James Kirk opens his eyes, yawns, and reaches over to touch the person beside him. "Spock? Time to wake up, Love." He doesn't want to get up. The warmth of his bondmate beside him makes him realize how lucky a man he is. Jim stares at his husband's naked chest, admiring how flat the Vulcan's stomach is. He moves his eyes upward toward Spock's face. Very little has changed about his bondmate. There are extra wrinkles near his eyes and some grey in Spock's hair. Jim looks at his flabby stomach but is not overly concerned. Spock has told him that he is loved no matter his physical appearance.
Jim is now eighty-five years old and had a good life despite the dangers faced by being Captain of the Enterprise all those years ago. Living in retirement with the man he loves couldn't make life more perfect. "Spock? We have to get up. We shouldn't be late to our anniversary party."
Spock opens his eyes and does a very human-like yawn as well. "We can remain in bed, Ashayam. It is warm and cozy."
The temptation to remain in bed is strong, but Jim knows their Enterprise family has been looking forward to celebrating the couple's fiftieth anniversary. "I know, Love. Believe me, there's nothing I want more than to spend the day here with you in bed, but we promised."
Spock gently kisses Jim on the lips. "I will prepare us a meal." He rises from bed and dresses in a robe folded neatly on a nearby chair.
Jim admired Spock's naked body as he dressed before rising from the bed. He retrieves his own robe at the foot of the bed and walks toward the 'fresher. "I'm going to take a shower, Spock. You're welcome to join me."
Spock raises his right eyebrow slightly. "Jim, you are incorrigible. You constantly say one thing, but your actions dictate otherwise. I have plans for us later tonight," Spock said lovingly. "The meal will be ready in ten minutes. You have that long to shower."
"Well, I tried." Jim laughed before disappearing.
Ten minutes later, Jim emerges, showered and dressed in a clean robe Spock bought for him two years ago when they last visited T'Khasi. "What's for breakfast? I'm hungry."
Spock already has the meal on the kitchen table inside their San Francisco home. "Freshly squeezed kaasa, gespar, Earth wheat toast, and strawberry jam I made myself, Jim. I shall have my Plomeek soup as always. You never did acquire a taste for it."
"You spoil me, Love. No wonder I'm a little flabby." Jim slaps his stomach.
"You are perfect the way you are, Ashayam. Come, let us eat." Spock sits after placing two cups of tea on the table.
The men eat with the occasional hand touching as they reach for a spoon, knife, or tea.
Thirty minutes later, the meal is finished, the dishes washed, and the husbands dressed, ready to head to downtown San Francisco to meet up with old crew mates who are also the best of friends.
Jim is sad. One friend will be missing. Leonard McCoy. Leonard passed away three years ago and is still terribly missed by Jim and Spock. The man who 'knocked' sense into Jim by telling him to *marry that green-blooded hobgoblin.*
Spock feels Jim's sadness through their bond. "You still miss him." He cups his husband's cheeks and softly kisses him before releasing him to slide his feet into boots.
"I do," Jim said softly before bending to pull on his boots.
"As do I. Leonard was a good friend despite being what you called a thorn in my side."
They leave their home together and walk toward a waiting air taxi to take them to their destination, a restaurant in the heart of downtown San Francisco where Starfleet cadets went to years ago. Now, the restaurant is visited only by locals who remember how it was in the old days.
The taxi driver recognized the couple as he opened the rear door. "Captain Kirk, Captain Spock. It is good to see you both again. Happy Anniversary!" He politely said as he waited for the couple to enter the taxi.
"Good to see you too, Mark. How did you know about our anniversary?" Jim asked curiously while Spock's lips curled slightly upward in amusement.
"A certain Nyota Uhura told me," the driver answered with a smile. "She's already waiting at the restaurant." Once Jim and Spock were seated, Mark entered the driver's side and turned on the vehicle. It starts to float in the air before soundlessly moving forward. "We'll be at our destination in ten minutes, gentlemen," he added before humming a tune.
During the trip, the couple listened to Mark humming Stay with You by the artist John Legend from Earth's twenty-first century.
Jim and Spock are now at the restaurant after saying goodbye to Mark and see an older grey-haired woman at the entrance. Jim grins as he recognizes her. "Nyota!"
"Jim! Spock!" Nyota Uhura cries out in delight at seeing the couple. She hugs Jim first while kissing his right cheek. Then does the same with Spock, who doesn't object.
"I see life has been treating you well, Nyota. You look as beautiful as ever," Jim complimented after hugging Uhura.
"Your appearance is pleasing, Nyota. Is your husband inside?" Spock asked calmly.
Uhura's face turns sad for a moment. "I guess you didn't know. My husband passed away last year."
"My apologies, Nyota. I was unaware he passed," Spock answered, apologetic.
Jim hugs Nyota again. "I'm sorry, too. He was a good man."
"Yes, he was," Uhura said wistfully. "Forty wonderful years together. He would have wanted to celebrate your fiftieth anniversary. Enough about me, let's go inside. The others are waiting."
Jim and Spock spend the day with old friends Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, and Chapel. Scotty couldn't make it due to declining health.
Everyone, including Spock, told old stories of what it was like on board the Enterprise. Leonard McCoy was mentioned many times, especially by Spock when they used to argue.
There was laughter, eating, and drinking as the stories continued.
Spock smiled slightly at the memories and nursed a glass of wine all afternoon. Often, he would glance at his bondmate's face and see Jim's eyes sparkle.
Jim noticed Spock's glances and said privately through their bond. *I'm so happy, Love. Especially with you by my side.*
*I too am happy, Ashayam. My place is always with you.*
Hours passed, and it was time to go home. Everyone hugs each other and said their goodbyes, for they know this may be the last time they were together as a family.
Jim and Spock return home feeling satisfied with the day's celebration.
Jim was about to ask what plans Spock had in mind from the morning's discussion when Spock suddenly picked up Jim and carried him toward the bedroom. "I believe you will be amenable, Ashayam," Spock murmured while kissing him.
The door closes behind them.