"Easy children," Rose said, as Miranda and Joanna tore out of the kitchen to watch a holiday film. "The holo-vid isn't going anywhere!"

The others laughed as she turned in her seat, picking up her glass of wine. "I swear, one day they will fall and hurt themselves," she muttered.

"Why do you think we keep him around?" Jim asked, nodding towards Leonard. "It sure as hell isn't for the awful bedside manner or the scowl that's permanently etched on is face."

Scotty giggled into his drink, while Chris snorted. "I wonder myself," Leonard sighed, as he set the napkin down on the table. "Why I keep savin' your ass all the time. It can't be for the short attention span that rivals against a three year old or the whining you do every damn day."

"Easy boys," Christine said. "How about we finish eating this lovely meal that Rose put together?"

Jim nodded in agreement, "My wife slaved over a hot stove, and just so you could have flaky biscuits and green bean casserole, Bones!"

Leonard rolled his eyes, "You keep missin' his mouth, Jim," he nodded to the baby in the highchair. "You're getting food all over his bib!"

"Jim!" Rose huffed, moving to wipe the mess he made. "I'm going to beat you later and stuff your body in the chimney."

"And let Spock run the show?" Chris snorted. "I'll gladly take my spot back!"

Jim rolled his eyes and carefully spooned a glob of baby food out of the jar, and fed Oliver. "The only way you'll find yourself on that bridge," he placed the spoon back into the jar. "Is to do a routine visit, in which my ass will be sitting on that comfortable seat."

"Ah don't know, lad," Scotty shook his head. "Ah think Pike should take the ship out for a spin."

"If you want to end up on Delta Vega again, you'll keep such foolish thoughts to yourself."

Christine giggled, while Rose scowled at her husband. "How about we change the subject and talk about New Years?" she asked, glancing at everyone. "You're all still coming right?"

…..

After dinner, the boys moved to Jim's office, while Rose and Christine cleaned up the kitchen.

"So what did Len get you?" Rose asked, as she grabbed the new Tupperware from the closet. "I don't see any diamond rings on those fingers."

Christine snorted, "No, but I see one on yours."

Rose shook her head, "Can you believe it took him almost three years?" she asked, opening the package of containers. "I wonder what I can get out of him after the next baby?"

"Are you pregnant?" Christine suddenly asked, her eyes going wide.

"No," Rose shook her head with a laugh. "Jim's hoping that our time off gets extended before having another one," she said.

Christine nodded, glancing over at Oliver. "I wish Len would knock me up already," she mumbled. "I want a baby so bad. Especially when he's playing with the girls or holding Ollie."

Rose set the left over turkey into a container, "Why don't you two talk about it?" she suggested. "I mean, Len's not getting any younger and a baby with both your looks? Hell, if I were you, I'd pray for a boy."

"But then who will Ollie marry when he's older?" Christine asked, taking the dirty dishes off the table. "Joanna will be too old by the time he's a legal adult."

"If Oliver turns out to be anything like Jim," Rose moved to wrap up the rolls. "Leonard would never allow him to date her, let alone hold her hand."

…..

By six, the kids were playing in the den, while the adults lingered around the kitchen; the coffee brewing and the deserts being set on plates. While Scotty, Leonard and Chris chatted about a basketball game, Christine and Rose went to work on setting the cookies and pies out.

"Jim, I swear to god," Rose snapped, as he crowded around her. "If I drop this plate, you'll be the one to tell the kids why we have no rainbow cookies!"

"But Roseeeee," he pouted. "They look so yummy and you know I can't handle myself when we have this many cookies in the house."

Christine snorted from her spot at the counter, setting an apple pie onto a dish. "Your last physical was enough to prove that fact, Jim," she smiled.

"Along with the fifteen pounds you've gained since Thanksgiving," Rose shot, setting the plate down. "By the time New Years rolls around, you'll probably be thirty pounds heavier."

Jim growled, "You like my fat though," he said, patting his stomach. "You said I remind you of a bear."

Rose rolled her eyes, "Just.. sit down!" she ordered. "Jesus, you're like a child!"

Miranda came running in a few seconds later, "Are we having cookies now?" she asked, watching as her Mother and Christine moved about.

"In a little bit, Randa," Jim said, as he sat down at the table. "Don't bother your mother. She's being a meanie."

Rose grumbled, "Do you have to start?" Leonard asked, as he took a sip of his brandy. "Miranda, go get Jo and go wash your hands. No cookies for little ladies with dirty hands."

Miranda nodded and ran out, "Jo! Jo! We have to wash our hands! Uncle Bones said ladies with dirty hands don't get cookies!" she shouted.

"Would it be possible for you to train Jim?" Rose asked. "It's bad enough when I have to beg him to shower after doing yard work."

"Haven't you learned nothing in the last seven years?" Chris asked, looking at the younger man. "I hope you're not beaming down to visit foreign diplomats, smelling like a goddamn waste plant."

Jim grumbled and sank lower in his chair, "I hate all of you," he muttered, as they laughed. "And I'm taking all your presents back, Rose!"

She giggled, "I dare you," she grinned. "You'll be on the floor so fast, you won't know what hit you."

He glared at her, "GIRLS! TIME FOR COOKIES!" he bellowed.

…

Next Up:

The crew makes a few calls to the House of Kirk, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Joanna wants to sit next to Admiral Pike and throws a mini tantrum when Jim steals her spot.

Oliver surprises everyone

Three kids take down four grown men, resulting in a sweet aftermath.