Snippet 1h

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It was 7:00 in the morning. The sun had just come up over the horizon, above the Kul'aff mountains, and the light of it woke 5-year-old Spock from his sleep.

And just as well, too. It would be very unfortunate if he didn't wake up on time for the first day of school for the year. Not only that, but today was also the first day he would be going to school with his friends from Earth. Jim and Sam Kirk would be going to school today, as well. Jim would be in Spock's class, and Sam would be in Sybok's class. Jim had seemed very excited about the idea of going to school with Spock, and said he would be getting up an hour early just to make sure he was ready in time to leave.

But Spock wouldn't be meeting him until after breakfast. For now, it was just time to get up.

Kicking back his covers he rolled over on his tummy and slid off the side of the bed, landing with a slight 'thunk' on the ground before he steadied himself and hurried quickly over to the small chest at the foot of his bed where his mother had laid out his clothes the night before. Before he even had gotten to the chest he had pulled his shirt over his head and was wresting it off of his left arm. They were getting a bit tight around the wrist, but his mamma said that meant he was only getting bigger. Once he had gotten it off he hurried over to his basket and threw it in there, they were followed next by his pants that he pulled down and then sat down to take them off of his feet. Once he had those in the basket he pulled on his shirt with a small struggle and then put on his pants. They were brand new - his mother had finished them just last week so he had to be careful not to get them messy.

Once he had his pants on he reached up to open his door and hurried to where he could already smell breakfast being made. "Mamma mamma! I'm dwessed mamma!"

"Oh, look at you!" Amanda turned from the stove toward him with a big smile, putting aside the large spoon she was holding briefly to stoop down and give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "That's my big boy! Getting dressed all by yourself. Mama's so proud of you!"

Spock kissed her on the cheek and gave her a big hug before backing up and looking at her with wide eyes. "Is bweakfast weady?"

"Yes, it is, sweetheart," Amanda said, guiding him over to his seat before she reached over to the stove to pick up the pan she'd been using. She came over to Spock's plate and scooped two big pancakes onto it. "There you go. And here's the syrup," she said, pushing a small bowl toward him on the table. "You can have strawberries too, if you want."

Sam grabbed the syrup with both hands and slowly poured it over his pancakes, watching carefully before setting it down and licking his fingers. "Where's Sybok Mamma?"

"Oh, he'll be along soon, I suspect." Amanda said, turning back to the stove to begin a few more pancakes. "Are you excited for your first day at school today, Spock? You know you'll have to show Jim around your classroom and introduce him to your teacher."

Spock nodded, putting a big piece of pancake into his mouth as he looked over at her. He chewed slowly and turned to sit on his knees, watching her cook.

"All right, there we go," Amanda said as she brought forward a small bowl of warmed cream, pouring it over Spock's pancakes before setting the dish aside and going to heat more strawberries. "What do you think, sweetheart, should I save some strawberries for your father today?"

Spock nodded with wide eyes as he swallowed. "He wikes dem."

"Yes, he is fond of berries, isn't he?" Amanda said with a slightly amused smile, setting aside a small bowl. "I'll make sure to put these in his lunch."

Just then, footsteps came in from the hallway outside of the kitchen, and Sybok suddenly walked in, still working at his collar as he came into the room and walked toward the table. "Good morning, Mother," he said simply, before sitting down opposite Spock and pulling the bowl of strawberries toward him. "Good morning, little brother. Are you ready for school today?"

Spock nodded happily, but he stopped when he saw Sybok take the bowl and immediately stood up to grab it. "No! Save some for father!" he said, pulling at the bowl insistently.

"Oh dear, are we saving sweets for Father again?" Sybok said knowingly, glancing at Amanda before gently tugging the bowl back out of Spock's small grasp. "I will save some, little brother, fear not. I would not be able to eat all of these myself, anyhow."

"That's what you said last time." Spock said with a little glare at his brother as he sat back in his chair.

"Oh dear, I have been discovered," Sybok said with noticeable sarcasm, nodding in thanks to Amanda when she brought him his pancakes. "I shall be sure not to indulge in such a crime again."

"Now, Sybok, he's only looking out for your father's well-being," Amanda said with a slightly amused smile, turning back to the stove. "Strawberries are very important."

"They do taste good," Sybok said simply, cutting himself a bit of pancake and putting it in his mouth. He glanced back up at Spock. "Did Jimmy say when they are meeting us, Spock?"

"Vewy soon." Spock said, shoving another piece into his mouth as he reached unfold his napkin. He chewed slowly before looking back at Amanda again. "Mamma," he said after he had managed to swallow. "Where is father?"

"He'll be back from his first meeting in a moment, sweetie," Amanda said, still working at the stove. "He had a meeting at 4:00 this morning. He'll be back in time to say goodbye to you, though."

"I shall eat his strawberries before he arrives!" Sybok said, pretending to grab for the strawberry bowl. "And no one can stop me!"

Spock's eyes and mouth went wide before he lunged for the bowl and practically plastered himself against the table. "No! Mama!"

"Sybok, do not tease your brother," Amanda said, looking back at her eldest son with a pointed look.

"But I am hungry, and Father will not want them," Sybok said, a smile threatening to break onto his face as he tugged at the bowl, pretending to try and wrench it from Spock's grasp. "They are all for me."

"No!" Spock cried insistently, pulling harder at the bowl. "Sybok let go!"

"Sybok, I mean it," Amanda said from her place by the stove, looking back at him again. "Be nice to your brother."

"I am always nice to him," Sybok said, but finally released the bowl. He gave Spock the barest smile as he returned to his breakfast. "You are silly, little brother."

Spock gave him a glare that ended up being more of a pout than anything as he pulled the strawberries closer. Peering inside his frown disappeared and he set it aside and went back at his food. "Father's taking a long time Mama."

"He'll be here any moment, sweetheart," Amanda said, glancing over her shoulder. "Sybok - do you have those extra books we got for Sam?"

"Yes," Sybok said with a short nod, cutting up more of his pancakes. "And I have put linoleum covers on all of them."

"Now, sweetie," Amanda gave him a lightly scolding look before turning to put the rest of the pancakes on the table. "I'm sure Sam will be very careful with your books."

"You have not seen his books, Mother," Sybok said, quirking an eyebrow. "The covers have nearly been torn off."

"That's not because he's rough with them. It's because those books have been around in his house for a very long time. They probably belonged to his father when he was a little boy," Amanda explained. "Don't forget to give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible, Sybok."

Sybok glanced heavenward for a moment before looking back down at his food.

Spock chewed another bite as he looked between them. "You don't like th'ayam?"

Sybok glanced up at him, giving him a look before pouring some cream over his pancakes. "It is not a matter of like and dislike, little brother. I simply tolerate him."

Just then, the sound of the front door opening came down the hallway, and Amanda looked up, then turned with a smile toward the table. "Guess who's home, Spock?"