I write a lot of funky love stories. Guess it's because I believe in love. The original idea for Star Trek was all Gene Roddenberry's, and JJ Abrams and crew came along and gave us a new look. I'm only responsible for the original stuff herein. No rights infringement intended. Please don't sue.
Jim woke slowly, savoring the heat now that it was mid-December and quite a bit chillier. He reached out and patted the empty space in the bed beside him. Rats. His husband was already up and gone. Jim rolled over and got up. After his morning routine was complete, he headed downstairs to the kitchen.
He was drinking a glass of orange juice when the front door opened and closed quickly. It still let in a blast of winter air and Jim, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, shivered.
Spock walked in, wearing a sweatsuit and trembling from the cold.
"Hey, dude, what did I tell you about running this early in the morning in the middle of winter?" Jim scolded his mate.
Spock took in a deep breath as he warmed up. "You proclaimed it to be illogical and suggested I shift my running schedule to match yours, in the late afternoon." Spock took off his gloves. "Jim, I grade papers in the afternoon. I have consistently scheduled my run in the early morning, and have done so since before we were even together. To shift my routine now would be …."
"I know, I know. Illogical. I earned that," Jim laughed.
Spock came up and placed a very cold Vulcan kiss on Jim's wrist. "I have avoided using the term as much as possible as of late," he admitted.
"And I thank you," Jim responded. "So, do you know what today is?"
"December 20th," Spock answered. "It is the last day of classes for the cadets."
"Yeah, but our kids were already done. That's not the point. Spock, it's December 20th! You know what happens today!" Jim was practically dancing with excitement.
"The event must have slipped my mind," Spock explained, feigning ignorance. Of course he was aware of when his stepson was due to visit. He had the date marked on his padd a month ago.
"You know, don't you Spock? You're just as excited as I am. You just hide it better." Jim finished his juice and rinsed the glass. "I want to ask David if his wish list has changed since the last time he emailed it to me. It's harder, shopping for him while he's here, but at least I won't have a repeat of last year's disaster."
Spock shook his head. "It was not a disaster, Jim. He enjoyed the game, even if it was not on his list anymore. The child is not materialistic. He is more grateful to spend time with you over the holiday."
"You don't suppose he'll want me to …." Jim trailed off, embarrassed.
"He will most likely wish to attend Christmas services again, yes. I will take him if it is that much of an imposition to you, Jim." Spock turned and walked away, expecting his husband to follow.
"It's not an imposition," Jim explained as they climbed the stairs. "I'm just afraid I'll burst into flame or something every time I enter a church."
Spock paused mid-step. "You have attended church in the past, and have not 'burst into flame'. Your alternate fear, that you will 'make the holy water boil', has yet to happen either." He finished climbing the stairs and went into the master bedroom. "What is the true reason for your reluctance?"
Jim came in and plopped down on the bed. "It's Carol's thing. That's her special part of David. I'm just the part-time dad who comes along every other holiday and screws with the kid's mind before sending him back."
"Jim," Spock began quietly, "you do not tamper with the child's mind. He treasures the time he spends with you. It sounds to me as though you are doubting your place in David's life."
Jim lay back on the bed and sighed. "Did I have to marry a psychologist masquerading as a scientist?" He blew a breath out. "There's just so much I want to share with him. There are so many times I want to turn to him and show him something cool, or tell him something funny. And I can't, because I only see him three times a year." He turned his head to the side and muttered, "I wonder if he even thinks of me when he's not here."
Spock finished changing clothes and sat on the bed beside his partner. "David is seven years old now. He will soon be old enough to have questions that Carol cannot answer, things only a father can answer. He will turn to you for advice, and you will grow closer. Give him time to mature." He looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "I did not truly appreciate my father until I was seven. Then there were so many things I needed him for."
Jim sat up. "But you and your dad were practically estranged most of your life. It wasn't until … well, you know, Nero and stuff … that you actually dealt with each other." He felt horrible for pointing that out. "And I lost my father when I was born, and I sure as hell wouldn't have bonded with Don. We're both flying blind here."
"Do you approve of the job your brother is doing with your nephews?" Spock asked.
"I dunno. I mean, Peter's turning out pretty good, and he's only had Mark and Justin around for six months. But I get your point. Sammy's just as lost when it comes to fathering, and yet he's doing okay." Jim smiled. "I would have never guessed my brother would adopt a kid, much less two. But he and Aurelan welcomed Mark and his brother with open arms. They never even hesitated. I think Dad would have been proud."
Spock nodded. "However, I believe your father would have been just as proud of you. You took what could have been a devastating situation and made the best of it. Your child is relatively well-adjusted, and seems to be happy much of the time. You have turned out to be an excellent father."
Jim blushed and reached over to squeeze his mate's hand. "I couldn't have done it without you. I would have punched Carol's lights out by now if it hadn't been for your calm influence." Spock raised an eyebrow and Jim laughed. "Yeah, and you take most of her calls. I still haven't figured out how to thank you for that."
An alarm went off on Jim's watch and he touched a sensor. "Okay, time to collect the kiddo!"
The two locked the house up and got in their aircar. Jim took them through city instead of taking the expressway; it took an extra ten minutes, but it was less hair-raising. They pulled up at the shuttle port and got out, going in the large building to wait for David's arrival.
"You are certain you do not mind your child traveling by himself at this early age?" Spock posed as they waited.
Jim shook his head. "The kid's brighter than I was at that age. He's capable of handling a three hour flight by himself. He knows not to talk to strangers, he's taking karate so I know he can defend himself, and this is an excellent way for me to show him how much I trust him." He stuck his hands in his back pockets. "This, coming from the man who had a survival test at the age of seven?"
Spock frowned. "Granted my mother did not approve then, but if I had a son, I would have him pass the ordeal as well. However, my trial was not the same as sending a young child across the continent by himself."
"Potato, potahtoe. He's fine. It makes him feel like a man to make the trip on his own. I'm not going to go back on my decision now."
The loudspeaker chimed and announced the arrival of the shuttle from Iowa City. Jim peered out the window excitedly, watching for his son to get off the shuttle. People began filing off the vehicle and retrieving their luggage. Finally, Jim spotted him and waved for Spock to follow him. They stood at the entrance.
When David walked in, Jim jumped out at him. "Hey, booger! Merry Christmas!" He bent down and received a big hug. David stepped back and displayed the ta'al to his stepfather.
"Welcome back, David," Spock replied, showing him the same respect. He took the child's luggage and the three walked out the exit to the car.
"So how's life? I want to hear everything. Tell me all about it." Jim glanced behind himself to the back seat.
"I think I have a girlfriend," David began, and Jim started coughing. "Are you okay Dad?"
Jim wiped at his eyes and swallowed several times. "Way to shock the old man, kiddo. Aren't you a little young for a girlfriend?"
"She chose me, I didn't choose her," David objected. "And I only say she's my girlfriend because that's what Mom calls her."
"What is the young woman's name?" Spock asked as his husband continued to recover from the surprise.
"Brittany Alwart. She sits in front of me in class and rides my bus. I think she lives in the next neighborhood over. She's a pain in the butt, Dad."
Jim laughed and Spock cleared his throat. "Oh yeah, don't say 'butt' around your stepfather," Jim explained.
"I thought I couldn't say 'ass'," David replied, and now it was Spock's turn to choke. Jim laughed even harder.
"No, you can't say that either. Unless you're going biblical on me and telling me I can't covet my neighbor's ass." Jim turned in to the neighborhood.
"That's a commandment, Dad. It's not cursing." David grinned. Then he looked skyward and whispered, "Sorry."