It’s sneak time. And it’s never too early to begin your Christmas story. This won’t debut until December. But you lucky blog followers (ha) get to see the beginning now.

There’s just the slightest bit chill in the air as James Kirk held open the department store door for Winona Kirk as they exited.

“Brr,” his mother said. “It’s gotten cold since we went inside.”

“We were in there for hours,” Jim replied, making his tone just a little like a protest. He stopped and adjusted the scarf around her neck. “And anyway, this is nothing like Riverside in December.”

“Thank God for that.” She smiled. “Do you think I got enough?”

“Yes.”

“But maybe—”

“Mom, yes. You got plenty for heaven’s sake.” He looped his arm in hers and dragged her away from the store before she can decided to go back inside.

“Let’s go to Humphrey’s.” Her eyes were glowing.

Humphrey’s was just a little restaurant, almost a diner really, about half a block or so down from the department store. Once it had actually been in the department store or so his mom said. She had a complete and utter fondness for it because back in their academy days, when Winona and George were just new and in love, they’d gone there many times.

“Sure, let’s do it.”

They got seated by the window, looking out to the street, which was shining brightly with red and green lights, and gold and silver garland set up on old fashioned lamp posts. Holiday music played softly in the background at Humphreys. They’d stuffed her shopping bags under the table and against the wall under the window.

When the waitress arrived at their table, his mother turned pleading eyes at him. “Please?”

Jim laughed because he knew exactly what she wanted and wasn’t that a little freaky? Kirk habits died hard. “Fine.”

She beamed a smile at the waitress. “Two hot cocoas with peppermint schnapps.”

“Coming right up,” the waitress promised.

Winona sighed and rested her chin on her hands. “This brings back such memories.”

“I know.”

“You could still come with me.”

“I know that too,” Jim said with an agreeable smile. “But no. This is your time with Sam and his family.”

“You’re Sam’s family too, you know.”

“Just go and have a great time with Sam and Aurelan, Debbie and Peter. They’re excited you’ll be spending Christmas on Deneva with them.”

“But what about you?” His mother grimaced. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to Riverside by yourself.”

“Hell no. Not dealing with the snow. I’m staying in San Francisco.”

Currently, he was on a six month leave, required by Starfleet, before going out for his second five year mission, thank you very much. He couldn’t wait for the leave to be over. But unfortunately he was  only about a month into it.

“Hm. Nobody should spend the holidays alone, Jimmy.”

The waitress brought over their spiked cocoa and then looked at them expectantly.

“I’ll have the French Onion soup and a side of garlic bread.”

“The club sandwich,” his mother said. She looked at Jim as the waitress left. “Onions and garlic? Not kissing anyone tonight I’m guessing.”

He rolled his eyes at that. “Obviously.”

“What about your friend Leonard?”

“I don’t kiss him,” Jim said with a straight face.

“Funny. I meant what’s he doing for the holidays?” She picked up her cocoa and blew on it.

“Spending them with his daughter in Georgia.”

“And your first officer?”

“He’s a Vulcan. They don’t do holidays.”

She took a sip of the cocoa and smiled. “So yummy.”

Jim loved when she was like this. Almost  innocent.

“And anyway, he’s probably spending his leave with his fiancé.”

“He has a fiancé?”

Jim shrugged. “Yeah, pretty much. My communications officer.”

Mom shook her head at that but she didn’t elaborate further on her thoughts. “What about that evil admiral’s daughter?”

He laughed again. “Carol? Uh, Mom, she left the Enterprise because we didn’t work out.”

She sniffed. “Just as well. She’s probably as batshit crazy as her daddy.”

“You’re too much. And anyway, I’m fine here. I don’t need anyone to keep me company.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Probably get myself a little  tree and some decorations and watch old Christmas movies or something. Maybe make some gingerbread and cookies.”

She bit her lip. “Sounds lonely.”

“It’s not. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Don’t let me forget to give you your present before I leave.”

“I told you not  to get me anything.”

She arched her brows. “I didn’t listen.”

“You never do.” He took a big sip of his cocoa.

“Remember that Christmas before Frank? It was the last one we had with just you, me and Sammy.”

Jim nodded. “Sure, I remember. I loved that Christmas.”

“Me too,” she said wistfully. “Maybe if you came to Deneva—”

“Mom.”

The waitress arrived at the moment with their food, successfully distracting his mother.