Stardate 12311.14 – 20:00- Star Base 71- Family Quarters UTC-2053
"Hey, Munchkins, it is bedtime."
"Dad…" Josh whined from the couch.
"Come on, Josher, listen to your dad." Christine playfully chided him.
"I get the bottom bunk," Brielle scurried off to their bedroom.
"Hey, no fair!" Josh followed Brielle in a huff.
"What is the big deal about the bottom bunk? I used to fight for the top one when I shared rooms." Jacob chuckled at the two children.
"The bottom bunk means that Ember can snuggle in bed with you," Christine smiled, kissed, and patted his cheek. "You have much to learn about sharing a room with a sibling."
"May I remind you that I AM an only child after all." Jacob teasingly wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the base of her neck.
Peaking into the kids' room, "Sometimes it almost seems as though miss Ember is more popular around these parts than I am." Christine turned to face him in his arms, a smug look in her eyes.
"Though, I find her nightly 'patrols' somewhat reassuring." He smirked down at her, "And now that we have adjusted the pet sensors on the automatic doors, at least she doesn't get trapped anymore."
"You don't want to get out of bed in the middle of the night to let her out." Christine teased back.
"I have an angel in my arms; why would I want to leave?"
~~~
Stardate 12311.15- 03:32 – Star Base 71- Family Quarters UTC-2053
Christine was lying on her right side, with Jacob spooned up behind her, his arm across her middle, holding her to him. At the sound of the scream, Christine jumped in her sleep, waking Jacob with a start.
"W'as wrong?" Jacob asked, half asleep. His answer came with another scream. Both adults looked at each other, grabbed a dressing gown, and hurried toward the kids' room, only to find they weren't needed.
"Josh, what's the matter?" Brielle was already climbing up the ladder to the top bunk.
"My…my mum."
"It was a dream, Joshy." Brielle tried to comfort her friend.
"I know, but I thought my mum was taking me away from here." Josh cried.
"She can't do that, Joshy."
Josh looked up at her through his tears, "Why?"
"Christine and your dad wouldn't let her," Brielle said stubbornly.
"But…"
"No buts, they won't let her. I won't let her. You are my friend Josh. I won't let her take you away." Brielle started to become cross with Josh because he wasn't listening to her.
"How could you stop her?" Josh wiped his eyes.
"Ember will stop her. Share the bottom bunk with me. That way, both Ember and I can protect you. Christine would always be there when I had a bad dream. Ember is there when Jacob has one. Let Ember and I protect you."
"All right…" Josh wiped the last of his tears out of his eyes. Brielle went down the ladder and waited for him to join her. With very little fuss, Josh cuddled himself between Ember and the wall, with Brielle on the other side.
"Night, Josh."
"Night, Brielle."
Jacob and Christine could only stand out of sight in the doorway and listen. Once the kids were settled again, Christine tugged Jacob back to their room. With a bit of reluctance, Jacob let her.
Christine couldn't stop smiling as she crawled back into the crisp cotton sheets.
"I think you have been rubbing off on Brielle." Jacob leaned over and kissed her.
"Maybe," Christine snuggled over to lay her head on Jacob's chest. "They are acting as siblings should."
"Which is?"
"Being there for each other." Christine thought out loud. "Knowing you can count on them when the world turns upside down." Christine smirked at a memory, "You can mess with each other, pick on each other, and annoy each other, but gods help anyone else who would think to harm them. "
"I didn't find that until I joined Star Fleet." Jacob squeezed Christine and kissed her head.
She looked up at him, "I've never had that in Star Fleet, but between the Skyler and Scott kids," She sighed, "Blood doesn't matter. We would go to the end of the universe for each other."
"I'm glad Josh has that now."
"You have it now too." She leaned up and kissed him. He returned the kiss, grateful for the gift he was given.
Stardate 12312.20- 10:17 – Star Base 71 School – Classroom
The holiday season had been rough on Josh. Due to Julie's incarceration, and contact restrictions, Josh couldn't contact his mother. The last message he got from her had been a recorded video message. She missed him terribly and told him to be a good boy. Also, she told him how much she loved the picture he painted her. Jacob agreed to help him send a video saying thank you to her. Josh had been inconsolable once the message ended. Christine's heart went out to the little boy. He finally got to spend the holidays with his father but also lost his mother. He had been in a self-pitty funk ever since.
Josh was in art class putting the last few colors on his painting for Jacob when he heard Brielle shout. He turned in time to watch her run to a reading nook full of pillows and begin sobbing. Then, dropping his painting stuff, he ran to her. "Brielle, Brielle, what's wrong?"
By then, the teacher was squatting down next to her. "Brielle, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Did someone say something to you?"
Josh pushed past them to hug Brielle. "Sissy…"
"No," Brielle shoved him back, "I'm no sissy! Go away!"
"Brielle, I think Josh was trying to say you are like his sister, not that you are a sissy for crying." The teacher tried to encourage Brielle.
"If someone hurt you, Brielle, I'll punch them. Who hurt you?"
Brielle looked back at him, burst into tears, and buried her face in the pillows.
Josh looked up at the teachers, "Can you get Chrissy and my dad? Please."
"That is a good idea, Josh." The teacher turned and tapped her com badge. "In the meantime, could you walk Brielle down to the counselor's office? I think she would be more comfortable there."
"Yeah," Josh nudged Brielle to stand up and slowly held her hand as they left the classroom for the counselor's office.
Stardate 12312.20- 10:42 – Star Base 71 School – Classroom
Jacob jogged into the school's main office. "I'm here for Brielle O'Conner. Her teacher said something happened."
"Commander Holtz, oh good, you are here." A receptionist acknowledged him, "No one is hurt, but her guardian Lientenant Skyler couldn't be reached, and you were next on the list."
Jacob let out a breath in relief, "What happened?"
"We haven't been able to get much out of her," the school counselor walked up to Jacob and showed him back to her office. "Your son Josh is the only one who could console her. It was his idea to call you and Lt. Skyler."
"If she is as shut down as you say, then I am glad you did." Jacob walked into the counselor's office, finding Josh holding Brielle, who had stopped crying but was still sniffing. "Hey Breezer, what's wrong?" Jacob sat down next to her on the couch. Without a word, Brielle crawled into his lap, snuggling into his chest.
"She has been crying since art class. She won't tell me why she is sad." Josh filled in for his father.
"Looking at the security cameras, it appears that no one attacked her. One moment she was laughing and smiling at the paper and glue station. The next, she was running to hide in the reading area."
"What were you working on when she started crying?" Jacob rocked the little girl in his arms but gave his son a reassuring smile.
"I was painting something for you as a gift," Josh explained.
"Brielle has made friends with other children who share her same religious background," The counselor looked down at the little girl sadly, "Her teacher said her group was making Christmas Cards, I believe it was called."
"Who for?" Jacob continued to rock Brielle. Tears had started to roll down her cheeks slowly.
"I believe the tradition is to make cards for their loved ones to wish them a Merry Christmas." The counselor explained. "We found this torn up on the floor." The counselor handed Jacob a piece of decorated construction paper with the words, 'Merry Christmas, Mommy, and Daddy. I love you!' upon it.
"Oh, sweetheart," Jacob held her tighter. "I'm so sorry." Brielle began to cry louder.
"What is wrong with Brielle, Dad?" Josh tried to pet Brielle's back. He couldn't understand why his friend was crying.
Jacob tried to find the words, "You know how you are excited to spend your first Christmas with me?"
"Yeah, but I miss doing the Christmas stuff with mom," Josh said sadly, looking at the ground.
"Your mom may not be here on the Starbase with us, but you can still call her and send her things you have made."
"Yeah," Josh shrugged and looked up at his dad.
"And you and I are looking forward to wearing ugly sweaters, drinking too much peppermint hot cocoa, and watching Christmas movies together."
"It sounds like much fun, Dad. I can't wait!" Josh beamed.
Jacob looked down at the little girl in his arms, "As fun as those things are, Brielle will never get to do those things with her mom and dad again."
Josh tipped his head, confused.
The counselor knelt, so they were on Josh's level. "Brielle's parents died. She can't do those things with her mommy and daddy ever again. They are gone." They laid a hand on Josh's shoulder.
Josh picked up the torn Christmas card Brielle had made. "She can't give her card to her mom and dad because she doesn't have a mom and dad anymore."
"Exactly, buddy." Jacob gave his son a weak smile.
Josh stood there watching Jacob and Brielle before he spoke again, "Dad?"
"Hmm?" Jacob looked back to Josh.
"Can I share you?" he asked honestly.
"Pardon, Josher?"
Josh licked his lips, "You are my dad. Could I, for this Christmas, share you as a dad with Brielle."
A lump caught in Jacob's throat, "Yeah, we could do that." Jacob looked down at the now quiet Brielle. "I know we can't bring your mommy and daddy back, but would you want to do all the Christmas daddy things with Josh and me this Christmas? Josh wants to share with you."
Brielle nodded, "Yeah, but can I still miss them?"
"You can miss them, but don't let missing them stop you from enjoying living." Jacob carefully let her go so she could set up correctly. Jacob pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear, "Tell you what. When Christine gets home tonight, we will talk to her about sending those cards to Grandma Jackie. She could read and tell them all about your cards."
"I could help you write a letter to them. They would love to hear about you dancing and riding the ponies. My mom loved to hear about what I was doing. I'm sure they will too." Josh offered to her.
"Ok," Brielle wiped her tear-stained face and took his hand. "Do you think our teacher will help me fix the cards I made them?"
"I'm sure she will, and I will help too." Josh smiled and tugged her out the door and back to their classroom.
With the children gone, the counselor turned to a silent Jacob. "You have quite the son there. He has been moping about missing his mother, but I think he realized there are worse things than being away from her this holiday."
Trying to keep his emotions in check, "It puts things in perspective."
"Your son is a good friend to Brielle." The counselor smiled and patted Jacob's arm.
"Not friend," Jacob smiled sadly, "Brother. He is her brother."
Stardate 12312.20- 20:22 – Skyler/ Holtz quarters
"They asleep yet?" Jacob asked as he put the dirty dishes and leftover food into the recycler.
Christine quietly slipped back into the living room, "Brielle is cuddled around Ember, sound asleep. She passed out soon as her head hit the pillows. Josh took a little time, but I think the day finally caught up to him." Christine sighed and slipped her arms around Jacob's waist from behind.
"I think it is catching up with all of us." Jacob looked back at her.
"I am kicking myself for not being there for her." Christine made her way over to the couch and flopped down.
"You were helping reassemble a man's shattered femur." Jacob limped on his cane over next to her. "You were a little busy, Christine."
"Still, I should have been there." Christine sighed and sunk back into the cushions.
Jacob poked her with his cane, "Hey, no pouting allowed, so sayeth the Breezer."
Christine rolled her eyes at him, "Why are you using that now? I thought your leg was nearly healed."
Jacob carefully maneuvered himself to sit next to Christine, "I've got the brace down to 10%." He sat his cane aside and lifted his pant leg to show his boot with the device. He carefully unlatched the device and slipped his boot off. "Ah, that's better." He lifted his leg so that it rested in Christine's lap.
"You didn't push yourself too hard in training, did you?" Christine glared at him and stretched to pick up her tricorder and scanner from the table next to them.
"No, nothing like that, " He began massaging his calf muscles. "I've been having bad muscle cramps in my leg all afternoon. The brace takes the weight off but doesn't stop the muscles from telling me off."
Christine scanned his leg. She was satisfied that it only showed muscle cramps. "Angagesics or muscle relaxer?"
"Do you have to ask?" Jacob playfully glared at her.
Christine administered a drug into his leg with a few taps on her tricorder. "That should loosen the cramps enough to let you sleep tonight."
"Thank you, milady," He leaned forward so that she could meet him halfway with a kiss.
Christine met him halfway with a sweet kiss, "If you didn't overdo it," Christine gave him a look, "Then what brought these on? You haven't had them in a while."
Jacob thought for a moment while he brought his leg back down to the floor, "I think seeing Brielle like that hit me harder than I thought."
Christine scooted over to run her fingers through the short hairs on the back of Jacob's neck. "I held her when they told her that she had lost her dad too." Christine sighed, then continued, "She cried so much she threw up her blueberry pancakes and chocolate milk." She leaned over to lay her head on Jacob's shoulder. "They ended up sedating her. There were no words to explain what went through her that day. Devastated doesn't even cover it."
Jacob smiled slightly, "I had to track you down in the evil sickbay that day," Jacob tried to lighten her mood, "I found you hiding in the resident's lounge curled up in a ball. Tearstained, still smelling of puke, you were still beautiful."
"I was a wreck, be honest." Christine glared up at him.
He smiled back, "Can't blame a bloke for trying." He wrapped his left arm around Christine to pull her closer. "Still, that is the day I realized that I want you to be Brielle's mum and Josh's as well."
Christine sat up to look directly at him, "What?"
Jacob gave her a sad smile ad brushed a lock of her hair off her face as he formed his thought, "I'd fallen for you before." He blushed slightly, "but that day….That day you stepped up and gave up your dreams for a little girl you hardly knew."
Christine started to tear up.
"Even if you weren't in my life in the future, I wanted you to have Brielle. You needed each other." He brought his hand down to his lap and averted his eyes from hers. "That was also the day I realized I had the gift of Josh in my life and wasn't even fighting half as hard as you were for that little girl. I was a fool."
"Not a fool," Christine cupped his cheek in her hand, "Simply lost. Knocked from the path you needed to be on."
"Thanks to you, I'm on a better path." He smiled up at her. "And now has my son in it."
"For which I'm glad." Christine leaned forward to give him a gentle kiss that slowly became more passionate.
Before things could go too far, Christine pulled back, "Easy pirate," She laid a hand on his chest. "This has been an emotional day for all of us." She carefully stood up. "Your meds will kick in very soon, and you will be fit for nothing but sleep." She carefully tugged on his hand to get him to his feet.
He cocked an eyebrow, "Spoilsport." He let himself be pulled to his feet. He took his cane but held Christine's hand in the other.
"Sleep," Christine tugged him towards their room, "At least there is something neither of us had that day that we have now."
"Which is?" He drew her up short at their doorway.
"Neither of us will be alone with our nightmares this time." She smirked and walked into their bedroom. Considering it for a moment, Jacob followed her with a grateful smile.
