The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea- Epilogue

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

by Sita Z

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

****

Epilogue

Transmission from Thera, July 28th, 2151

To Commander Charles Tucker.

As you know, it always takes a while for subspace letters to arrive, so when you receive my answer, the news will already be about one week old. But I don't think it will make a big difference; our life is by far not as exciting as yours and I think I can safely assume that things will be much the same one week from now.

From what I have gained, you've encountered a few problems on your latest diplomatic mission. It must be exciting to visit strange planets and meet new species, but I can imagine that translating problems are not the only risk factor. At any rate, I am glad your communications officer was able to save the situation. And I hope Lieutenant Reed will be able to leave sick bay soon. You told me he doesn't like spending time in your medical facilities, so hopefully his recovery won't take too long.

Arh'Leen is doing fine. You would be surprised how much she has grown during the three weeks that have passed since our arrival. The slight indigestion she experienced on our way back to Thera has completely vanished, and she is adapting well to normal baby food. In the meantime, we have finished furnishing and decorating her room, and thanks to the generosity of your crewmates our shopping list was rather short. My brother also provided some clothes and toys he kept from the time when his children were still babies, but Arh'Leen's favorite plaything is still the furry doll you called a teddy bear. She will not go to sleep without it. Five days ago we lost it in the garden, and subsequently spent several hours searching rather frantically while Arh'Leen expressed her displeasure loud enough for our neighbors to come over and ask what was going on. They ended up helping us look for the teddy bear, and it was with much relief when we finally spotted it under one of the V'Rin bushes.

Last week we invited the family to see her, and especially my parents were quite taken with her. I told them the rather turbulent story of her birth, and while my father was rather taken aback at first, my mother immediately expressed the wish that she would like to meet you one day. I hope that can be arranged. I know your vessel is on a mission of exploration, and you won't be stopping by Thera any time soon, but I want you to know that you are welcome to our home any time. Speaking of family, my great-aunt was very pleased to learn that by coincidence you had chosen her name for the child. Now we have another Arh'Leen in the family.

In the meantime both I and Ah'Len have returned to work. She has found a job at the fleet's head quarters, and seems to enjoy teaching the space trainees. She never talks about missing her old post as Chief Engineer, but I know that she is experiencing some regret at leaving "her" warp engines to someone else. But as I said, her new job seems to agree with her, and she told me she would never consider going back into space. Well, I hope so. It did get a little lonely from time to time, when she was gone.

I have returned to the hospital where I work as an assistant doctor, and I hope to get my full doctorate at the end of next year. At the moment, of course, Arh'Leen takes precedence. I only work morning shifts and stay at home in the afternoon when Ah'Len has her training sessions. This arrangement agrees with both our working schedules, and allows each of us to spent half of the day with our child. My grandparents, of course, weren't too happy when they heard that I hadn't quit working at the hospital; they still believe men should confine themselves to running the household and caring for the children. They mean well, of course, but they are hopelessly old-fashioned. I, at least, have no intention of giving up my job.

Tomorrow Ah'Len and I are both going to take a day off, and go on a trip to one of the bigger lakes in the vicinity. As you know, Arh'Leen quite enjoys being in the water, and I am looking forward to showing her the beach. By the way, I am enclosing some of the pictures I took at the family gathering last week. You will have to excuse my brother (he enjoys playing the fool), but there are several very nice pictures of Arh'Leen as well. She has grown, hasn't she?

Well, I believe I have taken up enough of your time. I am always looking forward to your transmissions, and hope to hear from you again soon. Ah'Len told me to give her regards to you, and she hopes to write a letter of her own when she finds the time.

My best wishes,

your friend S'Raan

The End

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Seven people have made comments

Wooow! its a very very wonderful story! Staggering!
you make my day! thanks!!!

Wooow! its a very very wonderful story! Staggering!
you make my day! thanks!!!

Brilliant. Stupendous. I had been hoping that Trip would keep the baby but this was just lovely. Everyone's complex -- nobody's all bad or good. Just great. A marvelous piece of work. Extending the male-pregnancy idea into the Xyrillian culture was very well structured. Fantastic job! Now I want to see more of your writing!

Very cool, The ending is so perfect.

Wow! What a great story. It's a pity that it's over now. I would have loved to read some more chapters. I'm waiting for your next story. I hope you'll write more.

This is a very special story. I loved every single chapter of it. You captured the friendship between the characters very well and Trip's tenderness with the baby was heartbreaking. Ah'len didn't deserve getting the baby, but I was sure Trip would do what's best for Arh'leen.
Love from Germany
Gabi

Wow. This was an amazing story. You are a fantastic writer. It was so complex and so moving and such a wonderful cohesive whole. I hope you earn $ from your writing because you sure are talented at it.