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It was rare they got shore leave on Earth and even rarer during the holiday season. In Jim’s now fifteenth year in Starfleet, actually, this was Jim’s first time.

Ten years as commanding officer of the Enterprise and they’d never been close enough to Earth to make it happen.

And another five years in charge of a space station.

The gift of being back home was unexpected but definitely welcome.

He didn’t know if the snow was as welcome. He’d never liked snow as a kid and he hadn’t really changed his mind as an adult.

But he’d promised his mother he would spend Christmas with her in Riverside, so here he was arriving on his shuttle in the snow.

He rose from his seat, turned to his husband with an amused smile. “Come on. You look cute in your Hanukkah sweater.”

Spock gave him a look. “I look ridiculous. There is a reason they are called ugly.”

Jim laughed. “I know, but Mom sent them to us, so we have to wear them. At least for today.”

His own sweater had dozens of garish Christmas lights.

She waited for them when they got off the shuttle and immediately embraced them.

“My boys are here,” she cried happily.

“Hardly boys now, Mom. We’re both in our forties.”

“And I’m in my sixties, which makes you boys.” She stood back to admire them. “You two look so handsome. I’m so excited. This is going to be great.”

Jim laughed and hugged her again. “Yeah it will. Let’s go home.”