Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four

Betrothal, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four Update

 

“Brianna-Kam,” Spock said, gently nudging her awake. The two ended up spending the night on the Forward Observation Deck, unwilling to be parted. Barred from mindmelding, until after the meeting, this was a better alternative for both of them. Keeping his arm draped about her shoulder, when he felt her stir, he said, “Have you even seen the sun kiss a planet?”

 

“Uh, what? What time is it? Oh, why are we still here?” she said groggily sitting upright, looking around. “Kissing? The sun kisses?”

Spock grinned and pointed to the long viewports that invited the expanse of space inward. “Look,” he said. They had taken a seat on the faux-leather sofa where they talked, clinging to each other like a couple of lovesick teenagers, until she fell asleep on his shoulder. Glancing in the direction Spock pointed, the sight truly was something to behold. 

“Oh, my, it really does appear to be a kiss. I had no idea you were such a romantic. I like it.”

“We are going to have to part company for the next several minutes,” he said. “I heard the announcement over the comm. The Vulcan contingency is docking in our bay, even as we speak.”

“Here already?” She placed a hand to her abdomen, “I can’t believe the butterflies are starting up again. Where do you have to go?”

 

“I shall have to join the welcoming line. Then get myself ready for our meeting. I love you,” he said, kissing her again.

“I love you, too. See you soon,” she said, smiling.

 

 

After washing up, Brianna took a soothing sonic shower, although she did wish for a tub of rose-scented bubbles. Relaxing in such warm water always managed to calm her down. The warm air of the shower just wasn’t the same. For a moment, however, as she was busy making herself ready, the chaos in her stomach quelled. Would that she could have such peace again. Sadly, surprisingly, the minute she stepped out of the shower her stomach was filled with restless butterflies again. Although coffee might bring her more fully awake, she decided against it. She was already on the super-charged side. Practicing a quick mind-exercise, she managed to center herself, gaining control over her shaky hands.

 

She had to twist the front of her very long hair into French braids on each side of her brow. After several false starts, she managed to wrangle her hair into an attractive regulation conforming do. Mostly Vulcan in style, she knew Spock would enjoy the look. Contented once more, she was all into doing what would make him happy.

 

Perhaps, her angst was more fully rooted in the thought of her coming fact-to-face with T’Pau again. That woman was formidable and a tad scary. Tough as nails, she didn’t back away from confronting other leaders of the Federation. To realize she was Spock’s great-grandmother, didn’t make it any easier. Once they were married, that made her family. What am I getting myself into?

 

She was busy slipping into her Temple garment when she got the compti-call informing her to report to Deck-A. Another fluttering of her belly ensued. I’m not a bride today, just getting formally betrothed. You can panic on the actual wedding day, okay? Just for now, give me a break. Thank you. Taking in a deep breath, she checked herself out again in the full-length mirror, before leaving her quarters.

 

 

Entering a large deck set aside for meetings with dignitaries, Brianna gazed about her. She was amazed at how quickly the area was transformed into what could be mistaken for a room inside the Vulcan Temple on Mount Seleya. As she entered the vast room, she spied a number of people. Ambassador Sarek and Lady Amanda were there, fittingly. T’Pran was there too, as well as T’Lar. Incense filled the room in soft curls of gray smoke. The soft glow of an open fire from the brass fire pit added to the warmth of the atmosphere. She also knew that much like the Hindu’s of Earth, the significance of having an open fire was to symbolize purity of heart and mind. There would also be one at the wedding.

She noticed the Bridge Crew were also in attendance, slowly making their way to the deck. This made all kinds of sense to her, since Spock was the First Officer. He looked fine in his official Talek Sen Dene garb. Dark blue was the family’s color, as all of the Houses had their distinct colors and crests, as the humans would call it.  He turned in her direction as she approached, giving her the smallest of grins, which she returned.

 

The Sehlet was the official emblem for this House.  Having acquainted herself with the protocol for this ceremony, she walked over to the ceremonial tea service to brew the tea. She chose Black Dragon, as per Spock’s request. When T’Lar called for the ceremony to commence, the murmurings that filled the deck came quickly to a halt.

 “Dost thee T’Bree, accept the marriage contract? If so, Thee shalt proceed with offering Spock a cup of tea,” T’Pau instructed.

Pouring the tea, Brianna held the hot mug carefully in both of her hands. Walking over to where Spock stood, in readiness, she cautiously handed him the cup.

With a certain gusto he drained the porcelain vessel. Spock then walked over and picked up another one already poured, as was custom. Bringing it back to her, he handed her the fragile porcelain container. If she took a sip, the betrothal would go forward, followed by the couple mindmelding in front of witnesses. This is what the couple longed for. The end of that chasm between them. 

 

Bound together, officially, as they would be they would soon be communicating in private while no other would be the wiser. When physically away from the other, both would be aware when the other was awake and about. They had already experienced this to a limited degree due to the frequency of their game, hoping to remain tied to each other. They would share a sense of contentment, a closeness that even humans, for all of their sharing, could never achieve.

Unable to help herself, Brianna stood with the cup in her hand, casting Spock a sideways look, a twinkle in her blue eyes that wasn’t lost on him.

A moment later, she upended it, draining the cup. You are an Imp, Madam.

Standing before the high Councilor, the couple commenced with the mindmeld. 

Brianna found herself held transfixed, at once overtaken by Spock's familiar warmth. She was aflame as again the essence of their separate beings spiraled toward one another, in brightly arrayed funnel clouds of color felt exclusively by them.  Faster and faster, they swirled until their colors blended, their beings merging and expanding, becoming One.  

 

Perhaps it was the proximity of their physical beings or the emotion that already bound them tightly together, whatever the cause, the sensation produced was far more intense than their original encounter.  Yet, it was hauntingly familiar territory to them both.  Indeed, they had each been here before, setting aside any and all doubts either of them may have had at the onset.  Brianna felt the colors of Spock's essence as he gently pushed through the layers of her consciousness ever inward to her core. 

 

Picking up the fragmented thread ending, he began right away repairing the broken shards of their partial bondlink, strengthening it, completing it really for the first time.  

 

In this manner, he irrefutably locked their souls together, persistently forging a link that would continue to grow long after he ceased to caress her cheek, if all went well.  She recognized the reds, blues and bright oranges of his being, comforted by them, amazed when they burst into vibrant shades of chartreuse and magenta as their auras blended.  And when it was completed, he slowly, gently withdrew from her.

 

Leaning over T’Pau also joined with the minds of the couple. Standing upright again, she declared, “It is done! When thy Season comes, you will wed.”

Wrapped up entirely in themselves, Spock caught Brianna up into his arms and hugged her tight. “It took nearly five long years, but here we are at last,” he said.

“I love you so very much. Don’t ever let me go again.”

“Trust me, Madam, that is a given.”

 

All for now . . .