AN: And now to the PARTY!!! *Insert evil laughter here* Who has guessed Spock's gift to Chris? HA I'll bet none of you get it right, but that's okay.
ADVANCED WARNING: You will, if I've written this right, both laugh and cry by the time the chapter is through. You might need tissues and an oxygen tank (I intend to have you laughing so hard you can't breathe ;) ).
And a special thanks to all of you who helped me with Birthday gift ideas! I love you all and even if your ideas weren't actually used they did inspire me! Thank you a million times, thank you!
2258 – September 7th 2045 Hours
Chris glanced at Spock as they pulled into the garage. "I'm assuming they're here already." She said, holding up a hand to silence him when he opened his mouth to try and salvage the situation. She smiled. "Chill. Go to where ever, tell them I'm running to the toilet and will be right out. I'm going to change, and I promise, I'll act surprised."
He slowly closed his mouth before smiling oh so slightly. "Yes, that is a good plan." He reached into the back seat and grasped his bag. "I thank you for keeping my slip to yourself."
Chris rolled her eyes. "It wasn't your slip, Spock." She assured him. "It was Daddy's odd behavior that tipped me off." She grabbed her bag and bounded out of the car. "See you in five." She dashed away.
In her bathroom she threw on her brand new clothes, removing the tags as she did, slapped on a bit of eye shadow and mascara and her favorite pink-red lipstick. Her hair she coiled into a loose bun that had little strands framing her face. Smiling at herself she looked good but not really done up. Perfect for a party. Leaving her shoes off she bounded back down the stairs and opened the door to the patio.
"SURPRISE!" Yelled a mass of people, confetti falling from some overhead thing into her hair. She jumped in mock-shock, laughing and smiling.
"Oh my GOD!" She exclaimed, looking around and drinking in the wave upon wave of excitement, love, friendship, and over-all happiness. Spock stood beside her Daddy, offering her a sweet, Spock-esque smile. Jim was bouncing on the balls of his feet, looking like the raving lunatic she suspected he really was. Uhura stood beside him, laughing at her lover. They shared an indulgent smile at his expense.
She saw Sulu, Scotty, Bones, Chekov, Lily, and Galia all lounging around her huge patio which her Father had apparently spend the afternoon converting into a grill, bar, and dance floor. There was even a mic and speakers. Seeing those she wasn't sure if she ought to cringe or smile.
She didn't have to choose because almost immediately she became the center of a mass of bodies. Her friends hugged her, greeted her, and laughed. Chris had to fight back the tears of joy that threatened to overwhelm her. She hadn't really realized it, over the past week she had really missed her friends… her family.
Spock, as a Vulcan, could only salivate when ingesting food. However when Chris threw open the door to the patio his human mind convinced his body to try. He had not seen what she had purchased at the store, it hadn't been entirely relevant and he had been preoccupied. But he was making up for lost time.
He drank in the sight of her slightly tanned, shapely legs in the short 'denim' skirt that really, ought to be illegal. The glittering red top clung to her like a second skin. It was not, however, the tightness not the way it clung that convinced his body to attempt to salivate and for his pants to become slightly tightened. It was the beautiful expanses of her lightly tanned body that were exposed by strategically placed cutouts.
He could see the swell of the tops of her breasts, the gentle curve of her shoulders, and the insides of both her wrists. When she turned to hug Jim he realized he could also see the beautiful expanse of her back, from where her scapula began to where they ended, the fine network of scars contrasted exquisitely with the red of the top.
He took the time, as all the attention was focused on Chris, to make a swift escape for his borrowed room.
Spock desired to change his clothes to something Chris had bought him as most of the men at the party wore 'jeans'. Also because he wished to see the slight darkening of her mis-matched eyes that he thought was due to attraction but he could not be sure. But first he had to meditate very quickly in an effort to control his bodily reactions to Chris' outfit.
He coiled into a comfortable position on the floor and opened his mind. He had never reacted that way to anyone before. He had desired Chris many times during the last week and before, he had felt lust for Nyota also, however it had not been the same intensity he typically felt for his blonde friend. But desire so great he lost total control of his body… it was unusual and highly un-Vulcan.
Sighing very softly in relief when he had control again, Spock rose and began emptying his shopping bag. He chose the black jeans Chris had shown the best reaction to, the 'boot cut' style, the grey button down Chris had the mate to, and a blood red 'wife beater'. He did not understand the naming of the top but he did not have time to research it. He made a mental note to research it at a later time.
Reaching the patio he considered his shoes for a moment before dismissing them. No one else wore shoes so he did not feel the need to do so either. He stepped back out and joined the party. Immediately Chris' eyes found him and he watched as they widened very slightly with appreciation. She smiled a slow, odd smile he had never seen grace her features. He thought it was beautiful, as all her smiles were, however he thought it had a slightly hungry edge to it.
Christopher smiled widely as he watched the group of younger officers mingle. They had a particularly open, friendly, relaxed nature among themselves that he had lacked with his crew for years. It was impressive, how close they had become, but not surprising. Especially given his daughter…
She moved among her friends with an ease he had always expected her to have when she'd found good, close friends. Chrissy hugged Chekov and kissed the cheek of the pretty young girl who clung to the Russian genius' arm. He didn't know her personally but from the way the pair greeted Chrissy they were close.
Jim sauntered to his side, grinning like a loon. "You and Spock did really good with all this." The lad commented, taking a long draw from his Bed Classic.
Christopher scowled at the young man, remembering his worry for the Enterprise and, more importantly, his little girl. "You, my good Captain, are in for it." He growled at the kid. He grabbed his arm firmly and glared. "You let both my girls get very nearly blown up."
"Technically Chris decided to blow herself up." Jim argued, attempting to save his own skin. Christopher fought a laugh, controlling himself and keeping up the disapproving, disappointed look. After all, he hated doing dishes…
"As it was not an official but a personal request there will be no formal repercussions." Christopher said gravely. "However if you expect to be allowed to live through tonight you will be on dish duty for the evening."
Jim opened and closed his mouth a few times, rather like a fish out of water, before nodding surprisingly meekly. "That sounds fair, Admiral." Those always laughing blue eyes met his almost gravely. "It nearly killed me, thinking we had almost lost her."
He had not expected such a reply so for a moment Christopher stared at the boy, stunned into silence. His eyes softened and turned to his baby girl, who was laughing with Uhura. He tapped his beer to Jim's. "I'll drink to that, Jim." He said before offering a thin smile. "And for tonight, it's Christopher."
Chris sprawled herself over Bones' lap as she happily ate her rare mushroom and swiss burger covered in barbeque sauce. Bones complained good-naturedly at how it was difficult to eat around her but she knew that the growl in his voice wasn't real.
"You bitch at me much longer, Doctor," She quipped, teasingly, "And I'll just have to find you a good woman to keep you in line and teach you manners."
Bones snorted. "The only good women I've ever met are the four here, and they're all spoken for." He said with his pronounced drawl. "Save you, and you're too much trouble."
Chris snickered as her other friends laughed. She probably was too much trouble… Blowing up part of the Enterprise, not waking up for ages… Forcing her friends into odd, amusing, possibly embarrassing situations…
"I believe you shall find that you are mistaken, Leonard." Spock said from his chair where he was slowly eating a veggie burger. Looking good enough to eat himself, which was why she had chosen to distance herself from him…
Everyone fell immediately silent and turned to stare at Spock, Chris included. Her heart leapt into her throat and began beating faster than a humming bird's. Did he really just mean what it sounded like he meant? That she was taken? Was he interested in her?!
"Wait one SECOND!" Her Daddy roared, standing and glaring at Spock. "You mean to tell me you've been dating my BABY GIRL this whole time and you didn't even have the curtsey to even ask my permission? Or at least TELL me when you came to visit?!" She would have been worried, except she could feel the humor coming from her Daddy. He wasn't angry, just fucking with Spock.
Chris burst out laughing at the look of horror that bloomed in Spock's very human eyes. It hurt, a little, that he hadn't meant it that way, but the expression in her Vulcan's eyes, not his face because it was as impassive as ever, was simply too funny.
"No." Spock said, looking very stiff. "No, I meant that she was not too much trouble. Chris and myself are nothing but friends."
The shock her Daddy felt made Chris curious, however. Had he really thought they were a couple? No… surely her Daddy was more observant than that… "Really, Daddy." She said, grinning. "Spock and me? Not while I'm in another man's lap."
Her Father laughed and Bones chuckled when Jim decided to speak up. "Besides… I'm the one who's gotten to snog her."
Uhura knew the whole story from Chris so when she stood, eyes wide and angry, Chris knew her friend was just messing with the Captain, as payback for something he had done over the week no doubt. "What?!" Uhura yelled, eyes livid. She stole the very sharp prongs off the grill and hefted them like a knife. "You snogged my best friend and didn't TELL ME?"
Jim made the smart move and ran. Uhura made a bee line after him down the beach, yelling curses in every language she knew after him. "Run Jim!" Chris yelled, laughing. "RUN!" The entire group fell into fits of laughter, except Spock who was looking after the pair slightly worried.
Spock found he was quite enjoying the party. He had not expected to be so at ease with his peers and the copious amounts of alcohol he knew Admiral Pike had procured, however the group was not drinking in excess.
He watched Chris dance with Lily, Uhura, and Galia on the makeshift dance floor to the pounding music. He was not the only one staring. Every other male there, save for the Admiral, stared at the women with particularly hungry stares, even Chekov. He could not understand the hunger in their stares. While the women danced in a most provocative manner he did not find it particularly arousing unless Chris caught his eye while she danced. He would have to ask Jim to fully explain their reactions at a later date.
Eventually the dancing slowed and Chris sprawled herself beside Spock, her head resting on his shoulder as she took deep breaths. He looked down at her, watching the beautiful emerald flush slowly fade from her cheeks. "Having fun?" She asked. He nodded. She smiled. "By the way," she said, her eyes giving him a once over. "You look great. Those jeans…" She let the sentence fade away as a blush stained her cheeks emerald once more.
He did not need their minds to be connected to know she was slightly embarrassed. "Thank you." He said, attempting to be polite while his emotions surged against his control. Bright excitement, blue joy, and blue-green affection boiled against the glassy surface of his Vulcan control in his mind.
Jim, who Spock knew had finished off five beers, smiled boisterously. "Gift time!"
Chris leapt off their shared seat. "WHAT?! Gifts?!" She yelped, apparently horrified. "I don't need gifts! You guys being here is enough!"
"Tough!" Jim declared, smiling. "We all brought you something." He winked teasingly as Spock and he felt himself stiffen. "Even Spock, but his might not be as awesome as mine!"
Spock would have been insulted but Chris' eyes flicked to his face and she smiled shyly at him. "You really didn't have to." She murmured to him softly before Jim pulled her into the middle of the group, thrusting a mini PADD and envelope into her hands.
Chris pushed the little play button on the PADD and a vid file opened, creating a perfect halogram. An old Frank Sinatra song, "Luck Be A Lady", began playing. Halographic dice rolled landing on a 2 and a 1, little chips fell from no where. Cards were dealt and then exposed, an Ace and a Queen of hearts with her smiling face stared back at her and Chris burst out laughing. The Queen reached out and grabbed a slot machine and pulled the lever, the wheels stopped eventually to say, "Hope you hit the Jackpot tonight!" Words flashed, replacing the little halogram. "Happy 21st Chrissy!"
"Jim!" She squealed, throwing her arms around her friend Chris hugged him tightly as he laughed. "That was awesome!"
He smiled as she released him. "I programmed it myself." He admitted before tapping the envelope. "Open it." Chris carefully tore open the paper and burst out laughing as she stared at a gift certificate chip to Hustlers. Jim grinned. "I didn't know your size." He explained.
Instead of slapping him like she should have she kissed his cheek. "You're sweet. Thank you Jim."
Chekov blushed and shyly handed her a beautifully wrapped gift. "Thank you Pavel." She said to the boy, kissing his cheek. Gingerly she tore open the wrapping. Inside she found a beautiful mahogany box, five inches square and four inches tall, with mother of pearl inlays.
"Oh'peen it." Pavel insisted softly. The entire group was silent as she opened it. Music slowly filled the air, slightly cracking with age. Pavel hummed along. "It vas mi Greet GradMuders." Pavel said shyly. "Shee vould haff leked you werry, werry much. Iit is an old Russian lullaby."
"Pavel…" Chris said, feeling tears prick at her eyes. She hugged the boy, kissing his forehead gently. "I love it. Thank you so much."
"Я люблю тебя тоже, сестра." Pavel murmured into her shoulder. Chris' chest tightened a little. He released Chris when Scotty asked if anyone else could give Chris their gifts or if they should wait, a blush staining his cheeks. Chris teasingly ruffled his hair, giving the boy a wash of affection.
Lily bounded up, locking her arm around her blushing, younger boyfriend. "Me next!" She said, thrusting a full, big, black duffle bag into Chris's hand.
"What is it?" Chris asked her young friend, jokingly, "A body?" It sure was heavy enough… But still, she unzipped it and pulled it open. "Oh. My. God." She gasped, staring in the bag. She looked up at Lily. "I could kiss you."
Lily laughed. "So, no more stealing mine, okay?" Chris just laughed, nodding.
"What is it?" Uhura asked, leaning over Chris, her curiosity hitting Chris full force.
"Lion bars." Chris said, smiling.
"What?" Jim asked, peering over his girlfriend.
Chris rolled her eyes. "Never mind, Farmboy." She teased, zipping up the duffel. And carrying it back to her seat, where she promptly sat back down. Spock had vacated his side of the loveseat so she gently placed the box from Pavel and the card from Jim beside her.
"Ahm next!" Scotty cheered, thrusting a heavy, wrapped gift into Chris' hands. "Yer gonna lahk dis one, lassy." He said, winking.
Chris was almost afraid of what it could be but still she hooked a finger under the paper and gently removed the shining material. It was a textbook. A textbook on Auto mechanics. Chris laughed and threw her arms around the man. "Time ye learned, lassy!" He teased, hugging her back. "Once yer done, I'll see if Ah can borrow ye from tahme to tahme."
"It's great, thank you Scotty." Chris said softly, kissing his scruffy cheek. "You're so sweet." He blushed and made some noise about how a Scott was never sweet. She ignored it.
Uhura quietly handed Chris a black leather-bound book with gold-guilded pages. Chris peered at the cover before smiling up at her friend. "Robert Frost? Uhura, you shouldn't have. This must have cost a fortune!"
Uhura shrugged. "Not really." She said, smiling. "Besides, I know how much you love Frost." Chris would have argued but she could feel the determination and affection Uhura felt for her. There was no arguing with that woman.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Uhura smiled, satisfied. "My pleasure."
Bones looked almost shy as he handed her a heavy gift bag. She glanced at the pink princess designs on it and lifted an eyebrow. He blushed. "Joanna helped me wrap it." He admitted, "Her birthday was two days ago. She said I needed a bag and loaned me one of hers."
Chris smiled. "It's perfect. Next time you send a message to her, tell her I say thank you." Her gruff, Southern friend nodded and she opened the bag before bursting out laughing. She lifted the bottle of Southern Comfort up for her friends to see and smiled even brighter at Bones. "Southern Comfort?" She teased. "Are you offering?"
He laughed and shook his head. "Nah, I prefer Mint Julep m'ah self. Ah just figured Ah'd get you some of da good stuff, now yer actually legal."
She stood and kissed his scruffy cheek. "You have to promise to open it with me, back on the Enterprise." He just nodded, the light pink still tingeing his cheeks. She wasn't going to tell anyone, but he was a really, really sweet man, under the gruff and the sarcasm.
Sulu and Galia glanced at one another… Well, Chris saw Galia give Sulu the stink eye and Sulu just glanced between them before settling back into his chair. Galia smiled boldly and bounced up, handing Chris her gift.
"This is a totally practical gift, I assure you." Galia said, smiling like the cat that got the cream as she sat back down.
Feeling deeply nervous Chris opened the box. And burst out laughing before slamming the box closed. No matter how they pried, Chris avoided her friend's questions (and Spock's deeply curious glances) as Galia howled with laughter. Chris just hoped no one got their hands on the box before she hid the contents.
She didn't need them to see the new, bright green, waterproof vibrator, rechargeable dilithium battery cartridges, and a recharging station. Because if they did they might ask why her friend had bought her a new one, and she didn't feel like telling them that she had accidentally forgotten that her other one wasn't waterproof and taken it in the shower with her after her dinner date with her Meme, pretending to be Spock's intended…
Sulu, sweet, sweet Sulu, came to her rescue. He handed her a beautifully painted gift bag with a smile. "This is only half of your gift. The other half you will get tomorrow, when you return to your quarters." He felt no nervousness, only the sweetest familial affection.
Chris opened the little bag to see a beautifully painted mask. Lifting it from the bag she gasped, realizing what she held. "It's a kitsune, a playful, trickster, fox spirit from my culture's mythology." Sulu explained. Chris lifted out the PADD. "A collection of every myth I could find, translated, and a basic guide to traditional Japanese language."
Chris stroked the PADD, knowing exactly what she would be doing in her down time for a long while. "It's wonderful Sulu. I love it."
The Japanese man smiled. "Yes, I know. And you're welcome."
Chris carefully replaced the gifts in their bag, which her Father wisked away to put with all her other gifts. He returned with two beautiful boxes, one wooden, seven inches by eight inches by three inches, and one wrapped, three inches cubed.
Chris took the wooden box slowly, tentatively. Her Daddy smiled down at her. "That is not from me." He murmured, just loud enough for her friends to hear as well. "It's been in my care for the last seventeen years, but I have no idea what's in it." Chris felt the raw grief and love in her Daddy's heart and knew immediately who the box was from.
Her heart clenched, her jaw tightened, and tears pricked in her eyes. She didn't bother trying to blink them away. "Mommy?" She asked softly.
Her Daddy nodded, his eyes sad and pained. "When she knew she was dying she collected these things and told me to give them to you on your twenty first." He laughed softly, tears falling from his eyes to get lost in his scruff. "But that's your Mother for you. Always prepared, planning ahead."
Spock watched as the tears in Chris' jewel-tone eyes slowly slid down her cheeks. It looked odd paired with her terribly sad, bittersweet smile. The box she held glittered, the copper metal inlays catching the firelight. Slowly she opened it.
From his vantage point, standing behind her, Spock could see the two items inside the box. An outdated vid disk and a much smaller box. Chris picked up the box and opened it and he saw the light catch on more metal. She lifted a ring from the little box. Two oval shaped gemstones glittered, one dark blue and one brilliant green, the exact colors of her eyes.
No one spoke as Chris slid the ring onto her right ring finger. It sized itself, stretching to fit her hand, and she showed the ring to her friends. She didn't speak as she closed the box, tears running down from her face. Absently she ran her finger over the metal and stones, smiling sadly.
Without thinking Spock reached forward and touched her shoulder. Immediately he pulled his hand away as if he had been physically burned. He clamped his control on his body to suppress the sob that threatened to tear itself from his throat. Her pain and loss, as raw and overwhelming as his had been only months before, had been too much for him to bare.
For a full minute no one said or did a thing, then (to Spock's immense surprise) Jim stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Chris' shoulders. "Shhh, it's okay."
Spock saw the change in Chris immediately. She squared her shoulders, sniffed, and pulled her head up, all physical cues that she was suppressing her grief. She leaned into Jim's arms for a second before pulling away. "Thanks Jim." She murmured. Jim just kissed her temple and released her. Spock found that he… envied his Captain. He wanted to comfort her but hadn't been able to control her emotion as well as his own.
The Admiral handed Chris the second box. "This is from me baby." He said, kissing her hair. Chris opened the box and Spock saw the very expensive, high resolution, infinite memory data crystal. "Pictures and video from this leave and every vacation we have ever taken." Spock couldn't see the Admiral's face but he was able to discern by the tenor of the man's voice than he too was emotionally unstable. "And video of your Mother, going all the way back to her childhood."
Spock watched as Chris reached back and grasped her Father's hand. He did not need to be an empath to know that Chris was giving her Father love and support. He also did not have to be an empath to know that the party had officially ended. The last gifts had made the group feel tense, awkward. And Spock figured if he noticed it, it was quite obvious to every one else.
The party broke up slowly, making Spock wait longer than he wished to before giving Chris his gift. Only after Jim finished washing, drying, and putting away all the dishes for the party did the Admiral go to his room. Spock had remained to keep the pair company, allowing Chris to go to her room for solitude he had a feeling she needed.
Finally he was allowed to go to his room and fetch the beautiful little box that held his gift to his dearest friend. Nervousness so strong it nearly made his hands shake filled his mind, pushing against his control. He knew she would find the gift beautiful, he simply hoped she would accept it.
He knocked on Chris' bedroom door, hearing the almost silent sniffling. His chest tightened. She was crying… she should not be crying on her birthday… And his gift would not help lift her mood, he thought almost miserably. The door opened and he caught sight of her. She had yet to remove the ties that held her bun but most of her blonde locks had fallen free, her eyes were emerald blood-shot, her cheeks flushed green and wet with tears.
"Do you wish for me to leave you be?" He asked her softly, fighting the tingle in his fingers. She shook her head and opened the door wider, allowing him in. He had never given a birthday gift before, especially one so… special. He simply offered the box to her. "My gift to you." He murmured.
She sniffed and gave him a smile. "You didn't need to, Spock." But she took the box from his hands.
"I could think of no one else who would suit it." He said simply, fighting the vague tremble in his hands. His nervousness grew one hundred fold as she slowly opened the box and stared at the gift, her eyes wide.
"Spock." She murmured, breathlessly. Her pale eyes flicked to his and the emotion in them washed away his nervousness. "Spock… this is your Mother's."
The memories he could not control took him away…
Spock and Amanda sat in the small restaurant, waiting for Chris to arrive. Amanda was scheduled to leave on the first transport in the morning and she had made a comment about a wish to spend her last night 'out on the town' with her son and his Chris. Spock had agreed immediately to the plans but he tried to convince his Mother that Chris was not his anything. She had smiled and just waved him off.
But as they waited Amanda leaned across the table and passed a beautiful, black box to Spock. He stared at the box, unsure what it was for. "This is for you, Spock." His mother said gently. "To give, as a gift, to a woman."
Spock felt his eye twitch very slightly. "Mother, there are no women in my life."
Amanda laughed softly. "Spock, my wonderful son, Chris and Uhura are women, and they are in your life." She tapped the box. "I want you to give this to a woman who means the world to you. Who you cannot live without. It has been in my family for four centuries, given from mother to daughter, but I have no daughters, so I give it to you."
Spock opened the box and stared at his mother's favorite necklace. "You cannot give this to me Mother." He insisted, trying to return the gift.
Amanda shook her head. "No. Please my son, do as I ask."
His Vulcan obedience and logic took control of his human shock and he finally consented. "As you wish, Mother." Amanda smiled brightly as Spock covered his hand over the box, pulling it into his jacket pocket.
Chris bounded up, smiling. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was terrible!"
Chris stared, wide eyed, at the beautiful necklace nestled in black velvet. The pale white gold cameo necklace struck a cord in her memory. It was the necklace Amanda had worn every time she'd seen her except for their last night, when she'd worn a diamond pendant.
Spock nodded solemnly. "My Mother wished for me to give it to a woman who I cared for. I believe she meant for me to give it to you." Chris' heart clenched, tears pricked her eyes again. "She was very fond of you."
Chris shook her head. "Spock, I can't accept this. It is too special."
He simply closed his hands over hers and pushed very gently toward her chest. "This is for you." He insisted. "I wish for you to have it and I shall not take it back."
Chris felt the tears slide down her cheek once more and she nodded. "Alright, thank you." She murmured, pressing a kiss to Spock's cheek. "I hope you know how much this means to me." She felt him nod once more. It should have worried her that he was so quiet, but the warm blue-green affection he felt mingled with the grief and loss let her know he simply was struggling to contain himself.
He disentangled himself from her and surprised her by touching her cheek with his burning hot fingers. "Good Night Chris. Rest well." When he left her she curled up on her bed and let herself fall into the black, twisting pain and grief. It gripped her heart, making it hard to breathe, and she cried.
Chris cried for the mother she could hardly remember, who loved her more that she had ever known. She cried for the woman who she had loved like a mother, who had clearly loved her. And she cried for the man who she loved, for his loss, and for the fact that he was what she could never have.
AN: Did you cry?! Tell me you cried! PLEASE CRY! I cried writing this! Do you like Spock's gift to Chris? He's starting to realize how much she means to him, he can't live without her, he doesn't like others possibly being hers… He's so CLOSE!!!
Sigh, anyway. Next chapter is packing, the trip back to the ship, and the introduction of my three new characters! HELLO Livie! WOOT! You will all love Livie and read my spin off, "What A Doctor Needs". Right? Please, pretty pretty please?
Remember, review = PREVIEW!!!
Ciao!
Oh yea, I almost forgot. What Pavel said is Russian, it means "I love you, sister." Because he sees her as family, which is why he gave her a family heirloom!!!
