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Christmas in July #14

And so we come to the end of another semi-successful Christmas in July. Thank you for reading!

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

Jim’s hand wrapped around the last container of eggnog on Christmas Eve at the same time someone else’s hand grabbed it. Jim tugged.

“Oh no you don’t.”

Then his gaze lifted and he stared directly into doe-like dark brown eyes.

“This is mine.”

Jim blinked. “Uh, no. I got here first. And it’s my mother’s favorite.”

“It is likewise my mother’s favorite.”

He rolled his eyes and didn’t let go. “Really? Look…Jim Kirk.”

“What?”

“My name.”

Doe-eyed frowned. It was then Jim noticed the pointy ears sticking out of the dark blue beanie atop his head.

“Spock.”

“You’re a Vulcan.”

“Yes, I am quite aware.”

“And your mother likes eggnog?”

“My mother is Human.” Spock tugged a little and with that pronouncement Jim almost let go of the carton, but he stopped himself in time.

“It’s Christmas Eve and my mother is here in San Francisco and I promised her eggnog. It’s sold out everywhere else.”

“It is also Hannukah and my mother is here and loves eggnog. It is a holiday drink, not exclusive to Christmas,” Spock told him.

“I’m not letting go.”

“And I am also not letting go. It seems we are at an impasse.”

Jim’s communicator buzzed in his pocket. He was fairly sure it was his mom but he didn’t have a free hand for in his other hand he held a bag of Christmas cookies.

“Shoot.”

Spock arched his brow.

With a groan, Jim released the carton and fished the communicator out of his pocket.

“Hey Mom. Yeah I’m leaving the store now and am on my way. I’ll be there in like ten minutes.” He eyed Spock. “Bad news though. I couldn’t get any eggnog. Maybe we can find a recipe and make some from scratch, yeah? See you soon.”

Sighing with disappointment, Jim started to turn away.

“Mr. Kirk.”

“Yeah?”

Spock thrust the carton of eggnog into Jim’s hand. “You take it. I will find something else.”

Jim blinked, then smiled. “Thank you. But you know what? I’m thinking we can share it.”

“Share it?”

“Yeah. My mom’s staying at the Sheraton. Room 2045. Why don’t you bring your mom there and we can all have some. We’re having some desserts and hors d’oeuvres.”

For a long time, Spock did not reply, and Jim thought the Vulcan would turn him down. He was already thinking ‘better luck next time’.

“I have to check with my mother, but yes, I think that will be an acceptable alternative.”

“Yeah? Great. If you can’t make it, here’s my contact information.”

Spock took Jim’s information and then Jim made his purchases and went to the Sheraton.

Part of him thought Spock would text him no or even do a no-show, but then just as he was getting ready to set up a nice holiday display with cookies and finger foods, he got a text.

“We are coming.”

Christmas in July #11

Appropriately this is taking place on Christmas Eve, 5 months exactly from today!

Photo by Barry Plott on Pexels.com

Now that Jim sat alone in the café on Starbase 13 he felt foolish.

He wasn’t used to being stood up. But this hadn’t been a “usual” meeting. This had been important. Too important and it hurt.

He gazed down at the sparkly green wrapped present on the table in front of him and felt more foolish still.

It was Christmas Eve and he had impulsively prepared the gift, a holo photo of them together, happy once, long ago, presented in a gold-rimmed frame and placed in a velvet lined box, then wrapped in Christmas green with a red bow.

It likely wouldn’t have been appreciated, but now he felt extra idiotic for even making the effort and he eyed the nearby trash.

“Want another drink, sir?” An Andorian woman, his waitress, asked, giving him a sympathetic smile. “Another George Washington Eggnog?”

He’d arrived early, too eager to wait any longer.

He eyed the remnants of his extra boozy eggnog, a recipe attributed to George Washington, but without much evidence he had ever been the creator of it.

“Mm. And some of those fried mushrooms with extra ranch dressing.”

“Sure thing, honey.”

Just before he sat across from Jim, he’d felt the concern flash through his mind. He hadn’t had time to reassure Spock.

“Hey,” he whispered, not trusting his voice to speak any louder without him crumbling.

Spock, dressed in a burgundy sweater that looked amazing on him, reached over and took Jim’s hand. He almost joked about how pathetic he must look if Spock was willing to show affection in public, but the lame joke never materialized.

“He is late.”

Jim shook his head. “He’s not coming. I should have known better.”

“I do not understand. It was your brother who contacted you.”

“Sam has never made any sense my entire life.” He gestured to the present. “I guess I’ll trash that.”

“You should keep it yourself as a memory of what you once were to each other. Right now you are thinking with your wounded heart but in a few hours you might change your mind.”

Jim nodded. “Maybe. I feel stupid.”

“Wanting a relationship with your family is not stupid, ashaya.”

“Sam’s never wanted to be my brother.”

“Jim.”

“It’s true, and I just need to accept it.”

The Andorian arrived with his eggnog and mushrooms. “Something, sir?”

“Cranberry tea, please. With an Orange scone.”

She nodded and hurried away.

Jim smiled faintly. “That sounds downright festive for you, babe.”

“It is Christmas Eve.” Spock shrugged. “While I did not celebrate holidays growing up, I am happy to observe them with you.”

“And Uhura before me.”

Spock inclined his head in acknowledgement.

“Ah well, at least I have the best husband in the universe to be with me.”

“I am fortunate to have the same.”

Jim laughed. He picked up a mushroom and ate it. “These are really good.”

Spock’s lips curved. “I will take your word for it.”

A moment later he had his tea and scone and they ate and drank in companionable silence until Jim received a message.

“I’m sorry, Jim, I’m not going to make it,” Jim read, rolling his eyes. “No kidding.” He set his communicator down.

“Will you respond?”

“I think I may just block him.”

Spock shook his head. “You will not.”

He sighed. “I know. Anyway, we have that holiday party tonight with the crew. What do you want to do before then?”

Spock arched a brow. “I can think of a thing or two that will keep us occupied.”

Jim laughed, leaned over and kissed Spock.    

Christmas in July #8

Spock was coming around the corner when he heard his father’s voice. He was aware his father intended to speak to their temporary guest, Jim Kirk, a Human boy of fifteen, who had recently been rescued by the Federation from Tarsus IV.

Spock had met Jim and quite liked him. He was attractive and kind, though sad. Spock couldn’t blame him considering the circumstances. While Spock was aware eavesdropping was not admirable, he found he could not turn around and walk away.

“On Vulcan, the Terran holiday season, including Christmas, is not observed. I realize it is December and you are generally used to holidays, Vulcans are not. Since you are currently on Vulcan until you can be safely transferred to your mother’s care, you must accept how matters are done here.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If all goes as planned, you will be able to observe your celebration at this time next year in your Terran home.”

“I understand, Ambassador.”

“Good. Now, my wife is Human, and is experienced in cooking meals that will likely appeal to your palette and the replicators have also been programmed to offer meals you would likely appreciate. Given your lack of proper nutrition recently, I suggest you begin to make use of the replicators to eat until dinner later provided by my wife.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If there is anything else you require, you know how to reach me. I have a meeting to attend to, so I will see you at dinner.”

And then Spock’s father left, leaving the far too thin teen standing there staring after him.

Jim’s sandy colored hair was an unruly mess and there were dark smudges under his blue eyes, but he had been provided with trousers and a sweater to wear. They were too big, but it was more than he had arrived with. Due to his immediate rescue, he had come with nothing.

“Jim,” Spock called softly as he approached.

Jim turned and gave him a sunny smile. “Hey, Spock.”

Spock looked in the direction Sarek had gone. “I apologize for my father’s gruffness.”

“No, it’s all right. I’m the one who brought up Christmas. I should have known better.” Jim lowered his gaze shyly. “I mean, I knew there wouldn’t be like presents or whatever, I just wanted a bit of something normal and fun after everything.” His gaze rose. “I get it though. Of course you guys don’t do Christmas.”

“My mother was raised Jewish on Earth,” Spock told him. “But we do not observe any Jewish holidays either.”

Jim smiled and nodded. “Makes sense. Well, I think I’m going to go to my room for a bit, if you don’t mind. Probably take a nap. I’m pretty tired.”

“Yes, of course. I will see you soon.” And Spock was already formulating a plan.

Jim had just awakened from his nap when there was a noise at his door. Not a tap, more like a kick.

He rose from the bed and opened the door. Spock stood there holding about a two-foot pine tree decorated with lights and silver and gold balls.

“Spock, what—”

“May I come in?”

Jim stood back and let Spock inside. The Vulcan, aged eighteen he’d been told, stepped inside, not only carrying the tree but also a wrapped package and a filled red and green stocking.

Spock placed the tree on the desk in Jim’s room, and then set the package and stocking down.

“Mother assisted me with the present and stocking. I was able to replicate a small pine tree and decorations,” Spock said. “Since this is your room for the foreseeable future, I thought you should be able to have Christmas here if you wished.”

Jim’s eyes filled with tears, and overcome, he sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.

Spock frowned. “I do not understand. I thought this would make you happy.”

“It does. It’s just…it’s been a really long time since anyone has been…since anyone has been this nice to me.”

Spock knelt on the floor in front of him. “The package is more clothes for you. But in the stocking there are things like cookies and candy and oranges. Mother helped me research what would normally be included.”

Jim laughed and wiped at his eyes. “That’s pretty cute.”

Spock shook his head. “No one has ever called me cute.”

“I doubt that,” Jim said, shyly.

Spock did not argue. “And we have added some additions to the replicator including a drink called eggnog and gingerbread.”

“Wow. That’s-that’s more than I could have ever wanted. Won’t your dad be mad?”

“He is not. We advised him of our plan and he said because it would all be in your room, he saw no reason not to indulge your Humanness.”

“That’s awesome! Thank you so much.” He quickly hugged Spock, but did not linger, knowing it would make the Vulcan uncomfortable. He then went to his stocking, tree, and present.

It would be a merry Christmas after all.

Christmas in July #6

This one ended up being a whole thing and took some weird twists and became rather angsty. It may end up being a larger fic come December at Christmas proper. We will see. I am thinking there’s more to tell here that I can’t get into dealing with just yet. But then again, maybe I should just leave it alone!

Photo by Karolina Kaboompics on Pexels.com

“Boy, it’s really coming down out there.”

Jim nodded absently at his friend’s words. They were said with a false, forced cheer that he mostly appreciated.

He scooped another spoonful of eggnog ice cream, not bothering to glance toward the window of his hospital room where Bones stood. He could hear the pouring rain from his bed, anyway.

Next to his bed, on the end table was an arrangement of red, white, and green carnations with a glittery reindeer stick stuck in the vase with them. The card attached read ‘Get Well Soon and Merry Christmas, the Sulus.’

Bones turned back to him. “Let me see your chart again.”

Jim was in Starfleet Hospital in San Francisco. Bones wasn’t his treating physician, just his friend. But Bones was Bones and a nosey doctor he would remain.

Bones tsked. “Heart failure two days before Christmas.”

“Um hum. Drained a bunch of fluid off. It’s hereditary on Mom’s side.”

“Thought Khan’s blood would prevent that.”

Jim smiled faintly. “That was a long time ago, Bones. I’m aging at a normal Human pace. I don’t think he made me Superhuman or anything.”

“What use was he then?” Bones grumbled. 

“There was no use for him. You know what. Anyway, I should get out of here before New Year’s. Gotta take pills, get regular checkups, blah blah blah.”

“Well, Admiral, you do have desk duty. So at least I don’t have to worry about you getting shot or something.”

“Small favors anyway. I feel fine, Bones. A little tired is all. And bummed I’m stuck in this hellhole over Christmas.”

“Your mom coming by later?”

“Yep. With a pre-approved mini tree for my room. She had to get my doctor’s approval, but he did.”

“What about David? Carol bringing him by?”

“Not until the day after Christmas,” Jim admitted. “I told her that they should spend Christmas in England with her husband and Carol’s mother.”

“Can’t believe he’s almost a teenager already. Hell, worse I can’t believe I’m a grampa.”

Jim smiled. “It suits you.”

Bones rolled his eyes and pulled up a chair. He brought the eggnog ice cream, also approved by Jim’s cariologist, and a white stuffed polar bear wearing a Santa hat.

He cleared his throat, so Jim knew what was to come, though he had hoped it wasn’t.

“Think he’ll show up?”

Spock, of course. Spock who had ended things with Jim six months earlier and left for New Vulcan to finally pursue Kolinahr.

They’d had a fight to end all fights. Jim wished he could say he didn’t remember what caused it, but he did. It didn’t really matter now. They were kaput. And Spock likely was knee deep in kneeling before some snooty priestess.

“No. What reason would he have?”

Bones stared at him wide-eyed. “You just had heart failure and almost died!”

Jim shook his head. “I wasn’t that in danger of dying. And I doubt anyone told him.”

“The mind thing?”

“Been dormant for months. It’s okay, Bones. We’re finished. Spock made that clear and I accepted it.” He shrugged. “I think when he’s finished with the Kolinahr, he’ll have the bond removed anyway.”

“That what he said?”

“He hasn’t said anything to me since he left, Bones. I’m just guessing is all. Fine by me. I don’t need it.”

“I should give him a piece of my mind.”

Jim chuckled and pushed away the ice cream bowl. “You need all your pieces. Let it go.”

Bones sighed. “Okay. Listen, I gotta leave for a bit, but I’ll be back later with a turkey dinner for us and probably your mom too. I’ll contact her first.”

“Bones, you don’t have to stay. It’s Christmas Eve. I know you have family.”

“You listen here, Jim, you are my family. I’ll be back.”

Jim teared up and smiled. “Okay, Bones. And you’re my family too.”

The nurse came in after Bones left to remove the ice cream bowl and offer him some tea and pills, but eventually, mercifully, Jim was left alone.

He must have dozed off some because when he woke up someone was sitting in the chair by his bed.

Jim stared. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Spock said sternly, “Not funny.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Where else would I be? My mate is in the hospital after suffering heart failure.”

“I’m not your mate anymore, Spock,” Jim reminded him.

“Our bond still exists.”

“I kind of think that’s your problem. And I’m sure you can end it.”

Spock stood and approached the bed. “I am not here to agitate you, Jim. I have come to apologize and express my deep regret for my part in our separation.”

“Aren’t regrets illogical?” Jim sighed wearily. “I don’t…you said it was over.”

“I was wrong.”

“You wanted to purge me.”

“Negative. Never you. I was…confused. I wished to purge my emotions but I was unable to do so. My love for you was too strong.”

“Spock—”

“I ask nothing from you except that I am allowed to remain by your side to watch over you.”

Jim snorted. “That seems like a lot to ask.”

Spock lowered his gaze. “I mean I know I am not worthy of a return to intimacies we once shared but—”

“I’m not really cleared for that kind of thing right now.”  

Spock nodded. “But I would like to be your friend and companion for however long you will allow it.”

“This is a lot to deal with right now,” Jim admitted. “And it’s Christmas Eve. Mom is coming and Bones too. I just…you broke my heart, Spock.” He waved away Spock’s wide-eyed look. “No. You aren’t responsible for this heart condition, you know that’s not what I mean. It’s just going to be hard to get past that for a while. If I ever can.”

“Can I stay while you are in the hospital through the holidays?”

“You aren’t making it easy to send you away,” Jim said, softly. “You know I still love you. That’s never changed.”

“It has not changed for me either.”

Suddenly there was a commotion outside Jim’s room and in popped his mom wheeling in a decorated Christmas Tree on a cart and next to it was a Santa sized sack filled with brightly wrapped Christmas packages.

Her mouth formed into a “O” she stared at Spock.

“Uh. Hi Mom. Spock’s here.”

“I-I see.”

Jim glanced at Spock who stared back at him with pleading eyes. “And for now, he’s staying.”

Flash Fic Revisit

From 2019

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

“Daddy, is that an elf?”

Jim Kirk looked to where his four-year-old son, David, pointed. They had just entered the department store in San Francisco. David had been asking to see Santa Claus.

At the moment, Jim had the care for his son as the boy’s mother and Jim’s ex, Carol Marcus, was off planet on a science expedition. Jim had readily agreed since it meant having David with him for the holidays. And now that he was on winter break from Starfleet Academy he no longer had to rely on his friends and fellow cadets to babysit.

Jim’s gaze widened as he grabbed David’s arm to keep him from rushing at the “elf”. “Er, No. That’s a…that man’s a Vulcan.”

And Jim’s current crush, Commander Spock, who had programmed the Kobayashi Maru Jim had taken and failed.

“Oh. Okay,” David replied. He looked up at Jim. “Does he know Santa?”

“Well…” Jim was about to say he doubted it, but in fact Spock was standing next to and speaking with Uhura, who was wearing a red and white Santa’s helper uniform, and Santa. Or whoever wore the Santa costume for the store. “Yeah, I guess maybe he does.”

“Take me to him,” David pleaded. “I want to ask him for what I want this year.”

He blew out a breath. He sure hoped David wasn’t going to come up with something like “my parents back together’ or anything similar. He’d met Carol back in Riverside when she’d been there on a temporary assignment for Starfleet and before he had enlisted himself. Their relationship had been brief and wrought with more drama than either of them had wanted to deal with. They made far better friends and co-parents than lovers.

But kids sometimes just couldn’t understand adult issues and wanted for things that couldn’t be theirs.

Nevertheless, his responsibility as “daddy” was to make sure David got his chance. So, Jim took his son’s hand and walked over to where they stood talking. He didn’t fail to notice the sign in front of Santa’s House that declared “Santa’s On a Break.”

 Jim knew he’d probably get the brush off from Uhura and Spock, but maybe Santa would be nicer. He had to at least try.

As they approached he heard the lyrics of the song playing overhead.

He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice, Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice

“Santa Claus is coming to town,” he sang softly. He smiled down at David, who grinned back. He turned to the three standing there. “Excuse me, but…”

Uhura looked at him. “Kirk, can’t you see we’re…”

“Yes, but my son…”

Her gaze went to David and brightened instantly. “You have a son?”

“Yes. This is David. David, this is Ms. Uhura.” He glanced at Spock, feeling his face heat. He cleared his throat. “And this is Spock.”

“Spock?” David repeated, scrunching up his face. “Isn’t that the one you like, Daddy?”

Jim laughed, wanting to crawl away as Spock raised a brow. “Uh, ha ha. Kids. They say the darndest things. Listen. I don’t want to take up your time, I just wanted to know when Santa was…Bones?” He stared at Santa.

Bones narrowed his eyes. “That’s Santa Claus to you, son.”

David frowned. “I don’t see Uncle Bones. Where is he?”

Uhura kicked Jim. “He’s not here. Your Daddy was mistaken.”

Jim’s jaw tightened. “Hang on one second, David. Daddy wants to have a word with Santa Claus.” He glanced at Uhura. “Can you watch him for a second?”

“Sure. Hey, David, do you want a candy cane?”

Jim grabbed Santa’s arm and pulled him out of earshot. “What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be Santa at the store?”

“Because you would have made fun of me for it.”

“No, I wouldn’t…okay, yeah, I would. But still.”

“Listen, I just wanted some side income to send some stuff to my own kid. Plus have something to get David a gift. It’s no big deal. Just a few hours a week.”

Jim nodded. “Okay. Well, when you talk to David try to talk him into something easy, will you?”

“You want me to lead your son?”

“Well, you know. To like toys and stuff. Nothing like universal peace or mommy and daddy together again.” Jim grimaced.

“All right, all right. And what was that about Spock?”

“Nothing.”

He pushed Bones back to the others and saw that David not only had a candy cane but several foil wrapped chocolate balls.

Swell, he thought. A hyped up David would be just what he needed.

“Uh. Thanks. Anyway I was wondering when Santa’s break would be over as my son wants to give him his wish list.”

“Santa” looked down at Jim’s son. “Have you been nice, David?”

David nodded. “’Course. Daddy says it always pays to be nice.”

Jim smiled.

“Well. I think you can tell him what you want right now, David. Santa can delay his break for you,” Uhura spoke up.

“That’s right.” “Santa” crouched down next to David and put his arm around him. “What do you want for Christmas, David? A toy space ship? A telescope? A little mini science lab?”

“Nope. None of that.”

“Er. Um, then, books? Coloring books or…”

“Perhaps it would be wise, Santa, to allow David to make the request himself,” Spock said.

“No, Santa,” David said, voice small. “Daddy can get me all that. Or Mommy.”

“Santa” glanced up at Jim, who shifted awkwardly. “All right. What do you want?”

David glanced over at Spock and then back to Santa. “Daddy needs a boyfriend.”

“David—”

“He’s super lonely and all he does is study and spend time with me. And Santa, I know he really really likes Spock.”

“How do you know that?”

“He told me!”

Jim saw Uhura smother a laugh and he glared daggers at her. “All right, David. I’m pretty sure we’ve taken up too much of Santa’s break as it is. We should go.”

“But Santa hasn’t said…”

“Well, now, David,” “Santa” interrupted. “It’s very difficult to give gifts of people, you know.”

“Sure. But I’m sure if Mr. Spock got to know Daddy he’d really like him.”

Jim coughed. “Lunch. Come on, kiddo. We’ll go to your favorite place. Say bye to Santa now.”

David pouted a little. “Okay.”

And to Jim’s further embarrassment, David walked over to where Spock stood, looking unfailingly serene.

“I know Santa can work magic!” David said to Spock. “See you later.” He waved frantically at Spock and then ran to where Jim waited. He smiled so brightly at Jim, he didn’t have the heart to be upset with the boy.

“Did you have fun?” Jim asked, as he steered his son away from the gawking group.

“Yeah! And I got candy.”

Jim laughed. “I know. But before you eat too much of that, let’s get some real food.”

****

“Daddy, he’s here, he’s here!”

Jim frowned at his terminal screen, paused it, and looked over at his son who was standing nearby jumping up and down.

“Who?”

“Spock.”

Jim blinked. “What?”

“At the door! He’s here.”

He got up from is chair and came around the desk. “David, I’ve told you before not to answer the door. Come and get me.”

He hadn’t even heard someone at the door.

“Okay,” David said. “But he’s here, he’s here.”

Jim couldn’t imagine what Spock was doing there. He’d never been there before and Jim didn’t even know Spock knew where he lived.

He went over to the apartment door and peered out the peephole, but he couldn’t see much.

“It’s what I asked Santa for!”

“David, shhh. It’s got nothing to do with Santa.”

He gestured for David to get back and then he opened the door.

Sure enough Spock stood there, dressed in his all black uniform, looking austere and intimidating.

Jim tried a smile. “Hi.”

“Good evening. May I have a word?”

He cleared his throat. “Sure. One second.” He turned back to David. “Wait inside, okay? I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Jim smiled and then stepped onto the landing outside his apartment. It was a beautiful day, really. His second-floor apartment faced out onto the garden area of the apartment complex. He preferred that then looking out over the pool or the street.

“So, um, what can I do for you?” he asked Spock.

Spock’s gaze flicked briefly to the closed door. “Your son is quite appealing.”

“Thank you.”

Spock nodded. “His…mother…”

“She’s off planet. Carol Marcus. She’s a scientist. She’s not…” Jim licked his lips. “We’re not together.” He cleared his throat. “Anymore.”

“I see.” Spock straightened. “I was wondering if I may…that is, if you might be free to have dinner with me at some point.”

“Yes!”

Jim blushed, glancing quickly at the closed door. Clearly he needed to have a conversation with his son about listening in on adult conversations.

Spock quirked a brow but otherwise did not react to David’s yell.

Jim took a step further away from the door. “Listen, um, what David said at the store.”

“Children say all kinds of things,” Spock said quietly. “I am aware that you did not wish him to speak up, however I did hope there was some truth to what he said.”

Jim blinked. “Yeah?”

Way to go, Jim, he thought. You sound so brilliant.

“Leonard McCoy did advise me that David’s words were truthful but if—”

“Bones did?”  

Spock fell silent but nodded. His cheeks were just the tiniest bit green.

Jim laughed. “Well, then. I guess I shouldn’t bother to deny it.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, Professor, that I’d love to have dinner with you at any point.”

“I see. Then I am gratified.”

“I do need to arrange for a babysitter, though. How does tomorrow night grab you?”

Spock inclined his head. “It grabs me well.”

Jim grinned. “Fantastic. See you then? Did you want to meet somewhere or—?”

“I will come for you at seven tomorrow night.”

“Okay. Cool.”

Spock nodded again and then turned and walked over to the stairs that would take him to the ground level. Jim watched him the entire way until he was out of sight.

He exhaled deeply. “He’s making a list, checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” He shook his head. “Guess I’ve been nice.”

He turned back and opened his apartment door to face the eager brightness in David’s face.

“Guess you were right, kiddo. It did have something to do with Santa.”

“Yay!”

Jim laughed, dropped to his knees and hugged his son.

Blue Christmas

Advent Day 21

Jim was just putting the finishing touches on his present for Mommy when his brother came slamming into the house.

Sam was dressed in a heavy coat and scarf with a knit hat on his head. There was a light dusting of snow on him too.

“What are you doing?” Sam asked.

“Working on my Christmas present for Mommy. It’s a necklace with my hand print.”

His brother stood there silently for a moment or two and then he shook his head. “She’s not coming home for Christmas, Jimmy.”

“Sure, she is,” Jim said, matter-of-factly. He stuck out his tongue in concentration as he put glue on the bale of the necklace.

“No.” Sam paused. “She isn’t.”

Jim looked up at his brother. He had a flicker of a doubt but he quickly dismissed it. “She said she was. She promised.”

“Well she’s breaking that promise. You might as well learn now that adults break their promises all the time.”

“Not Mommy.”

Sam sighed. “She sent a message earlier today. She can’t make it off that rock she’s working on in time to make it. I’m sorry, Jimmy. But she won’t be home from Christmas.”

Jim stared down at the necklace he clutched in his hands. He felt the tremble in his bottom lip even as Sam turned away and stomped upstairs in his snow boots.

A minute later, Jim stood up from the table, scooped up all the stuff he had for the necklace and threw it in the trash.

****

Jim smiled faintly as he looked up at the tall blue Christmas tree with white lights. It was in the so-called city square on Yorktown. Jim was dressed casually, having ditched his uniform a short while ago. It was the “evening” on Yorktown complete with atmospheric coolness piped in for the time of year.

“You seem sad.”

Jim glanced at Spock, who had just appeared beside him. “I was thinking of blue Christmas.”

“The tree?”

“The song actually. But yeah the tree reminded me of it.”

Spock tilted his head. “And why is it a blue Christmas?”

“Not today really. It’s just…when I was a kid, pretty young, I was expecting Mom to come home, only she couldn’t make it, her work wouldn’t let her get away. I was absolutely beside myself over it. Threw away the present I was making for her and cried for hours.” He shook his head. “I didn’t understand adult obligations then. I just knew she had disappointed me again. After that, for the longest time, I wanted nothing to do with holidays. It just meant disappointment to me and so I stopped even thinking about them let alone celebrating them.”

“Understandable,” Spock spoke quietly. “And now?”

Jim turned to face Spock and smiled, holding out his two fingers as Spock had taught him. Spock met them and, as usual, Jim felt the slightest of zings.

“Now, I couldn’t be happier, and I say, welcome Christmas. But when we get back to the room? I need to video conference Peter. It’s not nearly enough. But I’m close enough to his location to reach him. Mom wasn’t and it was something I really resented for a long time. I should have cut her some slack.”

“You were just a disappointed child,” Spock pointed out, falling into step next to him.

“I know. But I don’t want Peter experiencing any Blue Christmases.” Jim reached for and received Spock’s hand, as they walked back to their room surrounded by twinkling lights.   

It’s a Marshmallow World

Advent Day 17

 Jim stopped before the sign that read on the door Cookie Competition. He smiled and glanced at the message  he’d received. Yep, this was definitely the place.

He pushed the door open and entered the building. He could see his mom’s station toward the back, so he headed there.

“How’s it going, Mom?”

She clapped. “Jim! You made it. You tell me, how do they look?”

He surveyed her marshmallow cookie creations. She’d made some into the shape of igloos and then made penguins and polar bears. They were adorable.

“Fantastic. They look great. Who’s your biggest competition?”

“See that lady at the end there with the scarf and the Vulcan hovering beside her?”

Jim looked and his heart stilled. Oh yeah, he was well familiar with that Vulcan.  

“Jim?”

“Uh. Yeah. I’m sure yours are better. What’s she making?”

“Spice cookies but she has it all beautifully decorated with poinsettias and cardinals.”

Jim bit his lip. “I’ll go swing by.”

“Okay, but be inconspicuous!” she called after him.

“Fat chance,” he muttered.

He saddled up to their display and checked it out while the pair were speaking to someone else.

Jim had to admit the lady’s work was very elegant and pretty compared to his mom’s cutesy stuff. A moment later, the Vulcan moved to stand beside him, hands linked behind his back.

“You, uh, were gone when I woke,” Jim said out of the side of his mouth.

“I had to teach an early morning class. It was no reflection on you and our…activities.”

Jim’s lips twitched. “That’s good to know as I’d like to have more of those activities.”

“As would I.”

“Your mother?”

“Indeed. And yours?”

Jim laughed. “Yeah. She’s here for Christmas and decided to enter this competition.”

“My mother and father are currently here also.”

“Maybe we should have a get together,” Jim said, turning to Spock. ”Your mom does beautiful work.” He paused. “Just like her son.”

Spock arched a brow. “I will see you after the competition.”

“Maybe my mom will win the cutest and your mom the prettiest.”

“Perhaps. Dinner, Cadet?”

“Of course, Professor.”

Jim returned to his mom’s display.

She eyed him. “You were getting pretty cozy there.”

“Well, uh, turns out I’m seeing her son, that Vulcan.”

“Jim! You didn’t tell em you were seeing someone.”

“It’s…recent.”

“Well.” She crossed her arms. “I guess it’s okay if she beats me. Sorta.”

He laughed and kissed her. “Either way, you’re the best in my eyes.”

She hugged him. “And you for me. I can’t wait to meet your boyfriend.”

“Now, I didn’t say he was my boyfriend,” Jim protested.

“Would you like him to be?”

He smiled. “Yeah, I would.”

“Then I am sure he will be. It’ll be my Christmas wish.”

He laughed. “If only you really were Santa Claus.”

“Who says I’m not?” She winked. “Now, shh, here come the judges.”

Merry Christmas, Darling

Advent Day 16

It was stupid, Jim guessed, to be spending the evening of Christmas Eve wishing Spock was there with him.

Spock didn’t celebrate anything, never had, and Spock’s Human family had been Jewish.

Hell, even Jim and his family hadn’t been religious in any way. Back when Jim was a boy living at the farmhouse with his dad and Sam, they’d done Christmases. Well and before that, before Jim’s mom had left because she wanted more from life than being George Kirk’s wife and Sam and Jim’s Mom. Mom had been there for a few too. The live tree, the boughs of greenery and holly berries. He’d loved it, though Sam acted like it was lame. Once Jim went to stay with his mother on Tarsus IV, well there were no Christmases there and when he returned there was Starfleet and starships and Jim let his old Christmas memories go.

But then he’d retired from Starfleet, hell, for the fourth time, Jim figured, he’d go back to it. Living part of the time in San Francisco, Spock preferred it there, and part time in Riverside, where Jim preferred it, he’d had a number of Christmases with trees and wreaths and big meals of way too much food and little token gifts Spock always deemed illogical. Jim told him dozens of times that was the point.

Last Christmas had been in San Francisco and Spock had been with him. This year, though, Spock was away on Vulcan dealing with some crisis involving Sarek, nothing Jim had to be involved in, Spock assured him, and he was alone at the farmhouse instead.

He’d debated even bothering with the usual Christmas trappings. But in the end he’d gotten a tree, strung lights and put up the decorations.

Now it was Christmas Eve and he was standing before the tree by himself. He’d put on a fire and there was a casserole baking in the oven.

“Merry Christmas, Darling.”

Jim smiled faintly. There was an old song that came to mind from hundreds of years before.

“I wish I were with you.”

He should have gone to Vulcan with Spock. They didn’t do something as illogical as Christmas, of course, but he’d be with Spock.

With a sigh, Jim turned from the tree to go into the kitchen to check on his casserole. He opened the oven and bent down to take out the casserole and then remembered he had no potholders.

“Dummy,” he mumbled as he reached for the potholders. “Trying to burn yourself.”

“That would be unfortunate.”

Jim dropped the potholders and stumbled back from the oven.

“Spock?” He rubbed his eyes.

“Your eyes do not deceive you,” his husband said from the edge of the kitchen. He wore a robe similar to the one he’d worn on Earth when they went back for the whales.

Jim rushed at him and embraced him, crushing Spock to him. “It’s a Christmas miracle.”

“Hardly,” Spock said dryly. “There was nothing miraculous about it. I came on a passenger ship and then a shuttle here.”

Jim laughed and kissed him. “It’s my miracle anyway. I wished for you. How is it you’re here?”

Spock raised a brow. “As you said, you wished for me.”

“Right. But really…”

“I know how much you love this time of year and especially here. So I made the effort. I will be returning to my duties on Vulcan in a few days.”

“Perhaps I’ll come with you.”

“Perhaps you will.”

Jim took his hand. “Come, darling. Merry Christmas.”

The Holly and the Ivy

Advent Day 2

“The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown,” Jim sang enthusiastically as he pinned a branch of ivy with holly berries on his apartment door.

“O, the rising of the sun, and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir, the holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, to be our dear savior.”

The door to the apartment next to his abruptly opened causing Jim to jump. He adjusted the giant Christmas wreath he currently wore around his neck. He’d been about to add it to his door as well.

“Do you know what time it is?” the Vulcan who lived next door to him demanded.

“Uh. No?”

“It is midnight. Five minutes past.”

“Oh.” Jim nodded, giving him a sheepish grin. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”

“I was meditating. That is until you started singing loudly from the hall.”

Jim’s smile broadened. “I’m sorry, I just got carried away. I picked up all this greenery while I was out and didn’t want to wait to put them up.”

“There may be others trying to sleep on this floor of the building,” the Vulcan pointed out.

“Yeah.” Jim licked his lips and turned back to the door to hang the wreath. He removed it from around his neck and fastened it to the tiny nail he’d placed there. He turned back toward the Vulcan, wiped his hands on the front of his jeans and held out his hand. “Jim Kirk.”

For a moment, the Vulcan stared at Jim’s hand, giving him a chance to realize Vulcans probably didn’t shake hands or anything and he started to draw his hand back when the Vulcan took his hand at last.

“Spock.”

“Spock,” Jim said, softly. Spock hadn’t yet released his hand and Jim wasn’t sure how he felt about that. There was something that felt right about their hands clasped like this and Jim couldn’t have said what. “Well, uh, I should probably go inside and stop bothering you.”

Spock said nothing, but he did look down at their still held hands.

Jim took a chance. “Unless you’d like to come in for, uh, some peppermint mochas?”

“Does that include chocolate?”

“Uh, yeah. Is that a problem?”

Spock glanced toward his own apartment door and then back at Jim. “It…does not. Let me just get my sweater and I will be over.”

Jim smiled. “Great. I’ll start the mochas.”

And Spock released Jim’s hand. Jim almost grabbed it back, but managed to control himself. As he went into his apartment he continued humming his Christmas song.

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