When they were done with the movie, David wandered back upstairs to play on his computer. Jim sprawled out on the sofa and Spock sat in the recliner reading his journal. The house was quiet for a while.

"Hey Spock?" Jim began finally.

"Yes?"

"Did you have your heart set on Christmas at home?"

Spock shifted in his seat to look at his mate. "Where precisely were you planning on going?"

"Home. I want to spend Christmas with Mom, and – " he shuddered " – Carol."

"You wish your family to be united for the holiday?" Spock commented. "That is a very selfless thing to offer your child."

"So you're okay with it?"

Spock nodded. "How long would we stay?"

Jim shrugged. "I guess we can celebrate our anniversary there too, and then come back on the 27th."

"You are aware this will please your mother greatly. She is usually disappointed that her grandson spends the largest holiday of the year in San Francisco. Although she would never admit so."

"Well I'd better go tell the kiddo not to unpack, and we've got to get our stuff together." Jim got up and headed up the stairs. He knocked on his son's door.

"It's open."

Jim stuck his head in. "Can you handle some more travel?"

David became worried. "You're sending me back?"

"No, no, not sending. We're all going back. We're going to be together as a family this year. So get your gear ready and we'll leave as soon as Spock and I have packed." Jim smiled at the child.

"You're going to spend Christmas with Mom?"

Jim swallowed. "Yep. It'll be great. Your mom, me, Spock, and Gramma. Big family Christmas." He tried to maintain his happy appearance.

David grinned. "Cool! Can I call Mom?"

Jim gestured down the hall. "Sure."

David took off and Jim meandered into the master bedroom. He yanked his suitcase out of the closet and threw it on the bed. Opening it, he began to throw clean clothes in haphazardly.

"Would you prefer I pack your belongings?" came a deep voice from the doorway.

Jim glanced up at Spock. "I know, you hate the way I pack. Like I didn't hear that the first million times. No, I can pack myself. Your suitcase is in the closet."

Spock hesitated. "Jim, if you do not wish to do this, why did you suggest it?"

Jim scoffed. "No, I want to do this. It'll make David's year, and it'll be Mom's first Christmas with her grandson."

"What of what you want? What would make you happy?"

"What would make me happy?" Jim sighed and looked down. "Doesn't really matter. Won't happen anyway."

Spock reached through the bond. Ashayam, tell me.

Jim looked back up. I wish David had a whole family that was happy together.

Spock came in the room and shut the door behind himself. He walked over and picked up the suitcase and put it on the floor. Then he guided his husband back on the bed and lay down with him. He reached up and smoothed Jim's hair.

"T'hy'la, this pain you bear will be with you for the rest of your life if you do not accept the situation as it stands." Spock propped himself up on an elbow. "Your choice was difficult. You could have left me and married Ms. Marcus, and attempted to give David a nuclear family. Or you could have chosen what you did, to stay with me and be a parent from a distance. I do not envy you the position in which you were placed."

"But consider this," Spock continued. "Were you happier with two parents when your mother was married to Mr. Barnett? Was having a mother and a father together in the same house worth it?"

Jim grunted. "Don was a cold-hearted bastard. No matter how much I hate Carol I would never be like Don. But I get your point. Me and Carol fighting like cats and dogs all the time wouldn't have made David happy. It would have probably warped him. It's like I can't win."

Spock gave a small smile. "Your son asked to live with you on a full-time basis. Does that not show his feelings toward you?"

Jim rolled over and buried his face in the bedspread. "Ungh. Get packed, Spock. We're going to Riverside. Merry freaking Christmas."

There was a knock at the door and Jim sat up. "Come in."

David peered around the door. "Um, is it safe?"

"No, your stepfather has me tied up and I can't get free," Jim joked. "Of course it's safe."

The boy walked in all the way. "I'm packed. You're not packed yet," he observed.

Jim glanced at Spock and pointed to him. "It's his fault."

"Whatever," David remarked. "Get ready. Mom said as soon as we land she's picking us up and we're all going to Gramma's. Can we ride horses when we get there?"

Jim checked the chronometer. "I think it'll be a little late for that. How about tomorrow?"

"Okay!" David grinned. "Hey Dad, will you help me find a present for Brittany?"

"What? I thought you didn't like Brittany." Jim smirked.

"Well, she's a pain in the …" David paused and looked at Spock "... rear. But I could get used to her."

Jim put his hands over his heart. "And young love blossoms," he sighed dreamily.

David gagged. "Dad, that's disgusting." A look crossed his face and he stood on one foot. "Hey Dad, can I talk to Mr. Spock alone?"

Jim shrugged. "Sure. I'll go call the shuttle facility." He walked out of the room and David shut the door behind him. He became very serious.

"Mr. Spock, I know what you need to get Dad for Christmas."

"Indeed?"

David came closer. "Yeah. It's going to be expensive but it would make him really happy."

Spock became curious. "Are you going to divulge this expensive present that will make him happy or do I have to guess?"

"Dad wants a wedding ring."

Spock stared at his stepson in disbelief. "... A wedding ring?"

"A matching set," David clarified. "You would wear a ring for him, wouldn't you?"

Spock glanced at his left hand reflectively. "I have never worn jewelry before."

"Think about it," David began. "You would have something to tell everyone that you love someone and that you're together with them and that there's no one else. And every time you look at it you'll think of him and how much you love him."

Spock balked. "Jim told you he wants a wedding ring?"

David evaded the question. "He showed me your wedding video. It was really cool. Your vows were awesome. All that was missing was when you give each other rings."

"Indeed?" Spock looked back down at his hand. His father had never worn a ring, although his mother did. Maybe it was a human thing. Would he wear a ring for Jim? The idea wasn't that foreign. He looked back up at his stepson. "I will take your news under consideration."

David nodded his head. "Okay. But remember, you've only got six days to Christmas, which means a week to your anniversary." He left with that tidbit hanging in the air.