Back from my trip and here are some pictures for your enjoyment. Tonight it’s off to the cousin’s house
Blog
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My Few Days Away
View from our room Towel creature from our room Drinking Wine first day View while drinking wine day 1 Drinking Wine Day 2 The rock and a boat (Linda!) -
Christmas in July Flash, July 01, 2022
And so it begins. Wednesdays and Fridays all month. Enjoy!
PS. I know it’s Jay’s birthday but I am sorry to say I just didn’t have time to get a separate fic written, my apologies. Looks like Over Time will be finished in early August, anyway. Happy Birthday Jay!
“This is the first day.”
Jim did not look up from his PADD when Vanik spoke. Jim was sitting in the office area of the apartment he shared with Spock studying for a really important test. He vaguely wondered how Vanik got there. He hadn’t let him in and Spock wasn’t there. He did not need to deal with the pest just then.
“First day of what?” he asked absently.
“Christmas in July.”
Now Jim did look up. “Excuse me?”
“It’s July the first.”
“Right. Uh. Vanik. Wait, how’d you get in?” He shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Because then I will be forced to tell Spock.”
“When do the celebrations begin?”
“Celebrations? Look. That’s not really how it works. It’s not really until July the twenty-fourth or so. You know around the real time for Christmas and Christmas Eve five months later. It’s just sort of a wow, it’s only five months until Christmas thing. It’s now less than half a year. It began in a summer camp in 1933. They had fake snow and trees and Santa even.”
Vanik nodded. “Correct. But over the many years since others have expanded on the time to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’. I would like us to be one of them. If you will recall we did something last year.”
“Did we? Well, even if we did, Vanik, I just don’t have time right now. Maybe later in the month, but I have this big test.”
“I am certain you will ace it as usual, Jim.”
“Right. But you know it’s a little hot to be dashing through the snow anyway.”
“Actually, that song originated as a Thanksgiving song.”
Jim rolled his eyes and went back to reading on his PADD. He hoped that would clue Vanik in that he needed to leave.
“Did you know that?”
“Not only is the answer no, I also don’t care.”
“I brought a Santa, a reindeer and a jingle bell.”
Jim looked up at him again. “You what?”
“Cookie cutters. I thought a pleasurable way to begin the month of Christmas in July was for us to engage in Christmas cookie making.”
Jim blinked at the boy, then sighed. He knew defeat when he saw it. So much for not believing in no-win scenarios.
“Tell you what. You go into the living room and sit quietly on the couch for a whole hour and let me study in peace for that time. And when that hour has passed, we’ll make those cookies. Deal?”
Vanik nodded enthusiastically. “Deal.”
Jim looked at him with skepticism. “You think you can be quiet for that long?”
“It will be a challenge but I am up for it. Especially if it means making Christmas cookies with you.”
Jim smiled, patted the boy’s bowl cut, and shooed him away.
It would take a miracle for him to pass this test at this rate.
Photo by Karolina Ostrzolek on Pexels.com -
Flash Fic, June 29, 2022
Decided to write a surprise final flash for the guys that appeared in June. “J” wants me to put up their story on A03 and so I probably will later today as “The Visit”.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com “How are you feeling?”
She followed him onto the porch where’d gone to get some air.
“I have huge headache.”
His mom frowned. “From the concussion? They must have released you too soon. Overnight? You should have been in there a week at the minimum.”
He rolled his eyes. “No. My headache had family dinner all over it.”
“Oh, but Sarek’s lovely. He’s been hovering over you and Spock since he arrived.”
“That’s not lovely. It’s…I hate hovering. And I don’t need it. And I’m pretty sure he’s making Spock a little crazy.”
She patted his arm. “You two need to lighten up.”
“Uh-huh. How did you like meeting Dad’s parents in the beginning?”
Mom made a face. “That was different. George’s father was so intimidating and I could tell he didn’t like me.”
Jim arched both brows at her.
“Now, Jim, that’s not true with Sarek.” She paused. “Is it?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Spock doesn’t think so, but we didn’t meet in the greatest of circumstances.”
“Your actions have saved millions of lives, Jim. Including Vulcans. Including his son. That has to count for something.”
“Yeah. But you’re a little biased.” He smiled and hugged her.
“Come on in and have dessert with us. Spock and Sarek are making a special spiced tea they want us to try.”
“Okay.”
Jim followed her back in the house and the two of them paused as they both watched the two Vulcans working side by side in the kitchen.
“You know, he is pretty cute.”
Jim smiled. “I know. That’s part of why I bonded with him.”
“That’s nice, dear.” She shook her head. “But not Spock. Sarek.”
She wandered off toward the kitchen.
“Oh, God.” He buried his face in his hands. Yep, his head was definitely getting worse.
“James? Your tea is prepared.”
“Coming,” he muttered. And prepared to watch his mother flirt with Spock’s father.
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Time to Remember
I’m only working three days this week and then I am off on a little get away before the holiday weekend. Not sure I will have time to update anything else. Friday the 1st is the firs Christmas in July offering.
In the meantime, try these!
What I See well not this is an early one, dating back to 2014, Got it done in about a month
This actually is the middle part of a series about the same Kirk and Spock. I didn’t set out to make them the same but they ended up that way.
The first one concerns how they got together, Conduct Unbecoming. The second one is the angsty What I See, where Jim gets blinded. Notes from a Conference is old married Spirk. I recommend you read them all.
They make up the Forever series.
So again, in order Conduct Unbecoming, What I See and Notes from a Conference.
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Flash Fic, June 24, 2022
Photo by Erkan Utu on Pexels.com This is the same Jim and Spock it has been all month
“You just had to go and get yourself injured.”
Jim rolled his eyes at his mother as she hovered by his hospital bed. A moment ago she had tucked the covers around him tight enough to make him think she was trying to make a mummy out of him.
“Right, because I did it on purpose. I thought ‘well, Mom wants me to put lights on the roof and that’s a perfect time to come crashing down.’”
“No, but for Heaven’s Sake, why does it always have to be you?”
Jim opened his mouth to reply when he was interrupted by the arrival of Spock who rushed in looking grim.
“Jim! I received a message that you had been gravely injured.”
Jim took hold of Spock’s hand and shot a glare to his mom. “She exaggerates.”
“He fell off the roof!”
“And only cracked a few ribs and got a concussion.”
“Only.”
Spock clung to his hand. “Why were you on the roof? I went to the store for groceries and the next thing I know I receive this message.”
Mom sighed. “My fault. I asked Jimmy to go up and install these tiny solar lights I bought to go up there. I should have hired someone.”
“I managed to do it fine,” Jim insisted. “It was when I was getting down that I slipped.” He smiled at his worried looking husband. “They repaired the ribs and they just want to keep me overnight for observation. Mom, here, tried to make sure I never moved again.”
Spock glanced over at the tucked in blankets. “Are you certain you will be all right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“As I was saying when you arrived, Spock. Jimmy’s always getting hurt.”
“Mom.”
“He’s broken both arms.”
“Not at the same time.”
“This is his fourth concussion.” She paused. “At least. They should probably check you for brain damage.”
“Brain damage? Mom—”
“Can’t tell you how many times he’s cracked his ribs.”
“You’re freaking Spock out.”
She gave him a look. “And of course there’s the time you actually died.”
“Mom, you aren’t even supposed to know about that, I told you in confidence.”
“I’m not supposed to know my son died?” she exclaimed.
“Ssh. You are not helping calm Spock.”
“Well.” She looked sheepish, but then she smiled. “Maybe this will cheer him up.”
Jim frowned. “What?”
“Sarek’s on his way. When he heard about Jim, well he wasn’t too far, so he got on a shuttle and—”
“That does not keep me calm,” Spock said flatly.
“How did he hear about me?”
She shrugged.
“Mom.”
“Lovely. We’ll have a lovely family dinner when you get out of the hospital. It’s best for Sarek and I to get to know each other since we’re all family, you know.”
Jim mouthed sorry to Spock, who leaned down and kissed him.
“All will be well, Ashayam.”
He snorted. “Sure. Wait until we have that kid she mentioned.”
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June 22, 2022 Rambles
I am working diligently (or attempting to) on the final chapter of my 5 Things story. It’s about half done and I’m working on the sexy times part or about to, anyway. That will be my next update before the next chapter of The Mysterious One.
In other news I am rewriting the first two chapters of the Jim cheats on Spock story, Not too Few Regrets. I started it as first person but decided to go back to third and I intend to change the title. It’s going to be angsty obviously when i start posting it again but I want to get a bit done before that happens.
Still have a few Christmas in July’s to write but I am in pretty good shape there.
Sister just feels like she has a cold though still testing positive. Next week we go to Morro Bay for a couple of days June 30-July02. She thinks she will be good to go so the three of us are planning on it. Me, M, and Sister.
Over time continues. I did get an extra $200 last paycheck and an extra $400 this latest one so there is that. Given the prices of everything and my upcoming trip to Vegas at the end of August I’ll need it.
Last night we actually got a touch of rain and it’s 90ish today. Many parts of the country have it worse weather wise than us so I am not complaining! Yet.
If you are looking for something to read of mine, I will suggest Potions. I can’t link to it at the moment but if you find my “Stand Alone Series” it’s number 21.
I leave you with a picture of M’s world famous red, white and blue margaritas, this was from Memorial Day this year.
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Flash Fic, June 21, 2022
The guys continue to visit Riverside.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com “Jim.”
He was falling, falling, he couldn’t catch his breath, why…
“Jim, Jim.”
He was being shaken. So hard. Tears burned his eyes.
“Stop, you’re hurting me!”
“Jim, darling, please.”
Suddenly he gasped for breath and sat up straight. Hands were on his back and chest as he heaved for air.
“That is it, love. Breathe, that’s it.”
“Spock? Spock?”
“Yes, Jim, yes.”
Tears streamed down his face. Spock’s thumb wiped at him.
“A bad one?”
“Mmm.”
Spock pulled him close. “I will never let anyone or anything harm you. What did you dream? Not the monsters on Delta again?”
“No, honey, nothing like that. Frank. Him throwing me out a window. Him shaking me until my teeth rattled for breaking a glass. Think it’s probably being in this house, ya know?”
Spock was quiet for a while. “And you are sure he is no more?”
Jim looked at him quizzically. “Why?”
“I wish to kill him.”
“Someone did that a long time ago. Not long after Mom kicked him to the curb. He was an asshole who never did know when to keep his mouth shut.” He grabbed Spock’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I could never be anywhere else. I will follow you to the ends of the universe.”
Jim kissed him. “Right now, just follow me to breakfast.”
He was delighted when Spock laughed. He always loved to be surprised by his Vulcan.
“You’re amazing. And I smell waffles.”
You will see these guys one more time on Friday to wrap up June.
I already have 5 of the expected 9 Christmas in July’s scheduled. You can expect those Wednesdays and Fridays in July.
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Flash Fic, June 17, 2022
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com “And this is Jimmy when he was six months. See how cute his tooshie was?”
“Mom.”
“Indeed.”
Jim covered his face with his hands. “I don’t believe this.”
“If you two have a child someday imagine how beautiful they will be?”
“Mother.”
His mom smiled in his direction. “It could happen. There are all kinds of methods.”
“We’ve only been bonded for—”
“Almost a year now, right?” Mom asked.
“Yes.” It was Spock who answered and though he wore no particular emotion on his face, Jim felt his amusement from their bond.
“Now, let’s see Jim at two.”
Jim jumped up from his seat and took the PADD with the digital pictures of his life away from her. “Let’s not. You can torture me with them later. We were all going to take you to lunch, remember?”
“Okay.” She smiled. “I’ll stop for now. Let me go get my coat.”
When she left to do so, Jim rolled his eyes and turned to Spock. “Sorry about that. She’s a little bit enthusiastic.”
“Her enthusiasm is sweet. She is pleased you are happy.”
“She is. Yeah. But I didn’t think she’d start in with the naked kid pictures.”
“You were adorable,” Spock assured him. “And she is not wrong.”
Jim laughed. “About my tooshie?”
“That too. That a child we would have would be beautiful.”
Jim’s eyes widened. “You aren’t actually thinking about that, are you?”
“I am.”
“Spock, we’re still on the Enterprise and…”
“After the next mission is over, of course.”
Jim snorted. “Of course.”
Spock patted Jim’s arm. ”There is a lot of time to think about it. In the meantime, I think I win.”
He frowned. “Win what?”
“Your mother is much more agreeable than my father.”
Jim chuckled. “Okay maybe. At least so far she hasn’t give us the ‘what are your future plans in Starfleet, James?’ speech.”
“Exactly. I’d rather look at old pictures of your youth anytime.”
Mom reappeared in her coat. “I’m ready.”
Jim smiled and kissed her cheek. “Come on. Time to spoil you.”
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too, Mom. Me too.”
