Interstellar Academy
28: New Year's
A/N: This is probably going to be a weak chapter, and quite long. Just thought I'd make this, it's been running in my head for a little while.
Jim set his belongings on his new bed- well, it was new as far as beds go, since he hadn't gotten any new furniture until the burn down of the old Benbow Inn- and then crashed onto his pillows. He slept for a few hours before getting up just in time for a dinner rush.
The Benbow Inn before wasn't so much of an inn as it was a diner. Calling the building an "inn" gave it more of a homey feel. But when rebuilding it, his mother decided that renting out rooms would be a more surefire way of having some money around, lest a tragedy happen again.
Helping his mother get orders ready and clear out the room was a harder job than he remembered. In fact, Jim didn't remember the Benbow being this popular, even during the holidays.
As the remaining guests stayed to chat amongst themselves, Jim took it upon himself to clean up around them and wash the dishes. Exhausted, he fell asleep once more and dreamed through the night.
Waking up the next morning, he got a call downstairs, B.E.N. having answered.
"Oh, Jimmy! You're awake!" The robot was on their phone, his hand pressed against the receiver. "I guess the time difference is pretty significant on Solara, huh-"
"S-Solara?" Jim tried to reach for the phone, but B.E.N. played keep-away and placed it against his "ear" again.
"Oh, just leave a message? What would you like to tell him?"
"B.E.N., give it back!"
"OK, well, here he is." B.E.N. winked and gave him a thumbs up, sauntering away as if he'd accomplished something amazing.
"Hello?" Jim said, annoyed and breathless.
"Is this a bad time? It's afternoon here; I forgot about the time differences."
"No! No, you're fine." He pressed the phone as close to his ear as humanly possible, relishing in her sweet voice.
"Just making sure." She giggled. "You aren't much of an early bird."
"It just depends." Jim cleared his throat. "But what did you call about?"
"To say Merry Christmas!" She blew what sounded like a small horn into the phone.
"You guys celebrate Christmas?" Jim asked, shocked.
"No, but I know you do, so… er…" She felt awkward.
"Merry Christmas, Nova." He smiled softly. "I hope you have a good holiday."
"You too! I'll see you around. Good-bye!"
Returning the salutation, he hung the phone up and leaned against the wall. He wondered what it would be like to spend a holiday with her parents. Then shuddered at the thought. What if they celebrated the season by blasting planets to smithereens?
"Good morning, Jim." Sarah came hustling into the room wearing her usual garb, hair and clothes clean and sharp. She tied her apron around her small waist. "Ready to start the holiday rush?"
"You know it."
They spent half the morning decorating the place, the other half cooking and preparing food for hungry guests that would no doubt swarm in.
The first of them was Doctor Delbert Doppler and his wife Amelia. In her hands she held two of the triplets, Doppler cradling the other and his son.
"Ah, Jim! Nice to see you home." The Doctor looked like he was struggling a bit to carry his children.
"Glad to see you too!" Jim walked over and offered to hold the boy, cradling him carefully. He took this as an opportunity to sit down as well; he was tired already of the holidays, and they barely even started! The boy fussed a bit but then settled in the young man's arms, falling instantly back to sleep.
They discussed, quietly, school and all that was going on in the boy's life, then switched to any and all discoveries the Doctor has made. Though their age greatly differentiated, they still held an intellectual bond- and the adventures of Treasure Planet definitely strengthened their relationship.
Jim smiled over at Captain Amelia, the woman preoccupied with the two girls in her hands. "How ya been, Captain? Other than, you know, the obvious."
The woman laughed heartedly. "I'm toughing it out. But I won't bore you with my scars." She winked at the boy then became extra attentive with her babies again.
The lunch rush came in quickly, and Jim had to hand back the baby boy to help B.E.N. and his mother. Morph took his place relaxing him, turning into a raddle he could snuggle with while he slept. There was dancing, singing, laughing, and even a fight Jim had to break up. The afternoon was crazy, followed by an even crazier night. By the end of the day, as he was escorting the doctor and captain to the door and sending his farewells, he was so dog tired he just about fell asleep on the wooden floor.
"Thanks for everything, Jim," said his mother, pulling a small present from behind his back.
"Ah, mom, I forgot to get you-"
She kissed his forehead and smiled sweetly. "You don't have to, and I wouldn't want you to. Now open it."
Tentatively, not wanting to ruin whatever was inside, he unwrapped the box. Inside was a locket.
That looked like Captain Flint's map.
Jim stared at it in awe, the scale sized map shimmering gold in the low light of the room. Tears brimmed his eyes and he looked at his mom with warm, loving eyes. "I love it."
They hugged, she squeezing him as tightly as possible. "You make me so proud, James Hawkins. You mean the world to me."
"So do you. I love you."
For the rest of the night, Jim stared at the locket, now around his neck, wondering what pictures he'd place inside it. Then he had an idea. Getting onto his computer, he searched for the two images that meant the most to him.
The first, his mother in a night gown when he was younger, reading him the story that eventually became his reality and changed his life. The second, the doctor and captain having one of their secret moments when they initially started being together. Lastly, he put in his locket a picture of Nova when she was helping here at the inn a year and a half ago, her hair messy and dirt on her face.
These were real to him. These were everything.
A/N: Told you it was cheesy! But I liked it, this is probably my favorite. Just a year and a half to go before Jim and Nova finally graduate. I'm wondering if there's anyway I could continue after that, probably with one shots. Got any ideas? Shoot them my way! R&R appreciated!