This is a sequel to the little story, "A Family Emergency," that I posted a while back.

Many thanks, hugs & kisses to Selek 'cause he's just THE best.

Standard disclaimer applies. Yadda yadda yadda. Feedback welcomed.

The Celebration of Surak

Chapter 5

"And in nearly thirty-eight years of marriage, you've never once thought about divorce?" Leonard McCoy asked incredulously.

"Divorce?" Amanda exclaimed. "Oh, no! I can honestly say that I have never considered divorcing Sarek." She paused for effect. "But I've contemplated murder on many occasions."

Everyone laughed.

"Well, I envy you," Uhura said. "It's hard enough falling in love, but being able to maintain that love through all the trials of life, well, it's amazing."

"Amen to that," McCoy said.

Amanda smiled. "Oh, it's not hard at all if you find the right one. I was just lucky. Very, very lucky."

"I know what you mean," Christine said softly. There was a certain note in her voice that caught everyone's attention.

"And just what do you mean by that?" Uhura asked. Her sharp eyes noted a glow in Christine's face. "All right, honey," she ordered, "confess! And I want details."

Slowly, Christine held out her hand showing her engagement ring.

"Oh, my heavens!" Uhura exclaimed. "Is it-?"

Christine's only answer was to grin even wider.

McCoy whistled softly. "That's some rock, Chris. Must have cost a pretty penny." He rocked back on his heels. "Yep, looks like Cupid finally got Spock."

"Please, would everyone allow Christine and me a little private time?" Amanda asked, and everyone politely moved away.

Amanda held out her hands, crossed at the wrist, palms upward. "Now, you cross your arms like this and place your palms against mine," she instructed. When Christine did as she asked, Amanda told her, "This is how Vulcans greet family." She smiled at the younger woman. "I am very pleased that you will be joining our family. Very pleased." She gave Christine's hands a quick squeeze before releasing her.

"Thank you, Amanda," Christine told her. She tried to keep her face formally frozen. "It means a lot to me knowing that you approve."

"Oh, I do, but-" She halted a moment. "Christine," she spoke very seriously and lowered her voice, "has Spock told you about the pon farr?"

Christine blushed profusely. "Yes, he did," she replied.

Amanda let out a sigh. "Thank goodness. Do you know when Sarek told me? It was three days before!" She laughed at that memory. "Well, I'll try not to pry too much, but I just want to give you some advice - one-Human-woman-married-to-a-Vulcan to another. Whatever Spock told you about the pon farr, just let me assure you that it's not as bad as you hear. In fact," now it was Amanda's turn to blush, "it can be quite pleasant."

"I know," Christine confided, "or at least I have a good idea."

At first, Christine's statement shocked her. But Spock was Sarek's son, and there was no reason to think Spock and Christine would wait if she and Sarek hadn't. "Well, now, isn't that something?" Amanda exclaimed. She didn't know what else to say.

Fortunately, she didn't have to say anything else for Sarek and Spock were approaching the karaoke stand.

Sarek's voice was amplified when the sensors aimed at the stage activated. He asked for everyone's attention. A buzz of quiet ran around the place. Could Sarek of Vulcan be taking up karaoke, too? That would be too much after all the joking he'd done this evening.

"Friends, I have the distinct honor and privilege of announcing the 'engagement' and bonding of my son, Spock, to Miss Christine Chapel. And…" An uproar of well-wishes followed as Spock and Christine were swarmed by their friends.

Sarek paused until the noise subsided, then he continued, "And now, my wife and I will retire so that you all may more fully enjoy the festivities." He stepped down to claim his wife.

Amanda smiled thinly at Sarek as he touched fingers with her and escorted her to their bedroom. As soon as the door shut behind them, Amanda exploded. Snatching her hand away, she hissed angrily, "Sarek of Vulcan, just who do you think you are? How dare you drag me away like that? And what about the dance you prom-"

"Be still, woman!" Sarek commanded.

Amanda stopped, stunned. Never, ever, had Sarek raised his voice to her. In all their years of marriage, in all their arguments, even when she had yelled at him and cursed him and all of Vulcan, never had he raised his voice to her.

"It was my intention to announce our engagement, albeit somewhat belatedly, and to present you with this," he said in a much more normal tone of voice. He handed her the small box and watched patiently while she opened it. "You have never once complained about the lack of an engagement ring, even though it is traditional on Earth. Always you have honored all things Vulcan. It is time I honored some of Earth's traditions."

"Oh, Sarek," Amanda whispered through the forming tears. Inside the black velvet interior of the box sat a gold ring with one single, stunning stone. It was a large sapphire, nearly two carats, and it seemed to shine with an inner intensity of its own. Surrounding the sapphire, were smaller diamonds, also of perfect cut and clarity.

He stepped closer. "I chose this for you, Aduna, because the stone matches your eyes." Removing the ring from its box, Sarek tenderly placed the ring on her finger- a perfect fit. When she looked up into his eyes, he added softly, "As for the promised dance, I believe we can hear the music from here. Would you dance with me, my wife?"

Unable to say a word or she would cry, Amanda nodded and put her arms around her husband. And they danced.