pol opened her eyes, their headiness showing and stated. "Shok." "So if I wanted you to..." he started and allowed her to get the drift of his question. "Shok'tor." she responded with the faintest hint of a smile on her face. "Well then.....Shok'tor me baby." He pulled her forward again and went back to tasting the lusciousness of her lips. Moments later, he leaned back and asked. "Any more important phrases I need to know for the honeymoon?" T'Pol thought a moment then replied. "Tu Sai'fam." Trip looked at her questioningly awaiting the translation. T'Pol eased her hand up and slyly undid the tie of his cross wrapped linen shirt. With a forceful move, she then ripped it open and pushed it off his shoulders. In his mind, Trip was now getting the translation. (Get Naked...) He smiled at her thought to him and then replied with a smirk. "Yeah,....that's gonna come in real handy too....." Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS! A whole mess of folks have made commentsI'm first again! Whoo Hoo! (Sorry, got carried away). Can't wait for the next part. I LOVE IT! Oops! Forgot to add; hope you get better soon! Dang it!!! I was hopin for the Honeymoon goodness in this chapter,,,,,, Oh well it was a realy sweet chapie any way, with their marriage, an Lizzie's B-Day party,,, LOL Poor Ping. Love it - love all the Vulcan vocabulary as well. Your stories always put a smile on my face. Thanks for that. Scarletwitch beet me again, man. I can't wait for the nest part TRL, I love your stories, the cermony was great I just loved it all, and hopefully you get better. Ooh, I loved the wedding ceremony! (And the picture you did was fantastic!) I can't wait for the next part, I love this series you're doing!!!! (And we're so lucky you're giving us another sequel after this one!!!) Glad your cough is better and keep up the amazing work! Ditto on the health wish, and cannot WAIT for the next chappie. OR the sequel! (*gleefully rubs hands together in anticipation*) :) Thanks for the feedback...I really like writing these stories, since the series left us with such a sad taste in our mouths. I finished the outline for the next series and boy is it gonna be a doozie. I was cracking up just making out the outline...I can't wait to see it start flowing on paper. It's gonna be a laugh riot......Last part out by Weds. I promise.......and thanks for the health wishs. I am pretty much all better now and if only I didn't have to work for a living, you could have a new chappie everyday...But woe is me... I gotta eat...so it's gonna have to be Weds.....T. Another series!? Excellent!! Thanks for the great stories, TLR! i love it cant wait for more cant wait for the new stories in the series so keep them comming your not going to write anymore, oh please i liked to see more i love how you add the pictures at least add another series please !!!!!! your not going to write anymore, oh please i liked to see more i love how you add the pictures at least add another series please !!!!!! damn... why would you stop such a good series? i don`t get it... fantastic writing though, liked the t`pol trying to get trip into bed, nice touch with the bunny cake, though i already thought it might be awkward from the moment i read it resembled lizzie`s favourite bunny... "oh my god grandma`s gonna kill bunny!" anyway, hope the cough heals soon, and can you really not continue these series? PS: has anyone heard of distracted lately, or is she already on vacation where there`s no computer? ( hehehe, buy a laptop ) PPS: don`t get mad at me, i tend to make stupid jokes. Actually, when writing the actual honeymoon part, I had so much fun, I added another chapter. So sue me.......In the meantime, Little Lizzie and family aren't going away. I have the outline to yet another wonderful series all made up and ready for production and I doctored a friend of mine kid's picture to be Lizzie age 2...pointed ears and all....You'll love it. Next part out Monday instead of Weds. |