A/N: Merry Christmas, Everyone! Hope you're all having a good time with your loved ones during this trying year. As for this fic, it's set after S3. Kaito's parents asked Mike to become Kaito's adoptive father as they wished for Kaito to have a safe home with people who loved him. Nothing against the Pirate's way of life but Asia was a hot mess in S3. Cruz and Tex are alive, Tom is gone, Sasha is awesome and the rest you'll see! Thank you in advance for reading and any reviews you may give! Enjoy
First Christmas
"Who is excited for their first Christmas?" Mike asked Kaito as he lifted a freshly diapered Kaito from the change table.
"Dada!" Kaito replied happily, his tiny hands latched onto Mike's flannel shirt and wriggled in his arms; demanding attention he already had.
"You too." Mike said as he tickled Kaito's belly, the 6 month old belched in Mike's face and giggled. Mike shook his head as he appreciated Kaito's healthy digestive system but not right in his face. "We're going to get a tree, some presents. We'll go to the market and buy some Christmas food. Hai?" Mike asked with a smile.
"Hai!" Kaito mimicked happily,his little pudgy arms raised up in the air.
"Ok, let's get you dressed up for outside." Mike told him, he was looking forward to today.
Sasha walked through the Christmas market, wallowing in her misery and loneliness. She had no home or family basically all the things required for Christmas. At least she felt it was important. Sure, she had offers from the crew of the Nathan James but it wasn't the same. She barely knew them even after 6 months she still felt like the new kid on the block.
She thought coming to the markets and seeing people happy and Christmas in full swing would lift her spirits. It normally did when she looked at decorations and ate some locally made food but this year, it was just bumming her out. As she was truly alone for the first time in her life.
"Cooper." a familiar voice called out, Sasha looked ahead of her and saw Mike. He looked every inch the happy father as he smiled dressed in winter clothing with Kaito strapped to his chest. He carried a bag in one hand that looked like Christmas shopping. Kaito was dressed in a puffy winter suit. He happily flapped his mittened limbs like he was doing jumping jacks.
"Captain Slattery." Sasha said, she smiled as she closed the distance between them.
"Mike, I'm off the clock." Mike told her.
"Of course, hi." Sasha said to Mike, she reached out and shook Kaito's mitted hand.
"Hai!" Kaito replied happily before he babbled random noises.
"Hello." Sasha said to him.
"I'm teaching him Japanese, he's very bright. He can 'Yes' so far." Mike deadpanned, Sasha frowned as she thought Kaito would be too young. "I'm joking." he told her, Sasha closed her eyes and nodded as the joke went right over her head.
"Sorry, I left my sense of humour at home. You're both looking well." She said, he looked well. She knew Kaito had been a true gift for Mike. He embraced fatherhood very naturally, which was expected given he'd been a father for years.
"We are. I wish I could say the same but you're looking a little down a moment ago." Mike said thoughtfully, he didn't pretend to ignore it like Sasha had hoped he would.
"It's been a rough 6 months." Sasha said as she stuck her hands into her pockets to keep them warm.
"Searching for Tom is a lost cause." Mike said, he wore a pinched expression of pain. Sasha felt it, as Mike lost his best friend. She knew how hard he tried to keep Tom in America where he would be supported by friends and his Navy family. But Tom left them both, he wouldn't even listen to Sasha.
In hindsight, she had put too much importance on their past believing it meant something in the present. But the reality was, Tom was just a comfortable option for a rebound from her husband, something to salve the pain and anger. She had been broken and scarred from Paul's death. She recognised that being romantically involved with Tom would've been a step backwards into a toxic and painful relationship. They both were too deep in their own pain to really be what the other really needed. She held no malice towards Tom, she just hoped he found whatever it was he searching given he couldn't find it with her or his friends.
"Yeah, I gave that up after 3 months. Would've given up sooner but the President-"
"I know, I told him we had to let him go." Mike said, Sasha wore a closed lip smile as she was glad to know why the President gave her a break.
"Yeah, anyway the last three months have been me decompressing from Asia and acclimating to being home again." Sasha said with a casual shrug.
"It's never easy." Mike commiserated.
"No, it's not. Well, I'll leave you to it." Sasha said as she didn't want to drag down Mike with her misery.
"Why don't you join us?" He suggested.
"I wouldn't want to impose." Sasha said. It was tempting as she was lonely with the naval base empty as majority of people had gone home for holidays.
"You'd be a very welcome addition to our adventure. To be honest, I could use some adult companionship. Kaito's great but he doesn't laugh at my witty commentary." Mike said with a smile. Sasha returned his smile and caved as she wasn't doing anything special.
"Ok, what are you two up to?" she asked.
"It's Kaito's First Christmas, I know he won't remember but it's important to start traditions. I have a list." Mike said, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"Ok, let's see this list." Sasha said, she held out her hand.
"Here we go." Mike said as he unfolded the paper and passed it to her. Sasha squinted at the terrible penmanship.
"Christmas tree, decorations, cookies, Christmas cake, matching outfits, presents. dinner plates Etc. etc." She read, he had literally written 'etc. etc.' on the paper. Though she noticed that the plates had a very detailed description. He was clearly looking for something very specific and special.
"We're going to buy the majority of food here. I was told the Christmas tree farm has the best ornaments as they have their own market." Mike said, he clearly had a schedule.
"You've researched this." Sasha teased, though she didn't expect anything less from Mike. He was thorough when it came to his work and it apparently rolled over into his life.
"Of course, there's no room for failure." he drawled sarcastically, Sasha chucked. "Oh, there's the Gingerbread man." He said as he gestured to a stall further down from where they stood.
"You're not baking the Christmas cookies?" Sasha asked in mock surprise.
"They are selling freshly baked cookies right over there." Mike told her.
"It's not the same as making them yourself." Sasha informed him.
"You'd eat a cookie baked by me?" Mike asked incredulously.
"Yes." Sasha said, Mike levelled her with a look. "Ok, not when you pull that face." she added unsure by his lack of confidence but then not many men knew how to bake.
"The safe choice as I've never baked anything except a roast turkey." Mike told her.
"I can bake cookies and so I'm going to teach you how." Sasha said, she pulled out a pen from her pocket and added to the list.
"Am I allowed to still buy the freshly baked ones?" Mike asked.
"Sure, you can always donate them when we have more cookies than we know what to do with." Sasha said.
"I guess we can do that." Mike conceded.
"What about the plates?" Sasha asked.
"Oh, that's gonna be a hard find. My Mom used to have these Christmas themed plates. I figured I'd stop by antique shops to see if I could find them. But it's probably a waste of time. So, ignore it. I can handle it." Mike said with a dismissive gesture like it was meaningless. But Sasha knew better.
"Ok." she said, she decided to let the topic go for the moment.
A couple of hours later,
"Christine used to do all this with the girls and Lucas." Mike said as they rolled out their gingerbread dough. Kaito was down for a nap as the morning at the markets had tuckered him out.
"I heard about your family being found." Sasha paused as there were no words that could make it easier. "I'm sorry for your loss." she said with empathy.
"It is what it is. I just wish I'd been here." Mike said softly.
"If it's any consolation, I was there for my husband when he passed. It was something I wouldn't wish anyone to endure." Sasha told him.
"He was in Asia with you?" Mike asked, surprised to learn this but then he'd never asked. Sasha nodded with a faint smile.
"Paul was a diplomat, we were quarantined in the US embassy in Hong Kong. But it was too late, one by one everyone fell sick except me. I've seen some things in my career." Sasha stopped for a moment, the memories all flooding back with the anguish of survivor's guilt. "But nothing compared to how traumatic to watch so many people including my husband die from the virus. Then be left there, alone and wondering 'Why me? Why am I still alive?'. I don't think it's lucky to be immune, it's more of a curse." Sasha said, she blinked back the tears.
"I never thought of it that way." Mike said solemnly.
"To be honest, I still feel lost without Paul." Sasha confessed, there was something about the two of them in the intimate setting of Mike's home that made her confident enough to be vulnerable.
"I know that feeling well. Have you found a place?" Mike asked her.
"No, still living on the base in the BOQ. It's a roof over the head." Sasha said with a shrug.
"Not much else." Mike said, it was true. Bachelor Officer's Quarters had the bare essentials as they weren't made for long term living. It was basically 3 star motel room with a small kitchenette. A kitchenette that was basically a mini fridge and a microwave with a sink.
"It has a microwave." Sasha said, Mike made a face as they both knew it was the only luxury item in the place. "I mostly eat at the mess or go out for meals." she added.
"What do we do now?" Mike asked as he gestured to his rolled out gingerbread dough.
"We use the cookie cutter and cut out the shapes. Then lay our little men out on the bake tray." Sasha said as she gestured to the cookie cutters.
"Simple enough." Mike said.
"Just remember to flour the cutter or it will get stuck." Sasha told him, they went through the motions of cutting out their gingerbread men. Once they were on the tray, they placed them into the preheated oven. Mike disappeared to get Kaito up from nap, Sasha looked around his home.
It was a beautiful two storey home with a large backyard and what looked to be a granny flat. The house was furnished in comfortable and very masculine style furniture and decor. There were a few softer touches of a woman's presence but Sasha knew they were baby shower and housewarming presents. Photos were littered around the house of Mike and his family. She stopped at the photo of Mike with his wife and kids, they looked so happy.
Next to it, was one of Kaito with his birth parents and Mike. Tears burned her eyes as she remembered that day, Kyoko and Kaito's pleading for Mike to take their son. Mike's hesitant agreement, the photos he asked them to take so Kaito would be able to have something of his parents and his family's history. Sasha had returned to the camp a month after Kyoko had died and retrieved the few belongings they had left behind. She knew how much it meant to Mike that Kaito had something of his family to know where he came from, who his parents and ancestors were. To know he was very much wanted and loved even though the virus stole his parents' lives.
"I always wondered why me." Mike said, Sasha sniffed and wiped at her face.
"Sorry." She said, she didn't mean to cry.
"It's ok." Mike said, he hoisted Kaito higher on his hip. The six month old was still waking up as he rested heavily on Mike's shoulder.
"They chose you because you have honor and integrity. You're a good man." Sasha told him.
"Hmm, I do my best." Mike said in a self deprecating manner.
"May I hold him?" Sasha asked, Mike nodded and passed Kaito into her arms. Sasha smiled as she cuddled Kaito close. There was just something incredibly special and soothing about holding a baby. The soft weight in her arm and the innate trust that Kaito showed in relaxing against her.
"Starting to smell good in here." Mike observed.
"Yeah, it does." Sasha agreed as she gently rubbed Kaito's back.
"How about some lunch?" Mike said, they made some sandwiches and Kaito was given his lunch of mashed up vegetables and fruit. They caught up on the last few months and everyone's news. Sasha was glad to know the crew of the Nathan James were still doing well.
Halfway through, Sasha had to retrieve the gingerbread and by the time they finished a leisurely lunch; the gingerbread men were ready to eat.
"Here." Sasha said, she snapped a gingerbread man in half and handed the half with the head to Mike. He snapped off an arm and handed it to Kaito before he took a bite.
"You're right, this is most delicious gingerbread I've had." Mike conceded, Sasha's gingerbread was a winner. He and Sasha watched as Kaito ate his piece. He frowned for a moment before he mushed it between his gums. His tiny face lit up as he continued to eat. He made a happy 'ooo' noise.
"Kaito loves them too." Sasha said, she chuckled as he held out his hands for more. Mike obliged him, by breaking off the other arm.
"He loves anything that is close to the texture of sand." Mike said, Kaito snatched the cookie piece from Mike and shoved it in his mouth with glee.
"I feel I should be offended but I'm not." Sasha said with a frown.
"Don't be, these definitely taste better than sand." Mike told her before he ate another one. Sasha smiled as she felt a sense of joy in knowing her Mom's recipe for Gingerbread was appreciated.